A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> Mary: FAB FAME, AND A BIG BUDGET SURPLUS MUCH THAT'S ALL COMING UP ON "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

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

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

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

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

D.A.V.

OF MINNESOTA: KEEPING OUR PROMISE TO MINNESOTA'S VETERANS.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY: PLAYING OUR PART BY GENERATING FUNDS FOR MINNESOTA.

IF YOU'RE GAME, JUST SAY I'M IN.

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

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

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

I'M MARY LAHAMMER.

TONIGHT WE'LL WELCOME A PAIR OF FIRST-TERM LAWMAKERS TO SHARE THEIR REACTION TO THIS HISTORY-MAKING SESSION.

WE'LL ALSO MEET THE NEW HEAD OF THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

BUT THE BIG NEWS OUT OF THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK IS THE $17.5 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS.

THE STATE BUDGET MUST BE BALANCED AND THE DEBATE ABOUT HOW TO SPEND ALL THAT MONEY IS ON.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

>> THE ECONOMY IS STABLE AND THE BUDGET OUTLOOK IS VERY GOOD.

>> Mary: A VERY GOOD OUTLOOK, THAT MEANS LAWMAKERS STILL HAVE A $17.5 BILLION SURPLUS TO SPEND, EVEN WITH INFLATION NOW ACTORED IN, WHICH REMOVED $1.5 BILLION.

>> MORE ACCURATE BUDGETING TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND OUR TRUE PICTURE.

>> Mary: A POSSIBLE RECESSION, INFLATION, IMPASSE IN D.C. AND A LACK OF WORKERS IN THE STATE ARE ALL RISK FACTORS.

>> THERE'S STRONG DEMAND FOR WORKERS ACROSS HE STATE, WITH ONLY ABOUT FOUR UNEMPLOYED JOB SEEKSERS FOR EVERY TEN JOB OPENINGS.

THIS MEANS THERE'S LITTLE SLACK IN MINNESOTA'S LABOR MARKET COMPARED TO OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

>> THE THINGS THAT WE INVEST IN TO MAKE MINNESOTA A DESTINATION PLACE FOR FAMILIES, A DESTINATION PLACE TO MAKE LIFE AFFORDABLE HERE, TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN PAY FOR CHILD CARE, TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS REMAIN THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY, TO MAKE SURE THAT HEALTH CARE IS AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE AND TOP QUALITY.

TO MAKE SURE OUR STREETS ARE SAFE WHEN WE HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY.

TO MAKE SURE YOU PUT MONEY BACK INTO THE POCKETS OF HE FOLKS WHO MADE THIS HAPPEN THE FIRST TIME.

>> WE HAVE $19 BILLION SURPLUS, THAT'S HOW IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REPORTED LAST WEEK HAD THE GOVERNOR NOT SIGNED THE BILL AND SO I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO BE COULD COGNIZANT OF THAT ISSUE THAT'S GOING FORWARD.

WHERE DO THOSE DOLLARS COME FROM?

THAT'S COMING FROM MINNESOTA TAXPAYERS.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS ROLLED OUT THE GIVE IT BACK TAX RELIEF PLAN.

>> TAX RELIEF FOR MINNESOTA SHOULD NOT BE PARTISAN.

WE KNOW WHAT THE $17.5 BILLION SURPLUS, PLUS AS YOU HEARD ALMOST $19 BILLION, THIS IS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO COME TOGETHER AND GIVE THE RELIEF THAT MINNESOTANS NEED AND DESERVE AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

>> SENIORS NEED THIS MONEY NOW AND WE NEED TO BE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO DO THE FULL REPEAL.

>> I AM CALLING ON THE NEW MAJORITIES TO BE SURE AND GET THIS MUCH-NEEDED SOCIAL SECURITY RELIEF OUT THE DOOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

IN FACT, IT COULD BE RIGHT AWAY.

IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

>> THE LARGEST TAX CUT IN MINNESOTA'S HISTORY.

I THINK WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE, I SAW THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO DO A PRESS CONFERENCE ON GIVE IT BACK.

WELL, OIN THE CROWD.

THEY CHOSE TO ROLL THE DICE AND THEY LOST.

>> OUR BUDGET SURPLUS MEANS THAT OUR STATE IS IN A STRONG POSITION TO TAKE DESKIESIVE ACTION TO SOLVE BIG CHALLENGES.

DFLERS REMAIN FOCUSED ON THE ISSUES THAT MINNESOTANS ACROSS THE STATE VALUE AND CARE ABOUT.

