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♪ >> WELCOME TO "MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT."

A RECAP OF THE WEEK’S ACTIVITIES THAT THE STATE CAPITAL.

THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO CALL OR EMAIL YOUR LEGISLATIVE QUESTIONS AND HAVE THEM ANSWERED LIVE ON THE AIR.

MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT STARTS RIGHT NOW.

♪ TONY: HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE "MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE REPORT."

I’M YOUR HOST.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS ONE WEEK LEFT TO PASS A TWO-YEAR STATE BUDGET AND GET THE REST OF THEIR WORK DONE.

HOW WILL THE DECISIONS MAKE AFFECT THE NORTHLAND AND WILL THEY GET THEIR WORK DONE ON TIME?

YOU CAN JOIN THE CONVERSATION BY EMAILING OR CALLING IN YOUR QUESTIONS.

ASK A QUESTION DIALED THE PHONE NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN OR YOU CAN EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO ASK@P BSNORTH.ORG.

FROM BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES TO JOIN US ON THE SHOW.

IF THEY RESPOND AND ARE AVAILABLE WE MAKE ROOM FOR AS MANY OF THEM AS POSSIBLE TO SHARE THEIR VIEWS AND ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.

COINING US TODAY ARE TWO ELECTED OFFICIALS.

A REPUBLICAN FROM YULEE REPRESENTING DISTRICT THREE A AND A REPUBLICAN FROM PINE CITY REPRESENTING DISTRICT 10 OR 11?

11.

BOTH OF YOU, WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

SENATOR, IT IS YOUR FIRST TIME HERE AND REPRESENTATIVE, THIS IS TIME NUMBER THREE AND WE WILL LET THE NEWBIE GO FIRST.

YOUR MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE AS WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ALL YEAR IS TO PASS A TWO-YEAR BUDGET THAT IS BALANCED AND HAS TO BE DONE BY JULY 1.

YOU HAVE ONE WEEK LEFT IN THE SESSION SO WHERE ARE WE AT OVERALL IN THE PROCESS?

>> TYPICALLY THIS TIME OF YEAR WE ARE FURTHER ALONG WORKING WITH CONFERENCE COMMITTEES.

WE STILL HAVE A FEW OF THE BUDGET BILLS TO GET OFF THE HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR SO I WOULD SAY WE ARE A LITTLE BEHIND BUT ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN YET.

TONY: HOW ABOUT IN THE HOUSE, HOW ARE WE LOOKING?

>> SAME.

LAST WEEK I WAS OPTIMISTIC WE WOULD BE DONE ON THE 19TH.

WE WILL SEE.

IT WILL BE CLOSE.

TONY: WHAT ARE THE MAJOR FACTORS HOLDING UP GETTING TO AGREEMENT?

AS A REMINDER, IT IS A DIVIDED LEGISLATURE IN A WAY WHERE IN THE HOUSE IT IS 50 50 DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS AND YOU NEED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT TO GET SOMETHING DONE AND NEITHER PARTY CAN PASS LEGISLATION.

IN THE SENATE IT IS A RAZOR THIN MAJORITY FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE MAJOR HOLDUPS IN GETTING TO A SOLUTION?

>> THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND -- TONY: IS THERE AN ISSUE OR TWO THAT ARE THE STICKING POINTS?

>> THEY WANT TO RAISE TAXES.

AND THAT IS NOT AN OPTION RIGHT NOW.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR’S BUDGET DOES IS RAISE TAXES BUT HE WANTS TO RAISE TAXES ON TOP OF HIS CUTS HE IS DOING THAT AFFECT A LOT OF COUNTIES.

THAT IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST STICKING POINT.

TONY: AND WHERE ARE THOSE PROPOSALS?

>> THE ONES THAT WILL AFFECT US IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA IS IF HE CUTS THE PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES.

THAT WILL AFFECT THE FIVE COUNTIES I REPRESENT A LOT.

IF HE IS SUCCESSFUL IN CUTTING THE SUSTAINABLE FORCED INITIATIVE, THERE IS A LOT OF LAND AND FOLKS THAT USE LAND THAT CAN NO LONGER USE THE LAND WHICH IS PART OF THE STICKING POINT FOR THE GOVERNOR.

WE HOPE HE IS USING THAT AS A NEGOTIATION -- WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR THIS?

WE HAVE TRAILS ON PRIVATE LANDS AND THE STATE PAYS THEM MONEY FOR THE PUBLIC TO USE AT THEIR LAND.

THEY DON’T HAVE TO LET ANYONE USE IT BUT THE STATE GIVES THEM A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY AND WE -- THE PUBLIC USES THE LAND AND PUTS TRAILS ON IT AND WE WILL LOSE THAT.

THAT IS AN ISSUE.

TONY: AND TO BE SPECIFIC, WHEN YOU SAY RAISE TAXES YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT TAX EXPENDITURES.

THE TAX BILL INCLUDE SOME PORTION WHERE PEOPLE DON’T HAVE TO PAY TAXES.

SO WE LABEL THEM TAX EXPENDITURES AND THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

>> SOME OF THOSE AND THE INVASIVE SPECIES -- THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO CUT OUT ALSO.

IF IT COMES OUT AND THEY CAN’T -- AND A COUNTY STILL WANTS TO PARTICIPATE, THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT.

TONY: ARE THESE THE KEY ISSUES HOLDING UP THE SESSION?

>> A BIGGER ONE IS THE FACT THAT HE WANTS TO CUT TAXES ON SOME SALES TAX, SOME SMALL AMOUNT, BUT THEN HE WANTS TO RAISE TAXES ON BUSINESSES LIKE LAW FIRMS THAT DO COPIES AND HE WANTS TO CREATE A NEW TAXING AREA TO RAISE TAXES.

TONY: HE WANTS TO LOWER THE SALES TAX BASE AND BROADENED IT OUT FOR SOME SERVICES.

IS THAT THE PROPOSAL?

>> IT IS MAINLY THAT HE IS TRYING TO RAISE THE TAXES ON A LOT OF BUSINESSES THAT THE ONES WE WERE TOLD WHERE THE LAW FIRMS AND COMPANIES THAT DO COPIES THAT WILL START PAYING THAT HAVE NEVER PAID BEFORE.

I KNOW THE SENATOR WAS HERE TWO WEEKS AGO I THINK AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT TAXING SOCIAL MEDIA.

THAT IS ANOTHER ONE THAT IS -- WE JUST DON’T THINK WE NEED TO RAISE MORE TAXES.

AND RIGHT NOW THAT IS PROBABLY THE LARGEST STICKING POINT.

TONY: SENATOR, FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE WHERE ARE THOSE STICKING POINTS?

>> ANOTHER RELATED ONE IS THE COUNTY COST SHIFTS IN SOME OF THEIR PROPOSALS.

THERE IS SOME MOVEMENT ON THE SENATE SIDE.

SENATORS HOFFMAN AND A BLURT WERE WORKING ON SOME STUFF.

TONY: WHAT IN PARTICULAR?

>> HUMAN SERVICES.

IN PARTICULAR AROUND DOWN -- AROUND LONG-TERM CARE AND THE REIMBURSEMENT RATES THAT HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED.

WE ARE LOOKING AT SCALING THAT BACK.

ULTIMATELY THAT WILL GO ON TO THE COUNTIES TO COVER THE COST WHICH WILL BE IN SOME COUNTIES, ONE OF MINE SAID IT COULD POTENTIALLY BE A 20% INCREASE ON THE PROPERTY TAX LEVY.

THAT IS A BIG ISSUE.

