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

>> EACH OF THE SENATORS IN THE DFL ARE THE 34 VOTES.

>> Mary: YOU LITERALLY WERE THE 34.

>> FAIR POINT.

>> Mary: THE SENATE'S SPECIAL ELECTION FRESHMAN WILL JOIN THE HOUSE'S LATEST WINNER, AGAIN, CHANGING THE BALANCE OF POWER HERE, FORMER LEADERS WILL ANALYZE IT.

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

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

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

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

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

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

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

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

HEALTHIER, HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE.

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

I'M MARY LAHAMMER, COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY.

WELL, POWER HAS SHIFTED ONCE AGAIN HERE AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

AS DEMOCRATS WON A SPECIAL ELECTION WITH RECORD TURNOUT.

SO THE TIED HOUSE WILL RETURN TO A POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT.

LUCKILY, WE HAVE FORMER HOUSE LEADERS HERE.

WE'LL HEAR FROM THEM IN JUST A MOMENT.

LATER, THE TEMPORARY COMMISSIONER OF HUMAN SERVICES.

BUT, FIRST, A LOOK AT LEGISLATIVE ACTION SO FAR THIS WEEK.

>> THE BILL IS PASSED AND ITS TITLE IS AGREED TO.

>> Mary: WITH UNANIMOUS SUPPORT, THE HOUSE PASSED A BILL TO PROTECT FLAWED WHISTLEBLOWERS WITH THE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT NECESSARY TO PASS AS THE HOUSE RETURNS TO A TIE AND POWER-SHARING.

>> WE'VE HAD MANY PEOPLE COME FORWARD AND WANT TO SHARE INFORMATION WITH US.

AND THEY ARE IN FEAR OF THEIR JOBS, THEIR CAREERS, AND THEY ARE VERY RETICENT TO COME FORWARD AND TESTIFY PUBLICLY.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EMPLOYEES RECEIVE PROTECTION WHEN THEY'RE SHARING INFORMATION, THAT CAN IMPROVE OUR PROGRAMS, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN THAT CAN ROOT OUT FRAUD OR MISUSE.

>> 66 AYES AND 67 NAYS, HE BILL DOES NOT PASS.

>> Mary: BUT ON A PARTY-LINE VOTE, THE HOUSE FAILED TO PASS A BILL TO ADDRESS FRAUD WITH MORE AUDIT INFORMATION.

>> MORE WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

AND THIS IS NOT THE KIND OF MINNESOTA EXCEPTIONALISM THAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET AT.

>> SO THIS IS A HEAVY HAND HERE OF SAYING, ESSENTIALLY, FORCING THE AUDITOR, WITH LIMITED FUNDS, TO IRE MORE PEOPLE TO MAKE A REPORT TO SEND TO ALL OF US, OR ESPECIALLY THE CHAIRS, TO READ.

COMMON-SENSE BILL THAT STRENGTHENS LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT AND ENSURES ACCOUNTABILITY OF OUR STATE AGENCIES.

AS LEGISLATORS, WE HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL DUTY, A DUTY THAT'S BEEN IGNORED, TO ENSURE THAT EVERY TAXPAYER DOLLAR IS SPENT WISELY, EFFICIENTLY, AND FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE.

>> Mary: LAWMAKERS CONTINUE TO GRAPPLE WITH PROJECTIONS OF A DEFICIT.

>> YOU LOOK AT HUGE NUMBERS OF LAYOFFS, YOU LOOK AT TARIFFS, ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN, PARTLY ON AGAIN, PARTLY OFF AGAIN, YOU LOOK AT ALL THOSE THINGS, YOU LOOK AT THE LAYOFF OF PERHAPS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OR MILLIONS OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.

>> THIS DEFLECTION TO THE FEDERAL SIDE IS REALLY GETTING OLD HERE IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS.

THIS WAS DONE IN 2023, UNDER ONE-PARTY CONTROL THAT SPENT A $19 BILLION SURPLUS AND INCREASED TAXES BY $10 BILLION, A 40% GROWTH IN STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> I WILL CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT MY CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT IS COMING FROM WASHINGTON, NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT IS FUTURE ORIENTED BUT BECAUSE THINGS ARE HAPPENING NOW.

>> EVERY ADMINISTRATION HAS THEIR OWN PRIORITIES.

JUST LIKE OUR GOVERNOR HAS HIS OWN PRIORITIES.

AND, YOU KNOW, OUR JOB HERE IS TO COME UP WITH OUR OWN BUDGET.

>> THIS IS AN UNSUSTAINABLE SITUATION.