>> WHEN WE ARE DONE, MINNESOTANS WILL SEE STRONGER SCHOOLS THAT HELP STUDENTS.

SAFER COMMUNITIES.

A CLEANER CLIMATE.

MORE FREEDOM AND EXPANDED RIGHTS, AND STABILITY IN THEIR LIVES WITH MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS THROUGH TARGETED TAX RELIEF.

♪♪ >> MARY: JOINING ME NOW ARE TWO FIRST-TERM LAWMAKERS WHO ARE ALREADY DIVING HEAD FIRST INTO LIFE AT THE CAPITOL.

DFL SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL AND REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIE DANNY NADEAU JOIN ME TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE BUDGET AND THIS JAM-PACKED LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WELCOME TO YOU BOTH.

SENATOR MICHIGAN 'EM, LET'S START WITH YOU.

FOR ANYONE WHO MAY OT KNOW, YOU'RE PART OF A GROWING FLEET OF METEOROLOGISTS IN THE LEGISLATURE, SO -- >> TRUE.

>> Mary: WE WENT FROM ZERO TO TWO.

IT'S NOTABLE.

WHY MAKE THIS JOB CHANGE?

>> WELL, IT'S SOMETHING I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT FOR YEARS, NOT JUST AS A METEOROLOGIST AND THE FACT THAT WE NEED MORE SCIENCE REPRESENTATION, OR EVOLVING CLIMATE, SO MUCH INTEREST IN ENVIRONMENT BUT OF COURSE I'M A 30-YEAR MILITARY VETERAN.

'6" A DONE A LOT OF ADVOCACY WITH CHILDREN IN NEED, CURRENTLY AS A FOSTER PARENT.

I HAVEI HAVE A LAW DEGREE, I DON'TUSE IT ABOUT THE I THINK I BRING KIND OF A DIVERSE BACKGROUND THAT MAKES ME MORE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND AND SPEAK TO SOME OF THE ISSUES OF THE DAY.

>> Mary: SPEAKING OF UNDERSTANDING, REPRESENTATIVE, YOU KNOW THIS PLACE VERY WELL AS A STAFFER, YOU'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN GOVERNMENT AT A LOT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS.

TELL US YOUR BACKGROUNDS AND WHY YOU DECIDED TO RAISE YOUR HAND AND RUN.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU.

I'VE BEEN AROUND IN GOVERNMENT A LONG TIME AND I CURRENTLY WORK AT HENNEPIN COUNTY, AND PRIOR TO THAT I WAS AT COMMERCE AND I WAS HERE FOR A WHILE WORKING AS STAFF AND IT'S BEEN INTERESTING WITH REDISTRICTING, IT CREATED AN OPPORTUNITY.

I THINK FOR PEOPLE TO STEP UP INTO THESE DISTRICTS THAT HAVE THE ABILITY TO SEE BOTH SIDES, OF AN ISSUE AND WE DON'T HAVE TO ALWAYS AGREE ON EVERYTHING BUT WE CAN FIND THROWS AREAS OF COMMONALTY AND TRY TO BUILD ON THOSE THINGS AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT MOST MINNESOTANS ARE LOOKING FOR, WHERE CAN WE FIND SOME AGREEMENT?

WE DON'T HAVE COULD COMPROMISE ON BAD IDEAS BUT WHERE CAN WE FIND SOMETHING AND MOVE THE BALL FORWARD?

>> Mary: YOU'RE FINDINGS SOMETHING, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT.

BUT I WANT TO KIND OF IDENTIFY STAND I OUT MOMENTS FOR BOTH OF YOU.

THE ABORTION ISSUE AND THAT DEBATE IS WHERE -- HE GOVERNOR EVEN CALLED YOU OUT SPECIFICALLY ABOUT WHAT YOU SHARED IN YOUR PERSONAL STORIES AT THAT BILL SIGNING.

TALK ABOUT THAT PROCESS FOR YOU.

>> WELL, IT WAS HARD TO HEAR THAT NIGHT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WERE BEING SAID ABOUT THE WOMEN THAT HAVE TO MAKE THESE VERY, VERY DIFFICULT DECISION ATTENTION SO I SHARED MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF LOSS BECAUSE I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THE IMPACT TO WOMEN HAD THINGS GO WRONG, EVEN LATER IN A PREGNANCY ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE HAVING TO THINK ABOUT AND HOW PERSONAL THAT DECISION IS AND HOW THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE LEGS LATED.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE TRUSTED TO A WOMAN.

