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

>> CATHY: COMING UP THIS HOUR, THE LATEST ON THE FUTURE OF THE RIDESHARE SERVICES IN THE TWIN CITIES, A CONTROVERSIAL PLAN TO ADD A NEW TYPE OF GAMBLING AT MINNESOTA'S HORSE RACING TRACKS, AND MARY LAHAMMER WITH THE LATEST FROM THE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ARE BACK "AT ISSUE."

>> MINNESOTA IS AS A NATIONAL LEADER IN MANY ASPECTS OF CLEAN ENERGY.

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

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

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH WHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL EQUITIES.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINT CARE, HELPING MINNESOTANS RECYCLE LEFTOVER PAINT.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

"ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE OTTO BREMER TRUST, WHOSE MISSION IS INVESTING IN PEOPLE, PLACES, AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR REGION.

>> CATHY: WE'VE GOT LOTS TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT.

WE'LL HEAR ABOUT A PLAN TO BUILD A NEW TYPE OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING IN ST.

CLOUD, SOME THOUGHTS ON WHAT TO DO ABOUT MINNESOTA'S AGING PRISONS, AND A COUCHFUL OF ANALYSTS WILL DISSECT THE WEEK'S POLITICAL NEWS.

>> ERIC: BUT FIRST, THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL HAS VOTED TO DELAY UNTIL JULY 1ST THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A REGULATION THAT SETS MINIMUM COMPENSATION RATES FOR RIDESHARE DRIVERS.

YESTERDAY'S UNANIMOUS VOTE COMES IN RESPONSE TO A THREAT BY UBER AND LYFT TO SHUT DOWN OPERATIONS IN MINNEAPOLIS ON MAY 1ST WHEN THE ORDINANCE WAS ORIGINALLY SET TO GO INTO EFFECT.

JOINING US NOW IS ALFONZO GALVAN, WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE STORY FOR THE "SAHAN JOURNAL."

WHY DID THE CITY COUNCIL VOTE TO DELAY THIS UNTIL JULY 1ST?

>> I MEAN, YOU HAVE A COUPLE WEEKS BEFORE MAY 1ST.

AND MOST DRIVERS ON'T KNOW WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO WORK.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONS ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A RIDESHARE COME MAY 1ST.

SO IT'S GIVEN GIVING THEM TWO MORE MONTHS TO FIGURE IT OUT.

>> Cathy: SO THE COUNCIL MET THIS WEEK.

DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THEY WANTED TO MAKE ANY CHANGES PENDING WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE?

>> IT SEEMS LIKE IT.

SO THIS TWO-MONTH DELAY DOES GIVE THEM TIME TO LOOK AT THE STATE AND SEE WHAT THEY DO.

THEY WANT TO AVOID THAT PREEMPT THAT.

>> Eric: WHICH WOULD REDUCE LOCAL CONTROL I GUESS IN A CASE.

IN THIS CASE.

>> LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES ARE LOOKING AT IT I THINK NEXT WEEK.

THE COUNCIL IS MEETING WITH -- IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY'RE MEETING WITH SMALL GROUPS OF LEGISLATORS TO TRY TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING.

IS THERE A SWEET SPOT HERE?

OR DO WE NOT KNOW THAT YET?

>> WE DON'T KNOW THAT YET.

JUST AS THE DAYS GO BAY BSM THAT WE HAVE TWO MORE MONTHS TO, YOU KNOW, LEGISLATORS AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO CONTINUE MEETING AND DISCUSSING THIS AND HOPEFULLY WE HAVE AN ANSWER.

AT LEAST BY MAY 1ST OF DO WE HAVE OTHER ALTERNATIVE RIDESHARE COMPANIES IN MINNEAPOLIS?

>> Cathy: HOW MANY COMPANIES ARE LINING UP?

I MEAN, AND CAN THEY STAFF UP FAST ENOUGH TO ENTER THE MARKET?

>> SO THAT'S HE INTERESTING QUESTION.

I'VE BEEN TALKING TO RIDESHARE DRIVERS A LOT, AND EVERYBODY I ASKED HAS A DIFFERENT COMPANY THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DRIVE FOR.

UNFORTUNATELY AT THE CITY LEVEL IN MINNEAPOLIS, ONLY FOUR COMPANIES HAVE APPLIED FOR A LICENSE.

A LOT OF THEM ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH INSURANCE, TRYING TO GET THAT MINIMUM LIABILITY INSURANCE REQUI REQUIRED TATE.

I THINK IT'D 1.5 MILLION.

SO A LOT OF HE DRIVERS DON'T KNOW HO THEY'RE GOING TO BE DRIVING FOR AND OUT OF THOSE FOUR APPLICANTSER NON-EMERGENCY HAVE BEEN APPROVED YET.