THE GOVERNOR HAS PROPOSED BALANCING THE STATE BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF COUNTIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> WE AS GOVERNORS WILL FIGHT LIKE HELL.

>> Mary: AND HUNGER RELIEF GROUPS SAY THERE'S A CRISIS.

>> MINNESOTA IS IN A HUNGER CRISIS.

AND ON THE BRINK OF A CATASTROPHE IF WE DON'T HAVE EVERYONE AT THE TABLE TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE.

IT'S A NONPARTISAN AND SOLVABLE ISSUE.

♪♪ >> Mary: AS YOU JUST HEARD, THE TIE HAS RETURNED TO HE HOUSE.

GOOD THING WE HAVE THESE FORMER LEADERS HERE.

REPUBLICAN MARTY SEIFERT, HE WAS MINORITY LEADER AND DEMOCRAT RYAN WINKLER, WHO WAS MAJORITY LEADER.

SO, WHAT DO WE READ INTO, DEMOCRATS REALLY EXCITED, THEY SAY RECORD TURNOUT, BIG, 70% OF THE VOTE, IS IT ALL THAT FROM THAT SPECIAL ELECTION?

>> WELL, SPECIAL ELECTIONS ARE OFTENTIMES A GLIMPSE IN TIME.

I THINK THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS FUELED PEOPLE THAT ARE UPSET ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON, AND THAT PARTICULAR DISTRICT, WHICH IS JUST TUCKED NORTH OF St. PAUL, HAS A VERY HIGH CONCENTRATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL, EAST SIDE CAMPUS OF THE U OF M THERE AND A LOT OF STATE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.

AND, SO, I'M NOT SHOCKED.

I WOULD BE SHOCKED IF THE REPUBLICAN WAS CLOSER THAN TEN POINTS BECAUSE IT IS SUCH AN OVERWHELMINGLY DFL DISTRICT.

BUT IT IS A PRECURSOR TO THINGS THAT MIDTERMS COULD BE LIKE 2018, IF PEOPLE ARE UPSET.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS SPENT TIME AND MONEY IN THE DISTRICT.

THEY DIDN'T JUST SAY IT WAS A GIMME.

WHAT DO THE RESULTS TELL YOU?

>> WELL, I THINK AFTER FOUR LAWSUITS THEY HAD TO AT LEAST PRETEND TO COMPETE IN THAT DISTRICT, RIGHT?

>> Mary: IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJORITY FOR THEM, A REAL MAJORITY.

>> OF COURSE.

>> Mary: IT'S EVERYTHING.

>> AFTER ALL THE SHENANIGANS AND THE NONSENSE THAT STARTED THIS SESSION OUT, THEY HAD TO, I GUESS, TRY TO FLY THE FLAG AT THE END.

BUT I DON'T THINK IT SAYS A LOT, EXCEPT MAYBE WHAT MARTY'S TALKING ABOUT.

THERE'S PLENTY OF EXCITEMENT AND INTEREST IN VOTING, THAT'S A GOOD SIGN FOR DEMOCRATS.

WHETHER THAT TRANSLATES INTO 2028, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE GUESSING ABOUT -- '26, I GUESS.

>> Mary: THAT'S A LONG WAYS AWAY.

>> IT IS.

A LIFETIME IN POLITICS.

FRANKLY, PEOPLE FORGOT THAT THE DFL WASN'T SHOWING UP FOR THE FIRST FOUR WEEKS OR WHATEVER IT IS.

>> Mary: YOU THINK IT'S GONE, A NONISSUE?

>> THEY'LL BE REMINDED BY THE REPUBLICANS THAT THEY DIDN'T SHOW UP.

>> Mary: YOU THINK?

>> REPRESENTATIVE SO AND SO DIDN'T SHOW UP FOR FIVE WEEKS OR WHATEVER IT WAS.

BUT I DO THINK, YOU KNOW, THE FEDERAL POLITICAL SCHEME USUALLY OVERWHELMS WHATEVER IS GOING ON AT THE STATE LEVEL.

AND THEN AT THE MARGINS, PEOPLE CAN OUTRUN THE TOP OF THE TICKET, AND THE REPUBLICANS, I THINK, IN THE NEXT CYCLE, YOU KNOW, THOSE HOUSE MEMBERS, THOSE SENATE MEMBERS THAT ARE UP RE GOING TO REALLY HAVE TO DOOR KNOCK, DO THEIR THING ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DON'T GET WASHED OUT IF THERE'S A TOUGH CYCLE COMING.

>> Mary: WE'VE BEEN BOTH -- WE BOTH HAVE EEN AROUND A LONG TIME.

