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

>> CATHY: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," A BIG DEBATE WITH TWO OF THE LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR.

WE'LL TALK WITH NOT ONE BUT TWO STATE COMMISSIONERS.

AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER THOM PETERSEN IS HERE TO TALK DROUGHT AND FARMFEST.

TEMPORARY DHS COMMISSIONER JOHN CONNOLLY IN STUDIO TONIGHT TOO.

MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN TRACKING ONE OF THE OTHER BIG PRIMARY RACES.

>> Mary: AS THE PRIMARY ELECTION NEARS, ENDORSEMENT SKIRMISHES ERUPT AS THE U.S.

SENATE CANDIDATES SQUARE OFF.

>> AN EXPERIENCED LEADER, READY TO GO ON DAY ONE.

>> I STAND WITH THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

I WILL BE BEHOLDEN ONLY TO YOU.

>> Mary: THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

♪ ♪ ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH AND HELPING COMMUNITIES THRIVE.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND VANESSA DAYTON, THROUGH THE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL MINNESOTANS FUND, SUPPORTING ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE STATEWIDE.

>> CATHY: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

WE'LL GET TO THE BIG REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE IN JUST ABOUT 15 MINUTES, BUT WE HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER STORIES FOR YOU FIRST, INCLUDING A LOOK AT THE CONTENTIOUS DFL U.S.

SENATE PRIMARY RACE.

>> ERIC: WE START TONIGHT WITH A LOOK AT HOW FARM COUNTRY HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THE EXTREME HEAT AND LACK OF MOISTURE AROUND THE STATE THIS SUMMER.

BEFORE HE HEADS OFF TO FARMFEST NEXT WEEK, WE ASKED MINNESOTA AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER THOM PETERSEN TO STOP BY TO TALK ABOUT EXTREME WEATHER AND IMPACT OF RISING OIL PRICES ON MINNESOTA FARMERS.

I DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAPPENED IN FARM COUNTRY TODAY, BUT THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE BILLION-DOLLAR RAIN IF IT HAD BEEN IN FARM COUNTRY.

>> WELL, ERIC, YOU KNOW, WE USED TO CALL IT A MILLION-DOLLAR RAIN.

NOW, YOU KNOW, IT LITERALLY PROBABLY IS A BILLION-DOLLAR RAIN, YOU KNOW.

FOR MUCH OF OUR STATE, YOU KNOW, AS WE LOOKED AT OUR STATE, I OOK AT THE DROUGHT MONITOR EVERY THURSDAY MORNING WHEN THAT COMES OUT 8:00 A.M.

AND THIS WEEK 75% OF THE STATE, D-1 MODERATE DROUGHT, 35% OF THE STATE IN D-2, SEVERE DROUGHT, YOU KNOW, THAT MEANS THAT WE'RE REALLY CLOSE TO SEEING, WE HAD TWO COUNTIES, ROCK AND NOBLES COUNTY, DECLARED USDA DISASTERS THIS WEEK.

YOU KNOW, AND SO AS WE LOOK AT THAT, THIS WAS A BILLION-DOLLAR RAIN.

AND A CROP-SAVING RAIN FOR A LOT OF FARMERS.

>> Cathy: GOSH, LE SUEUR GOT SEVEN INCHES RAIN, THAT WAS MAYBE A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH I SUPPOSE.

I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN GOING TO THE COUNTY FAIRS.

YOU WERE AT WASHINGTON COUNTY THIS WEEK.

I KNOW YOU ET AROUND.

WHAT ARE FARMERS SAYING?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK FARMERS ARE SAYING, WE NEED THE RAIN, IS A BIG THING.

THAT IS THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF FARMERS.

IT WAS REALLY DRYING OUT AROUND THE STATE.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE HOPEFUL WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET RAIN BECAUSE WE NEED A LOT.

WE GOT THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE GOT SOME, BUT WHERE THOSE DROUGHT AREAS IS, THAT'S TOUGH.

INPUTS, FUEL PRICES, YOU KNOW, HAVING DIESEL BE 40% HIGHER THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME AS WE GET CLOSE TO HARVEST THAT'S A CONCERN.

>> Eric: CORN AND SOYBEANS HAVE DONE PRETTY WELL THE LAST FEW YEARS, I WONDER IF THAT'S ENOUGH TO CUSHION THE BLOW.

>> WE REALLY HOPE THE MARKETS CONTINUE TO BE STEADY BUT WITH THE INPUT COSTS, WITH FERTILIZERS, A LOT OF FARMERS BUY THEIR FERTILIZER IN THE FALL.

YOU KNOW, I'LL TELL YOU, WHEN I TALKED TO THE FERTILIZER SUPPLIERS AND I SAY, HOW'S THAT LOOKIN', YOU KNOW, AND THEY SAY, NOT GREAT, YOU KNOW, WHETHER THAT MEANS SUPPLY OR WHETHER THAT MEANS PRICE FOR FARMERS, THAT'S CONCERNING BECAUSE OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

YOU KNOW, IN THE MIDEAST AND OTHER PLACES.

YOU KNOW, SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

YOU KNOW, FARMERS HAVE TO BE OPTIMISTS, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF HEADWINDS RIGHT NOW.

BUT THERE ARE POSITIVES, WITH CORN AND SOYBEANS, BIOFUELS, ETHANOL, THOSE TYPE OF THINGS ARE UP, TOO, AS WELL.

>> Cathy: TARIFFS, THE LAST TIME YOU WERE ON, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT.

IS THAT STILL A CONCERN?

>> TARIFFS ARE -- I THINK PERSONALLY, TARIFFS ARE A BIG CONCERN FOR OUR FARMERS.

AS WE SEE, WE DID NOT RENEW THE U.S.

MCA FOR THE LONG TERM ON JULY 1st.

SO, TO ME, CANADA IS A BIG PARTNER FOR US.

SO, AS WE LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE TRADING ISSUES THAT CREATES UPHEAVAL WITHIN THE MARKET.

FARMERS REALLY NEED SOME STEADY MARKETS.

OUR TRADING PARTNERS NEED TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE A GOOD, STRONG BACKGROUND WITHIN MINNESOTA THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE A STEADY TRADING PARTNER.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF DOUBT IN THAT RIGHT NOW.

>> Eric: A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED SINCE THE 1980s CRISIS.

ONE IS, WHEN THE FEDERAL AID -- WHEN THE PRICES FOR THE FARMER GOES DOWN, THE FEDERAL AID GOES UP.

AND THEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS HAD BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN KIND OF ONE-TIME MONEY.

>> YEAH, AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT WHERE FARMERS WANT TO GET THEIR MONEY.

BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S GOING TO BE NECESSARY FOR SOME FARMERS.

WE LOST 1300 FARMERS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

>> Eric: WOW.

>> A LOT OF THAT, TOO, CAN BE KIND OF A SILVER TSUNAMI AND THE BABY BOOMER.

BUT A LOT OF THAT WE KNOW THROUGH MEDIATIONS, BANKRUPTCIES, AND OTHER THINGS, ESPECIALLY CROP FARMERS, THAT THEY'RE STRUGGLING.

YOU KNOW?

>> Cathy: STILL FAMILY FARMERS, SMALL FARMS?

>> UP.

YOU KNOW, AND WE DO HAVE, BY NATURE IN MINNESOTA, FAMILY, 98% OF OUR FARMS ARE FAMILY OWNED.

AND THAT IS CONCERNING ON THE CROP SIDE.

YOU KNOW, THE CATTLE FARMERS ARE DOING VERY WELL.

YOU KNOW, AND, SO, I ALWAYS BALANCE THAT ALL THE TIME.

THOSE PRICES ARE RECORD HIGH RIGHT NOW.

BUT THERE ARE CONCERNS ON THE CROP SIDE FOR SURE.

>> Eric: WHERE DO WE STAND ON THE FEDERAL FARM BILL?

>> YOU KNOW, AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE, AND THIS WILL BE INTERESTING NEXT WEEK, BECAUSE WE HAVE THE GOVERNOR DEBATE AT FARM FEST ON WEDNESDAY.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE COULD BE DOING THE FARM BILL ON THURSDAY.

AND THAT COULD HAVE IMPORTANT THINGS, LIKE E-15 IN THE SENATE.

SO SENATOR KLOBUCHAR, I KNOW, IS WORKING VERY HARD ON THAT.

THERE'S GOOD THINGS IN THERE FOR MINNESOTA, WHETHER THAT'S CONTINUED ENHANCEMENTS FOR DISASTER-TYPE THINGS, ETHANOL OR E-15, AND ESEARCH, TRADE, A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

HE SAID YEAH.

>> SO IT'S GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING WEEK, WE COULD FINALLY BE CLOSE TO GETTING THAT DONE.

>> Cathy: OF COURSE, CONGRESS HAS BEEN KICKING THAT CAN DOWN THE ROAD FOR, WHAT, YEARS, RIGHT?

>> YES, IF THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO DO THAT, WE WILL LIKELY HAVE ANOTHER ONE-YEAR EXTENSION.

AGAIN T WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE SOME LONG-TERM -- A LOT OF TIMES WE TALK ABOUT BIPARTISAN ARM BILLS, IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE THEM GET THAT DONE AND BRING SOME SURE ET CETERA TO OUR FARMERS.

>> Eric: HAVE FUN AT FARM FEST.

SURETY.

>> Cathy: YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT FARMEST?

>> SEEING FARMERS FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE, BEING ABLE TO VISIT WITH THEM, IT'S SUCH A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

ENJOY YOURSELF.

>> Eric: THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> ERIC: YOU CAN SENSE THE PRIMARY ELECTION IS JUST OVER A WEEK AWAY, SURPRISE ENDORSEMENTS POPPED UP AGAIN THIS WEEK AND ONE DEBATE YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD WAS SO INTENSE OUR MARY LAHAMMER THOUGHT YOU HAD TO SEE SOME OF IT FOR YOURSELVES.

SHE HAS MORE CONTEXT ON THE HEATED DFL U.S.

SENATE RACE.

>> THEY SPENT A MILLION DOLLARS IN YOUR CONGRESSIONAL RACE.

>> Mary: THERE CERTAINLY HAS BEEN NO SHORTAGE OF SPIRITED DFL SENATE DEBATES ON PUBLIC BROADCASTING THIS PRIMARY ELECTION SEASON.

>> THIS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ATTACKED OUR BLACK AND BROWN NEIGHBORS.

