>> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> ALL UNITS, OFFICER MATTHEW RUBY, FIREFIGHTER HAVE ANSWERED THEIR FINAL CALL.

>> Mary: A FINAL FAIR WELL TO FIRST RESPONDERS MOVED ACTION AT THE CAPITOL INTO THE EVENING.

WE'LL TALK WITH FORMER SENATORS AND A FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER WHO HAS A BIG NEW JOB.

THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

♪♪ >> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... MANITOBA HYDRO: PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES: A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY: DELIVERING NEARLY $4 BILLION TO BENEFIT ALL MINNESOTANS SINCE 1990.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

AND THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATION IN SCOTT COUNTY.

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

>> MARY: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

I'M MARY LAHAMMER.

WE HAVE SOME OF OUR FAVORITE FORMER SENATORS HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE SESSION AHEAD AND WE HAVE THE NEW HEAD OF THE MINNESOTA BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP WHO'S ALSO A FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER.

WE'LL MEET A FIRST-TERM LAWMAKER WITH CLOSE TIES TO THE AGO ACCOUNT ACTUAL COMMUNITY.

BUT FIRST, LOTS OF LEGISLATIVE ACTION THIS WEEK, UNTIL A PAUSE TODAY TO HONOR FIRST RESPONDERS AT A PUBLIC MEMORIAL.

[BAGPIPES PLAYING] >> Mary: POLITICAL AND COMMUNITY LEADERS GATHERED TO SAY FAREWELL TO FALLEN OFFICERS.

>> I THINK OF THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD WHO HAVE REACHED OUT TO US TO SHOW US HOW MUCH THEY CARE ABOUT PAUL, MATTHEW AND ADAM.

>> WE WERE THERE FOR SEVEN CHILDREN.

NOTHING COULD BE MORE HONORABLE, REST EASY, BROTHERS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, PININ ON OUR BADGE MEANS SACRIFICE.

SACRIFICE FOR THE OFFICERS, SACRIFICE FOR THE FAMILIES.

>> MEANWHILE, A COMPROMISE IS EMERGING AT THE CAPITOL ON THE ISSUE OF POLICE OFFICERS IN SCHOOLS BUILT THE SENATE SAYS NOT SO FAST.

>> WE KIND OF SAW IN THE NEWS THAT REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS HAD REACHED SOME SORT OF CONSENSUS ON THE S.R.O.

BILL.

BUT I THINK EVERYBODY FORGETS WE HAVE A BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE.

IT'S GREAT 2459 HOUSE HAS DONE A LOT OF WORK AND MADE SOME IMPROVEMENTS TO THE INITIAL BILL THAT WAS DELIVERED THERE.

HOW MUCH, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD TELL YOU, CERTAINLY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND I DON'T THINK SCHOOLS WOULD TELL YOU, WE HAVE A 100% CONSENSUS ON THAT IS THE BILL THAT'S GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

>> Mary: SENATE REPUBLICANS AANNOUNCED NEAR PLAN TO REPAIR MINNESOTA.

>> THE SINGLE CONTROL HAS DAMAGED MINNESOTA.

DEMOCRATS PURSUED A VERY DIVISIVE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, TO APIECE REALLY THEIR FAR LEFT BAGS, LEAVING A LOT OF MINNESOTANS BEHIND AND MAKING A MESS OF THE STATE ALONG THE WAY.

>> HE HISTORIC MONEY BEING FLOAT FIND AROUND WAS SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH TO COVER ALL THAT THE MANDATES AND REQUIREMENTS THAT WERE GOING TO COME WITH IT.

>> OUR CAUCUS HAS DISCUSSED A BONDING BILL AND WE'RE VERY OPEN TO DOING ONE BUT WE ARE GOING TO REPAIR THE BONDING PROCESS BY STICKING TOGETHER FOR A MODEST BILL THAT ONLY INCLUDES INFRASTRUCTURE, BRIDGES AND WATER.

>> Mary: DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRS CAME TOGETHER TO PROMOTE CAUCUS PARTICIPATION.

>> DAVID AND I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME RAVELING THROUGHOUT THE STATE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE IN OUR RESPECTIVE PARTIES TO PARTICIPATE.

>> IT IS HOW IN MINNESOTA THE POLITICAL PROCESS IS INITIATED SO WE WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO.

