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

>> ERIC: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," THE BIG U OF M/FAIRVIEW HEALTH SYSTEM AGREEMENT, STATE PARTY CHAIRS ARE HERE, WE REMEMBER A SOMBER ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH FORMER LEGISLATIVE LEADERS IN STUDIO AND MARY LAHAMMER UP AT THE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: WE'LL REMEMBER FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MELISSA HORTMAN WITH ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO KNEW HER BEST BEHIND THE SCENES HERE AT THE CAPITOL.

OF >> SHE WAS ALWAYS KIND, BUT DON'T EVER TAKE THAT FOR WEAK.

>> Mary: THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH AND HELPING COMMUNITIES THRIVE.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND VANESSA DAYTON, THROUGH THE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL MINNESOTANS FUND, SUPPORTING ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE STATEWIDE.

>> ERIC: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

WE HAVE A FULL HOUR FOR YOU TONIGHT.

WE'LL SPEND TIME LOOKING BACK AT THE LEGACY OF SPEAKER EMERITA MELISSA HORTMAN ONE YEAR AFTER HER ASSASSINATION, DFL AND REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRS ARE HERE TO TALK POLITICS, AND TANE DANGER SHARES A SPECIAL TRANSIT TRIP.

>> CATHY: WE START TONIGHT WITH THE BIG HEALTH CARE STORY OF THE WEEK, THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AND FAIRVIEW HEALTH SYSTEMS REACHED A DEAL TO CONTINUE THEIR PARTNERSHIP.

THE BOARD OF REGENTS APPROVED THE AGREEMENT THIS AFTERNOON.

CHRISTOPHER SNOWBECK COVERS HEALTHCARE FOR THE MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE.

ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU HERE.

THIS IS AN INTERESTING STORY BECAUSE BOTH PARTIES, THERE WAS A LOT OF ANGST AND ANIMOSITY BETWEEN BOTH PARTIES, BUT EVIDENTLY EACH NEEDS EACH OTHER.

>> THEY NEED EACH OTHER, THAT'S RIGHT, YEAH.

IT'S A 30-YEAR STORY, IN THE '90s, THE UNIVERSITY OWNED THE HOSPITAL, NEEDED A BAILOUT, FAIRVIEW CAME IN AND THEY'VE BEEN TRYING TO MAKE IT WORK EVER SINCE.

>> Cathy: WHY HAS IT BEEN SUCH A FRAUGHT RELATIONSHIP?

>> I MEAN, I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF NEEDS, RIGHT, IN HEALTHCARE.

I MEAN, THE MORE MONEY YOU HAVE, THE MORE YOU CAN DO.

THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF THINGS YOU COULD FUND, BUT MONEY'S NOT LIMITLESS.

I MEAN, I THINK THAT'S THE ESSENCE OF IT.

AND I THINK WHEN TIMES GET A LITTLE TOUGH, YOU CAN BLAME THE OTHER PARTY, YOU KNOW, MAYBE ONE SIDE -- >> Eric: IMPACT ON PATIENTS AND RESEARCH?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK FOR PATIENTS RIGHT NOW, IT'S STATUS QUO, NOT REALLY AN IMPACT.

I THINK -- I MEAN, THERE ARE TWO BIG -- AT LEAST TWO BIG QUESTIONS.

I MEAN, NUMBER ONE S THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WAS REALLY PUSHING FOR THIS RESOLUTION BECAUSE AS LONG AS THERE WAS INSTABILITY, THERE WAS CONCERN ABOUT DOCTORS JUST LEAVING, RIGHT, BECAUSE ACADEMIC MEDICINE PHYSICIANS ARE IN DEMAND, THEY CAN MOVE.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN, LIKE, A MASS EXODUS.

BUT IT WOULD TAKE A LITTLE TIME.

SO I THINK WE NEED TO KEEP WATCHING, YOU KNOW, ON THAT SIDE OF IT.

ON THE RESEARCH, TOO, YOU KNOW, THE FUNDING, IT'S A LITTLE UNCLEAR PRECISELY WHAT THE FUNDING LOOKS LIKES GOING FORWARD.

BUT WE KNOW THAT A CHUNK OF IT IS VARIABLE AND WHEN I THINK OF RESEARCH, RESEARCH IS LIKE MULTIYEAR, USUALLY, SO I'M NOT EXACTLY -- I THINK THERE'S SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT FUNDING RESEARCH GOING FORWARD BUT, OF COURSE, THAT'S IN THE CONTEXT, WE'VE GOT ALL SORTS OF UNCERTAINTY ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL FOR RESEARCH, TOO, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A BIGGER -- >> Cathy: SO LET'S BE CLEAR.

THERE IS THIS AGREEMENT.

BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THERE'S COMPLETE PEACE IN THE VALLEY, GIVEN THAT.

WHAT'S THE HUBBUB ABOUT THE SIGNAGE AT SOME OF THE FACILITIES, IS IT AT THE RIVERSIDE CAMPUS, SOUTHDALE, WILL IT BE CALLED THE SAME THING OR WHAT?

>> WELL, OKAY, SO THEY ANNOUNCED BACK IN JANUARY THAT THEY WOULD -- IN 2019, THERE WAS A BIG IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT, THEY LAUNCHED THE BRAND M HEALTH FAIRVIEW, SO THEY ANNOUNCED IN JANUARY THEY'RE GETTING RID OF HAT.

YOU KNOW, I MEAN, THERE'S SOME SYMBOLISM THERE, RIGHT, M HEALTH FAIRVIEW, WE'RE ALL IN IT TOGETHER AND THERE'S SOME CERTAIN THINGS THAT ARE KIND OF FALLING AWAY, BEHIND THE SCENES KIND OF WITH THE PARTNERSHIP.

SO, AND THEN WHAT WE LEARNED THIS WEEK IS THAT THE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, WHICH WE KNOW IS UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MEDICAL CENTER, YOU KNOW, THE UNIVERSITY'S NOT GOING TO ALLOW FAIRVIEW TO CALL IT THAT ANYMORE, WHICH IS, AGAIN, JUST KIND OF SUGGESTIVE OF THE TENSIONS.

SO THE NAME, I THINK THEY PUT FORWARD, I CAN'T EVEN REMEMBER, IT'S LIKE FAIRVIEW UNIVERSITY EAST BANK HOSPITAL, I THINK, FOR LIKE THE ADULT CARE HOSPITAL ON CAMPUS.

>> Cathy: INTERESTING.

SAY, WHAT'S THE STORY -- I'M GOING TO KIND OF TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF A DEVIATION HERE.

YOU WROTE ABOUT THIS.

UNITED HEALTHCARE, THEIR MEDICARE PATIENTS ARE GOING TO BE CUT OFF FROM FAIRVIEW, WHAT'S THAT ABOUT?

>> WELL, SO THIS IS ANOTHER CONTRACT DISPUTE.

AND, SO, FAIRVIEW, IT'S KIND OF A -- IT'S A PIT BIT OF A DO T FALL FAIRVIEW GAVE NOTICE THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO BE IN UNITED'S MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN AS OF JANUARY 1 -- JANUARY 1, 2026, THEY CAME TO AN AGREEMENT, IT WAS A ONE-YEAR AGREEMENT, SO FAIRVIEW JUST YESTERDAY STARTED NOTIFYING PATIENTS FOR 2027, WE'RE NOT DOING IT.

SO WHAT THAT MEANS -- THE WAY THEY PUT IT, WE'RE NOT GOING TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS.

THEY'LL STILL SEE EMERGENCIES, BY LAW THEY HAVE TO.

BUT NO MORE APPOINTMENTS.

NOW, I MEAN, THEY'RE SAYING IT'S A DONE DEAL.

LIKE, WE'RE NOT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO WATCH BECAUSE, I MEAN, THERE'S ALWAYS -- >> Cathy: NEGOTIATION -- >> Eric: A LITTLE POSTURING HERE GOING ON.

>> YEAH.

BUT THE LANGUAGE IS MORE ASSERTIVE THAN IT WAS LAST FALL.

>> Cathy: BOY, IF YOU'RE A MEDICARE PATIENT, IT'S REALLY HARD TO KNOW WHAT TO DO AROUND HERE.

>> YEAH.

THIS IS PART OF THE WHOLE FUNDING QUESTION RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT, CHRIS.

>> SURE.

>> Cathy: HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: WELL, WE'RE GOING TO HEAD OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STUDIO RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE GOING TO BE RIGHT BACK.

>> ERIC: CAMPAIGN SEASON IS IN FULL SWING AGAIN AS WE APPROACH THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS THIS FALL.

BOTH PARTIES HAVE HELD THEIR CONVENTIONS AND ARE NOW PLANNING FOR PRIMARIES, AND WHILE THE ENDORSEMENT PROCESS PRODUCED SOME EXPECTED RESULTS, TENSIONS AND DIVISIONS STILL REMAIN IN BOTH PARTIES.

HERE TO BRING US UP TO SPEED IS ALEX PLECHASH, PARTY CHAIR FOR THE MINNESOTA GOP, AND RICHARD CARLBOM, PARTY CHAIR FOR THE DFL.

THANK YOU, FELLAS, FOR BEING HERE.

IS THERE ANY TALK ABOUT MODIFYING OR CHANGING THE ENDORSEMENT PROCESS THAT HAS A CONVENTION AND A PRECINCT CAUCUS ATTACHED TO IT?

>> WELL, FIRST OFF, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Eric: OH, SURE.

>> PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

AS FAR AS THAT TALK, THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THE PARTY'S TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW, NOT REALLY.

WE HAVE A PROCESS, IT'S BEEN HANDED TO US, DFL'S GOT THE SAME THING.

AND, SO, WE'RE GOING TO WORK THROUGH THAT PROCESS.

