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

>> I'M JUST SO GLAD THAT WE'RE BEING ABLE TO DO THIS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF PARENTS, FOR THIS GENERATION OF PARENTS.

>> Mary: GENERATIONAL CHANGE AS MOMS RISE UP O REWRITE THE RULES IN THE SENATE.

THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC: AT THE APITOL."

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

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

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

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

MINNESOTA LOTTERY: SUPPORTING PROJECTS THAT PROTECT MINNESOTA'S ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

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

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

AND THE IRON MINING ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA: EDUCATING MINNESOTANS ON THE IRON ORE INDUSTRY AND ITS ROLE FOR AMERICAN STEEL.

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

I'M MARY LAHAMMER.

COMING TO YOU IVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY.

WE ARE DAYS AWAY FROM DEADLINE, SO IT IS DUE OR DIE TIME.

WE HAVE STATE GOVERNMENT CO-CHAIRS HERE, AND THEY'RE ACTUALLY DOING THINGS AND PASSING SOME BILLS.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT.

OUR RETIRING LAWMAKER IS PAST CHAIR AND CURRENT MEMBER OF SENATE JUDICIARY.

WE'LL TALK TO HIM.

BUT FIRST A LOOK AT HOW THE SENATE IS MAKING HISTORY, CHANGING RULES IN THE FRENZY TO PUSH BILLS BEFORE THE BREAK AT THE END OF THE WEEK.

>> THERE BEING 129 AYES AND ZERO NAYS, THE BILL IS PASSED AND ITS TITLE AGREED TO.

>> Mary: LAWMAKERS ARE MOVING QUICKLY TO REMOVE CESAR CHAIVE YES FROM OFFICIAL DESTINATIONS AFTER INVESTIGATIONS REVEALED YEARS OF SEXUAL ABUSE.

>> AS A PROUD MEXICAN AMERICAN WHO IS SANDING HERE AS A CHILD WHO WAS BORN IN SECRET, I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO HAVE AN UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF THE SILENCE.

THIS IS A SICKNESS AND WE HAVE TO TAKE T DOWN.

>> IT WAS DEV >> IT WAS DE DEVASTATING, I WAS ON THE FLOOR AST WEEK AND I GATHERED ROUND MY COLLEAGUES THAT ARE HERE TODAY AND MY LEADER OF LEADER O. LEADER O. I WENT RIGHT TO HIM AND SAID I WANT TO DO THIS.

>> IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT REMOVING THAT NAME NOW, AND THAT'S WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOLD SPACE FOR, WHAT THE MOVEMENT HAS ACHIEVED ND WHAT WE CALL IT NEXT.

>> Mary: THE HOUSE STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE RELIVED THE LONG AWAITED INSPECTOR GENERAL BILL.

>> FRAUD IN ANY FORM REMAINS UNSELLABLE AND I REMAIN COMMITTED TO TAKING APPROPRIATE ACTION TO ADDRESS IT HERE IN MINNESOTA.

>> NOT ONLY IS IT BIPARTISAN, AND WE DON'T ALWAYS RECOGNIZE THE OTHER BODY AS BEING, YOU KNOW, VALUABLE.

BUT WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE IT.

THIS IS BOTH BICAMERAL AND BIPARTISAN.

>> WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH THIS BILL IS GOING TO COST.

IT IS ALLOWING A NEW LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY TO BE ESTABLISHED.

WHICH HAS NOT BEEN TRULY VETTED.

>> Mary: THE FRAUD COMMITTEE HEARD ABOUT MONEY MOVES THROUGH AIR PORTS, BANKS AND WIRE TRANSFERS.

>> THERE IS SORT OF A CHAIN WE CAN IDENTIFY HERE, AND IF WE CAN CATCH THAT ON THE FRONT END BEFORE IT GETS IN A WIRE TRANSFER OR A TRANSFER OUT OF THE COUNTRY, OR CASH IN SUITCASE, THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO TIGHTEN IT UP T THE STATE LEVEL.