IT BECAME ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT ALTHOUGH THEY WEREN'T USING THAT BILL IN OPERATION METRO SURGE THAT ANY ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WAS THE WRONG DECISION, AND I'VE SAID THAT I REGRET IT.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF HER ENTIRE CAMPAIGN, HAS SAT ON THE BLEACHERS, COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ONE VOTE I TOOK IN EIGHT YEARS.

WHERE ARE HER SOLUTIONS TO COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM IN THIS COUNTRY?

BECAUSE WHERE I'VE BEEN, WHILE SHE'S BEEN IN THE BLEACHERS, AT THE WHIPPLE CENTER, STANDING IN FRONT OF I.C.E.

>> CONGRESSWOMAN CRAIG STOOD BY THIS VOTE FOR 14 MONTHS.

DURING THE HEIGHT OF OPERATION METRO SURGE AFTER RENEE GOOD WAS KILLED, AFTER ALEX PRETTI WAS KILLED, SHE STOOD BY HER VOTE.

HERE'S WHAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT.

THIS WASN'T A SECRET.

THIS DIDN'T SNEAK UP ON US.

DONALD TRUMP RAN ON A MASS DEPORTATIONEN DA.

IT WAS LITERALLY -- DEPORTATION AGENDA.

IT WAS LITERALLY IN BRIGHT SIGNS BEHIND HIM AT RALLIES IN ALL CAPS THAT SAID "MASS DEPORTATION NOW."

>> Mary: THEY AGREE ON DISMANTLING I.C.E.

AS IS, THEY DISAGREE ON HOW MUCH THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS OR ISN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BILLIONS OF FRAUD IN THE ALZ ADMINISTRATION.

>> THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, EVEN AS WE SIT HERE TODAY, CONTINUES TO TAKE ABSOLUTELY NO ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ANY OF THE FRAUD ISSUES.

AND SHE CONTINUES TO BLAME THE GOVERNOR.

AND I'M GOING TO BE HONEST, IT'S [ BLEEP ] ME OFF.

I'M PROUD TO HAVE THE ENDORSEMENT OF GWEN WALZ THIS MORNING BUT IT [ BLEEP ] ME OFF THAT YOU COMPLETELY PUT ALL OF THE RESPONSIBILITY ON THE GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA WHEN YOU WERE THE NUMBER 2 ELECTED LEADER IN MINNESOTA DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

REPUBLICANS, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A FIELD DAY WITH THIS WITH YOU.

AND IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO WARN DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY VOTERS THAT REPUBLICANS ARE DYING TO RUN AGAINST YOU BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE A UNIQUE VULNERABILITY ON FRAUD.

AND EVEN AS WE SIT HERE TODAY, YOU CAN'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.

YOU ACTUALLY TOOK RESPONSIBILITY ON "ALMANAC" FOR THE HOMELESSNESS PROGRAM APPROXIMATE IN MINNESOTA.

THAT PROGRAM ITSELF EXPERIENCED FRAUD.

SO, LIEUTENANT OVERNOR, I CAN TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ANYTHING I DID OR SHOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY, BUT I JUST, FOR THE LIFE OF ME, ANNOT SEE THAT YOU'RE WILLING TO DO THE SAME AS A POLITICAL LEADER.

>> THIS IS SIMPLY FALSE.

THE CONGRESSWOMAN'S ACCUSATION AROUND THE HOMELESSNESS PROGRAM.

BUT I WILL ALSO SAY THIS.

I KNOW, YOU KNOW, WHAT CONGRESSWOMAN CRAIG SAID JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, THAT THE ATTACKS ON TIM WALZ AND KEITH ELLISON WERE POLITICAL THEATER.

SHE'S NOW GOING ON TO USE REPUBLICAN TALKING POINTS.

AND I THINK THAT'S, FRANKLY, WHERE CONGRESSWOMAN CRAIG IS MOST COMFORTABLE, AS SOMEONE WHO VOTES WITH DONALD TRUMP MORE HAN ANY OTHER MINNESOTA DEMOCRAT AND HAS BRAGGED THAT SHE VOTES WITH TOM EMMER 45% OF THE TIME.

AS A FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, THE IDEA THAT ANYONE WOULD STEAL FROM CHILDREN, FAMILIES, THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN OUR STATE IS ABHORRENT AND THERE ARE MEASURES THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS TAKEN.

>> Mary: EXTERNAL ENDORSEMENTS KEPT CONSTANT ATTENTION ON THIS CONTEST.

STATE SENATOR JOHN HOFFMAN TOLD ME HE STANDS BY HIS STATEMENTS THAT CONGRESSWOMAN CRAIG SOUGHT HIS ENDORSEMENT WHILE HE WAS STILL RECOVERING FROM HIS SHOOTING.

CONGRESSWOMAN CRAIG DENIES THAT.

THEN FIRST LADY GWEN WALZ ENDORSED CONGRESSWOMAN CRAIG OVER THE LONGTIME LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN, PERHAPS FURTHERING THE RIFF THAT WENT PUBLIC WHILE THE GOVERNOR WAS AWAY RUNNING FOR THE VICE PRESIDENCY.

>> I'M ACTUALLY NOT SURPRISED GWEN WALZ HAS ENDORSED CONGRESSWOMAN CRAIG.

THEY'RE GOOD FRIENDS.

SHE GAVE ME A HEADS-UP.

THAT'S FINE.

>> THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S PERFORMANCE AND AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ON HER ACTUAL REQUIRED RESPONSIBILITIES, LIKE THE HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE, LIKE THE CAPITOL SECURITY COMMITTEE, LOOK, I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT OVER THE COURSE OF EIGHT YEARS, YOU DIDN'T CALL 45% OF THE MEETINGS THAT WERE REQUIRED UNDER STATE LAW.

AND I WOULD ASK YOU HERE TODAY IF YOUR OFFICE WOULD MAKE PUBLIC HOW MANY DAYS YOU'VE ACTUALLY BEEN IN THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AT THE CAPITOL WHILE YOU HAVE BEEN RUNNING FOR THE U.S.

SENATE.

I'VE MADE 99% OF MY VOTES.

>> I AM PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE DID IN A BIPARTISAN WAY.

AND THE -- ON THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CAPITOL AREA SECURITY.

MINNESOTA WAS AN OUTLIER FOR A VERY LONG TIME WHEN IT CAME TO METAL DETECTORS AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

THERE WERE 33 STATES, YOU KNOW, HO HAD THEM PREVIOUSLY -- WHO HAD THEM PREVIOUSLY.

WE MADE THAT RECOMMENDATION.

WE GOT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> Mary: DESPITE A DIFFICULT CAMPAIGN THAT HAS FELT PERSONAL, THE TWO DEMOCRATIC WOMEN VOWED TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER IN THE END.

>> I OUTPERFORMED THE TOP OF THE TICKET BY 8 PERCENTAGE POINTS IN MY LAST ELECTION.

I LIKE PEGGY.

WE HAVE BEEN FRIENDS OVER THE YEARS FROM A POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE.

BUT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS SPECIFIC VULNERABILITY ON FRAUD.

>> I WILL NEVER BEND TO DONALD TRUMP.

I WILL ALWAYS STAND WITH MINNESOTANS.

♪ >> CATHY: FRAUD HAS BEEN A TALKING POINT FOR MANY POLITICAL CANDIDATES THIS YEAR.

MINNESOTA'S LOSS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO MULTIPLE FRAUD SCHEMES IS AT THE CENTER OF THE CONVERSATION.

RECENT CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS, SUSPENSION OF FEDERAL FUNDS AND TEMPORARY SHUTDOWN OF PROGRAMS HAVE TAKEN AIM AT THE STATE'S MEDICAID PROGRAM.

JOHN CONNOLLY WAS NAMED TEMPORARY DHS COMMISSIONER EARLIER THIS SUMMER, HE'S ALSO THE STATE MEDICAID DIRECTOR.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

A NUMBER OF PROVIDERS HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED.

HAPPY, THOUGH, ARE KIND OF ABOVE -- MANY, THOUGH, ARE KIND OF ABOVE-BOARD PROVIDERS.

I'M KIND OF WONDERING, DO YOU HAVE ANY SENSE OF THE EFFECTS OF THIS ON THE RECIPIENTS?

HOW MANY RECIPIENTS ARE NOT GETTING SERVICES BECAUSE OF THE CRACKDOWN?

>> SO AT THIS POINT WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE FORMAL REVALIDATION PROCESS, SO THAT'S RE-ENROLLING OR REVIEWING ALL THE PROVIDERS IN THE HIGH-RISK SERVICES THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED.

THERE ARE 13 OF THEM.

AND ABOUT -- WELL, A MAJORITY OF THEM WERE DISENROLLED AT THE END OF THAT PROCESS FOR GAPS IN DOCUMENTATION, AND BASICALLY THIS IS A PROCESS THROUGH WHICH WE MAKE SURE THAT VERY BASIC REQUIREMENTS ARE IN PLACE.

SO ROOF OF INSURANCE, QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS, MAKING SURE THAT BACKGROUND CHECKS HAVE OCCURRED, THINGS OF THAT NATURE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE GOOD ACTORS, SOLID ACTORS IN THE PROGRAM.

SO AT THE END OF THE FIVE-MONTH PROCESS, WE DID DISENROLL ABOUT 60% OF THE PROVIDERS THERE, BUT THEY HAVE AN APPEAL PROCESS THAT'S STILL UNDERWAY NOW.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE THAT WERE DISENROLLED HAVE APPEALED, AND WE'RE ALREADY THROUGH A THIRD OF THOSE, HAVE APPROVED A THIRD OF THOSE.

SO, MANY OF THEM ARE RE-ENROLLED FULLY IN THE PROGRAM AND PROVIDING SERVICE.

PROVIDERS WERE ABLE TO BILL FOR SERVICES AND CONTINUE DELIVERING SERVICES DURING THAT APPEAL PERIOD AS WELL.

>> Cathy: SO NO ONE HAS FALLEN THROUGH THE CRACKS, IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING?

>> O, AT THIS POINT WE HAVE NOT ONLY THAT APPEAL PROCESS AVAILABLE TO PROVIDERS SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO OFFER SERVICE AND BILL FOR SERVICE, BUT ALSO WE HAVE A CONTINUITY OF CARE FRAMEWORK AND TEAM WITHIN DHS THAT WORKS WITH COUNTIES, TRIBAL NATIONS, MCOs TO MAKE SURE THAT IF A PROVIDER STOPS OFFERING SERVICE OR IS TERMINATED FROM THE PROGRAM THAT THERE'S A TRANSITION IN CARE ORCHESTRATED FOR THE MEMBER.