>> Eric: ARE ALL THE DRIVERS OF THE SAME MIND ON THIS.

OR IS THERE DIVISION BETWEEN THE 10,000 DRIVERS OR SOMETHING?

OR ARE THERE DIFFERING VIEWS?

>> I MEAN, DRIVERS, THEY WANT TO GET PAID MORE.

SO THEY'RE FOR THAT.

SOME OF THEM LATELY, THERE'S BEEN AN ISSUE ON HOW MUCH DRIVERS ARE GETTING PAID.

RIGHT NOW AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING, THERE WAS A BRIG GROUP OF EAST AFRICAN DRIVERS WHO WERE UPPORTING THE $1.40 PER MILE RATE.

BUT THEN THERE WAS A GROUP THAT SAID, HEY, WE MAKE ENOUGH MONEY.

BUT THOSE DRIVERS, THEY TELL ME THAT THEIR ACCEPTANCE RATE FOR RIDES IS PRETTY LOW COMPARED TO THE AVERAGE DRIVER.

>> Eric: SEE SEE.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE BILL GOING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AT THIS POINT?

IS IT SIMILAR TO THE MINNEAPOLIS ORDINANCE IN A SENSE?

IS IT COMPLETELY DIFFERENT?

I MEAN, WHAT'S IN THAT BILL?

>> SO THE FIRST FIGURE THROWN AROUND IS VERY CLOSE TO THE MINNEAPOLIS FIGURE.

I AM THINKING THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE.

RIGHT NOW I THINK THE STATE IS SITTING AT $1.39 A MILE AND AROUND 51 CENTS A MINUTE.

IF I'M CORRECT.

WE HAVE TWO MONTHS FOR THAT CHANGE.

UBER AND LYFT HAVE SUPPORTED LOWER NUMBERS.

LIVELG YFT HAS FLAT OUT SAID, HEY, WE'LL SUPPORT 89 CENTS A MINUTE, OR A MILE, PARDON ME.

SO THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MEET SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE.

>> Cathy: DO YOU KNOW WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, HOW POLITICALLY FRAUGHT IS THIS?

YOU KNOW, COULD THIS RUN INTO JUST RAW POLITICS AND COMPLETELY DERAIL?

>> I MEAN, HOPEFULLY NOT.

BUT THAT'S WHAT IT'S LOOKING LIKE.

WE SAW THAT AT THE CITY COUNCIL.

WHERE THERE IS SOME DIVISION.

STARTING.

WE HAVE, FOR INSTANCE, ANDREA JENKINS, AT FIRST DECIDING TO SUPPORT THE ORDINANCE.

NOW SAYING, HEY, LET'S RECONSIDER THIS, RIGHT?

MONDAY WAS THE MAYOR.

AND AMONG THE THREE SUPPORTERS, THE THREE CHIEF AUTHORS, THEY'VE KIND OF STOOD THEIR GROUND.

THEY SAID, WE WILL SUPPORT A CHANGE IN RATE, BUT SO LONG AS, YOU KNOW, YOU MEET THAT MINNEAPOLIS MINIMUM WAGE OF $15 AN HOUR.

>> Eric: WHAT SHOULD WE LOOK FOR BETWEEN NOW AND JULY 1ST?

ARE THERE PRIVATE MEETINGS TO BE HELD OR PUBLIC MEETINGS?

>> IT'S REALLY CAN JUST UBER AND LYFT AGREE ON A NUMBER.

CAN THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ALSO AGREE TO EITHER LOWER THAT NUMBER, THE RATE THEY'RE GOING FOR, OR ARE THEY GOING TO STAY WITH THAT NUMBER?

>> Eric: WE'LL BE THE READING "THE SAHAN JOURNAL."

THANKS SO MUCH.

♪♪ >> CATHY: THE CITY OF ST.

CLOUD IS MOVING FORWARD WITH A PROJECT DESIGNED TO HELP PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE THE NON-PROFIT AVIVO ORGANIZATION IS PROPOSING TO BUILD A FACILITY IN ST.

CLOUD THAT WOULD HOUSE 56 PEOPLE AT A TIME IN SMALL PRIVATE SPACES.

HERE TO TELL US ABOUT THE PROJECT IS KELLY MATTER, THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF AVIVO.

WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: I'M THINKING LISTENERS AND VIEWERS ARE WONDERING, REALLY, ST.

CLOUD?

>> D.H.S.

A GROWING POPULATION OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS IN ST.

CLOUD.

ST.

CLOUD IS A REGIONAL HUB FOR THE AREA AND THEY DO HAVE A GROWING NEED.

>> Eric: WHAT'S YOUR PHILOSOPHY TOWARD THE HOMELESS?