>> Eric: WHAT IS IN IT FOR ENDORSED CANDIDATES ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE?

WHAT KIND OF RESOURCES DO YOU BRING TO THE TABLE FOR AN ENDORSED CANDIDATE?

>> WELL, THEY GET ALL THE RESOURCES WE HAVE AS A PARTY.

SO THE COMMUNICATION, FUNDING, GETTING SAMPLE BALLOTS OUT, THINGS LIKE THAT.

EVERYTHING THAT THE PARTY CAN DO FOR A CANDIDATE THAT IS ENDORSED, WE WILL DO.

>> Cathy: PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING AT BOTH OF THE CONVENTIONS THAT WERE HELD PROBABLY WERE SCRATCHING THEIR HEAD THINKING, IS THERE SOMETHING TO THIS ENDORSEMENT PROCESS THAT, REALLY, IN THIS DAY AND AGE WE SHOULD CONTINUE?

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, OUR ENDORSEMENT PROCESS STARTED ON FEBRUARY 3rd WITH PRECINCT CAUCUSES WHEN WE HAD 37,000 PEOPLE SHOW UP, OUR LARGEST EVER.

THAT LED TO 1,400 DELEGATES, 57%, WHICH WERE NEW FIRST-TIME-EVER DELEGATES, AND THAT'S A REALLY SPECIAL MOMENT FOR MINNESOTANS TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY.

CANDIDATES MADE THEIR CASE.

WE HAD OUR RESULTS.

AND I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT OUR ENDORSED CANDIDATES.

>> Cathy: SAY, DID YOU EE THE KSTP TV REPORT, I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY INTERESTING, THAT THE ENDORSED CANDIDATES OF BOTH ARTIES DON'T REFLECT MOST VOTERS' STANCES ON THE ISSUES.

WHAT DID YOU THINK WHEN YOU SAW THAT?

>> EVERY CANDIDATE'S GOT HIS OWN PLATFORM, BASICALLY, AND WHAT THEY'RE VYING FOR.

AND IN A STATEWIDE LEVEL, IT OBVIOUSLY IS DIFFERENT BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES.

THAT'S PROBABLY THE PLACE WHERE THE PARTIES DIFFER THE MOST, STATEWIDE CANDIDATES, WHEN YOU GET LOCAL, I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE THINKING.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU, WE'RE PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT OUR SLATE OF CANDIDATES.

ALL THE WAY UP AND DOWN.

INTERESTINGLY, ALL OF OUR STATEWIDE CANDIDATES ARE MILITARY VETERANS.

WE DIDN'T GO OUT O DO THAT, BUT THAT'S THE WAY IT TURNED OUT.

AND WHAT WE WERE DISCOVERING, MINNESOTANS, WHAT THEY REALLY CARE ABOUT MOST IS THE COST OF LIVING.

AND THE DFL WOULD HAVE YOU THINK THAT THAT OMES OUT OF WASHINGTON OR PRESIDENT TRUMP.

BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS, THIS IS A MINNESOTA ISSUE, AND WE CAN SAY THAT IT WAS AT THE DOORSTEP OF THE DFL WHEN THEY HAD THEIR TRIFECTA.

YOU KNOW, WHEN THE DFL HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN MINNESOTANS, THEY DID.

BECAUSE OF UNIVERSAL SCHOOL LUNCHES AND BREAKFASTS, A FAMILY IN St.

CLOUD SAVES $1,200 A YEAR FOR A SINGLE CHILD.

THAT'S AN INCREDIBLE SAVINGS FOR A FAMILY WHO'S JUST TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

MEANWHILE, REPUBLICANS IN WASHINGTON HAVE VOTED FOR TARIFFS THAT KNEECAP FARMERS, CONTINUED THE WAR IN IRAN.

TOM EMMER CHEERED I.C.E.

ON INTO THE STATE.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, MINNESOTANS HAVE A CLEAR CHOICE COME NOVEMBER 3rd.

DO YOU WANT PEOPLE WHO STAND WITH MINNESOTANS?

OR PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING DESPERATELY TO GET THE LOVE AND ADMIRATION AND ENDORSEMENT OF DONALD TRUMP?

THAT'S WHAT REPUBLICANS ARE DOING.

MINNESOTA DEMOCRATS ARE FOCUSED ON LOWER COSTS FOR FAMILIES BECAUSE THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

>> Eric: BUT BEFORE YOU GET TO NOVEMBER, YOU GOTTA GET THROUGH THE PRIMARY, HICH IS, WHAT, AUGUST 11th, I THINK EARLY VOTING STARTS, WHAT, LATER THIS MONTH.

>> TWO WEEKS.

>> Eric: HOW DO YOU GUYS KEEP SOME FORM OF UNITY, IS THAT PART OF THE PORTFOLIO FOR YOU CHAIRS IS TO TRY TO KEEP FOLKS AS UNITED AS THEY CAN BE IN CONTESTED PRIMARY RACES?

>> WELL, OF COURSE IT IS.

I'VE TALKED ABOUT UNITY WITHIN THE PARTY SINCE THE DAY I TOOK OFFICE AS A PARTY CHAIR.

GETTING THROUGH THE PRIMARY SEASON IS ALL ABOUT UNITY BEHIND OUR ENDORSED CANDIDATES.

AND WE NEED TO UNIFY OUR MESSAGE.

OUR MESSAGING IS GOING TO BE UNIFIED THIS THE PARTY AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO.

>> Cathy: HOW BLOODY DO YOU THINK YOUR PRIMARY MIGHT BE?

>> I'M SORRY.

>> Cathy: HOW BLOODY -- >> THAT'S NOT A TERM I WOULD USE.

I THINK ANY TIME YOU'RE IN POLITICS, IT GETS TO BE A BIT OF A BLOOD SPORT, WHETHER IT'S AN INTRAPARTY OR INTERPARTY.

SO I EXPECT WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BE SOME OF THAT.

BUT WE'RE REALLY MOSTLY TALKING ABOUT ISSUES.

>> Eric: FLANAGAN AND CRAIG, SENATE, LOOKS LIKE THERE'S SHARP ELBOWS, THERE'S ACCUSATIONS GOING BACK AND FORTH ON SPENDING, SO FORTH.

>> YOU KNOW, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN OVERWHELMINGLY BY ACCLAMATION RECEIVED THE ENDORSEMENT AT THE CONVENTION.

SHE'S RUNNING A REALLY STRONG CAMPAIGN.

ONE THING THAT IS HAPPENING IN THE DFL THAT I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE IN 24 CAREERS, LAST WEEKEND WE KNOCKED ON NEARLY 20,000 DOORS.

THE FIRST TIME WE HIT 20,000 DOORS IN A EEKEND IN 2024 WASN'T UNTIL OCTOBER.

THAT'S THE KIND OF ENERGY WE SEE AND I THINK LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN IS BRINGING SOME OF THAT ENERGY INTO THE PARTY.

THERE'S A LOT OF NEW PEOPLE WHO ARE ALARMED AT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THIS WORLD RIGHT NOW, AND THEY WANT TO FIGURE OUT A PLACE FOR THEMSELVES TO BE HELPFUL AND IMPACTFUL, AND THEY'RE HITTING THE DOORS.

THEY'RE LISTENING TO THEIR NEIGHBORS, THERE ARE HAVING CONVERSATIONS.

AND WE'RE REALLY DOING THE WORK OF DEMOCRACY.

>> Cathy: AS ERIC SAID THAT LOOKS LIKE A PRETTY SHARP ELBOWED RACE, I USED THE WORD, HOW BLOODY WILL BE THE PRIMARY BE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, I MEAN, HOW TOUGH CAN THIS RACE GET BETWEEN THOSE TWO?

>> WELL, PRIMARY BALLOTS ARE ALWAYS PRIMARY BATTLES, RIGHT, THEY'RE INTRAPARTY FIGHTS.

WHAT I'M FOCUSED ON IS MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT PEGGY FLAN CABIN BRINGS TO THIS TICKET.

SHE BRINGS A GREAT VALUE WHEN IT COMES O INVITING AND BRINGING NEW PEOPLE INTO THIS PARTY.

ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE YOU HAVE THIS BIZARRE RACE FOR THE U.S.

SENATE THAT I THINK IS LITERALLY AN EFFORT TO TRY AND GET DONE AL TRUMP TO PAY ATTENTION TO MINNESOTA.

IT'S NOT EVEN ABOUT WHAT MINNESOTANS ARE THINKING.

IT'S ABOUT HOW DO WE GET DONALD TRUMP TO PAY ATTENTION HERE AND THAT, TO ME, IS JUST TOXIC.

>> Cathy: CHAIR?

>> I HAVE TO CHUCKLE A LITTLE ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IT'S NOT ABOUT THAT AT ALL.

THESE ARE CANDIDATES THAT HAVE PRECISE VIEWS ABOUT WHAT MINNESOTANS CARE ABOUT AND WHAT MINNESOTANS WANT TO SEE ABOUT THEIR LEGISLATORS.

THE DFL WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THIS ELECTION ABOUT DONALD TRUMP.

THEY KEEP REVERTING BACK TO DONALD TRUMP AND THE PRESIDENT.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT DONALD TRUMP.

HE'S NOT ON THE BALLOT.

AND THE DFL OWNS THE RECORD THAT WE'VE HAD HERE IN THE STATE.

AND THAT'S HIGHER TAXES, HIGHER FEES, MORE REGULATION, THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT MINNESOTANS ARE FEELING.

MY WIFE, WHO'S IN THE AUDIENCE HERE, JUST GOT A CAR A MONTH AGO OR SO, AND SHE WAS HIT WITH A NEARLY $1,000 LICENSE TAB FEE.

