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

>> IT FEELS REALLY GOOD TO BE BACK HERE.

>> Mary: LAWMAKERS ARE BACK, FOR A SOMBER START TO SESSION, AFTER SO MUCH HAS CHANGED IN MINNESOTA.

WE'LL HAVE CONTEXT WITH TOP HOUSE LEADERS, THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

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

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

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

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

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

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

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

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

>> Mary: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL," I'M MARY LAHAMMER, WITH A VERY DIFFERENT START TO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE LONGEST-SERVING FEMALE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE IN STATE HISTORY IS GONE.

GUNNED DOWN AT HER HOME.

IT HAS LEFT THIS PLACE FOREVER CHANGED.

I'LL BE TALKING WITH THE CURRENT SPEAKER AND LEADER IN JUST A MOMENT, AND ALSO WE'LL BE CHATTING WITH KEY RETIRING MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE ALL SEASON LONG, AND WE'LL BE STARTING WITH A SMART, FEISTY, IMPORTANT SENATOR ANN REST.

BUT, FIRST, SESSION PRIORITIES, ALONG WITH BEGINNING OF THE LEGISLATURE, HONORING MEMBERS TARGETED BY AN ASSASSIN.

[ BANGING GAVEL ] >> THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.

>> Mary: A SOMBER START TO SESSION, AS LAWMAKERS REMEMBERED THE SSASSINATED FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MELISSA HORTMAN.

>> COLIN, OPHIE, ENTIRE FAMILY, HARD TO COME UP THE WORDS, BUT AS I THINK EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS TRAGEDY AND WATCHING YOU HAVE TO ENDURE NOT JUST THE LOSS BUT THE VERY PUBLIC GRIEVING, THE GRACE AND DIGNITY AND DECENCY THAT YOU'VE CONDUCTED YOURSELF IS A LESSON FOR ALL OF US.

>> ON JUNE 14th, HER BRIGHT LIGHT WAS EXTINGUISHED.

ALONG WITH MARK AND GILBERT.

AND THAT DAY WAS THE START OF WHAT HAS BEEN THE LONGEST SUMMER AND THE HARDEST WINTER.

CHILDREN KILLED IN A CHURCH.

MINNESOTANS KILLED IN THE STREET.

>> Mary: THE SENATE WELCOMED BACK SENATOR JOHN HOFFMAN, WHO SURVIVED THE SAME ASSASSIN.

>> FOR THE MINNESOTA STATE TROOPERS, WHO PROTECTED MY FAMILY AND ME IN THE MERGENCY ROOM, IN THE ICU, THROUGHOUT RECOVERY AND AT OUR HOME, AND THEY ESCORTED ME UP THE STEPS AND BACK INTO THIS CHAMBER TODAY, THEY WERE THERE IN THE ICU AS I LEARNED TO WALK AGAIN AND ESTABLISHED A GOAL TO WALK UP THOSE CAPITOL STEPS WITH THEM, THEY KEPT WATCH DURING OUR MOST VULNERABLE HOURS.

I AM GRATEFUL TO THEM FOREVER.

I RETURN CHANGED BUT OT DETERRED.

MORE CONVINCED THAN EVER THAT THE LEADERSHIP IS MEASURED NOT BY HOW WE RESPOND WHEN EVERYTHING IS GOING RIGHT, BUT HOW WE RESPOND IN OUR HARDEST HOURS.

MEMBERS, LET'S RISE ABOVE THE NOISE AND LET US GOVERN WITH HUMILITY AND LET US PROVE THROUGH OUR ACTIONS, NOT JUST WORDS R THAT DEMOCRACY IS STRONGER THAN FEAR.

>> Mary: SECURITY HAS CHANGED AT THE CAPITOL, WITH WEAPONS SCREENINGS AND ADDITIONAL CHECKPOINTS.

THE REPUBLICAN PRIORITY FOR SESSION REMAINS STOPPING FRAUD.

THEY'RE LED BY THE HOUSE SPEAKER, WHO'S RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

>> YOU HAD LEADERS, CITY AND STATE LEADERS, CALLING ON BUSINESSES TO SHUT OWN FOR A DAY AND TO STRIKE.

THAT IS A CHOICE.

NOT ALL BUSINESSES CHOSE TO DO THAT.