>> Mary: REPRESENTATIVE NADEAU, I BELIEVE YOU WERE THE ONLY REPUBLICAN TO VOTE FOR RESTORING THE VOTE.

>> WELL, THERE WAS ONE MORE.

[Overlapping Conversation] >> Mary: AND THE ONLY FRESHMAN, DO I HAVE THAT RIGHT?

>> IT WAS REPRESENTATIVE MYERS AND MYSELF.

>> Mary: YEAH, SO TALK ABOUT STANDING OUT.

YOU SPOKE UP, THERE WEREN'T MANY REPUBLICANS IN THAT LONG DEBATE WHO HE STOOD UP AND SAID I'M GOING TO VOTE FOR THIS, I LIKE THIS IDEA.

>> YEAH, IT'S ONE OF THOSE ISSUES WHERE, HONESTLY, IT'S -- WE SHOULD BE THAT PARTY THAT LOOKS AT THE FIRST DAY THAT SOMEBODY IS INCARCERATED IS THE FIRST DAY WE START PREPARING THEM TO COME BACK INTO SOCIETY.

99.9% GET OUT AND I DON'T THINK WE DO A GOOD ENOUGH JOB PREPARING THOSE PEOPLE.

I DON'T THINK THAT WE NEED TO -- THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PUNISH PEOPLE NOT LETTING THEM VOTE WHEN THEY'RE BACK IN SOCIETY, THEY'RE GETTING OUT OF PRISON, THEY'RE GETTING OFF PROBATION, WE SHOULD LET THOSE PEOPLE PARTICIPATE AS MUCH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

IT'S NOT THE BIGGEST ISSUE FOR THEM, THEY NEED DRIVER'S LICENSES, THEY NEED JOBS, THEY NEED TO REINTEGRATE ACK INTO THEIR COMMUNITY AND WE NEED TO HELP THEM ANY WAY WE CAN.

>> Mary: THIS HAS BEEN IN THEORY A BIPARTISAN ISSUE FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE ROD HAMILTON RETURNED, HE WAS A SPONSOR, WERE YOU SURPRISED YOU DIDN'T SEE MORE REPUBLICANS GETTING ON BOARD AND THAT WASN'T MORE BIPARTISAN IN THE SENATE?

>> YEAH, I'M AN ELECTION JUDGE, TOO, AND I HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS SO I JUST THINK IF WE REALLY WANT TO -- WHOEVER THEY DECIDE ON, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO BRING PEOPLE TO THE TABLE AND MAKE THEM FEEL EMPOWERED TO VOTE AND EMPOWERED TO BE PART OF OUR SOCIETY SO T WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE MORE OF THAT BIPARTISANSHIP IN THE SENATE, AS WELL, BUT I'M SO GLAD THAT WE WERE ABLE TO BRING THOSE VOICES TO THE TABLE.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT PACE?

YOU'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE, YOU KNOW THIS IS UNUSUAL.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: MAYBE FOR SOME FRESHMEN, THEY THINK THIS IS HOW IT ALWAYS GOES, IT DOESN'T.

>> THIS IS CRAZY, IT REALLY IS.

IN THE MINORITY, IT'S HARD BECAUSE YOU DON'T CONTROL THE AGENDA, YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN THE BILLS ARE COMING, YOU REACT VERY QUICKLY.

IT MAKES IT REALLY HARD TO PARTICIPATE IN A PROACTIVE WAY SO OFTENTIMES, WE'RE ACCUSED OF BEING VERY NEGATIVE AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE, WE'RE JUST TRYING TO GET OUR HEADS WRAPPED AROUND THE BILLS AND PARTICIPATE N A WAY THAT WE CAN.

>> SO MY PREDECESSOR, SUSAN KENT WARNED ME, SHE SAID BEING A FRESHMAN IS LIKE TRYING TO DRINK FROM A FIRE HOSE, BUT THEN ON TOP OF THAT, EVERYONE IS SAYING HIS IS THE FASTEST PACE WE'VE EVER HAD SO OUR JOKE AMONGST THE FRESHMEN IS THAT IT'S MORE LIKE THREE OR FOUR FIRE HOSES ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Mary: I'M SO GLAD THE TWO OF YOU FOUND TIME TO JOIN ME TONIGHT.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU.