AND YOU LOOK AROUND THE OTHER STATES AROUND YOU, THEY'RE NOWHERE NEAR THAT.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT MINNESOTANS RE FEELING, AND THAT'S THE MESSAGE WE'RE GOING TO GET OUT THERE.

>> Eric: SO MICHELE TAFOYA FOR SENATE, LISA DEMUTH OR GOVERNOR, THEY DON'T GET ANY BENEFIT FROM THE PARTY UNLESS OR UNTIL BOTH OF THEM WIN IN THE PRIMARY?

>> EXACTLY THAT, WE'RE 100% BEHIND THE ENDORSED CANDIDATE.

WE HAD GREAT CANDIDATES, EVEN CANDIDATES THAT LOST, WE HAD GREAT CANDIDATES.

IT'S A FUNCTION OF THE ENERGY WE'RE FEELING IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

YOU KNOW, SIMILAR TO WHAT THE CHAIR CARLBOM HAD, WE FEEL THE SAME THING ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, LOTS OF ENERGY THERE, YEAH, PEOPLE ARE DIVIDED ON THEIR POLICY ISSUES BUT WE SEE AN EQUAL AMOUNT OF EXCITEMENT HERE.

I THINK WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT MINNESOTANS REALLY CARE ABOUT, WHICH IS NOT WASHINGTON, IT'S NOT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, A WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST, WHAT MINNESOTANS REALLY CARE ABOUT IS WHAT THEY'RE LIVING THROUGH RIGHT NOW, AND THAT'S A MESSAGE WE'RE GOING TO GET OUT THERE.

>> Eric: IG TURNOUT IN THE PRIMARY?

>> I THINK SO.

I THINK MINNESOTANS UNDERSTAND THAT DIESEL IS AT $5 A GALLON BECAUSE OF THE WAR IN IRAN, GAS AT $4 A GALLON BECAUSE OF THE WAR IN IRAN.

WHEN I LOOK AT THE ENERGY ON OUR SIDE, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, WE HAVE 201 CANDIDATES RUNNING IN EVERY SINGLE HOUSE AND SENATE RACE, THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, THEY FAILED TO FIELD CANDIDATES IN 20 RACE, THE WORST REGROUPMENT SINCE 1974 POST-WATERGATE.

>> Eric: YOU'RE FOCUSED ON -- YOU DON'T WANT TO WASTE MONEY ON SEATS THAT ARE PRETTY BLUE, I SUPPOSE.

>> THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS PRETTY GOOD ON MANAGING THE MONEY THAT IT HAS.

>> Eric: YEAH.

>> SO, YES, WE'RE GOING TO BE FOCUSING ON THE SEATS WE CAN WIN AND ON THE SEATS THAT WE NEED TO DEFEND.

>> Eric: I'M GETTING THE HOOK.

WE GOTTA GO.

WISH WE HAD MORE TIME.

THANKS, GUYS.

COME BACK AND SEE US.

>> WE WILL.

>> BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THIS IS MY FIRST TIME EVER WATER SKIING.

BUT I FOUND IT'S REALLY NOT THAT TOUGH ONCE YOU GET GOING.

I GUESS ONCE YOU'VE LIVED IN MINNESOTA LONG ENOUGH, IT AFFECTS YOUR GENES, OUR NA, SOME SPECIFIC THING -- SCIENTIFIC THING, YOU CAN JUST GET UP AND DO IT.

I'VE GOTTA GO, I'M HAVING A HARD TIME HEARING YOU OVER THE OUTBOARD MOTOR.

BYE!

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: FOR THE FIFTH YEAR IN A ROW, MINNESOTA IS ON TRACK TO BREAK ITS OWN RECORD FOR VISITS TO FOOD SHELVES ACROSS THE STATE.

FALLOUT FROM THE PANDEMIC, LOSSES OF FEDERAL FUNDING, INCREASING INFLATION, AND, OF COURSE, THIS YEAR THE IMPACTS OF OPERATION METRO SURGE HAVE DRIVEN MASSIVE NUMBERS OF RESIDENTS TO SHELVES LOOKING TO FEED HEMSELVES.

HERE TO TELL US ABOUT THE SITUATION IS SOPHIA LENARZ-COY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE FOOD GROUP NONPROFIT.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: WELCOME.

BOY, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT I'VE DONE STORIES ALMOST EVERY YEAR SINCE THE PANDEMIC ABOUT FOOD SHELF USAGE IS GOING UP, IT'S GOING UP.

WHAT ARE THE PATTERNS AROUND THIS?

>> YEAH.

IT REALLY HAS BEEN A REMARKABLE INCREASE.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK KIND OF BACK TO 2019 NUMBERS, WE'RE ABOUT TWO AND A HALF TIMES MORE PEOPLE VISITING FOOD SHELVES IN MINNESOTA NOW COMPARED TO PREPANDEMIC.

THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS FOR THAT, INCLUDING FOOD SHELVES DOING REALLY GOOD JOB OF, YOU KNOW, DOING GOOD COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND RESPONDING TO COMMUNITY NEED, BUT THE OTHER FACTOR IS THE COST OF GROCERIES FOR SO MANY FAMILIES HAS JUST GOTTEN OUT OF REACH.

SO FOOD HELVES ARE BECOMING A REALLY KIND OF INTEGRAL PART OF FOLKS MAKING ENDS MEET EACH MONTH.

>> Eric: DO YOU GET HELP FROM GROCERY CHAINS AND SURPLUS FOOD, STUFF THAT MAYBE HAS ONE DAY OR TWO AGAINST THEIR EXPIRATION DATE, THAT SORT OF THING IN >> ABSOLUTELY.

THE HUNGER RELIEF SYSTEM, WE'VE GOT FOOD SHELVES, ALMOST 300 N ALL 87 COUNTIES IN MINNESOTA, AND THEN THEY WORK WITH FOOD BANKS, FOOD' BANKS OFTEN GET RETAIL RESCUE, SOME SHELVES DO LOCALLY AS WELL.

AND THEN AT THE FOOD GROUP, WE KIND OF TAKE A STATEWIDE VIEW, REALLY TRYING TO PARTNER WITH THE STATE TO GET STATE FUNDING TO FOOD SHELVES AND ALSO TO DO ADVOCACY ON THE ISSUE.

>> Cathy: SO YOU MENTIONED THAT THIS IS -- THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT REASONS THAT THIS IS OCCURRING.

BUT I'M WONDERING, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, IS IT MORE OF AN URBAN PROBLEM, IS IT A RURAL ISSUE, IS IT EVERYTHING?

AND WHO'S USING THE FOOD SHELVES?

>> YEAH, IT'S ACROSS THE BOAR.

SO WE HAVE SEEN THE SAME KIND OF DRAMATIC INCREASE IN URBAN, SUBURBAN, AND RURAL COMMUNITIES.

AND, REALLY, IT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I THINK YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT TO BE USING A FOOD SHELF.

IT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING, IT'S ALMOST HALF KIDS WHEN YOU OUNT UP THE KIND OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE VISITING FOOD SHELVES.

SO, AGAIN, IT REALLY IS JUST KIND OF AN ISSUE OF THE COST OF LIVING OUTPACING FOOD.

FOOD TENDS TO BE THAT MOST FLEXIBLE PART OF A HOUSEHOLD BUDGET.

YOU GOT YOUR RENT, YOU GOT YOUR MEDICAL, YOU GOT YOUR OTHER FIXED COSTS.

FOOD IS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE TO CUT BACK.

>> Eric: DO YOU EVER TALK ABOUT CONSOLIDATING THE NETWORK, MAYBE FEWER PEOPLE UNDER YOUR UMBRELLA?

SEEMS TO ME IF IT KEEPS GOING UP AND UP AND UP AND UP MAYBE THERE'S SOMETHING AT THE FOOD SHELF END THAT COULD BE IMPROVED, BE MORE EFFICIENT?

>> I THINK WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING AT WAYS TO STRENGTHEN THE NETWORK, HOW WE CAN COLLABORATE.

THE ONE THING THAT'S UNIQUE, THOUGH, FOOD SHELVES TEND TO BE POWERED LOCALLY, LOCAL VOLUNTEERS, LOCAL DONATIONS, FOLKS WHO REALLY FEEL A STRONG TIE TO KNOWING WHAT NEIGHBORS NEED.

NOT LOSING THAT BUT LOOKING FOR EFFICIENCIES, CERTAINLY, WHEREVER WE CAN.

>> Cathy: GOING BACK, IF I COULD FOR JUST A MOMENT HERE IN TERMS OF THE REASONS THAT THIS IS OCCURRING.

WHEN THE S.N.A.P.

CUTS, THE CUTS WERE MADE TO THE NUTRITION, FEDERAL NUTRITION PROGRAMS, I'M GOING TO ASSUME THAT YOU SAW PROBABLY AN INFLUX OF FOLKS THAT WAY?

>> YES.

AND I THINK THE CHANGES TO S.N.A.P.

ARE STILL KIND OF HAVING RIPPLE IMPACTS, BUT I THINK THE MAIN THING TO REMEMBER IS, YOU KNOW, FOOD SHELVES AND FOOD BANKS DO A GREAT JOB, BUT FOR EVERY ONE MEAL THAT IS DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THAT SYSTEM, S.N.A.P.

PROVIDES NINE.

SO, ANY CHANGES THAT GET PEOPLE OFF S.N.A.P.

OR CHANGE THE PAPERWORK OR THE WORK REPORTING REQUIREMENT, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE REAL STRAIN ON THE HUNGER RELIEF NETWORK AS A RESULT.

>> Eric: WHAT KIND OF HELP DO YOU GET FROM THE STATE?

>> THE STATE HAS BEEN A GOOD PARTNER.