>> Eric: YOU BOOTED 3400 BUSINESSES AND CHARITIES?

IS THAT THE NUMBER?

>> SO, AT THE END OF THE PROCESS, 3400 RECEIVED A NOTICE OF DISENROLLMENT AND THEN THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAL.

>> Eric: TO APPEAL.

>> TO APPEAL THAT DISENROLLMENT.

AND THE VAST MAJORITY, ALL BUT A LITTLE UNDER 200 DID THAT.

WE DID TERMINATE OTHERS FOR OTHER REASONS THAT EITHER DIDN'T RESPOND TO AN EARLIER PROCESS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE, BUT THE VAST MAJORITY DID APPEAL, AND WE'VE ALREADY APPROVED OR REVALIDATED A THIRD OF THOSE.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING, HOW DIFFICULT HAS THIS PROCESS BEEN?

I MEAN, IT'S VERY COMPLICATED, OBVIOUSLY.

YOU'RE DEALING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND PRESSURE FROM THE FEDS.

AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, STATE LAWMAKERS.

SO YOU'RE KIND OF IN THE MIDDLE.

HOW ARE YOU NAVIGATING ALL THAT?

>> IT HAS BEEN, I WILL SAY, AN EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT PROCESS.

SO, FOR CERTAINLY PROVIDERS, FOR PEOPLE IN THE PROGRAM HO HAVE ANXIETY ABOUT WHAT MIGHT BE HAPPENING, FOR THE STAFF IN THE DEPARTMENT, IT HAS BEEN EXTRAORDINARY.

WE HAD FIVE MONTHS TO COMPLETE A PROCESS THAT EVERY OTHER STATE NOW HAS BEEN GIVEN TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.

AND STAFF HAVE WORKED DAYS, NIGHTS, WEEKENDS.

WE'VE HAD WEEKLY ROUNDTABLES, WEBINARS, OFFICE HOURS, OVER 4,000 CALLS TO PROVIDERS, ONE-ON-ONE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

SO A TREMENDOUS EFFORT, OF COURSE, FROM THE DEPARTMENT, FROM PROVIDERS ALIKE.

AND, OF COURSE, WE'RE NOW EXPERIENCING A DEFERRAL OF $200 MILLION AT THE END OF THIS PROCESS TIED TO PROVIDERS WHO WERE DISENROLLED, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE ENROLLED AT THE TIME AND APPROPRIATELY BILLING AND OVER A THIRD OF THEM HAVE ALREADY BEEN RE-ENROLLED, BUT THERE'S ALSO, I THINK, A CONCERN ABOUT WHAT METRICS CMS IS USING TO IDENTIFY PROVIDERS WHO ARE SUPPOSEDLY AT HIGH RISK OF FRAUD OR PROGRAM INTEGRITY CONCERN.

AND THEY AREN'T SHARING THAT INFORMATION WITH US, WHICH IS IMPORTANT, BECAUSE WE HAVE PREPAYMENT REVIEW, ENHANCED PREPAYMENT EVIEW IN PROCESS ALREADY AND COULD USE THEIR METHODOLOGY TO STOP FRAUDULENT PAYMENTS FROM GOING OUT TO BAD ACTORS.

>> Cathy: SO I'M WONDERING HERE, WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON, DO YOU FEEL PRETTY CONFIDENT?

I KNOW YOU'RE TEMPORARY COMMISSIONER.

BUT AS YOU CYCLE OUT OF THE JOB BY THE END OF THE YEAR, PROBABLY, DO YOU THINK THAT THE HOUSE IS CLEAN AT THIS POINT OR IS THERE MORE WORK TO DO?

>> SO WHAT I CAN SAY IS, WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT ACTIONS, WHETHER IT BE HIGH-RISK DESIGNATION, WHETHER IT BE TERMINATING -- TERMINATING A PROGRAM THAT WAS OVERWHELMED BY CRIMINALS, ESSENTIALLY, COMMITTING FRAUD, WHETHER IT IS PUTTING PROVIDER ENROLLMENT MORATORIUM IN PLACE, A LICENSING FRAMEWORK FOR AUTISM SERVICES, THE REVALIDATION EFFORT ITSELF AS A PART OF OUR CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN, THERE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF ACTIVITY IN ROUGHLY HE LAST TWO YEARS TO TIGHTEN UP THE DIFFERENT CONTROLS IN THE NFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

FROM INVESTIGATING THE FRAUD THAT'S OCCURRED.

SO I THINK IT'S MUCH HARDER NOW THAN IT WAS ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO TO COMMIT FRAUD AGAINST OUR MEDICAID PROGRAM.

BUT FRAUD FIGHTING HAS NO FINISH LINE.

THAT IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A PROJECT.

IT'S EVER MORE SOPHISTICATED, CRIMINALS ARE EVER MORE SOPHISTICATED SO WE NEED TO KEEP AHEAD OF THEM AND KEEP AT THIS.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

THANKS FOR THE UPDATE.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> CATHY: ERIC AND I ARE GOING TO HEAD OVER TO THE COUCH, WHERE OUR REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE WILL BEGIN IN LESS THAN 30 SECONDS.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> ERIC: FOR THE REST OF THE HOUR, WE WILL HAVE A DEBATE WITH TWO OF THE LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR.

THE PRIMARY IS JUST 11 DAYS AWAY, EARLY VOTING HAS BEGUN, AND THIS IS THE FIRST POST-CONVENTION DEBATE IN THE RACE.

LATE LAST MONTH WE INVITED THE CANDIDATES WE BELIEVE TO BE THE THREE FRONT RUNNERS IN THE RACE TO JOIN US TONIGHT IN STUDIO.

THE FORMAT WILL BE TYPICAL FOR AN "ALMANAC" DEBATE.

NO TIMED RESPONSES.

NO OPENING STATEMENTS.

NO PODIUMS OR STOPWATCHES.

NO FORCED FORMALITY.

KIND OF A CONVERSATION, WE HOPE.

>> Cathy: YES, A SPIRITED CONVERSATION.

CANDIDATES ON THE COUCH TONIGHT... KENDALL QUALLS IS HERE.

HE CAPTURED THE PARTY'S ENDORSEMENT AT THE STATE CONVENTION IN LATE MAY.

MIKE LINDELL CAME IN THIRD IN THAT ENDORSEMENT PROCESS BUT HAS BEEN LEADING THE PACK IN RECENT POLLS AND GARNERED A COVETED ENDORSEMENT FROM PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP LAST WEEK.

HOUSE SPEAKER LISA DEMUTH DECLINED OUR INVITATION, CITING SCHEDULING CONFLICTS.

SO, GENTLEMEN, WE APPRECIATED YOU BEING HERE.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

>> DMAD TO BE HERE, THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: Mr.

QUALLS, I'M GOING O START WITH YOU.

NOW, THERE ARE BIPARTISAN CALLS FROM NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA LAWMAKERS FOR A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO DEAL WITH WILDFIRE RELIEF.

GOVERNOR'S THINKING ABOUT IT.

[ GLAD TO BE HERE ] >> Cathy: IF YOU WERE GOVERNOR, WOULD YOU CALL LAWMAKERS BACK TO SESSION FOR A SPECIAL SESSION FOR WILDFIRE RELIEF?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE A SERVICE-ORIENTED LEADERSHIP TEAM AND SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE.

NOT TO US.

OFTENTIMES, I THINK, PEOPLE FEEL LIKE WE'RE SERVANTS TO THE GOVERNMENT INSTEAD OF THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

>> Cathy: WOULD YOU TIE ANYTHING ELSE IN THAT SPECIAL SESSION?

WOULD YOU TAKE UP ANY OTHER ISSUES?

>> YEAH, WE NEED A LOT OF RELIEF.

TAX RELIEF, IF YOU WILL.

SO I WOULD START THERE.

AND AS WELL AS HELPING THE CLEANUP, WHAT WE HAVE GOING ON IN THE NORTHEAST, NORTHERN PART OF HE STATE.

>> Cathy: SOME FOLKS WOULD WANT TO HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION TO ALSO INCLUDE ECONOMIC RELIEF FOR FOLKS, BUSINESSES AFFECTED IN THE METRO AREA UNDER OPERATION METRO SURGE, IF YOU WERE GOVERNOR, WOULD YOU LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN A SPECIAL SESSION?

>> WELL, THE FOOTPRINT WE'RE IN NOW, YEAH, I'D LOOK AT THINGS.

YOU GOTTA LOOK AT EVERYTHING.

BUT I HAVE A BUDGET COMING OUT AND IT'S GOING TO ANSWER EVERYTHING ANYWAY, SO YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE IN THIS FOOTPRINT OF PEOPLE NEEDING RELIEF.

I THINK YOU GOTTA LOOK AT EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS.

AND I WOULD AS GOVERNOR BECAUSE, LIKE KENDALL SAID, WE'RE HERE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND, YOU KNOW.

>> CATHY, IF I CAN ADD ON TO THAT, I THINK MORE THAN OPERATION SURGE, THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING BUSINESS OWNERS RIGHT NOW IN THE METRO, AS WELL AS GREATER MINNESOTA, IS THE PAID FAMILY LEAVE ACT.

THAT IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE.

IT'S LITERALLY THE STRAW THAT'S BREAKING THE CAMEL'S BACK.

WE HAVE PEOPLE JUST LEAVING THE STATE.

>> Cathy: PRETTY POPULAR.

WOULD YOU REPEAL THAT IF YOU'RE GOVERNOR?

>> IT'S SO POPULAR, WE'RE RUNNING A DEFICIT IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THE YEAR.

WE'RE SPENDING MORE HAN WE'RE TAKING IN.

>> Cathy: WOULD YOU REPEAL IT IF YOU WERE GOVERNOR?

>> ABSOLUTELY, IT'S IN MY BUDGET.

WITH MY BUDGET, IT'S GOING TO BE -- I'M LOOKING TO ELIMINATE INCOME TAX IN MINNESOTA, BEING THE TENTH STATE TO DO THAT.

THE BUDGET WILL BE PUBLISHED THIS WEEK, SO PEOPLE CAN SEE IT.

WELL, EVERYBODY WANTS TO CUT TAXES, I'LL CUT TAXES IF YOU VOTE FOR ME, NO, I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO PUT IT OUT THERE.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR SIX MONTHS.