>> THANKS SO MUCH.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> MARY: THERE'S A NEW COMMISSIONER AT THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

WILLIE JETT SAYS HE'LL IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AND CLOSE OPPORTUNITY GAPS.

HE TAKES THE LEAD AS QUESTIONS ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY AND GOVERNMENT GRANT OVERSIGHT HAVE BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF EDUCATION.

DEPARTMENT OF OWED INDICATION HAS BEEN IN THE FIRE, WHY DO YOU WANT THIS JOB AFTER ALL THE SCANDAL?

>> FOR ME, FIRST OFF, THANKS FOR THE INVITATION.

WHY WOULD I LIKE THIS JOB?

WHY WOULD I WANT THIS JOB OR WHY DID I SEEK IT?

FOR ME, IT'S ABOUT EDUCATION, ABOUT ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR KIDS, ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE.

I'VE ALWAYS EEN ABOUT THAT, I WAS BORN AND RAISED HAT WAY, AND SO IT'S OH HE-FOR ME IT'S ABOUT THAT -- I WANT TO SAY THE BROAD RANGE OF STUDENTS, WHETHER FROM GREATER MINNESOTA TO THE METRO AREA, THAT IMPACT SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT AND THAT'S -- I WON'T SAY IT'S IN MY DNA BUT KIND OF IN MY DNA.

>> Mary: WE'LL TALK ABOUT YOUR DNA IN A SECOND.

BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LOOKING FORWARD, YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE PAST BUT WHAT DO YOU DO MOVING FORWARD TO RESTORE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE BUB?

>> I GUESS ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS FOR ME IS THAT COMMITMENT.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC FUNDS AND SO IT'S THE COMMITMENT TO THE PROPER USE OF THOSE PUBLIC FUNDS AND AS THE COMMISSIONER OF MDE, I CAN ASSURE PEOPLE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO AND HAVE THAT HIGH ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT YOU, TALK ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUNDS.

I'M TOLD SPORTS WAS REALLY IMPORTANT IN WHO YOU ARE TODAY.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS IMPORTANT, LET'S SAY IT WAS STRESSED SO PLY MOTHER AND FATHER AT A YOUNG AIM, IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE WERE AS A FAMILY DOESN'T AT AND SO I HAD A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN ALL DIFFERENT EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, WHETHER IT WAS BAND, THE CHOIR, WHETHER IT WAS PLAYING BASKETBALL OR PLAYING BASEBALL, AND MY MOTHER AND FATHER SAID, HEY, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE GOOD GRADES BUT THAT WOULD BE NICE WAY FOR OU TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR SCHOOL AFTER YOU'RE DONE WITH HIGH SCHOOL.

SO LET'S JUST SAY, LET'S EXPEL AT THAT SO I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE DECENT ENOUGH AT THAT TO BE ABLE TO -- IT PAID MY WAY THROUGH COLLEGE AND -- >> Mary: I'M THINKING THAT'S NOT DECENT, I'M GOING TO INTERJECT, YOU DON'T GET COLLEGE PAID FOR IF YOU'RE JUST DESENT.

>> I WAS OKAY, WE'LL PHRASE IT LIKE THAT SO I GOT A CHANCE TO SEE THE COUNTRY AND SEE THE WORLD DOING THAT AND FOR ATHLETICS FOR ME, IT WAS ABOUT THAT TEAM, OF BEING PART OF A TEAM.

IT WAS ABOUT POUTING YOURSELF OUT THERE, IT WAS ABOUT CAMARADERIE AND IT JUST -- IT WAS ANOTHER THING THAT PROVIDED ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ME.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT LEADERSHIP, AS WELL, BECAUSE THEN YOU WENT ON TO COACHING.

>> YES, SO WENT FROM TEACHING -- WELL, WENT FROM PLAYING TO BECOMING A COACH AND DID THAT AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY IN NEW YORK, AND UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, AND WHEN I MOVED BACK TO MINNESOTA, I DID IT AT PARK CENTER HIGH CHOOL AND MINNEAPOLIS NORTH AND SO COACHING WAS ANOTHER EXTENSION OF TEACHING, AND SO THAT WAS ASKING I ENJOY DOING.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE CLASSROOM?

WHAT GOT YOU IN THAT CLASSROOM?

>> AND SO THAT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION, AND SO I WAS A COLLEGE BASKETBALL COACH, THOUGHT THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO.

MY FATHER PASSED AWAY HERE IN MINNESOTA AND HE WAS A TEACHER AT APPLE VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL AND MY MOM WAS AN ELEMENTARY SECRETARY AND GOT HER SOCIAL WORK DEGREE IN SCHOOLS SO I MOVED BLACK TO MINNESOTA.

