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

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY· GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING ELECTRICITY AND RELATED SERVICES TO 28 CO-OPS IN MINNESOTA.

A TOUCHSTONE ENERGY COOPERATIVE.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: MAKING DENTAL CARE POSSIBLE FOR MINNESOTANS IN NEED.

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THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A TRIBAL NATION FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION - ESPECIALLY IN TIMES LIKE TODAY.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> ERIC: THANKS FOR JOINING US.

WE HAVE A HEAPING HELPING OF POLITICS ON THE SHOW TONIGHT AND IT ALL BEGINS NOW.

>> Cathy: YOU ARE CORRECT.

EVERY ODD-NUMBERED YEAR MINNESOTA'S GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES A TWO-YEAR BUDGET PROPOSAL.

THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK.

GOVERNOR TIM WALZ'S BUDGET INCLUDES NEW COVID SPENDING, HELP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, AND AN EMPHASIS ON CLOSING THE EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENT GAP.

TAX HIKES WOULD HELP PAY FOR THE PLAN.

IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER PAUL GAZELKA WILL OFFER A DIFFERENT VISION.

BUT UP FIRST, GOVERNOR TIM WALZ WILL DEFEND HIS APPROACH.

HE JOINS US FROM THE MEZZANINE.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, GOVERNOR.

>> HI, CATHY, HI, ERIC, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT EVERYONE WAS TALKING ABOUT THIS WEEK, YOUR BUDGET, WHAT GOT EVERYONE'S ATTENTION WAS WAS YOUR IDEA FOR THE TAX HIKE ON THE WEALTHIEST MINNESOTANS AND CORPORATIONS.

THE SENATE SAYS NO GO.

SO WHY EVEN BOTHER?

>> YEAH, WELL, BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT FOR MINNESOTANS.

WE ARE IN THE MIDST, STILL, OF THE ONCE-IN-A-CENTURY GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND AN ECONOMIC CRISIS UNSEEN SINCE THE GREAT DEPRESSION.

NOT JUST IN MINNESOTA, NOT JUST IN THE UNITED STATES BUT GLOBALLY.

AND IT DID NOT HIT EVERYBODY EQUAL.

AND, SO, THIS IS A BUDGET, AND I'M PROUD THAT WE WENT INTO THE PANDEMIC WITH ONE OF THE STRONGEST STATE BUDGETS IN THE COUNTRY, WE DO HAVE BUDGET RESERVES, BUT WE KNOW THAT THERE'S BEEN AN UNEQUAL HIT.

EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY, GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOME THINGS THIS SUMMER TO CATCH SOME STUDENTS UP.

BUT ALSO TO START WORKING WITH SOME REALLY FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES AROUND THAT ACHIEVEMENT GAP, AND THEN WORKING FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES, AND WHAT I'M ASKING FOLKS IS, IS THAT THE FOLKS AT THE TOP, THE 1% THAT I'M ASKING FROM THE 1%, THOSE FOLKS DID INCREDIBLY WELL.

AND I DON'T SAY IT AS A PEJORATIVE, I'M NOT DEMONIZING THEM, WHAT I'M SAYING, MOST OF THOSE FOLKS ARE NOT SELFISH, THEY UNDERSTAND THE INVESTMENTS WE MAKE ARE WHAT CREATES THE WEALTH FOR THEM, THAT WORKFORCE, TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER THINGS.

SO I THINK THIS IS A SMART BUDGET, DOESN'T SPEND ANY MORE THAN INFLATION, IT LIVES WITHIN OUR MEANS AND IT STARTS TO INVEST, WHICH WE KNOW NEEDS TO HAPPEN, TO RECOVER FROM COVID-19.

>> Eric: GOVERNOR, AS I READ THE PROPOSAL, THE SPENDING CUTS THAT YOU TALK ABOUT, I THINK LESS THAN 1% OF THE STATE BUDGET, THIS IS YOUR SECOND BUDGET NOW AS GOVERNOR.

IS THERE ANYWHERE IN THE STATE BUDGET WHERE THERE COULD BE EFFICIENCIES OR BETTER SERVICE, BETTER BANG FOR THE TAXPAYERS' BUCK?

>> SURE.

THERE'S ABOUT 200 MILLION IN CUTS, ERIC.

WHAT WE'VE KNOWN IN COVID-19, WE'RE STARTING TO SEE A LOT OF WORK ACROSS AGENCIES.

I'M CERTAINLY OPEN TO LISTENING TO FOLKS.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO KNOW IS, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD CUT, WE NEED TO BE SPECIFIC, WHICH EPIDEMIOLOGIST WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO CUT, STATE PATROL, WHAT CAN WE DO THERE, CIVIL UNREST, TO THE NEED TO RESPOND TO DIFFERENT THINGS OR WHETHER IT'S IN EDUCATION AND THE IDEA THAT WE KNOW WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TEACHERS OF COLOR, WE KNOW WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH COUNSELORS AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, AND IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT, I'M MORE THAN WILLING TO ASK THEM, BUT ONCE IT COMES DOWN TO THE SPECIFICS, I NEVER HEAR A LOT ABOUT.

THAT BUT WE'VE HAD A HIRING FREEZE ON SINCE THIS STARTED.

WE'VE ASKED THEM TO TIGHTEN BELTS.

AS I SAID, WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR MORE THAN INFLATION, SO IT ENDS UP BEING -- KEEPING US RIGHT-SIZED TO MAKE AN IMPACT FOR MINNESOTANS.

>> Cathy: YOU GOT SOME INTERESTING SPENDING IN THIS BUDGET, GOVERNOR.

EXPLAIN TO US WHAT IS THE PUBLIC SAFETY FUND?

WHAT WILL THAT PAY FOR EXACTLY?

>> YEAH.

THIS SAFE FUND, WE DID SOMETHING REALLY SMART, I SAY WE, DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, LEGISLATORS, WE CREATED A ACCOUNT, WHEN FEMA DOESN'T COME IN, FLOODING, ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION IN ALBERT LEA WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO RESPOND WITH MULTIPLE AGENCIES AND BE ABLE TO PAY FOR THAT.

WHAT WE UNDERSTAND, WE KNOW THERE'S BIG THINGS COMING, THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD, THE TRIAL IS GOING TO COME UP WITH DEREK CHAUVIN.

THERE'S DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO HAPPEN.

WHAT I'M ASKING, LET'S PLAN ACCORDINGLY, LET'S WORK ON PUBLIC SAFETY AS A MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH, LET'S UNDERSTAND THAT PLANNING AHEAD ON THAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO.

WE DID IT AROUND THESE OTHER DISASTERS AND THESE OTHER THINGS THAT HIT.

I THINK WE FOCUS AROUND THAT AND IT MAKES SENSE.

>> Cathy: NOW, THIS MONEY WOULD NOT GO TO, SAY, MINNEAPOLIS, OR SMALL TO CLEAN UP RIOT DAMAGE FROM LAST YEAR?

>> NO.

THAT'S A SEPARATE PROPOSAL.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DEFINITELY NEED TO DO.

I SAID, WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD, NOT ONLY SPARKED A RECKONING HERE IN MINNESOTA, IT SPARKED IT ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND THE WORLD.

AND THERE WAS CERTAINLY BEHAVIOR THAT WENT FAR BEYOND FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OR ANGER ABOUT SYSTEMIC RACISM.

THOSE FOLKS ARE BEING PROSECUTED AS THEY SHOULD BE, BUT IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT WE HAD A WHOLE LOT OF INNOCENT FOLKS AND BUSINESSES THAT GOT CAUGHT UP IN THIS AND IT MAKES SENSE FOR US TO REINVESTMENT I WAS ON WITH THE MINNEAPOLIS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE JUST YESTERDAY AND TALKING ABOUT THE VIBRANCY OF THAT AND WHAT WE NEED TO COME BACK.

I'M PROPOSING FOR US TO DO THAT.

BUT I'M GOING TO NEED SOME HELP FROM THE LEGISLATURE, OBVIOUSLY.

I THINK IT MAKES SENSE.

WE HELP OUR COMMUNITIES IN FLOODS.

WE HELP THEM IN OTHER SITUATIONS.

THIS IS A TIME TO HELP.

>> Eric: YOUR FIRST BUDGET AS GOVERNOR PROPOSED A PRETTY LARGE GAS TAX INCREASE.

NO GAS TAX HIKE PROPOSED THIS YEAR.

HAS THE NEED CHANGED?

OR YOU'RE MAKING A POLITICAL CALCULATION?

OR WHAT'S UP THERE?

>> YEAH, A LITTLE OF BOTH, I THINK.

IT HAS NOT CHANGED.

IN FACT, IT'S GOTTEN MORE EXPENSIVE NOW, THE NEED HAS NOT GONE AWAY.

WE'RE GOING NEED TO MAKE THOSE INVESTMENTS.

AS I MADE THE CASE LAST TIME, IT ACTUALLY SAVES US MONEY TO MAKE THAT.

I THINK THE CALCULATION THAT'S CHANGED IS WE HAVE AN ADMINISTRATION IN D.C. THAT ALSO UNDERSTANDS THIS.

AND AS I THINK -- WE HEARD INFRASTRUCTURE, EVERY OTHER WEEK, COMING OUT OF D.C. AND NOTHING WAS DONE.

WE KNOW THAT MOST OF THE SPENDING AROUND INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSIT AND HIGHWAYS, ROADS AND BRIDGES, A BULK OF THAT IS FEDERAL BECAUSE IT'S THE ONLY WAY WE CAN DO IT IN A COUNTRY THIS LARGE.