WE USED TO SEE THAT MINNESOTA WOULD RUN CONTRARY OR OUTPERFORM THE NATIONAL SCHEME.

MORE AND ORE OUR ELECTIONS HERE ARE GETTING NATIONALIZED.

WHAT DOES THIS TELL YOU, YOU KNOW, IS WHAT'S HAPPENING IN D.C.

GOING TO INFLUENCE WHO CONTROLS THE HOUSE AND SENATE?

>> I THINK IT ALWAYS HAS.

I THINK A BIG DIFFERENCE -- >> Mary: BUT MORE MAYBE THAN IT USED TO.

>> MINNESOTA USED TO HAVE A LOT MORE RURAL DEMOCRATS THAN IT DOES RIGHT NOW.

AND THE PATTERN OF KIND OF THE RURAL AREAS BEING REPUBLICAN, THE CITIES AND THE SUBURBS BECOMING MORE DEMOCRATIC.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE.

AND IT ALIGNS ON KIND OF IDEALOGICAL UNITY, WHICH I THINK IS NOT SERVED -- WHICH HAS NOT SERVED DEMOCRATS VERY WELL.

WHEN I CAME INTO THE HOUSE, WE HAD A LOT OF IRON RANGE AND FARM COUNTRY DEMOCRATS WHO BROUGHT A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE AND A NEEDED PERSPECTIVE.

>> Mary: PRO LIFE DEMOCRATS.

THE SENATE HAD A LOT OF PRO GUN DEMOCRATS.

THAT DOESN'T -- >> THE DFL USED TO BE ABLE TO SAY IT WAS THE ONLY PARTY THAT REPRESENTED ALL PARTS OF THE STATE IN A BIG TEN COALITION -- BIG-TENT COALITION.

WE'VE GOTTEN AWAY, AND THAT'S A BIG CHANGE DEMOCRATS HAVE TO MAKE, TO BE MORE RELEVANT TO MORE PEOPLE AND FOCUS ON ISSUES LIKE AFFORDABILITY.

>> Mary: AS A RURAL REPUBLICAN, YOU'VE SEEN GREAT GAINS IN YOUR PARTY.

>> I GOT ELECTED IN 1996, WE HAD REPUBLICANS IN GOLDEN VALLEY, St. LOUIS PARK, INNER-CITY ROCHESTER.

WE HAVE NO REPUBLICANS THAT ARE INSIDE THE 494 BELTWAY ANYMORE AND THAT NEEDS -- WE NEED TO RUN CANDIDATES THAT FIT THE DISTRICTS, THAT ARE MODERATE ON CERTAIN THINGS, I KNOW THAT'S A DIRTY WORD FOR A LOT OF REPUBLICANS, BUT, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS A CENTRIST STATE, 0ER IT COULD BE A LITTLE CENTER RIGHT, CENTER LEFT, IF YOU MAKE THE BY AND LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE.

NOW I'M CONSERVATIVE, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IN A LOT OF THESE DIFFERENT HOUSE DISTRICTS, THEY HAVE TO IT THE DISTRICT.

IN A LOT OF CASES, THAT -- BOTH PARTIES, IN THE RURAL AREAS, TOO, THEY HAVE TO BE RUNNING CANDIDATES THAT FIT THEIR DISTRICT.

>> Mary: BUT IS IT GOING TO JUST BE WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF TRUMP IN THE MIDTERM?

>> I MEAN, THAT IS WHAT WE'VE SEEN INCREASINGLY IN RECENT CYCLES.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE BIG EFFECT OF TRUMP HAS BEEN TO SORT, RE-SORT PEOPLE INTO TWO DIFFERENT CAMPS AND WE REALLY SEE THAT RIGHT NOW.

I MEAN, IF YOU LOOK AT YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA FEED, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF STUFF ABOUT HOW PEOPLE WILL NEVER TALK TO, DATE OR WANT TO BE IN THE SAME FAMILY WITH SOMEBODY ON THE OTHER SIDE.

AND THAT IS ERTAINLY BRAND-NEW TO MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: SO, WHAT ARE THE RAMIFICATIONS FOR MINNESOTA?

WHEN IT COMES TO THESE -- THE FEDERAL CHAOS AND CHANGES.

ARE THERE BENEFITS?

YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN, YOU HAVE TO SEE SOME BENEFITS, RIGHT?

>> WELL, I MEAN, AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK BALANCING THE BUDGET IS LIKE GOING TO HEAVEN.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO DO BUT NOBODY WANTS TO DO WHAT IT TAKES TO GET THERE.

SO HERE WE ARE.