THE PRECINCT CAUCUS LOCATION AND GO AND PARTICIPATE.

IT'S A WAY TO HAVE A VOICE.

>> Mary: AND DFLers WANT TO CRACK DOWN ON CORPORATE MONOPOLIES AND PRICING.

>> PEOPLE ARE STILL STRUGGLING IN THIS ECONOMY.

MUCH OF IT IS BECAUSE OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS, WE HAVE SEEN A MASSIVE CONCENTRATION IN NEARLY EVERY INDUSTRY.

>> WE NEED PRICE TRANSPARENCY SO THAT INNESOTANS CAN ACTUALLY PLAYING THE CHOICES THEY WANT TO MAKE.

>> THEY'RE STILL CHARGING THE SAME OR EVEN MORE AT THE END, THEY'RE JUST HIDING IT SO THE CONSUMERS DON'T HAVE THE ABILITIES TO ACTUAL ACTUALLY COMPARISON SHOP.

>> FORMER SENATORS JOIN PLEA TO TALK ABOUT A LOT OF ACTION ALREADY.

WE HAVE FORMER REPUBLICAN SENATOR MILLION BENSON AND DEMOCRAT SENATOR KARLA BIGHAM.

KIND OF A HEAVY DAY WITH OFFICER ATTENTION FOR THE FUNERAL ACTION HERE PAUSED, BIG PICTURE.

IT'S BEEN A COMPLICATED COUPLE OF YEARS WHEN IT COMES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THINGS HERE.

LET'S STALK ABOUT THAT.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S A HEAVY WEEK AND WE CAN'T FORGET THAT AND, YOU KNOW, BLESS THESE HEROS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND LET'S REMEMBER THAT.

I THINK WORDS MATTER.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITIES ARE SAFER, WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND REMEMBER THAT.

I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ONE THAT HAS BEEN ONE TO MAKE SURE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS THE EQUIPMENT, THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE AND I THINK THAT'S THE MESSAGE TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE AND EVERYBODY DESERVES TO HAVE THE SAFE COMMUNITY.

>> Mary: A LOT MORE POSITIVE APPRECIATION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS RIGHT NOW, I THINK.

>> I THINK WE'RE FAR ENOUGH FROM THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD THAT PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO COME BACK TO SORT OF A GROUNDEDNESS.

THE DEFUND THE POLICE MOVEMENT WAS COMPLETELY IRRESPONSIBLE AND SO THANKFULLY NOW, WE'RE REMEMBERING THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO RUN TOWARDS BULLETS.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO RUN TOWARDS DANGER, WHO ON YOUR WORST DAY, THEY WILL SHOW UP BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY PROMISED TO DO.

IF THERE IS A BAD ACTOR, THE GOOD GUYS WANT 'EM OUT AND WHAT WE NEED NOW IS FOR PROSECUTORS TO HAVE THE BACK OF COPS WHEN THERE ARE BAD GUYS WHO COME AFTER OUR FAMILIES AND -- >> AND TO CONTINUE FUNDING.

LAST SESSION WAS RECORD AMOUNT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, ONE-TIME MONEY.

COUNTIES COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE GRATEFUL FOR THE MONEY WE RECEIVED SO TO CONTINUE THAT WOULD BE A GREAT, STRONG MESSAGE, AS WELL.

>> Mary: LET ME JUMP IN.

GEORGE EMPLOYED IS STILL BEING TALKED ABOUT IN THIS BUILDING AS THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER BILL IS GOING THROUGH HE PROCESS.

>> SURE.

>> Mary: FOLKS ARE REMEMBERING, PRONE RESTRAINTS WERE A PROBLEM AND AN ISSUE BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM SO IT IS STILL RELEVANT TO HIM ESPECIALLY HE THAT FILL -- >> SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS WEREN'T DOING THAT SO THEY ASSOCIATE OF PUSHED THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATH WATER INSTEAD OF SAYING, WHAT PROBLEM ARE YOU TRYING TO SOLVE, THEY WANTED MORE DATA.

OKAY, MORE DATA AND THANK GOODNESS FOR REPRESENTATIVE WITTE WHO WAS A BURNSVILLE POLICE OFFICER, WAS A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER, WHEN THEY REACHED OUT TO HIM, HE SAID, OKAY, HERE'S WHAT A SUCCESSFUL BILL -- >> Mary: THEY HAVE A COMPROMISE HERE, A UNANIMOUS BILL BUT SENATOR DUCKWORTH SAID NOT SO FAST.