SO I WANT MINNESOTA TO BE NO INCOME TAX STATE, THE TENT STATE TO DO IT.

>> Eric: REALLY?

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT IDEA?

>> LET ME TELL YOU, WHERE MIKE AND I HAVE VIOLENT AGREEMENT, IS THAT WE NEED SOMEONE IN THIS STATE LEADING THAT'S OUTSIDE OF POLITICS.

IT'S GOING TO BE BUSINESS-ORIENTED SOLUTIONS, I JUST HAPPEN TO THINK MY BUSINESS HAD BEEN ORIENTED SOLUTIONS ARE BETTER THAN -- BUSINESS-ORIENTED SOLUTIONS ARE BETTER THAN MIKE'S.

I CAN TELL YOU, WE BOTH AGREE THAT WE NEED CREATIVE IDEAS THAT ARE NOT TRIED AND RUN THROUGH THE MILL LIKE WE SEE FROM THE SENATOR, THE SOLUTIONS THEY'RE COMING UP WITH, THEY'RE TRIED AND TRUE SOLUTIONS THAT HAVE FAILED.

THAT HAVE FAILED.

AND HER HEALTHCARE POLICY IS ONE OF THEM.

SHE SAID THE FIRST THING I'M GOING TO DO IS LOWER HEALTHCARE.

WELL, WE'VE SEEN THAT MOVIE BEFORE, IT WAS CALLED OBAMACARE.

>> FIRST, I WANT TO SAY, I WANT TO REPEAT THAT.

FIRST OF ALL, KENDALL DOESN'T KNOW Y BUDGET THAT'S COMING OUT.

BUT WE DO BOTH AGREE, MINNESOTA, WE NEED TO MAKE IT AFFORDABLE AGAIN.

WE AGREE ON THAT.

>> YES.

>> Eric: YOU HAD THIS CONTROVERSIAL PLAN ON IMMIGRATION, WHICH INCLUDED FOR SIX MONTHS UNDOCUMENTED FOLKS CAN GET A WORK VISA THAT DOESN'T EXPIRE.

I WONDER, IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN DO WITHOUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WHY DID YOU THROW THAT LIVE HAND GRENADE ON THE FLOOR?

>> NOW, HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED.

THERE'S A BACK STORY ON THAT.

THERE WAS A NATIONAL PLAN THAT WAS PUT UP THAT WAS NEVER GOING TO GET -- IT WAS WORKED ON FOR ABOUT TEN YEARS IF WE EVER DO A RESET FOR THE COUNTRY.

WHERE THAT CAME FROM, THE SIX-MONTH THING, IN MINNESOTA, YOU'LL GET INTO EVERYTHING, RIGHT NOW OUR GOVERNOR HAS GIVEN 54,000 ILLEGALS ID CARDS AND THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO SAY NOT A CITIZEN AND THEY DON'T.

YOU HAVE THAT GOIN' ON.

AND THEN YOU HAVE THESE EMPLOYERS HERE IN MINNESOTA THAT ARE -- IT'S ALMOST LIKE -- WELL, THEY'RE STEALING.

THEY'RE EMPLOYING ALL THESE ILLEGALS, IT COMES TO $1.5 BILLION THAT WE'RE NOT GETTING TAXES, IF WE HIRED OUR OWN CITIZENS THAT ARE MISSING OUT ON THOSE JOBS.

AND I'VE DONE THIS BEFORE WHERE I WENT INTO THE INNER CITIES AND SAID, NOW, HERE IN CHICAGO, YOU KNOW, WE QUESTIONED THE LEGAL CITIZENS, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, WHY ARE YOU VOTING REPUBLICAN?

AND WHAT CAME OUT OF THEIR MOUTH, IT'S BECAUSE THE ILLEGALS ARE TAKING ALL OF OUR RESOURCES.

SO TO GET TO THE POINT, SO IN HERE, I GO, WHAT IF YOU TOOK THESE ILLEGALS AND FINGERPRINTED THEM AND BROUGHT THEM IN?

IT COULD BE DONE.

IT WAS AN IDEA THAT COULD BE DONE BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE 54,000, WE GAVE THEM THESE ID CARDS, WHAT I'M GOING TO DO INSTEAD NOW WITH ALL THE PUSHBACK ON THAT, THE PLAN THAT WAS PUT UP BY THE NATIONAL, WHAT I'M GOING TO DO AS GOVERNOR, THE FIRST DAY WE HAVE $110 MILLION WE'RE SPENDING ON FELONS THAT ARE IN OUR PRISONS, THEY'RE GETTING SHIPPED OUT.

WE'RE GETTING OUR SHERIFFS THAT CAN ACTUALLY HAVE THEM SHIPPED OUT WHEN THEY'RE ARRESTED AND THE EMPLOYERS THAT ARE EMPLOYING THE ILLEGALS, THEY'RE GOING TO GET PUT IN JAIL.

>> Eric: YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> WELL, HERE'S WHAT WE HAVE.

UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, HE DIDN'T CAMPAIGN ON THIS, HE BROUGHT IN ANYWHERE BETWEEN 10 TO 15 MILLION PEOPLE AND LITERALLY -- IN LITERALLY 38 MONTHS, FROM 100 COUNTRIES, UNVETTED, THAT'S UNPRECEDENTED FOR OUR COUNTRY.

AND THE LAST THING THAT WE NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT IS SOME TYPE OF SYSTEM TO NORMALIZE THAT BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WITH ANOTHER DEMOCRAT PRESIDENT, THEY SAY, WELL, WE NORMALIZED IT ONCE, WE'LL BRING IN ANOTHER 30 MILLION PEOPLE.

WE HAVE AN ISSUE THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS.

THAT WAS A NATIONAL SECURITY RISK AND IT STILL IS.

>> athy: SO MIKE LINDELL IS TALKING ABOUT FOLKS WHO ARE NOT DOCUMENTED, RIGHT?

BUT I HAVE TO SAY, A LOT OF THESE FOLKS THAT ARE COMING IN TO THE STATE, THESE ARE JOBS THAT OTHER PHOENIX REALLY DO NOT WANT.

THAT OTHER FOLKS REALLY DON'T WANT.

ARE YOU HEARING FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT WORKFORCE SHORTAGES, DOES YOUR PLAN ADDRESS THAT THEN?

>> I DIDN'T HAVE HIS PLAN.

THAT PLAN THAT GOT PUT UP WAS A NATIONAL PLAN.

HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MINNESOTA.

THERE WAS A LOT OF CONFUSION BACK THEN, AS I WAS GOING ON STAGE IN SAUK CENTER.

THAT GOT PUSHED UP BY MY TEAM, WHAT IS THIS DOING?

AND I DO NOT BELIEVE IN AMNESTY.

I'VE NEVER BELIEVED IN AMNESTY.

NEVER WILL.

WE HAVE A PROBLEM IN MINNESOTA, OBVIOUSLY WE SEE, GOING DOOR TO DOOR WITH I.C.E.

DOESN'T WORK, ND MINNESOTA NEEDS TO AT LEAST COOPERATE WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THEN YOU DON'T 'HAVE THIS LIKE YOU HAVE -- THEN YOU DON'T HAVE THIS LIKE YOU HAVE IN MEMPHIS AND OTHER PLACES, WHERE THEY SAY, GIVE US YOUR PRISONS.

$110 MILLION, WE AS TAXPAYERS, TO HOUSE 1400 ILLEGALS HERE THAT HAVE COMMITTED FELONIES AND AT $85,000 A YEAR, SHIP 'EM BACK.

THE EMPLOYERS THAT ARE STEALING MONEY FROM IT, THEY'RE NOT PAYIN' TAXES ON THESE -- HIREIN' THESE ILLEGALS, IT'S ALMOST LIKE HUMAN TRAFFICKING, THEY'RE BRINGING THEM UP HERE, PAYING THESE ILLEGALS, AND YOU CAN SAY ALL YOU WANT, OH, THEY'RE NOT TAKING JOBS OTHER PEOPLE DON'T WANT, THE INNER CITY, THE PEOPLE I'VE TALKED TO, THEY WOULD TAKE THOSE JOBS.

>> Cathy: DOES THIS MAKE SENSE TO YOU?

>> WELL, NO, IT DOESN'T.

AND THE REASON IS, FIRST OF ALL, WE WOULDN'T EVEN BE TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

MIKE, YOU BROUGHT UP AN IDEA, IT WAS YOUR -- IT WAS YOUR PLAN, RIGHT?

AND SO YOU'VE RECRAFTED IT AS INTO A SIX-MONTH, YOU KNOW, REFORM PROGRAM, NOT AN AMNESTY.

I'M TRYING TO MAKE SURE.

BUT, ANYWAY, IT WAS BROUGHT UP FROM YOUR CAMPAIGN.

THE BIGGEST ISSUE, THIS IS NOT JUST ILLEGAL THAT IS ARE HERE AND THE -- I WILL LIKELIES THAT ARE HERE AND -- THE ILLEGALS THAT ARE HERE AND THE JOB.

YOU BRING IN TEN MILLION PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY IN THAT SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, THEY DO NOT COME WITH A BUDGET, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY DID NOT GIVE THEM A BUDGET, THEY'RE EATING INTO THE HEALTHCARE BUDGET IN OUR STATE, HEALTHCARE, SCHOOLS, SOCIAL SERVICES.

LISA DEMUTH SAID, LOOK, I STOPPED HEALTHCARE FROM PAYING OF THE BUDGET.

WELL, SHE DID NOT.

BECAUSE AS SOON AS THAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT COMES IN AND THEY APPLY FOR A ASYLUM, NOW THAT THEY'RE AN ASYLUM SEEKER, THEIR STATUS CHANGES AND THEY GIVE A -- GET A LITANY OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND THAT'S A BUDGET BREAKER FOR OUR STATE AND EVERYONE ELSE PAYING THE HIGH TAXES.

LITERALLY -- LET ME JUST CLARIFY.

THIS IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE.

I HAVE PEOPLE THAT WORK AT THE "U," IN HEALTHCARE, THESE PEOPLE, AND GOD BLESS 'EM, THEY'RE GETTING BETTER HEALTHCARE COVERAGE THAN THE PEOPLE THAT ARE PAYING COMMERCIAL HEALTH INSURANCE.

>> Cathy: I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT UP BUDGET.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET, EXPANDING TAXES.

WE KIND OF TOUCHED ON THAT A LITTLE BIT HERE EARLIER IN OUR CONVERSATION.

