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

[ BANGING GAVEL ] >> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE GOVERNOR CALLING US BACK INTO THE SPECIAL SESSION.

>> FINISH THIS THING UP NOW.

>> Mary: HEAR MORE FROM THE GOVERNOR AND POLITICAL REPORTERS AS EVERYONE PREPARES FOR SPECIAL SESSION.

THAT'S 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.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY, GENERATING OVER $4 BILLION FOR OUR STATE SINCE 1990.

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 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

HEALTHIER - HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE.

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

I'M MARY LAHAMMER, COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY, WHERE THE 2025 SESSION IS OFFICIALLY OVER.

BUT WE'RE EXPECTING A SPECIAL SESSION ANY MOMENT.

IN FACT, WE'RE EXPECTING THE GOVERNOR, GOVERNOR TIM WALZ TO BE LIVE ON THIS PROGRAM IN ANY MOMENT.

WE DO KNOW HE'S IN THE BUILDING, AND WE'RE GOING TO PUT HIM ON AS SOON AS HE ARRIVES TO TALK ABOUT HIS MEETING LATER TONIGHT WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND EXACTLY WHEN HE'S GOING TO CALL THAT SPECIAL SESSION.

WE ALSO AVE POLITICAL REPORTERS HERE TO DISCUSS WHAT'S AHEAD.

BUT, FIRST, A LOOK AT THE HISTORIC END OF SESSION.

>> THE SENATE IS NOW ADJOURNED.

>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

[ MEMBERS VOTING ] THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY.

[ MEMBERS VOTING ] THE MOTION PREVAILS.

THE HOUSE STANDS ADJOURNED... >> Mary: HE REGULAR SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE ENDED WITHOUT ALL THE BUDGET BILLS COMPLETED TO KEEP GOVERNMENT GOING.

>> I'LL BRING 'EM BACK OR A ONE-DAY SPECIAL SESSION, WE'LL BUTTON THINGS UP.

>> Mary: NOW THE GOVERNOR HAS THE UNILATERAL POWER TO CALL LAWMAKERS BACK, INCLUDING A TIED HOUSE.

>> WE HAVE TO FINISH THIS.

WE DON'T HAVE A CHOICE.

THAT IS WHAT MINNESOTANS EXPECT US TO DO.

WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET THAT WORK DONE IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION.

THAT IS WHAT IS NEEDED.

WE TALK ABOUT THAT ALL OF THE TIME.

HARD DECISIONS STILL HAVE TO BE MADE, AND THEN WE WILL COME BACK WHEN THE GOVERNOR CALLS US.

>> IT'S A LITTLE BIT DISAPPOINTING THAT THE SESSION ENDS AS IT BEGAN WITH SOME REALLY PARTISAN ANTICS ON THE FLOOR.

BUT THAT SHOULDN'T OBSCURE, IT WAS A GOOD DAY, WE GOT SOME GOOD BIPARTISAN WORK DONE.

THE STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE BILL, FOR EXAMPLE.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS DIVIDED BITTERLY OVER ENDING HEALTHCARE FOR ADULT UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AND BREAKS FOR BIG-TECH BUSINESSES.

>> I DON'T THINK THE THINGS HAVE BEEN IMPLODED.

BUT I THINK WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS ANOTHER STALL TACTIC TO EXTRACT MORE AND EXTRACT MORE FROM MINNESOTANS WHO NEED IT THE MOST.

>> THE ENTIRE TEAM UP HERE IS HEARTBROKEN THAT THAT WAS SOMETHING THE GOP FORCED IN NEGOTIATIONS, WE'RE ANGRY.

>> WE'RE NOT DONE FIGHTING FOR IT, WE WILL KEEP FIGHTING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROTECTING ALL MINNESOTANS.

>> Mary: SENATE REPUBLICANS IN THE MINORITY BY JUST ONE VOTE AND TIED EARLIER IN SESSION, DID NOT SIGN OFF ON THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT THAT BROUGHT PROTEST AS A DEAL WAS ANNOUNCED.

>> WHAT YOU'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW IS DEMOCRATS' FRUSTRATION AFTER TWO YEARS AND $18 BILLION OF SURPLUS BEING SPENT THAT THEY'RE FINALLY HAVING TO REALIZE THAT THERE ARE CONSTRAINTS ON MINNESOTA TAXPAYERS.

AND, SO, NOW THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO HAVE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET, RECONCILE THE DECISIONS THAT ARE BEING MADE.

IT'S GETTING TO BE FRUSTRATED FOR -- FROM US SPHRIEGHT THEIR CAUCUS, YOU SAW A COUPLE DAYS AGO AS THEY TRIED TO BREAK DOWN THE GOVERNOR'S DOOR DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCE THAT FRUSTRATION REALLY BUBBLING UP.

>> WE AT THE START OF THE SESSION, CAME IN, UNDER VERY UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES, PREPARED TO DO THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

AND I WANT TO SAY THAT THE SENATE HAS PERFORMED ADMIRABLY THIS SESSION.