>> THAT'S BECAUSE THERE HAS TO BE SOME ACTION ON THE SENATE SIDE, AS WELL.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY NEED THE BILLS TO LINE UP EXACTLY BUILT KUDOS TO REPRESENTATIVE WITTE FOR, AFTER OWED' BEEN TOLD HE COULD JUST TAKE A SEAT TO BE WILLING TO BE AT THE TABLE IN THIS MOMENT AND SAY THIS IS WHAT THE SOLUTION LOOKS LIKE.

>> I THINK SENATOR WEST LUND HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF, I THINK, THROUGH THE INTERIM LISTENING TO THE CONCERNS THAT WERE TRUE, RIGHT, I MEAN THROUGH LAW ENFORCEMENT, THROUGH STAKEHOLDERS, THROUGH STUDENTS, EVERYBODY.

NOW YOU'RE RIGHT THEY AVE TO GET IT THROUGH THE SENATE AND THEME.

IT'S IN FINANCE THIS WEEK, I BELIEVE THEY'LL HAVE A SENATE VOTE NEXT WEEK OR WHATEVER.

I BELIEVE THEY'LL BE GETTING THAT COMPROMISE.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT THAT MADE VERY LITTLE NEWS.

IT WAS CAUCUS NIGHT LAST NIGHT.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE EVEN COVERED IT, DID ANYBODY GO?

IS THE SYSTEM BROKEN?

>> IT WAS VERY QUIET.

>> VERY QUIET.

>> AND THE CAMPAIGNS WERE NOT DRIVING PEOPLE OUT.

2016, WE HAD PEOPLE OUT THE DOORS AND SITTING IN THEIR CARS BECAUSE IT WAS COLD AND THEY WERE WAITING TO GET IN AND SIGN UP.

I AS A CONVENOR THEN AND I WAS A CONVENOR LAST NIGHT.

IT WAS REALLY QUIET AND I THINK IT'S TIME FOR US TO START HAVING A CONVERSATION AND PEOPLE -- GRASS ROOTS PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO LIKE THIS BUT LAST NIGHT WAS EVIDENCE THAT WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT A DIFFERENT WAY TO ELECT OUR CANDIDATES.

>> Mary: ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> I GOT YOUR BACK ON THIS, MICHELLE.

I AGREE, I THINK IT'S TIME TO GO O A STRAIGHT PRIMARY ON THIS NOW IT'S CONFUSING FOR SOME FOLKS THAT THEY KNOW WE HAVE A PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY, WAS IT LAST NIGHT, IS IT THE FIFTH?

I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF CONFUSION NOW.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT A NEW LEADER?

LAST YEAR WE STARTED OFF SESSION TALKING ABOUT THE WOMEN RUNNING BOTH CHAMBERS.

WE STILL HAVE WOMEN RUNNING BOTH CHAMBERS AND THERE IS A NEW LEADER, AND OUR THOUGHTS WE SHOULD ALWAYS SAY ARE WITH SENATOR DZIEDZIC.

THERE IS A NEW LEADER, WHAT DO WE THINK, WHAT DO WE KNOW?

NOR MURPHY, WHICH KNOW HER WELL.

>> A DIFFERENT DYNAMIC, A DIFFERENT APPROACH, AND HOLDING THAT CAUCUS TOGETHER WAS A MINOR MIRACLE.

KARI DZIEDZIC PULLED IT OFF.

WE'LL SEE HOW ERIN MURPHY DOES.

>> Mary: CAN ERIN MURPHY DO IT?

>> I THINK SHE HAS THE SKILLS TO DO IT.

CAN IT BE EXECUTED IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THE HOUSE NEEDS TO GET OUT FOR ELECTION, BONDING BILL GIVES REPUBLICANS SOME LEVERAGE AND YOU HEARD SENATOR KARIN HOUSLEY SAY LET'S STICK TO OUR KNITTING, SO LET'S SEE.

>> ERIN WAS MY ASSISTANT MAJORITY LEADER IN THE HOUSE, SHE WAS AN ASSISTANT MENNOR LEADER IN THE SENATE WHEN I WAS THERE.