I BELIEVE, KENDALL QUALLS, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT ACROSS-THE-BOARD SPENDING CUTS, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

BUT AS YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU MAKE ACROSS-THE-BOARD CUTS, YOU'RE GOING TO GORE SOMEONE'S OX, RIGHT?

AND I'M WONDERING, BE SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE PRETTY POPULAR.

>> NO -- >> Cathy: UNIVERSAL SCHOOL LUNCHES, THAT KIND OF THING, WHERE WOULD YOU CUT?

>> CATHY, LET'S GET A BASELINE.

WHEN THE LAST DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR WAS IN, MARK DAYTON, HIS BUDGET WAS $40 BILLION BIENNIUM.

IT'S ALMOST $70 BILLION.

>> Cathy: AND THERE'S INFLATION.

>> NOT IN SEVEN YEARS, OKAY.

THAT'S 75% INCREASE OVER THE -- THE STREETS OF MINNEAPOLIS, THERE WERE NO STARVING KIDS IN THE STREETS OF MINNEAPOLIS.

WE DIDN'T HAVE BRIDGES AND ROADS BREAKING DOWN.

WE DIDN'T NEED A 30 BILLION INCREASE IN SIX YEARS.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.

IN SIX YEARS.

WE KNOW NOW THAT THERE'S $9 BILLION BASED ON JOE THOMPSON'S NUMBERS THAT WAS FRAUDED -- DEFRAUDED BY THE STATE.

>> Cathy: WE'RE NOT SURE OF THAT NUMBER BUT GO AHEAD.

>> LET'S TAKE HALF.

$4.5 BILLION.

WE KNOW IT NEVER CIRCULATED IN THE STATE BUDGET.

WE HAVE MINNESOTANS WITH A HEAVY BURDEN OF TAXES PAYING FOR THIS FRAUD, AND THE LEGISLATURE, THE DFL WANT MORE.

THEY WANT TO INCREASE FEES FOR CAR TABS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

>> Cathy: SO YOU'RE GOING TO SCALE IT BACK?

STATE SPENDING.

>> AND WE WOULD NEVER FEEL IT.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

MIKE LINDELL, YOU HAD SOMETHING INTERESTING THAT YOU SAID, YOU WOULD GET RID OF THE STATE INCOME TAX.

AND I BELIEVE YOU'RE ALSO -- WOULD YOU ALSO, YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT THE STATE SALES TAX, PARING THAT BACK, I THOUGHT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT, LOWERING PROPERTY TAXES, AND DOING SOME ORPORATE TAX REDUCTION.

THAT'S GOING TO BLOW A HUGE HOLE IN THE STATE BUDGET.

>> NO, NO, HERE'S WHERE I HAVE TO TELL YOU, WE HAVE SHIFTED THE SALES TAX PLAN I HAD, YOU CANNOT DO.

>> Cathy: UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

>> UNDER FEDERAL LAW, BECAUSE WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO COMPLETELY ELIMINATE THE BOX STORE SALES TAX AND RAISE IT, WITH YOUR MY PILLOWS AND AMAZONS OF THE WORLD TO GET PEOPLE BACK INTO THE BOX STORES AND GIVE THEM A REASON TO GO THERE.

THAT CAN'T BE DONE.

BUT ALL THE SAVINGS WE'RE MAKING WITH THE BUDGET, IT WILL ELIMINATE INCOME TAX.

EVERYTHING -- EXCEPT THE PROPERTY TAX, I'LL SAY THAT, WE HAVE A COMPLETE HEALTHCARE REFORM.

HEALTHCARE'S A THING THAT THREADS THROUGH EVERYTHING WE HAVE IN THIS STATE.

AND THIS DIRECT PHYSICIAN CARE, YOUR PRIMARY CARE, SO YOUR DOCTOR VISIT, WHATEVER, THIS PROGRAM IS DEVELOPED -- >> Cathy: IN MICHIGAN.

>> IN MICHIGAN, HOW DID YOU KNOW?

>> Cathy: I DO SOME HOMEWORK.

>> PATRICK COLBECK, HE WAS A STATE SENATOR, HE WORKED FOR ME FOR FIVE YEARS, HE RAN FOR GOVERNOR THIS THERE, THIS WHOLE -- GOVERNOR THERE, HE WORKED WITH THE DOCTORS, I KNOW THEM ALL, IT'S IN THE COUNTRY, IN A LOT OF PLACES.

IMAGINE YOU HAVE A DOCTOR, $70 A MONTH, IT'S LIKE A SUBSCRIPTION, AND EVERYONE CAN GO AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WANT, IT'S LIKE TAKING A CAR AND KEEPING IT TUNED UP.

>> Cathy: CONCIERGE SERVICE.

>> Eric: WASN'T THAT FOR THE WEALTHY?

>> NO, NO, NO.

HERE'S WHAT THIS DOES.

YOU GOT A PHYSICIAN CAN HANDLE 400, 600.

WE KNOW HOW MANY CAN DEPOT THERE PER MONTH.

>> Cathy: CUTS OUT THE MIDDLEMAN THEN?

>> CUTS OUT THE MIDDLEMAN.

WHEN YOU GO GET YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE, LIKE AT Y PILLOW, THAT'S KILLING OUR COMPANIES IN MINNESOTA.

HEALTHCARE IS KILLING EVERYTHING.

WHEN YOU GO TO GET THAT, NOW YOU CAN GET THIS HIGH DEDUCTIBLE.

AND BY THE WAY, WALZ JUST PASSED THREE WEEKS AGO, PASSED IT BECAUSE OF THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL, HE HAD TO.

WHERE NOW THAT $70 A MONTH CAN GO AGAINST YOUR DEDUCTIONS.

SO WHAT HAPPENS IS, THE INSURANCE COMPANIES NOW BECOME QUITE COMPETITIVE.

>> Cathy: YES, YOU'RE A HEALTHCARE EXECUTIVE.

>> YES, YES.

>> Eric: YOU DO THIS FOR A LIVING.

>> DO THIS FOR A LIVING.

FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE 50 STATES, THERE SHOULD BE 50 LABORATORIES OF SUCCESS, INNOVATION, CREATIVITY, WE DON'T HAVE THAT.

NOW, SOME OF THESE STATES ARE DOING IT WELL.

WE SHOULD BE OUR OWN LABORATORY OF SUCCESS.

I TELL YOU, MNsure, WE HAD OUR OWN HEALTHCARE PLAN THAT WAS BY FAR, BY NONE, BETTER THAN ANY OTHER HEALTHCARE PLAN IN THE COUNTRY EFORE OBAMACARE.

BECAUSE OF OBAMACARE, WE KIND OF RELINQUISHED OUR PLAN HERE IN THE STATE.

WE NEED TO REBUILD IT.

WE NEED TO REDO IT.

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING FOR THE AVERAGE MINNESOTAN.

THEY'LL GET A PAY INCREASE, AN ANNUAL PAY INCREASE.

THEIR HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS EXCEED THAT, THEY'RE NOT SEEING ANY NET HOUSEHOLD INCOME GROWTH.

WE'RE NUMBER 46.

THIS IS FROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

MINNESOTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

OVER THE COURSE OF TEN YEARS, WE'RE NUMBER 46 OUT OF 50 STATES IN HOUSEHOLD INCOME GROWTH.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE GOVERNOR PLAN THAT YOU HAVE PREPARED?

>> WE HAVE TO GET OFF THE BACKS OF PRIVATE BUSINESSES.

AND IT IS REALLY NOT JUST THE TAXES, BUT WE ARE OVERCOMPENSATING IN REGULATIONS, IN PERMITTING COSTS.

IT TAKES THREE YEARS TO PERMIT HERE IN THIS STATE VERSUS NEIGHBORING STATE OF IOWA AND WISCONSIN THAT TAKES 12 MONTHS.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHAT MIKE LINDELL SAID ABOUT HIS PLAN HERE?

>> I JUST WANT TO -- [ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> LET ME RESPOND TO THAT, MIKE, REAL QUICK.

>> Cathy: GO AHEAD.

>> LOOK, WE USED TO DO THIS STUFF WELL IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

OKAY?

IT'S NOT UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT -- WE'RE HERE TO HELP.

AND EVERY OCCASION WHERE THE GOVERNMENT COMES IN TO HELP, THINGS GET MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE AND THE QUALITY OF WHAT WE GET IS NOT THE SAME.

I'VE BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME AND I'VE WATCHED THIS HAPPEN.

NOT JUST IN HEALTHCARE, EVEN IN HOUSING, WITH CHILD CARE, FOR EXAMPLE, IS ANOTHER ONE.

CHILD CARE IS ONE OF HE MOST EXPENSIVE -- >> Cathy: VERY EXPENSIVE, RIGHT.

>> -- FOR YOUNG PEOPLE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW WHAT, WE DON'T HAVE THE NEIGHBORS ANYMORE, THEY'VE REGULATED THEM OUT.

>> Cathy: SAY, I'M WONDERING, I'M GOING TO SWITCH, IT'S ABOUT HEALTHCARE, BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY FOR SO LONG, YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE TWO BIG MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS THAT ARE BOILING ON THE BACK STOVE HERE IN MINNESOTA, RIGHT?

ALLINA AND CENTER HEALTH FROM CALIFORNIA AND SANFORD AND NORTH MEMORIAL.

AND I'M WONDERING, SHOULD MINNESOTA PUT THE BRAKES ON THE CONTRACTION OF MINNESOTA'S HEALTHCARE MARKETPLACE?

WOULD THAT HELP?

>> WE USED TO HAVE A VIBRANT ANTI-TRUST, YOU KNOW, THOUGHT PROCESS BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE MAJOR CONSOLIDATION.

PRICES GO UP, YOU DON'T HAVE THE CHOICES YOU HAVE.

I'M GOING TO TELL YOU WHO'S SUFFERING THE MOST, GREATER MINNESOTA.

THE HEALTHCARE OPPORTUNITIES, HOSPITALS THAT HAVE CLOSED, IT'S BEEN SIGNIFICANT.

AND THERE ARE SOLUTIONS THAT CAN BE HAD IN A MAJOR WAY, AGAIN, I'M GOING TO DO A CARVE-OUT AND GET A WAIVER ON IMPLEMENTING SOME OF THESE NEW INNOVATIONS THAT MINNESOTANS CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.

THEY CAN OPT INTO IT.

>> Eric: LET'S MOVE TO FRAUD.

>> I WANT TO FINISH.

YOU ASKED ME ABOUT MY BUDGET.

>> Cathy: ES.