>> WE'VE SEEN A LOT F DAMAGE TO BUSINESSES AS A RESULT OF GOVERNOR WALZ'S POLICIES AND DEMOCRAT POLICIES OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

THE IDEA THAT E'RE GOING TO DO SOME SORT OF BAILOUT INSTEAD OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX OUR BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, I DON'T THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR.

>> Mary: EMOCRATS ARE NOT GOING TO LET THE IMTBRAITION ISSUE AND ITS IMPACT FADE.

>> THE RESULT OF OPERATION METRO SURGE, WHICH IS NOT OVER YET, I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR, WE ARE STILL SEEING ACTIVITY THE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, WE ARE STILL HAVING OUR NEIGHBORS KIDNAPPED, WE ARE STILL HAVING OBSERVERS BEING AGGRESIVELY TARGETED AND EOPLE BEING DETAINED.

THIS HAS BROUGHT GENERATIONAL DEVASTATION.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT TRUMP AND EPUBLICANS HAVE BROUGHT BECAUSE REPUBLICANS IN MINNESOTA WILL NOT STAND UP TO HIM.

>> Mary: BILLS WOULD MEAN NO MORE MASKS FOR ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND NO MORE UNMARKED VEHICLES.

>> LET'S STAND TOGETHER AS A DFL AND A MINNESOTA GOP AND SAY, NO MORE.

THIS IS THE KIND OF MOMENT IN HISTORY WHERE WE MUST SAY, NEVER AGAIN WILL WE ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN ANYWHERE, IN MINNESOTA OR ANY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> VOTERS ARE WATCHING.

AND VOTERS WILL HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE IF THEY DON'T STAND UP TO THIS ADMINISTRATION.

♪ ♪ >> Mary: YOU'VE SEEN THEY HAVE A BUSY WEEK ALREADY.

WE HAVE HOUSE SPEAKER LISA DEMUTH AND DFL LEADER ZACK STEPHENSON.

MADAM SPEAKER, YESTERDAY WAS A REMARKABLE, DIFFICULT DAY FOR EVERYONE.

BUT THE BIPARTISANSHIP BEGINNING TO END OF THAT FLOOR SESSION.

WHAT CAN THAT MEAN GOING FORWARD?

FOR THIS CHAMBER?

>> THE BIPARTISANSHIP THAT YOU SAW COME FORWARD YESTERDAY WAS REALLY IMPORTANT.

AND I REALLY APPRECIATE WORKING WITH LEADER STEPHENSON AND BRINGING YESTERDAY FORWARD.

SO WE COULD BE TOGETHER.

HOUSE MEMBERS AND SENATE.

BUT I THINK WHAT HAPPENED IS THE ABILITY FOR MELISSA AND I TO WORK TOGETHER LAST YEAR REALLY SET THE TONE FOR THIS.

WE PROVED THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS TO WORK TOGETHER AND ACCOMPLISH THINGS.

YOU SAW AN OUTCROPPING AND A RESULT OF THAT YESTERDAY WORKING TOGETHER.

>> Mary: AND MELISSA WAS YOUR ENTOR.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT MELISSA'S WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS SPEAKER, NOW THAT IT'S YOUR JOB TO DO THE WORK?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I WILL TELL YOU, I KNEW MELISSA HORTMAN FOR 20 CAREERS, I MET HER WHEN I WAS 17 YEARS OLD, AND I THOUGHT I KNEW HER PRETTY WELL.

BUT SINCE HAVING THIS JOB, I UNDERSTAND HER EVEN BETTER.

THERE'S NOTHING QUITE LIKE THIS PARTICULAR JOB.

>> Mary: BUT CAN YOU HAVE THAT SAME -- >> OH.

>> Mary: -- HUMANITY AND THE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP THAT KEPT THINGS REALLY AMICABLE BETWEEN THE TWO OF OF THEM?

>> WE WERE ELECTED AT THE SAME TIME, WE'VE BEEN IN THE HOUSE THE ENTIRE TIME.

I WAS VERY INVOLVED IN THE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS, ALONG WITH MY CHOE CARE, PAUL -- CO-CHAIR, PAUL TORKELSON, OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.

WE HAVE A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WE CAN WORK OFF OFF FOR SURE.

>> Mary: YOU'RE LOSING PAUL THEN -- TORKELSON.