>> WHAT I'M HEARING IS A COMPLETE FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, BOTH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY, TO ENFORCE THE FEDERAL ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING STATUTES.

>> THERE REMAIN 500 FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIALS INVESTIGATING THE FRAUD IN MINNESOTA TODAY.

>> >> Mary: ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, CITIZENS AND LAWMAKERS URGED ACTION.

>> THIS IS ALL THE PAPERWORK THAT I HAD BETWEEN MERBLUM AND U CARE.

I HAVE A STACK OF VUES AT HOME SOMEWHERE.

I HAD TO GET THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE INVOLVED.

>> I WENT THROUGH 14 ROUNDS OF CHEMO, 25 SESSIONS OF RADIATION AND AN EXTENSIVE SURGERY.

BECAUSE OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, I GOT TO FOCUS ON WHAT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME, SURVIVING.

>> I'M HOLDING UP OUR BILL FOR MARCH.

FOR $2,085 AND 71 CENTS.

THIS IS MANY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS MORE THAN OUR MORTGAGE PAYMENT.

THE YEAR HAS BARELY BEGUN, AND IT IS CRUSHING US.

>> THIS IS ENRAGING.

WE'RE BACK.

WE'RE BACK HERE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAMERAS, IN FRONT OF THE PEOPLE IN THE RICHEST COUNTRY OF THE WORLD BEGGING FOR HEALTHCARE.

>> THANK YOU FOR TAKING YOUR TIME TO COME TO THE CAPITOL TO VISIT WITH LEGISLATORS AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HEAR WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU.

>> Mary: LEGISLATIVE ACTION IS HEATING UP WITH RALLIES AND CROWDS CONVERGING AT THE CAPITOL.

>> ENJOY YOUR TIME UP HERE, AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET THIS THING DONE BY MAY.

>> Mary: WITH DEADLINES LOOMING, EVEN THE SENATE PRESIDENT SAW HIS BUSINESS RECOVERY BILL DEFEATED.

>> FOUR NO, FIVE YES.

THE BILL WILL BE LAID OVER.

>> MEMBERS, JUST SO YOU KNEW THAT WE WILL NOT HAVE ANOTHER BILL THAT COMES IT.

THIS WILL BE IT.

>> IT IS TIME FOR US TO MAKE SPACE IN THIS PLACE FOR NEW PARENTS.

>> MY SEVEN MONTH OLD LEO AND I WERE ESCORTED OFF THE SENATE FLOOR.

AND THANKS TO THESE AMAZING MOMS WHO ARE BEHIND ME, WE WORKED TO CHANGE THE RULES.

>> SENATOR OUMOU VERBETEN MADE A GREAT POINT.

SHE SAID, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU WERE SPEAKING UP AGAINST -- ABOUT CHALLENGES, YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE.

NOW THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER YOUNG PARENTS AND SO MANY MORE MOTHERS THAT ARE OF CHILD-BEARING YEARS, SO I THINK IT JUST HAD TO BE THE RIGHT TIME, RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT ENVIRONMENT.

♪ ♪ >> Mary: WE SAW THEM IN ACTION.

THEY GOT THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL BILL UNSTUCK AFTER BEING STUCK FOR SOME TIME AND LOTS OF OTHER THINGS MOVING THROUGH STATE GOVERNMENT.

CO-CHAIRS, REPUBLICAN JIM NASH AND DEMOCRAT GINNY KLEVORN.

FIRST OF ALL, REPRESENTATIVE NASH, LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR SENATOR.

IT WOULD NOT BE NEWS OVER HERE IN THE HOUSE JUST TO TALK ABOUT THE IFFERENCES.

BUT SENATORS CAN NOW BRING CHILDREN.

FIRST IT WAS WATER THAT WAS ALLOWED.

AND NOW CHILDREN.

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT IT'S COMPLETELY GOOD THING TO HAVE DONE.

I THINK THAT WE HERE IN THE HOUSE HAVE HAD THIS FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

NOTHING CHANGED A CATACLYSMICICALLY AND FAMILY IS SO MUCH A PART OF WHO WE ARE.