WE HAVE A PROGRAM CALLED THE MINNESOTA FOOD SHELF PROGRAM, BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET SOME ONE-TIME FUNDING THROUGH THAT PROGRAM TO ADDRESS KIND OF THE SPECIFIC CRISIS THAT WE'RE SEEING NOW AS WELL.

>> Cathy: AND DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, OBVIOUSLY?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

DONATIONS OF TIME AND TALENT HAS MADE UCH A DIFFERENCE.

>> Eric: IS THERE A BUSIER TIME OF YEAR THAN OTHER TIMES OF THE YEAR?

>> HISTORICALLY THERE CAN BE SPIKES IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND SOMETIMES IN THE SUMMER WHEN KIDS ARE OUT OF SCHOOL, BUT WHAT'S BEEN UNIQUE ABOUT THIS YEAR IS WE SAW THE HIGHEST VISITS TO FOOD SHELVES THROUGHOUT THE STATE EVER IN THE MONTH OF MARCH.

>> Eric: WOW.

>> SO WE REALLY ARE SEEING KIND OF A HEIGHTENED NEED.

THEY DROPPED IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY, AS FOLKS WERE, YOU KNOW, FEARING TO GO OUT IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES.

BUT THEN WE'VE REALLY SEEN A SPIKE THIS SPRING.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

GOOD WORK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

THANK YOU.

>> THANKS.

♪ >> ERIC: THURSDAY PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED OFF ON A HIGHLY DEBATED IMMIGRATION BILL FUNDING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY $70 BILLION.

BACK IN APPLETON, MINNESOTA, SPECULATION CONTINUES ABOUT THE PRIVATELY-OWNED, VACANT PRAIRIE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY BECOMING A DETENTION CENTER.

THE PRISON HAS SAT EMPTY SINCE 2010.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT HER RECENT REPORTING ON THE PRISON, SAHAN JOURNAL'S IMMIGRATION REPORTER KATELYN VUE.

NOTHING OFFICIAL, BUT ALL KINDS OF HINTS THAT SOMETHING'S GOING ON, IS THAT FAIR?

>> YEAH, DEFINITELY.

THERE WAS A LOT OF HINT HAPPENING LAST WEEK.

THE COMPANY THAT OWNS HE PRISON IN APPLETON HAD POSTED THREE JOB POSTINGS.

YOU KNOW, JUST TRYING TO GAUGE YOU KNOW, JUST TRYING TO GAU GAUGE, WHAT I'M QUOTING FROM THEIR STATEMENT, TO FIGURE OUT IF PEOPLE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN APPLYING TO WORK AT THE PRISON.

AND THEY ALSO -- DHS, THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, PUBLISHED A CONTRACT, SOLICITING FOR WORKING WITH CORE CIVIC AND THE PRISON TO OPEN AS A DETENTION FACILITY.

>> Eric: THAT'S THE PRIVATE PRIVATE PRISON COMPANY?

>> YEAH, THAT'S THE PRIVATE COMPANY.

>> Cathy: AS ERIC JUST SAID IN THE INTRO, THIS PLACE HAS BEEN EMPTY FOR YEARS.

AND APPLETON, IT'S VULGING, RIGHT?

SO HOW BIG A DEAL WOULD THIS BE FOR THE COMMUNITY IF IT WERE TO OPEN?

>> IT WOULD BE A REALLY BIG DEAL.

IT'S BEEN CLOSED SINCE 2010 SO, YOU KNOW, A LONG TIME.

IF THE PRISON WERE TO OPEN, IT WOULD DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN APPLETON, THERE'S ABOUT 1,400 IN APPLETON.

IN THE PRISON, THEY HAVE CAPACITY FOR 1,600 BEDS.

SO IT WOULD MORE THAN DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN APPLETON.

SO, THE CITY WOULD HAVE TO EXPAND, YOU KNOW, SEWER, WATER, AND THOSE TYPES OF RESOURCES TO MAKE ROOM FOR THAT.

>> Eric: WOULD CITY, COUNTY, STATE, LOCALLY, HAVE ANY INPUT ON THIS OR WOULD IT BE A FEDERAL DECISION ONLY?

>> IT WOULD HAVE TO COME DOWN TO CORE CIVIC, SO I TALKED TO COUNTY AND CITY OFFICIALS IN APPLETON AND THEY SAID THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY WANT HE COMMUNITY TO BE ENGAGED AND KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

BUT IT'S OWNED BY A PRIVATE COMPANY.

IT'S THE ONLY PRISON IN MINNESOTA OWNED BY A PRIVATE COMPANY.

SO, IT IS UP TO CORE CIVIC ON WHAT THEY WANT TO DO WITH THE PRISON.

>> Cathy: ERIC AND I REMEMBER THE DEBATE AROUND THIS RISON BACK IN THE DAY.

IT WAS AN UGLY DEBATE WHEN IT WAS REALLY A HOT ISSUE.

SO IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING TO IT RIGHT NOW.

I'M WONDERING, HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO RESIDENTS?

WHAT DO THEY FEEL LIKE IF THIS COULD BECOME A DETENTION CENTER?

>> YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT, THERE WAS A EBATE THAT WAS GOING ON AROUND THIS.

IT'S BEEN ONGOING BACK ND FORTH, I THINK, SINCE 2017.

SO ALMOST A DECADE.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN CONTRACTS THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED.

THERE WAS EVEN AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE WASHINGTON "THN POST" AROUND THE POTENTIAL OF THIS OPENING AS A DETENTION FACILITY.

SO RESIDENTS ARE KIND OF MIXED.

SOME ARE, YOU KNOW, COMPLETELY AGAINST IT BECAUSE OF THE REPUTATION CORE CIVIC HAS.

THEY OWN -- THEY'RE THE LARGEST I.C.E.

CONTRACTOR IN, YOU KNOW, THE COUNTRY.

SO THEY OWN A LOT OF PRISONS THAT FUNCTION AS DETENTION FACILITIES AND THEY HAVE A BAD REP.

RESIDENTS ALSO SAY THAT THEY HAVE THAT THIS PRISON WILL OPEN UP A LOT OF JOBS AND HELP REVITALIZE THEIR COMMUNITY.

SO THERE'S A LOT AT STAKE HERE.

>> Eric: IS THERE ANY GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD BE MINNESOTA-ONLY DETAINEES OR PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY OR WHAT WOULD THE POPULATION BE MADE UP OF?

>> YEAH, THE CONTRACT WASN'T VERY SPECIFIC.

I MEAN, IT TALKED A LOT ABOUT WHAT IT WOULD REQUIRE THE FIRST FIVE EARS, IF IT OPENED AS A DETENTION, LIKE AN I.C.E.

DETENTION FACILITY.

CORE CIVIC SAID THAT THEY HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT THEY CAN HAVE TO MAKE SURE THERE'S ENOUGH MEDICINE, BEDS, GUARDS AND TRANSPORTATION.

BUT THERE ISN'T A LOT OF SPECIFICS ON WHO THEY PLAN TO HAVE AT THE PRISON.

I THINK IT WAS SORT OF A RANGE OF FOLKS.

THEY SAID MAYBE CHILDREN, MAYBE ADULTS.

IT WOULD BASICALLY HELP JUST THIS AREA OF MINNESOTA SINCE THERE'S NOT CURRENTLY, YOU KNOW, A CORE CIVIC FACILITY OPEN.

>> Cathy: A QUICK QUESTION, YOU MIGHT HAVE SAID THIS, BUT WHAT'S THE INITIAL RESPONSE FROM CORE CIVIC TO YOUR REPORTING?

>> YEAH, I'VE PRESSED CORE CIVIC TO KIND OF GIVE US SOME MORE SPECIFICS.

WHAT THEY'VE TOLD US, WHAT THEY'VE ALSO TOLD THE CITY, THEY ARE LOOKING INTO OPENING THE PRISON, THEY'VE FILED BUILDING PERMIT LAST YEAR TO RENOVATE THE PRISON.

THEY ARE STARTING TO WORK ON IT.

THEY'VE INVESTED A MILLION DOLLARS IN THE RENOVATIONS.

AND, SO, THEY'RE HOPING TO OPEN IT.

BUT THEY HAVEN'T SAID WHO WILL BE, YOU KNOW, WHO THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE AT THE PRISON.

THEY HAVEN'T REALLY EXPLICITLY SAID I.C.E.

>> Eric: USUAL GOOD STUFF.

THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> Eric: YOU BET.

THANKS.

♪ >> LAST EEKEND, TO CELEBRATE MY BIRTHDAY I WENT ON A TRANSIT PUB CRAWL WITH ALMOST 20 FRIENDS.

WE WENT TO FIVE DIFFERENT BARS AND BREWERIES ACROSS MINNEAPOLIS, GETTING ROM ONE TO THE OTHER THROUGH A SINGLE BUS OR TRAIN TRIP.

MY INCREDIBLE HUSBAND PLANNED THE ROUTE, TAKING US FROM THE VFW IN UPTOWN MINNEAPOLIS TO THE SALOON IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS.

WE TALKED A -- WE WALKED A BIT DOWN HENNEPIN AVENUE TO GET ON THE GREEN LINE WHICH WE RODE OVER TO MALCOLM YARDS FOR DINNER, THEN HOPPED ON THE E LINE TO GET OVER TO WHITIE'S SALOON, FINALLY ENDED UP AT BOW HOUSE BREW LABS FOR A NIGHT CAP.

WE ALSO MET GREAT PEOPLE ON THE TRAIN, INCLUDING ANOTHER GROUP ON THEIR OWN LIGHT RAIL PUB CRAWL.

WHICH MIGHT SUGGEST THAT THIS IDEA WASN'T ENTIRELY NOVEL TO US.

NOW, IN THE INTEREST DISCLOSURE, I SHOULD SAY, I DO WORK FOR THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL AND METRO TRANSIT.