ONE OF THE AREAS THAT I’M LEAD ON EDUCATION FINANCE AND THE SENATE AND GOVERNOR’S PROPOSAL TO COMPLETELY ELIMINATE THE NONPUBLIC SCHOOL AID FOR TRANSPORTATION AND CURRICULUM, THAT IS ANOTHER DIFFICULT ONE AND I’M WORKING WITH REPRESENTATIVE CORREA SHUT, A COCHAIR IN THE HOUSE COMMITTEE AND FOR MANY REPUBLICANS DIED IS A NONSTARTER.

THE BIGGEST REASON IT IS NOT A COST SAVING.

IF 5% OF THIS TUNES IN NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE TO LEAVE AND GO TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL -- OF THE STUDENTS IN NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE TO LEAVE AND GO TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL.

COMPARED TO WHAT WE PAY IF THEY ARE IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL STILL.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE ONES I AM FOLLOWING.

TONY: IN PARTICULAR ON THAT PROPOSAL, RIGHT NOW WE PAY FOR TRANSPORTATION AND SOME SUPPLIES FOR FOLKS THAT CHOOSE TO BE HOMESCHOOLED AND THE PROPOSAL IS TO ELIMINATE THOSE REIMBURSEMENTS FOR TRANSPORTATION TO EXTRA AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND SUPPLIES?

>> TRANSPORTATION IS THE BIGGEST THERE IS ALSO ASSISTANCE FOR COUNSELORS, FOR NURSES, FOR CURRICULUM.

ULTIMATELY THAT IS WHAT WE LOOK AT AS WELL AND WHERE THIS IS NOT BEING TALKED ABOUT MUCH IS THE AID COMING ISN’T GOING TO THE NONPUBLIC SCHOOL, IN MOST CASES IT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THAT AREA.

MOST OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS RUN THE BUS ROUTE.

THEY ARE THE ONES THAT RECEIVE THE EXTRA PAYMENT FROM THE STATE FOR BRINGING THOSE STUDENTS IN AND IN A LOT OF CASES THESE NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS WHETHER IT IS FROM 5-15 HOURS THAT THEY HIRE A NURSE FROM THE PUBLIC SCHOOL TO COME TO THEIR FACILITY OR THEIR COUNSELOR, THAT WOULD GO AWAY POTENTIALLY AND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL WOULD BE ON THE HULK TRYING TO FIGURE OUT -- ON THE HOOK TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO COVER THOSE COSTS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GETTING THE ASSISTANCE THAT HAD BEEN COMING BECAUSE OF THEIR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NONPUBLIC SCHOOL.

THAT IS THE WAY MOST OF THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE IN MY DISTRICT AND THAT I’VE HAD DEALINGS WITH, THEY HAVE ALWAYS VIEWED THAT, THE NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS ON THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN IN A PARTNERSHIP AND WORKED TOGETHER.

TONY: I’M HEARING FROM BOTH OF YOU -- THE SENATOR DISAGREEING WITH CUTS IN THE DFL PROPOSALS AND SING WITH YOU FROM THAT TAX EXPENDITURE PROPOSAL SIDE OF THINGS BUT WE ARE FACING A SMALL SURPLUS IN THE TWO-YEAR BUDGET WE ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS.

HERE WE TRY TO ADDRESS A FOUR YEAR BUDGET.

IF YOU DISAGREE FROM WHERE THE CUTS ARE COMING FROM, WHERE ELSE ARE YOU PROPOSING TO FIND THE CUTS IF YOU DISAGREE WITH THESE CUTS IN ORDER TO BALANCE THE BUDGET?

>> I AM NOT SURE WHERE THEY ARE GETTING THE NUMBERS.

TALKING TO SOME SENATORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVES, THE INFLATION RATE IS BAKED INTO THE FORECAST NOW.

TONY: THEY FACTOR IN INFLATION ON REVENUE RAISED AND THE EXPENDITURES.

>> AND IF YOU TAKE THAT OUT, THAT IS SUBSTANTIAL.

IT ISN’T $6 BILLION ANYMORE.

IT IS QUITE A BIT SMALLER.

>> 3.7-4.

TONY: THINGS WILL COST MORE IN THE FUTURE AND IF YOU ARE NOT PLANNING FOR IT, IS THAT A CHALLENGE?

AND, SOMETIMES I’VE HEARD FOLKS PROPOSE ERASING THE INFLATION FACTOR ON THE SPENDING SIDE BUT KEEPING IT ON THE REVENUE SIDE TO MAKE THE BOOKS STILL LOOK BALANCED.

>> AND THE POPPERS STILL COMES TO GET PAGE.

-- AND THE PAUPER STILL COMES TO GET PAID.

IS IT RESPONSIBLE?

NO.

WILL IT BE THAT HIGH?

MAYBE IT IS A SMALLER NUMBER IT.

I THINK SOME OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO LOOK AT AS THEY STAY IS WHO AND WHAT ARE WE FUNDING.

SERIOUSLY LOOKING AT THAT.

AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE FINDING FRAUD.

WHERE IS THE FRAUD?

IT IS NOT GOING TO BE $6 BILLION.

BUT IF YOU START TIGHTENING UP THE SHIP, PEOPLE START TO BE MORE RESPONSIBLE WITH THE DOLLARS WE HAVE.

AND IN MY OPINION THEN WE DON’T HAVE TO BE SO CONCERNED ABOUT CONSTITUENTS GETTING ON US -- JUST GET THAT FRAUD.

THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

IT IS LIKE, THAT IS PART OF THE PROBLEM BUT NOT THE PROBLEM.

BUT WE SHOULD NOT JUST SAY -- THAT IS JUST FACTORED IN THAT WE WILL HAVE THE FRAUD.

THERE SHOULD BE NONE.

EVERYONE SHOULD TAKE THIS MONEY AS SERIOUS -- IT IS THE PUBLIC’S MONEY, IT IS ALL OF OUR MONEY.

I THINK SOMEWHERE IF WE CAN GET PEOPLE TO DO THAT, IF WE CAN LOOK AT DR. WE TALKED ABOUT IT LAST TIME, THE TWO LARGEST BUDGETS, EDUCATION AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

AT SOME POINT THEY WILL TAKE A CUTS.

AND WHERE ARE WE GOING TO CUT?

I TOLD YOU BEFORE, I DON’T WANT TO CUT EDUCATION.

I WANT TO TRY TO KEEP IT AS WHOLE AS I CAN.

BUT IF IT COMES DOWN TO HAVING TO CUT, YOU HAVE TO CUT.

I DON’T KNOW WHERE WE WILL CUT.

I’M NOT HIGH UP ON THE FOOD CHAIN YET.

TONY: VIEWERS, PLEASE EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS.

STAYING ON THE TOPIC.

VIEWERS WANT SPECIFICS BECAUSE THEY WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE IMPACTS ARE.

YOU TALKED ABOUT WHERE YOU WOULD NOT LIKE TO SEE WHERE THE CUTS ARE PROPOSED.

>> THE SENATE PROPOSAL IS DELINKING FROM INFLATION TO HELP BALANCE SOME OF THE DEFICIT.

I DID NOT AGREE WITH THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

SO I AGREE WITH TAKING THAT STEP THAT GETS YOU A LITTLE WAYS THERE.

I ALSO THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WE JUST PUT IN PLACE THAT HAVE EXCEEDED THE COST THAT WAS PROJECTED.

ONE OF THOSE IS THE FREE MEAL PROGRAM FOR ALL STUDENTS.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT WHETHER WE PUT A CAP ON INCOME, ABOUT 37% OF STUDENTS WERE ALREADY GETTING FREE AND REDUCED MEALS.

FOLKS CAME IN AND SAID WE WERE MISSING 13% THAT STILL HAVE.

-- THAT STILL HAVE NEED.

INSTEAD OF GOING TO 50% WE WENT TO 100% AND THE COSTS HAVE BALLOONED.

THERE IS 200 PLUS MILLION DOLLARS THAT WE COULD SAVE THEIR.