PEOPLE HAVE TO SACRIFICE.

PEOPLE HAVE TO LIVE IN AN AUSTERE SITUATION IF YOU WANT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

>> Mary: MORE SACRIFICES BECAUSE OF THE FED HERE?

>> THE ISSUE I HAVE AS AN OLD-TIME REPUBLICAN, I'M OT SUPER OLD BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK THEY SHOULD BE PUTTING THIS TOWARDS DEBT REDUCTION, DEFICIT REDUCTION.

I THINK THEY SAID SAY NO AX INCREASES, BUT WHATEVER WE SAVE, WE'RE GOING TO PUT INTO PAYING OFF THE NATIONAL DEBT, BALANCING THE BUDGET.

WHOEVER TALKS ABOUT BALANCING THE BUDGET ANYMORE?

THAT'S WHY A LOT OF PEOPLE LEFT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

WE HAVE TO BECAUSE OF THE CONSTITUTION.

[ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] BUT I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF DISAPPOINTMENT FROM SOME PEOPLE LIKE ME, THAT SAY, HEY, I THINK THAT BUDGET REDUCTIONS AND ANALYSIS ARE GOOD, BUT HE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT IT, THEY NEED TO BE LOOKING AT REDUCING DEFICITS AND DEBT, AND NOT AS MUCH AT THE TAX REDUCTION SIDE OF THINGS.

I THINK THEY SHOULD DO SOME BUDGET CHANGES BUT IT'S A LITTLE TOO MUCH.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS ARE BLAMING DEMOCRATS FOR THE OUTYEARS.

IN MINNESOTA.

>> IN MINNESOTA, OF COURSE, THEY ARE.

BUT, I MEAN BE, THE BIG CHANGE AS WE ALL KNOW, THE FORECAST OF WHAT THE ECONOMY IS GOING TO DO WENT LOWER.

AND THAT IS WHAT DRIVES THE PROJECTION IN FUTURE YEARS.

OF WHAT THE BUDGET BE SITUATION IS.

IT'S NOT LIKE THIS IS ALL LOCKED IN AND IT'S JUST LIKE A MATH EQUATION.

THIS IS A LOT OF GUESSWORK ABOUT WHAT THE ECONOMY'S GOING TO DO AND ECONOMISTS ARE GUESSING THAT TARIFFS AND CHAOS AND CONFUSION OUT OF WASHINGTON ON FOREIGN POLICY AND THE WHOLE SITUATION WITH DOAJ, RANDOM SCATTERED CUTS ARE GOING TO BE BAD FOR THE ECONOMY.

>> Mary: DO WE NEED MORE BUDGET FORECAST, SPECIAL SESSION, SUMMER, FALL, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

>> I THINK IT'S POSSIBLE.

THEY WERE WAY OFF ON FISCAL NOTES, LIKE THE FREE LUNCHES FOR KIDS WAS OFF BY A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY.

SO SOME OF THE NEW PROGRAMS THAT STARTED, YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO BLAME THE FISCAL ANALYSTS, BUT FOR SOME REASON THEY WERE WAY OFF.

>> Mary: WHAT DO YOU FORESEE?

>> I THINK MINNESOTA'S GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW DEAL WITH THESE BIG CHAOTIC EVENTS NATIONALLY AND, THAT WE ALWAYS DO.

THE RUBBER HITS THE ROAD, WE'VE GOT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

WE DID IT THROUGH COVID, I'M SURE WE CAN DO IT THROUGH ANOTHER TRUMP CHAOS TERM, TOO.

>> Mary: THANK YOU, LEADERS.

APPRECIATE IT.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> Mary: WELL, AS YOU HEARD, FEDERAL CUTS AND FREEZES ARE ROLLING DOWN HERE TO THE STATE.

AND WE HAVE THE TEMPORARY HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSIONER, PART OF HER JOB IS FIGURING ALL OF THIS OUT AND MUCH MORE IN A STATE BUDGET YEAR.

SHIREEN GANDHI.

COMMISSIONER, TELL ME, FIRST OF ALL, WHAT IS THE LATEST OF WHAT YOU KNOW BIG PICTURE, START BIG PICTURE ON THE FEDERAL EFFECTS ON YOUR STATE BUDGET.

>> YEAH.

SO, THE MEDICAID, WHICH IS CALLED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN MINNESOTA, IS A VERY LARGE PROGRAM.

IT PROVIDES HEALTH FOR -- HEALTHCARE FOR ONE IN FOUR MINNESOTANS, BOTH MEDICAID -- >> Mary: THAT'S A LOT, ONE IN FOUR, REPEAT THOSE BIG NUMBERS.