BUT THEY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS.

I DID NOT ASK THEM AHEAD OF TIME IF THEY WANTED TO ENDORSE A TRANSIT PUB CRAWL BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW THE ANSWER.

THAT SAID, ALL OF THE METRO TRANSIT EMPLOYEES THAT WE MET ALONG THE WAY WERE AMAZING.

A WOMAN ON THE GREEN LINE CAME AROUND TO CHECK TO MAKE SURE WE HAD PAID OUR FARES.

ONCE SHE SAW THAT WE HAD AND THAT IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY, SHE GAVE ME A JUNIOR TRANSIT AMBASSADOR STICKER.

I LOVE STICKERS.

AND WHEN MY FRIENDS BROKE INTO SONG ON THE E LINE, THE BUS DRIVER JOINED IN WISHING ME A HAPPY BIRTHDAY AS WELL.

I THINK THAT IT IS PRETTY COOL TO BE ABLE TO GET TO ALL THESE DIFFERENT PLACES, VIA BUS AND TRAIN.

AND KNOW THAT IT IS A SAFE WAY TO CELEBRATE A BIRTHDAY OR ME AND ALL OF MY FRIENDS.

SO, CHEERS TO THAT.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: THIS WEEK THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS ESTIMATED A $700 MILLION COST FROM OPERATION METRO SURGE, A SIGNIFICANT JUMP FROM THE CITY'S EARLIER PROJECTIONS.

A RECENT STATE JOBS REPORT SAW AN INCREASE WITH A STEADY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - KNOWN AS DEED - HAS BEEN FOCUSING ON LOCAL AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE AFTERMATH OF METRO SURGE AND HERE WITH MORE, MINNESOTA DEED COMMISSIONER MATT VARILEK.

WHY THAT FOCUS?

>> WELL, WE KNOW THAT METRO SURGE, OF COURSE, CAUSED A LOT OF FEAR IN THE COMMUNITY.

IT CAUSED A LOSS OF LIFE AND IT CAUSED ECONOMIC IMPACTS.

A LOT OF WORKERS WHO WERE FEARFUL OF BEING PICKED UP WITHOUT REGARD TO THEIR LEGAL STATUS COULDN'T GO TO WORK AND THAT HAD ALL SORTS OF RIPPLE EFFECTS, CONSUMERS AFRAID AS WELL.

SO THAT WAS A HIT TO OUR ECONOMY AND THOSE RIPPLES CONTINUE.

SO DURING METRO SURGE, THE GOVERNOR DECLARED SHOP LOCAL MONTH AND WE LAUNCHED OUR SHOP LOCAL STAND TOGETHER EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE MINNESOTANS, WHEN YOU'RE SPENDING YOUR DOLLARS, SPEND THEM ON A LOCALLY-OWNED BUSINESSES SO THOSE DOLLARS STAY HERE AND CIRCULATE.

HERE WE ARE SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, SOME OF THE RIPPLE EFFECTS ARE WITH US AND NOW WE HAVE HIGH GAS PRICES AND HIGH INPUT COSTS FOR RESTAURANTS AND ALL SORTS OF BUSINESSES.

SO THERE ARE STILL CHALLENGES.

AND, THUS, WE'VE NOW LAUNCHED WHAT WE CALL CHOOSE MINNESOTA, AND THAT IS THE LONGER-TERM CONSUMER-ORIENTED EFFORT TO HELP US HELP OURSELVES Y SHOPPING LOCAL.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING WHAT YOU MADE OF THAT $700 MILLION FIGURE THAT WAS RELEASED BY MINNEAPOLIS.

IT SEEMS LIKE THAT'S PRETTY DARN HIGH AND I'M CURIOUS AS TO WHAT YOU THINK OF IT.

>> WELL, IT LWAYS DEPENDS EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE COUNTING.

BUT I HAVE NO, YOU KNOW, QUESTIONS ABOUT THE METHODOLOGY NECESSARILY.

AND THERE ARE A WIDE VARIETY OF ESTIMATES THAT HAVE BEEN DONE.

AND, IN FACT, OUR AGENCY HAS HELPED TO BRING TOGETHER SOME OF THE FOLKS DOING HOSE ESTIMATES.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THEY'RE ALL BAD, THEY'RE ALL NEGATIVE.

AND THEN WE SEE THOSE IMPACTS AS WELL IN THE NUMBERS THAT WE TRACK AT OUR DEPARTMENT.

I THINK YOU MENTIONED THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, MINNESOTA TRADITIONALLY HAS AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, WHICH WE'RE PROUD OF, UT AT THE SAME TIME AS METRO SURGE, OR THE IMPACTS OF IT BEING FELT, OUR RATE WENT ABOVE THE NATIONAL RATE, WHICH IS OUT OF THE ORDINARY, AND I WOULD ATTRIBUTE TO METRO SURGE.

>> Eric: WITH GAS PRICES AND OTHER FACTOR, IT'S PRETTY EASY TO SEE THAT MINNESOTA CAN'T ESCAPE THE GLOBAL ECONOMY.

FAIR ENOUGH?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND IN FACT, WE'RE PROUD THAT WE DO A LOT OF TRADING WITH THE WORLD.

WE GO ON THESE TRADE MISSIONS AND WE HAVE THE MINNESOTA TRADE OFFICE IN OUR DEPARTMENT TO HELP MINNESOTANS EXPORT.

SO IT CAN BE A GREAT BENEFIT BUT, OF COURSE, THE TARIFFS HAVE BEEN A MAJOR CHALLENGE AND NOW THE IMPACTS OF THE WAR IN IRAN ON THE GAS PRICES.

>> Eric: WELL, I WAS LOOKING AT SOME FIGURES TODAY.

AND THERE'S A $22 BILLION AG ECONOMY IN MINNESOTA.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

>> Eric: THAT SEEMS SO ENORMOUS.

HOW ARE THE FARMERS AND THE AG SECTOR DOING?

>> WELL, I WAS JUST TALKING TO MY GOOD FRIEND, COMMISSIONER THOM PEDERSEN, WHO COULD PROBABLY ANSWER THAT BETTER, BUT WE ALL SAW THE ISSUE WITH SOYBEAN FARMERS HAVING WORRIES ABOUT WHERE THEIR CROP WAS GOING TO GO BECAUSE THE CHINESE HAD STOPPED BUYING THEM.

SO THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE.

AND THEN THE INPUT COSTS FOR FERTILIZER, FUEL, AND I LIVE IN GREATER MINNESOTA, NEAR SOME OF THOSE FARMERS AND WE DRIVE FARTHER DISTANCES OUT THERE SO THOSE ENERGY PRICES HIT HARDER.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, GETTING BACK TO METRO SURGE FOR JUST A MOMENT.

I'M WONDERING, THERE WAS THE BILL AT THE LEGISLATURE THAT FAILED TO PASS THAT WOULD HAVE OFFERED SOME RELIEF TO BUSINESSES BE AFFECTED BY THE I.C.E.

IMMIGRATION SURGE.

AND I'M WONDERING, BECAUSE IT DIDN'T PASS, IS THERE ANY MECHANIC AT ALL ON THE STATE LEVEL TO -- NESM AT ALL ON THE STATE LEVEL TO HELP BUSINESSES.

MECHANISM.

>> THAT IS PARTLY WHY WE'RE DOING THE CONSUMER CAMPAIGN OF CHOOSE MINNESOTA BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND I'VE SAID THROUGHOUT THAT WE WOULD BRING TO BEAR EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE ACCESS TO NOW.

I MEAN, WE DO HAVE A NUMBER OF KIND OF BUSINESS CONSULTING RESOURCES THAT WE CAN HELP WITH.

>> Cathy: ANY GRANTS OR LOANS?

>> NOTHING NEW.

WE HAVE EXISTING PROGRAMS OF THOSE VARIETIES BUT NOTHING NEW AND ADDITIONAL.

AND, SO, I WISH WE HAD MORE.

AND THAT'S WHY THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED THE $10 MILLION PARTIALLY FORGIVABLE LOANS, AND IN THE LEGISLATURE THERE WERE PROPOSALS TO THAT EFFECT AS WELL.

BUT THAT DID NOT SURLIVE AND MAKE IT THROUGH THE FINAL NEGOTIATIONS.

SURVIVE.

>> Eric: AND WE WELCOME AN 18th FORTUNE 500 HEADQUARTERS.

>> THAT WAS SOME GOOD NEWS THAT WE WERE HAPPY TO SEE.

TWO YEARS AGO I THINK IT WAS, WE ADDED SOLVENTUM, THE HEALTHCARE SPINOUT OF 3M, NOW THE 18th WITH API IN NEW BRIGHTON.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT MINNESOTA ON A PER CAPITA BASIS, WE HIT WAY ABOVE OUR WEIGHT IN TERMS OF THE PRESENCE OF THOSE HEADQUARTERS HERE.

SO THAT'S WHY WE ARE KNOWN AS THE HEADQUARTERS ECONOMY.

WE'RE PROUD OF OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, TRYING TO HELP THEM AND OF THOSE LARGE COMPANIES AS WELL, AND IT ALL ADDS UP TO A STRONG AND POWERFUL ECONOMY HERE, DESPITE THOSE HEADWINDS THAT WE FACE RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: WHEN DO YOU THINK THE UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS MIGHT GET A LITTLE BIT BETTER IN MINNESOTA?

>> WELL, I HATE TO SPECULATE.

SO THE LAST ONE THAT WE RELEASED WAS THE APRIL NUMBERS, WE'RE ALWAYS ONE MONTH BEHIND, AND THERE WE SAW NUMBERS KIND OF GOING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS.

WE STILL SAW SOME DOWNWARD TRENDS FROM METRO SURGE, BUT THERE WAS A 15,000 NUMBER INCREASE IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF JOBS.