THERE IS ALSO CONTINUING COSTS DRIVING UP BECAUSE OF THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WE PUT IN PLACE FOR THE HOURLY WORKERS AS SCHOOLS, THE BUS DRIVERS AND KITCHEN WORKERS.

I BELIEVE WE CAN WORK WITH SCHOOLS AND SAY, WHAT CAN WE DO TO INCENTIVIZE FOLKS TO STAY IN THAT JOB BUT NOT BE ON THAT ASSISTANCE.

THE COSTS CONTINUE TO RISE AND THAT IS AN EXPENSE IN THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

WE COULD SAVE THERE AS WELL.

AND THEN IT IS A LITTLE MORE TRICKY -- WE NEED TO GO DOWN WHAT MANY OF US WOULD CALL ZERO-BASED BUDGETING.

GETTING INTO HAVING PEOPLE COME IN IT ARE CALLED IN THE BASE.

THIS IS WHAT WE ALWAYS SPEND.

AND HAVE ALL THOSE FOLKS COME BACK IN AND PROVE TO US YOU ARE USING THE MONEY WISELY AND HAVING GOOD OUTCOMES.

EDUCATION IS MY BIGGEST AREA.

WE HAVE SO MANY REPORTS AND SO MUCH ADMINISTRATION AND SINCE 2000 WE HAVE SEEN A 2% INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN K-12 EDUCATION AND A 150% RISE IN MIDDLE ADMINISTRATION.

AND A GREAT DEAL OF THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE REQUIREMENTS WE HAVE PUT ON AT THE STATE LEVEL ASKING FOR REPORTS AND INFORMATION.

THE QUESTION I’VE BEEN ASKING IS WHO IS LOOKING AT THIS INFORMATION, WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH THE INFORMATION, AND HAVE WE MADE ANY POSITIVE CHANGES IN OUTCOMES FOR OUR KIDS BECAUSE OF IT.

AND IF THE ANSWER ISN’T THAT WE ARE COMING UP WITH THINGS THAT ARE HELPING IMPROVE EDUCATION.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE OUTCOMES, IT IS HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS HELPING OUR STUDENTS.

THEN LET’S START BACKING OFF SOME OF THAT AND I BELIEVE OUR SCHOOLS COULD CUT ADMINISTRATIVE COST WHICH COULD HELP US REDUCE THE EDUCATION BUDGET.

AND THE AREA I WAS IN FORMERLY, JOBS, WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF MONEY THAT GO OUT TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRAINING PEOPLE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

ONCE AGAIN, LET’S LOOK AT BUSINESSES AND SAY -- WHAT CAN WE OFFER YOU?

YOU ARE ALREADY TRAINING PEOPLE IF YOU ARE GOING TO PUT THEM TO WORK.

WHEN WE SEE SOME OF THE THINGS COMING OUT AROUND THESE NONPROFITS AND NGOS, I THINK IT IS TIME TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT THE MONEY WE ARE PUTTING THERE AS WELL AS SCHOOLS WHERE WE PUT MONEY INTO NONPROFITS TO HELP WORK WITH KIDS.

I WOULD RATHER SEE SOME OF THAT GO TO OUR SCHOOLS AND IF THEY WISHED TO BRING IN THE NONPROFIT, THEY CAN DO THAT BUT THE STATE SHOULD NOT BE DOING THAT.

I BELIEVE THERE ARE AREAS WHERE WE CAN MAKE CUTS.

THE HHS REALM IS ONE THAT IS BEYOND MY UNDERSTANDING -- TALKING WITH SOME OF MY COUNTY FOLKS, THEY BELIEVE KIND OF THE SAME THING I TALKED ABOUT WITH SCHOOLS.

MANY OF THE MANDATES COMING FROM THE STATE LEVEL, THEY HAVE SAID, IF YOU EXPECT THE COUNTY TO PAY FOR THESE SERVICES, THEN GIVE US THE FLEXIBILITY TO CHOOSE THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE AND THOSE WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PROVIDE.

WHETHER IT IS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, STATE GOVERNMENT, WE HAVE PUSHED A LOT OF MANDATE TO LOWER LEVELS WITHOUT THE FUNDING BEING TIED TO IT.

I THINK A LOT OF THESE REQUIREMENTS THAT WE HAVE PUT ON FOLKS, WE SHOULD BE STEPPING BACK FROM SAYING -- ARE WE GETTING THE RESULTS FROM THOSE?

IS IT WORTH THE MONEY WE ARE PUTTING INTO IT?

I BELIEVE THE ANSWER IS IT IS NOT WORTH IT.

>> I THINK YOU HIT ON SOMETHING AND I HAVEN’T BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT ENOUGH.

WE GREW GOVERNMENT BY 40% IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

WE HAVE TO GO BACK AND SEE HOW DID WE GROAN GOVERNMENT BY --HOW DID WE GROW GOVERNMENT BY 40%?

TONY: WAS THAT ONGOING OR A COVID RESPONSE?

>> IT IS -- IT WAS ONGOING AND PUT IN THE BASE.

40% TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

NOT ACROSS THE BOARD.

BUT WHEN YOU ADDED IT UP, IT WAS A 39%-40% INCREASE.

>> THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO CLAW BACK.

DO WE NEED TO GROW GOVERNMENT RIGHT NOW?

RIGHT NOW IS NOT A GOOD TIME FOR ANYTHING.

THE STORIES WE HEAR FROM THE NURSING HOMES, FROM THE AMBULANCE IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES, IT IS LIKE -- I CANNOT TELL IF WE CAN HELP YOU.

RIGHT NOW WE CAN GIVE YOU WHAT WE HAD BEFORE.

BUT IT WILL START -- WE HAVE TO START FIGURING OUT HOW WE WILL PAY FOR THIS.

$6 BILLION IS A LOT OF MONEY.

I DON’T KNOW THE MAGIC -- THAT WOULD BE MY FIRST QUESTION.

WHERE IS THE $6 BILLION?

SHOW ME WHERE IT CAME FROM.

AND THEN WE CAN START WORKING BACKWARDS FROM THERE.

>> AS I MENTIONED, WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT SOME OF THE THE NEW WORK THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT -- NEWER THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE.

WHEN I FIRST CAME IN, THE BUDGET WAS IN THE LOW 40 BILLION DOLLAR RANGE AND IT WAS 72 THIS LAST TIME AND THAT WAS IN 10 YEARS.

THERE HAVE BEEN THINGS WE HAVE BEEN BUILDING RECENTLY AND THAT IS WHERE I THINK WE NEED TO BEGIN -- IT IS OUT THERE.

ARE PEOPLE WILLING TO TIGHTEN THEIR BELTS?

AND THAT IS SOMETHING ALSO, YOU HEAR FROM SO MANY PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVE TO CUT THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT.

AND THEN WE SAY, WE WILL CUT THIS PROGRAM -- DON’T CUT THAT PROGRAM, I USE THAT.

ACROSS THE BOARD, EVERYBODY SHOULD BE WILLING TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF A CUT.

THAT IS WHY I DON’T LIKE THE GOVERNOR’S PROPOSAL OF ELIMINATING THE NONPUBLIC.

IF YOU SAY WE NEED TO MAKE A CUT, I CAN ACCEPT THAT AS LONG AS THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE GETTING A CATCH.

EVERYONE ACROSS THE BOARD HAS TO BE WILLING TO TIGHTEN THEIR BELTS AND NOT PICK ON 1-2 THINGS.

TONY: LET’S PICK ON EDUCATION.

YOU WERE THE LEAD ON THIS ONE.

IT IS A BIG PART OF THE STATE BUDGET.

YOU MENTIONED LOOKING AT THE PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES FREE LUNCH FOR EVERY STUDENT.

YOU TALKED ABOUT FIGURING THAT OUT.