I THINK WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S WILLINGNESS TO LOOK AT THAT, IT MAKES SENSE.

WE ALSO RECEIVED SOME HELP AROUND ESPECIALLY TRANSIT AND SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL, ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS TO THE INVESTMENTS THAT MINNESOTA'S ALREADY MADE.

BUT IT'S NOT -- IT'S NOT GONE AWAY.

BUT IN COVID-19, WE HAVE TO CHANGE OUR CALCULATIONS, AND AS I'VE SAID, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT I'M NOT ABLE TO DO THAT I WANTED TO DO THAT SIMPLY DON'T FIT IN A BUDGET RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE TO REPRIORITIZE.

>> Eric: CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE DUE NORTH EDUCATION PLAN A LITTLE BIT?

VERY ASPIRATIONAL IN ITS GOALS.

THERE WAS SOME QUESTIONING WHETHER THERE WERE ENOUGH SPECIFICS THERE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON.

BUT HERE'S ONE SPECIFIC I'M WONDERING ABOUT.

REDUCING THE IMPORTANCE OF SENIORITY IN HIRING AND FIRING OF TEACHERS.

I'VE HEARD THAT LAST HIRED FIRST FIRED PROBLEM IS HURTING THE RETENTION OF PARTICULARLY TEACHERS OF COLOR.

>> WELL, THERE'S A LOT IN THIS, ERIC.

I APPRECIATE YOU SAYING BOLDNESS.

I WANT TO SAY BOLD TO ALL THE PARTNERS WHO ARE IN THIS.

THIS WAS A GROUP OF LEADERS ACROSS THE SPECTRUM THAT CAME TOGETHER AND DECIDED THAT THE OLD CLICHÉS WERE GOING TO BE PUT ASIDE.

THIS WASN'T ABOUT PRIVATIZING EDUCATION, IT WASN'T ABOUT DEMONIZING TEACHERS, IT WAS ABOUT CENTERING CHILDREN AT EVERYTHING THAT WE DO IN EDUCATION.

AND WHETHER IT WAS DENISE SPECHT REPRESENTING 86,000 TEACHERS OR ALAN PAGE REPRESENTING A VOICE THAT NEEDS TO BE HEARD IN CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP.

I THINK WHAT YOU SEE IS THIS IS, YES, ASPIRATIONAL, BUT IT'S ALSO OPERATIONAL.

BUT IT'S NOT DONE AT THE LEVEL OF THE GOVERNOR PUTTING IT OUT.

IT WAS WRITTEN BY MINNESOTANS FOR MINNESOTANS.

AND WHAT WE'VE RECOGNIZED IS, IS THAT WE HAVE GOT TO BE MORE TAILORED TO THE INDIVIDUAL CHILD.

AND YOU'RE RIGHT ABOUT THE TEACHERS OF COLOR.

IT IS THE ABSOLUTELY FOUNDATIONAL PIECE THAT THOSE CHILDREN NEED TO SEE PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE THEM AND TO BE VERY CANDID, WHITE STUDENTS NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND BE EXPOSED TO THE DIFFERENT VISIONS AND THE DIFFERENT WAYS OF LIFE AND THE LIVED EXPERIENCES.

SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT T. I THINK NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME.

I THINK COVID-19 HAS EXACERBATED THE GAP.

AND NOW, MORE THAN EVER, WE JUST SIMPLY HAVE TO SAY, THIS IS THE TIME.

THIS ALL TIES INTO WHAT WE SAW WITH GEORGE FLOYD, IT ALL TIES IN WITH LAGGING WAGES, WITH HEALTH INEQUITIES THAT HAVE MADE COVID MORE DANGEROUS TO BLACK COMMUNITIES.

THIS IS OUR TIME, WHEN GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH SHOOK THE WORLD, I SAID AT THE TIME, AND I STILL BELIEVE IT, THIS IS OUR LAST BEST CHANCE AND THERE'S SO MUCH GOOD IN MINNESOTA, THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO HIGHLIGHT AND FIX THAT.

>> Cathy: I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT UP, COVID.

"THE WASHINGTON POST" HAD AN ARTICLE TODAY ABOUT VACCINATION RATE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

OVERALL, MINNESOTA'S RATE IS 6%.

AND THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 7%.

WE'RE IN THE BOTTOM 10 STATES IN TERMS OF VACCINATIONS.

VACCINATION RATES.

AND I'M CURIOUS, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CONFUSED AS TO WHAT HAS GONE ON WITH OUR ROLLOUT HERE.

>> WELL, THE COUNTRY IS CONFUSED.

>> Cathy: RIGHT.

BUT THE LOTTERY FOR 65 PLUS, THAT SEEMED TO GET PEOPLE'S -- KIND OF SCRAMP THEIR HEADS.

SCRATCH THEIR HEADS.

WAS THAT THE RIGHT WAY TO GO ABOUT THIS?

>> I THINK SO.

IT WASN'T UNTIL ABOUT THIS WEEK THAT WE HAD A NATIONAL STRATEGY.

I'D LIKE TO SAY WITH THE NATIONALS, I WAS ON A CALL WITH GOVERNORS TODAY, THERE'S A LOT OF STATES THAT FIGURED OUT THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO ORDER YOUR SECOND DOSES AND YOUR DENOMINATOR WENT DOWN.

THE REAL MEASURE IS HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE SECOND DOSES AND HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GETTING IMMUNITY.

IN THAT REGARD, MINNESOTA'S TOP TEN.

SO THERE'S A BROADER PERSPECTIVE AND A LOT OF THESE DOSES WENT TO THE FEDERAL PROGRAM TO THE LARGE PHARMACIES, AND THEY WERE SETTING ON THEIR SECOND DOSES AND THEY'RE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN WITH OVER 2,000 LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, BUT IT'S NOT FAST ENOUGH.

TO TRY AND MOVE IT OUT THERE.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW AS A RESULT OF 50 DIFFERENT STRATEGIES, HUNGER GAME STRATEGY, RATHER THAN A NATIONAL CONSOLIDATED STRATEGY.

WE HAVE 16% MORE NOW NEXT WEEK.

I THINK THESE STRATEGIES OF TRYING TO GET FOLKS IN AND GET THESE OUT AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE IS ONE PART OF A MUCH BROADER ECOSYSTEM.

THE BEST THING IS IS FOR YOUR LOCAL PHYSICIAN TO TELL YOU THEY'VE GOT THEM AND TO COME DOWN, MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, GET YOU IN, GET YOU OUT OR GO DOWN TO THE LOCAL PHARMACY.

THE FACT S THERE'S NOT ENOUGH RIGHT NOW.

THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON NEWS IS GOOD.

BUT THIS REPORTING ON THIS, IN FACT, WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS, THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ABOUT THE MIDDLE 30 STATES IS ABOUT 60 HOURS FROM WHEN THE VACCINE WAS DELIVERED IN SOME STATES EARLIER THAN OTHERS.

AND IT KIND OF IS JUST INDICATIVE OF THIS SCATTER SHOT APPROACH THAT HAS THE UNITED STATES HAS THE HIGHEST DEATH RATES, HIGHEST INFECTION RATES AND NOT WORKING TO TRY AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE VACCINE IS ONE PIECE OF THIS.

I'M PROUD TO SAY HERE AGAIN, IT WAS MINNESOTA THAT FOUND THIS BRAZILIAN VARIANT P-1 AND THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO RESTART HOW WE GET THIS RIGHT.

>> Cathy: LET ME ASK, IF I MAY, ABOUT VARIANTS, I WAS TALKING TO MIKE OSTERHOLM, WHO WAS ALSO TALKING THIS WEEK ABOUT THE VARIANTS, HE'S CONCERNED ABOUT THEM, THE NEXT SIX TO 14 WEEKS IS GOING TO BE THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE PANDEMIC.

DO YOU ANTICIPATE THOSE DIALS THAT YOU HAVE, DIALING, PERHAPS, SERVICES BACK?

>> WELL, HERE'S THE THING, MINNESOTANS ARE DOING WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.

WE'RE IN ABOUT AS GOOD A PLACE AS WE'VE BEEN SINCE SEPTEMBER.

CASE POSITIVITY RATES ARE UNDER 5% FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MONTHS.

WE'RE STARTING TO SEE HOSPITALIZATION RATES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME, WE'RE UNDER 100 PEOPLE IN ICU.

WE'RE IN A GOOD SPOT.

OUR RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN, OUR SCHOOLS ARE OPEN, K-5.

I THINK RIGHT NOW, WHAT WE CAN DO BEST IS, GO BACK AGAIN, WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE ORIGINALLY, WHAT MINNESOTA'S DOING.

THESE VARIANTS HAVE TO BE CAUGHT EARLY.

THE ONLY WAY YOU DO THAT IS A ROBUST TESTING SYSTEM.

WE PROBABLY HAVE THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY.

THEN YOU HAVE TO DO CONTACT TRACING AND ISOLATION.

Dr. OSTERHOLM IS RIGHT.

IF WE LET THOSE VARIANTS GET OUT OF CONTROL AGAIN, ESPECIALLY AS WE'RE SEEING WITH, I BELIEVE, THE U.K. AND SOUTH AFRICAN, MUCH MORE QUICK TO SPREAD.

WE DON'T KNOW YET ABOUT THE BRAZILIAN.

BUT I AM NERVOUS ABOUT THEM.

BUT I THINK MINNESOTANS -- MINNESOTA IS ON A PATH NOW, THE UPPER MIDWEST IS AT A LULL, WE'RE SEEING LOS ANGELES, OTHER PLACES, HIGHER.