>> ONE IN FOUR.

SO THAT'S MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND MINNESOTACARE TOGETHER.

AND THE IMPACT, IT MAKES SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE COVERAGE SO THAT THEY CAN BE HEALTHY AND THEN IN GREATER MINNESOTA, IT PROVIDES BETWEEN $1 AND $2 BILLION IN EVERY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

IN TERMS OF THE ECONOMY.

>> Mary: I THINK WE SHOULD SAY THAT AGAIN, TOO.

$1 TO $2 BILLION IN THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

IT'S DIVIDED DOWN THE MIDDLE, DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS.

HOW IS THE ADMINISTRATION DOING IN TALKING TO THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS?

BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT I'M HEARING BEHIND THE SCENES THAT ARE HELPING INFLUENCE SOME OF THESE CHANGES IN D.C. >> YEAH, I THINK, GENERALLY, OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION IN MINNESOTA IS VERY TUNED IN TO WHAT'S IMPORTANT IN MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE PROVIDERS, WE HAVE HOSPITALS, WE HAVE NURSING HOMES, OTHER PROVIDERS IN MINNESOTA THAT ARE THE CORNERSTONE OF THEIR COMMUNITIES THAT NEED FUNDING.

AND WE HAVE THE INVESTMENTS THAT WE MAKE IN MEDICAID IN MINNESOTA RE CRITICAL.

WE HAVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES MAKE UP ABOUT 60% OF PEOPLE, ENROLLEES ON MEDICAID, BUT ONLY 22% OF THAT FUNDING.

OF THE SPENDING.

AND WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT CHILDREN WHO ARE ON MEDICAID GO TO SCHOOL MORE, THEY'RE HEALTHIER, THEY GO TO COLLEGE, THEIR ATTENDANCE IS BETTER, AND WHEN THEY ARE IN THE WORKING -- WORKPLACE, THEY'RE PAYING TAXES, AT MUCH HIGHER RATES THAN CHILDREN THAT DON'T HAVE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE.

>> Mary: SO THAT SOUNDS LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE SEED OF MONEY GOES FORWARD IN LOT F WAYS THROUGHOUT THE ECONOMY.

>> RIGHT, EXACTLY.

>> Mary: SO IT MUST BE HARD TO MEASURE WHAT THE IMPACT OF THESE CUTS COULD REALLY BE LONG TERM IN VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE STATE?

>> YEAH.

WE'RE NOT SURE.

ALL WE KNOW IS THAT THE BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE SAID ABOUT $880 BILLION NEEDS TO BE CUT, IF YOU DO BACK-OF-THE-ENVELOPE MATH, IT'S MAYBE $1.2 TO $1.THAN 6 ILLION ANNUALLY FOR MINNESOTA.

AND THAT'S ONLY IF CUTS ARE PROPORTIONAL ACROSS THE STATES.

>> Mary: AND YOU HEARD EARLIER, WE KEEP REMINDING OUR VIEWERS, THE STATE HAS TO BALANCE ITS BUDGET.

>> YES.

>> Mary: OR WE GO INTO A BUDGET SHUTDOWN THIS SUMMER.

WE'VE SEEN IT BEFORE.

THIS IS NOT AN IMPOSSIBLE THING TO SAY.

AND THAT PICTURE WAS ALREADY LOOKING DIFFICULT.

SO, EVEN TAKING THE FEDERAL UNKNOWNS OUT, HOW TOUGH WAS IT GOING TO BE TO BALANCE, THE HUGE PART OF THE STATE BUDGET THAT IS IS HUMAN SERVICES?

>> YEAH, NOBODY LIKES DOING THIS WORK IN A YEAR WHERE YOU NEED TO FIND SAVINGS.

NOBODY'S YOUR FRIEND, RIGHT?

BUT WE ALL HAVE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO DO IT.

AND, SO, AT DHS, WHAT WE'VE DONE IS TRY TO FIND PLACES TO HAVE SAVINGS THAT DO THE LEAST HARM TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, WHO NEED CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE, WHO NEED THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE.

>> Mary: WE'RE HEARING, YOU KNOW, NURSING HOMES ARE TAKING SOME OF THIS ON, THAT IT'S COUNTIES, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

BECAUSE THAT PART OF THE STATE, RURAL MINNESOTA, NURSING HOMES, ALREADY HURTING.

>> CUTS AND TRYING TO FIND SAVES -- SAVINGS ARE PAINFUL FOR EVERYBODY.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.