ARE YOU NOT CONCERNED THAT WOULD BRING IN MORE GOVERNMENT?

SOME HAVE ARGUED THAT IT COULD COST MORE MONEY OR TAKE UP RESOURCES IN TRYING TO ATTRACT WHO WOULD QUALIFY.

THERE WOULD BE MORE PAPERWORK.

PEOPLE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THAT WOULD HAVE TO TRACK THAT INFORMATION.

I’VE HEARD THE GOVERNOR AND OTHERS SAY, WE WANT ALL OF THE MONEY GOING FOR LUNCHES INSTEAD OF A CHUNK OF THE MONEY GOING TO ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM.

WHAT DO YOU ABOUT THAT PHILOSOPHICAL DEBATE?

>> SO THAT PAPERWORK HAD ALL BEEN DONE FOR YEARS AND YEARS.

THAT WAS THE FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH.

TONY: THE FAMILIES THAT NEED IT MOST DID NOT FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK.

THEY WERE EMBARRASSED.

>> THAT WAS PART -- WHEN WE WERE HAVING THE DISCUSSION AROUND THEIR FREE MEALS, THAT WAS ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS WE DISCUSSED.

BECAUSE THE PAPERWORK WAS NOT JUST FOR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCHES.

THERE IS ALSO WHAT WE CALL COMPENSATORY WHICH HELPS SCHOOLS AND A LOT OF THE COMPENSATORY CALCULATION WAS BASED ON THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT QUALIFY FOR FREE AND REDUCED MEALS.

SO WHAT WE WERE SOLD WHEN WE DID FREE MEALS FOR ALL WAS THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WOULD COME UP WITH A WAY THAT THEY WOULD FIGURE OUT THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT QUALIFY AND THE SCHOOLS WOULD NOT HAVE TO DO THE PAPERWORK ANYMORE.

THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR YEARS AND YEARS.

WHAT WE DISCOVERED IN ONE YEAR IS THAT THE CALCULATION CAME OUT FROM MDE.

SOME SCHOOLS WERE SEEING AN INCREASE AND OTHERS WERE SEEKING A DECREASE.

AND THEY ALL CAME IN AND ACTUALLY, THE VAST MAJORITY ARE COMING BACK SAYING, GIVE US THE PAPERWORK BACK BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR MONEY IS CALCULATED BASED ON OUR ACTUAL STUDENTS.

IN SOME OF THOSE SCHOOLS ARE SHARING WITH OTHERS ABOUT HOW THEY GOT CREATIVE TO GET PEOPLE TO FILL IT OUT.

THEY WOULD LET FAMILIES KNOW -- WE CHARGE $50 TO PARTICIPATE IN EXTRACURRICULAR’S.

YOU CAN GET REDUCED COST IF YOU QUALIFY FOR FREE AND REDUCED MEALS.

SO JUST FILL OUT THIS FORM AND WE WILL HELP YOU DO IT.

SO DO I LIKE PAPERWORK?

I DON’T.

THAT IS WHY I BELIEVE WE COULD COME UP WITH A BIGGER REFORM PACKAGE AROUND EDUCATION, SPENDING.

IT WILL TAKE SOME WORK.

I’M SURE THERE WILL BE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DON’T LIKE IT AT FIRST BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT -- FOR THREE YEARS NOW I’VE BEEN IN THIS AREA.

THE FORMULAS ARE SO COMPLICATED.

I STILL HAVE A HARD TIME GETTING MY HEAD AROUND IT.

I DO BELIEVE THERE IS SOME TYPE OF REFORM PACKAGE THAT NEEDS TO BE BEGUN THAT WILL SIMPLIFY THE FORMULAS, HOW WE GOT THE MONEY PER PUPIL, AND THE REQUIREMENTS WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE ON OUR SCHOOLS AND GIVING FAMILIES MORE CHOICE AS TO WHERE THEY WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL.

I DON’T THINK YOU CAN DO ANY ONE KIND OF STAND ALONE.

IT WILL REQUIRE A GROUP OF PEOPLE GETTING TOGETHER AND HAVING THESE HARD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT -- IS EVERYTHING WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE OVER THE COURSE OF 40-50 YEARS, NECESSARY?

CAN WE BACK UP AND CAN WE DO IT BETTER?

TONY: ONE MORE QUESTION ON EDUCATION.

THE STATE PRODUCED GRADUATION RATES FOR THE LAST YEAR AND IT WAS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN STATE HISTORY.

82 POINT 4%.

AS WE TALK ABOUT MAKING CHANGES, IS NOW THE RIGHT TIME TO MAKE CHANGES?

SHOULD WE BE CELEBRATING THAT WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ESPECIALLY AFTER THE PANDEMIC IF OUR GRADUATION RATES ARE MOVING TO THEIR HIGHEST LEVELS?

>> I THINK IT IS GREAT THE NUMBERS ARE UP.

IT SHOWS PEOPLE ARE REALIZING THAT EDUCATION GETS THEM FURTHER IN LIFE.

THAT IS A GREAT THING.

LET’S GET THOSE SCORES UP WITH IT.

TONY: WHICH SCORES ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

>> I WILL LET THE SENATOR TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

GRADUATION RATES ARE UP BUT PROFICIENCY RATES ARE DOWN.

OR KIDS ARE REALIZING THEY NEED THE DIPLOMA BUT THEY ARE NOT GRADUATION -- GRADUATING WITH AS HIGH OF GRADES AS THEY WERE BEFORE HER.

SCORES IN READING AND MATH ARE DOWN.

THAT IS PART OF WHAT WE HAVE TO GET AT.

THE PIECE OF PAPER THAT SAID YOU GRADUATED IS ONE THING BUT IF YOU GET INTO A JOB AND YOUR EMPLOYER IS TRYING TO TRAIN YOU AND YOU DO NOT HAVE THE ACTUAL SKILLS, THEN WE HAVE MISSED SOMETHING.

THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO BE GETTING AT.

ACROSS THE BOARD WE SEE OUR PROFICIENCY RATES DECLINING.

THAT IS THE ULTIMATE THING.

I ARGUE ABOUT THAT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA OVER AND OVER.

THEY HAVE TOUTED RECORD ENROLLMENT RATES.

ENROLLMENT RATES ARE GREAT BUT FOR ME THE NUMBER THAT MATTERS IS HOW MANY OF YOUR STUDENTS GRADUATE ON TIME AND GET A JOB IN THE AREA THAT THEY WENT TO SCHOOL WITH.

THAT IS SUCCESS.

HIGH GRADUATION RATES ARE GREAT TO DO THE KIDS HAVE THE SKILLS TO GO ON TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF EDUCATION AND GET INTO A CAREER WHERE THEY CAN MAKE A LIVING.

TONY: CHANGING TOPICS BECAUSE WE HAVE QUESTIONS COMING IN.

WE START WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE.

YOU ARE ON THE HOUSING COMMITTED -- COMMITTEE.

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE HOA PROCESS?

IF YOU NEED TO PHONE A FRIEND -- >> OUR COMMITTEE JUST STARTED MEETING AND I’M NOT ON THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE BUT THE COMMITTEE.

THE DAY THEY MET I DID NOT SHOW UP.

IT WAS A SHAKE HANDS, WHO IS WHO , AND NOW THEY WILL START THE BUSINESS.

TONY: CAN YOU EXPLAIN BRIEFLY WHAT IT IS?

>> THIS IS ONE SENATOR LUCERO AND SENATOR PAUL -- AND I THINK SENATOR PORTES AS WELL.

THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS OUT THERE -- AS DEVELOPMENTS ARE GROWING IN TOWNS AND SMALLER TOWNS AS WELL, DIFFERENT THINGS ARE PUT IN PLACE -- THEY WANT YOU TO HAVE A PARK OR MANAGE THIS OR THAT.