BEFORE THIS THING COMES BACK AGAIN, WHICH IT COULD WITH ANOTHER PEAK, WE COULD HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE VACCINATED, WE CAN HAVE ESPECIALLY THOSE MOST VULNERABLE VACCINATED AND PUSH DOWN THE TEST POSITIVITY RATE.

SO I THINK I HAVE BEEN AS HOPEFUL THIS WEEK WITH A NATIONAL STRATEGY, MORE VACCINES, A MORE COHESIVE FEDERAL POLICY, AND THE ABILITY FOR US TO CONTINUE TO TEST, WHAT I WOULD TELL MINNESOTANS IS, KEEP GETTING TESTED, KEEP WEARING YOUR MASK, KEEP DOING THE SOCIAL DISTANCING, AND WE'RE IN A GOOD SPOT.

WE ARE ON THE ROAD TO GETTING TO THE OTHER END OF THIS.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RECOVER ONCE WE COME OUT.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

GOVERNOR, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

>> Eric: THANKS, GOVERNOR, APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANKS, EVERYBODY.

♪♪ >> ERIC: DFL GOVERNOR TIM WALZ KNOWS THAT MUCH OF HIS PROGRESSIVE AGENDA WILL MEET STRONG OPPOSITION IN THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED STATE SENATE THAT IS LED BY PAUL GAZELKA FROM NISSWA.

WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM, SENATOR.

SAY, Mr. LEADER, AFTER THE BUDGET ROLLOUT FROM THE GOVERNOR, YOU SAID, AND I THINK THIS IS A DIRECT QUOTE, THANK GOODNESS THERE'S A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THE STATE SENATE.

WHAT DID YOU MEAN BY THAT?

>> ACTUALLY, I SAID THANK GOD, NOT GOODNESS.

>> Eric: OKAY, SORRY.

>> BUT IT HAD TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNOR WAS DOUBLING DOWN WITH MORE TAXES.

LAST TIME WE HAD A BUDGET THAT WE HAD TO BALANCE, WE HAD ALMOST A $2 BILLION SURPLUS AND HE STILL WANTED TO RAISE TAXES.

SO I KNEW TAXES WERE COMING.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO STOP THAT.

BACK LAST APRIL WHEN WE KNEE WE WERE IN ECONOMIC CRISIS BECAUSE OF COVID AND THE SHUTDOWNS, I ASKED THE GOVERNOR TO START REDUCING SPENDING EVEN JUST A LITTLE BIT, THAT'S WHAT OTHER STATES DID, BUT WE DIDN'T GO ON THAT ROUTE.

AND, SO, HERE WE ARE, HAVING TO BALANCE THE BUDGET AND WE'RE STILL IN THE SAME PLACE.

WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BALANCE IT WHEN IT'S A BUDGET SHORTFALL.

WE ALWAYS SAID WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO IT THROUGH TAXES.

THERE'S ALL KINDS OF OTHER WAYS THAT WE CAN DO IT AND WE'LL WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR ON ALL THOSE OTHER WAYS TO BALANCE A BUDGET.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK, THOUGH, SENATOR, ABOUT THE TAX ON VAPING DEVICES?

I MEAN, IT IS A TAX, BUT THERE'S ALSO A STRONG PUBLIC HEALTH COMPONENT TO THAT.

>> WELL, WE'LL LOOK AT EVERY SINGLE ONE.

I'VE HEARD OTHER PEOPLE SAY, MAYBE WE SHOULD TAX ELECTRIC CARS NOW.

AND WE'LL LOOK AT THE INDIVIDUAL THINGS.

SOMEBODY MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER'S LICENSE FEE IS HARD FOR THOSE THAT HAVE TO HELP PEOPLE GET IT, IT MAY NOT BE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

BUT THE OVERALL AGENDA OF RAISING TAXES AND RAISING SPENDING IS WHAT WE'RE STANDING AGAINST.

>> Eric: WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND HIS ABILITY TO KIND OF DIRECT SPENDING WHEN YOU'RE NOT IN SESSION.

YOU ARE IN SESSION NOW.

SO THE LEGISLATURE HAS THE POWER OF THE PURSE.

BUT HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DECIDE HOW TO DIVVY UP ALL THE FEDERAL MONEY THAT APPARENTLY IS COMING TO THE STATE?

>> OVER $3 BILLION THAT IS COMING AND WE JUST REALLY LEARNED ABOUT THAT IN LESS THAN A WEEK.

AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO INCORPORATE THAT INTO THE BUDGET.

WOULD NOT SURPRISE ME IF MORE MONEY WAS COMING IN ADDITION TO THAT.

AND THERE'S A NUMBER OF REASONS WHY WE DON'T THINK THE TAX INCREASE IS A SOLUTION, BUT ALSO WE DO WANT TO WORK TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNOR, WITH THE SPEAKER TO MAKE SURE WE GET A BUDGET DONE.

WE THINK WE SHOULD FOCUS ON GETTING THE VACCINE OUT.

THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT THAT.

IF YOU'RE 65 AND OVER, THAT'S WHERE THE EMPHASIS ALWAYS SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

AND BY GETTING THE VACCINE OUT THERE, THE OTHER STRAINS, FRANKLY, THE VACCINE STOPS.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'LL DO TOGETHER THERE.

WE THINK THAT ALL KIDS SHOULD BE BACK IN SCHOOL.

THERE'S A LOT OF KIDS THAT ARE NOT IN SCHOOL.

THEY NEED TO BE IN SCHOOL.

PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS HAVE SHOWN THAT YOU CAN DO IT, THEY'VE BEEN DOING IT THE WHOLE TIME.

OTHER STATES HAVE HAVING THEIR KIDS IN SCHOOL.

SO THAT'S A HIGH PRIORITY FOR US.

GETTING ALL THE BUSINESSES BACK ON TRACK.

AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE OPPOSED TO ALL THE BUSINESS TAXES WHEN ALL OF THESE BUSINESSES HAVE STRUGGLED THROUGH THIS.

S CORPS, MANY SMALL BUSINESSES.

WHAT DO WE DO TO WATCH OUT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY SURVIVE?

MANY OF THEM EMPTIED THEIR CHECKING ACCOUNTS, SAVING ACCOUNTS, RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS TO GET THROUGH THIS.

SO WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL THAT WE HELP THEM GET ON SURE FOOTING.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, LET ME GO TO SCHOOLS HERE.

YOU SAY THAT ALL SCHOOLS SHOULD BE OPEN.

AND AS WE'RE LISTENING TO OUR CONVERSATION WITH THE GOVERNOR.

MICHAEL OSTERHOLM FROM THE U OF M IS REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT SOME OF THE VARIANTS AND IS THINKING THAT THE NEXT SIX TO 14 WEEKS WOULD BE THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE PANDEMIC YET.

SO AGAINST THAT BACKDROP, SHOULD SCHOOLS RE-OPEN AS SOON AS YOU WOULD LIKE THEM TO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE SCIENCE HAS CLEARLY SHOWN FOR A WHILE NOW THAT KIDS IN SCHOOL ARE NOT AT RISK AND PEOPLE UNDER 50, IT'S A VERY LOW RISK.

IT'S PEOPLE OVER 70 WOULD WHERE -- WHERE THE GREATEST THREAT HAS BEEN, WHETHER IT'S THE VARIANTS OR COVID-19 AS WE'VE SEEN IT.

THAT'S WHY I'VE SAID, WE'VE ALWAYS NEED TO FOCUS ON THAT.

FRANKLY, IT'S THE TEACHERS UNIONS THAT ARE IN THE WAY OF NOT OPENING UP SCHOOLS.

YOU HEAR THAT IN ILLINOIS, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT STRIKING IF THEY BRING THEM BACK TO SCHOOL.

YOU CANNOT SAY THAT SCHOOL AND KIDS IN SCHOOL IS NOT ESSENTIAL AND HAS CREATED A HOST OF PROBLEMS, MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, EDUCATION PROBLEMS, AND, SO, I'VE ALWAYS FELT LIKE KIDS IN SCHOOL WAS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL.

IN MINNEAPOLIS, St. PAUL, KIDS HAVE COLOR HAVE FALLEN EVEN FARTHER BEHIND AND THERE'S JUST NO EXCUSE FOR THAT.

IT'S BEEN ONE OF THE BIG TRAGEDIES OF HOW WE'VE UNDERSTOOD COVID AND WHAT WE'VE DONE ABOUT IT.

>> Eric: Mr. LEADER, YOUR CAUCUS OPPOSES USING DISASTER RELIEF MONEY TO HELP REPAIR THE MINNEAPOLIS RIOT DAMAGE.

AND I'M WONDERING, DOES THAT NOT INCLUDE SUPPORT, THEN, FOR THOSE BURNED-OUT BUSINESSES ON LAKE STREET THAT YOU VISITED LAST SPRING?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, WE NEVER PERCEIVED DISASTER RELIEF FOR PUTTING INTO THE RIOT DAMAGE IN MINNEAPOLIS, St. PAUL.

SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RECONSIDER, FRANKLY, FILLING UP THAT FUND WHEN THE GOVERNOR THEN JUST RAIDS THE FUND.

SO WE'LL HAVE A CONVERSATION EACH TIME NOW WHEN THERE'S A DISASTER BECAUSE HE'S BEEN GRABBING THE MONEY THAT WE DON'T THINK WAS HIS.

NOW, WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THE BUILDINGS, THE BUSINESSES THAT WERE DAMAGED IN MINNEAPOLIS AND St. PAUL THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN?

WE GOT TO FIGURE OUT A WAY THROUGH THAT.

THAT'S ONE ISSUE.