WHICH WAS QUITE A SPIKE.

SO MAYBE THAT WAS AN EARLY SIGN OF RECOVERY, WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE'LL SEE MORE OF THAT AND I THINK IT'S NEXT THURSDAY THAT WE'LL HAVE OUR NEXT REPORT.

>> Cathy: GOOD.

HE SAID WE'LL BE LOOKING OR IT.

THANKS FOR COMING OVER, COMMISSIONER.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

APPRECIATE IT.

.

>> Cathy: IT HAS BEEN ONE YEAR SINCE THE NEWS SHATTERED THE STATE THAT THE FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER, MELISSA HORTMAN, HER HUSBAND, AND DOG HAD BEEN KILLED IN A POLITICAL ASSASSINATION AT THEIR HOME.

OUR LONGTIME POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER KNEW HORTMAN HER ENTIRE POLITICAL CAREER, AS DID THE PERSON WHO HAS SERVED 17 DIFFERENT HOUSE SPEAKERS AND CREATED THE MEMORIALS AT THE CAPITOL FOR MELISSA.

HERE'S THE STORY.

[ BANGING GAVEL ] >> THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.

AM.

>> Mary: AS HOUSE SPEAKER MELISSA HORTMAN ALWAYS ACTED WITH AUTHORITY.

THE PERSON ADVISING HER AND SO MANY BEFORE AND AFTER.

IS THE HOUSE CHIEF CLERK PATRICK MURPHY.

>> INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF OUSE FILES 3348.

>> Mary: FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS, MURPHY HAS WORKED IN THE HOUSE.

HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF LAWMAKERS COME AND GO.

HORTMAN STOOD OUT FROM THE START.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

>> MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MEETING MELISSA HORTMAN BACK IN 2004, SO I GO BACK WITH HER ALL 24 YEARS OF HER CAREER WAS THOUGHTFUL, A POLICY NERD, OBSESSED WITH ENERGY ISSUES, BUT FUN, AND VERY HUMAN AND SHE WOULD SWEAR A LOT.

SO I IMMEDIATELY LIKED HER.

>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO CALL [ BLEEP ] WHEN YOU SEE [ BLEEP ].

>> Mary: MURPHY, ALWAYS A KEEN JOURNALISM -- OBSERVER WAS A JOURNALISM MAJOR WHEN HE STARTED AS A HOUSE PAGE WAY BACK IN 1978 BEFORE RISING TO THE TOP STOP IN THE CHAMBER JUST LIKE HORTMAN.

>> AS MY RELATIONSHIP WITH HER GREW, AS SHE ADVANCED THROUGH THE LEADERSHIP RANKS AND THEN BECOMING SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, THEN WE BECAME VERY CLOSE FRIENDS BECAUSE YOU CANNOT BE SPEAKER OR CHIEF CLERK WITHOUT THIS TRUST AND BOND BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU.

I HAD THAT VERY CLOSELY FOR OVER SIX YEARS.

AND WHAT I VALUED MOST ABOUT THAT WAS SHE ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WAS BEST FOR THE INSTITUTION AND THAT IS MY ROLE HERE IS TO SPEAK FOR THE INSTITUTION AND TO REMIND THEM THAT THE INSTITUTION DOES NOT BELONG TO THE GOP OR THE DFL, IT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE AND YOU CAN'T FORGET THAT.

SHE WOULD ALWAYS, LIKE, YOU GOTTA TELL ME AGAIN, I GOTTA KEEP FOCUSED ON THIS.

SO I ALWAYS APPRECIATED THAT.

BUT WHEN SHE FIRST BECAME SPEAKER, SHE REACHED OUT TO ME AND IN THIS VERY ROOM, WE HAD A TEN-HOUR CONVERSATION, PART CLASS, PART DIALOGUE, PART BUILDING THE TRUST, ON WHAT IT MEANS TO BE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND HOW TO RUN THIS PLACE FROM THE FLOOR AND ALL THESE OTHER PROCEDURAL THINGS.

>> Mary: TEN HOURS.

>> TEN HOURS!

>> Mary: MURPHY HAS SERVED MORE THAN A DOZEN DIFFERENT SPEAKERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND HAS PROVIDED TRUSTED, NONPARTISAN GUIDANCE FOR DECADES.

BUT NOTHING COULD HAVE PREPARED HIM FOR THE ASSASSINATION OF FORMER SPEAKER HORTMAN.

>> WHEN I GOT A CALL AT 5:00 IN THE MORNING FROM OUR SERGEANT AT ARMS THAT SHE HAD BEEN SHOT, I WAS HORRIFIED AND I HAD TO MAKE SOME OTHER CALLS TO PEOPLE.

AND THEN LATER IN THE MORNING, YOU KNOW, LIKE 6:00 IN THE MORNING, SHE HAD PASSED.

AND I HAD TO KIND OF LIKE, OH, MY GOD, DEAL WITH THAT, CALL SOME PEOPLE.

AND I, LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE, WAS LOST.

BUT I FELT I HAD TO DO SOMETHING FOR MY FRIEND.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT.

BUT I JUST WENT OUT AND BOUGHT THE 12 BIGGEST ROSES I COULD FIND HERE HERE IN St.

PAUL, I HAD THEM IN A VASE, CAME DOWN TO THE CAPITOL, MY SON, JORGE WAS WITH ME, I PUT THEM ON HER DESK AND IT JUST DIDN'T SEEM ENOUGH.

SO LITERALLY I WENT INTO ONE OF THESE SIDE OFFICES AND I DID RIP A PICTURE OFF THE WALL AND PUT IT THERE WHERE YOU SEE.

AND THEN I GOT A GAVEL THAT SHE USED TO USE AND PUT IT THERE.

AND I THOUGHT, OKAY, THIS IS IT.

AND I NEVER WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IT.

I JUST WANTED TO DO IT.

BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS A LOUD, SIMPLE, ELEGANT, BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE TO OUR FRIEND.

>> Mary: THAT SIMPLE, BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE REMAINED ALL SESSION LONG.

BUT BEFORE THAT, THE PUBLIC WANTED MORE.

AND MURPHY QUIETLY PROVIDED.

>> I PUT TWO TABLES OUT THERE, EXPECTING MONDAY MORNING, THE PUBLIC WOULD BE HERE.

WERE THEY HERE?

OH, MY GOD, WERE THEY EVER HERE.

BECAUSE I PUT OUT TWO, FOUR, SIX, EIGHT, AND AT ONE POINT WE HAD 18 TABLES OUT THERE, YOU SAW THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT FROM AROUND THE WORLD, FRANKLY, AND THE FLOWERS AND SO JOANNE, MY ASSISTANT AND I, WERE OUT THERE FOR FIVE OR SIX WEEKS TENDING TO THE FLOWERS.

THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF THEM, AS YOU KNOW, NOT THAT I KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT FLOWERS, YOU BUT FIGURE IT OUT.

AND ALSO THAT MONDAY MORNING, I WENT OUT AND GOT SOME REMEMBRANCE BOOKS, WHICH, I MEAN, HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

OH, YEAH, I SHOULD HAVE THAT.

SO WENT OUT AND BOUGHT SOME OF THOSE.

AND THERE'S LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD THAT HAVE SIGNED THAT ON WHAT THIS MEANT TO THEM AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

IT WAS JUST -- WHO KNEW?

>> Mary: IT'S NOT KNOWN IF THE MEMORIAL WILL REMAIN THROUGH NEXT SESSION.

ALL SESSION LONG, THE FLOWERS, THE MEMORIAL, THAT HUNG OVER THE WHOLE SESSION.

>> YEAH, I THINK SO.

I THINK IT FOREVER CHANGED THIS PLACE.

>> I'VE HEARD YOU REFER TO THE FLOWERS ON YOUR SHOW.

IT IS A CONSTANT REMINDER TO MEMBERS AND TO THE PUBLIC.

THIS IS WHAT CAN HAPPEN.

TONE IT DOWN.

BE NICE.

BE KIND.

TO EACH OTHER.

AND, YES, WE CAN'T FORGET, MOSTLY IMPORTANTLY, WE CAN'T FORGET HOW WE LOST HER.

>> Mary: MANY TRIBUTES TO HORTMAN WERE CONSIDERED.

BUT THE LOW-KEY EFFORTS SEEMED MOST FITTING FOR THOSE WHO KNOW HER BEST.

I'VE HEARD SOME CLOSE TO HER SAY, SHE WASN'T A FANCY PERSON.

DON'T DO SOMETHING OO FANCY.

DO SOMETHING APPROPRIATE.

DO SOMETHING AT THE SCALE THAT SHE WOULD HAVE WANTED.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> SHE WAS TOTALLY NOT A FANCY PERSON.

THOSE OF US AT THE FUNERAL, I SAT WITH MEMBERS OF HER STAFF, ALL KNOWING HER THAT WELL, KNEW THAT SHE WOULD HATE THIS MASS, IT'S WAY TOO FORMAL AND WAY TOO LONG.

>> Mary: THE HONOR HAS TO FIT HER HUMILITY.

>> YES.

WHEN I PUT THAT MEMORIAL UP, I WAS THINKING OF THOSE THINGS, AS I SAID EARLIER, SIMPLE, ELEGANT, BEAUTIFUL AND POWERFUL.

THAT WOULD BE MELISSA.

NOT OVER THE TOP AT ALL.

YOU SEE IT, YOU IMMEDIATELY REFLECT ON HAT SHE MEANT.

THAT'S -- I HOPE WE DO SOMETHING ALONG THAT LINES.

SHE WOULD NOT WANT SOME OF THESE OTHER THINGS, I DON'T THINK.