THE HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS ARE BEING CREATED ALL OVER THE PLACE.

WE ARE ALSO HAVING PEOPLE SAYING, THE USE ASSOCIATIONS -- CERTAIN PEOPLE ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SYSTEM.

THEY CREATE THIS AGENCY THAT COMES IN AND SAYS, WE WILL MANAGE YOUR HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION BECAUSE YOU DON’T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO VOLUNTEER TO RUN THE BOARD.

AND THEN THEY HAVE A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY AS A SUBSIDIARY COMPANY AND THEY HIRE THEMSELVES TO DO THE WORK.

THEY DON’T GET BIDS.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT PEOPLE ARE BRINGING FORWARD.

THEY CREATED A WORKING GROUP -- I BELIEVE THERE WERE 20 PEOPLE ON AND WORKED OVER A YEAR AND HAD 16 DIFFERENT MEETINGS AND SIX LEGISLATORS WERE ON IT AND THEY CAME FORWARD WITH A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS.

WE HEARD A BILL STAND ALONE ON THE SENATE FLOOR LAST WEEK AND IT PASSED WITH 14 NO VOTES OR SOMEWHERE IN THAT RANGE.

I BELIEVE IT WAS -- IF I REMEMBER RIGHT, IT WAS NOT MOVING STANDALONE ON THE HOUSE SIDE.

BUT IT DOES HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

FURTHER THAN WHAT I EXPLAINED, I DON’T KNOW A LOT OF THE DETAILS, HOW THEY GOT WHERE THEY ARE BUT I DO KNOW THERE ARE SOME FOLKS THAT HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF CONCERN BUT FOR THE MOST PART IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY HAVE DONE THEIR WORK AND THERE IS MORE TO BE DONE BUT THE BASICS THEY HAVE COME FORWARD WITH RIGHT NOW ARE A PRETTY GOOD STEP TO GET US DOWN THE ROAD TO MAKING THINGS A LITTLE BETTER AND MORE AFFORDABLE FOR NOT ONLY CITIES BUT FOR PEOPLE BUYING HOMES THAT ARE IN THESE AREAS WITH THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION.

TONY: IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS MOVING AND MORE TO COME ON THAT.

THE NEXT QUESTION.

LARRY EMAILED SAYING HE IS NOT OPTIMISTIC YOU WILL BE DONE ON TIME.

HE ASKED -- SHOULD SEND OR WAREHOUSE MEMBERS CONTINUE TO GET THEIR PER DIEM AND PAY IF THERE IS A NEEDED SPECIAL SESSION?

REPRESENTATIVE?

>> WE DON’T GET PAID UNLESS WE ARE THERE.

IF THE GOVERNOR CALLS A SPECIAL SESSION THAT DAY OR FOR A DAY, YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED THESE MORE THAN ANYONE AT THE TABLE PERHAPS, BUT USUALLY THE WORK IS DONE AND WE SHOW UP AND VOTE ON IT.

WITH SOME DISCUSSION FROM US BUT USUALLY MOST OF THE WORK IS DONE SO WE ARE NOT THERE FOR ANOTHER MONTH.

I COULD BE WRONG.

OTHER THAN THAT, IF YOU ARE SAYING I SHOULD NOT GET PAID FOR DOING THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE, I DON’T KNOW -- I DON’T WANT TO BE IN A SPECIAL SESSION.

I WANT TO GET IT DONE.

I HAVE THINGS I WANT TO DO, TOO.

WE PLAN OUR LIVES AROUND THIS SESSION.

I WANT TO BE GONE GOOD AMOUNT IN JUNE.

I WILL BE CALLING IN ON MY SAT PHONE.

TONY: SHOULD LEGISLATORS STILL GET PAID IN SPECIAL SESSION?

>> YOUR BASE SALARY IS FOR THE YEAR.

WHETHER WE ARE IN SPECIAL SESSION OR OUT OF SESSION AND BACK TALKING WITH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, SCHOOL OFFICIALS OR WHATEVER -- YOUR BASE SALARY IS BECAUSE YOU ARE A REPRESENTATIVE OR SENATOR FOR THE WHOLE YEAR.

WHEN WE HAVE HAD SPECIAL SESSIONS, I’VE NOT TAKEN MY PERDIEM DURING SPECIAL SESSIONS.

OTHERS DO ESPECIALLY FOR FOLKS THAT LIVE FURTHER AWAY AND FOR FOLKS THAT DO NOT GET APARTMENTS BUT STAY IN HOTELS, THEIR COSTS TYPICALLY ARE HIGHER TO COME IN FOR THAT SPECIAL SESSION.

I DON’T BLAME THEM IF THEY TAKE IT.

I KNOW A LARGE PEOPLE DO NOT TAKE THEIR PERDIEM’S DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION.

>> THE WORD PER DIEM, DOES THAT INCLUDE JUST THE MEALS OR THE HOUSING?

THE MILEAGE?

WE ARE GIVEN SO MANY TRIPS TO THE LEGISLATURE AFTER THE SESSION IS OVER.

AND THEN WE HAVE COME I THINK IT IS 13, UNTIL THE NEXT SESSION.

THAT WOULD BE ONE FOR ME.

THAT IS PART OF MY JOB TO DRIVE BACK AND FORTH.

AND AS FAR AS PERDIEM FOR FOOD FOR THE ONE DAY WEAR WHATEVER -- I’M GOING TO BE THERE -- I HAVE AN APARTMENT.

THE STATE PAYS THE MAJORITY FOR BUT I STILL HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE THE STATE DOESN’T GIVE ME A KNOF FOR 24 MONTHS.

-- DOESN’T GIVE ME ENOUGH FOR 24 MONTHS BUT THIS IS JUST THE JOB.

TONY: THIS ONE IS MORE PHILOSOPHICAL FROM A PHONE CALL.

THEY ARE CURIOUS HOW YOU MAKE YOUR DECISIONS ON WHAT YOU SUPPORT.

THEY GIVE A FEW EXAMPLES.

HOW MUCH DOES YOUR CONSTITUENTS’ THAWED SCUM THE TRUMP AGENDA FOR YOUR REELECTION THOUGHTS GO INTO HOW YOU MAKE DECISIONS ON WHAT YOU WILL SUPPORT OR NOT SUPPORT?

YOU SIGNED UP WITH A POLITICAL PARTY BUT YOU CAN VOTE HOWEVER YOU WANT WHEN YOU GET THERE.

AND THE CALLER WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT CONSTITUENTS, TRUMP AGENDA, YOUR OWN OPINION AND THE NEXT ELECTION.

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

FOR ME, I JOKED WITH PEOPLE SINCE THE DAY I GOT ELECTED..

I DON’T VOTE BASED ON -- CAN I GET REELECTED BECAUSE OF MY VOTE.

I AM AN ELECTRICIAN OUTSIDE OF THE LEGISLATURE AND I CAN GO BACK TO THAT IF I LOSE AND BE HAPPY.

VOTING BASED ON GETTING REELECTED IS NOT SOMETHING I’VE EVER DONE.

THERE ARE TIMES, WHAT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON’T UNDERSTAND, WHEN WE ARE VOTING BILLS THROUGH EARLY ON, THE FIRST POSITION, AT THAT LEVEL YOU ARE VOTING WITH YOUR PARTY.

YOU ARE TRYING TO PRESENT A POSITION FROM WHICH TO NEGOTIATE.

IT ISN’T NECESSARILY WHAT YOU WANT IN THE END BUT YOU ARE SUPPORTING YOUR PARTY TO HELP PUSH -- THIS IS WHAT WE IDEALLY WOULD LIKE.

NOW YOU WILL START NO GAY SHEETING AND COMPROMISING TO COME BACK.