THE OTHER ISSUE, THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS CUT 118 POLICE OFFICERS TO SAVE MONEY IN THEIR BUDGET, AND NOW THEY WANT US TO HELP THEM WITH POLICE SECURITY.

SO IT REALLY CREATES FRICTION, WHEN THEY'RE NOT, WE FEEL LIKE, DOING THEIR PART AND THEN THEY WANT TO US COME IN AND HELP.

SO THERE'S MULTIPLE COMPLEXITIES HERE.

I DO THINK WE NEED TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH WHAT WE DO ABOUT THOSE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND THE FACT THAT IT WAS NO FAULT OF THEIRS.

AND THAT IS A COMPLEX PROBLEM THAT I'M WILLING TO THINK ABOUT, WORK THROUGH, AND SEE IF WE CAN FIND SOME SOLUTIONS.

>> Eric: YOU HAVE A FAVORITE IN THE RACE FOR REPUBLICAN CHAIR, CHAIR CARNAHAN HAS AN OPPONENT IN THE STATE SENATOR MARKO HEN, I WONDER IF YOU'D LIKE TO HAVE A MEMBER OF YOUR CAUCUS HEADING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO GET ME IN TROUBLE, I'M GOING TO STAY NEUTRAL, I TRY NOT TO MEDDLE AS PEOPLE JOCKEY FOR DIFFERENT POSITIONS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

I TOLD THEM BOTH, I'M NEUTRAL, WE'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT IT OUT.

MARK KORAN.

>> Eric: ANY CHANCE OF YOU MAKING A STATEWIDE ANNOUNCEMENT TONIGHT, IT WOULD GET US IN THE PAPER.

>> AGAIN, YOU'RE GOING TO GET ME IN TROUBLE.

FOUR YEARS AGO, I THOUGHT ABOUT IT.

SAID NO.

MORE PEOPLE ARE ASKING ME THIS TIME AROUND.

YOU KNOW, I'M GO TO -- GOING TO FOCUS ON THE BUDGET.

IF YOU GET MIXED UP IN POLITICS TOO SOON, IT'S TOO HARD TO GET YOUR WORK DONE.

I'LL GET THROUGH THE BUDGET CYCLE.

IT WILL BE TOUGH ENOUGH.

I TOLD PEOPLE, ASK ME IN THE SUMMER, I'LL HAVE A PRETTY GOOD SENSE WHERE I WANT TO BE BY THEN.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR THE TIME TONIGHT, Mr. LEADER.

THANKS A LOT.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> YOU ARE A BUSY MAN.

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY PRESS CONFERENCES THAT YOU HAVE BEEN A PART OF.

THIS IS AN UNUSUAL START FOR A FRESHMAN.

DO YOU KNOW THAT?

>> I DID NOT KNOW THAT.

IT JUST FEELS LIKE THE WORK THAT I'M SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.

WHAT I ALWAYS TELL FOLKS, REGARDLESS OF THE AREA THAT I REPRESENT, WHICH IS DISTRICT 45A, ANY LAWS THAT ARE GOING TO GET ENACTED THAT I SPONSOR OR CO-SPONSOR OR ADVOCATE FOR, THEY IMPACT THE ENTIRE STATE.

I'M A BIG BELIEVER, IF SOMEONE HAS GONE THROUGH THINGS, THEY'VE GONE THROUGH CHALLENGES, THEY'VE OVERCOME THEM, YOU SHOULD LEAN ON THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

>> Mary: WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THE STATE, WHY DID YOU WANT TO STAY?

>> FIRST OFF, I MET MY WIFE HERE.

SHE'S BORN AND RAISED HERE.

FAMILY'S HERE, THREE DAUGHTERS, ALL BORN HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

SO YOU'VE GOT ME.

YOU'VE GOT ME NOW.

YOU CAN'T GET RID OF ME NOW.

THIS IS HOME NOW.

♪♪ >> CATHY: DUE TO THE RACIST HISTORY OF SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES, THERE'S LONG BEEN DISTRUST BETWEEN THE MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT AND AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THIS COUNTRY.

THIS IS A CONCERN AS HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS WIDESPREAD USE OF THE COVID VACCINE.

DR. CHARLES CRUTCHFIELD, III, UNDERSTANDS THIS HISTORIC RACISM WELL.

THE TWIN CITIES DERMATOLOGIST IS PART OF THE FACULTY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MEDICAL SCHOOL AND CARLETON COLLEGE AND IS PART OF A THREE-GENERATION PHYSICIAN FAMILY.

Dr. CRUTCHFIELD, ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, VACCINE HESITANCY IS DIFFERENT FROM TAKING AN ANTIVACCER STANCE.

WOULD YOU KIND OF EXPLAIN THAT WHEN IT COMES TO VACCINE HESITANCY IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY?

>> YES.

THE HESITANCY IS FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN, IT'S NOT AN ABSOLUTE OPPOSITION TO GETTING VACCINATED.

BUT THE HESITANCY PROBABLY AROUND 40% OF PEOPLE IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY ARE HESITANT, THEY WANT TO WAIT A WHILE, THEY DON'T THE TO GET A VACCINE AT THIS TIME.

>> Eric: WHAT KIND OF PUSHBACK ARE YOU GETTING FROM FOLKS?

WHAT ARE THEIR EXPLANATIONS FOR NERVOUSNESS, SKEPTICISM ABOUT IT?

>> I THINK A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE HISTORIC PROBLEMS WE'VE HAD WITH THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE TUSKEGEE EXPERIMENTS STARTED BACK IN 1932, IT RAN FOR 40 YEARS, AND THIS IS WHERE A LOT OF AFRICAN AMERICANS WERE BEING TREATED FOR SYPHILIS, BUT THEY WERE ACTUALLY NOT GIVEN A TREATMENT BECAUSE THEY WERE BEING WATCHED TO SEE THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF SYPHILIS ON HUMANS AND ACTUALLY 15 YEARS INTO IT THEY HAD A GOOD TREATMENT FOR SYPHILIS AND THEY WERE NEVER GIVEN THE TREATMENT.

THERE'S ALSO A Dr. SIMMS, WHO PRACTICED BRUTAL GYNECOLOGIC SURGERIES ON BLACK WOMEN, ESPECIALLY SLAVES, WITHOUT ANY ANESTHESIA, BECAUSE HE SAID THEY DON'T NEED IT.

HENRIETTA LAX, BEING USED AROUND THE WORLD FOR RESEARCH.

AND THERE'S BEEN LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH RESPECT TO TRUST IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY WITH THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY.

BUT THE NICE THING IS, THIS IS A DIFFERENT DAY, DIFFERENT AGE, DIFFERENT DISEASE AND MOST OF THE COMMUNITIES OVERSEEING RESEARCH HAVE PARTICIPANTS THAT ARE AFRICAN AMERICAN DESIGNED TO BLOCK ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS THAT THEY'VE HAD IN THE PAST.

>> Cathy: NOW I KNOW YOU RECEIVED A VACCINE.

WHAT'S YOUR MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY?

>> MY MESSAGE IS, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOOD FOR ALL AMERICANS.

AND HESITANCY IS IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY, BUT IT'S ALSO SEEN IN THE SOMALI COMMUNITY, THE HMONG COMMUNITY, THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY, THE La LATINO COMMUNITY, SO IT'S PREVALENT IN THE TWIN CITIES.

SO I TELL MY PATIENTS, LISTEN, IT'S GOOD FOR YOUR FAMILY, IT'S GOOD FOR YOU, IT'S GOOD FOR YOUR COMMUNITY, IT'S A PATRIOTIC THING TO DO.

IT'S SO IMPORTANT.

IF WE WANT TO BREAK THE BACK OF THIS PANDEMIC, WE NEED ANYWHERE FROM 07 TO 08% -- 70 TO 80% PARTICIPATION.

AND THAT'S BACKED UP BY Dr. FAUCI, TOO.

THE OTHER THING I'VE HEARD FROM MANY PATIENTS, IT'S A FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN.

AND THEY SAID THINGS, LIKE, I HEARD IT MAKES YOU STERILE.

ANOTHER PATIENT SAID, I HEARD YOU GET PARALYZED.

AND I SAID, YOU KNOW PEOPLE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO?

NO, WE JUST HEARD IT ON THE INTERNET.

SO THERE'S LOTS OF EDUCATION OUT THERE, WE NEED TO CORRECT A LOT OF THE MALARKEY THAT'S ON THE INTERNET THAT'S SCARING PEOPLE.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, ALSO, I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A WASHINGTON "POST" POLL THAT SHOWED THAT MORE THAN BLACKS PERSONALLY KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS DIED OF COVID-19 VERSUS, SAY, 9% OF WHITES.

HOW DOES THE FIRST-PERSON EXPERIENCE PLAY INTO SOME OF THIS AS WELL?

>> WELL, A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO O RECOGNIZE THAT THE VACCINES VERY WORTHWHILE, THEY'RE EFFECTIVE, AND I ALWAYS SAY, IF YOU REALLY WANT TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ON THIS, HAVE THEM TALK TO SOMEBODY THAT THEY TRUST.

AND YOU'RE LOOKING AT ROLE MODELS, LIKE PRESIDENT OBAMA GOT VACCINATED.

FORMER SURGEON GENERAL, JEROME ADAMS, EVEN THE CURRENT PRESIDENT BIDEN, TALK TO SOMEBODY YOU TRUST, MOST PEOPLE TRUST THEIR PHARMACIST, BUT, MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY TRUST THEIR PHYSICIANS.

AND GET THE OPINION OF SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS ABOUT SCIENCE AND LOOK AT ROLE MODELS.

BUT THE OTHER THING IS, WE HAVE TO GET INFORMATION OUT THERE.