MURPHY, E., AS I CALL HER IS A HARD-WORKER AND DEFINITELY A STALWART OF DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES, NOTHING ABOUT IT.

IF SENATOR DZIEDZIC WHO I LOVE AND ADORE CAN KEEP THAT CAUCUS TOGETHER THROUGH LEADERSHIP AND SO SENATOR FRANSON BEFORE HER AND SENATOR KENT BEFORE HER, THERE'S NO REASON WHY SENATOR MURPHY CAN'T.

AND SO I BELIEVE THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY KNOW WHAT'S AT STAKE AND THEY KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO AND IT'S NOT WHAT WE THINK, ITS OTHERWISE ABOUT WHAT THE CAUCUS THINKS AND THEY'LL TO HAVE RALLY WITH HER TO KEEP THE CAUCUS TOGETHER.

>> >> Mary: LET'S LOOK AT IT TOMORROW, THE BUDGE ELSE FORECAST COMES OUT BRIGHT AND EARLY, THERE WAS A 17 BILLION SURPLUS THAT'S MOSTLY GONE.

MAYBE A DEFICIT OR SHORT-FALL IN THE OUT YEARS, BUT THEY DON'T LIKE TO CALL IT THAT.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO SEE?

>> THERE IS A STRUCTURAL DEFICIT, I THINK YOU'LL SEE A SLIGHT TREND BUT SOME ANYTHING THEY HAVE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS OF THE BIENNIUM.

>> Mary: IS A NEGATIVE A DEFICIT?

>> A STRUCTURAL DEFICIT SHOULD SEND RED SIRENS TO THE PEOPLE SPENDING THIS MONEY.

THAT YOU'VE GOT TO TAP THE BRAKES ON THE SPENDING AND GET THIS GOVERNMENT UNDER CONTROL.

REMEMBER, 40% GROWTH IN GOVERNMENT, NOTHING GROWS 40%.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE MIXED MESSAGE.

STILL A SURPLUS BUT MAYBE OUT-YEAR IMBALANCE -- >> LOOK, SO ALL ECONOMIC INDICATORS ARE STRONG, LOW UNEMPLOYMENT, YOU KNOW, THE STOCK MARKET IS PHENOMENAL, INFLATION'S GOING DOWN.

I MEAN, IT'S GOING GREAT.

I THINK THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE, NO MATTER WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE, THERE'S GOING TO BE MAYBE A COUPLE EXPENDITURES, MAYBE SOME CHILD PROTECTION, MAYBE SOME CHILD CARE.

I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE EXTREMELY MEASURED AND CONSERVATIVE IN WHAT THEY SPEND.

>> Mary: SORRY, WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

NEXT TIME.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> Mary:ING ME NOW THE NEW HEAD OF THE MEDICAL BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP AND FORMER REPUBLICAN SPEAKER, ARE YOU KIND OF POLITICALLY AGNOSTIC IN THIS NEW JOB?

>> I AM, YES IN THAT WE'LL WORK WITH NY LEGISLATOR THAT WILL TRY TO MAKE MINNESOTA MORE COMPETITIVE, MORE BUSINESS FRIENDLY AND MORE WORK FOR MORE MINNESOTANS.

>> Mary: HOW ARE THEY DOING SO GAR?

>> NOT GOOD.

>> Mary: TELL US YOUR BUSINESS BEER EXPECTATIVE.

>> THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION LAST TIME, THE PARTNERSHIP, SO WE'RE GOING TO KEEP IT SIMPLE.

IF FOLKS AT THE CAPITOL PROPOSE A BILL, A CHANGE, REGULATION THAT IS MAKING MINNESOTA MORE COMPETITIVE, WE'LL BE ALL FOR IT, BE HERE TO HELP.

BUT IF IT'S A HIGHER TAX BRACKET, IF IT'S MORE REGULATION, IF IT'S SICK AND SAFE ON TOP OF PAID LEAVE THAT NOW IS INTERRUPTING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EMPLOYER AND THE EMPLOYEE, WE'RE GOING TO BE OPPOSED TO IT BECAUSE THIS ISN'T JUST A REGIONAL ECONOMY, THIS ISN'T JUST REGIONAL COMPETITION, IT'S GLOBAL AND OUR MEMBERS IN PARTICULAR LOOK AT IT FROM HERE'S OUR HOME BASE BUT THIS IS WHAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING ALL OVER THE WORLD.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR MEMBERS BECAUSE CEOs ARE REALLY THE PEOPLE YOU SERVE, WHAT IN PARTICULAR ARE YOU HEARING FROM THEM?