AND UI'M KIND OF SPECIFICALLY INTERESTED IN HOW YOU DEAL WITH ISSUES OF DRUG OR ALCOHOL ABUSE, DEPENDENCE?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

WE BELIEVE EVERYBODY DESERVES HOME.

YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T TAKE NEXT BEST STEPS IF YOU'RE SLEEPING SOMEPLACE NOT AMENDMENT FOR HUMAN HABITATION.

THERE IS A MENTAL HEALTH AND AN OPIOID CRISIS, NOT JUST IN OUR STATE BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE TREAT ADDICTION AND MENTAL ILLNESS AS A DISEASE.

AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO QUIT USING JUST BECAUSE THEY MOVE INSIDE.

SO WE HELP SAVE LIVES FIRST.

GIVE PEOPLE SAFE, RESPECTFUL, DIGNIFIED PLACE TO LIVE AND CALL HOME.

AND HEN WE HELP THEM TAKE THOSE NEXT BEST STEPS.

>> Cathy: I'M THINKING SOME TWIN CITIES VIEWERS MIGHT REMEMBER THE NAME AVIVO BECAUSE YOU HAVE THAT FACILITY IN MINNEAPOLIS.

WE MIGHT WANT TO SHOW SOME PICTURES HERE OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

SO THIS S NOT YOUR TYPICAL SHELTER FOR UNHOUSED.

THIS LOOKS QUITE DIFFERENT.

>> YOU KNOW, IT IS A LOW BARRIER SHELTER, MEANING THERE'S A LOW ARRIER TO ENTRY INTO THE SHELTER.

THE ONLY CRITERIA TO ENTER IS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SLEEPING OUTSIDE OR SOMEPLACE NOT MEANT FOR HUMAN HABITATION.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT, I'M LOOKING HERE, WE HAVE SOME PICTURES.

THIS LOOKS LIKE IT'S MAYBE ONE ROOM CUBICLES IN A SENSE?

>> YEAH, IT IS A ROOM.

EACH UNIT IS EIGHT BY EIGHT.

EVERY ROOM HAS ITS OWN HVAC AND SMOKE DETECTOR AND SPRINKLER.

EVERYONE GETS THEIR OWN BED WITH STORAGE UNDERNEATH, A PLACE TO HANG CLOTHING, A COMFORTABLE CHAIR WITH A TRAY THAT COULD BE A DESK OR, YOU KNOW, PLACE TO EAT.

A RUG, BRAND-NEW BEDDING FOR EACH NEW RESIDENT THAT MOVES IN.

>> Cathy: IT LOOKS LIKE YOU CAN HAVE PETS.

>> YES, THAT IS ALSO UNIQUE.

WE TALK ABOUT THE THREE Ps, PEOPLE, PETS AN POSSESSIONS.

PEOPLE CAN BRING THEIR PETS.

PEOPLE CAN BRING THE POSSESSIONS THAT THEY HAVE AND STORE THEM SAFELY IN THEIR UNIT AND WE PROVIDE EXTRA STORAGE.

AND PEOPLE CAN DEFINE FAMILY, THEY CAN DEFINE ENDER HOW THEY CHOOSE O.

>> Eric: WHAT'S YOUR PITCH TO PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT ARE SKEPTICAL OR FEARFUL?

>> YOU KNOW, HONESTLY, I THINK THE FOLKS THAT DID THE BEST PITCH FOR US WERE NEIGHBORS OF OURS FROM THE NORTH LOOP.

WE DESIGNED A GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD AGREEMENT.

AND WE'VE HAD REALLY GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE NEIGHBORS, ALL OF THE NEIGHBORS IN THE NORTH LOOP NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Cathy: HOW SUCCESSFUL HAS AVIVO IN MINNEAPOLIS BEEN GETTING FOLKS INTO PERMANENT HOUSING.

>> WE'VE HOUSED ABOUT 200 PEOPLE IN PERMANENT HOUSING.

OVER 200 FROM MOVED FROM THE EMERGENCY SHELTER.

>> Eric: DO YOU HAVE STATE MONEY AND I GUESS IT NEEDS A CITY MATCH?

>> WE'VE RECEIVED 7.6 MILLION FROM THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND 1.2 IN A COMBINATION OF FUNDING FROM CITY OF ST.

CLOUD?

>> Cathy: WHAT'S THE COST PER UNIT?

YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO GIVE YOU THE WRONG ANSWER.

I KNOW THE OVERALL COSTS AND I CAN CERTAINLY FOLLOW UP.

>> Cathy: JUST CURIOUS ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE IS IT COST PROHIBITIVE?