AND I REALLY BELIEVE IF WE GET THE RIGHT INFORMATION OUT, PEOPLE CAN MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS, BUT WE HAVE TO SHOW THEM THE TRUTH AND GET AWAY FROM ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE TRICKING PEOPLE AND SCARING THEM FROM GETTING THE VACCINE.

>> Eric: IS THE STATE THE RIGHT PLACE TO HAVE THIS INFORMATION OUT TO THE COMMUNITIES OR SOMEBODY LIKE YOURSELF, A TRUSTED MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY THAT FOLKS WOULD HAVE PROBABLY MORE FAITH IN?

>> YES.

AND, SO, THE NICE THING -- I'M A MEMBER -- AND BLACKS ARE THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE IF THEY GET COVID THAN A NON-AFRICAN AMERICAN.

SO IT'S SO IMPORTANT.

AND ONCE AGAIN, I'M A MEMBER OF THE MINNESOTA ASSOCIATION OF BLACK PHYSICIANS, AND WE'VE COME OUT WITH A POSITION STATEMENT THAT WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY, WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE, TO GET VACCINATED.

SO ONCE AGAIN, YOU WANT TO WORK ON ROLE MODEL, PHYSICIANS, PHARMACISTS, GET GOOD INFORMATION OUT TO PEOPLE SO THEY CAN MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS THAT'S BASED IN REALITY.

>> Cathy: AND YOU JUST HELPED US GET OUT SOME GOOD INFORMATION, DOCTOR.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

I ENJOYED IT.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> ERIC: FORMER POLICE OFFICER DEREK CHAUVIN WILL STAND TRIAL FOR MURDER IN THE DEATH LAST MAY OF GEORGE FLOYD.

WE'LL BE PROVIDING EXTENSIVE WEEKLY COVERAGE OF THE TRIAL.

WITH US TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE PRE-TRIAL RULINGS THIS WEEK AND THE ONGOING CHALLENGE TO WHEN THE TRIAL SHOULD START IS MARK OSLER.

HE'S A FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR WHO TEACHES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST.THOMAS SCHOOL OF LAW.

PROFESSOR, THE STATE WANTS THE APPEALS COURT TO REVIEW THE MARCH 8th TRIAL DATE, MOVE IT TO THE SUMMER, AND THEN REJOIN THE FOUR DEFENDANTS IN ONE TRIAL INSTEAD OF ONE SEPARATE FOR FORMER OFFICER CHAUVIN.

WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

>> WELL, THEY'VE BEEN PUSHING FOR THAT CHANGE.

THEY'VE BEEN USING COVID AS A REASON.

BUT, OF COURSE, THERE'S AN ADVANTAGE TO THE GOVERNMENT THAT THEY MAY BE SEEKING IN HAVING ALL FOUR TRIED TOGETHER.

IN THAT IT INCREASES THE CHANCES THAT ONE OF THEM MAY FLIP AND TESTIFY AGAINST THE OTHERS.

AND IT ALSO ALLOWS A BROADER ARRAY OF EVIDENCE TO COME IN ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Cathy: HOW UNUSUAL IS A MOVE LIKE THIS SO EARLY IN THE GOING?

>> TO PUSH THE TRIAL DATE BACK?

>> Cathy: TO TAKE IT TO THE APPEALS COURT.

>> WELL, BECAUSE IT'S SO IMPORTANT AND BECAUSE THE HIGH-PROFILE NATURE OF THIS CASE, I THINK IT'S UNUSUAL, BUT IT'S APPROPRIATE.

IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE.

>> Cathy: IT'S INTERESTING, LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT'S ADMISSIBLE IN THIS TRIAL.

CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT, THERE WAS A RULING ABOUT THE BACKGROUNDS OF FORMER OFFICER CHAUVIN AND GEORGE FLOYD IN TERMS OF WHAT WILL BE ADMISSIBLE IN TERMS OF EVIDENCE, TALK ABOUT THAT, PLEASE.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S RIGHT.

JUDGE CAHILL MADE SOME IMPORTANT RULINGS THIS WEEK.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE JUDGE REVIEWED WAS INSTANCES IN WHICH OFFICER CHAUVIN, FORMER OFFICER CHAUVIN, HAD USED HECK AND NECK RESTRAINTS IN THE PAST.

AND WHAT HE HELD SPECIFICALLY WAS THAT SIX OF THOSE PRIOR INCIDENTS CAN'T BE USED, BUT TWO OF THEM CAN.

AND THAT'S SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO PUT IN FRONT OF THE JURY PRIOR INCIDENTS THAT ARE GOING TO ECHO WHAT HAPPENED WITH GEORGE FLOYD.

AND ONE OF THEM, IN 2015 INCIDENT, THERE WAS A SIDE RESTRAINT, SIDE RECOVERY POSITION THEY CALLED IT, THAT WAS USED THAT MEDICAL PERSONNEL LATER TOLD THE OFFICERS COULD HAVE LED TO DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY.

AND, OF COURSE, THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT SHOWS THERE IS KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN WHEN THESE KINDS OF RESTRAINTS ARE USED.

>> Eric: WHY NO CHANGE OF VENUE?

>> I THINK PART OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FIND A COUNTY OR EVEN IF YOU MOVED IT TO ANOTHER STATE OR SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD WHERE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS STORY.

DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS CASE.

AND, SO, THE INCONVENIENCE, THE PROBLEMS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE WITH MOVING IT DON'T PRODUCE THAT MUCH OF A BENEFIT IN TERMS OF HAVING MORE IMPARTIAL JURORS.

>> Eric: MAYBE I WATCH TOO MUCH OF THESE CRIME SHOWS AND COURT DRAMAS ON TV, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF ANALYTICS AND JURY ANALYSTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE EMPLOYED DURING JURY SELECTION?

>> YES.

AND ONE OF THE FASCINATING THINGS THAT I'VE BEEN LOOKING AT IS THE JURY QUESTIONNAIRE THAT THEY'VE ALREADY MADE PUBLIC.

IT IS REALLY INTERESTING.

TALK ABOUT THIS WITH MY STUDENTS WHEN WE GET TO JURY SELECTION.

ONE OF THE THINGS THEY DO, THE FIRST QUESTION IS THEY ASK THE POTENTIAL JURORS TO RECOUNT ALL THE MEDIA COVERAGE THEY CAN REMEMBER ABOUT THE CASE.

I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO READ THOSE, JUST TO KNOW WHAT PEOPLE REMEMBER.

ANOTHER THING THAT THEY DO IS ASK DIRECTLY ABOUT ATTITUDES THAT PEOPLE HAVE.

AND THEY HAVE TO RATE IT FROM 1 TO 5, FROM STRONGLY AGREE TO STRONGLY DISAGREE.

AND SOME OF THE ATTITUDES THEY ASK ABOUT ON THE QUESTIONNAIRE ARE, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS STATEMENT, DISCRIMINATION IS NOT AS BAD AS THE MEDIA MAKES IT OUT TO BE.

AND ANOTHER IS, BECAUSE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS HAVE SUCH DANGEROUS JOBS, IT'S NOT RIGHT TO SECOND GUESS DECISIONS THEY MAKE WHILE ON DUTY.

AND, SO, INSTEAD OF LOOKING TO PROXIES OR HINTING AROUND ABOUT ATTITUDES, THEY'RE ASKING DIRECTLY ABOUT IT.

AND THAT JURY SELECTION, WHICH THEY'VE ALLOWED ABOUT TWO WEEKS FOR, IS GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT AND REALLY INTERESTING.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT, I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT UP MEDIA COVERAGE.

CAMERAS IN THE COURTROOM, WHICH IS VERY UNUSUAL.

I MEAN, IT'S THE FIRST FOR MINNESOTA.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE STREAMING THIS.

IS THIS THE FUTURE FOR BIG TRIALS LIKE THIS OR IS THIS A ONE-OFF?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S FUNNY, BUT I ALWAYS -- BUT WHEN I WAS CLERKING FOR A FEDERAL JUDGE IN 1991, THERE WAS A TRIAL WHETHER THEY -- WHERE THEY USED CAMERAS IN THE COURTROOM.

AND, OF COURSE, IT DIDN'T LEAD TO ANY CHANGES.

SO, I WOULDN'T DRAW TOO MUCH FROM THAT.

THERE IS A SPECIAL NEED FOR TRANSPARENCY AROUND THIS PARTICULAR CASE.

AND THAT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CHOICES THAT ARE BEING MADE.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, I'M THINKING ABOUT SOME OF THE OTHER TRIALS WE'VE SEEN IN OTHER STATES THAT DO HAVE CAMERAS IN THE COURTROOM.

I MEAN, BOTH SIDES PLAY TO THOSE CAMERAS.

HOW WILL HAVING CAMERAS THERE MAYBE CHANGE THE TONE OF THE TRIAL, IF AT ALL?

>> I THINK THE NATURE OF THIS TRIAL IS SUCH THAT IT PROBABLY WON'T THINGS THAT MUCH.

I HOPE IT DOESN'T.

BECAUSE THE STAKES ARE SO HIGH.

AND IF IT DOES, THAT WILL BE TO THE DETRIMENT OF JUSTICE.

HOPEFULLY WHAT THE CAMERAS WILL BE THERE TO DO IS SIMPLY RECORD WHAT HAPPENS AND TO MAKE IT KNOWN TO EVERYBODY SO THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE THAT THIS IS A FAIR PROCESS.

YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S CHOICES MADE BY THE ATTORNEYS THAT HAVE MORE TO DO WITH THE CAMERAS THAN THE CASE, THAT WILL BE DEEPLY UNFORTUNATE.