WE TOOK HARD MEASURES AT THE BEGINNING WITH POWER SHARING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD DO THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

AND I AM FEELING A DEEP, DEEP FRUSTRATION THIS MORNING WITH MY COLLEAGUES IN THE HOUSE.

>> THE TARGETS SHOW $5 BILLION OF REDUCED SPENDING FROM BIENNIUM TO BIENNIUM.

SO AS FAR AS PEOPLE SAYING THAT WE WERE GOING TO GO AS FAR AS SHUTTING THE GOVERNMENT DOWN, THAT WAS NEVER A TOPIC FOR HOUSE REPUBLICANS.

THAT WAS NOT PART OF IT GOING FORWARD, WE WILL GET THIS WORK DONE.

>> I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR YOU NOW FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS, YOU NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH, YOU NEGOTIATE WHERE YOU CAN BE.

I DON'T BELIEVE THE REPUBLICANS WERE BLUFFING WHEN THEY WERE GOING TO SHUT DOWN GOVERNMENT AND NOTHING ELSE WOULD MOVE.

♪ ♪ >> EVERYONE IN THIS BUILDING IS AWAITING A SPECIAL SESSION, AND THIS IS THE ONE AND ONLY PERSON WHO CAN CALL LAWMAKERS BACK.

GOVERNOR TIM WALZ'S FIRST APPEARANCE ON "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

YOU'VE GOT A EAUTIFUL VIEW UP HERE.

>> Mary: WE DID JUST SEE A LEGISLATIVE LEADER DOWN THERE.

THEY SAY THEY'VE GOT A COUPLE MORE BILLS DONE.

>> THEY'RE WORKING HARD.

>> Mary: YOU'RE GETTING CLOSE IT SOUNDS LIKE.

HOW CLOSE?

>> CLOSE.

THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEES ARE MEETING.

A LOT OF THE BIG FRAMEWORK WAS WORKED OUT LAST WEEK.

OF COURSE, THIS IS DONE BY THE LEGISLATORS THEMSELVES.

WE BUTTONED UP SOME BIG BILLS LIKE VETERANS, AGRICULTURE, SOME OF THOSE THINGS.

THOSE ARE DONE AND SIGNED.

>> Mary: THOSE ARE USUALLY THE EARLY BILLS, THE EASY ONES TO GET OUT.

>> TO BE HONEST, THERE'S A LOT OF COLLABORATION, BIPARTISANSHIP.

I'LL CONTINUE TO SAY THIS, ESPECIALLY AMONGST THE LEADERS, THE PROFESSIONAL I FEEL, THE SENSE OF DECENCY OF WORKING TOGETHER, ESPECT, HAS BEEN REALLY GREAT.

AND, SO,WHAT'S HAPPENED THESE LAST FEW DAYS, GET TO THE STICKING POINTS.

WE BRING THE FOLKS IN ON THE BIGGER COMMITTEES, WE ASK THEM WHERE THE STICKING POINTS ARE, WHERE WE CAN FIND COMPROMISE.

THEY WENT BACK OUT, THEY HAD UNTIL 5:00 THIS AFTERNOON, THEY'RE MEETING WITH THE LEADERS, HERE WHEN I FINISH HERE, I'M GOING TO WALK, 7:30, WE'RE GOING TO START BRINGING THEM IN, WE'LL START TRYING TO FIX THOSE THINGS UP.

IT'S A BALANCED BUDGET, IT'S FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.

NO ONE GOT EVERYTHING THEY WANTED.

>> ary: WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> BUT I THINK THEY'VE DONE GOOD WORK.

>> Mary: WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE SOONEST?

I WAS TALKING TO LAWMAKERS, TUESDAY IS PROBABLY THE SOONEST YOU CAN CALL THEM BACK.

>> MAINLY BECAUSE IT'S MEMORIAL DAY, I DO MEMORIAL DAY AT FORT SNELLING, ALSO HAPPENS TO BE MY MOM'S 90th BIRTHDAY PARTY.

SO PEOPLE HAVE SPECIAL OF THESE THINGS.

BUT I THINK IT'S GOOD.

WHAT WE USUALLY SAY, WE HAVE EVERYTHING BUTTONED UP, WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT, THEN WE BRING THEM BACK IN.

I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY RIGHT.

>> Mary: DO YOU WANT IT DONE IN A DAY OR IF IT TAKES TWO DAYS, IT'S UP TO THEM?

>> THEY'RE AN INDEPENDENT BRANCH.

I THINK WHAT WE USUALLY DO, THERE'S APPEAR AGREEMENT ON WHAT'S GOING TO BE DONE, YOU HAVE THE -- THE WORK IS DONE AND THEY'RE READY, AND I THINK MOST OF THEM WANT TO FINISH TUVMENT YOU KNOW, BECAUSE BY THAT POINT IN TIME, THE DIFFERENCES HAVE BEEN PUT ASIDE, IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY'VE BEEN SOLVED, THEY'VE JUST BEEN PUT ASIDE FOR NOW, AND WE FINISH THIS UP.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE PROCESS, YOU TALKED ABOUT HOW CIVIL IT WAS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

IT WASN'T CIVIL AT YOUR DOORS.