>> Mary: AS A LEGISLATIVE LEADER, MELISSA HORTMAN NAVIGATED THROUGH A PANDEMIC AND A TIE, UNIMAGINABLE CHALLENGES.

>> MELISSA SAID, PAT, WE'RE TIED, WHAT DO WE DO?

I SAID, OKAY, AND SAME THING WITH LISA, SO I MET WITH BOTH CAUCUSES NEXT DAY BECAUSE I WAS HERE IN 1979, AS YOUR FATHER WAS, AT THAT TIE, AND I PREPARE EVERY TWO YEARS, BECAUSE IF I PREPARE, IF WE'RE TIED, IT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN.

SO I WAS PREPARED AND IT HAPPENED, OF COURSE.

BUT, SO, KIND OF PRESENTING ON THAT.

AND THEN WITHIN DAYS OF THAT, MYSELF AND MATT GEHRING, THE HEAD OF HOUSE COUNSEL AND I WERE PART OF NEGOTIATIONS THAT WERE UP AND DOWN AND IN AND OUT FOR THREE AND A HALF MONTHS ABOUT HOW TO DIVIDE THE POWER EQUALLY.

I GIVE HUGE CREDIT TO MELISSA HORTMAN AND LISA DEMUTH AS BEING TWO VERY VERY WONDERFUL POLITICIANS, BEING ABLE TO SEEK HOW TO DIVIDE THIS EQUALLY.

>> Mary: HER LEGACY AT THE CAPITOL IS IMPORTANT.

ESPECIALLY IN A DIVISIVE, VIOLENT POLITICAL TIME THAT TOOK HER LIFE.

>> WE WOULD TALK ABOUT THIS.

KINDNESS IS NOT A WEAKNESS.

DON'T EVER MISTAKE THAT.

IT'S WISDOM.

AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT SHE ESPOUSED, SHE WAS ALWAYS KIND.

BUT DON'T EVER TAKE THAT FOR WEAK BECAUSE SHE WAS NOT.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE LIVE IN THIS AGE WHERE OUTRAGE IS REWARDED INSTEAD OF OUTCOMES AND THE LOUDEST VOICE IS VALUED OVER THE MOST THOUGHTFUL ONE.

SHE WAS ALWAYS THE MOST THOUGHTFUL ONE.

>> CATHY: WE'RE GOING TO SPEND THE REST OF OUR TIME TOGETHER LOOKING BACK AT THE LEGACY OF SPEAKER EMERITA MELISSA HORTMAN WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO KNEW HER VERY WELL.

FORMER LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

DEMOCRATS UP FIRST.

FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MARGARET ANDERSON KELLIHER WAS THE SECOND WOMAN TO FILL THAT ROLE IN MINNESOTA.

RYAN WINKLER, FORMER DFL HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER DURING SPEAKER HORTMAN'S TENURE.

REPUBLICANS HERE... AMY FREDERIKSEN IS A FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, THE FIRST WOMAN TO FILL THAT ROLE IN MINNESOTA.

KURT ZELLERS, FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER WHO SERVED DURING HORTMAN'S LEADERSHIP YEARS IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU ALL HERE.

WE WERE WATCHING, ERIC AND I, OFF AIR TO ALL OF YOU WATCHING MARY'S PIECE AND YOU WERE NODDING YOUR HEADS.

PAT MURPHY SAID A LOT OF REALLY SPOT-ON THINGS ABOUT THE SPEAKER.

SPEAKER ANDERSON KELLIHER, I WANT TO START WITH YOU AND YOU ALL CAN CHIME IN HERE.

GOSH, IT DOESN'T SEEM POSSIBLE IT'S BEEN ONE YEAR ON SUNDAY.

WHAT'S ON YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW?

>> THE FAMILY'S ON MY HEART.

THE KIDS.

MELISSA'S PARENTS, MARK'S DAD, WHO I'VE MET AND TALKED WITH.

WHAT WE'VE LOST IN THESE MOMENTS.

AND WHAT WE'VE GAINED.

SO, I THINK OUT OF EVERY TRAGEDY, THERE ARE THINGS THAT COME ABOUT, AND THERE IS AN AWARENESS OF MAYBE HOW WE NEED TO ROCEED.

WE'RE NOT ALWAYS GETTING IT QUITE RIGHT YET, I DON'T THINK.

BUT PEOPLE ARE MUCH MORE AWARE OF THEIR LANGUAGE, HOW THEY'RE BEHAVING, WHAT IS GOING ON.

AND THAT IS A VERY GOOD THING AND SOMETHING THAT WAS JUST UNTHINKABLE.

>> Cathy: SPEAKER ZELLERS, WHAT'S ON YOUR HEART AS YOU LOOK BACK?

>> IT MAKES ME SAD STILL.

YOU KNOW, I THINK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S NEVER ABOUT THE FIGHTS ON THE FLOOR OR, YOU KNOW, WHO VOTES WHAT ON WHAT BILL, IT'S ALWAYS WHAT'S IN THE RETIRING ROOM, IT'S ALWAYS, HILE YOU'RE NEGOTIATING, THERE'S THAT FIVE OR TEN MINUTES WHILE YOU'RE WAITING FOR THE GOVERNOR OR SOMEBODY ELSE TO COME IN AND, HEY, HOW ARE THE KIDS DOING, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO THIS SUMMER, AND THAT'S WHAT I MISSED THE MOST ABOUT MELISSA, SHE SWORE AS MUCH AS I DO SO I LOVE THAT SHIT.

>> FOR ME, THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS HAVE BEEN ESPECIALLY HARD.

AT THE HEARING YESTERDAY, NEW DETAILS EMERGING ABOUT THE LAST FEW MINUTES OF MY FRIEND'S LIFE.

IT'S JUST HARD TO IMAGINE AND IT'S JUST VERY PERSONAL.

>> Eric: SENATOR.

>> SO I'M LWAYS STRUCK, FIRST OF ALL, BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED THE FAMILY.

AND AN ANNIVERSARY IS A TIME FOR FOLKS -- HEARING A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOKING BACK, RIGHT?

FOR A FAMILY, IF YOU KNOW, I'VE LOST MY MOM AND MY DADDING MY DAD THIS YEAR, YOU DON'T NEED AN ANNIVERSARY TO REMIND YOU, SO THIS IS REALLY MORE NOT FOR THE FAMILY AND LOVED ONES, THIS IS FOR MINNESOTA.

AND WHAT I WOULD SAY IS, EXACTLY WHAT YOU SAID, I FEEL LIKE HER LEGACY, EVEN PERMEATED THIS SESSION, THIS WAS A SESSION THAT SHOULD HAVE NOT ANYTHING GOTTEN DONE, IT WAS THE 67-67 SPLIT, IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR, THERE'S NO MONEY.

THE EXPECTATIONS WERE VERY VERY ROCK-BOTTOM LOW.

AND, ACTUALLY, A LOT OF THINGS GOT DONE.

AND I DO, I THINK, STILL CREDIT, I DON'T KNOW, THE SPIRIT, THE IDEA, THE PRINCIPLES THAT SHE SPOUSED BECAUSE THERE WAS ACTUALLY A FAIRLY PRODUCTIVE SESSION.

AND I THINK THAT WAS, IN PART, HER BEING STILL IN THE CHAMBER.

>> Eric: THIS WAS A PANEL OF LEGISLATIVE ALL-STARS, LAWMAKER ALL-STARS, WHAT WAS HER SECRET SAUCE, STRATEGIES, TECHNIQUE, STYLE, NEGOTIATING ABILITY, WHAT WAS IT?

>> HOMEWORK.

I WAS LOOKING THROUGH TEXTS LAST NIGHT.

I DID GO TO THE HEARING AND IT WAS PRETTY JARRING.

AND, SO, I THOUGHT, I NEED TO CONNECT TO MY FRIEND, MELISSA.

SO I LOOKED BACK THROUGH MY TEXTS.

AND HER ABILITY TO DO THE HOMEWORK AND THEN BE ABLE TO TRANSLATE IT TO THE PUBLIC, TO HER COLLEAGUES WAS INCREDIBLE.

I SAW THAT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

AND SHE COULD DO THAT.

YOU KNOW, OUR ERY FIRST BIG TRANSPORTATION BILL, I ACTUALLY ASKED HER TO BE THE LEAD ON THAT BILL BECAUSE SHE COULD DO THAT TRANSLATION, BOTH THE DEBATE ON THE FLOOR, BUT ALSO THE TRANSLATION TO THE PUBLIC OF WHAT SOMETHING MEANT.

AND THAT'S HOMEWORK.

SHE WAS AMAZING AT HER HOMEWORK.

>> Eric: HER STYLE.

>> IMPATIENT.

YOU WOULDN'T NECESSARILY SEE THAT -- [ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] -- BUT SHE HAD NO PATIENCE FOR THE BUILDUP TO THE DEAL, THE STAMPING OF THE FEET, THE DUALING PRESS -- DUELING PRESS CONFERENCES, ALL THE STUFF THAT GETS IN THE WAY, WHAT SHE KNEW WOULD BE THE OUTLINE FROM THE BEGINNING, SHE WAS IMPATIENT FOR, SHE WOULD HAVE A MOMENT WHERE SHE WOULD BASICALLY SAY, ARE WE DONE?

CAN WE GET ON TO THE BUSINESS OF LEGISLATING AND GETTING THIS DONE?

AND SHE WOULD USUALLY DO IT WITH A LITTLE SALTINESS, A LITTLE EARTHINESS, AND I THINK THAT GAVE HER A POWER IN A ROOM FILLED WITH POLITICIANS WHO VERY OFTEN LIKE TO HEAR THE SOUND OF THEIR OWN VOICE, SHE WAS NOT THAT PERSON.

>> Eric: HOW DID SHE HANDLE THE MINORITY, THE REPUBLICANS?

