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

>> Mary: SCHOOL SAFETY IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR LAWMAKERS OF BOTH PARTIES.

SEE IF THEY'RE CAPABLE OF COMPROMISE.

AS WE ALK WITH EDUCATION CO-CHAIRS.

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

♪ ♪ >> "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 LIVE FROM HE HOUSE GALLERY.

THERE'S JUST A FEW WEEKS LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND MOST OF THE MAJOR WORK THAT LEGISLATORS WANT TO GET DONE REMAINS, WHICH IS NOT UNUSUAL.

THAT'S USUALLY TRUE AT THIS TIME.

WE'LL SEE IF THEY'RE GETTING CLOSE ON THE ISSUE OF SCHOOL SAFETY AND EDUCATION, AS WE TALK WITH CO-CHAIRS AND OUR RETIRING LAWMAKERS, ALSO A LEADING VOICE IN EDUCATION AS WELL.

BUT, FIRST, A LOOK AT WHERE ALL THE ISSUES STAND THIS WEEK, AS WE HEAD INTO CRUNCH TIME AT THE CAPITOL.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS RETURNED TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR NEGOTIATIONS.

>> IT'S A VOLATILE BUDGET YEAR.

MINNESOTA'S BUDGET IS IN A SOLID PLACE.

WE DID AND BIT THE BULLET AND DID HEAVY LIFT FOR PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA LAST YEAR TO ENSURE PROGRAMS WERE ABLE TO BE FUNDED BUT SUSTAINABILITY OF THAT.

>> Mary: THE SENATE ADDED BAN ON NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ON THINGS LIKE DATA CENTERS.

>> IF IT'S NOT COME TO YOUR COMMUNITY YET, WHEN IT DOES, YOUR CONSTITUENTS WILL BE PISSED.

>> TRANSPARENCY IS VERY MUCH IN ORDER AND NEEDED FOR THESE CONVERSATIONS THAT ARE HAPPENING AROUND THE STATE.

>> IT'S ACTUALLY POTENTIALLY CONSTITUTIONALLY PROBLEMATIC TO COME UP AND SAY, THIS IS PROHIBITED, JUST FOR ONE INDUSTRY AND HOLD THEM TO A VERY SEPARATE STANDARD.

>> Mary: THE HOUSE PASSED SMALLER FRAUD MEASURES, BUT STALLED ON STRICTER PENALTIES.

>> THIS IS A VERY BAD AMENDMENT.

THIS IS A DESTRUCTIVE AMENDMENT.

JUST BECAUSE YOU SAY THAT SOMETHING IS ABOUT FRAUD AND THAT IT'S FOR FIXING FRAUD DOES NOT MAKE IT A GOOD THING.

>> TAXPAYERS ARE SO ANGRY, THEY WANT TO RIP APART THE GOVERNMENT.

WE'RE NOT HERE TO RIP APART THE GOVERNMENT WE'RE HERE TO FIX THE GOVERNMENT.

>> Mary: AND THE HOUSE REACTED TO THE HORTMAN ASSASSINATION WITH A BILL THAT HELPS VICTIMS DEAL WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT'S CHEMICAL IRRITANTS LEFT BEHIND.

>> NOT BEING ABLE TO DO WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE UNTIL THE PRACTICAL NIGHTMARE WAS RESOLVED, THE PAPERWORK OF DEATH HANDLED.

MEMBERS, PLEASE VOTE YES SO OTHER VICTIMS DON'T HAVE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT THE HORTMAN FAMILY DID WHEN CHEMICAL IRRITANTS ARE USED INSIDE THE HOME.

>> Mary: SHOOTING VICTIM SENATOR HOFFMAN HAS A BILL TO INCREASE SECURITY FOR SAFETY OFFICIALS.

>> WE HAVE SEEN AN EXPONENTIAL INCREASE IN THREATS OF VIOLENCE AND HARM TO ELECTED OFFICIALS, EVEN AS I'M SPEAKING, I HAVE CONTINUALLY -- I CONTINUALLY GET VOICE MAILS AND EMAILS IN THAT NATURE.

>> Mary: FINALLY, A FEEL-GOOD BILL TO CREATE A NEW STATE AGATE LICENSE PLATE PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS.