>> Eric: TOUGH TO CONVICT POLICE OFFICERS, WHO'S GOT THE BETTER CASE?

>> ON FORMER OFFICER CHAUVIN, I THINK -- I'D RATHER BE ON THE GOVERNMENT SIDE.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S STRONG EVIDENCE THERE.

THE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT CASE IS GOING TO BE ON THE OTHER THREE.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

>> Eric: THANKS, PROFESSOR.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU, THANK YOU.

>> Eric: GREAT TO SEE YOU, THANKS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> CATHY: AS WE HEARD EARLIER, GOVERNOR WALZ RELEASED HIS BIG BUDGET AND AMBITIOUS EDUCATION PLAN THIS WEEK.

ADDRESSING RACIAL DISPARITIES IS IMPORTANT TO HIS ADMINISTRATION AND THE LEGISLATURE.

POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER HAS MORE ON HOW THE HOUSE, IN PARTICULAR, IS LOOKING AT BUDGET AND BONDING THROUGH A NEW LENS OF RACIAL EQUITY.

>> Mary: AS GOVERNOR TIM WALZ RELEASED HIS COVID 1 RECOVERY BUDGET, HE MADE IT CLEAR BUDGETS WILL BE DONE DIFFERENTLY.

COVID-19.

>> COVID-19 HAS NOT HIT FAIRLY ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

IT HAS IMPACTED COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

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

>> WE HAVE TO BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT BUILDING, BUILDING A STATE AND A FUTURE THAT POSITIONS MINNESOTA TO LEAD THE NATION -- THAT LEADS THE NATION IN ACHIEVING RACIAL EQUITY.

>> YOUR PERSPECTIVE, PASSION, EXPERIENCE IS VERY CRITICAL TO ADDRESSING DISPARITIES.

I HOPE THAT WHAT YOU SAID IS THAT WE'VE MOVED PAST THE CONVERSATION THAT THIS EXISTS OR DOESN'T EXIST, JUST TO A CONVERSATION OF, LET'S LOOK AT THE SOLUTION.

>> Mary: FROM BUDGET TO BONDING, COMMITTEES HAVE A NEW MISSION.

>> TODAY'S AGENDA -- >> Mary: REPRESENTATIVE LEE, YOU FIND YOURSELF WITH A GAVEL AFTER JUST A FEW TERMS AT THE LEGISLATURE.

YOU KNOW THIS IS UNUSUAL, RIGHT?

>> THIS IS, YOU KNOW, UNUSUAL, BUT I'M REALLY EXCITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> Mary: FROM THE WAYS AND MEANS CHAIR TO BONDING CHAIR, THESE ARE REAL CHANGES, DON'T YOU THINK?

WHAT DO YOU THINK IT SYMBOLIZES?

>> IT SYMBOLIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF US RECOGNIZING AT THE LEGISLATURE THAT THERE ARE SOME DISPARITIES IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND WE HAVE TO REALLY PUT IN THE WORK TO START ADDRESSING SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

>> Mary: REPRESENTATIVE LEE HAS SERVED ON THE COMMITTEE BEFORE THAT TRAVELS THE STATE SEEING IMPORTANT COMMUNITY PROJECTS, WHILE BUILDING A BIPARTISAN SUPER MAJORITY OF SUPPORT.

HAVE YOU SEEN SOME DISPARITIES FIRSTHAND BY BEING ON THE COMMITTEE AND THE PROJECTS YOU'VE TOURED IN THE PAST?

>> I HAVE.

AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, OVERALL, OVER AT THE LEGISLATURE, I THINK WE'RE TRENDING TOWARDS ADDRESSING SOME OF THESE EQUITY, YOU KNOW, THESE RACIAL EQUITY IMPACTS.

BUT THAT HASN'T BEEN THE MAIN FOCUS.

THE BONDING PROPOSAL THAT COMES OUT OF MY COMMITTEE WILL BE THE ONLY ONE THAT REQUIRES A SUPER MAJORITY, WHERE WE NEED TO REALLY WORK BIPARTISANLY AT, WE HAVE IN THE PAST.

>> WELCOME TO MY DISTRICT.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO CHAIR MURPHY, MEMBERS OF THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE FOR MAKING A FEW STOPS HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS, ESPECIALLY ON THE NORTH SIDE.

>> Mary: CAPITAL INVESTMENT CHAIRS HAVE TENDED TO BE VERY SENIOR MEMBERS.

VERY WELL-LIKED MEMBERS.

WHAT HAS MARY MURPHY TAUGHT YOU?

>> I'M REALLY EXCITED, MARY WAS EXCITED, TOO, WHEN WE LEARNED THAT I WAS BEING APPOINTED TO THE POSITION OF CHAIR OF THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE.

HAVING HER SERVE AS MY VICE CHAIR.

>> Mary: AND YOU HAVE AT LEAST TWO FORMER CHAIRS ON YOUR COMMITTEE, BECAUSE URDAHL'S ON THE COMMITTEE, STILL, TOO.

AS HE BEEN TRYING TO LEND SOME ADVICE?

>> HE HAS.

BEFORE SESSION STARTED, WE HAD A CONVERSATION, JUST TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE PRIORITIES OF HIS MEMBERS AND HIS CAUCUS.

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS ALL NEEDS THROUGH AN EQUITY LENS.

BUT WE DEAL WITH NEEDS.

>> Mary: YOU HAD THAT CHANCE TO ALREADY TRAVEL THE STATE.

AND LIKE YOU SAID, THE BONDING BILL MAY BE MORE THAN ANY -- MAYBE MORE THAN ANY OTHER BILL THINKS ABOUT GEOGRAPHIC BALANCE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'VE LEARNED FROM TRAVELING THE STATE, FROM HAVING TO THINK ABOUT THAT URBAN, RURAL, SUBURBAN BALANCE THAT YOUR BILL IS GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE?

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR ME IS REALLY LISTENING TO THE LOCAL PEOPLE, HEARING ABOUT THE LOCAL CONCERNS, SEEING WHAT WE CAN DO AT THE STATE LEVEL TO REALLY ADDRESS IT.

AND SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT I'M SEEING HERE IN MY DISTRICT, IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS, SIMILAR TO THE ISSUES THAT WE'RE HEARING IN FERGUS FALLS.

YOU KNOW?

IN MINNEAPOLIS WE HAVE THE UPPER HARBOR TERMINAL PROJECT, PERFORMANCE ART VENUE ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, IN FERGUS FALLS, THEY WANT TO HAVE AN AMPHITHEATER ON THE RIVER, IN THEIR DOWNTOWN LOCATION, TOO.

>> Mary: ARE YOU SURPRISED HOW IMPACTFUL AND EMOTIONAL AND MOVING SOME OF THESE PROJECTS AND VISIT CAN BE?

>> IT IS.

AND THAT'S WHY, YOU KNOW, I'M REALLY HOPEFUL THAT WE COULD GET A VACCINE SO THAT WE COULD JUST START PLANNING SOME OF THESE BONDING TOURS, HOPEFULLY THIS SUMMER AND THIS FALL.

>> Mary: FOR NOW, THE COMMITTEE IS MEETING ONLINE AND LEARNING TO NAME IT AND FRAME IT WHEN IT COMES TO SYSTEMIC RACISM.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE ACCESS, PEOPLE WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR OPPORTUNITY.

REDLINING MAPS IN KEY CITIES AROUND MINNESOTA WHERE COMMUNITIES WERE DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW WEALTH.

>> MINNESOTA REALLY REALLY NEEDS TO HAVE THESE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS, IT'S GOOD TO HAVE COLLEAGUES WHO ARE COMING TO THIS WITH AN OPEN MIND, UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE AND TRYING TO RESPECT THE HERITAGE OF OUR STATE AND OUR COUNTRY, TOO.

WITH THE 2018 ELECTION, WE HAVE SEEN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASIAN AMERICAN DELEGATION, THE HMONG AMERICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE INCREASE FROM TWO TO I BELIEVE SIX NOW.

AND REALLY SHOWS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE STATE AND THAT'S WHY WE REALLY NEED TO GET OUT THERE AND HEAR FROM THE DIFFERENT DIVERSE COMMUNITIES.

♪♪ >> ERIC: THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET AND REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION IS ONE TOPIC FOR OUR DUO OF POLITICAL REPORTERS.

WE'LL ALSO GET THEIR TAKE ON THE CHANGING CAPITOL CULTURE DUE TO A SLEW OF NEW COMMITTEE CHAIRS.

HERE TO DO THAT, BRIAN BAKST, LONGTIME CAPITOL POLITICAL REPORTER.

HE WORKS FOR MPR NEWS.

TOREY VAN OOT JOINS US.

THE FORMER STRIB REPORTER NOW WORKS FOR THE JUST-LAUNCHED TWIN CITIES AXIOS DIGITAL NEWS SITE.

BRIAN, THE GROWING INFLUENCE OF THE POCI CAUCUS, PEOPLE OF COLOR INDIGENOUS, I'M REMINDED OF THE OLD SAYING, IF YOU'RE NOT AT THE TABLE, YOU'RE PROBABLY ON THE MENU.

THEY'RE AT THE TABLE THIS TIME.

>> YEAH, THEY'RE NOT TAKING A BACK SEAT EITHER.

THEY WANT TO BE FRONT AND CENTER.

THEY'VE MADE THEIR VOICE CLEAR, EVEN THE NEW MEMBERS ARE SPEAKING UP QUITE A BIT.

YOU HAD FRAZIER ON EARLIER, HE'S GOING ARE GOING TO BE A BREAKOUT STAR AT THE LEGISLATURE, YOU CAN TELL.