>> IT'S THOSE -- REALLY IS THE BREAD AND BUTTER THINGS, NOW THE HIGHEST BUSINESS TAX RATE IN THE COUNTRY.

NEW JERSEY BLINKED THEIR OFFS SO AT 9.8%, KLEIS TAX RATE IN THE COUNTRY.

>> Mary: THERE'S NOT A CHANCE THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE, THOUGH, IN THIS SESSION, IS THERE?

>> I'M NOT GOING TO HOLD MY BREATH.

>> Mary: GRATZ CONTROL BOTH CHAMBERS.

>> BUT PROPOSING A FIFTH TISH TAX BRACKET, WE'RE NUMBER 6 IN PERSONAL INCOME, FIFTH TAX BRACKET MAKES YOU WILL NUMBER ONE IN BOTH.

WE DON'T WANT TO BE IN COMPETITION WITH NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, IT'S OKAY TO BE AVERAGE FOR THOSE TWO AND ALREADY IT'S SAFE AND SICK LEAVE, THE NONCOMPETES, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT 3M, OLARIS, JEN MIMS, ANY OF OUR MANUFACTURE AREAS OR ANY OF THAT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, YOU'RE GETTING IN-BETWEEN THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THAT ENGINEER AND HER EMPLOYER -- >> AND THAT'S BEING TALKED ABOUT AGAIN, WE MIGHT GET SOME NEW LANGUAGE ON THAT.

[Overlapping Conversation].

>> IT'S NOT JUST THAT IT'S A BAD POLICY THAT WAS POORLY CRAFTED, IT IS THE R & D THAT COMES WITH IT.

IF YOU CAN TOP TOBACCO FROM TAKING A THUMB DRIVE OUT BUT YOU CAN'T TAKE OUTS THE INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE THAT OVER FIVE YEARS THAT ENGINEER WORKING AT 3M AS DEVELOPED, SHE LEAVES AND GOES ACROSS THE STREET, SHE CAN TAKE THAT INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE WITH AND DEVISE THAT PROGRAM OR THAT NEW PRODUCT AND THAT REALLY -- THE R & D PART IS CRITICALLY MORE BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE NEW MANUFACTURING COMES IN, WHICH IS MORE PEOPLE, A BICKER HEADQUARTERS SO THAT IT REALLY IS THE LIFE BLOOD.

>> Mary: YOU MENTIONED PEOPLE WHICH IS EMPLOYEES, AND WE HAVE BUDGET FORECAST WHEN I NERD OUT ON THE DETAILS, THAT'S ONE OF THE SCARY PARTS OF OUR ECONOMY IS THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGES.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: FUN TO HAVE THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE COUNTRY BUT HOW CONCERNED IS BUSINESS ABOUT THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGES?

>> OUR SECOND ISSUE, COMPETITIVE SENATE FIRST AND THEN THE SHORTFALL.

SO LUCKILY WE'RE NOT JUST 25, IT'S REALLY ENCOURAGING, OUR MEMBERS INCLUDED WHEN IT COMES TO MANUFACTURING.

WE NEED SKILLED LABOR FORCE, AND ITS STARTS WITH NOT A TRADE SCHOOL, NOT, YOU KNOW, WHERE DO THREE GO AFTERWARDS, IT'S A DIPLOMA.

A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA IS THE NUMBER ONE CONCERN I HEAR FROM OUR MEMBERS.

WE NEED THEM JUST TO GET THROUGH HAT.

THEN WE'LL -- >> Mary: SO YOU NEED THEM NOT JUST TO STAY BUT COME HERE.

WE NEED PEOPLE TO MOVE HERE, RECRUIT, RIGHT, CAN THEY RECRUIT, DO PEOPLE ANT TO COME TO MINNESOTA?

>> IT'S GETTING MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT -- >> Mary: BECAUSE -- >> BECAUSE OF OUR BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT.

SO MINNESOTA REALLY IS -- WE'RE AMERICA'S HEADQUARTERS ECONOMY, I KNOW THAT SOUNDS AWFULLY DANGEROUS AS MINNESOTANS, I CARED SO MUCH, I ALMOST TOLD SOMEBODY I LOVED THEM.