MY WIFE AND I HAVE SIX KIDS AND IT'S AN IMPORTANT OF WHAT WE DO THAT BRINGS US DOWN HERE AND HAVING YOUR KIDS COME DOWN HERE FROM TIME TO TIME, EITHER BECAUSE THEY WANT TO OR OUT OF NECESSITY IF YOU'RE A YOUNG MOM, WHO WOULDN'T DO THAT?

I'M GLAD THAT THE SENATE HAS BECOME A LITTLE MORE ENLIGHTENED.

>> OR THE YOUNG DADS.

>> Mary: THERE WAS BIPARTISAN OPPOSITION AND BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE POWER OF THOSE YOUNG WOMEN IN PARTICULAR STANDING TOGETHER TODAY?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT SO MANY YOUNG WOMEN RUN FOR OFFICE TODAY.

AND THE MORE WE CAN MAKE THE CAPITOL THE HUMAN PLACE THAT IT NEEDS TO BE, THE MORE WELCOMING IT BECOMES.

AND MELISSA HORTMAN WAS ALL ABOUT THAT.

>> Mary: WE'LL TALK ABOUT HOTTER HOTTEHORTMAN, BUT FIRST THE BIG NEWS YOU TWO MADE.

WHAT HAPPENED BEHIND THE SCENES TO FINALLY GET THAT INSPECTOR GENERAL BILL GOING?

>> DID WE MAKE NEWS?

>> Mary: YES, YOU DID.

>> SPEAKING FOR ME, DEADLINES ARE REAL, AND THE BILL HAS TO GET MOVING.

THE WORKING GROUP HAS BEEN MOVING THINGS THROUGH AS WELL.

BUT I THINK HAT REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN SAYING, THIS IS SO IMPORTANT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL WORK THAT WAS DONE IN THE SENATE IS KEPT IN THE FORM THAT IT SHOWED UP AS, WHEN IT WAS TRANSMITTED AND THAT WE BELIEVE STRONGLY THAT THE GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENT THING HAS TO STAY THE WAY IT WAS WRITTEN AND THAT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PIECE HAS TO STAY WRITTEN.

AND I WOULD JUST POINT OUT, ANY BILL THAT HAS BOTH JOHN MARTY AND STREEIVE [ DRAMATIC MUSIC ] STEVE DRAZKOWSKI VOTING FOR IT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY.

>> Mary: YOU STILL AD SOME CONCERNS.

>> SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO START A NEW AGENCY AND YOU WANT IT TO BE SUCCESSFUL, YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S REALLY FUNCTIONAL.

AND ALWAYS IN LEGISLATION, THE DEVIL'S IN THE DETAILS.

SO WE WANT ACCOUNTABILITY, WE WANT TRANSPARENCY.

JIM AND I BOTH AGREE ON THE INDEPENDENCE ISSUE OF THAT OFFICE.

IT HAS TO BE INDEPENDENT TO BE ABLE TO DO THE WORK THAT THE PUBLIC EXPECTS.

BUT I'M REALLY GLAD THEY FIXED THE CONSTITUTIONALITY ISSUES.

I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> Mary: IS THIS GOING TO HAPPEN NOW?

>> WELL, YOU'VE BEEN AROUND THE CAPITOL FOR A LONG TIME.

THERE'S STILL 101 THINGS THAT CAN GO COMPLETELY WRONG.

IT'S GOING TO JUDICIARY TOMORROW.

AND THEN IT WILL GO TO WAYS AND MEANS, AND THEN IT HAS TO GO TO THE FLOOR.

AND THEN BECAUSE THIS LANGUAGE WILL BE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WAS TRANSMITTED IN THE SENATE, THERE'S LIKELY GOING TO BE A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

SO THERE'S STILL A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD, IN JUDICIARY TOMORROW, I HINK IT'S TOMORROW THAT IT GOES TO JUDICIARY?

>> TODAY'S WEDNESDAY, I BELIEVE, SO YES.