WHEN YOU ANNOUNCE THAT MEETING, I'VE BEEN AROUND HERE FOR DECADES, I'VE NEVER SEEN LAWMAKERS PROTESTING A DEAL BETWEEN THEIR LEADERS.

THAT'S UNUSUAL.

>> NO, IT IS UNUSUAL.

AND, LOOK, IT'S A PASSIONATE ISSUE.

MANY OF THESE WERE.

THIS WAS AN SSUE AROUND HEALTHCARE.

BUT I WILL SAY, THAT'S NOT THE WAY YOU APPROACH THIS.

AS LEGISLATORS.

THERE'S WAYS TO DO IT.

YOU ARE LEGALLY ELECTED AND THERE'S WAYS TO DO IT.

>> Mary: DID IT HELP THEIR CAUSE?

HAS THERE BEEN ANY MOVEMENT ON THAT?

>> LOOK, I HEAR THEM.

THIS IS AN ISSUE I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT.

>> Mary: WE SHOULD SAY, THIS IS HEALTHCARE FOR UNDOCUMENTED ADULTS THAT'S GOING AWAY.

CHILDREN WILL CONTINUE.

NO MOVEMENT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS ON THAT >> LOOK, WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT.

AGAIN, YOUR VIEWS KNOW THAT WE'RE REQUIRED BY LAW TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE FOR FOLKS.

WE THINK IT MAKES SENSE IT'S ON THE FRONT END.

THERE'S A DEBATE THERE.

IT'S NOT THE WAY TO HANDLE THAT.

I HAVE EXPRESSED MY DISAPPOINTMENT IN THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS HANDLED BUT IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT HAT I SIGN MY NAME TO A DEAL, I FEEL THAT PROTECTING THE CHILDREN WAS THE OP PRIORITY BECAUSE REPUBLICANS MADE IT CLEAR, THEY WERE GOING TO ACCEPT NOTHING SHORT OF REPEAL.

AND AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THEY'RE DOING THE SAME THING.

>> Mary: DO YOU RISK ALIENATING THAT PART, THE REALLY PROGRESSIVE ART OF YOUR PARTY?

>> SURE.

>> Mary: IF YOU'RE RUNNING AGAIN, IF YOU WANT A FUTURE, YOU NEED THEM, RIGHT?

>> HAT'S THE LEAST OF MY WORRIES, THIS IS TO GET IT DONE, THIS ABOUT COMPROMISE AND PRAGMATIC.

FOLKS EXPECT US TO SOLVE PROBLEMS.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE FIXED WITHOUT THAT, REPUBLICANS HAD MADE THAT VERY CLEAR.

THIS WAS AN ISSUE ND THE HILL THAT THEY WERE GOING TO DRAW THE LINE ON.

WE MADE OUR CASE ON THIS, AND THEY COMPROMISED.

AND THEY GAVE ON OTHER THINGS.

I THINK THEY WOULD HAVE WANTED MORE, BUT THEY COMPROMISED, MANY OF THEIR MEMBERS DIDN'T WANT ANYBODY, CHILDREN OR ANYTHING.

>> Mary: HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO TALK TO MEMBERS OF THE POCI CAUCUS, THIS IS PEOPLE OF COLOR CAN, INDIGENOUS CAUCUS, WHICH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN, WHICH SHE WAS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE HERE, WAS A FOUNDER OF THAT.

HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO SMOOTH ANY OF THAT QUIETLY?

YOU'VE BEEN TALKING?

>> MEMBERS HAVE COME IN ONE ON ONE.

THIS IS GOVERNANCE.

IT'S HARD.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S EVER BEEN A STATE, OUT OF 201 LEGISLATORS, 100 TO 104 -- 101.

EVERY SINGLE LEGISLATOR F THEY DID HOLD VETO, THAT'S NOT A FUNCTIONING GOVERNMENT.

D.C.

DOESN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT.

WE'LL GET THERE.

I UNDERSTAND THE PASSION.

THERE'S PASSIONS ACROSS THE ISSUE.

I WILL SAY THIS, HAT THE RESPECT IN THE ROOM ON THE NEGOTIATIONS HAS BEEN AROUND NOT ASCRIBING MOTIVE, LIKE BAD MOTIVE, IT'S UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE'S IDEALOGICAL DIFFERENCES.

>> Mary: I MENTIONED LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND HER CONNECTION TO THE POCI CAUCUS AND LAWMAKERS.

THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS SHE WAS ON THE TICKET, TO REACH OUT TO LAWMAKERS AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

SHE HASN'T BEEN AROUND, HAS SHE?

IS SHE HELPING AT ALL?

>> SHE'S RUNNING FOR SENATE.

>> Mary: SHE'S BUSY.

>> SHE HAS HER RESPONSIBILITY THAT IS SHE WORKS ON.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS, AS A TICKET, WE FELT IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE APPROPRIATION FOR A BROAD NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

DIFFERENT LIFE EXPERIENCES, DIFFERENT LIVED EXPERIENCES.

THAT'S WHERE THE POCI CAUCUS HOLDS AN INCREDIBLE VOICE, SO DO THE RURAL AND URBAN.

>> Mary: ARE YOU TWO GOOD?