WE WILL BE WORKING WITH PROVIDERS, WORKING WITH COUNTIES, WORKING WITH PATIENT ADVOCATES TO SAY, HOW DO WE FIND A PATH FORWARD TOGETHER FOR THE FUNDS WE HAVE SO THAT WE HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET AT THE END OF THE DAY.

>> Mary: ONE OF THE CONCEPTS HERE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A NEW COMMITTEE JUST FOCUSED ON FRAUD HERE, AND WE HEAR THAT IF WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE GET ADDRESSED AND TACKLED, MAYBE THAT COULD HELP SOLVE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS.

THERE HAS BEEN FRAUD.

YOU'VE HAD FRAUD ISSUES IN THE DEPARTMENT OR PROGRAMS THAT THE DEPARTMENT'S FUNDING.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> YEAH.

I AM APPY TO HAVE A COMMITTEE THAT IS FOCUSED ON FRAUD AND LOOK FORWARD TO PARTNERING WITH THAT COMMITTEE AND WITH THE LEGISLATURE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, WE'RE REALLY FORTUNATE TO HAVE A STRONG INSPECTOR GENERAL, A LICENSING DIVISION.

>> Mary: THAT ALREADY EXISTS FOR YOU RIGHT NOW.

EVEN THOUGH WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ADDING ANOTHER ONE.

>> THAT ALREADY EXISTS.

AND 80% OF THE TIME WHEN YOU'RE HEARING ABOUT FRAUD BEING PROSECUTED, OUR INVESTIGATIONS WERE BEHIND THAT IN THE BEGINNING.

SO, WE ARE GLAD WITH WHAT WE'VE DONE, AND WE'D LOVE MORE TOOLS TO DO MORE, WHICH ARE IN THE GOVERNOR -- >> Mary: YOU WANT THAT LONG TERM?

>> NO THANK YOU.

>> Mary: SOMEBODY WHO HAS BACKGROUND IN COMMUNICATIONS AND LAW.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, APPRECIATE IT.

WELL, THE HOUSE PECIAL ELECTION IS OVER, AND THE WINNER OF THE SENATE SPECIAL ELECTION PRESENTED HIS FIRST BILL IN COMMITTEE THIS WEEK.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE LATEST SENATE FIRST-TERMER.

FIRST QUESTION I ASK ALL FRESHMAN IS A DIFFERENT QUESTION FOR YOU, I USUALLY SAY, WHY DID YOU RUN?

WE KNOW WHY YOU RAN.

IT'S AN UNFORTUNATE SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES, PASSING OF KARI DZIEDZIC.

SO TELL ME HOW UNIQUE AND DIFFICULT THAT WAS.

>> KARI WAS A SINGULAR FORCE IN MINNESOTA OLITICS, AND IN NORTHEAST AND SOUTHEAST MINNEAPOLIS.

SHE WAS THE PERSON THAT IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW YOU NEEDED HELP, SHE KNEW BEFORE YOU NEEDED HELP.

AND SHE WOULD CALL AND HELP.

AND EVERYONE WOULD SAY, SHE WAS A FRIEND.

AND IT WAS TRUE.

SHE WAS JUST SOMEBODY WHO HELPED EVERYBODY, MADE CONNECTIONS, AND REALLY JUST MADE MINNESOTA AND SENATE DISTRICT 60 A BETTER PLACE.

>> Mary: AND AS A LEADER, SHE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROBABLY THE MOST LEGISLATION THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE EVER PASSED IN MINNESOTA HISTORY.

HER LEADERSHIP FOR THE ARTY, IT'S INSURMOUNTABLE.

>> HER LEADERSHIP FOR MINNESOTA, THE LEGACY SHE LEAVES BEHIND OF IMPROVING MINNESOTA, I THINK WE ALL HOPE THAT WE CAN DO HALF AS MUCH AS HER.

>> Mary: HOW DID IT COME TOGETHER THEN FOR YOU TO BE THE PERSON TO STEP UP IN A SPECIAL ELECTION DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO RUN?

>> YOU KNOW, WE WERE ALL SHOCKED WHEN KARI DIED.

WE'D BEEN WORKING WITH HER EARLIER IN THE YEAR, SHE WAS GETTING READY FOR THE SESSION, SHE WAS HIRING STAFF.

SO IT TRULY WAS A SHOCK.

AND WHEN IT HAPPENED, I STARTED GETTING CALLS, PEOPLE SAYING, YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT THIS.

AND YOU DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME IN A SPECIAL ELECTION TO THINK ABOUT IT.

>> Mary: I HAPPEN TO KNOW, YOU WERE A RUNNER.

>> YES.