WE'RE AMERICA'S HEAD QUARTERS ECONOMY.

THERE'S NO OTHER PLACE IN THIS COUNTRY THAT HAS THIS MIX, MEDTECH, BANCKING, AGRICULTURE U ALL OF, THAT YOU DON'T FIND THAT IN NEW YORK, CHICAGO, L.A., IT'S VERY SPECIFIC.

>> Mary: HOUSING ANOTHER LAYER OF THAT BECAUSE THAT'S THE OTHER, NOT ONLY WORKFORCE SHORTAGE BUT IG HOUSING SHORTAGE.

>> >> IT'S NOT JUST HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES, IT'S IN GREATER MINNESOTA, SWALE.

[Overlapping Conversation].

>> Mary: DID YOU LIKE NY OF THE -- REPRESENTATIVE NASH WAS WITH HOWARD LAST WEEK WITH A NEW BILL.

>> ANY OF THOSE THINGS AND, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF IT STARTS WITH MAKING SURE THAT THOSE INTEREST RATES START COMING DOWN BECAUSE THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE THING.

A LOT OF US GEN RxERS HAVE A GREAT 3.

-- >> Mary: YOU KEEP TALKING ABOUT HOW OLD WE ARE.

[Laughter] >> WE'RE ALSO CHEAP, I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE UP A 3% MORTGAGE TO GET A 5% SO EVEN IF WE'RE WILLING TO DOWNSIZE BUT THAT REALLY COMES WITH, WE'VE GOT A GREAT WORKFORCE BUT IT'S GREAT EXAMPLE, ONE OF OUR MEMBERS STARTED OFF WITH ANOTHER COMPANY, WENT IN FINANCE, THEN WENT TO BCFO FOR St. JUDE'S, NOW HE'S THE CEO OF ONE OF OUR OTHER MEMBER COMPANIES.

IN NORMAL AMERICA, YOU HAVE TO MAKE FOUR OR FIVE CORPORATE MOVES TO DO THAT.

HE'S LIVED OUT IN IN MINNETONKA THE ENTIRE YEAR.

>> Mary: REAL QUICK, DO YOU MISS IT?

>> A LITTLE BIT.

JUST -- >> YOU'RE GOING TO BE HERE, HAVE A PRESENCE?

>> CANNOT' TAKE IT KIDS ON THE FLOOR NOW THAT I'M RAGE STEERED LOBBYIST -- >> Mary: BUT HE BROUGHT ONE TONIGHT IN THE WINGS.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER.

YES.

>> MARY: OUR FIRST-TERM LAWMAKER THIS WEEK WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY AND IS A REMINDER OF THE FARMER IN DFL, REPRESENTATIVE KRISTI PURSELL.

REPRESENTATIVE THE FIRST QUESTION WE ASK EVERY FRESHMAN, WHY DO YOU WANT TOE RUN IN THE FIRST PLACE?

>> I DIDN'T SIGH A LOT OF RURAL REPRESENTATION ON MY SIDE OF THE AISLE.

I HAVE A FARMING BACKGROUNDS, I FARMED FOR TEN YEARS AND THEN IN MY WORK WITH THE CLEAN WATER NONPROFIT BEFORE THIS, IN RURAL MINNESOTA, WE WORKED A LOT WITH THE AG COMMUNITY AND REALLY SEEING THAT THERE WAS A DEFICIT OF THAT POINT OF VIEW FROM THE MAJORITY AND KNOWING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR STATE AND THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT VOICE AND THAT PERSPECTIVE IN THE LAWMAKING.

>> Mary: THE DFL PARTY STILL HAS AN "F" IN IT FOR FARMERS SO HOW DID YOU DO IT?

HOW DID YOU WIN IN AN AREA THAT FARMS?

>> WELL, I WOULD SAY MY DISTRICT IS PARTICULARLY UNIQUE.

I DID NOT NECESSARILY WIN IN THE TOWNSHIP AREAS OF MY DISTRICT BUT WE HAVE REALLY SEEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY OF COURSE IS THAT A LOT OF THE RURAL PLACES HAVE TURNED MORE RED AND I REALLY SEE THAT AS AN OPPORTUNITY AND I KNOW THAT WHEN I WAS GROWING UP IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA, ALL THE RURAL PLACES ON EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE WAS BLUE BECAUSE THERE WAS LABOR AND THERE WAS FARMER, REPRESENTATION.