>> THERE WILL BE A LOT OF PIECES THAT WILL BE FIXED IN THE BILL.

WE WERE VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE DUPLICATIVE NATURE OF SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS.

AND SO TOMORROW THE O.L.A.

PIECES WILL BE FIXED SO THAT IT MAKES THE BILL MUCH BETTER AND AT EACH STOP IT GETS BETTER.

AND I'VE BEEN PART OF THE WORKING GROUP FOR ALMOST -- SINCE THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED.

TALKED ABOUT, RIGHT?

EVEN BEFORE IT WAS INTRODUCED.

AND TO MAKE SURE THAT IT AT EVERY STOP IT GETS BETTER AND BETTER.

>> AND I WAS ON THE WORKING GROUP CALL THE OTHER NIGHT.

AND I MADE SURE THAT WE ADDRESSED THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED ABOUT THE BRIGHT LINE OF DI LIEN EDUCATION BETWEEN O.I.G.

AND O.L.A.

AND THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE -- >> Mary: WE HAVE AN INSIDE BASEBALL AUDIENCE.

WE HAVE TO TELL THEM, OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR.

>> SORRY, MARY, YES.

AND MANY OF THEIR REPORTS HAVE BEEN SPLASHED ALL OVER THE NEWS.

THEY DO FANTASTIC.

SO IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR CONTINUES O DO THEIR THING UNHINDERED, UNIMPEDED WITHOUT OVERLAP, THAT WAS AN IMPORTANT PIECE, AND I AGREE THAT THAT WAS SOMETHING WE REALLY NEEDED TO GET DONE, AND I THINK THE SENATE FINALLY AGREED, AND THE WORKING GROUP'S RECOMMENDATION IS GOING TO BE ENGROSSED IN AN AMENDMENT TOMORROW IN JUDICIARY.

>> Mary: YEAH, AND QUICKLY, WILL THE GOVERNOR SIGN THIS BILL?

BECAUSE HE'S AD SOME CONCERNS ALONG THE WAY -- >> I'M NOT SPEAKING FOR THE GOVERNOR AND I'VE NOT TALKED TO THE GOVERNOR -- >> Mary: REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT -- >> WE HAVE BEEN CONCERNED, BUT HE DOESN'T CALL ME, SO INTN.

>> I DON'T SPEAK TO THE GOVERNOR.

>> LET'S MOVE BACK TO FORMER SPEAKER MELISSA HORTMAN.

YOU CARRIED A BILL NAMING THE OFFICE BUILDING THAT THE TWO OF YOU WILL BE IN AT SOME POINT.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT TO HAVE THAT BILL HAVE HER NAME?

>> YEAH, AND THAT BILL REALLY -- PEOPLE THINK IT'S MY BILL, BUT IT REALLY IS A LEGISLATURE BILL.

THERE ARE WILL THE THERE ARE WILL T LOT OF PEOPLEO WORK AT THE LEGISLATURE AND THEY KNEW THAT SHE SPENT LONG HOURS THERE AND SHE WAS VERY FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE THAT THE WORKPLACE WAS A GOOD PLACE FOR EVERYONE AND THAT THE BUILDING WAS TRULY ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE.

AND EVEN WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PLACEMENT OF THE WINDOWS, SHE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHOEVER CAME TO A COMMITTEE WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THE CAPITOL AND REMEMBER THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK.

SO I HINK IT'S REALLY FITTING THAT THAT BUILDING HAVE HER NAME ON IT.

>> Mary: NO ONE SPOKE AGAINST IT, DID THEY?

>> NOBODY SPOKE AGAINST IT.

THERE'S A NUMBER OF HORTMAN RELATED BILLS THAT ARE -- ERE -G TWO TOMORROW.

THERE'S THIS ONE.

THEY ALL HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS.

THEY ALL HAVE COST.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT WE THINK THAT ONCE WE GET IT TO WAY AND MEANS, WE CAN ACTUALLY HAVE AN EARNEST CONVERSATION ABOUT WHICH ONES ARE GOING TO HAPPEN, WHICH ONES ARE NOT GOING TO HAPPEN AND HAVE A REALLY FRANK CONVERSATION.

BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS.

MELISSA WASN'T JUST A FRIEND TO THE DYE SIDE.

DFL SIDE.

MANY OF US HAD SOLID RELATIONSHIPS.

A VERY FUN AMENDMENT THAT SHE KNEW ABOUT THAT I HAD AND MADE ME PUT IT BACK AS A VIABLE AMENDMENT BY SIGNING ONTO IT AS WELL.

AND EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE SENATORS THAT ARE WITHIN EARSHOT, IT WAS TO MAKE MINNESOTA YOU KNOW CAPITAL RAM RALE THROUGH THE HOUSE.

WE NEED TO DO IT ONCE WE SEE HAS MADE IT THROUGH THE PROCESS AND BEGIN PRIORITIZING THOSE THINGS.

>> Mary: IS HER SPIRIT INSPIRING BIPARTISANSHIP AND BETTER BEHAVIOR?

>> I THINK ON OUR SIDE OF THE AISLE, FOR SURE.

>> UH-OH.

WOW!

[ Laughter ] THAT WAS SPICY.

>> IT WAS SPICY.

>> Mary: YOUR SIDE TOO?

WE'RE ALMOST ON OUT OF TIME.

>> I THINK E RECOGNIZE THAT MELISSA WAS AN INSTITUTIONALIST AND THERE ARE A GREAT MANY OF US THAT ARE ALSO INSTITUTIONALISTS AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE STAY THAT WAY.

>> Mary: THANKS, YOU TWO.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE INVIOLATATION.

♪ ♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪ ♪ >> Mary: OUR RETIRING LAWMAKER IS A LONG TIME VOICE ON THE SENATE JUDICIARY AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE WHERE HE HAS SERVED AS CHAIR.

HERE'S A LOOK BACK AT THE NEARLY 40-YEAR CAREER OF SENATOR WARREN LIMMER IN THE LEGISLATURE.

THERE'S PLENTY OF COMPANY IN THE GOVERNOR'S DOG HOUSE AS REPUBLICANS LINEUP AGAINST MANY OF PAWLENTY'S NEW POLICY INITIATIVES.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S GONE A LOT OF NEW AREAS RATHER QUICKLY, AND THERE HASN'T BEEN A REAL BEDROCK OF FOUNDATION LAID.

AND IF I WAS GOING TO GIVE ANY ADVICE, I'D SAY COME ON OVER, LET'S HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE AND LET'S TALK ABOUT THINGS.

WE GOT A BIG FAMILY TO TAKE CARE OF.

AND WE NEED TO HAVE A LITTLE DISCUSSION, RATHER THAN JUST EXPECTING THE FAST ROLLOVER VOTE.

YOU REMEMBER THE LAST TWO BONDING BILLS THAT WE'D PASSED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS?

SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN OVER A BILLION DOLLARS.

AND THIS BODY, THIS MAJORITY PARTY, HAS NOW DECIDED THAT A MERE $4 MILLION, AND BY THE WAY, ALL THESE PROJECTS HAVE TO -- HAPPEN TO FALL IN REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS, THEY SAY NO.

WE'RE NOT LISTENING TO THE CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA.

THIS IS A SHAMEFUL DAY IN MINNESOTA.

[ PEOPLE HOUTING INDISTINCTLY >> Mary: SUPPORTERS AND OPPONENTS LAUNCHED TWO MAJOR CAMPAIGNS SINCE LAWMAKERS APPROVED PUTTING THE PROPOSED MARRIAGE AMENDMENT ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

HOW HAS THE ISSUE CHANGED OVER ALL THIS TIME?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK UNLIKE THE DEPICTIONS IN THE PAPER, OR IN THE PAPER, ON THE FILM, I'M FINDING THAT THE EMOTION HAS KIND OF DISSIPATED A LITTLE BIT.

IT'S KIND OF BOILED OFF.

AND NOW PEOPLE ARE READY FOR A GOOD DISCUSSION.