WHAT IS THE TONE THAT HE USED?

>> NO SHENANIGANS.

>> Mary: DO YOU SEE THAT BEING ABLE TO BRING ORWARD?

>> NOT ONLY DID MELISSA AND I WORK WELL TOGETHER LAST YEAR, BUT ALL OF OUR CO-CHAIRS AND COMMITTEES FOUND A WAY TO WORK TOGETHER EARLY ON AND GET THINGS DONE.

SO IT WASN'T JUST THE TWO LEADERS, IT WAS ALL 134 OF US.

WE'VE PROVEN THAT IT CAN BE DONE, EVEN IN CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES.

THAT'S MY EXPECTATION.

THAT WE'LL ALL TAKE LESSONS LEARNED FROM LAST YEAR AND BRING THOSE FORWARD, EVEN IN A HARD TIME THIS YEAR.

>> Mary: LET ME GO BACK TWO DAYS, THOUGH, SESSION PRIORITIES FROM THE TWO CAUCUSES, THEY COULDN'T BE MORE DIFFERENT.

YOURS WAS IMMIGRATION, YOURS WAS NOT ADDRESSING THOSE ISSUES.

LET'S START WITH THAT.

>> YEAH.

IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH JUST A HORRIFIC TIME HERE IN MINNESOTA.

AND I THINK THAT THERE ARE SOME COMMON-SENSE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO AND YOU MENTIONED SOME OF THEM, FROM SAYING THAT WE DON'T HAVE A SECRET POLICE IN AMERICA, WE SHOULDN'T HAVE PEOPLE WEARING MASKS, HROWING PEOPLE IN THE BACK OF UNMARKED CARS ON THE STREET.

WE SHOULDN'T HAVE I.C.E.

AT SCHOOLS, USING CHILDREN AS BAIT, THAT'S BARBARIC, AND, YOU KNOW, THE BCA SHOULD BEING INVESTIGATING THE DEATHS OF ALEX PRETTI AND RENEE GOOD.

I THINK THAT THESE ARE SOME BASIC, COMMON-SENSE IDEAS.

>> Mary: THERE ARE NO REPUBLICAN CO-AUTHORS ON ANY OF THOSE BILLS SO FAR, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> CORRECT.

AS THOSE BILLS MOVE THEIR WAY THROUGH COMMITTEE, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE LANGUAGE IS, YOU MAY SEE SOME INVOLVEMENT FROM REPUBLICANS.

BUT AT THIS POINT WE HAVE TO SEE THE LANGUAGE, WE HAVE TO HEAR WHAT'S BEHIND IT.

SOME OF THE CHANGES, WE'RE LIMITED IN WHAT WE CAN REQUIRE OF FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS TO EITHER DO OR NOT DO.

WE HAVE LIMITATIONS THERE.

>> Mary: WHAT IF IT'S APPLIED O ALL, BECAUSE IT WAS POINTED OUT IN THE DFL PRESS CONFERENCE, THEY WOULD APPLY IT TO ALL, LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL, WOULD THAT GIVE YOU ANY ASSURANCE AT ALL?

>> WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE JOBS THAT THEY HAVE TO DO TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE, THAT'S WHAT EVERYONE IN MINNESOTA WANTS.

AND, SO, WE CAN HAVE THESE DEBATES, WE CAN HAVE THE DEBATES IN COMMITTEE, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE LANGUAGE AND SEE WHAT BOTH THE INTENDED CONSEQUENCES ARE, BUT POTENTIAL UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT BUSINESS, IN THEORY, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS WANT BUSINESSES TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN MINNESOTA.

THE GOVERNOR'S TALKING ABOUT A BUSINESS RELIEF PACKAGE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU COULD GET BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR?

>> I WOULD HOPE THAT WE COULD.

I MEAN, IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME HERE, WHERE WE'VE HAD A LOT OF BUSINESSES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FUNCTION BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO WORK THERE, MANY OF WHOM ARE LAWFUL CITIZENS, HAVE BEEN AFRAID TO GO TO WORK.

WHEN I.C.E.

IS PICKING PEOPLE OFF OF THE STREETS, ON THE BASIS OF SKIN COLOR, PEOPLE DON'T FEEL SAFE WALKING DOWN THE STREET OR GOING TO WORK.

AND THAT HAS REALLY HURT A LOT OF USINESSES.