>> THIS MIGHT BE THE EASIEST YES VOTE THAT WE'LL GET TO TAKE ALL SESSION BECAUSE THIS BILL CELEBRATES ONE OF THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE SYMBOLS WE HAVE IN MINNESOTA.

>> THIS IS AN AWESOME EXAMPLE OF HOW THINGS SHOULD GET DONE AROUND THIS PLACE.

THIS BILL TRULY SHOWS THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE.

>> Mary: SO HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE ONE OF THE FEEL-GOOD BILLS OF SESSION?

>> IT FEELS INCREDIBLE.

JUST ABSOLUTE, ABSOLUTE AMAZING ENERGY TO SEE THIS COME TOGETHER, SEE THE RESPONSE, AND HAVE THIS AS SOMETHING THAT CAN BRING MINNESOTA TOGETHER.

>> Mary: NOW BACK TO ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES OF SESSION, EDUCATION.

WE HAVE EDUCATION POLICY CO-CHAIRS HERE.

WE HAVE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE PEGGY BENNETT AND DFL REPRESENTATIVE SYDNEY JORDAN.

REPRESENTATIVE BENNETT, LAST WEEK YOU WERE PART OF A PRESS CONFERENCE WHERE REPUBLICANS WERE SAYING, THERE'S A LOT WE AGREE ON.

LET'S DO IT.

HAS ANYTHING HAPPENED SINCE THEN THAT YOU AGREE ON?

>> WELL, NOT -- NOT IN ON THAT SUBJECT, LET'S PUT IT THAT WAY.

ALTHOUGH, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE MIGHT COME CLOSE ON SOME OF THE ITEMS AND PARTS OF IT.

YOU KNOW, SOME OF OUR PACKAGE INCLUDED FUNDING.

I WON'T GET INTO THAT SINCE THIS IS A POLICY COMMITTEE, BUT, YOU KNOW, OUR ANONYMOUS THREAT REPORTING SYSTEM IS AN AREA WHERE I THINK WE'RE VERY CLOSE.

AND I'M OF THE MIND AND I BELIEVE REPRESENTATIVE JORDAN IS, TOO, THAT IF WE CAN GET THERE, WE NEED TO PASS THE THINGS THAT WE CAN AGREE UPON.

>> Mary: YOU WERE NODDING.

SO WOULD YOU AGREE AND JUST TAKE THAT SEPARATE, BECAUSE SO FAR EMOCRATS AND LEADERS HAVE BEEN TELLING ME EVERYTHING IS LINKED AND THE ISSUE OF GUN CONTROL IS LINKED TO SCHOOL SAFETY FOR YOUR CAUCUS.

>> WELL, YEAH, I MEAN, FOR ME, THE ISSUE OF SCHOOL SAFETY STARTS WITH GUN CONTROL.

WE KNOW THAT THAT IS THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE THAT I HEAR FROM PARENTS, THAT I HEAR FROM STUDENTS, IS THAT THE GUNS NEED TO BE PART OF THIS CONVERSATION.

I THINK WE'VE HAD A LOT OF GREAT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY.

OBVIOUSLY ANONYMOUS THREAT REPORTING, BUT I ALSO JUST REALLY WANT TO THANK REPRESENTATIVE BENNETT FOR HER GREAT WORK ON A BILL TO MAKE SURE CHILDREN ARE SAFE FROM GROOMING.

THAT'S A BILL WE WORKED ON TOGETHER AND THAT'S ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING THAT CAN KEEP OUR STUDENTS SAFE.

BUT WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT GUNS, IT HAS TO BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

>> Mary: REPRESENTATIVE, ANY CHANCE THERE'S ANY ERSION OF MILD GUN CONTROL, WATERED-DOWN GUN CONTROL?

I KNOW THE GOVERNOR WAS FLOATING MAYBE AFE STORAGE.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S POSSIBLE THAT CAN GET THROUGH?

>> THERE'S ONLY ONE NEEDED IF DEMOCRATS ALL VOTE FOR IT, CORRECT?

>> YES.

>> Mary: DO YOU SEE ANYTHING COMING THROUGH THAT COULD UNLOCK ALL OF THIS TOGETHER?

>> I KNOW IT'S A HOT ISSUE.

AND I LOOK AT EFFECTIVENESS, IS IT REALLY GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM?

I LOOK AT SECOND AMENDMENT ISSUES, IS IT CONSTITUTIONAL?