>> Mary: IT HELPS WHEN YOU'RE RUNNING FOR OFFICE, DOESN'T IT?

>> YES.

TRUE, I'M A MARATHON RUNNER.

>> Mary: YES.

>> AND THERE IS AN ENDURANCE IN -- IN THIS -- IN POLITICS AND IN GOVERNANCE, AND ESPECIALLY IN 14-DAY, THEN A 28-DAY CAMPAIGN, YOU JUST HAVE TO BE WILLING TO GO.

>> Mary: COACH, TOO, IF I HAVE THAT CORRECT.

>> YEAH, I COACH MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK AND CROSS-COUNTRY.

AND WITH MIDDLE SCHOOLERS, IT'S -- YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT WAYS OF MOTIVATING.

THAT'S THE SAME IN GOVERNANCE AND POLITICS.

OF, HOW CAN WE BRING FOLKS TOGETHER TO PULL FOR A COMMON GOAL.

>> Mary: SO YOU GET TO BE THE SENATOR WHO'S THE CLOSEST TO THE VOTERS, SINCE YOU RAN LAST.

WHAT WAS THE MESSAGE, WHAT WAS THE TONE OUT THERE?

>> THE MESSAGE ON GENERAL ELECTION DAY, THAT WAS THE DAY TRUMP FROZE ALL THE GRANTS.

AND IN THE MORNING, FOLKS ARE, LIKE, WHAT'S GOING ON?

IN THE AFTERNOON, I'M VOTING, AND THE EVENING I AM DRIVING WHEREVER I NEED TO.

THE MESSAGE WAS, YOU NEED TO STOP TRUMP.

AND, OKAY, MINNESOTA, WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE REALLY ENSURING THAT WHAT WE HOLD PRECIOUS HERE WE HOLD PRECIOUS AND DEAR HERE, AND REALLY BRING TOGETHER MINNESOTANS TO SAY, WE WILL HOLD MINNESOTA TRUE, WE WILL KEEP OUR VALUES.

>> Mary: YOUR NUMBERS WERE BIG.

WHAT WAS IT?

>> I THINK THE WORD I USED WAS GOB SMACKED.

I GOT 90.9%.

>> Mary: IT'S NOT CLOSE.

I MEAN, I KNOW IT'S MINNEAPOLIS AND A DFL DISTRICT, BUT I I THINK YOU EVEN SURPRISED PEOPLE WITH THAT NUMBER.

>> PEOPLE WERE TAKING BETS WHAT IT MIGHT BE.

THE HIGHEST NUMBER SOMEONE SAID WAS 87.

WE ALL LAUGHED AT HIM.

WHEN 90.9 CAME IN, IT WAS HUMBLING, IT WAS GRATIFYING, AND IT WAS MESSAGE OF, PEOPLE ARE SAYING, YOU NEED TO STAND UP STRONG.

YOU NEED TO STAND FIRM ON OUR VALUES THAT WE HAVE IN SENATE DISTRICT 60.

>> THE DFL MAJORITY HAS RETURNED AND I'M EXCITED TO CONTINUE TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EVERYONE IN THE SENATE.

>> Mary: SO IT'S KIND OF BEEN BAPTISM BY FIRE, DIVING OF INTO THE SESSION.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE THE GUY WHO BREAKS THE TIE IN THE CHAMBER, THE HISTORIC TIE.

PROBABLY IN THE HOUSE, PROBABLY IN THE SENATE, WITHIN THE SAME SESSION, NEVER HAPPENED.

HOW'S IT FEEL TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT HISTORY?

WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING FROM IT?

>> EACH OF THE SENATORS IN THE DFL OF ARE THE 34th VOTES.

SO WE ALL ARE -- >> Mary: BUT YOU LITERALLY WERE THE 34th.

>> FAIR POINT.

IT'S AN INTERESTING TIME TO BE HERE.

WE SEE HOW WE'RE ALL WORKING TOGETHER ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

AND WE'RE GOING TO FIND COMMON PIECES, WE REALLY HAVE TO DO THAT THIS YEAR TO MOVE AHEAD OUR AGENDA IN MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: WHAT ISSUES ARE YOU MOST COMFORTABLE WITHINGS WHAT'S YOUR EXPERTISE?

>> I'M A HIGH SCHOOL PARENT.

SO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I WAS ON EDUCATION FINANCE.

I TALKED AND HEARD THE MOST ON THE DOORS ABOUT EDUCATION AND THEN HOUSING, NEEDING TO BRING DOWN THE PRICE OF HOUSING, WE'VE OT A HOMELESSNESS PROBLEM ACROSS THE STATE, SO ADDRESS THAT, DORAN, WAS THE OTHER MESSAGE.