>> Mary: YOU HEARD THE SPEAKER AY, THEY CHOSE TO NOT GO TO WORK OR CHOSE TO SHUT THEIR DOORS, EARLIER.

>> THIS IS A PLACE WHERE WE STRONGLY DISAGREE.

NO BUSINESS IN MINNESOTA CHOSE FOR I.C.E.

TO COME HERE.

IT WAS NOT THEIR CHOICE TO HAVE THEIR WORKERS BE TOO AFRAID TO GO TO WORK FOR WEEKS ON END.

I JUST DISAGREE WITH THAT FUNDAMENTALLY.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT SKIN COLOR, THIS IS A SENSITIVE ISSUE.

IS THIS A CHOICE OR WASN'T IT A CHOICE AND SHOULD THE STATE HAVE SOME ROLE IN THE RELIEF HERE?

>> IT DEFINITELY WAS A CHOICE.

I'LL GO BACK TO HOW LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND LOCAL LEADERS WOULD HAVE WORKED WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THAT WERE HERE.

IF THAT WORK WOULD HAVE GONE ON, AS IT HAS BEFORE, KEPT OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE, IT WOULDN'T HAVE RISEN TO THIS LEVEL OF BOTH PROTESTING AND THEN VIOLENCE AND RIOTING.

IT DIDN'T HAVE TO GET TO THIS POINT.

BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT BUSINESSES, WE WANT A BUSINESS ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

AND, SO, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT NOT JUST THE LAST SIX WEEKS OR SO, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE MANDATES THAT HAVE BEEN PUT ON BUSINESS AND WHY IT'S HARDER FOR BUSINESSES TO STAY HERE IN THE STATE.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT WORKERS, THOUGH, WHO FELT LIKE IT WASN'T SAFE FOR THEM TO GO TO WORK?

THEY HAD TO STAY HOME.

>> LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, HAD THEY BEEN ENCOURAGED OR ALLOWED TO JUST PROVIDE REGULAR SAFETY, WOULD HAVE PREVENTED WHAT WE'RE SEEING, YOU KNOW, THE DETAINER REQUESTS FOR FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS, AS WE'RE SEEING NOW, THOSE ARE GOING TO BE RESPECTED A LITTLE BIT BETTER ND CARRIED OUT A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

THAT WOULD HAVE ADD ALLOWED FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS TO GO INTO THE JAILS AND THEN ARREST SOMEONE THAT WAS HERE ILLEGALLY AND ARRESTED FOR SOME CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

IT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THEM LOOKING FOR PEOPLE ON THE STREETS.

IT WOULD HAVE MADE EVERYTHING SO MUCH SAFER.

>> Mary: IN THE PAST, REPUBLICANS HAVE LIKED THE IDEA OF TAX HOLIDAY.

I MENTIONED, I'VE HEARD FROM REPUBLICAN BUSINESS OWNERS WHO SAID, TAX HOLIDAY?

WHY NOT?

>> WE'LL LOOK AT IT.

>> Mary: WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

ARE YOU HEARING ANYTHING?

WOULD THE GOVERNOR LIKE A TAX HOLIDAY IF HE WEDNESDAY WOULD GET ON BOARD?

>> THERE'S ALL OPTIONS ON THE TABLE FOR BUSINESSES.

I DO HAVE TO GO BACK AND SAY, I THINK THIS ISSUE OF COOPERATION IS A TOTAL RED HERRING.

OF THE 4,000 PEOPLE THAT I.C.E.

ARRESTED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS, ONLY A COUPLE HUNDRED HAD ANY IND OF CRIMINAL HISTORY AND EVEN LESS OF THAT WERE IN CUSTODY WHEN I.C.E.

WAS HERE.

SO THE IDEA THAT IF THEY HAD JUST BEEN HONORING DETAINER AGREEMENTS, WE WOULDN'T HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE FACTS.

AND ON TOP OF THAT, AS TOM HOMAN HIMSELF HAS SAID, MOST COUNTIES WERE HONORING DETAINER AGREEMENTS, THE DOC, WHICH HOUSES THE MOST VIOLENT CRIMINALS, ALWAYS HAS HONORED DETAINER AGREEMENTS.

SO IT WOULD NOT HAVE CHANGED ANYTHING.

WHEN I.C.E.