>> WE'RE GOOD.

WE'RE PROFESSIONALS DOING OUR WORK.

>> Mary: YOU'RE NOT APPEARING TOGETHER, NOT DOING THINGS TOGETHER.

>> WE HAVE BEEN AT EVENTS, WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

>> Mary: OKAY, OKAY.

DO YOU NEED A NEW RUNNING MATE IF YOU'RE RUNNING FOR THIS THIRD TERM?

>> WELL, I'LL CROSS THAT BRIDGE WHEN I GET TO T. >> Mary: I THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN CROSSING A BRIDGE COMING FROM MINNEAPOLIS TO St. PAUL TONIGHT FOR A FUND-RAISER, BIG FUND-RAISER, $1,000 TO $4,000 A PLATE.

IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMEBODY MIGHT BE RUNNING AGAIN.

>> WELL, HELPING THE PARTY.

ALWAYS PUT YOURSELF IN A POSITION WHERE YOU CAN DO THIS.

I'VE BEEN CLEAR WITH FOLKS, I HAVEN'T MADE A DECISION.

I WON'T MISLEAD THEM.

I HAVE A VISION FOR MINNESOTA WHERE IT'S THE BEST PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY.

I THINK IT'S A VISION FOR MINNESOTA THAT INVESTS IN THE FUTURE, INVESTS IN INNOVATION, AND IF THAT'S AN APPEALING VISION, WE'LL IN MIND OUT.

SO I THINK OVER THE NEXT MONTH OR SO, WE'LL MAKE A DECISION.

>> Mary: ORIGINALLY YOU SAID AFTER SESSION.

NOW I'M WONDERING IF IT'S AFTER SPECIAL SESSION.

DO YOU NEED EVERYTHING TO BE WRAPPED BEFORE YOU MAKE IT PUBLIC?

>> I THINK IT'S BEST TO WRAP IT UP, SEE WHERE WE'RE AT.

>> Mary: ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT A THIRD TERM, I'VE BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH, MY DAD COVERED UDY PERPICH ATTEMPTING A THIRD TERM, IT DID NOT GO WELL FOR THEM.

>> I FEEL IF YOU HAVE A VISION, IF THEY FEEL LIKE YOU'RE DOING THE WORK.

I UNDERSTAND NOW, A LITTLE HIGHER PROFILE THAN NORMAL BECAUSE OF LAST FALL.

BUT, NO, I THINK FOLKS GET IT.

AND, AGAIN, I THINK PEOPLE DO GET CONCERNED IF SOMEONE'S THERE TOO LONG.

WE'VE SEEN THIS ISSUE AROUND AGE.

>> Mary: WE DON'T HAVE TERM LIMITS.

>> WE DO NOT.

>> Mary: THIS IS JUST KIND OF AN AGREEMENT, AN UNSAID AGREEMENT IN MINNESOTA.

>> WE DO NOT.

AND I THINK YOU NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT, AGAIN, I DO TAKE THAT SERIOUSLY, AND I THINK MINNESOTANS ARE FAIR-MINDED PEOPLE.

I THINK THE REASON THEY DON'T HAVE THAT ON THERE IS IF THEY FEEL YOU'RE DOING A GOOD JOB, THEY GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE.

>> Mary: YOU'VE ALSO BEEN A NATIONAL FIGURE SINCE BEING ON THAT TICKET.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: AND TRAVELING.

HOW MUCH MORE TRAVELING HAS IT BEEN A DISTRACTION, HAVE YOU BEEN HERE ENOUGH?

>> I THINK DID FIVE DAYS.

YEAH, A COUPLE WEEKENDS OFF.

WE DO THAT.

CERTAINLY HERE A LOT.

WE HAVE A PLATFORM, AND I KEEP SAYING THIS, I THINK THE REASON I WAS ON THAT TICKET IS THAT MINNESOTA, A LOT OF THINGS WORK, WHETHER IT'S FROM HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, WE'RE TACKLING THINGS, VERY PROUD THAT WE'RE SEEING SOME SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS, DECADES LOWS IN CRIME AND SOME OF THOSE THINGS.

AND I THINK THAT'S A MESSAGE WE CAN TAKE OUT THERE.

SO, I'LL CONTINUE TO PLATFORM THIS.

AND, LOOK, I'VE MADE IT CLEAR THAT I DISAGREE, AS STRONGLY AS I CAN POSSIBLY EXPRESS, WHETHER IT'S AROUND RULE OF LAW OR WEAPONIZING AND THREATENING POLITICAL OPPONENTS, WE NOW HAVE A CONGRESSWOMAN WHO HAS BEEN INDICTED FOR WHAT I THINK WAS CARRYING OUT HER -- WEE FIND OUT, HER CONSTITUTIONAL AND CONGRESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

AND I WORRY ABOUT THAT.

AND I THINK AS LONG AS I HAVE A VOICE AND A PLATFORM, SHOULD TALK ABOUT IT.