I MEAN, GOING TO INTO THE FUTURE HERE, WHAT'S THE MODEL THAT KEEPS YOU AFLOAT?

>> WHERE WE LOOK AT THE COST FOR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS, PEOPLE DYING OUTSIDE, PEOPLE FILLING UP OUR JAILS AND OUR PRISONS, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK ANY COST IS OO HIGH.

IF WE DID ROUGH MATH, YOU KNOW, APPROXIMATELY 7 MILLION TO BUILD 56 UNITS, YOU KNOW, IN A YEAR'S ERIOD OF TIME.

PEOPLE WILL MOVE TO PERMANENT HOUSING, WE'LL SERVE BOUT 150 PEOPLE A YEAR.

SO IT'S -- AND IT'S A SUSTAINABLE MODEL AS WELL.

>> Eric: WHAT DOES ST.

CLOUD, THE CITY COUNCIL THERE MEET TO TALK ABOUT THE MATCH OR IS THAT ONGOING?

>> HERE WAS A PUBLIC HEARING ON MONDAY MARCH 25TH WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO APPROVE A LEASE OF LAND OWNED BY THE CITY AS WELL AS INITIAL FUNDING THAT SOME FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT FLOW TO THE CITY AND OTHER.

>> Cathy: MUCH LIKE IN MINNEAPOLIS, IF I RECALL, IT'S A LARGE BUILDING.

IS THE ST.

CLOUD SITE JUST OPEN LAND THAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN OR ANOTHER LARGE BUILDING THAT YOU WOULD PUT THESE SMALLER LITTLE HOMES INTO?

>> IT IS CURRENTLY OPEN LAND.

THAT WE WOULD BUILD A BUILDING THAT SPECIFICALLY, YOU KNOW, MET THE NEEDS.

>> Cathy: OBJECTION.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU COMING DOWN TO TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH.

>> CATHY: WHILE ST.

CLOUD IS LOOKING TO HELP PEOPLE WITHOUT HOMES FIND A PERMANENT PLACE TO LIVE, MANY BUSINESSES IN GREATER MINNESOTA ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY HIRING EMPLOYEES BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND ADEQUATE HOUSING.

BUT FEW DEVELOPERS ARE WILLING TO BUILD IN AREAS WITH LOW POPULATION DENSITY.

KAOMI LEE FOUND ONE WEST CENTRAL BUILDER TRYING TO HELP, ONE DUPLEX AT A TIME.

>> WE DO OPEN CONCEPTS.

JUST MAKE IT FEEL BIGGER, YOU KNOW?

SO WE HAVE THE KITCHEN, DINING ROOM, LIVING ROOM, ALL KIND OF WITHIN ONE, MAXIMIZES SPACE.

>> Cathy: SAUK CENTRE BUILDER CODY NELSON WALKS ME ME THROUGH AN APARTMENT.

IT'S PART AFRICAN-AMERICAN A FOUR DUPLEX HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, IN CYR SUNK.

>> TYPICALLY WE HAVE A RETIRED COUPLE IN HERE AND/OR A WIDOWER.

>> NELSON SPECIALIZES IN ONE LEVEL HOMES THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE BY WHEELCHAIR.

>> SUPER WIDE AND ANOTHER THING THAT WE DO THAT PEOPLE REALLY LIKE IS WE ROUND ALL OF OUR CORNERS.

LIKE THIS HERE HAS GOT A LITTLE 15-DEGREE ON IT.

>> THE NITS RUN FROM ANYWHERE FROM $1,100 TO $1,500 A MONTH AND ARE ALREADY SPOKEN FOR.

SO FAR, NELSON AND HIS WIFE SARA HAVE BUILT ABOUT 75 TO 100 BUILDINGS IN 15 RURAL COMMUNITIES.

THEY GO INTO SMALLER TOWNS AND CITIES FEW OTHERS WOULD.

AND THEY CAN'T KEEP UP WITH DEMAND.

>> ANY TIME I BUILT, THEY COME.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE THE FIELD OF DREAMS.

>> Cathy: IF IT WERE THAT SIMPLE, HIS PHONE IS RINGING OFF THE HOOK.

>> I'M AT THIS MOMENT BOOKED OUT ABOUT SIX YEARS.

>> Cathy: HIS APARTMENTS THE KIND NOT OFTEN FOUND IN OLDER HOUSING STOCK.

THEY HAVE GARAGE ACCESS AND HAND RAIL ASSISTS.

THEY GIVE ELDERLY RESIDENTS SOMEWHERE TO DOWN SIZE INTO.

WITHOUT HAVING TO LEAVE THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> YOU KNOW, IN THESE SMALLER TOWNS, IT'S NOT AVAILABLE FOR A COUPLE DIFFERENT REASONS.