MY SISTER WAS IN 9th GRADE AND BEING THE ELDEST IN THE FAMILY, IT WAS ABOUT MAKING SURE I TOOK CARE OF MY YOUNGER SISTER AND SO I BEGAN MY CAREER 30 YEARS AGO TEACHING AND COACHING IN THE ANOKA HENNEPIN DISTRICT, AND TEACHING WAS SOMETHING I WAS ALWAYS GOOD AT AND NATURALLY DECENT AT.

IT WAS NOT NECESSARILY A JOB TO ME, IT WAS SOMETHING I ENJOYED AND SO I JUST MADE A CAREER OUT HAVE IT.

>> Mary: AND HOW ABOUT EDUCATION AND HOW IT'S AT THE CORE OF MINNESOTA.

IT SOUNDS LIKE OUR FAMILY CAME TO MINNESOTA FOR EDUCATION, SOUNDS LIKE YOU MAYBE CAME BACK TO MINNESOTA.

SO HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR YOU TO CONTINUE THAT LEGACY OF THIS BEING THE PLACE PEOPLE MOVE TO, STAY IN, GROW THEIR FAMILIES BECAUSE OF EDUCATION.

>> IN GREAT QUESTION BECAUSE FOR ME, MY FAMILY DID MOVE FROM THE DEEP SOUTH TO MINNESOTA FOR THE ADVANTAGES OF MINNESOTA AND THE THINGS THAT WOULD AFFORD US TO BE ABLE TO DO AND FOR THEIR OWN KIDS.

AND SO I WAS JUST -- I'M SOMEBODY WHO HAD SO MANY GREAT MENTORS, SO MANY GREAT TEACHERS, PEOPLE THAT DEVELOPED THOSE RICHES WITH ME AND I THINK THAT HELPED ME TO EXCEL OR BE A DECENT STUDENT AND TO BE ABLE TO GO ON TO COLLEGE SO THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK TO MINNESOTA AND TO BE PART OF THAT SYSTEM AND I'M NOT GOING TO SAY NECESSARILY GIVE BACK BUT TO BE PART OF SOMETHING THAT I'VE ALWAYS FELT WAS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART AND NEAR AND DEAR TO MY FAMILY, AND SOMETHING I'VE ALWAYS BEEN PASSIONATE ABOUT WITH -- EVEN WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, I WAS -- EVEN WHEN I WAS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OR JUNIOR HIGH, I WAS A TUTOR FOR YOUNGER KIDS, A DIFFERENT WAY OF TEACHING.

WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, I TAUGHT AND COACHED GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AND I WAS A TUTOR FOR, YOU KNOW, YOUNGER KIDS AND SO IT WAS JUST SOMETHING I'VE ALWAYS ENJOYED, SOMETHING THAT'S -- I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT AND SO COMING BACK TO MINNESOTA WAS SIMPLE.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE UGLY SIDE OF THIS MINNESOTA TRUTH AND THE THING THAT WE'VE ALL REALLY COME TO RECOGNIZE AND KNOW IS THIS OPPORTUNITY GAP, THIS ACHIEVEMENT GAP AND THAT HUGE DISPARITY.

LAWMAKERS HAVE TRIED AND TRIED TO GET AT THAT.

IT'S NOT DISAPPEARING YET.

WHEN CAN WE DO, DO YOU THINK?

>> AND SO HAT'S A COMPLEX QUESTION.

YES, WE WOULD ALL LIKE TO -- ALL OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE EXCELLING IN THE CLASSROOM AND WITH THAT AND SOME PEOPLE PLACED REAL HIGH VALUE ON JUST TEST SCORES AND IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT A TEST SCORE BECAUSE THAT'S ONE MEASURE IN TIME.

TO GET TO THE ROOT OF THAT, IF SOMEBODY ACTUALLY SOLVED THAT AND KNEW THE EXACT ANSWER TO THAT, THEY WOULD BE TEACHING THAT ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE WORLD.

BUT WHAT I WOULD SAY TO THAT IS, FIRST AND FOREMOST, A STUDENT YOU NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR BASIC NEEDS, FOOD, SHELTER.

>> Mary: WHICH IS HAPPENING.

>> YES, IT IS.

>> Mary: MEALS FOR ALL, THAT'S PART OF IT.