>> Mary: SPEAKING OF CONGRESS, WE JUST GOT WORD- THNGRESS, WE JUST GOT WORD- THATRESS, WE JUST GOT WORD- THAT TSS, WE JUST GOT WORD- THAT THE, WE JUST GOT WORD- THAT THE CWE JUST GOT WORD- THAT THE CUT JUST GOT WORD- THAT THE CUTS UST GOT WORD- THAT THE CUTS ART GOT WORD- THAT THE CUTS ARE GOT WORD- THAT THE CUTS ARE RET WORD- THAT THE CUTS ARE REALWORD- THAT THE CUTS ARE REAL.ORD- THAT THE CUTS ARE REAL.ORD- MEDICAID.

>> YES.

>> Mary: FOOD ASSISTANCE.

DO YOU NEED TO DEAL WITH THAT IN THE UPCOMING SESSION?

>> WE WILL.

>> Mary: IS IT GOING TO HAVE TO BE DOWN THE ROAD?

>> IT WILL BE DOWN THE ROAD.

BUT I THINK I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT THAT, THE WHITE HOUSE AND MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA DELEGATION TOLD US I WAS OVERREACTING WHEN I SAID THAT.

THAT IT WASN'T TRUE.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO CUT A BILLION DOLLARS.

AGAIN, MINNESOTA'S A PAYER STATE, NOT A TAKER STATE.

>> Mary: WHAT IS IT LOOKING LIKE, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS SO FAR?

>> BILLIONS.

IT WILL HIT BILLIONS.

JUST FROM THAT BILL?

>> JUST FROM THAT BILL.

AND IT WILL BE CLOSE TO A BILL IN MEDICAID.

WHICH, AGAIN, IS 40% OF OUR CHILDREN.

07% OF SENIORS IN RURAL NURSING HOMES, THINGS LIKE THAT.

YES, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO ADDRESS IT, BUT I THINK NOW WHAT I'VE TOLD THESE LEGISLATORS, WE NEED TO STAY IN OUR LANE, FOCUS WHERE WE'RE AT, WE'VE GOT THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF RAINY DAY FUNDS WE'VE EVER HAD, WE'LL LEAVE $2 BILLION ON THE BOTTOM LINE, WE'VE TACKLED 45% OF THE '28-29 STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE.

THEY'VE BEEN INCREDIBLY FISCAL RESPONSIBLE.

CONGRESS COULD LEARN SOMETHING FROM 'EM.

>> Mary: YOU'VE GOVERNED DURING ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT TIMES, NOT JUST THE PANDEMIC, BUT A GLOBAL RACIAL RECKONING THAT STARTED HERE.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: FIVE YEARS AGO NOW, COMING UP THIS WEEKEND WITH GEORGE FLOYD.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CONTEXT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE NOW BACKING OFF ON THE CONSENT DECREE AND COMING INTO MINNEAPOLIS TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THE STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS.

>> YEAH, THE GOOD NEWS HERE IS, YOU KNOW, FROM CHIEF O'HARA, HE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT, TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, TO MINNESOTANS, WE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH THE RACIAL RECKONING, W WE ALSO THAT UNDERSTAND THE POLICING IS VERY CHALLENGING.

AND WE SHOULD GIVE THEM THE RESOURCES AND THE ABILITY TO DO IT.

BUT THERE'S ALSO A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC.

I THINK THEY'VE EMBRACED THAT.

WE'VE SEEN WHETHER IT'S TRAINING ON, YOU KNOW, WARRIOR TACTICS TYPES OF THINGS, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE CHANGED IN HOW WE POLICE, AND YOU'RE ALSO SEEING SOME OF THE RELATIONS ARE MUCH BETTER.

SO, I DON'T THINK IT HAS A REAL BIG IMPACT ON MINNESOTA, BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN EMBRACED THIS IDEA, THE CONSENT DECREE WAS MEANT TO BRING SECURITY TO THE COMMUNITY, AND ALSO MAKE SURE, BECAUSE I THINK THE POLICE ARE DOING THE JOB, YOU KNOW, THE WAY IT SHOULD BE DONE, THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ARE EMBRACING THE CHANGE.

>> Mary: YOU'VE SEEN T I'VE SEEN IT HERE, THIS REAL CHANGE ABOUT HOW EOPLE THINK ABOUT AND TALK ABOUT POLICE IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: VERY ANGRY, VERY ANTI-POLICE IN THE BEGINNING, THEN THE BACKLASH, NOW DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, SUPPORTING BILLS.

>> YEAH.

>> ary: TO RECRUIT, RETAIN OFFICERS.

YOU TALK MORE PRO POLICE.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT KIND OF -- >> WELL, I DON'T THINK I EVER CHANGED.

I WAS ALWAYS SUPPORTED BY THE POLICE.

>> Mary: WE QUESTION POLICE A LOT.

>> WE SHOULD.

WE SHOULD QUESTION TEACHERS.

WE SHOULD QUESTION DOCTORS.

>> Mary: TODAY THERE'S A RECORD AMOUNT OF FIRST RESPONDERS, I DON'T THINK THE HOUSE HAS EVER HAD MORE FIRST RESPONDERS.

I'M AN OFFICER, I RAN, BECAUSE I'M TIRED OF OFFICERS BEING TALKED ABOUT IN A BAD WAY.