>> Mary: SURPRISES TO FAR HERE?

>> SURPRISES?

>> Mary: YEAH.

>> EVERYBODY'S WILLING TO HELP.

WHEN YOU'RE A CLASS OF ONE, EVERYONE GOES, ALL RIGHT, YOU -- NEW UYS, THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN CALLED BY A COUPLE OF SENATORS, OKAY, NEW GUY, HERE'S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.

DORON.

EVERYBODY ON BOTH SIDE OF THE AISLE HAS BEEN HELPFUL IN SETTING UP THE CONSTITUENT SERVICES, AND KNOWING WHERE THE COMMITTEE ROOMS ARE, HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN THINK THROUGH.

IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL BEING A CLASS OF ONE ON HOW EVERYONE IS WILLING TO HELP.

>> Mary: WHEN WE HIT END OF SESSION, WHAT'S A SUCCESS FOR YOU?

>> SUCCESS FOR PIECE IS THAT WE HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET FOR MINNESOTA.

THAT REALLY ACCOMPLISHES WHAT WE SAID THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IN MOVING FORWARD EDUCATION, IN MOVING FORWARD ON REDUCING THE PRICE OF HOUSING, AND BRINGING US ALL TOGETHER TO SAY, THIS IS MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: IS IT GOING TO HAPPEN ON TIME?

IS THERE ANY CHANCE?

>> OH, WE'RE WORKING TOWARDS IT.

WE'LL GET OUR DEADLINES, WE'LL WORK TOWARDS IT.

>> Mary: YOU'RE FEELING MORE OPTIMISTIC IN THE SENATE, AREN'T YOU?

>> WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER WELL.

NEU >> OU KNOW, AS I KIND OF GOT INTO POLITICS A LITTLE BIT, SERVING ON THE CITY COUNCIL, SERVING AS MAYOR, I HAD SOME LOCAL FOLKS FROM THE PARTY CAME, AND THEY SAID, HEY, WE'D REALLY LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER MAYBE RUNNING.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR A CHANGE.

SO I THOUGHT ABOUT THAT FOR SIX MONTHS, PRAYED ABOUT IT, SPENT A LOT OF TIME THINKING ABOUT IT, WANTED TO MAKE SURE I WAS DOING IT FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.

WE DID CHALLENGE A INCUMBENT, WHO HAD BEEN THERE FOR 12 YEARS, I THINK I'M THE ONLY PERSON WHO UNSEATED AN INCUMBENT, I DON'T KNOW ON THE DEMOCRAT SIDE IF THAT'S TRUE OR NOT, ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, IT WAS THAT ONE RACE.

I HAD TO THINK ABOUT T I WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, BECAUSE IT'S A BIG DEAL TO TAKE ON SOMEBODY IN YOUR OWN PARTY.

THERE WAS DIFFERENCES IN THE WAY THAT WE SAW THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT.

I WANT LESS GOVERNMENT, MORE FREEDOM.

I THINK THERE'S THINGS THAT HE WAS, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE BIT MORE WILLING TO SEE THE GOVERNMENT SORT OF INVOLVED IN DIFFERENT AREAS, HAVE ITS FINGERS IN DIFFERENT THINGS.

>> Mary: WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK.

IN THE MOOMENT, YOU CAN HID TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC, THERE YOU CAN FIND OUT HOW TO INTERACT WITH US ALL WEEK LONG ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOU CAN WATCH THE LEGISLATURE, HOUSE, SENATE, COMMITTEE HEARINGS, PRESS CONFERENCES, AND MUCH MORE ON THE PBS STATION YOU'RE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

FRIDAY NIGHT, ON "ALMANAC," ERIC AND CATHY WILL ALK WEATHER WITH PAUL DOUGLAS AND POLITICS WITH PROFESSOR PEARSON, AND I WILL TAKE A LOOK AT SOME FAMOUS CHEFS COMING TO THE CAPITOL FROM THE FORAGER COMMUNITY AS A BILL IS IN THE WORKS, IT'S GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING ONE, ABOUT FORAGING IN MINNESOTA STATE LAND.

BE SURE TO TUNE IN FOR THAT.

BIG NAMES, MAYBE THE SOUS CHEF AND SOME OTHERS YOU MAY HAVE HEARD BEFORE.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

THE SIOUX CHEF AND SOME OTHERS YOU MAY HAVE HEARD BEFORE.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

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

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

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

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

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

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

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

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

HEALTHIER, HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE.

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