>> THAT'S PART OF MY REASONING FOR -- YOU CAN ASK ME LATER, THAT'S PART OF MY REASONING FOR WANTING THE JOB BUT IN TERMS OF JUST THE OPPORTUNITY GAP FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP, WHEN YOU TAKE CARE OF THE BASIC NEEDS, THEN YOU NEED TO TAKE CARE OF RELATIONSHIPS WITH -- THINK -- I ALWAYS THINK WHEN WE WERE IN SCHOOL, WE HAD THAT ADULT, THAT TRUSTED RELATIONSHIP, THAT MENTOR, HAT PERSON THAT HELPED US TO FIGURE OUT SOMETHING THAT WE WERE GOOD AT, OUR VIRTUEOSITY, NOW I WANTED TO E IN THE CLASSROOM AND SHOW THAT TEACHER R MENTOR THAT I COULD DO HIS, EXCEL AT THAT.

I THINK THAT'S SOME OF THE BEGINNING OF THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP, THINGS THAT WE NEED TO CONCENTRATE ON.

AND WE DO HAVE TO GET BACK TO THE -- I WON'T SAY THE BASICS BUT PEOPLE WANT US TO CONCENTRATE ON READING, WRITING -- >> Mary: REPUBLICANS ROLLED OUT A LITERACY LAN TODAY AND THEY'RE SAYING THAT HAS TO E FUNDAMENTAL.

IS THAT A BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT?

>> TO ME IT'S BIPARTISAN BECAUSE THAT'S AT THE ROOT OF BEING ABLE TO LEARN, BEING ABLE TO READ, BEING ABLE TO DO MATH AND SO I THINK WE ALL WANT WHAT'S BEST, DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT, WE ALL WANT OUR STUDENTS TO EXCEL AND BE THRIVING.

>> Mary: DOES IT HELP TO WORK FOR A TEACHER?

>> SO THERE IT IS.

[Laughter] >> SO PART OF THE DRAW FOR THAT POSITION FOR ME, IT'S THE GOVERNOR IS A FORMER TEACHER, THE FIRST LADY IS IN EDUCATION.

>> Mary: WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANKS SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER.

GREAT TO GET TO KNOW YOU.

>> MARY: THIS WEEK'S FIRST-TERM LAWMAKER LEARNED HOW TO GET THINGS DONE IN THE NONPARTISAN POSITION HE HELD JUST BEFORE RUNNING FOR THE HOUSE.

HERE'S A LOOK.

REPRESENTATIVE, FIRST THING I WANT TO KNOW IS WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN FOR OFFICE HERE?

>> I'VE BEEN A MAYOR FOR EIGHT YEARS AND, YOU KNOW, IT INTRIGUES ME AND I WANT TO DO MORE FOR MY AREA AND MY CONSTITUENTS SO THEY ASKED ME TO RUN FOR THE HOUSE AND PUT MY NAME IN IT AND THIS IS WHERE I'M AT.

I WON THE ELECTION.

>> Mary: I BELIEVE YOUR PREDECESSOR MIGHT HAVE BEEN A MAYOR, TOO, AND THE STATE CAPITOL IS FULL OF SUCCESSFUL LOCAL OFFICE HOLDERS.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN AS MAYOR?

>> LANDOWNER ABOUT LOCAL AND SMALL CITIES AND WHEN I CAME INTO THE MAYORSHIP, IOWAS COUNCIL FOR TWO YEARS AND THEN RAN FOR MAYOR.

I MET WITH ALL OUR PEOPLE, CONSTITUENTS, FIND OUT WHAT THEY NEED AND WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR AND A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE BUT THEY ALSO WANT A VOICE.

>> Mary: LOCAL GOVERNMENT TENDS TO BE A LITTLE LESS BLACKBERRY THAN STATE GOVERNMENT, HAS THAT BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE?

>> ABSOLUTELY, OH, YEP.

IT'S LEARNING THE STATE THING IS A WHOLE OTHER AVENUE, LOCAL JUST EVERYBODY, SO THIS IS LEARNING ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER SIDE BUT GOT TO WORK IN THE MIDDLE, TOO.

>> Mary: HAVE YOU BEEN TOLD THAT MAYORS MAKE GOOD LAWMAKERS IN PART BECAUSE YOU KNOW HOW TO GET THINGS DONE, YOU DON'T GENERALLY COME IN AS PARTISAN, YOU UNDERSTAND GOVERNMENT?