>> I WANT TO SAY ONE THING.

>> Cathy: GO AHEAD.

>> IT'S COMING OUT, YOU GUYS CAN SEE IT IN THREE DAYS, ALL THE FACTS ARE THERE.

IT SAVES ABOUT $24 BILLION.

IT WILL COVER OUR INCOME TAX.

WITH HIS.

>> Cathy: WITH THIS HEALTHCARE THING YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT?

>> NOT JUST THE HEALTHCARE.

THERE'S MANY OTHER PIECES TO IT.

EDUCATION, WE'RE GOING TO SAVE 30% IN EDUCATION, IT'S GOING TO BE BETTER THAN WE HAD BEFORE.

THERE'S ABOUT FOUR DIFFERENT FACETS TO IT.

AND I'M JUST SAYING, THAT'S MY , IT'S NOT JUST BLOWIN' SMOKE, SAYING, OH, I'M GOING TO ELIMINATE INCOME TAX.

WHEN YOU SEE IT IN FOUR DAYS, YOU'RE GOING TO GO, WOW, THIS WILL ORK.

>> Eric: LET'S TALK ABOUT -- [ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> Eric: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE MEDICAID FRAUD.

I WONDER IF YOU THINK GOVERNOR WALZ, THE LEGISLATURE, LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE COURTS, HAVE THEY DONE ENOUGH?

>> WELL, THEY FAILED MINNESOTANS.

LISTEN, THE FRAUD THAT WE HAVE IN OUR STATE, MEDICAID RAUD, ANY LITANY OF IT IS A NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT AND THIS IS AN EMBARRASSMENT OF POOR LEADERSHIP AND NOT HAVING ACCOUNTABILITY.

ONE OF THE REASONS I'M RUNNING IS BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN ACCOUNTABLE AS CITIZENS OUR ENTIRE LIVES.

THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT SYSTEMS THAT WE HAVE TODAY IN AMERICA.

THOSE FOR THE REST OF US THAT ARE ACCOUNTABLE AND GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES OR ELECTED OFFICIALS A DIFFERENT SYSTEM.

IT'S TIME TO GET BACK TO ONE.

RIGHT NOW THERE'S BEEN NO ONE FIRED FOR ANY OF THE TUFF THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING.

WE HAD ONE PERSON RESIGN, I CALL HER A FALL GUY, POOR THING.

WE HAVE NO ONE THAT'S BEEN FIRED BY WALZ BY ALL OF THIS.

>> ASK ME THAT SAME QUESTION EXACTLY HOW YOU ASKED IT.

>> Eric: DO YOU FEEL LIKE GOVERNOR WALZ, THE LEGISLATURE, THE COURTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE DONE ENOUGH?

>> WEREN'T THEY IN ON IT?

[ Laughter ] I THINK WALZ HAS DONE ENOUGH, YEAH.

HE NEEDS TO GO TO JAIL.

THAT'S MY ANSWER.

THEY HAVEN'T DONE ENOUGH.

THEY'RE GOING TO INVESTIGATE, IF YOU GO TO MY WEBSITE RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN CHECK OUT, WE'VE GOT AN INVESTIGATION ON KEITH ELLISON.

BUT THAT'S ELECTIONS, THAT'S SEPARATE.

BUT I BELIEVE THESE POLITICIANS NEED TO GO.

THERE HASN'T BEEN ENOUGH -- PEOPLE NEED TO GET ARRESTED.

>> Cathy: AMY KLOBUCHAR THINKS THAT THERE SHOULD BE -- YOU SHOULD PERFORM TOP TO BOTTOM AUDIT OF STATE PROGRAMS TO END THESE DUPLICATIVE AND INEFFECTIVE PROGRAMS AND ROWTD OUT FRAUD.

WOULD YOU GET BEHIND THAT.

ROUT OUT FRAUD.

TOP TO BOTTOM PROGRAMS.

>> WE'RE DOING IT ALREADY.

>> Cathy: WHEN YOU'RE GOVERNOR, YOU'D DO THAT?

>> WE'RE SET WHEN I GET IN, THIS ONE'S GOTTA GO.

AMY KLOBUCHAR, LET'S BE CLEAR HERE, SHE SAID THIS BEFORE AND DID NOTHING.

IN 2020, SHE SAID SHE WOULD GO AFTER THE ELECTION FRAUD, SHE DIDN'T, SHE STOPPED IN THE SAND.

SHE WAS THE BIGGEST VOICE.

>> WE HAVE A SENATOR, SHE'S BEEN IN OFFICE NOW FOR 20 YEARS, SHE'S THE MOST SENIOR DEMOCRAT ELECTED IN THE STATE.

WHERE WAS HER LEADERSHIP THEN?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> LEADERS LEAD.

OKAY, EVEN WITHOUT THE RANK, BECAUSE THEY USE THEIR LEADERSHIP INFLUENCE.

THEY USE THEIR LEADERSHIP INFLUENCE TO EFFECT CHANGE.

SHE HASN'T DONE IT.

PERIOD.

>> Eric: LISA DEMUTH IS THE THIRD HIGHLY PROMINENT CANDIDATE.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF HER RECORD?

>> I DON'T KNOW, SHE ISN'T HERE, SHE'S PROBABLY AFRAID TO TELL IT.

>> I'LL SAY -- I'LL SAY THIS, I SAID IT ON THE STAGE AT THE CONVENTION.

AS REPUBLICANS, WE HAVE TO DO I ASELF-EXAMINATION.

THESE BIG -- A SELF-EXAMINATION.

THESE BIG SPENDING BILLS, OMNIBUS BILLS WITH EVERYTHING IN IT, FUNDED THE FRAUD.

AND WE'VE GOT OUR SIGNATURES ON THEM, SO DOES THE SPEAKER.

SO, IT'S ONE THING TO SAY, I'M GOING TO FIX FRAUD, YOU'VE BEEN COMPLICIT.

>> YES.

>> AND AT A CERTAIN POINT, YOU'VE GOT TO ADMIT, YOU KNOW WHAT, WE HAVE A PROBLEM.

AND WE HAVE TO ADMIT THAT WE NEED TO DO BETTER.

WE'RE NOT -- THEY'RE NOT THERE YET.

>> Cathy: SAY, YOU MENTIONED LEADERSHIP, I JUST WANT TO ASK YOU BOTH THIS.

AND IT'S A FINANCIAL THING, KIND OF A PERSONAL FINANCIAL THING.

YOU'VE HAD SOME PERSONAL ND PROFESSIONAL FINANCIAL SSUES.

>> WHAT?

>> Cathy: AND YOU'VE BEEN TRANSPARENT ABOUT IT.

YOU'VE BEEN TRANSPARENT ABOUT 'EM.

>> BEEN THE MOST ATTACKED PERSON AND COUNTRY IN THE -- PERSON AND COMPANY IN THE COUNTRY FOR FIVE YEARS.

>> Cathy: WHY DO YOU THINK YOU CAN STEWARD THE STATE'S FINANCES GIVEN YOUR BACKGROUND?

>> I BUILT A BUSINESS OUT OF A PICKUP TRUCK WITH NO MONEY, WENT TO EVERY PART OF MINNESOTA, TO BUILDING PROBABLY THE BIGGEST COMPANY MINNESOTA HAS EVER SEEN, DIRECT SALES, MAYBE THE COUNTRY.

THEN IT WAS THE MOST ATTACKED COMPANY AND PERSON, MAYBE NEXT TO THE PRESIDENT -- >> Cathy: BUT YOUR PILLOW MAKING IS FACING 25 MILLION IN CREDITOR CLAIMS.

>> CAN I FINISH?

ARE YOU GOING TO LET ME FINISH?

>> Cathy: GO AHEAD.

>> SO THE MOST ATTACKED COMPANY, ARCTIC FROST, OUR OWN GOVERNMENT, BIDEN'S GOVERNMENT, THIS IS PROVEN, THEY ATTACKED US, THEY DEBANKED US, DEMERCHANT SERVER, THEY CALLED OUR VENDORS TO GET RID OF MY PILLOW.

MY PILLOW'S IS HERE BY THE GRACE OF GOD, AS A CEO, ABLE TO GUIDE IT THROUGH THE BIGGEST STORM ANY COMPANY COULD EVER TAKE.

NO ONE COULD THAT WITHOUT GOD'S HELP AND WITH THE LEADERSHIP THAT I GAVE MY PILLOW.

MINNESOTA IS JUST LIKE MY PILLOW WAS.

MY PILLOW IS STANDING STRONG.

IT GOT THROUGH.

AND MINNESOTA, THINK OF IT AS A CEO.

MINNESOTA IS A WRECK.

WE'RE ONE OF THE MOST -- I THINK WE'RE THE SECOND MOST UNAFFORDABLE STATE TO LIVE IN NOW.

IT'S GOT PROBLEMS.

I'M A BUSINESSMAN.

DURING THESE FIVE YEARS, I HAD TO GO, BING BING BING, AND FIX ALL THESE, AND DURING THAT SAME TIME, BUILT MY OWN NETWORK, LINDELL TV, BUILT A CAUSE OF AMERICA, 300,000 PEOPLE STRONG.

WE NEED A LEADER -- [ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> Eric: OKAY, YOU'RE FILIBUSTER.

>> OKAY, HE'S A GREAT SALESMAN.

HAVE TO PITCH IT OVER.

>> Cathy: DO YOU TRUST MIKE LINDELL IF YOU WERE GOVERNOR -- IF HE WERE GOVERNOR TO RUN THE STATE, GIVEN HIS FINANCIAL PROBLEMS?

>> HERE'S WHO I DON'T TRUST.

I DON'T TRUST THE SENATOR.

I DON'T TRUST POLITICIANS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THIS ISSUE.

YOU KNOW, BE QUITE HONEST, SOME ON OUR OWN SIDE.

TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND DO RADICAL CHANGE.

MINNESOTA DOESN'T NEED TWEAKING.

IT NEEDS A RADICAL CHANGE AND IT STARTS WITH A RADICAL CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP.

AND THAT'S WHAT -- THIS IS WHY I'M IN.

AND I CAN TELL YOU, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET IT WITH AMY KLOBUCHAR.

AND HERE'S THE BIGGEST ISSUE.

AGAIN, WE NEED AN OUTSIDER, LEADERS THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH VEILS IN THEIR BUSINESSES -- VALLEYS IN THEIR BUSINESSES AND BRING THEM BACK UP, BUT, ALSO, THE LAST THING FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WE NEED SOMEONE THAT CAN GET ELECTED.