IS ON THE STREETS JUST PICKING PEOPLE P OFF THE STREETS, THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH COOPERATION WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THIS FUNDAMENTALLY WASN'T ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> Mary: WAS IT ABOUT FRAUD AT THE BEGINNING, AND SOME OF THE CONCERNS ABOUT FRAUD AND SOME OF THE FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS THAT YOU WERE A PART OF AND A YOUTUBER, IS THAT SOME OF THIS AT THE BEGINNING?

>> YOU KNOW, FRAUD IS SOMETHING THAT STILL GOES ON AND LEADER STEPHENSON HAS SAID THAT WE NEED TO WORK ON THAT THIS YEAR AND PUT THE -- THE OIG BILL IS GOING TO BE UP IN COMMITTEE TOMORROW.

THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES.

>> Mary: OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, TOO.

I THINK OUR AUDIENCE IS KIND OF INSIDER, BUT JUST IN CASE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT OIG IS.

>> INDEPENDENT OFFICE OF OF INSPECTOR GENERAL.

WE COULDN'T GET IT OVER THE FINISH LINE AT THE END OF LAST SESSION.

BUT WE'VE GOT THAT OPPORTUNITY ALREADY STARTING THIS WEEK.

BUT FRAUD IN MINNESOTA, THAT MEANS TAXPAYER DOLLARS HAVE BEEN STOLEN.

THEY ARE GOING OUT TO PEOPLE THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAD THEM.

THAT IS PART OF THE FOCUS ON THIS.

I'M REALLY GLAD THAT EVERYONE NOW IS AWARE OF THAT.

THAT'S THE ONLY WAY WE CAN FIX THINGS HERE IN THE STATE.

IF THERE'S AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND A DESIRE TO MAKE IT BETTER.

>> Mary: DID THAT BRING THIS WHOLE IMMIGRATION ACTION, IS THAT FAIR THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THIS ALL STARTED?

>> NO.

IT WAS A TOTAL PRETENSE.

AND HERE'S OW YOU KNOW, THE OPERATION METRO SURGE, THE I.C.E.

SURGE HAS DEVASTATED, ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATED OUR ANTI-FRAUD EFFORT HERE IN MINNESOTA.

FBI AGENTS WERE REASSIGNED FROM WORKING ON FRAUD TO WORKING ON IMMIGRATION MATTERS.

THE U.S.

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SUFFERED SO MANY MASS RESIGNATIONS, THEY CAN'T EVEN APPEAR AT ALL OF THE HEARINGS THAT THEY HAVE.

JOE THOMPSON, WHO WAS LEADING THE INVESTIGATION OFS, THESE FRAUD INVESTIGATION, RESIGNED IN PROTEST WHEN THE PRESIDENT ORDERED HIM TO INVESTIGATE RENEE GOOD'S WIFE RATHER THAN RENEE GOOD'S MURDER.

AND THEN THE GUY WHO WAS APPOINTED TO REPLACE JOE THOMPSON ALSO RESIGNED IN PROTEST.

THE DAMAGE THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO OUR EFFORTS TO OMBAT FRAUD, WHICH WE ARE REALLY -- WHICH ARE REALLY IMPORTANT, IS JUST CATASTROPHIC.

>> Mary: YOU GET TO DEBATE AN ATTORNEY TONIGHT.

SO IT'S NOT IF D -- R -- IT'S NOT SO FUN.

IS IT GOING TO BE HARD TO PROSECUTE THE FRAUD NOW GOING FORWARD IN LIGHT OF WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE U.S.

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE?

>> WITH THE U.S.

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE CHANGES, THEY ARE GOING TO GET THEIR WORK DONE, MINNESOTA CAN NO LONGER HIDE FROM FRAUD, IT WILL BE FULLY INVESTIGATED AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

>> Mary: AFFORDABILITY, BIPARTISANSHIP ON THAT, ANY OTHER ISSUES YOU REALLY DO SEE COMING TOGETHER?

>> WE HAVE SOME OPPORTUNITY TO DO CONFORMITY, NO TAX ON TIPS, OVERTIME, THE CHILD TAX CREDIT THAT WOULD ACTUALLY AFFECT EDUCATION, SO THE EDUCATION CREDIT, WE ARE NOT AN AUTOMATIC FEDERAL CONFORMITY STATE.