>> I THINK THAT'S OKAY.

I RAN AS A TEACHER BECAUSE I DIDN'T LIKE HOW TEACHERS WOULD BE.

LOOK, WE ALL HAVE THAT.

BUT I ALSO RECOGNIZE IF THERE'S A TEACHER NOT DOING THEIROR, TEACHERS VIOLATING THE LAW, I'LL BE THE FIRST ONE TO CALL THEM OUT.

SO I THINK WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IS MORE REALISTIC.

THE GOOD NEWS, WE SAW PENSIONS, WE SAW PENSION ENHANCEMENT, WE DID SOMETHING FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE PUT TEACHERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, MEEK FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE TOGETHER, BECAUSE WE'RE ALL KIND OF IN THIS TOGETHER.

WE ALL -- YOU CAN'T FIX SOCIETY'S PROBLEMS IN A CLASSROOM, NO MORE THAN YOU CAN ON A TRAFFIC STOP AT MIDNIGHT EXPECT TO FIX ALL SOCIETY'S PROBLEMS.

WE'RE ALL WORKING TOGETHER.

>> Mary: SPEAKING OF CLASSROOMS, EDUCATION IS STILL OUTSTANDING.

SCHOOLS SAID THEY NEED FEWER MANDATE, TOO MANY MANDATES.

YOU FUNDED SOME OF THEM, A LOT OF NEW MONEY COME IN -- CAME IN.

THE FEEDBACK, IS THERE ANY CHANCE THIS LAST DEAL WILL HAVE A BACKOFF ON SOME OF THE MANDATES?

>> I THINK, YOU KNOW, PAYING PEOPLE A FAIR WAGE, MAKING SURE THAT THEY CAN GO HOME IF THEY HAVE CANCER, GET PAID, I THINK SOME OF THOSE THINGS.

I THINK CHANGE IS ALWAYS A CHALLENGE.

BUT I THINK, ESPECIALLY SOME THE PUBLIC SECTOR, THAT WE'RE GOING TO RESPECT WORKERS, WE'RE GOING TO RESPECT WHAT THOSE LOCAL FOLKS ARE ABLE TO.

>> Mary: SCHOOLS ARE CUTTING, DESPITE RECORD FUNDING COMING IN.

MINNESOTA MIRACLE 2.0, BUT THEY'RE SIOUX SAYING THEY STILL HAVE TO CUT.

HOW IS THAT?

>> WE HAVE RECORD GRADUATION RATES, WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE GOING INTO TEACHING THAT WE'VE SEEN.

I THINK THINGS RE MORE EXPENSIVE.

I THINK IT BECOMES, WE'RE CONTINUING TO PUT THE FACT THAT -- PUSH THE FACT THAT THE RICHER THE COMMUNITIES ARE, THEY CAN LEVY MORE MONEY FROM PROPERTY TAXES AND THAT PUTS OUR CERTAIN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AT A DISADVANTAGE.

LOOK, WE WANT TO WORK WITH THEM ON THAT.

I THINK THE IDEA OF MAKING SURE, I HEARD THAT, YOU HEAR TWO SIDES OF THIS, I ASKED SOMEONE ABOUT, SAY, FOR EXAMPLE, THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FOR THEIR SCHOOL WORKERS, THEIR HOURLY WORKERS, I HAD A SUPERINTENDENT SAY, BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO US.

I HAD ABOUT A 98% RETENTION RATE, I DIDN'T HAVE TO GO HIRE NEW PEOPLE, IN THE LONG RUN I WILL SAVE MORE MONEY.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT SCHOOL LUNCHES FOR ALL, IT THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NEEDS TESTING, IT WAS LEFT ALONE.

>> IT'S A REALLY REALLY IMPORTANT PART.

IT'S WORKING.

IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO.

>> Mary: IS IT TOO EXPENSIVE, IS IT NOT SUSTAINABLE?

>> NO, WHAT'S NOT -- >> >> Mary: TEST SCORES HAVE NOT DONE A LOT.

GRADUATION RATES HAVE RETURNED.

TEST SCORES ARE STRUGGLING.

DO OU WE SEE THAT YET?

>> WE HAVE THE FEWEST NUMBERS OF STUDENTS TAKING TESTS.

WE HAVE PEOPLE OPTING OUT.

I SEE IT WITH MY OWN SON, THE ABILITY FOR THEM TO GET THROUGH, TO GRADUATE, THE REQUIREMENTS TO GET THERE, I THINK WE'RE MATURING A LITTLE BIT, STANDARDIZED TESTING HAVE A PLACE, BUT THEY'RE A SNAPSHOT IN TIME.

SO WHAT I THINK IS, WE'VE GOT MORE STUDENTS GRADUATING, WE GOT MORE STUDENTS ENTERING INTO THE PROFESSIONS THAT THEY WANT TO CHOOSE.

YOU'VE GOT MORE PEOPLE AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES, WHETHER IT'S THE TRADES, OR COLLEGE DOING THAT.

AND WE'VE SEEN THE HIGHEST TURNOUT IN OUR STATE COLLEGES THAT WE'VE SEEN IN DECADES, ENROLLMENT'S UP.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S PROVING IT.