WE HAVE A LOT OF MOVING PARTS IN THAT AREA.

AND, AGAIN, THESE ARE HOT-BUTTON TOPICS THAT TYPICALLY BOTH SIDES DIG THEIR HEELS IN ON, AND IN SOME CASES, FOR GOOD REASON ON BOTH SIDES.

WE HAVE OUR REASONS.

SO, AGAIN, WE SHOULD FIND THE AREAS WHERE WE CAN FIND AGREEMENT BECAUSE, LET'S JUST TAKE THE GUN PART OUT FOR A MINUTE, ECAUSE EVEN -- WHATEVER WE DO, WE HAVE CURRENT GUN AWS, A LOT OF THEM THAT WE DON'T ENFORCE.

WE HAVE CURRENT GUN LAWS -- >> Mary: LIKE WHAT?

WHAT DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO BE ENFORCED THAT ISN'T?

>> IF CRIMINALS ARE USING GUNS IN CRIMES AND THERE'S A MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES, THEY SHOULDN'T GET OUT OF THAT AND THEY'RE PLED DOWN A LOT.

SO THAT KIND OF THING.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT GUNS ARE GONNA GET INTO THE HANDS OF BAD PEOPLE EITHER WAY AND GET INTO SCHOOLS.

SO WE SHOULD HARDEN OUR SCHOOLS, WE SHOULD HAVE ANONYMOUS THREAT REPORTING SYSTEMS.

BECAUSE THAT WILL HELP KEEP OUR KIDS SAFER.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PHRASE "HARDENING SCHOOLS," THAT'S WHAT WE HEAR A LOT.

ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF HARDENING SCHOOLS OR NOT THE ?EANS >> I THINK THE PHRASE HARDENING SCHOOLS IS COMPLEX, AND THERE'S A LOT THAT GOES BOO THAT.

AND I ACTUALLY THINK THAT'S NOT WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE ASKING FOR.

THEY'RE NOT ASKING FOR METAL DETECTORS, THEY'RE NOT ASKING FOR BULLET-PROOF GLASS.

STUDENTS DON'T WANT TO BE AFRAID TO GO TO SCHOOL.

WE SAW THAT STUDENTS WERE AFRAID TO GO TO SCHOOL DURING THE I.C.E.

OCCUPATION, AND MAKING STUDENTS AFRAID TO GO TO SCHOOL IS NOT GOING TO HELP THEM LEARN.

ESPECIALLY WHEN WE CAN WORK ON THINGS LIKE ANONYMOUS THREAT REPORTING, BUT ALSO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TACKLING THE THING THAT HURTS CHILDREN, WHICH IS GUNS.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE STUDENTS AND THE PARENTS THAT YOU'RE HEARING FROM THIS YEAR, BECAUSE WHAT'S DIFFERENT, WHAT'S IN DIFFERENT, WHAT'S I IN THE FOREFRONT S THE ANNUNCIATION SCHOOL SHOOTING.

THOSE PARENT, THOSE STUDENTS, ARE THEY MAKING A DIFFERENCE, DID OU HEAR THAT AND THINK, WE HAVE TO ACT BECAUSE OF THEIR PRESENCE HERE?

>> I MET WITH SOME OF THOSE PARENTS, HOW HEARTBREAKING, I'M A FORMER FIRST GRADE TEACHER, THESE YOUNG HILDREN INVOLVED, YOU CAN'T EVEN FATHOM THAT.

YOU KNOW, THE ONES THAT I SPOKE TO, SAID, GET THE THINGS DONE YOU CAN AGREE UPON.

AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO AGREE O DISAGREE VERY MUCH ON CERTAIN AREAS.

AND, AGAIN, BRING US TOGETHER ON WHAT WE CAN AGREE ON BECAUSE IT MOVES THE NEEDLE TOWARDS SAFETY.

AND THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT AREN'T BULLET-PROOF GLASS AND THAT KIND OF THING.

THERE'S SYSTEMS WHERE YOU HAVE A TAG AND IF YOU HAVE ANY KIND OF AN EMERGENCY AT SCHOOL -- A CHILD THAT'S OUT OF CONTROL OR WHATEVER, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT THESE SYSTEMS CAN HELP WITH, NOT JUST VIOLENCE INTRUDER.