MORE THAN I SEE MY PARTY REPRESENTING NOW.

>> Mary: I'M GUESSING THAT BACKGROUND GOT YOU VICE CHAIR OF AG.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN?

>> GOSH, I'VE BEEN TELLING EVERYONE, ALL MY COLLEAGUES THAT AG IS THE BEST COMMITTEE.

I MEAN, I'M ONLY ON FOUR SO I ONLY HAVE THOSE FOUR TO COMPARE TO AND I LOVE ALL MY EXIT TEASE BUT I THINK ESPECIALLY THE AG COMMITTEE IS UNIQUE BECAUSE WE REALLY DO A TON OF BIPARTISAN WORK WHERE I LIKE TO THINK OF AS NONPARTISAN WORK, THE BIGGEST INDUSTRY IN OUR STATE AND EMPLOYMENT IS AGRICULTURE, AND SO EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT A FARMER, YOU'RE AN EATER SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL, WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE STATE LEVEL AND CERTAINLY THE LOCAL LEVEL WITH OUR FOOD.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS REPRESENTING RURAL AREAS IS A DYING BLEED SO YOU SEEM TO BRING SOME YOUTH, SOME VITALITY, KIND OF A NEW PERSPECTIVE.

SHOULD DEMOCRATS IVE UP ON RURAL AMERICA?

>> FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN, THAT'S KIND OF ALREADY HAPPENED AND SO I THINK WE SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISED THAT A LOT OF THE RURAL PARTS OF OUR STATE, OUR COUNTRY ARE NOT REPRESENTED BY DEMOCRATS BECAUSE I HAVE NOT SEEN, IN MY OPINION, ENOUGH EFFORT AND ENOUGH CARE AND INTENTIONALTY TO SMALL COMMUNITIES TO RURAL PLACES AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT, AND SAYING, LIKE, IT'S NOT A FOREGONE CONCLUSION.

THIS HAS CHANGED IN MY LIFETIME AND I DON'T BLAME MY NEIGHBORS FOR FEELING LIKE, WHAT THE HECK, WE VOTED FOR DEMOCRATS FOR HOW MANY DECADES AND WE STILL FEEL LEFT BEHIND.

MY FIRST CAMPAIGN EVER TO DOOR-KNOCK IN RURAL PLACES AND TOWNSHIPS, PEOPLE WERE JUST LIKE, WAIT, YOU'RE THE CANDIDATE, YOU'RE DOOR-KNOCKING ME?

I WAS LIKE, YEAH, I WANT TO WORK FOR YOU.

YOU TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT -- YOU'VE LIVED ON THIS LAKE FOR 25 YEARS.

>> Mary: HOW DO YOU THINK YOU GOT THAT REACTION?

>> I MEAN, I THINK, BECAUSE WE'VE LEFT RURAL PEOPLE OUT OF THE CONVERSATION SO I THINK JUST TO EVEN SHOW UP, EVEN IF WE DISAGREE FUNDAMENTALLY, I WOULD HAVE PEOPLE THINKING FOR JUST SHOWING UP AND FOR JUST CARING AND I THINK THAT'S LITERALLY THE LEAST THAT WE CAN DO.

>> I RECOGNIZE THE MEMBER FROM RICE, REPRESENTATIVE PURSELL.

>> Mary: WHAT WERE YOU ABLE TO GET ONE?

YOU GOT TO BE IN THE MAJORITY, YOU WERE A FRESHMAN, YOU WERE A VICE CHAIR, WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS NOW THAT YOU HAVE ONE SESSION DOWN?

>> I AM INCREDIBLY PROUD OF OUR AGRICULTURE OMNIBUS BILL.

WE ALSO ROLLED IN $100 MILLION FOR ROADBAND EXPANSION AND AT LEAST 40% OF THAT GOES TOWARDS A PROGRAM TO REALLY GET SORT OF THE LAST MILE, THE FOLKS THAT ARE, LIKE, HARDEST TO REACH.

>> Mary: NOW THAT YOU HAVE A SESSION UNDER YOUR BELT, WHAT REALLY SURPRISED YOU ABOUT THE PLACE AND THE PROCESS?