WE CAN GET ELECTED.

AND THE METRO HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE ACHILLES HEEL FOR US.

I CAN DO HAT.

AND, AND I BELIEVE YOU HELP UNIFY OUR STATE THAT'S BEEN DIVIDED FOR SO LONG.

>> athy: CAN I ASK YOU, THE LEADERSHIP QUESTION, TOO, YOUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OWES HIS EMPLOYEES SOME SUBSTANTIAL MONEY, FACING FINANCIAL ISSUES.

AND YOU PICKED HIM FOR HIS BUSINESS ACUMEN.

I'M WONDERING WITH A GUY LIKE THAT A HEARTBEAT AWAY FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IF YOU WERE TO WIN, I MEAN, WHAT ABOUT THAT?

THAT SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE, ISN'T IT?

>> WELL, CATHY, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS.

I KNOW AMY KLOBUCHAR HASN'T.

NO BUSINESS IN THE WORLD HAS EVER DONE THIS STRAIGHT UP.

STRAIGHT SUCCESS.

THEY HAVE PEAKS AND VALLEYS.

LEADERS LEAD THROUGH THOSE VALLEYS AND BRING THEM BACK UP.

THAT'S WHAT GOOD LEADERS DO.

>> Cathy: SO LOOK TO THAT.

>> BRIAN'S BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN TARGETED EVER SINCE HE CAME ON, CAME ON THE TICKET, THEY'VE BEEN TARGETED.

AND THAT'S WHY HE'S DEALING WITH SOME OF THE THINGS HE'S BEEN DEALING WITH.

>> Eric: PARENTAL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN THE K-12 YSTEM.

WOULD THAT BE SOMETHING YOU WOULD FOSTER?

>> NOT ONLY FOSTER, ADVOCATE.

I MEAN, LITERALLY, PARENTS HAVE BEEN HELD TO SECOND-TIER STATUS WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR KIDS' EDUCATION.

LOOK, GUYS, YOU GUYS KNOW THIS, THIS STATE USED TO HAVE THE NUMBER FIVE PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE OUNTRY.

AS A KID THAT GREW UP IN POVERTY, PUBLIC HOUSING IN NEW YORK CITY, LATER WITH MY FATHER IN A TRAILER PARK IN OKLAHOMA BEING, I WAS ABLE TO GET -- IN OKLAHOMA, I WAS ABLE TO GET ENOUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION TO BE COMPETITIVE IN A FORTUNE 500 COMPANY.

IF I STARTED HERE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION IN MINNESOTA TODAY, IN TIM WALZ'S PUBLIC EDUCATION, I WOULD STILL BE STUCK IN POVERTY FOR GENERATIONS.

WE CAN DO BETTER BECAUSE WE ARE BETTER.

AND IT STARTS WITH LETTING PARENTS CHOOSE.

SO WE'LL HAVE SCHOOL CHOICE, PARENTS WILL DECIDE, THE DOLLARS WOULD FOLLOW THE KIDS.

AND THEN, SECOND, WE WILL BRING VOCATIONAL EDUCATION BACK TO HIGH SCHOOL.

NOT EVERY PATHWAY OF SUCCESS NEEDS TO GO TO COLLEGE.

WE NEVER SHOULD HAVE TAKEN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION OUT.

AND WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THE BASICS OF READING, WRITING, ARITHMETIC, GET ALL THE SOCIAL JUSTICE STUFF, THE DEI STUFF OUT OF SCHOOLS.

>> Eric: SCHOOLS ALL OVER THE STATE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT LACK OF FUNDS.

IS MONEY THE ISSUE HERE OR DOES IT GO BEYOND THAT?

>> WELL, LET ME TELL YOU, MINNESOTA DURING A TIME SPAN WE SPENT 25% MORE MONEY, WE WENT FROM KENDALL SAID IN THE TOP TIER N EDUCATION DOWN TO THE BOTTOM TIER.

NOW, AS A BUSINESSMAN, I'M GOING OKAY, I REALLY WENT IN AND LOOKED AT ALL THIS, I'M SAYING, WELL, AS A BUSINESSMAN, IS THERE ANY OTHER STATES THAT MIGHT HAVE DONE BETTER THAN THIS?

THERE'S ONE THAT STANDS ALONE.

IT'S MISSISSIPPI.

DURING THE TIME, MISSISSIPPI WAS 50th IN THE NATION, A FEW SHORT YEARS LATER, WENT TO 35th, NOW THEY'RE IN THE TEENS.

I WENT DOWN, I GOT ALL THEIR STUFF WHAT HE DID.

WHAT THEY DID.

WHAT THEY DID, IT'S A PLUG-IN SYSTEM, BY THE WAY, THEY WENT 30% DOWN IN COST, THEY WENT THE OTHER WAY IN COST, THEY WENT UP IN EDUCATION.

THEY GOT RID OF THE DEI, BROUGHT HOOKED ON PHONICS, THEY BROUGHT IN TEACHERS -- THE BASICS, READING, ARITHMETIC, THE STUFF WE GREW UP WITH.

THEY GOT RID OF ALL THIS GARBAGE THAT THEY WERE TEACHING AND WENT BACK TO THE BASICS AND BROUGHT IN SPECIAL TEACHERS, TOO, ESPECIALLY FOR THE READING.

AND THEIR COSTS WENT DOWN AND IT FLEW UP.

SO THAT'S AN EASY ONE FOR MINNESOTA.

>> RIGHT.

>> YOU BRING IT IN AND PLUG IT IN.

>> LET ME OUT ON THE BUDGET PIECE.

OUR BUDGET, FOR OUR DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, HAS GONE UP IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, SINCE WALZ HAS BEEN IN OFFICE, TEACHERS AND THE STUDENTS ARE GETTING PEANUTS, IS GOING -- IT'S GOING TO ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, IT'S NOT GOING TO WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO, WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD.

THIS IS ACCOUNTABILITY.

EVERY YEAR OUR BUDGET'S GONE UP, PERFORMANCE HAS GONE DOWN.

WE HAVE A TEN-YEAR LOWEST LEVEL WE'VE EVER SEEN IN A.C.T.

SCORES AMONGST HIGH SCHOOLERS, WE SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED.

AGAIN, WE NEED TO LEADERS TO HELP LEAD THIS.

>> ANOTHER THING, HOOKED ON PHONICS, BY THE WAY, BACK TO THE BUDGET THING, OUR SYSTEMS AND THESE MANDATES AREN'T PAID FOR, THEY'RE BRINGING W IN, THEY'RE PAID FOR, THEY'RE STACKED ON BONDS, HOW DO THEY PAY FOR IT, THEY RAISE YOUR PROPERTY TAXES.

MY BUDGET, YOU BRING IN THE NEW SYSTEM, YOU SAVE 30%, THE DOLLARS FOLLOW THE KIDS TO THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS, WHATEVER, ND YOU BRING THEM IN, THE SAVINGS THERE, YOU'LL SEE IT IN MY BUDGET, THAT'S WHERE THE PROPERTY TAXES OME DOWN.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> Eric: I WANT TO ASK YOU TO BE A LITTLE CONCISE HERE, THIS IS IN YOUR WHEELHOUSE, ELECTION INTEGRITY.

BUT MINNESOTA, I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ON THIS ISSUE, HOW DO WE FARE IN MINNESOTA?

>> IT'S ALL BETTER, ELECTIONS, YOU GOT TO GET RID OF THE MACHINES AND GET TO PAPER BALLOTS AND COUNT IT.

>> Eric: WE HAVE PAPER.

>> 132 COUNTRIES, THEY'RE COUNTING BY MACHINES, THAT'S- MIUNTING BY MACHINES, THAT'S- MISCTING BY MACHINES, THAT'S- MISCONNG BY MACHINES, THAT'S- MISCONST BY MACHINES, THAT'S- MISCONSTRUY MACHINES, THAT'S- MISCONSTRUEDMACHINES, THAT'S- MISCONSTRUED, CHINES, THAT'S- MISCONSTRUED, YOINES, THAT'S- MISCONSTRUED, YOU ES, THAT'S- MISCONSTRUED, YOU HA, THAT'S- MISCONSTRUED, YOU HAVETHAT'S- MISCONSTRUED, YOU HAVE PAT'S- MISCONSTRUED, YOU HAVE PAP'S- MISCONSTRUED, YOU HAVE PAPER- MISCONSTRUED, YOU HAVE PAPER- TABULATED COUNTER.

I CAN SIT HERE FOR AN HOUR.

>> Eric: I KNOW YOU CAN.

>> PAPER BALLOTS HAND COUNT, WE HAVE THREE SYSTEMS MY TEAM HAVE DEVELOPED, WE'VE SEEN PLACES IN THE UNITED STATES, THAT'S YOUR SECURITY.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT MINNESOTA?

>> MINNESOTA, WE'RE KIND OF A UNIQUE STATE.

WE HAVE ALL THREE BRANDS THAT AMY SAID WE GOT TO GET RID OF.

E & S HART AND DOMINION.

THERE'S MACHINES HERE, ABSOLUTELY.

THERE'S O MACHINES, PAPER BALLOT.

>> Cathy: WE HAVE A HISTORY OF CLEAN ELECTIONS IN THIS STATE.

>> NO, WE DON'T.

>> NO, WE DON'T.

>> Cathy: WE HAVE A HISTORY OF CLEAN ELECTIONS IN THIS STATE.

>> IF I CAN BRING US BACK TO NORM COLEMAN, HIS ELECTION AS SENATOR.

>> Cathy: RIGHT.

>> OKAY.

AFTER THE ELECTION, THERE WAS AN AUDIT DONE, AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE, WOW, THERE'S 800 BALLOTS HERE THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN COUNTED, AT THE TIME, IN 2018, THESE GUYS WERE NOT ELIGIBLE BECAUSE THEY WERE FELONS, IT WAS ENOUGH VOTES TO GET AL FRANKEN ELECTED OVER NORM COLEMAN AND IT WAS LIKE OOPS.

BUT BY THAT TIME, THE ELECTION IS CERTIFIED.

THAT'S PUBLIC.

THE BIGGEST ISSUE THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, DESPITE THE MACHINES AND EVERYTHING ELSE, WE HAVE STEVE SIMON THAT'S NOT G THE ROLLS TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE CLEANED UP.

>> EXACTLY.

>> AND THEN IN THE SENATE, WE HAD ONE OF OUR STATE SENATORS, SAID, LOOK, LET'S CLEAN UP THOSE THAT HAVE PASSED AWAY, THE DECEASED CITIZENS.