AND THEY'RE HAVING THAT DISCUSSION.

THEY'RE HAVING THAT DISCUSSION IN THE CHURCHES AND COFFEE SHOPS AROUND THE STATE.

I'M PERSONALLY FINDING PEOPLE THAT ARE APPRECIATIVE OF THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING CALLED A CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM AND WE CAN OCCASIONALLY GIVE SOME OF THESE ISSUES TO THE PUBLIC.

>> Mary: LAWMAKERS, REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS, LINED UP TO SHARE THEIR OPPOSITION TO GAY MARRIAGE, MANY OF THEM WERE BACKERS OF THE FAILED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO DEFINE MARRIAGE AS A UNION BETWEEN ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN.

SOME MORE EXPERIENCED REPUBLICANS SAW AN OPPORTUNITY, PERHAPS A NECESSITY TO SOFTEN THE MESSAGE.

>> OH, I TRY TO PERSUADE DEMOCRATS ON ALMOST EVERY ISSUE AROUND HERE.

[ Laughter ] I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER WITH YOU.

WE DON'T KNOW QUITE HOW LONG THIS KIND OF FORCED MARRIAGE IS GOING TO LAST, BUT NEVERTHELESS, WE WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PARTICIPATING AND HOPEFULLY WORKING ON ISSUES THAT YOU AND I AND OUR RESPECTIVE CAUCUSES CAN AGREE ON.

>> Mary: HERE WITH US NOW, SENATOR WARREN LIMMER.

A LITTLE BLAST FROM THE PAST.

>> YEAH, I WAS TOUGH, RIGHT?

[ Laughter ] >> Mary: LET'S START AT THE BEGINNING.

>> OH, NO.

>> Mary: BECAUSE THE BEGINNING WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Mary: AND YOU WERE HOLDING HIM TO ACCOUNT THERE.

BECAUSE WE REMEMBER, TIM PAWLENTY WAS A PRODUCT OF THE HOUSE.

>> YEAH.

>> AND HE KIND OF FORGOT THERE WAS A SENATE HE HAD TO ATTEND TO.

SO WHAT HAPPENED AFTER YOU CAME ON "ALMANAC" AND REMINDED THE GOVERNOR THAT YOU EXISTED OVER THERE IN THE SENATE?

>> I THINK HE FINALLY REMEMBERED THAT HE NEEDED THE OTHER HALF OF THE GOVERNMENT TO AGREE WITH HIM IN ORDER TO PASS ANYTHING.

EVERY GOVERNOR NEEDS A COALITION, AND IT HAS TO INCLUDE BOTH CHAMBERS.

>> Mary: YEAH, AND I WILL SAY BECAUSE I DO REMEMBER THE STORY, HE SHOWED UP TO CAUCUS.

AND I BELIEVE HE SAID, F YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO GO ON "ALMANAC" AND GET ME TO SHOW UP, YOU HAVE ANOTHER THING COMING.

WHICH HE DID EXACTLY THAT.

SO IT WORKED.

IT WORKED.

WELL DONE.

[ Laughter ] LET'S ALSO TALK ABOUT THE CO-CHAIRING, BECAUSE YOU GOT TO SEE WHAT IT WAS LIKE.

YOU KNOW, THE HOUSE IS GETTING ALL THE ATTENTION NOW FOR CO-CHAIRS.

WE JUST HAD CO-CHAIRS ON.

BUT YOU GOT A TURN AT CO-CHAIRING NOT THAT LONG AGO.

HOW WAS THAT >> IT WAS TENSE.

IT SEEMED LIKE REPUBLICANS -- WE KNEW WHERE IT WAS GENERALLY GOING TO GO.

WE HAD CO-CHAIR FOR A DAY OR TWO, AND THAT WAS ABOUT IT.

AND A LITTLE TENSE.

I BROUGHT IN A SPEAKER FROM THE CENTER FOR THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENT.

AND THE OTHER SIDE REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO LISTEN TOO MUCH, BUT THEY SAT THERE AND GAVE THE RESPECT.