AND THERE ARE OTHERS WHO WANT TO GET IN AND GET ACTIVE RIGHT AWAY.

>> AND YOU SAW THIS EVEN LAST YEAR DURING THE DEBATE OVER POLICING, THE POLICE MEASURE, THAT PASSED LAST SUMMER.

THE POCI CAUCUS PLAYED A REALLY INFLUENTIAL ROLE AND THIS YEAR THE SIZE OF THE CAUCUS HAS GREEFN MORE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Cathy: BRIAN, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET.

SPECIFICALLY THE POLITICAL POSITIONING WITH THE TAX INCREASES THAT THE GOVERNOR'S TALKING ABOUT.

I MEAN, THE SENATE SAYS IT'S A NO GO.

SO TALK ABOUT THE POLITICS OF THAT, IF YOU WOULD.

>> WELL, MORE THAN ANY OTHER YEAR I CAN REMEMBER, THIS WAS ALMOST CAST AS A PLACEHOLDER BUDGET BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY MOVING PARTS THAT WE STILL DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW MUCH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S GOING TO COME THROUGH WITH, WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THE THINGS THAT THE STATE, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVE DONE ALREADY ARE GOING TO HELP GET THE ECONOMY BACK ON ITS FEET, AND CHANGE THE FORTUNES WHEN WE GET THE FEBRUARY -- CHANGE THE FORECAST WHEN WE GET THE FEBRUARY FORECAST.

SO IT DIDN'T SEEM TO BE AS MUCH, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A POSITION I'M GOING TO DIE ON A HILL FOR AT THIS STAGE.

IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE JUST GOING TO PUT OFF THAT FIGHT, IF THEY WILL, FOR MAYBE A MONTH OR TWO.

>> Eric: GOVERNOR WALZ IS ON THE BALLOT IN 2022.

TOREY IS THAT COLORING SOME OF HIS PRIORITIES, SOME OF HIS POSTURING HERE WITH THE BUDGET?

>> WELL, YOU'RE SEEING HIM, YOU KNOW, PUSH FOR INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION, IN HELPING -- YOU KNOW, HE TALKS A LOT ABOUT HELPING THE MOST VULNERABLE, THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HIT HARDEST.

HE AND HIS ALLIES, BELIEVE THE TAX THE RICH METHODS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HERE IS A POPULAR ONE.

SO WE'LL SEE.

HE'S TRYING TO LEAD THE STATE THROUGH THIS.

BUT AS BRIAN MENTIONED, IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG NEGOTIATION, RIGHT?

A LOT CAN CHANGE.

AND THIS IS JUST THE OPENING OFFER HERE.

>> Cathy: SO, REALLY, THAT FEBRUARY FORECAST IS GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT, BRIAN, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ALTHOUGH THERE ARE A FEW ITEMS IN THIS BILL THAT -- THIS BUDGET THAT THEY DO NEED TO CONSIDER EARLY ON.

THERE'S THE MONEY IN THERE THAT WOULD HELP FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY RESPONSE AROUND THE GEORGE FLOYD TRIAL, THE FIRST ONE WITH DEREK CHAUVIN, AND THEN THERE'S SOME MONEY IN THERE FOR SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMS.

IF THEY'RE GOING TO DO THOSE, THEY REALLY GOT TO GET GOING BECAUSE THE SCHOOLS CAN'T JUST WAIT UNTIL THE END OF MAY TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THIS EXPANSIVE PROGRAM FOR MANY MANY THOUSANDS OF MORE STUDENTS THAN THEY'RE USED TO COME JUNE.

>> Eric: TOREY IS THE STATE GOING TO GET THE CENSUS FIGURES IN TIME TO AT LEAST GIVE A RUN AT A REDISTRICTING MAP OR IS THAT GOING JUST GOING TO THE COURTS?

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE QUITE SOME TIME.

SO, AT THIS POINT, WE'RE NOT EVEN EXPECTING THE REPORTIONMENT NUMBERS, THE NUMBERS THAT WILL TELL US WHETHER WE DROP FROM EIGHT SEATS TO SEVEN SEATS, CONGRESSIONAL SEATS, UNTIL APRIL 30th WAS THE NUMBER I JUST HEARD THIS WEEK, IT COULD EVEN BE LATER.

WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THE DATA THAT'S GOING TO BE NEEDED TO BE USED TO ACTUALLY DRAW THE MAP, THAT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE, IT MIGHT PUSH THE REDISTRICTING AND THE DRAWING OF THE MAP INTO EARLY 2022.

THAT IS A TON OF UNCERTAINTY.

MEMBERS, PARTY LEADERS, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DISTRICTS ARE GOING TO LOOK LIKE, WHAT THE SEATS THEY MIGHT RUN FOR LOOK LIKE.

>> ERIC, YOU KNOW THIS ALWAYS GOES TO THE COURTS.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ANY DIFFERENT THIS TIME.

THERE HASN'T BEEN A LEGISLATIVELY ADOPTED PLAN IN MY LIFETIME, PROBABLY YOUR LIFETIME.

>> Eric: THAT'S A LONG TIME.

>> Cathy: THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY.

THAT'S A LONG TIME.

>> Eric: THANKS A LOT.

[ Laughter ] >> Cathy: BRIAN, TOREY, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A BILL INTRODUCED MONDAY, EVIDENTLY, THIS WOULD BE THE USE OF MARIJUANA, I MEAN, TO MAKE -- LEGALIZE MARIJUANA FOR ADULTS.

HOW MUCH OF A CHANCE DOES THAT BILL HAVE IN TERMS OF PASSING THIS SESSION?

>> HATE TO BE A BUZZ KILL, BUT I WOULDN'T COUNT ON IT.

IF YOU'RE SOMEONE WHO'S LOOKING FOR THAT.

THERE HASN'T BEEN SUPPORT FOR THAT BILL PASSING IN THE REPUBLICAN SENATE.

AND IT DOES HAVE, YOU KNOW, POLLING HAS SHOWN A SLIM MAJORITY OF MINNESOTANS DO WANT TO SEE THIS, BUT I WOULDN'T SEE -- I WOULDN'T COUNT IT ON THIS YEAR.

THERE'S SOME INTERESTING POLITICS BEHIND IT.

AS WE KNOW, LEGAL MARIJUANA CANDIDATES PLAYED A SPOILER ROLE FOR DEMOCRATS IN SOME OF THESE CLOSE LEGISLATIVE RACES, CLOSE RACES THIS PAST CYCLE.

SO THERE ARE OTHER KIND OF POLITICAL REASONS THAT THIS BILL MIGHT BE IMPORTANT FOR MEMBERS IN THE DFL TO PUSH.

>> Cathy: BRIAN, DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT THIS?

>> I THINK IT'S A DISCUSSION STARTER OR DISCUSSION CONTINUER, AS TOREY SAID.

YOU DON'T SEE THE PATH IN THE SENATE.

MAYBE NOT EVEN GET A COMMITTEE HEARING OR COMMITTEE VOTE T. COULD PASS OR GET TO THE FLOOR IN THE HOUSE.

THE HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER IS THE MAIN SPONSOR.

YOU DON'T SEE HIM CARRYING MANY BILLS.

SO YOU WOULD EXPECT THAT THEY'LL LEAST TRY TO VOTE ON IT THIS YEAR OR NEXT YEAR.

>> Eric: THE COMPLICATIONS OF DISTANCE LEGISLATING AT THE CAPITOL.

I KNOW THE LEADERS HAD HOPED FOR FEWER BILLS TO BE INTRODUCED.

HOW'S THAT GOING?

TOREY, YOU GOT A SENSE OF HOW THAT'S GOING?

>> DOESN'T SEEM TO BE GOING SO WELL, IF THE GOAL IS FEWER BILLS.

BRIAN CAN WEIGH IN, TOO.

BUT WE'VE GOT, IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'VE GOT A LOT OF BILLS COMING DOWN THE PIPELINE SO FAR.

ALL OF THESE MEMBERS HAVE AN ELECTION CERTIFICATE, AND HAVE ISSUES THEY WANT TO PUSH, INTEREST GROUPS STILL HAVE ISSUES THEY WANT LEGISLATORS TO PUSH.

BRIAN, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE TALLIED UP THE NUMBER OF BILLS.

WE'VE GOT A LOT FLYING AROUND.

>> NO.

THE LEADERS HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO AT MONDAYISH THE MEMBERS.

EVERY IDEA DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A BILL.

THEY'RE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THE STAFF, THE PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY HAVE COME UP WITH THE LEGALESE AROUND THESE BILLS, BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE A BUNCH OF PEOPLE IN THESE OFFICES WHEN EVEN THEY ARE TRYING TO WORK REMOTELY.

SO THEY'RE TRYING TO LIGHTEN THE LOAD.

AND NOT ALL THESE BILLS ARE GOING TO GET HEARINGS WHEN EVERYTHING IS OVER ZOOM, IT'S TOUGH TO GET PUBLIC TESTIMONY, LET ALONE GET MEMBERS ALL IN THE SAME AREA WITHOUT PEOPLE WORRYING ABOUT WHO'S MUTED, WHO'S NOT.

>> IT'S A DIVIDED LEGISLATURE, IT'S VERY UNLIKELY THAT A LOT OF THESE ARE GOING TO PASS OR HAVE TRACKS -- TRACTION, EVEN IF THEY DO GET BILLS, OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMPROMISE ARE NARROW.

>> Cathy: SAY, THIS IS SUCH A STRANGE SESSION BECAUSE, AS YOU MENTION, IT'S KIND OF A ZOOM SESSION.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SECURITY AT THE CAPITOL, HOW IS THAT DURING ?ETION DURING SESSION?