SO WE WOULD HAVE TO OPT INTO THOSE THINGS.

WHICH WOULD MAKE LIFE A LOT MORE AFFORDABLE FOR MINNESOTANS.

>> Mary: BIPARTISAN, WE'LL TALK TO THE SENATE TAX CHAIR IN JUST A MINUTE HERE.

>> NO, I THINK THERE WAS A LOT IN THAT FEDERAL TAX BILL, WE SHOULD EXAMINE IT.

I KNOW THAT HE SENATE TAX CHAIR IS GOING TO BE VERY THOROUGH IN HER ANALYSIS OF THAT BILL, AS SHE IS VERY THOROUGH IN EVERYTHING SHE DOES.

AND WE WILL BE, TOO, WE SHOULD REALLY BE LOOKING, HO ARE WERE THE WINNERS AND WHO ARE THE LOSERS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, WITH OUR LIMITED STATE RESOURCES, WHAT CHOICES ARE WE GOING TO MAKE, ARE WE GOING TO TRY AND HELP THE PEOPLE WHO WERE HIT BY THE FEDERAL BILL, THE HOSPITALS AND THE COUNTIES, OR ARE WE GOING TO JUST REWARD PEOPLE WHO ALREADY BENEFITTED FROM THESE TAX CUTS.

>> Mary: WE'LL GET TO HEAR FROM BOTH OF YOU, AND THE SENATE LEADERS ON "ALMANAC" WHEN YOU'RE ALL ON THE SHOW TOGETHER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT.

YEAH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ >> Mary: ANN REST KNOWS THIS TERRITORY WELL.

FOR 14 YEARS, SHE'S BEEN THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR SUBURBAN DISTRICT 46A.

>> HI.

>> HI.

>> I'M ANN EST, STATE LEGISLATOR.

AND I'M JUST VISITING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Mary: REPRESENTATIVE REST ACKNOWLEDGES SHE DID SUPPORT THE STADIUM QUESTION, BUT THEN CHANGED HER MIND WHEN THE PUBLIC OVERWHELMINGLY SAID NO TO TAX DOLLARS FOR A STADIUM.

>> I DIDN'T SUPPORT ANY BILL COMING FORWARD IN THE 1998 SESSION.

MY NAME IS NOT ON ANY LEGISLATION.

AND NO BILL WAS GIVEN A HEARING IN THE COMMITTEE THAT I CHAIR WHERE THAT BILL WOULD HAVE COME.

>> Mary: REST CHAIRS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND METROPOLITAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, AND HAS HELD POWERFUL POSTS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

NOW SHE FINDS HERSELF RUNNING TO SAVE HER SEAT AND HELP RETAIN DEMOCRATIC CONTROL OF THE HOUSE.

WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR THE SENATE TAX BILL, BUT CHAIR ANN REST IS TOUGH.

AND NEGOTIATIONS, EVEN WITH A FELLOW DEMOCRAT, WON'T BE EASY.

>> WHEN YOU SAY MEDICAL LICENSE, FEE OF A MILLION DOLLARS, WHEN THOSE TWO CAME UP, WASN'T THAT A TAX?

>> THE DEFINITION OF A FEE AND A TAX IS VERY DIFFERENT.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE AND IN OUR JURISDICTION IS THE SALES TAX.

THERE'S NO PHOTOGRAPHY IT.

NOT IN THIS COMMITTEE.

'IS THAT CLEAR?

IS THERE AN AMENDMENT TO HOUSE FILE 28?

I WILL REMIND THE MEMBERS TO ADDRESS YOUR COMMENTS TO THE PRESIDENT AND NOT DIRECTLY TO OTHER MEMBERS.

IS THERE AN AMENDMENT TO HOUSE FILE 28?

>> I WOULD ASK THAT YOU VOTE NO ON THE A-7 AMENDMENT.

>> I WILL REMIND MEMBERS, EVEN THOSE WHO USUALLY STAND IN THIS PLACE, HAT YOU NEED TO DIRECT YOUR REMARKS TO THE PRESIDENT AND NOT TO THE MEMBERS.

HOUSE FILE 28 IS LAID ON THE TABLE.

SENATOR DZIEDZIC.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

MADAM PRESIDENT.