>> Mary: ANY OF THAT -- >> WELL, TO BE CLEAR, I'VE BEEN HEARING FROM PARENTS AND STUDENTS MY ENTIRE TIME IN OFFICE.

AS A MILLENNIAL, YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER THE COLUMBINE SHOOTING, I REMEMBER THESE SHOOTINGS, I PRACTICED THESE DRILLS S A STUDENT.

I'VE EXPERIENCED GUN VIOLENCE MYSELF.

MY MOTHER IS A TEACHER, HAS EXPERIENCED GUN VIOLENCE INVOLVING HER STUDENTS.

THESE ARE NOT NEW ISSUES.

I THINK WHAT MAKES THIS URGENT IS THAT IT IS IT HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN FOR SO MANY YEARS AND THE FACT THAT IT HAPPENED IN MINNEAPOLIS, THE CITY THAT I'M VERY PROUD TO LIVE IN AND REPRESENT, I THINK MADE IT HIT HOME IN A WAY FOR DIFFERENT PEOPLE BUT THESE ARE NOT NEW ISSUES THAT PARENTS AND TEACHERS HAVE BEEN BRINGING TO ME.

>> Mary: INTERESTING YOU TALK ABOUT THE STUDENT PERSPECTIVE.

TALK MORE ABOUT THE TEACHER PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE YOU WERE A TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM.

DID THIS PREDATE YOU?

DID YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS?

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE TEACHER ASPECT OF THIS AND SAFETY?

>> I STARTED TEACHING IN 1981 AND IT REALLY WASN'T EVEN AN ISSUE THEN.

WE HARDLY EVER HEARD OF INTRUDERS AND THINGS.

AS TIME WENT ON, WE HAD TO HAVE THE DRILLS, YOU KNOW, TOWARD MY LATTER YEARS OF TEACHING.

SO IT HAS BECOME MORE OF AN ISSUE.

AND, AGAIN, THERE'S MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF VIOLENT INTRUDERS, SOME INCLUDE GUNS, SOME INCLUDE KNIVES, SOME INCLUDE A PERSON WHO CAN GO PER DISERK AND HURT A LOT OF PEOPLE AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DEALING WITH ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

>> Mary: OTHER STATES THAT SHA HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS HAVE GONE THROUGH SOME BIPARTISAN ACTION.

TAKE TEXAS.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN USE FROM OTHER STATES?

>> SOMETIMES THINGS THAT WE HOLD VERY DEARLY NEED TO BE SET ASIDE AND MAKE KIDS SAFE.

AND ONE OF THOSE, WE'VE SEEN RED STATES, PURPLE STATES, TAKE ACTION ON GUN CONTROL AND MAKE SURE THAT THEIR SCHOOLS ARE SAFE FOR THEIR STUDENTS.

>> Mary: I KNOW YOU TWO ARE POLICY, BUT WE HAVE AN EDUCATION FINANCE CO-CHAIR IN THE WINGS HERE AND THEY'RE CERTAINLY LINKED.

IN A NONBUDGET YEAR, HOW IS THAT AFFECTING THE POLICY SIDE?

>> I'M NOT SURE WHAT YOUR QUESTION IS.

>> Mary: ARE THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO GET FUNDED POLICYWISE, BUT THERE ISN'T THE MONEY, THERE MIGHT NOT BE A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET, I'M WONDERING HOW THEY'RE LINK EXAMINED SOME THINGS THAT MAYBE CAN OR CAN'T GET DONE IN THIS NONBUDGET YEAR.

>> I CAN THINK OF ONE THING IN PARTICULAR IS THE SPECIAL ED FUNDING CUTS THAT WAS PASSED LAST SESSION.

WAS A GOVERNOR'S PUSH.

>> $250 MILLION.

>> Mary: YOU'RE NOT THE FINANCE CHAIRS.

HE'LL YELL AT YOU OVER THERE.

>> ANOTHER 50 BEING PROPOSED NOW, TO BRING IT UP TO 300 MILLION.

WE BOTH AGREE, WE DON'T WANT TO SEE THE CUTS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> WE DON'T WANT TO SEE THE ADDITIONAL.

WE WANT TO HOPEFULLY FIND SOME FUNDING TO STOP THE CURRENT CUTS.

BECAUSE IT IS GREATLY GOING TO HURT OUR SCHOOLS.