WHETHER, FOR ME, IF THERE IS SOMETHING MORALLY -- MY FAITH HELPS GUIDE ME WITH THAT, EDUCATION IS ONE WHICH IS NOT MY BACKGROUND AREA.

SINCE THE DAY I GOT ELECTED I’VE TALKED WITH TEACHERS, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS AND THEY HAVE HELPED ME UNDERSTAND THAT ISSUE AREA SO I CAN MAKE MY VOTE OR COME FORWARD WITH IDEAS I THINK WOULD BE GOOD BECAUSE OF THE INFORMATION I’VE BEEN ABLE TO GET FROM THEM.

IT IS A COMBINATION OF EVERYTHING, REALLY.

AND I WOULD HOPE A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD KEEP THE REELECTION PART OUT BUT I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DOES HAVE A PLACE THAT THEY ARE FACTORING IN AS WELL.

TONY: WHAT IS YOUR MATRIX OF DECISION-MAKING?

>> LAST YEAR -- I WILL USE ONE AS AN EXAMPLE.

THE CANNABIS BILL WHEN IT WAS COMING THROUGH.

GENERALLY SPEAKING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, THE MORAL PARTS -- NO.

WHY WOULD WE INCLUDE DRUGS.

MY CONSTITUENCY WAS HAMMERING ON ME.

YOU NEED TO DO THIS.

THIS IS BUSINESS.

IT WILL HELP TAXES.

AND YOU HEAR THE ECHO CHAMBER.

AND YOU GO INTO CAUCUS AND HEAR THAT ECHO CHAMBER.

AND YOU GO BACK AND THE LIFESTYLES -- I WAS TRYING TO COMPARE IT BECAUSE I DID VOTE "AGAINST" MY PARTY AT THE TIME BECAUSE I WAS A SUPPORTER OF IT.

BECAUSE NOTHING HAD CHANGED.

IN 1977, I WAS A FRESHMAN IN HIGH SCHOOL AND IT WAS AVAILABLE.

IN 2022 IT WAS AVAILABLE.

WHAT HAS CHANGED?

GOVERNMENT TRIED EVERYTHING TO STOP IT BUT IT IS STILL THERE.

I’M NOT SAYING I THREW IN THE TOWEL -- I’M LOOKING AT IT AS -- I LOOK AT HOW THE LEGISLATURE HAD A LOOK AT SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

WHEN THAT CAME THROUGH TO GOVERNMENT IT WAS LIKE WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?

A LOT OF LEGISLATURE -- A LOT OF LEGISLATORS WERE STRUGGLING BECAUSE THEIR MORAL COMPASS SAID NO AND THEIR CONSTITUENTS WERE SAYING ASK AND SOCIETY WAS TAKEN, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

I WEIGH ALL OF THIS IN.

I SPEND ENOUGH TIME IN THE CAR WHERE I HAVE CONVERSATIONS AND SOMETIMES IT IS PRETTY FUNNY.

TONY: WITH YOURSELF?

ARE YOU DISAGREEING?

>> AND THEN I CALL SOMEONE AND SAY I’M THROWING THIS AROUND IN MY BRAIN.

AM I IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OR NOT?

I TRY TO LISTEN TO SOME PEOPLE BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT IS -- WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE AREA?

MY AREA IS BIG AND DIVERSE.

I HAVE EXTREMES ON BOTH SIDES AND EVERYONE IN THE MIDDLE.

I’VE BEEN TRYING TO NOT DO WHAT THE SENATOR SAID, I DON’T WANT TO VOTE BECAUSE -- I WILL GET MORE VOTES IF I VOTE THAT WAY.

IT IS EASY TO PICK THOSE PLUMS OFF THE TREE.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, YOU STILL HAVE TO STAND WITH THE ISSUE AND HAVE A REASON.

I TRY TO INFORM MYSELF FIRST.

I LOOK AT MY EMAILS AND GET A FEEL FOR WHAT IS GOING ON.

WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE DISTRICT AS A WHOLE.

TONY: KEEP THOSE QUESTIONS COMING IN.

I HAVE A QUESTION HERE -- WE SPEND TIME TALKING ABOUT THE STATE BUDGET, JOB NUMBER ONE.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS.

BUT THIS FEELS LIKE A SESSION WHERE THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF OTHER THINGS ON THE AGENDA.

I’VE BEEN RACKING MY BRAIN TO ASK YOU QUESTIONS.

I WILL ASK THE BIG AND BROAD ONE.

ARE YOU AWARE OF OTHER ISSUES TRAVELING THROUGH THAT ARE NOT THE STATE BUDGET OR CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILL THAT WE MIGHT SEE RESOLUTION TO IN THE FINAL WEEK OF THE SESSION?

>> THERE ARE A COUPLE I WISH WE WOULD SEE RESOLUTION TO.

THE ENERGY BILL.

THE SMALL FINANCIAL PEACE IN THAT.

ENERGY POLICY IS VERY IMPORTANT IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

SENATOR FRIENDS, A DEMOCRAT FROM MANKATO, IS THE CHAIR OF THE ENERGY COMMITTEE.

I’VE WORKED WELL WITH HIM AND HAVE NOT ALWAYS AGREED WITH EVERYTHING -- HE WAS A BIG PROPONENT OF THE CARBON FREE ELECTRIC PRODUCTION BY 2040.

BUT I WILL SAY THIS.

HE WAS WILLING TO COME BACK AND SAY -- WE HAVE PASSED THAT SO NOW IT IS TIME TO START LOOKING AT THINGS.

A BILL I’VE BEEN CARRYING FOR THE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE PUT SOLAR AT THEIR OWN HOME, THE ORIGINAL INTENT WAS ALWAYS -- BUILD SOLAR SO YOU CAN BRING YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL TO ZERO.

THE WAY IT WAS WRITTEN, PEOPLE HAVE DISCOVERED, THE DUST -- THE DEVELOPERS HAVE DISCOVERED YOU CAN BUILD A SYSTEM BIGGER THAN WHAT YOU NEED AND START GENERATING REVENUE OFF THE ELECTRIC PRODUCTION.

THE PROBLEM IS THEY ARE BEING PAID THE SAME AMOUNT THAT CUSTOMERS ARE PAYING.

THE COOPERATIVES ARE SAYING, THIS IS NOT A BUSINESS MODEL WE CAN WORK UNDER.

THE BILL I’M CARRYING SAYS, YOU CAN BRING YOUR BILL TO ZERO BEING PAID THE RETAIL RATE.

ONCE YOU START SELLING ENERGY TO OTHER FOLKS, YOU WILL GET PAID BY THE UTILITY A GREAT TO WHAT THEY ARE BUYING ELECTRICITY FROM GREAT RIVER ENERGY OR WHEREVER THEY GET IT FROM BECAUSE THEY STILL NEED TO MAKE SOME MONEY ON THE SALE SO THEIR CREWS CAN BE FIXING LINES DURING THE STORMS AND THEY CAN KEEP THE COOPERATIVE GOING.

THE SENATOR INCLUDED THAT.

WE HAVE ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE NUCLEAR MORATORIUM IN MINNESOTA.

CAN WE GET CARBON FREE ELECTRICITY BY 2040 IF WE DON’T EXPAND THE NUCLEAR ENERGY BEING USED TO PRODUCE ELECTRICITY.

HE HAS JOINED IN THESE CONVERSATIONS.

IN THE END, WILL THEY GET PASSED ?

I’M NOT SURE THEY WILL SURVIVE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE CONSIDERING IT IS 50-50.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS OUT THERE LIKE THAT THAT ARE BEING TALKED ABOUT AND IN THE END HAVE A POTENTIAL TO GET ACROSS THE LINE.

TONY: HOW ABOUT YOU, REPRESENTATIVE?

ANY ISSUES THAT ARE NON-BUDGETARY OR NONCAPITAL THAT YOU SEE GETTING ACROSS THE LINE?

>> WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THOSE THINGS IN THE PUBLIC, WE GIVE THE OTHER SIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT WE REALLY WANT.

SO WHEN IT COMES TO NEGOTIATING THEY SAY, LET’S TAKE THAT OUT OR PUT IT IN AND WE HAVE THEM.

I THINK THAT IS GOOD.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THE THINGS I’VE BEEN PUSHING FOR -- I’M TALKING TO THE CHAIRS SAYING, THIS IS IMPORTANT TO US.

LIKE THE INVASIVE SPECIES -- THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO CUT THAT AND I’M LIKE --WHY?

I SHOULDN’T SAY THAT HE WANTED TO CUT IT AND ONE OF OUR CHAIRS SAID, THAT IS GOING TO STAY IN.

AND THEN THEY CUT THE SUSTAINABLE FORREST.

AND THE CONCERN I HAVE WITH THE DIRECTION WE ARE GOING IN IS IT IS ALL POSTURING FOR NEGOTIATING AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ISSUE.

AND IT BOTHERS ME.

UNLIKE, WHY ARE YOU USING THESE ISSUES AS A WEDGE ISSUES?

THEY DON’T BELONG IN THAT FOR ME.

THEY AFFECT OUR DISTRICT SO MUCH.

COOK COUNTY, LAKE COUNTY, ST. LOUIS COUNTY, THEY ALL HAVE PEOPLE AT LANDINGS MAKING SURE THE BOATS FROM THE METRO AREA DON’T BRING BUGS APPEAR AND GO IN OUR LAKES.

WE HAVE THAT IN PLACE.

AND HE WANTS TO CUT IT.

WHY?

THE COUNTIES CAN PAY FOR IT BUT YOU ARE MAKING US PAY FOR MORE NURSING HOME BEDS.

SO I LOOK AT THE WHOLE.

OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE A FEW THINGS WE ARE WORKING ON REALLY HARD.

I’M CONFIDENT WE WILL GET THOSE ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

CAN IT HAPPEN IN THE OPEN?

OBVIOUSLY IT WILL WHEN THE TIME IS READY.

TONY: SO IT SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE TO STAY TUNED.

YOU ARE WORKING ON SUPERSECRET PROJECTS.

>> THE SUPERSECRET STUFF IS COMING.

TONY: CAPITAL INVESTMENT.

YOU ARE ON THE COMMITTEE AND YOU ARE AN ELECTRICIAN.

AND FOR OUR VIEWERS, CAPITAL INVESTMENT OR THE BONDING BILL IS WHEN THE STATE ARO’S AT A NICE INTEREST RATE AND INVEST IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT HAVE STATEWIDE OR REALLY -- WHERE REGIONAL SIGNIFICANCE.

LAST YEAR THAT BUILD AND NOT GET THROUGH.

AND YOU DO IT EVERY OTHER YEAR.

BUT THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING INCREASES SO THE PROJECTS THAT COST X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS LAST YEAR NOW WILL COST X PLUS DOLLARS.

>> WE HAVE GONE THROUGH OUR BUDGET.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE CONCENTRATING HIGHLY ON AND HOPE THE SENATE SEES WHAT WE ARE DOING IS WE DON’T HAVE A LOT OF PERSONAL LIKE MEMBER PROJECTS.

TO THE TUNE OF AT LEAST 100 MILLION, WE WANT TO WORK ON PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY.

WASTEWATER.

WATER.

GRANTS.

>> COMPETITIVE GRANTS?

>> YES.

TONY: NOT EARMARKING CERTAIN PROJECTS?

>> WHERE THE AGENCIES RATE THEM.

THE MONEY IS THERE.

THEY ARE ALREADY POLLUTING?

YES, WE HAVE MONEY FOR YOU.

LET’S GO.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE CONCENTRATING OUR BONDING BILL ON.

IT IS IMPORTANT.

IT IS A BIG DEAL.

I SAID IT ON THE COMMITTEE AND WILL SAY IT AGAIN -- IN AN IDEAL WORLD WE WOULD BORROW A MINIMUM OF $300 MILLION A YEAR JUST FOR THOSE PROJECTS.

WE ARE HEARING OF BILLIONS IN THE STATE.

WE WON’T SEE THE END.

BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO BORROW THIS MONEY AND DO IT FOR THOSE SORT OF PROJECTS, IT HELPS OUR ECONOMIES BECAUSE IT PUTS A LOT OF PEOPLE TO WORK.

TECHNOLOGIES ARE GETTING BETTER.

WE ARE STARTING TO SEE WHAT IS IN OUR WATER.

WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO A GOOD JOB WITH THAT.

I THINK IT IS EXCITING.

I THINK WE WILL HAVE A BONDING BILL.

TONY: WHEN YOU BORROW STATE DOLLARS TO DO THIS YOU NEED A SUPER MAJORITY.

WE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT BUT YOU NEED ADDITIONAL VOTES.

WHAT IS THE CHANCE IN THE SENATE?

>> LAST YEAR THERE WAS STILL A BAD TASTE IN OUR MOUTHS FROM THE BONDING BILL THAT CAME THROUGH THE PREVIOUS YEAR THAT TWO $1.1 BILLION IN CASH AND SENT IT OUT TO NONPROFITS THROUGH THAT BONDING BILL.

WE LOOKED AT THAT AND JUST LIKE THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS SAYING, THAT IS $1.1 BILLION THAT COULD HAVE GONE TO INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE HAVE SEEN THE NEEDS ACROSS THE STATE.

AND BECAUSE IT REQUIRES THE SUPER MAJORITY, OVER THE YEARS LEGISLATORS HAVE FIGURED OUT, IF I HOLD OUT, SAY I AM A NO VOTE, THEY ARE COMING TO ME AND WILLING TO BUY MY VOTE FOR A SPECIAL PROJECT FOR A MUSEUM IN MY DISTRICT.

I THINK WE HAVE GOTTEN AWAY FROM WHAT THE BONDING BILL IS SUPPOSED TO BE PAYING FOR.

THAT IS AT OUR STATE COLLEGES, THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA -- THEIR BUILDINGS NEED A LOT OF WORK.

THE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

ROADS, BRIDGES.

THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT SHOULD BE THE CORE FOCUS OF A BONDING BILL.

TONY: DO YOU THINK WE WILL SEE POTENTIALLY A BONDING BILL PASSED THIS WEEK OR IN THE SPECIAL SESSION?

>> A WEEK AGO I WOULD HAVE SAID I DON’T THINK THERE IS ANY CHANCE.

I’M STARTING TO HEAR THE DISCUSSIONS HAPPENING NOW.

TONY: WHAT HAS CHANGED IN THAT WEEK TO GET FOLKS MORE INTERESTED?

>> I THINK THE FACT THAT WE ARE GETTING THROUGH THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR TIME ON THE FLOOR HEARING THE OMNIBUS BILLS.

WE HAVE MEMBERS THAT GET OFF INTO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

AND THEN YOU HAVE OTHER MEMBERS A LITTLE MORE TIME BECAUSE WE ARE NOT IN OUR NORMAL COMMITTEES OR ON THE FLOOR AS MUCH.

I THINK IN THE PAST IT HAS TYPICALLY BEEN TRIED WHERE FOLKS THAT LEAD ON THE BONDING DON’T GET ON THE OTHER CONFERENCE COMMITTEES.

NOW THEY HAVE MORE TIME TO START THOSE DISCUSSIONS AND GETTING OUT TO THE MEMBERS.

TWO WEEKS AGO WE WERE SO FAR BEHIND FROM WHERE WE NORMALLY ARE AND THE DISCUSSIONS WERE NOT HAPPENING.

NOW WE HAVE CONFERENCE COMMITTEES GOING.

HELD UP ON SOME OF THE OTHER BILLS OUT THERE.