>> ONCE AGAIN, I'M GOING TO ASK PEOPLE TO STAY AT HEIR DESK.

AND REFRAIN FROM CONVERSATION.

SENATOR DZIEDZIC.

>> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT.

AND I MOVE TO RECESS UNTIL THE CALL OF THE PRESIDENT.

>> SENATOR DZIEDZIC HAS MOVED THAT WE RECESS TO THE CALL OF THE PRESIDENT.

>> WE ASKED ABOUT -- >> MADAM PRESIDENT.

>> -- JURY DUTY.

GO AHEAD, SENATOR LATZ.

OR SENATOR DIBBLE, SORRY.

>> SENATOR PRATT.

>> MADAM PRESIDENT -- >> SENATOR PRATT.

SENATOR DIBBLE.

WHERE ARE YOU STANDING, SENATOR PRATT?

>> AT MY DESK.

>> YOU'RE NOT STANDING UP HERE, ARE YOU?

>> NO, MADAM PRESIDENT.

>> SO YOU CAN'T CALL ON SENATOR DIBBLE.

SENATOR DIBBLE.

>> Mary: YOU JUST SAW HER IN ACTION, ALL THE WAY BACK TO HER TIME IN THE HOUSE.

SENATE TAX CHAIR, PRESIDING OVER THE SENATE, THE LEGENDARY, TOUGH, SMART, AND FAIR, RIGHT, YOU CALL 'EM OUT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, SENATOR ANN REST, RETIRING AFTER MORE THAN 40 YEARS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

WOW!

BODIES SIDES.

BOTH SIDES, THIS IS FAIR, EVERYBODY WHO KNOWS YOU SAY, YOU DON'T PICK FAVORITES, DO YOU?

>> NO.

>> Mary: WHY IS THAT?

WHERE DOES THAT COME FROM?

>> WELL, IT COMES FROM RESPECT FOR THE INSTITUTION RATHER THAN PLAYING FAVORITES WITH INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS.

AND THAT IS A CORE VALUE OF MINE IN TERMS OF PUBLIC SERVICE THAT IS VIEWED BY THE PUBLIC INSIDE THOSE -- THE CHAMBERS THAT WE SERVE IN, WHETHER IT'S A SENATE CHAMBER OR HERE IN THE HOUSE.

>> Mary: SOMEBODY RECENTLY SAID YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE WHO HEARS BILLS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

ANYMORE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THOSE BILLS ARE COMING ON BEHALF OF A CONSTITUENCY, AND WE HAVE TO REMOVE THE R OR THE D AFTER A BILL AND IF IT'S WORTHY TO BE HEARD, THEN ON BEHALF OF A CONSTITUENCY, THEN IT SHOULDN'T MATTER.

AND WE HAVE VERY VIGOROUS CONVERSATIONS IN THE SENATE TAX COMMITTEE, AND THEY'RE ALWAYS RESPECTFUL.

SOMETIMES THEY ARE VERY FUNNY, BY THE WAY.

>> Mary: YES.

WE WERE LAUGHING, FOR THE RECORD, THROUGH ALL OF THAT, RIGHT?

YOU DO, WHEN YOU WIELD A GAVEL, IT IS WITH A TWINKLE IN YOUR EYE, IS IT NOT?

>> YOU MENTIONED REPRESENTATIVE TORKELSON TALKING ABOUT NO SHENANIGANS.

>> Mary: YES.

>> WELL, I CALL PEOPLE ON THAT AS WELL.

>> Mary: YES.

>> AND WHAT WE END UP DOING IS GETTING A LAUGH OUT OF IT.

>> Mary: YES.

>> AND I THINK THAT EFOCUSES OUR DISCUSSIONS, NO MATTER HOW SERIOUS THE TOPIC.

>> Mary: DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU WENT VIRAL WITH HOW YOU WERE PRESIDING OVER THE CHAMBER?

WERE YOU AWARE WHEN THAT HAPPENED?

>> YES.

>> Mary: AS THEY SAY.

>> YES.

>> Mary: AND WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

>> MY JOB WAS TO KEEP DECORUM AND TO MAKE SURE THAT, BECAUSE I WAS STANDING UP THERE, THAT NO ONE WAS GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TRADITIONS OF THE SENATE BECAUSE I WOULD REMIND THEM OTHERWISE.