>> Mary: SOUNDS LIKE YOU AGREE?

>> I THINK WE CAN LOOK AT WHERE THERE MIGHT BE OTHER BUDGET BUCKETS, SUCH AS PUBLIC SAFETY.

YES, IT'S ONE STATE BUDGET BUT THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS AROUND THE CAPITOL, THERE ARE DIFFERENT BUDGET AREAS.

AND I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THINKING CREATIVELY ABOUT HOW TO KEEP SCHOOLS SAFE.

>> Mary: WILL WE HAVE A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET?

YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN.

DOES IT TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF?

>> YOU KNOW, -- >> Mary: ANYONE'S GUESS?

>> GOING INTO DEFICIT SPENDING, THAT'S TOUGH.

SO WE HAVE TO BE WISE AND CAREFUL AND SMART, HOW WE DO FUNDING.

NO THERE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET.

>> Mary: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET TO BE ABLE TO KEEP STUDENTS SAFE BUT THAT'S KIND OF ABOVE OUR PAY GRADE.

BUT IT IS ONE THAT IF -- >> Mary: A LEADERSHIP ISSUE, YES, I GET IT.

>> IF THEY'RE LISTENING, THERE'S ALWAYS THINGS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO, THERE ARE THINGS THAT WOULD BE NICE TO DO.

AND WE'RE REALLY FOCUSED N WHAT HAS TO GET DONE.

>> Mary: YEAH, ANOTHER LEADERSHIP-RELATED THING IS THE POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT AND CO-CHAIRS.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF HOUSE CO-CHAIRS TELL US HOW IT'S GOING.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, WHAT'S THE GOOD?

WHAT'S THE BAD?

>> I THINK THE TWO OF US HAVE HAD A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

>> I AGREE.

>> WE CAN DIFFER GREATLY ON POLICY AND OUR IDEAS.

>> YUP.

>> WE'RE BOTH OKAY WITH THAT, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PASSIONATELY.

IT'S BEEN A REALLY REAL PLEASURE.

>> WE BOTH HAVE LEARNED A LOT FROM EACH OTHER, WE GET ALONG AS PEOPLE.

THE OTHER THING WE BOTH AGREE ON IS WE NEED TO PUT KIDS FIRS.

WHEN YOU HAVE THAT KIND OF -- FIRST.

WHEN YOU HAVE THAT KIND OF BASIC GROUNDING AND THAT GROUNDING, YOU CAN GET A LOT DONE WHEN YOU PUT THAT ETHOS FIRST.

>> Mary: HOW ABOUT HOW AFFECTED THE HOUSE IS, I CAN SEE FROM RIGHT HERE THE ROSES AT MELISSA HORTMAN'S DESK, EVERYBODY, BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, HAD VERY MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS.

HOW DIFFERENT, DIFFICULT, IS THIS YEAR KNOWING SHE'S NOT HERE?

>> THAT'S A HUGE WEIGHT ON ALL OF US.

SHE WAS OUR COLLEAGUE, A FRIEND.

AND SO ON.

AND OBVIOUSLY THAT IMPACTS A LOT.

AND WE WANT TO BE VERY RESPECTFUL TO HER MEMORY.

>> Mary: REPRESENTATIVE JORDAN, YOU SIT NEXT TO THAT MEMORIAL.

>> I DO.

>> Mary: EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> I DO.

I THINK ABOUT IT A LOT.

IT'S BEEN REALLY HARD.

AND IT'S BEEN HARD TO -- YOU KNOW, ELISSA HORTMAN HAS BEEN HERE AND HAS BEEN SPEAKER, SPEAKER EMERITA MY ENTIRE TENURE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

I'VE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM HER.

AND I MISS HER, I MISS SENATOR DZIEDZIC, WHO IS MY SENATOR, AND I FEEL THEIR LOSS EVERY SINGLE DAY.

SITTING IN THAT DESK, YOU KNOW, IT IS AN HONOR TO BE SEATED NEXT TO SOMEONE OF THAT STATURE AND NOW IT IS JUST -- IT'S SUCH A GAPING HOLE, BUT I OFTEN SPEND A LOT OF TIME LOOKING AT THAT BOUQUET OF ROSES WHEN I'M SITTING ON THE FLOOR, WHEN THINGS ARE HARD.