>> Mary: GOVERNOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

IT WAS GREAT TO HAVE YOU LIVE HERE IN THE HOUSE GALLERY ON "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

>> LET'S DO IT AGAIN.

>> Mary: APPRECIATE IT.

YEAH, GREAT.

♪ ♪ >> Mary: THEY'VE BEEN WAITING IN THE WINGS AND THEY LISTENED TO THE GOVERNOR.

>> YES.

>> Mary: SO WE WILL TALK ABOUT THIS.

WE HAVE POLITICAL REPORTERS, CAROLINE CUMMINGS FROM WCCO AND DANA FERGUSON FROM MPR.

YOU GUYS WERE JUST FEET AWAY DURING THE GOVERNOR'S FIRST-EVER LIVE APPEARANCE HERE.

WHAT DID WE LEARN?

>> THAT HE HAS NOT MADE UP HIS MIND ABOUT RUNNING FOR A THIRD TERM.

I THINK HE HAS, HE'S JUST WAITING UNTIL THE DUST SETTLES OVER HERE.

>> YUP.

>> Mary: IT SOUNDS LIKE HE WANTS SPECIAL SESSION TO BE DONE.

BECAUSE ORIGINALLY DIDN'T HE SAY, RIGHT AFTER SESSION -- >> YES.

>> Mary: AND WE'RE HERE AFTER SESSION.

>> THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK, TOO, ABOUT LET'S GET THIS THING DONE BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY.

HEARING A LOT OF FOLKS DOING SOME PRIVATE TALKING TODAY T DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> HUM-UM.

>> BUT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET ALL THESE THINGS PIECED TOGETHER BEFORE FRIDAY, BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY, CERTAINLY, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE COME BACK NEXT WEEK FOR POTENTIALLY A ONE-DAY SPECIAL SESSION, KNOCK ON WOOD, I THINK A LOT OF US WOULD LIKE TO TAKE SOME TRIPS AND DO SOME OTHER THINGS.

>> AND HE DID SAY THAT, RIGHT WHEN YOU SAID, WE'RE HERE ON TUESDAY, AND HE SAID, IN A LONG WAY, THAT'S PROBABLY RIGHT.

>> Mary: SOUNDS GOOD.

SO WHAT'S FINISHED UP TONIGHT, WE HEARD A COUPLE MORE BILLS WRAPPED UP, WHAT DO WE KNOW?

>> COMMERCE I THINK IS INKED.

SENATOR KLEIN POSTED ON INSTAGRAM A SIGNED AGREEMENT.

>> Mary: THAT'S HOW WE FOUND OUT, NOW, RIGHT?

>> I HAVE TO SAY, MPR FOUND THAT OUT BEFORE ME.

CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE.

>> Mary: WE LOVE TO SPREAD THE CREDIT OUT.

WHAT'S GOING TO BE THE LAST COUPLE BILLS OUT?

>> EDUCATION.

>> HHS.

>> HUMAN SERVICES, AREAS WHERE IT'S THE MOST MONEY THEY HAVE IN THE BUDGET, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT CUTS, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT POTENTIALLY ROLLING BACK CHANGES THAT WERE MADE IN 2023, 2024, FOR REPUBLICANS, THAT'S IMPORTANT, THEY WANT TO SEE CHANGES.

FOR DEMOCRATS, THAT'S SOME OF THE BIGGEST IMPACT THAT THEY HAD OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, AND THEY DON'T WANT TO CHANGE ANYTHING.

SO HOW DO YOU FIND COMPROMISE ACROSS THOSE BOUNDARIES?

>> Mary: DO YOU THINK THE TWO OUTSTANDING ISSUES ARE NOT REALLY OUTSTANDING ANYMORE?

IS PAID FAMILY LEAVE SETTLED?

AND IS THE HEALTHCARE FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS SETTLED?

>> WELL, IT'S A LITTLE CONFUSING, BECAUSE THE NEWS CONFERENCE WHERE THEY ROLLED OUT WHAT THE BUDGET DEAL WAS, THEY KIND OF BURIED THE LEAD A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE POLICY DISAGREEMENTS THAT WE'VE HEARD MUCH OF THE SESSION, RIGHT, IN THIS VERY UNIQUE EVENLY SPLIT OR AS CLOSELY DIVIDED AS EVER LEGISLATURE, RIGHT?

THEY SAID THAT THE MINNESOTA CARE ISSUE -- MINNESOTACARE ISSUE, THEY MADE CLEAR THAT THEY AGREED TO THE PARTIAL ROLLBACK.

SO REMOVING UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT ADULTS FROM MINNESOTACARE BY THE END OF THE YEAR, BUT KEEPING HILDREN ON THE PROGRAM.

BUT WHAT WAS LESS CLEAR IS, ARE PAID AND FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE CHANGES ON THE TABLE?

>> Mary: WE STILL DON'T KNOW FOR SURE?

>> THEY SEEMED TO SUGGEST NO, LEADERS DID.

OTHER THAN ROLLING -- OR REDUCING THE PREMIUM THAT EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES WILL PAY.