A DEVELOPER LIKE E WOULD BE A LITTLE OUT OF THEIR MIND TO COME INTO THESE SMALLER TOWNS BECAUSE THE RISK IS LARGE.

>> Cathy: NELSON SAYS DEVELOPMENTS LIKE THIS IN CYRUS ARE ONLY POSSIBLE WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE.

>> WE'VE DONE TWO STUDIES SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD AND EVERY TUDY GETS WORSE.

BY SAYING THAT WE'RE JUST IN SO MUCH NEED.

AND I THINK THAT'S THE PART OF GREATER RURAL MINNESOTA THAT WE ARE IN SUCH NEED OF HOUSING, I WOULD SAY RIGHT NOW, WE PROBABLY, F WE COULD EVEN DO ANOTHER 100 HOMES UP FAST, THEY WOULD BE TAKEN.

>> Cathy: POPE COUNTY HAS WORKED WITH NELSON ON SEVERAL PROJECTS, IN CYRUS, THE CITY SOLD TO THE PROPERTY TO THE COUNTY FOR ONE DOLLAR, THEN THE COUNTY SOLD IT TO NELSON FOR A DOLLAR.

LOAM GOVERNMENTS BENEFIT FROM AN INCREASE IN TAXABLE LAND VALUE AND HIS TENANTS WILL SPEND MONEY LOCALLY.

>> FOR A DEVELOPER LIKE MYSELF TO COME INTO THESE SMALLER TOWNS, WITHOUT THAT HELP FINANCIALLY, I CANNOT MAKE IT WORK.

IT'S IMMOB.

>> Cathy: IT'S KIND OF LIKE THEY UNDERSTAND YOU'RE DOING KIND OF A PUBLIC SERVICE.

>> VERY MUCH SO.

>> TO MAKE IT MORE COST EFFECTIVE AND TO ESSENTIALLY ATTRACT OR ENTICE DEVELOPERS TO COME IN, YOU'LL SEE A LOT OF COMMUNITIES, SMALL TOWNS SAY, HEY, WE WILL PAY FOR ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVE THIS PIECE OF LAND.

WE'LL GIVE IT TO YOU SUPER CHEAP TO BUILD ON SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THAT OVERHEAD COST.

WE'VE EVEN SEEN THE USE OF T.I.F.

DISTRICTS FOR PROPERTY TAX KIND OF INCENTIVES TO BE PUT IN PLACE TO HELP DEVELOPERS MAKE THIS WORK.

AND SO, YEAH, YOU'RE SEEING A LOT OF LOCAL SOLUTIONS AND THAT'S KIND OF WHAT WE CALL LIKE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO MAKE THESE WORK.

>> Cathy: SENIOR RESEARCHER KELLY ASH SAYS THESE APARTMENTS ARE HELPING TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING TOO, BECAUSE THEY GIVE RETIREES OPTIONS.

>> WE CAN'T GET THEM TO LEAVE THOSE HOMES TO GO INTO SOMETHING THAT'S MAYBE MORE AGE APPROPRIATE TO OPEN UP HOUSING FOR WORKFORCE TO GO INTO.

WE THEN GET THIS KIND OF STUCK CHURN IS WHAT WE WOULD CALL IT.

IT DOESN'T TURN OVER.

WE'RE NOT SEEING PEOPLE MOVE IN AND OUT OF APPROPRIATE HOUSING.

>> Cathy: NELSON IS FINISHING UP MORE DUPLEX ONE LEVEL APARTMENTS.

THE MONEY HE MAKES WILL FUEL HIS NEXT PROJECT.

FINANCIAL PAYOFF IS FAR DOWN THE ROAD.

FOR NOW, HE KNOWS HE'S APPRECIATED.

>> THERE'S A NEED THAT VERY FEW ARE WILLING TO PUT FORTH.

AND I AM WILLING TO PUT FORTH IT.

AND EVENTUALLY, FINANCIALLY, IT WILL PAY OFF FOR ME.

♪♪ >> ERIC: ONE OF THE HOT TOPICS AT THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR IS THE FUTURE OF GAMBLING IN MINNESOTA.

THERE IS AN EFFORT ONCE AGAIN TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING IN THE NORTH STAR STATE, BUT THAT YEARS-LONG PUSH HAS HIT A NEW SNAG IN DEBATES OVER WHAT IS KNOWN AS "HISTORICAL HORSE RACING."

A DECISION BY THE MINNESOTA RACING COMMISSION LAST WEEK TO ALLOW THAT FORM OF GAMBLING AT THE CANTERBURY PARK AND RUNNING ACES RACETRACKS RESULTED IN LAWMAKERS INTRODUCING A NEW AMENDMENT SPECIFICALLY BANNING THE PRACTICE.