AND IT'S REALLY -- MELISSA HORTMAN WAS SOMEONE WHO LOVED NATURE, LOVED GARDENING, FLOWERS SO MUCH, SO IT'S A NICE WAY TO REMEMBER HER, WHEN THINGS ARE REALLY HARD TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT SOME FLOWERS AND REMEMBER YOUR FRIEND.

>> Mary: WE'LL END THERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, YOU TWO, APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS.

♪ >> Mary: WE'RE STILL KEEPING EDUCATION IN FOCUS.

NOW IT'S THE MONEY SIDE.

AND WE HAVE A REPUBLICAN RETIRING LAWMAKER FROM LITTLE FALLS, WHO HAS SERVED OVER A DECADE IN THE LEGISLATURE AND A MAJORITY OF HIS TIME HAS BEEN CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS FOR SCHOOL BUDGETS.

>> I LOOK ACK TO MY GRANDFATHER, WHO WAS A WORLD WAR II VET, AND I WAS THE OLDEST OF THE GRANDCHILDREN, AND, SO, THINKING BACK TO ON THE FARM AND AS HE TOOK US AROUND ON THE TRACTOR, AND HE WAS JUST THIS VERY BIGGER-THAN-LIFE JOVIAL PERSON BUT HE ALWAYS HAD A MORAL COMPASS ABOUT HIM THAT WAS PHENOMENAL.

>> WE CONTINUE TO BURDEN OUR SCHOOLS WITH UNFUNDED MANDATES THAT JUST DON'T APPLY.

WE DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO JUST KEEP THROWING THINGS AT THEM.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR FUNDING IS EQUITABLE BETWEEN OUR RURAL SCHOOLS AND OUR METRO SCHOOLS.

>> Mary: HOW HOUSE COMMITTEES CONTROL CASH WILL ALSO CHANGE WITH NEW CHAIRS LEADING THROUGH A LENS OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.

>> WE'VE MOVED PAST THE CONVERSATION THAT THIS EXISTS OR DOESN'T EXIST, JUST TO A CONVERSATION OF, LET'S LOOK AT THE OLUTIONS.

>> THE MINNESOTA BUDGET IS FACING A STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE.

WE NEED TO BE OPEN TO NEW SOLUTIONS.

HOWEVER, I'M DISAPPOINTED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S EDUCATIONAL BUDGET PROPOSAL.

HE PROPOSES ANOTHER $50 MILLION CUT TO THE EXISTING $2050 MILLION IN SPECIAL -- $250 MILLION CUT IN SPECIAL EDUCATION THAT'S ON THE TAKEN.

>> THIS IS A CHALLENGE THAT I PUT OUT TO ALL THE MEMBERS THAT ARE BACK AND ARE GOING TO COME BACK.

PLEASE TAKE THE BIPARTISAN SPIRIT THAT COMES OUT OF THE EDUCATION FINANCE, IT'S OKAY TO HAVE DUSTUPS, IT'S OKAY TO HAVE POLICIES, BUT TAKE THAT AND KEEP THAT AS A STANDARD.

WE NEED THAT.

I'VE BEEN THROUGH MANY OTHER COMMITTEES WHERE THAT GETS DROPPED.

THERE'S MORE AGREEMENT HERE AND MONGST OUR SCHOOLS, HOW WE EDUCATE, THAN THERE IS DISAGREEMENT.

MEMBERS, JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, THIS IS MY LAST GAVEL, AND IT'S BEEN AN HONOR.

AND THAT'S ALL FOR THE TIME AND WHAT YOU'VE GIVEN TO ME.

AND WITH THAT, THIS CONCLUDES OUR BUSINESS FOR TODAY.

OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE THURSDAY, APRIL 16th, 2026.

THIS COMMITTEE IS ADJOURNED.

>> Mary: HERE WITH US NOW IN PERSON, CO-CHAIR, EDUCATION FINANCE, REPRESENTATIVE RON KRESHA.

LET'S REACT TO A FEW OF THOSE THINGS.

FIRST OF ALL, IT'S NOTABLE, I THINK YOU WERE THE FIRST MEMBER TO MOTION SINE DIE, MOST OF OUR AUDIENCE ARE INSIDERS, FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW THAT MEANS GO HOME.

>> RIGHT.

>> Mary: WHY GO HOME EARLY AND PERMANENTLY?