>> THE FENCE IS STILL UP.

THE FENCE THAT HAS BEEN AROUND THE STATE CAPITOL SINCE MAY, SINCE THE END OF MAY, EARLY JUNE, IS STILL THERE I ACTUALLY HAVEN'T BEEN IN PERSON SINCE THE START OF SESSION.

I'VE BEEN, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, DOING A LOT FROM HOME, ZOOM.

I DON'T KNOW IF, BRIAN, YOU'VE BEEN THERE AND CAN SPEAK TO ANY ADDED SECURITY BUT THERE WAS ADDED SECURITY, I KNOW, AROUND THE INAUGURATION, BUT ACCESS IS DIFFICULT, EVEN AS A REPORTER, HAVING TO GO THROUGH TUNNELS AND USE MY BADGE AND SOME REPORTERS HAVE EVEN RUN INTO OTHER ISSUES WITH THAT AS WELL.

BUT, BRIAN, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE BEEN THERE MORE RECENTLY.

>> YOU KNOW, EVEN LAWMAKERS MEETING REMOTELY, THERE'S NOT THAT MANY PEOPLE AROUND, THERE'S NOT LOBBYISTS IN THE HALLWAYS, THERE'S NOT REASONS FOR US TO GO IN.

IT DOES CHANGE THE ATMOSPHERE.

USUALLY YOU'RE KIND OF PICKING UP ON THINGS IN THE HALLWAY.

AND LAWMAKERS AND LOBBYISTS, THEY'RE CATCHING UP WITH EACH OTHER AND SHARING INFORMATION, THAT IS HAPPENING LESS.

BUT WE DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S GOING TO LAST THE ENTIRE SESSION OR ONCE MORE PEOPLE GET VACCINATED AND THE NUMBERS COME DOWN EVEN MORE, IF THEY'RE GOING TO START TO TRY TO DO MORE THINGS IN PERSON.

BUT FOR NOW, IT IS A PRETTY REMOTE OPERATION.

>> Eric: YOU KNOW, THE SESSION STARTED WITH QUITE A BIT OF STATIC AMONG THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND THE GOVERNOR THAT FARGO FORUM SESSION PREVIEW EVENT GOT PRETTY TESTY.

IS THAT ALL FORGOTTEN NOW?

HOW'S THE MOOD AMONG THOSE IN CHARGE?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THE MAJORITY LEADER, PAUL GAZELKA, WHO YOU HAD ON AND HOUSE SPEAKER MELISSA HORTMAN GENERALLY HAVE A PRETTY GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP FOR LEADERS OF DIFFERENT PARTIES.

AND THEY'VE KEPT OPEN LINE OF COMMUNICATION, THEY'RE IN CONTACT QUITE A BIT.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS THAT HE'S BEEN SPEAKING OFF-LINE WITH THE REPUBLICAN LEADERS AND HAS HAD VERY CORDIAL CONVERSATIONS.

AND THEY KNOW THAT THERE'S A ROLE TO PLAY, THAT THERE'S SOME THEATER TO THIS, THAT THEY HAVE TO SPEAK TO THEIR BASES AND HOLD UP THEIR PRINCIPLES IN A VERY PUBLIC FASHION.

I WOULDN'T -- I DON'T THINK THAT THE ACRIMONY IS SO DEEP THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET TO A DEAL EVENTUALLY.

I THINK EVERYONE REALIZES THAT IN THIS YEAR THEY REALLY GOT TO GET SOMETHING DONE.

>> Eric: TOREY, IN THE TWIN CITIES AXEIOS PUBLICATION THIS MORNING, YOU HAD A GREAT RUNDOWN OF REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL HOPEFULS, YOU'VE GOT A PARTY CHAIR CONTEST.

GIVE US A RUNDOWN ON THAT STUFF ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

>> WELL, YOU JUST ASKED SENATOR GAZELKA ABOUT IT, PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING HE TOLD ME.

ASK ME IN THE SUMMER.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S A HANDFUL OF REPUBLICANS WEIGHING A BILL -- WEIGHING A RUN RIGHT NOW AGAINST GOVERNOR WALZ.

NOBODY'S OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED YET.

WE'RE LOOKING AT FORMER SENATOR SCOTT JENSEN, CURRENT STATE SENATOR KARIN HOUSLEY IS THINKING ABOUT IT.

SHE RAN FOR U.S. SENATE.

MIKE LUNDELL OF MY PILLOW, YOU KNOW, HAS FLIRTED WITH A BID PUBLICLY, NOT REALLY SURE WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO AT THIS POINT.

HE'S GOING TO PUSH THE GOALPOST BACK.

AND A COUPLE OF OTHER NAMES IN THE MIX.

SO REPUBLICANS ARE REALLY LOOKING FOR -- THEY'RE LOOKING FOR A CANDIDATE WHO THEY THINK CAN MAKE A STRONG RUN AGAINST WALZ.

THEY HAVEN'T WON STATEWIDE IN QUITE A NUMBER OF YEARS.

THEY NEED TO FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN ACTIVATE THEIR BASE AND MAKE INROADS IN THE SUBURBS IN ORDER TO MAKE THE MATH WORK.

AND THAT'S KIND OF THEIR CHALLENGE AND THE DANCE RIGHT NOW.

BUT I'D EXPECT SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.

>> Eric: YOU'RE OFF TO A GREAT START WITH THE NEWSLETTER.

AND 91.1 FM FOR BRIAN.

THANKS, GUYS.

>> Cathy: THAT'S RIGHT.

♪♪ >> ERIC: NOW FOR THE INTERACTIVE PART OF THE SHOW, OUR WEEKLY MINNESOTA HISTORY QUESTION.

HERE'S WHAT WE ASKED LAST WEEK.

IN 1941 A PERFORMING TEAM KNOWN AS "LORD AND SHERRY" WAS APPEARING AT A MINNEAPOLIS THEATER.

WE TOLD YOU THAT AT THAT TIME THE "LORD" OF THE GROUP, NOT SEEN HERE, COMPLAINED TO THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR NEWSPAPER THAT WORLD WAR II HAD RUINED HIS OCCUPATION.

HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT HE WAS GETTING READY TO PERFORM HIS SIGNATURE STUNT IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS WHEN THE "LAW TURNED HIM DOWN."

WE WANTED YOU TO NAME THE OCCUPATION WORLD WAR II RUINED FOR THIS MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENT.

WHAT OCCUPATION WAS RUINED FOR MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENT LORD LYONS?

THE "ALMANAC" AUDIENCE RARELY FAILS TO PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF WRONG GUESSES.

AND LAST WEEK YOU AGAIN CAME THROUGH FOR US.

>> Eric: ALWAYS LIKE TO HEAR FROM MOJO.

WE LIKED EACH OF THESE WRONG ANSWERS.

AND WE HOPE THAT REMOVES SOME OF THE STING OF HAVING YOUR INCORRECT GUESSES DISPLAYED TO THE ENTIRE REGION.

FOUR OF YOU CALLED IN WITH RIGHT GUESSES.

MARK, GWENDOLYN, JIM AND DAN.

DAN WON THE COIN TOSS.

TAKE IT AWAY.

>> ERIC: YES, ACROBAT TEAM OF LORD AND SHERRY, SEEN HERE IN A PHOTO PUBLISHED IN THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR NEWSPAPER, WAS COMPOSED OF LORD LYONS AND A WOMAN NAMED SHERRY.

LYONS WAS A NOTED FLAG POLE SITTER THAT FOUND HIS CAREER CRAMPED BY PATRIOTIC AMERICANS DURING WORLD WAR II.

THE QUESTION CAME FROM THE FABULOUS STAR TRIBUNE HISTORIC INDEX, BY THE WAY.

IT'S A GREAT DESTINATION FOR ALL INDEX FILE AFFICIONADOS.

DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE A QUESTION WE HAVEN'T ASKED?

SEND IT OUR WAY, EITHER BY VOICEMAIL AT 651-229-1430 OR BY EMAIL, ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

>>> A REMINDER THAT YOU CAN WATCH THE LEGISLATURE IN ACTION EACH WEEKDAY ON YOUR LOCAL PBS STATION.

LOOK FOR THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

IT'S FREE, OVER THE AIR, AND AVAILABLE ON EACH PUBLIC TV STATION IN THE REGION.

>>> FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, THE MINNEAPOLIS BAND 4 ON THE FLOOR APPEARED THIS WEEK ON SEASON THREE OF THE LOWERTOWN LINE MUSIC SERIES HERE AT TPT.

THE BAND IS KNOWN FOR PERFORMING ALL OF ITS TUNES IN 4/4 TIME.

HERE'S THE GROUP SINGING "DOWN THE LINE" ON LOWERTOWN LINE THIS WEEK IN 2015.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

AND CONTINUE TO BE CAREFUL.

♪ I KNOW THEY'RE NOT MINE ♪ ♪ SO WATCH THE DIRT OFF FROM YOUR HANDS ♪ ♪ DOIN' THE SAME MISTAKE TWICE ♪ AND MAKIN' THE SAME MISTAKES TWICE ♪ ♪ COME ON OVER ♪ Captioned by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY· GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING ELECTRICITY AND RELATED SERVICES TO 28 CO-OPS IN MINNESOTA.

A TOUCHSTONE ENERGY COOPERATIVE.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: INVESTING $25 MILLION TO IMPROVE DENTAL CARE FOR MINNESOTANS IN NEED.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A TRIBAL NATION FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION - ESPECIALLY IN TIMES LIKE TODAY.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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