WE START -- WE ARE STARTING TO HEAR THOSE CONVERSATIONS START.

I’VE BEEN HEARING FOR A COUPLE YEARS -- WE HEAR MORE MEMBERS STATING THAT WE HAVE TO GET BACK TO WHAT BONDING BILLS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE.

IF WE CAN GET TO THAT, THERE IS A BETTER CHANCE THAT ONE WILL PASS THIS YEAR.

>> WE TOURED THE CAMPUS AND SAW THE CONCRETE BLOCK DORM.

IT WAS LIKE THE SOVIET BLOC.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

THEY WERE LIKE, THIS DOESN’T WORK OR THAT DOESN’T WORK.

THE ASSET PRESERVATION FOR THE MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES IS HUGE.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA LAST YEAR SAID, IF YOU GIVE US 500 MILLION WE WON’T BUILD A NEW PROJECT BUILDING ON OUR PROPERTIES.

IT WAS JUST TO BE USED FOR REPAIR.

AND IT WAS LIKE, WE DON’T HAVE THAT.

BUT THE BUILDINGS WE TOURED ON CAMPUS, YOU LOOK AT THE BUILDINGS AND YOU LOOK -- WE HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES IN MINNESOTA.

THE MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGE SYSTEM -- I SUPPORT IT 1000%.

HOWEVER, THEIR ENROLLMENTS ARE DROPPING.

THE COST OF IT IS GOING HIGHER.

WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT --DO YOU CONSOLIDATE?

DO YOU -- INSTEAD OF HAVING 18 WITH NURSING PROGRAMS SAY TWO WILL HAVE NURSING PROGRAMS -- SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE BECAUSE WE DON’T HAVE THE MONEY TO KEEP EVERYTHING GOING ANYMORE.

TONY: ANOTHER QUESTION FROM A VIEWER -- I DON’T BELIEVE EITHER OF YOU SIT ON THE COMMITTEE BUT ARE THERE ANY UPDATES TO THE MINNESOTA SEX OFFENDER PROGRAM?

>> NOT THAT I AM AWARE OF SPECIFICALLY TO THAT.

I AM CARRYING A BILL THAT SENATOR LACKS HAS INCLUDED, NOT FOR ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS OUT THERE BUT CARLTON COUNTY CAME FORWARD BECAUSE A FACILITY IN MOOSE LAKE IS WITHIN CARLTON COUNTY AND OUR COUNTY SHERIFF AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAVE A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITIES OUT THERE.

IT IS BECAUSE THIS IS A STATEWIDE FACILITY.

THEY HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY STATE DOLLARS TO HELP THEM WHEN THEY ARE IN COURT OR TRANSPORTING FOLKS.

WE DID NOT GET A FULL REQUEST IN THE FIRST OMNIBUS BILL THAT CAME AROUND THE FIRST TIME BUT THE SENATOR PUT SOME MONEY IN THERE FOR THEM AND WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE GOT TO THE HOUSE.

THAT WAS A POSITIVE THING.

THE FOLKS THAT WORK OUT THERE SAY THEY HAVE ISSUES AND THEY REALLY WANT TO SEE THE EXTRA FUNDING BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE IT WILL HELP IMPROVE THE SAFETY FOR THE WORKERS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

NO POLICY CHANGES THAT WAY BUT IF WE CAN GET ASSISTANCE TOOK CARLTON COUNTY, THAT WOULD HELP.

A LITTLE BIT OF HELP.

TONY: WITH A FEW MINUTES LEFT AND YOU HAVE ONE WEEK LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

YOU WILL DRIVE TO THE CAPITAL TOMORROW AND PROBABLY CONTINUE IN SESSION 20 FOR A WEEK.

WHEN YOU ARE DONE WITH THAT, YOU HOPE THE SESSION IS DONE, WHEN IT IS DONE, WHAT IS ONE THING YOU HOPE THAT GETS DONE REGARDLESS OF ANYTHING ELSE?

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST NEED FOR YOUR DISTRICT OR IN GENERAL?

>> AGAIN, FOR ME, IT WOULD BE GETTING THE SUSTAINABLE FOREST INDUSTRIES SOMETHING, SOMETHING FOR THAT GROUP.

THE LAND THIS COMPANY OWNS THAT THE STATE USES WITH THE ARROWHEAD TRAIL, THE TRAIL THAT GOES TO THE FALLS AND LITTLE FORK AND CRANE LAKE, IT ALL GOES THROUGH THIS PRIVATE PROPERTY.

AND RIGHT NOW THEY ARE ALLOWED.

IF IT IS NOT, WE DON’T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

I HOPE WE CAN WORK ON THAT.

TONY: PERSONAL PRIORITY, NEEDS TO GET DONE FOR YOU?

>> I HAVE A FEW LITTLE THINGS.

TO ME THE BIG ONE I HOPE WE CAN GET DONE IS WE FIGURE OUT THE COUNTY COST SHIFTS IN THE PROPOSAL SO WE DON’T PUT THIS NEW INCREASED BURDEN ON OUR COUNTIES.

MY COUNTIES -- I HAVE SOME OF THE POOREST COUNTIES AND YOU HAVE AS WELL -- I THINK THAT WILL BE PROPORTIONAL EVEN WORSE FOR US BUT STATEWIDE.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS NEEDED AND I THINK THAT WILL BE THE BEST OUTCOME IF WE CAN STOP THESE COUNTY COST SHIFTS FROM HAPPENING THIS SESSION.

>> I DID THAT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT COOK COUNTY AT 5636 PEOPLE.

IF YOU TAKE THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BUDGET AND CUT IT, IT IS NOT LIKE WE CAN RAISE TAXES ON THE SAME PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE TO RAISE TAXES -- 20% HERE, 12% THERE --IT IS LIKE, WHAT IS GOING ON?

GENERALLY SPEAKING, WHEN WE ALL PAY IN AND HELP THOSE THAT DON’T, IT WORKS.

TONY: WE ARE GOING TO END ON A LIGHT NOTE.

WITH 30 SECONDS LEFT, WE JUST HAD A NEW SENATOR ELECTED IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE.

ONLY FIVE DAYS WHERE THE SENATE AND HOUSE HAVE BEEN AT FULL CAPACITY.

INTERESTING FACT -- THE NEW SENATOR IS MARRIED TO A STATE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THEY ARE NOT THE ONLY MARRIED COUPLE.

YOU ALSO ARE.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR THIS COMPANY -- FOR THIS COUPLE NOW SERVING AS HUSBAND AND WIFE?

>> WE CAME TOGETHER IN THE SESSION SO JUST REMEMBER THAT THE SENATE IS THE UPPER CHAMBER.

JUST KIDDING.

[LAUGHTER] I DID TELL CARRIE, I SO APPRECIATE KNOWING HER FOR A LONG TIME.

THE HARD PART IS THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN THE SENATE THAT YOU CAN’T SHARE WITH THE HOUSE.

YOU GO HOME AND YOU HAVE SOMETHING AND YOU CANNOT TELL THEM AND IT IS A LITTLE TOUGH SOMETIMES.

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO REALLY BE WILLING TO HOLD IT BACK OR SAY -- THIS IS SPOUSAL PRIVILEGE AND CAN’T GO ANYWHERE.

TONY: AND I FIGURED YOU WOULD SAY ON MOTHER’S DAY THAT MOMS ARE ALWAYS RIGHT.

I WANT TO SAY HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO EVERYONE LISTENING AND TO MY MOM.

WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU TO YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE MAY BE BACK NEXT WEEK IF LEGISLATORS ARE AVAILABLE TO JOIN US IN STUDIO BUT IF NOT STAY TUNED TO PBS NORTH PROGRAMMING TO GET UPDATES ABOUT THE SESSION.

FOR THE TEAM HERE AT PBS NORTH, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

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