>> SO A LOT OF TIMES WE TALK ABOUT THAT AS A JOKE.

I ACTUALLY DID IT, SERIOUSLY THIS YEAR BECAUSE ONE OF THE TRENDS THAT I SAW COMING OFF A VERY EMOTIONAL AND HARD, WE'RE TIED, WE HAD THE TRAUMA OF SPEAKER EMERITUS, THE TRAGEDY, SENATOR HOFFMAN, ALL OF THAT, I THINK PEOPLE WERE BEAT UP SO BAD, WE WERE STRETCHING OURSELVES INTO REALMS WHERE WE WERE BEING UNKIND TO EACH OTHER, CAMPAIGN SPEECHES WERE ALREADY HAPPENING, PEOPLE WERE DOING VIDEO CLIPS.

AND TALKING TO SO MANY PEOPLE AS I WALKED AROUND THE CAPITOL, I WAS, LIKE, YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE JUST TAKE A BREAK.

THE GOVERNOR COULD CERTAINLY HAVE CALLED US BACK FOR A SPECIAL SESSION.

WE COULD HAVE WORKED ON SOME ISSUES.

BUT IT REALLY WAS ABOUT BRINGING THE TEMPERATURE DOWN AND NOT DEINVOLVING INTO -- DEDID INVOLVING INTO DEVOLVING PARTISAN INTERESTS AND CAMPAIGN SPEECHES.

>> Mary: THE MAJORITY EADER IN THE OTHER CHAMBER SAID, I THINK THEY'RE REALLY STILL MOURNING HERE AND THEY'RE NOT OKAY AND MAYBE THEY'RE NOT OKAY SAYING THEY'RE NOT OKAY.

HOW MUCH ARE PEOPLE ACKNOWLEDGING THE STRAIN THAT ALL OF YOU ARE UNDER?

>> THEY'RE NOT.

THEY'RE NOT.

AND WHEN YOU GO THROUGH TRAUMA, YOU KNOW, WE ALL WANT TO PUT OUR BEST FACE ON, LIFT OUR CHIN UP A LITTLE BIT AND SAY WE'RE OKAY.

BUT WE'RE NOT OKAY.

AND THERE'S 134 MEMBERS DOWN THERE THAT ARE STILL DEALING WITH -- WE CAME OUT OF BUDGET TALKS IN A TIED HOUSE THAT WAS SO EXHAUSTING, SO EMOTIONALLY DRAINING, EVERYBODY GAVE EVERYTHING THEY COULD, THE GOOD AND THE BAD, AND THEN WE HAD TO GO THROUGH THE FACT THAT WE HAD COLLEAGUES THAT LOST THEIR LIVES.

>> Mary: LET'S LOOK AT SOMETHING GOOD THAT HAPPENED.

TODAY, IN FACT, YOU GOT TO GO UP TO THE ROSTRUM.

>> I DID.

>> Mary: AND YOUR COLLEAGUES ACKNOWLEDGED YOU.

IT'S ONE OF THE GREAT PARTS OF RETIRING, I'M GUESSING.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHAT YOU WERE THINKING THROUGH THIS.

>> SO YOU HAVE A SCRIPT.

I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESIDE BEFORE.

BUT THIS, OF COURSE, WAS A SPECIAL ONE.

AND A CALL-OUT TO MY DEAR FRIEND, JANELLE, WHO MADE ME DO THIS.

I DIDN'T WANT TO DO.

THIS AND SHE SAID, YOU HAVE TO DO THIS.

>> Mary: YEAH.

>> BUT IT'S VERY POWERFUL.

IT GIVES YOU CLOSURE.

YOU GET TO LOOK OUT AMONG THE CHAMBER.

AND YOU GET TO REALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT MY TIME HERE IS PASSING.

>> Mary: LAST WEEK, I BELIEVE IT WAS, THE SCHOOL SAFETY PRESS CONFERENCE, YOU WERE REFERENCING YOUR TIME HERE IS PASSING.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: AND I BELIEVE THE QUOTE I USED IN ALL MY REPORTING WAS YOU SAYING, WHEN MY HEAD GOES TO THE PILLOW AND RESTS AT THE END OF SESSION, SCHOOL SAFETY HAS TO HAPPEN.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: I WON'T BE SATISFIED IF IT DOESN'T.