AND I THINK THEY ALL SIGHED A BIG BREADTH OF LIFE TO GET IT OVER WITH, AND NOW THEY'RE STILL IN THE MAJORITY.

>> Mary: THEY ARE.

BUT YOU DID GET A CHANCE TO HAVE THE GAVEL ALL BY YOURSELF.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Mary: HAT WAS IT LIKE?

BECAUSE AGAIN YOU'VE BEEN AROUND HERE, TO BE THERE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

YOU WERE PART OF THAT GROUP.

>> EAH, YOU KNOW, I HAD BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR QUITE A FEW YEARS, FINALLY WE GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN THE MAJORITY.

I DESCRIBED IT THEN AS A 15-YEAR-OLD KID THAT WAS WATCHING DAD DRIVE THE CAR.

ALL YOUR LIFE.

AND YOU FINALLY HAD THE CHANCE TO GET THE KEYS AND DRIVE IT OURSELVES.

AND THAT WAS AN EXCITING TIME.

A LITTLE NERVE-WRACKING, BUT WE GOT THE HANG OF IT RIGHT AWAY.

>> Mary: PROBABLY THE HIGHEST PROFILE THING WAS PUTTING A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT.

WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT THAT, WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THAT EXPERIENCE?

>> I LEARNED THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET THE OPINION OF THE PUBLIC.

ON EVEN A CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE.

DIDN'T GO THE WAY I WANTED, BUT NEVERTHELESS, YOU HAVE TO RESPECT THE WILL OF THE PUBLIC.

AND THERE ARE TIMES WHEN YOU REALLY NEED TO ENGAGE THE PUBLIC, AND THE BEST WAY TO DO IT IS HAVE THAT BIG FAMILY TALK FROM WARROAD TO WORTHINGTON, AND MAKE SURE EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHAT'S AT STAKE.

AND THEN LET THEM DECIDE.

>> Mary: HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR PERSONAL OPINION?

A LOT OF AMERICANS AND MINNESOTANS HAVE?

>> THE ONLY THING I'VE CHANGED IS THAT BATTLE IS OVER.

>> Mary: OKAY.

>> ESPECIALLY WITH THE RULING, I THINK IN 2014, BY THE U.S.

SUPREME COURT.

AND SO THAT'S DONE.

I DON'T THINK I'M EVER GOING TO GET A CHANCE TO OVERTURN A SUPREME COURT DECISION, NOT EVEN BEING AN ATTORNEY MYSELF.

SO I THINK THAT ISSUE IS BEHIND US.

>> Mary: AND YOU REMEMBER THE TIME.

IT WAS EMOTIONAL.

AND THERE WAS A DEBATE WHEN WE WERE ON THE COUCH THERE ON TELEVISION.

YOU WERE DEBATING SENATOR SCOTT DIBBLE, I HEARD ENATOR SCOTT DIBBLE IN COMMITTEE SAY MY GOOD FRIEND WARREN LIMMER.

>> WE'VE WORKED ON NUMEROUS THINGS SINCE THEN.

A LITTLE TENSE AT FIRST.

BUT, YOU KNOW, COMMON -- COMMON GOALS BRING YOU TOGETHER.

AND COMMON RESPECT.

AND THAT WAS ALWAYS THE CASE BETWEEN US.

BUT NEVERTHELESS, I CONSIDER HIM DEAR FRIEND AS WELL.

>> Mary: WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED, THOUGH, THAT THAT REALLY PERSONAL EMOTIONAL ISSUE DIDN'T DERAIL YOUR FRIENDSHIP, THAT THERE'S NOT BITTER FEELINGS, THAT THE TWO OF YOU HAVE MOVED ALONG AND WORK TOGETHER TO THIS DAY NOW?

>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ESPECIALLY IN TODAY'S CLIMATE IN POLITICS, THAT WE MUST COME TOGETHER AS WARRING TRIBES, AND THERE'S NEVER A QUARTER TO BE GIVEN, AND WE CAN'T SURVIVE LONG AS A NATION THAT WAY.