JOINING US NOW WITH HER PERSPECTIVE IS TRACIE WILSON, CFO OF RUNNING ACES.

WHY DO THE TRACKS NEED A PIECE OF THE SPORTS BETTING ACTION?

>> WELL, IT'S SO IMPORTANT.

I MEAN, WE'RE UNDER A HUGE THREAT.

IF THAT SPORTS BETTING GOES THROUGH WITHOUT THE RACETRACKS INCLUDED, THAT'S GOING TO HAVE A HUGE NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR REINHARDTS.

WHICH OF COURSE REINHARDTS SUPPORTS THE PURSES, WHICH SUPPORTS HE RACING INDUSTRY, ON DOWN.

SO WE NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THAT SPORTS BETTING BILL.

THEY DON'T WANT TO INCLUDE US, SO WE NEED TO SOMEHOW BE FAIRLY COMPENSATED.

IF THEY WANT TO GIVE US MONEY OUT OF THE SPORTS BETTING BILL, BUT WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS WE HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THIS NEW PARAMUTUAL HISTORICAL HORSE RACING PRODUCT.

IT'S A NEW FORM -- IT'S A MODERN FORM OF PARAMUTUAL BETTING.

SO WHAT YOU DO IS YOU GO TO -- JUST LIKE YOU GO TO A RACETRACK TODAY.

AND YOU BET ON THIS PARAMUTUAL TERMINAL.

AND IT'S ON, INSTEAD OF ON A RACE THAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW, IT'S ON A AST RACE.

SO YOU BET JUST LIKE IT.

YOU CAN HANDICAP.

NOW, OF COURSE THEY'RE GOING TO OBSCURE THE NAME OF THE RACE SO YOU CAN'T CHEAT.

>> Eric: CAN'T GO ON GOOGLE.

>> YOU CAN'T GOOGLE WHO WON.

BUT YOU'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE ALL OF THE ACTUAL HAND CAPPING INFORMATION.

YOU CAN HANDICAP THE RACES YOURSELF.

>> Cathy: NOW, THEY DO THIS IN KENTUCKY.

IT'S CALLED INSTANT RACING AND IT'S WILDLY SUCCESSFUL.

I THINK $10 BILLION HAS BEEN SPENT ON THIS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN VARIOUS STATES.

SO THE RACING COMMISSION KIND OF APPROVED THIS.

AND IT SEEMED LIKE IT KIND OF BLIND-SIDED SOME OF THE LAWMAKERS.

WOULD HAT BE ACCURATE?

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK IT BLIND-SIDED ANYONE.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT.

WE INTRODUCED THIS APPLICATION IN JANUARY.

AND THE MINNESOTA RACING COMMISSION SPENT MONTHS VETTING IT.

THEY -- WE'VE HAD GAMING LABORATORIES COME IN AND REVIEW THE PRODUCT.

AND IT'S 100% PARAMUTUAL.

SO, YES, I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT THAT IT DID BLIND-SIDE THEM THAT THEY ACTUALLY TOOK A VOTE.

THEY TOOK THAT VOTE ON APRIL 1ST, WHICH WAS A MONDAY.

AND THEN ON THURSDAY, RIGHT AWAY, REPRESENTATIVE STEPHENSON DROPPED THE BILL THAT IS EXCLUSIVELY TARGETING THE RACING INDUSTRY AND IT'S NOT ONLY MAKING IT ILLEGAL FOR THIS NEW HORSE RACING, BUT IT'S NOW GOING XE OUR CURRENT EXISTING ARD ROOM GAMES AND GAMING, WHICH IS HAVING -- THAT'S GOING TO CRUSH THE INDUSTRY.

THAT WILL PUT US OUT OF BUSINESS.

>> Eric: THE TRIBES HAVE A DECISION TO MAKE ABOUT EXPANDING GAMBLING, OR WHATEVER THEY DO CAN BE DONE BY THE TEST OF THE STATE.

IS THERE A TRIBE TRACK MUTUAL PLACE THERE SOMEWHERE?

>> WELL, I SURE THINK THAT THERE'S ENOUGH SMART PEOPLE IN ST. PAUL TO BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET US ALL TOGETHER AND HAVE A WIN-WIN-WIN.

I MEAN, THERE'S NO REASON HORSE RACING CAN'T THRIVE.

THERE'S NO REASON TRIBAL CASINOS CAN'T THRIVE.

SO I REALLY THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE LEGISLATORS TO LOOK AT THIS.

THEY CAN'T TARGET THE RACING INDUSTRY WITH THIS UNFAIR BILL.

AND THEY HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT SPORTS BETTING.

I MEAN, THE SPORTS BETTING, IF THAT GOES THROUGH WITHOUT US, WE NEED SOMETHING.