>> YEAH.

AND I MEANT THAT.

I THINK OU HEARD FROM CO-CHAIRS BENNETT AND JORDAN, AND CHAIR -- CO-CHAIR YOUAKIM.

THERE IS BROAD AGREEMENT.

WE NEED TO PUT SOME POLICIES AND PUT PACKAGE TOGETHER.

HOW WE GET THERE IS GOING TO BE VERY VERY DIFFICULT.

BECAUSE LINKING THINGS TOGETHER, IN THE FINANCE, WE DON'T HAVE A TARGET.

THE WAYS AND MEANS HAS NOT ESTABLISHED ONE.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS VERY DIFFICULT.

WHATEVER WE SPEND NOW WE HAVE TO OFFSET.

SO, I WILL BE VERY SAD IF WE DON'T PUT IT TOGETHER.

I WILL ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT IN THE CONTEXT OF, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SCHOOLS CLOSING, WE HAVE REFERENDUMS NOT PASSING, WE HAVE SPECIAL ED CUTS THAT ARE REAL PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNOR.

THESE ARE REAL DIFFICULT TIMES.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT WHY NOW.

I WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT ALL OF YOUR ELECTIONS.

THE FIRST ONE WAS KIND OF CLOSE BUT THEN THEY GET LESS AND LESS CLOSE, THE LAST ELECTION, 96% OF THE VOTE AND NO OPPONENT.

SO WHY LEAVE NOW?

>> WHEN MILK GOES SOUR, TAKE IT OUT OF THE FRIDGE.

AND ANAND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT, YOU REACH A CERTAIN POINT, I THINK, IN EVERY CAREER, EVERYTHING YOU DO, WHERE YOU JUST REALIZE, MY TIME IS UP, I CAN TAKE MY SKILLS AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

AND SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TAKE THIS SEAT, FRESH IDEAS, FRESH ENERGY.

AND THAT'S JUST THE WAY THIS PLACE WORKS.

I'VE ALWAYS SAID FROM THE BEGINNING THAT THIS PLACE SHOULD NEVER BE ABOUT US.

AND I THINK TOO OFTEN THE BIGNESS OF THE PLACE, WHEN YOU LOOK AROUND, IT'S BIG, THAT'S OVERWHELMING, BUT THE SMALLNESS OF THE PLACE CAN GET TO YOU, THE PETTINESS, AND, YOU KNOW, THE FIGHTS BACK HOME WITH THE MISINFORMATION AND THE WAY WE SAY THINGS OR PEOPLE SAY THINGS ABOUT US.

IT'S CHALLENGING.

AND IT'S JUST TIME.

IT'S JUST TIME.

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

YOU CAN PICK ONE THING.

>> WOW.

THERE WAS A BILL THAT WE PASSED THAT ALLOWED CHILDREN UNDER 14 TO GET REPRESENTATION, AND THAT WAS A VERY -- CHILDREN IN ABUSIVE SITUATIONS.

THAT WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE TOUGHEST BILLS I PASSED.

>> Mary: BIPARTISAN CHILD PROTECTION.

>> YES.

>> Mary: YEAH.

AND EARLY LEARNING.

YOU ALSO HAD SOME BIPARTISAN WINS ON THAT, TOO.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CAREER.

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

>> Mary: AND SERVICE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Mary: APPRECIATE IT.

WELL, WE'LL BE BACK EXT WEEK, WE WILL HAVE A DFL RETIRING LAWMAKER.

IF YOU MISSED ANY OF TONIGHT'S SHOW, HEAD TO UR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC.

THERE YOU CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND WATCH THE LEGISLATURE, HOUSE, SENATE, FLOOR SESSIONS, COMMITTEE HEARINGS, CONFERENCE COMMITTEES COULD BE HAPPENING AT SOME POINT, PRESS CONFERENCES AND MORE.

ON THE STATEWIDE PUBLIC TV STATION YOU'RE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

FRIDAY ON "ALMANAC," ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK WITH A REPORTER ABOUT THE I.C.E.

ISSUE, AND I WILL TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE SMALLER FEEL-GOOD BILLS THAT ARE MOVING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

GRANNY HAPPY HOUR, MEAT RAFFLES, THE AGATE LICENSE PLATE.

TUNE IN FOR THAT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> "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.