WE HAVE TO COME TO COMMON GROUND.

AND WE HAVE TO REALIZE THAT TWO OR MORE PARTIES ARE NOT GOING TO AGREE AT THE SAME TIME ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES INTO THE FUTURE, AND, YOU KNOW, YOU LOOK AT DIFFERENT ELEMENTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY, LOOK AT SLAVERY.

HUNDREDS OF YEARS BEFORE WE FINALLY GOT TO A POINT THAT SLAVERY WAS FINALLY ADDRESSED.

AND IT TOOK A WAR.

WE DON'T WANT THAT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT TOOK A WHILE TO GET IT DONE.

AND THAT'S -- IT REALLY IS A BENEFIT TO A DEMOCRACY.

AND THAT'S NEEDED TODAY.

>> Mary: IT'S TAKEN A WHILE TO FIND SOMEONE TO REPLACE YOU.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

IS YOUR SEAT THAT MUCH UP FOR GRABS?

ARE REPUBLICANS THAT WORRIED ABOUT HOLDING ONTO THAT?

ARE YOU THAT IRREPLACEABLE?

WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> MY WIFE WOULD SAY I'M REPLACEABLE.

>> Mary: BUT THERE ARE VERY FEW SEATS THAT DON'T HAVE A CANDIDATE.

>> YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF INTERESTED PARTIES RIGHT NOW.

THE PARTY STRUCTURE IS DOING THEIR JOB OF INTERVIEWING THEM.

AND I WOULD IMAGINE THEY'RE GOING TO BE HAVING THEIR SECOND ENDORSING CONVENTION -- >> Mary: IS IT REAL COMPETITIVE?

COULD YOU HOLD ONTO IT AS AN INCUMBENT.

>> ANY DISTRICT IN MINNESOTA CAN FLIP.

AND, YOU KNOW, A FEW YEARS AGO, THE D.F.L.

SPENT A MILLION AND A HALF TO GET RID OF ME.

AND IT DID NOT FLIP.

SO THERE IS A BEDROCK OF SUPPORT THERE.

FOR CONSERVATIVE EPUBLICAN.

I BELIEVE IT'LL HOLD.

>> Mary: AND FINALLY, WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

>> HMM.

I THINK THE BEST WAY OR THE BEST THING TO BE PROUD OF IS BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE.

I -- I -- EVER SINCE I WAS A LITTLE KID, PEOPLE WOULD COME UP TO ME AND TALK, AND I WOULD DO THE SAME, AND IT REALLY SERVED ME WELL IN A PLACE LIKE THIS.

I LOVE MEETING PEOPLE.

EVEN IF THEY DISAGREE.

I BRING THEM ALL INTO MY OFFICE.

REMEMBER, WE HAD SCHOOL KIDS THAT SWARMED MY OFFICE OVER GUN ISSUES.

AND YOU OPEN THE DOOR, YOU LET THEM COME IN AND YOU LET THEM BLAST AWAY, BECAUSE WE NEED THAT ONCE IN A WHILE.

>> Mary: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND ALL THE GOOD TALKS.

APPRECIATE IT, SENATOR LIMMER.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH A SPECIAL EDITION FEATURING RETIRING LAWMAKERS.

IF YOU MISSED ANY PART OF THE SHOW, YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, THAT'S TPT.ORG, THERE YOU CAN LOOK FOR SESSION UPDATES AND WATCH 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 WAYS AND MEANS CO-CHAIRS, AND I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT IS AND ISN'T MAKING IT TO THE FINISH LINE AT DEADLINE WEEK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

♪ Captioned by: Veritext/Paradigm-Captioning Www.veritext.com >> "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

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

MINNESOTA LOTTERY: SUPPORTING PROJECTS THAT PROTECT MINNESOTA'S ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

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

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

AND THE IRON MINING ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA: EDUCATING MINNESOTANS ON THE IRON ORE INDUSTRY AND ITS ROLE FOR AMERICAN STEEL.

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