WE -- THIS NEW PRODUCT WILL DO IT.

>> Cathy: OR IF YOU CAN'T GET THAT PRODUCT, WOULD YOU THEN LOBBY FOR DIRECT SUBSIDIES FOR BOTH TRACKS?

>> WELL, WE OBVIOUSLY DON'T WANT TO HAVE DIRECT SUBSIDY.

THIS NEW PRODUCT, THAT'S GOING TO SUSTAIN THE INDUSTRY, RIGHT?

WE WOULDN'T NEED A SUBSIDY.

BUT YES, IF THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE AND CARVE US OUT OF SPORTS BETTING AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE US THIS PRODUCT THAT THE MINNESOTA RACING COMMISSION HAD THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO PRIVATE FOR US, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO.

>> Eric: KEY STATE LAWMAKERS DISAGREE WITH THAT.

THEY SAY THEY EXCEEDED THEIR AUTHORITY.

>> THEY DO SAY THAT, BUT IT'S 100%, AND THEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY.

THE MINNESOTA RACING COMMISSION HAS THE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE THIS NEW, MODERN FORM OF PARAMUTUAL BETTING.

>> Eric: BUT IT'S NOT A SLOT MACHINE IN YOUR VIEW?

>> IT'S ABSOLUTELY NOT A SLOT MACHINE.

>> Cathy: IT LOOKS LIKE A SLOT MACHINE.

>> I HEAR WHAT THEY'RE SAYING, BUT WHO'S DEFINING WHAT SOMETHING CAN LOOK LIKE?

I MEAN, IT'S JUST KIND OF CRAZY, RIGHT?

,I MEAN, THIS IS AMODERN FORM OL BETTING.

AND JUST BECAUSE IT LOOKS SIMILAR, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING N OUR LAWS TODAY THAT SAYS JUST BECAUSE YOU LOOK SIMILAR, YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

I MEAN, THAT'S JUST -- IT SEEMS CRAZY.

>> Eric: WELL, WE'LL WATCH AND LEARN LEER AS WE GO TOWARDS THE END OF SESSION.

THANKS FOR COMING BY.

♪♪ >> DOMINIC: THE NARRATIVE OF SPORT IS CONSTRUCTED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO KINDLE HOPES AND TICKLE IMAGINATIONS.

AND THE LAST FEW WEEKS HAVE SEEN A LOT OF IMAGINATION-TICKLING.

THERE WAS THE STORY OF CAITLIN CLARK, WHOSE BASKETBALL SUPERPOWERS WEREN'T QUITE ENOUGH TO EARN IOWA A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

THERE'S THE ONGOING SCUFFLE OVER THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES OWNERSHIP.

THERE WAS THE DEATH OF O.J.

SIMPSON, THE END OF A CAUTIONARY TALE ABOUT THE PERILS OF ATHLETIC FAME.

BUT THERE'S BEEN NO BIGGER HOG OF NEWS HOLE, AIRTIME, AND DIGITAL REAL ESTATE THAN THE UPCOMING NFL DRAFT WHICH IS -- AND LET'S BE CLEAR ABOUT THIS -- STILL TWO WEEKS AWAY.

FOR WEEKS, DAILY -- HOURLY IT SEEMS SOMETIMES -- VARIOUS PUNDITS AND MOCK-DRAFTERS HAVE BEEN PREDICTING WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE DEATHLESS MINUTES BETWEEN EACH TEAM'S SELECTION OF A PLAYER.

HERE IN MINNESOTA, THE DRAMA IS HIGHER.

WILL THE VIKINGS BE ABLE TO GET THEIR NEXT QUARTERBACK OF THE FUTURE?

AND HOW MUCH OF THAT FUTURE ARE WE WILLING TO MORTGAGE TO ACQUIRE DRAKE MAYE OR J.J. MCCARTHY OR WHOEVER?

SEE WHAT I SAID THERE?

"WE?"

I HAVE ABOUT AS MUCH CONTROL OVER THE VIKINGS DRAFT AS SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON DOES OVER THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

AND YET I CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL INVESTED IN IT.

AS ARE MANY OF US.

WHY?

I WISH I KNEW.

PERHAPS INFORMATION OVERLOAD GIVES THE ILLUSION OF CONTROL.

MAYBE WE'VE ALL PLAYED TOO MUCH FANTASY FOOTBALL SO THAT WE'VE CONVINCED OURSELVES WE KNOW HOW TO SPEND 255 MILLION SALARY-CAP DOLLARS.

MAYBE IT'S JUST A DISTRACTION FROM WHAT WILL BE THE LONGEST AND DREARIEST PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF ALL TIME.