>> YES, I WAS ASKED TWICE TO RUN FOR THE HOUSE, ONE IN 201 AND NOW THIS TIME AND I WAS ASKED ONCE BY THE SENATE TO RUN.

MY WIFE AND I DISCUSSED AND WE SAID, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES THE SECOND CALLING MEANS SOMETHING.

>> Mary: OPEN SEAT A LITTLE MORE ENTICING, AS WELL?

>> YEP, YEP, I HAD AN OPPONENT AND IT WAS AN OPEN SEAT, MARQUART RETIRED AND HE DID A NICE JOB FOR THIS AREA.

I'LL GIVE HIM A LOT OF CREDIT FOR THAT.

>> I'M ENCOURAGED BY WHAT I SEE.

>> Mary: WHEN I DID PAUL MARCH MARQUART TERSE EXIT INTERVIEW, HE SEEMED TO KNOW THAT THE SEAT WOULD FLIP.

DID YOU THINK THAT HE WOULD BE THE LAST DEMOCRAT -- >> I KNEW I WOULD HAVE TO CAMPAIGN HARD AND WHEN I COMMIT TO SOMETHING, I DO IT 100%.

>> Mary: BUT YOU HAVE TO FEEL PROUD YOU FLIPPED A SEAT AND COULD HAVE INFLUENCED CONTROL, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DIEDER.

>> I THINK A LOT OF MY WORKING WITH THE OTHER CITIES AS A MAYOR AND DIFFERENT CITIES AND FIRST RESPONDERS AND BEING OUT IN THE WHOLE CLAY COUNTY AND BEING BORN AND RAIDED DOWN IN DETROIT LAKES, BECKER COUNTIES, I THINK THAT HAPPENS, TOO.

>> Mary: NOT TO TALK TOO MUCH ABOUT PAUL MARQUART BUT HE DID HAVE THE SEAT FOREVER, SEEMINGLY.

>> >> I THINK 20 YEARS HE CARRIED IT.

>> Mary: A LONG TIME, REALLY WELL-LIKED, RESPECTED, VERY MODERATE, DEEP FRIENDSHIPS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE.

ARE THOSE LESSONS EVEN THOUGH HE'S FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE THAT YOU COULD LEARN FROM?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN I'VE BEEN DOWN TO THE CAPITOL MORE RECENTLY, I HEAR THAT, PAUL IS A GOOD GUY, WE ENJOYED WORKING WITH HIM ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE AND THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR, YOU WANT TO KEEP THAT LINE OPEN AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.

>> Mary: YOU HAVE SHADES OF MODERATION ON ISSUES LIKE HIM, TOO, ISSUES WHERE YOU COULD ROBS THE AISLE?

>> HE SAT ON THE TAX COMMITTEE, DID A LOT OF GOOD THING WITH THAT.

PAUL UNDERSTOOD RURAL VALUES.

>> Mary: TALK TO ME MORE WHEN YOU SAY RURAL VALUES, WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT MEANS?

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE, THEY DON'T WANT GOVERNMENT OVERREACH OR OVER REGULATED, THEY WANT TO STAY IN THEIR HOUSES UNTIL THE END.

THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO LIVER.

>> Mary: SO SOCIAL SECURITY TAX REPEAL, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A BIPARTISANSHIP ISSUE AND THE MAJORITY SAY THERE'S MONEY TO DO IT AND THEY WANT TO DO IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY AND I HINK THAT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING WE CAN ALL WORK ACROSS THE AISLE AND HOPEFULLY AGREE ON THAT THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

WITH THE SURPLUS THAT HAS BEEN RELEASED, THE 17.6 BILLION, I THINK THOSE ARE PRIORITIES AGAIN, KEEP THE COMMUNITIES SAFE, WE'RE AG LAND UP HERE, WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR FARMERS AND NOT OVER-REGULATE THEM.

>> Mary: WITH THAT ENORMOUS SURPLUS AND SOME OF THE PRESSURE ON FOLKS IN MINNESOTA, WHAT ABOUT PROPERTY TAX RELIEVER, TOO, THAT'S ANOTHER THING WE'RE HEARING COULD BE BIPARTISAN.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THAT?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, AGAIN, THAT'S KEENING THE RETIRED PEOPLE OR ANYBODY IN THEIR HOMES.