>> Mary: DELAY.

REPUBLICANS WANTED TO DELAY.

>> THE DELAY IS OFF THE TABLE.

[ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> HE DELAY IS OFF THE TABLE.

BUT WE HEARD FROM A COUPLE OF LEGISLATORS AND FROM AT LEAST REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAYING, IT'S NOT IN THE DEAL, WE HONOR THE DEAL, BUT IF THERE ARE MAJORITIES IN EACH CHAMBER THAT WANT THIS CHANGE, LIKE WE'RE NOT GOING TO STOP THEM FROM RYING TO PURSUE IT IN A SPECIAL SESSION, IN THE LAST MINUTES OF SESSION, WHAT HAVE YOU.

>> YEAH.

>> SO IT'S NOT DEAD, NOTHING IS UNTIL NEXT YEAR, AT THE END OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

BUT AN UNANSWERED QUESTION GOING INTO SPECIAL.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK PROCESS BECAUSE WE'RE ON PUBLIC TV AND WE CAN DO THAT.

>> MY FAVORITE!

>> Mary: THANK YOU.

A LOT OF EHIND CLOSED DOORS.

IT'S NOT NEW, BUT IS IT WORSE?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, IT FEELS LIKE AT LEAST THAT ONE-SHEET AGREEMENT, THAT THE LEADERS AND THE GOVERNOR SIGNED TO SET THE PARAMETERS OF LIKE WHAT THE NEXT FEW DAYS WILL LOOK LIKE, YOU KNOW, THEY MADE CLEAR, THEY SAID, YOU NO, HAVE THESE -- YOU KNOW, HAVE THESE CONFERENCE COMMITTEES TURNED WORKGROUPS BE AS PUBLIC AS OSSIBLE.

SO FAR, DANA, THE LAST TWO DAYS IT'S BEEN THE TAX COMMITTEE THAT'S HAD -- >> WE'VE SEEN ONE THAT'S BEEN OPEN.

>> Mary: IT'S BEEN FUN, HONESTLY.

I WAS ENJOYING IT.

>> THEY'RE HAVING A GREAT TIME.

>> Mary: THERE'S SOME FUN, SMART LAWMAKERS IN THAT CAULK -- CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

>> BUT WE HAVE COLLEAGUES IN THE "STAR TRIBUNE" WHO WERE IN ONE OF THE WORKING GROUPS THIS MORNING AND WERE ASKED TO LEAVE.

BECAUSE MEMBERS SAID, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT READY TO GO PUBLIC YET, AND I THINK THAT'S PART OF SPECIFICALLY THIS LEGISLATURE THAT THAT'S NOT NEW HERE, BUT I'VE NOT SEEN OTHER STATES WHERE I'VE WORKED WHERE IT WORKS THIS WAY.

IT'S VERY WEIRD.

>> RIGHT.

AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, THE PROCESS, YES, BUT ALSO THE FACT THAT THERE ARE THESE REALLY LARGE BUDGET BILLS THAT THINGS ARE URIED IN THEM THAT MIGHT TAKE WEEKS -- >> Mary: THEY'RE NOT OMNIBUS, THEY'RE JUST KIND OF ONE SUBJECT RIGHT NOW.

>> BUT THEY'RE OMNIBUS FOR A PARTICULAR -- >> Mary: RIGHT, YEAH.

>> YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT K-12 EDUCATION, HHS, WHICH MAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF THE BUDGET, THESE ARE LARGE BILLS, A LOT OF STUFF IN IT, IT'S REALLY HARD TO TRACK DOWN, WHAT MAKES IT, WHAT DOESN'T.

SO IF I'M A PERSON WHO'S NOT A CREATURE OF THE CAPITOL, LIKE US THREE, HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO FIGURE OUT IF THE ISSUE I CARE ABOUT IS IN A BILL?

>> TO THAT POINT, WE HAVE A.I.

SOFTWARE THAT'S MEANT TO HELP TRACK A BILL THROUGH THE COURSE OF SESSION.

IT CAN'T FIGURE OUT, ONLY HUMAN PEOPLE CAN, IF A BILL GETS INTO AN OMNIBUS AND THEN MAKES IT INTO A FINAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT, LIKE, YAY, HUMANS ARE STILL VALUABLE.

WE HAVE JOBS FOR A LITTLE BIT.

>> Mary: FOR NOW.

WE DO STILL HAVE JOBS.

APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH, POLITICAL REPORTERS, SO MANY HOURS, WE APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH.

THANKS FOR COMING ON.

>> SEE YOU IN SPECIAL.

>> Mary: THAT IS OUR SHOW AND OUR SEASON FOR "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

FRIDAY NIGHT, "ALMANAC," STILL TUNE IN OR THAT, WATCH STATEWIDE PUBLIC TV TO SEE THE SPECIAL SESSION AHEAD.

THANKS TO ALL THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES, THE CREW, WHO MAKE US LOOK GOOD, THEY'RE THE BEST IN THE BIZ, ALL SEASON LONG, THANKS 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, GENERATING OVER $4 BILLION FOR OUR STATE SINCE 1990.

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 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

HEALTHIER - HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE.

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