ALL THE DEMOCRAT SENATORS VOTED AGAINST IT.

WE NEED TO CLEAN UP OUR ROLLS.

THERE'S HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT SHOULD NOT BE ON THOSE VOTER ROLLS.

>> CHECK MY WEBSITE, I PUT IT UP TODAY, KEITH ELLISON, STEVE SIMON, IT'S IN THERE, ALL THIS WHAT THEY'VE DONE FOR THIS ELECTION, HE'S SPOT ON.

HE'S BLOCKING THE UNITED STATES FROM GETTING THE VOTER ROLLS CLEANED UP AND YOU CAN GO THERE, THEY'VE COMMITTED CRIMES, IF YOU GO THERE RIGHT NOW TO MY WEBSITE, WE JUST -- I SENT A LETTER TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TODAY SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT THEY'VE DONE.

IT'S SO CORRUPT.

>> Eric: BUT STUFF LIKE SAME-DAY REGISTRATION, DRIVER'S LICENSE FOR ALL, VOUCHING, SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT HAVE -- >> ABSOLUTELY NONSENSE.

>> LET ME GIVE YOU AN IDEA HOW THAT WORKS.

SO, LET'S JUST SAY YOU JUST ARRIVED HERE FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY, YOU'RE NOT A CITIZEN.

YOU GET TO GO GET YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE.

YOU'RE AUTOMATICALLY SENT -- ENROLLED, REGISTERED TO VOTE.

YOU GET A ETTER A FEW DAYS, A WEEK LATER, AND THAT LETTER SAYS, HEY, IF YOU'RE NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE, IF YOU'RE NOT A CITIZEN, SEND THIS DOCUMENT BACK, SIGN IT, TELL US YOU'RE NOT ELIGIBLE.

THAT'S HOW THAT WORKS.

>> YEAH, AND HOW ABOUT THIS?

YOU KNOW THOSE 54,000 CARDS THAT WALZ GAVE OUT, THE ID CARDS FOR ILLEGALS, THEY'RE VOTING, THEY'RE REGISTERED TO VOTE, THEY'RE REGISTERED TO VOTE.

>> IF THEY DON'T OPT OUT.

>> THEY GOTTA BE TAKEN OFF.

>> Cathy: I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE SECRETARY OF STATE TALK ABOUT THIS.

>> IN MINNESOTA, HE'S ON THE WEBSITE, YOU CAN SEE HOW CORRUPT HE IS, BUT IN MINNESOTA, I CAN VOUCH FOR, I'M HERE, GET TO VOTING, I CAN VOUCH -- >> Cathy: DO YOU SEE YOURSELF -- >> VOUCH FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIVE HERE.

>> Cathy: DO YOU SEE YOURSELF DOING A REVAMP OF OF THE SYSTEM IF YOU ARE GOVERNOR?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S NOT A REVAMP.

ONE OF THE CIVIL IGHTS BILLS THAT'S IN VIOLATION RIGHT NOW WAS PASSED RIGHT AFTER THE CIVIL WAR.

BECAUSE OF WHAT THE DEMOCRATS SEGREGATED SOUTH WAS DOING IN THE SOUTH.

AND THIS WAS AN ISSUE, IT'S MADE IT A CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE.

AND I'M GOING TO MAKE IT A CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE IF WE DON'T GET THIS VOTER RIGHTS TUFF CLEANED UP.

DEMOCRATS WERE DOING IT IN THE POST CIVIL WAR RECONSTRUCTION TO MANIPULATE THE BLACK VOTE IN THE SOUTH.

THEY'RE DOING IT RIGHT NOW.

>> YOU KNOW, ONE LAST THING -- >> Cathy: YOU GUYS, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S EVIDENCE FOR WHAT YOU'RE SAYIN'.

>> WELL, PROVE ME WRONG.

[ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> HE WON'T TURN OVER THE ROLLS.

>> SAVE AMERICA.

HERE'S THE BOTTOM LINE.

THE SAVE AMERICA ACT ISN'T GETTING PASSED BY POLITICIANS, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, WHEN THE POLLS IN THE UNITED STATES -- >> 85%.

>> -- SAY 85% OF US WANT THE CITIZENS TO VOTE.

HOW SIMPLE IS THAT?

YOU SHOULD BE AN AMERICAN CITIZEN TO VOTE.

AND CAN'T EVEN PUSH THAT THROUGH.

THAT'S SAME SHAMEFUL IN OUR COUNTRY.

>> Eric: HOW MUCH EVIDENCE IS THERE THAT THERE IS RIGGED ELECTIONS IN MINNESOTA?

>> WHY DON'T YOU -- >> I GAVE YOU ONE.

>> THE PRESIDENT DECERTIFIED A WEEK AGO, THE EVIDENCE WITH THE MACHINES, HE DECERTIFIED WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD, THE CIA, DID YOU LOOK AT IT, DID YOU READ IT?

>> Eric: WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH INNESOTA?

>> IT'S MINNESOTA, THE MACHINES ARE HERE, IT'S ALL THERE, YOU JUST GOT TO -- YOU GO TO LINDELLTV.COM.

>> YOU GUYS ARE THE JOURNALISTS.

>> GO TO LINDELL TV, YOU GO THERE, IT SAYS RIGHT THERE.

THERE'S ALL THE EVIDENCE.

>> WHY ISN'T STEVE RELEASING THE VOTER ROLLS?

>> HE'S NOT REQUIRED TO DO THAT.

>> YES, HE IS, THE GOVERNMENT ASKED HIM TO.

>> FULL TRANSPARENCY, IF THEY -- YOU HAVE 50% OF YOUR ELECTORATE CONCERNED ABOUT THE VALIDITY OF THE ELECTORATE, WHY NOT MAKE SURE THAT IT'S TRANSPARENT SO THERE'S NO MORE CONCERNS?

>> Eric: HOW WOULD THAT DATA BE -- HOW WOULD THAT DATA BE USED BY THE FEDS?

>> CLEAN THE VOTER ROLLS?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

GIVE AN EXAMPLE.

WISCONSIN HAS 7.1 MILLION NAMES ON THEIR VOTER ROLLS, IF EVERYBODY THAT COULD VOTE IN WISCONSIN IS REGISTERED, 4.2 MILLION.

WE'RE JUST LIKE THAT IN MINNESOTA.

THAT'S AN EXTREME THAT THERE'S THREE MILLION.

HERE'S IT'S PROBABLY FOUR MILLION -- NOT FOUR MILLION -- 400,000 THAT SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE VOTER ROLLS.

DON'T YOU WANT THAT?

>> NEW JERSEY, WE HAD 6600 PEOPLE.

>> Eric: BUT THAT'S NOT MINNESOTA.

>> I JUST TOLD YOU MINNESOTA.

THERE'S 400,000 PEOPLE ON OUR VOTER ROLLS, NAMES THAT SHOULDN'T BE ON THERE.

>> Cathy: I NEED TO ASK YOU GUYS THIS QUESTION, I DON'T THINK YOU'VE BEEN ASKED THIS QUESTION ABOUT DATA CENTERS.

>> ABOUT WHAT?

>> Cathy: DATA CENTERS.

PINE ISLAND, HERM MAN TOWN, RURAL VOTERS ARE FIRED UP ABOUT DATA CENTERS, THEY SEE THEM AS A THREAT TO SMALL-TOWN LIFE.

WOULD YOU PUT BRAKES IF YOU'RE GOVERNOR?

>> I NEED MORE EVIDENCE FIRST.

I DON'T WANT TO JUMP IN.

I WANT TO SEE OUTCOME DATA FROM OTHER STATES.

THEY'RE NOT -- RURAL MINNESOTANS ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR WAY OF LIFE.

THEY'RE CONCERNED THAT THESE DATA CENTERS, THEY REQUIRE A LOT OF WATER.

>> Cathy: THEY DO SUCK UP A LOT OF WATER AND ELECTRICITY.

>> A LOT OF WATER AND A LOT OF ENERGY THAT THEY GOT TO PAY FOR.

SO IT'S NOT JUST THEIR WAY OF LIFE.

THEY HAVE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS.

AND IF THESE ARE THE -- WE GOTTA MAKE SURE WE ADDRESS THOSE AND IT SHOULDN'T BE DISMISSED.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> IT'S ALMOST THE SAME ANSWER.

I'D HAVE TO LOOK AT IT.

ANYTHING WOULD COME UP, ME AS GOVERNOR, YOU LOOK AT IT, YOU WEIGH THINGS, AS A BUSINESSMAN, HEY, THIS IS GOOD, THIS IS BAD HERE, YOU KNOW, AND THEN YOU MAKE DECISIONS AM.

YOU MAKE DECISIONS.

NO TO MAKE A DECISION, NOT HAVE ALL THE DATA, YOU'RE MAKING IT TOO SOON.

>> Eric: WILL YOU GUYS CAMPAIGN FOR WHOEVER INSTANCE THE PRIMARY -- WHOEVER WINS THE PRIMARY?

WILL IT BE A UNIFIED REPUBLICAN FRONT FOR GOVERNOR?

>> I'M A BIG FAN OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, A HOUSE DIVIDED CANNOT STAND, OUR FIRST REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT.

AND ALL THE PRESIDENTS THAT HAVE GONE WITH THAT, EVEN RONALD REAGAN, WE HAVE TO STAND TOGETHER.

>> 100% -- 100%.

I'LL GIVE THE BEST BUDGET PLAN TO WHOEVER MOVES ON.

>> Eric: WHEN IS THIS MOVING ON?

>> PROBABLY THREE TO FIVE DAYS.

WE'LL HAVE IT OUT THIS WEEK.

>> Cathy: YOUR BUDGET PLAN IS ON YOUR WEBSITE?

>> IT IS.

>> Eric: YOUR 15-POINT PLAN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

MY CONTRACT WITH MINNESOTA IS ON THE WEBSITE.

KQFORMN.COM.

>> YOU CAN SEE MINE AT LINDELL.GOV -- LINDELLGOV.COM.

>> Eric: VERY LIVELY.

>> CATHY: DON'T FORGET, PRIMARY DAY IS TUESDAY, AUGUST 11TH.

EARLY VOTING HAS ALREADY BEGUN.

WANT TO FIND YOUR POLLING PLACE OR SEE WHAT CANDIDATES ARE ON YOUR BALLOT?

HEAD TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S WEBSITE TO FIND THAT INFORMATION.

THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF "ALMANAC."

WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

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