WE OOK AT WHAT INFLATION IS DOING TODAY, I MEAN, PEOPLE ARE BEING FORCED OUT OF THEIR HOMES, THIS CAN HE NOT A HE STAY IN THEM BECAUSE OF THE PRICES THAT ARE HITTING US AND KEEPING THE CRIME IN CHECK AND HOLDING CRIMINALS ACCOUNTABLE SO WE DON'T HAVE TO MOVE AWAY FROM THEIR HOMES BECAUSE CRIME IS UP.

>> Mary: YOU HAD A BACKGROUND IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT?

>> ONE OF THE BIG REASONS TO GET IN THAT I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT A LOT SO MY MAIN THING WAS TO GET IN THERE AND RIDE ALONG AND JUST UNDERSTAND.

>> Mary: TELL US ABOUT THE DISTRICT AND HOW IT MIGHT BE REALIGNED FROM THE PREVIOUS SEAT.

>> BEFORE IT WAS NORMAN COUNTY AND NOW I HAVE CLAY COUNTY AND A LITTLE MORE OF BECKER COUNTY AND THE LAKES AREA ON MY CLAY COUNTY SIDE, I FACE THE NORTH DAKOTA BURDEN ARE BORDER WHICH YOU SEE BUSINESSES GOING TO NORTH DAKOTA.

WE NEED TO KEEP THE BUSINESSES AROUND HERE AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN TOWN.

TOWNS DRY UP BECAUSE OF SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> Mary: SO YOU GET TO HEAD INTO THE MINORITY, MAYBE DIDN'T KNOW THAT WAS GOING TO 'HA, REPUBLICANS DIDN'T PERFORM AS WELL AS THEY HAD HOPED SO WHEN CAN YOU DO TO BE EFFECTIVE IN THE MINORITIES?

>> WE MIGHT NOT GETS HEARINGS, WE MIGHT NOT FEIT GORD ON SOME OF THIS STUFF BUT THERE'S TRANSPORTATION, THERE'S STILL BONDING, YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE THINGS THAT OUR AREA ALSO ASKS FOR AND THOSE ARE THINGS WE NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON.

>> Mary: SIGNED LIKE YOU KNOW YOUR VOTE WILL BE NEEDED ON BONDING, THAT'S WHERE YOUR CAUCUS WILL BE THE MOST IMPORTANT.

>> ABSOLUTELY, THEY NEED A SUPER MAJORITY ON THAT AND WE HAVE NEEDS, TOO, SO THOSE ARE THINGS WE'LL HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE SUPPORT.

>> Mary: LOOKING AT YOUR WEB PAGE WHEN I STARTED SCANNING THE ISSUES, YOU CAN'T TELL IF YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN.

>> I'M A I REPRESENTATIVE OF MY DISTRICT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALLY CARE IF A GOOD IDEA COMES FROM A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, THEY JUST WANT PEOPLE WHO WILL GET THE WORK DONE AND I LIKE TO SAY THAT MY WORK IS HONEST, RIGHT?

I AM WHO I REPRESENT.

A LOT OF THE PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT ARE STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK EDUCATION FIRST AND FOREMOST, THIS IS SOMETHING NEAR AND DEAR TO YOU.

>> I'M A PUBLIC SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER.

I KNOW WHAT STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AND PARENTS AND SCHOOLS ARE STRUGGLING WITH RIGHT NOW.

CLASS SIZES ARE TOO BIG.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS.

WE ARE HAVING TROUBLE RECRUITING AND TRAINING TEACHERS.

WE NEED MORE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES.

WE THEY WOULD TO FULLY FUND SPECIAL EDUCATION.

THESE ARE THINGS WE CANNOT KEEP KICKING DOWN THE AND JUST IGNORING.

>> MARY: THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH MORE NEWS FROM THE STATE CAPITOL.

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

DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW "ALMANAC" ON FACEBOOK... LOOK FOR SESSION UPDATES AND MORE FROM OUR TEAM ON TWITTER.

THAT'S ALL AT TPT.ORG/AATC.

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

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC" ON FRIDAY NIGHT WHEN ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK WITH DR. MICHAEL OSTERHOLM AND GIVE A PREVIEW OF A NEW EXHIBITION AT THE MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ART.

AND I'LL HAVE HIGHLIGHTS FROM ANOTHER HISTORIC BILL SIGNING.

THIS ONE RESTORES VOTING RIGHTS TO RELEASED FELONS.

IT'S BEEN A LONG JOURNEY, SHOULD BE A LARGE HISTORIC BILL SIGNING WE'RE EXPECTING ON FRIDAY.

THAT'’S OUR SHOW.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

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MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

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

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

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