>> IT FEELS LIKE I DIDN'T HAVE A TON OF EXPECTATIONS GOING IN.

MAYBE THE INTENSITY AND THE DEPTHS OF MY RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE I THINK WHEN YOU'RE IN AN INTENSE SITUATION, WHETHER THAT'S SUMMER CAMP OR A NEW JOB- >> Mary: SUMMER CAMP IS A GOOD ANALOGY.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, YOU KIND OF LIKE FORGE THESE RELATIONSHIPS.

I HAVE SOME MY FAVORITE FOLKS ACROSS THE AISLE HO, TOWARDS THE END OF SESSION, WERE IN THE RETIRING ROOM AND, YOU KNOW, STATE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT IS ON AND I WAS LIKE A CERTAIN GROUP OF US WHO WERE ALWAYS STANDING AROUND AND CHECKING IN AND SEEING WHAT THE SCORES ARE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> Mary: THERE ARE FRIENDSHIPS ACROSS THE AISLE, ISN'T THAT KIND OF THE UNKNOWN PART OF THE CAPITOL?

>> YES, YES, AND I THINK -- YOU'VE SORT OF HEARD THAT AS A - CLICHÉ BUT I FEEL LIKE I HAVE THOSE PEOPLE.

I'VE JUST BEEN PLEASANTLY SURPRISED THAT WE COME FROM ALL OVER THE STATE IN ALL DIFFERENT BACKGROUND AND WE HAVE THIS VERY UNIQUE EXPERIENCE TO BOND US TOGETHER.

♪♪ >> I'M THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR 11 CITIES TO REALLY GET IN THERE AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CONCERNS ARE OF THE COMMUNITY, HOSPITAL HIGHWAY 7 SAFETY, YOU KNOW, THE PARKS AND TRAILS IN EXCELSIOR, CLEAN WATER ISSUES, I MEAN, ENVIRONMENT, I GOT A BIG, BEAUTIFUL LAKE IN LAKE MINNETONKA HERE BUT BILLS CAME THROUGH COMMITTEE, I SAW OPENINGS TO BE ABLE TO SAY, HEY, I THINK OPERATIONALLY, WE CAN DO THIS A LITTLE BIT BETTER, AND I HAD SOME SUCCESS.

YOU KNOW, I GOT SOME AMENDMENTS ACCEPTED, I GOT SOME BILLS PASSED.

I THINK WE WERE 60, 70 AMENDMENTS IN AND THEY WEREN'T TAKING ANY AND THEN I WORKED REALLY HARD WITH SOMEBODY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE AND ENDED UP GETTING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TAKEN.

SO PEOPLE WOULD KIND OF GO, HEY, IF YOU WANT TO GET AMENDMENTS DONE, TALK TO MYERS, MAYBE HE COULD GET THEM DOWN.

IT WAS KIND OF SMALL, I'M TRYING TO FIND THE AREAS THAT I CAN DO IT.

>>MARY: WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WHEN WE HAVE A POLITICAL REPORTER DUO AND MINNESOTA I.T.

COMMISSIONER TALK A.I.

IF YOU MISSED PART OF TONIGHT'S SHOW, OR WANT TO RE-WATCH ANY EPISODES FROM THE PAST, HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC.

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW "ALMANAC" ON FACEBOOK.

LOOK FOR SESSION UPDATES AND MORE FROM OUR TEAM ON X.

THAT'S ALL AT TPT.ORG/AATC.

WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, YOU CAN FOLLOW HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MORE ON THE PBS STATION YOU ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

ALONG WITH PRESS CONFERENCES, COMMITTEE HEARINGS, LOTS OF STUFF.

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC" ON FRIDAY NIGHT WHEN ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK WITH THE BUDGET COMMISSIONER ABOUT THE NEW FORECAST COMING OUT TOMORROW, KATE DICAMILLO WILL PREVIEW HER NEW BOOK, AND I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THE UPDATED ECONOMIC NUMBERS WILL MEAN FOR THE REST OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THAT’S OUR SHOW.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

TEST, TEST, TEST.

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SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... MANITOBA HYDRO: PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES: A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY: DELIVERING NEARLY $4 BILLION TO BENEFIT ALL MINNESOTANS SINCE 1990.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY: POWERING WHAT'S POSSIBLE.

AND THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATION IN SCOTT COUNTY.

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

"ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.