>> ACTUALLY, MY EXAMPLE, YOU KNOW, TO AMY'S POINT, YOU KNOW, WE WORKED ON THE MAPLE GROVE HOSPITAL TOGETHER.

AND BEING FROM NORTH DAKOTA, WHY WOULD YOU HAVE TO PASS A LAW TO BUILD A HOSPITAL IN THE FASTEST-GROWING SUBURB IN THE STATE AND IN THE MIDWEST, IN MAPLE GROVE?

AND SHE AND I SAT DOWN, WHAT THE HELL'S WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE?

SHE GOES, THERE'S MORE PEOPLE IN MAPLE GROVE AND PLYMOUTH, WHY WON'T THEY JUST SAY YES?

YOU HAVE TO CONVINCE 201, OR AT LEAST 68-34 TO BE ON YOUR SIDE.

I KNEW WE WERE GOOD FRIENDS THEN, I HAD THE SAME IMPATIENCE.

WHAT DO YOU GUYS CARE ABOUT OUR PART OF THE CITY?

EVERY TIME I DRIVE BY THE MAPLE GROVE HOSPITAL OR TAKE 610, IT'S A DAILY REMINDER OF MELISSA BECAUSE WE WORKED REALLY HARD ON BOTH OF THOSE, AND THE SAME IMPATIENCE ON, THIS MAKES SENSE, WHY CAN'T WE JUST DO IT?

>> I LIKE HER AUTHENTIC, QUIET STRENGTH.

BECAUSE SHE WAS BEHIND THE SCENES, SHE WAS IN A INDUSTRY THAT JUST EVER INCREASINGLY, IT'S NOISE, AND THAT'S WHO GETS THE ATTENTION, SHE WASN'T.

AND SHE DID, SHE BUILT A LOT OF STUFF, SHE BUILT HOSPITALS, SHE BUILT THE STATE OFFICE BUILDING THAT'S GOING TO BEAR HER NAME, SHE BUILT COMMUNITY SOLAR GARDENS AND BUILT THINGS THROUGH THE BONDING BILL.

BUT THE MAIN THING SHE BUILT WAS CONSENSUS AND SHE DID THAT BY JUST, LIKE, AUTHENTIC, QUIET STRENGTH.

AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY -- WE OULD USE SO MUCH MORE OF THAT.

>> Cathy: WE WERE WONDERING, RIGHT AFTER HER PASSING, WHETHER THIS WOULD TURN PEOPLE OFF FROM LAWMAKING, THAT PEOPLE WOULDN'T WANT TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, AS WAS POINTED OUT HERE BY THE PARTY CHAIR, DFL PARTY CHAIR, THE DFL'S PUTTING UP A CANDIDATE IN VERY SEAT OF THE LEGISLATURE.

AND NOT SO MUCH, YOU KNOW, REPUBLICANS IN TERMS OF THEIR -- REPUBLICANS DON'T HAVE CANDIDATES FOR EVERY SEAT.

SO I WONDER, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE INSPIRED STILL TO THIS DAY AND THEY WILL BE FOR A LONG TIME.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, SHE BELIEVED IN GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGNING, SHE HAD TO RUN THREE TIMES.

WHEN PEOPLE HEAR THAT STORY, WHICH THEY'VE HEARD MANY TIMES DURING THIS PERIOD OF TIME, YOU KIND OF THINK, I GOTTA STEP UP AND DO SOMETHING.

I OWE IT TO MY COMMUNITY AND SHE WAS ABOUT COMMUNITY.

I MEAN, THAT'S THE THER PART OF THIS, SHE WANTED TO SERVE HER COMMUNITY.

AND, SO, I THINK THAT'S BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK OF THE INCREASED SECURITY, EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS FOR JUDGES AND LAWMAKERS, ENHANCED SECURITY AT THE CAPITOL?

>> ATS LAST.

IT'S BEEN OVERDUE FOR A -- AT LAST.

IT'S BEEN OVERDUE FOR A LONG TIME.

WE STATED ENDLESSLY THAT SOMETHING BAD WILL HAVE TO HAPPEN BEFORE PEOPLE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY.

OF OURSE, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN THE WAY ANYBODY THOUGHT IT WOULD, AND IT WAS MUCH MORE AWFUL THAN ANY OF US REALLY COULD HAVE CONCEIVED OF.

BUT IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

AND IT WILL TAKE SOME ADJUSTMENT TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST WAY TO MANAGE THE OPENNESS OF THE LEGISLATURE WITH THE SECURITY NEEDS, BUT IT IS FINALLY HAPPENING.

>> Eric: HOW WAS SHE IN THOSE PRIVATE MEETINGS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND THE SENATE?

WAS IT TAKE CHARGE?

DEVELOP SET GLOVE OVER AN IRON FIST?

>> I MEAN, I THINK SHE -- AND WE BOTH HAD TIME IN THE MINORITY BEFORE WE WERE SPEAKER, THE ONE THING I LEARNED, I KNOW MELISSA DID, WE TALKED A LOT APPROXIMATE IT, YOU'VE GOT TO FIND THE WIN FOR THE OTHER SIDE, IT CAN'T JUST BE WHAT YOU WANT, WHAT YOU WANT IN THE BILL.

WHAT'S THE WIN THAT'S MARGARET'S GOING TO GET THAT SHE'S GOING TO TAKE BACK TO HER CAUCUS, ALL RIGHT, WE DIDN'T GET EVERYTHING WE WANT, BUT HERE'S THE THINGS WE GOT.

NOWADAYS IT'S REALLY REALLY HARD FOR SOME FOLKS TO SEE THE WIN FOR THE OTHER SIDE OR FOR THEIR POLITICAL OPPONENTS.

IT'S ALL ABOUT, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO FOR THE BASE?

AND THAT'S A SAD COMMENTARY.

>> YEAH.

>> Eric: HOW IS THAT TRANSFORMING LAWMAKING OR AFFECTING LAWMAKING, IF THERE'S COMPROMISES IN THE GAME?

>> ELL, I MEAN, THAT IS THE NATURE OF THE GAME, WHETHER PEOPLE WANT IT TO BE OR NOT OR WE JUST GET STUCK AND WE DO NOTHING.

AND THAT HELPS NOBODY, NOT IN GREATER MINNESOTA, NOT IN THE METRO, NOT IN, YOU KNOW, WABASHA AND NOT IN MINNEAPOLIS.

AND I THINK WHAT I'M HOPING IS THAT THIS ORT OF CONVERSATION WILL CONTINUE TO GO ON BECAUSE THE VIOLENCE THAT WAS VISITED ON HER AND SENATOR JOHN HOFFMAN CAME OUT OF A POLITICAL RHETORIC THAT IS HYPER, HYPER PARTISAN, TO THE POINT WHERE YOU "OTHER" THE OTHER PERSON, THE OTHER PARTY AND THEY BECOME INHUMAN AND THEY BECOME AN ENEMY.

SO SHE IS EXACTLY THE ANTIDOTE, VERY IRONICALLY TO WHAT KILLED HER.

>> SHE ALSO USED HUMOR IN A LOT OF SITUATIONS.

AND I WANT TO -- SO SHE ONCE SAID ABOUT PAT MURPHY THAT SHE HAD A CRUSH ON HIM LIKE SHE HAD A CRUSH ON HER OBSTETRICIAN.

[ Laughter ] A PERSON WHO GOT HER OUT OF AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION AND SHE COULD NOT DO WITHOUT HIM.

>> I NEVER HEARD THAT, THAT'S AWESOME, THAT IS RIGHT ON BRAND.

>> Cathy: I'M GLAD WE COULD REMEMBER ER THIS WAY.

ECDZ WE COULD TALK ALL -- >> Eric: WE COULD TALK ALL NIGHT.

YOU GUYS REALLY DID HER JUSTICE TONIGHT.

>> Cathy: TRUE STUFF.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

♪ ♪ >> I'M VERY PROUD THAT WE ACTUALLY COME TO THE END.

>> THAT IT BROUGHT BACK SAD MEMORY, BUT AS I LOOK UP, FURTHER, FURTHER UP, YOU KNOW, IT ALWAYS GIVES ME TEARS OF JOY.

>> VERY EXCITING.

IT WAS VERY EXCITING, HAPPY AND EMOTIONAL.

THE ♪ ♪ ♪ >> ERIC: THAT MEMORIAL SITS ON THE STATE CAPITOL GROUNDS.

IT'S TIME FOR THIS WEEK'S MINNESOTA HISTORY QUESTION.

PICTURE YOURSELF IN OUR NATION'S CAPITAL.

THE YEAR IS 1973.

AND A MINNESOTA NATIVE IS THE PERSON OF THE HOUR AT A SWANKY PORTRAIT UNVEILING IN THE RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING.

MANY NOTABLE GUESTS ATTENDED THE EVENT, INCLUDING THREE NUNS FROM MINNESOTA.

OUR QUESTION THIS WEEK IS SIMPLE.

WE WANT TO KNOW WHICH MINNESOTAN WAS HONORED WITH A PORTRAIT UNVEILING IN THE U.S.

CAPITOL IN OCTOBER OF 1973.

GIVE US A CALL WITH YOUR BEST GUESS.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL.

YOU CAN EMAIL US TOO.

THAT'S ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU'RE CALLING FROM ARTISTS' POINT, PICTURE ROCK, OR PAINTER PARK.

QUICK TUNE-IN NOTE FOR YOU.

NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT THE TWO LEADING DFL CANDIDATES FOR U.S.

SENATE WILL BE HERE LIVE.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR SOME SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC FROM THE ARCHIVES.

THIS WEEK BACK IN 2013, THE GRAMMY-AWARD-WINNING OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS PAID US A VISIT.

TAKE A LISTEN.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

AND BE CAREFUL.

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