>> Mary: HOW ABOUT HOW NONPARTISAN YOU ARE WHEN YOU'RE PRESIDING OVER THE CHAMBER, BECAUSE IT'S BECOME AN ASSUMPTION, WHETHER IT'S THE HOUSE, WHETHER IT'S THE SENATE, WHETHER IT'S DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, THAT WHOEVER'S PRESIDING IS GOING TO RULE IN FAVOR OF THEIR OWN PARTY.

>> I THINK THAT THERE IS -- THERE'S A MATTER OF TRUST THAT COMES FROM -- BECAUSE YOU'RE IN THAT POSITION, WHERE, FOR ME, AS A PRESIDENT PRO TEM, AS OPPOSED TO SENATOR CHAMPION, THAT WE HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED BY OUR CAUCUSES TO UNDERSTAND THE PERSPECTIVE THAT WE BRING, OUR CAUCUS BRINGS, AND NOT O LET IT BE ABUSED BY OTHERS.

AND SOMETIMES THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE YOU'RE PLAYING FAVORITES, BUT IT REALLY -- IT'S REALLY TRYING TO KEEP THE PLAYING FIELD LEVEL.

>> Mary: WHY NOW?

YOU ARE ONE OF THE SMARTEST, MOST RESPECTED PEOPLE IN THIS ENTIRE BUILDING.

WHY LEAVE NOW?

>> I PLAN TO LEAVE AFTER THE LAST ELECTION -- I PLANNED TO LEAVE AFTER THE LAST ELECTION, WHAT I DID NOT WANT TO DO IS LEAVE IN THE MINORITY.

SO I RAN IN 2022, AND IN DISCUSSIONS WITH MY FAMILY, ESPECIALLY MY DAUGHTER, THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY LAST TERM IF I PREVAILED, AND I DID.

>> Mary: WAS HAVING YOUR LIFE THREATENED THIS PAST YEAR, DID THAT HAVE AN IMPACT ON IT?

>> NO, IT DID NOT.

AND I DON'T LIKE TO TALK ABOUT IT.

>> Mary: OKAY, THAT'S JUST FINE.

WHAT ABOUT WHAT THAT DID FOR THESE TWO CHAMBERS, THE BIPARTISANSHIP, THE COMING TOGETHER, THE SUPPORT, WHILE IT WAS A VERY HARD DAY, IN SOME WAYS IT WAS A GOOD DAY.

>> YES, BECAUSE, TO ME, WHAT IT SIGNALED IS WE ARE GOING TO RETURN TO NORMALCY, E ARE GOING TO GET BACK TO OUR JOBS, AND AFTER THE RECEPTION, I WENT BACK TO MY OFFICE AND I WORKED THE REST OF THE AFTERNOON.

>> Mary: OF COURSE OF YOU DID.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> WELL, YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME.

>> Mary: THE STATE IS GRATEFUL.

>> IT'S BEEN AN HONOR.

>> Mary: THANK YOU, SENATOR REST.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN WINONA.

AND GREW UP PLAYING SPORTS, BEING INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOL.

MY FATHER WAS THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WINONA FOR 16 YEARS, BEGINNING WHEN I WAS IN IDDLE SCHOOL.

AND THAT'S REALLY WHERE THE DESIRE TO GET INVOLVED IN PUBLIC OFFICE CAME FROM.

>> Mary: NEXT WEEK, RETIRING LAWMAKER ALSO COMES FROM THE SENATE, THAT IS REPUBLICAN JEREMY MILLER.

ALSO, WE WANT TO LET YOU KNOW, ANYTHING YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED HERE, YOU CAN HEAD HERE, YOU CAN HEA HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC, THERE YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON ALL OF OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, ON FACEBOOK, WE POST A LOT OF OUR MATERIAL, SHOW OF DATES ON X, AND WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, YOU CAN FOLLOW HOUSE, SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS, PRESS CONFERENCES AND MUCH MORE ON THE STATEWIDE PUBLIC TV STATION YOU'RE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

SPEAKING OF STATEWIDE TV, FRIDAY ON "ALMANAC," ALL FOUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, HOUSE, SENATE, REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT, ALL ON THE COUCH TOGETHER, FRIDAY ON "ALMANAC."

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN FOR THAT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

♪ CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM >> "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

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

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

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

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

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

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