OR MAYBE -- JUST MAYBE -- WE REALLY DON'T WANT ANOTHER CHRISTIAN PONDER.

♪♪ >> CATHY: THERE COULD BE A NEW HOME FOR THE JUSTUS RAMSEY HOUSE.

THAT'S THE HISTORIC LIMESTONE COTTAGE WHICH WAS BUILT IN THE EARLY 1850S ALONG WHAT IS NOW WEST SEVENTH STREET IN ST. PAUL.

LAST YEAR, IT WAS TAKEN APART AND PUT INTO STORAGE.

A PROPOSAL UNDER CONSIDERATION AT THE LEGISLATURE WOULD ALLOCATE $500,000 TO REASSEMBLE THE COTTAGE AT THE MINNESOTA TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM.

ONE OF THE PEOPLE BACKING THAT PLAN IS FRANK WHITE.

HE'S ON THE BOARD OF THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION HISTORIC ST. PAUL.

WELL, WELCOME BACK.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> OH, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: THAT LITTLE COTTAGE IS ADORABLE.

IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR SO LONG.

BUT WHY IS IT HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT FOR FOLKS WHO MIGHT NOT UNDERSTAND THE STORY?

>> WELL, I THINK THERE'S A NUMBER OF THINGS, BUT I THINK ONE OF THE MAJOR PIECES IS THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY HOME TO A NUMBER OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN FAMILIES FROM ABOUT 1880 TO 1930.

IT ALSO WAS ABOUT -- THERE WAS ALSO BUSINESSES THERE UNTIL THEY WIDENED THE STREET.

IN ABOUT 1933 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AND THEY TOOK AWAY THE BUSINESS THAT WAS IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING.

I THINK WHAT IT ALSO DOES, IT ALSO IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IT SHARES THAT AFRICAN-AMERICAN PEOPLE WERE IMPORTANT THAT THEY LIVED HERE, THEY HAD BUSINESSES HERE.

IN DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL.

PRIOR TO THE RONDO AREA.

EVERYBODY REMEMBERS -- TALKS ABOUT RONDO.

AND MAYBE THE TRAGEDY OF THAT.

BUT THERE AS A PLACE BEFORE.

AND IT WAS DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL.

AND SEVEN CORNERS WAS ONE OF THOSE AREAS.

THERE ALSO WAS AN AREA IN LOWERTOWN THAT ALSO WAS A NEIGHBORHOOD OR A COMMUNITY OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE PIECES I THINK THAT'S SIGNIFICANT.

IT HELPS TELL A LARGER STORY OF ST. PAUL'S HISTORY.

THE SUCCESS OF PEOPLE THAT WERE HERE.

ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE HERE.

WHETHER THEY LIVED OR HAD SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES.

>> Eric: ISN'T THIS ALREADY ON SOME HISTORIC REGISTRIES?

>> WELL, IT WAS.

UNFORTUNATELY NOW IT'S NOT BECAUSE ONCE YOU MOVE IT -- >> >> Eric: IT'S JUST BRICKS RIGHT NOW, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> Eric: HOW DO YOU ENVISION GETTING IT WHOLE AND GETTING IT IN THE MUSEUM?

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN?

>> WELL, THERE'S A COMPANY RIGHT NOW THAT'S BEEN TALKED TO.

ONCE THE -- IF WE'RE SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING THE MONEY, THAT THAT COMPANY WILL COME IN AND RESTORE IT BRICK BY BRICK.

EXACTLY TO WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE.

ONE OF THE WALLS WAS MISSING.

IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THE BUILDING, WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE, THE WALL ON THE WEST END, WHICH WAS WHERE THE REED PLACE WAS, WAS GONE.

SO THAT ALL WILL HAVE TO BE ENTIRELY RECONTRACT OF CONSTRUCTED.

BUT THERE ARE PIECES OF LIMESTONE THAT ARE VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT'S THERE THAT WILL HELP COMPLETE THAT.

THAT WALL.

>> Cathy: JUSTUS RAMSEY, WE SHOULD SAY, WAS HE NOT A RELATIVE OF ALEXANDER RAMSEY?

>> HE WAS, HE WAS A BROTHER.

BUT HE OWNED THE LAND AROUND THERE.

HE NEVER LIVED IN THIS HOUSE.

IT'S INTERESTING WHY THEY WOULD HAVE NAMED THE HOUSE AFTER HIM.

I THINK THERE WAS A GENTLEMAN THAT LIVED THERE.

AND I THINK HE WOULD GO ON TO BE A MAYOR OF ST. PAUL FOR A PERIOD OF TIME TOO.

BUT JUSTUS RAMSEY NEVER LIVED IN THIS HOUSE.

SO HOW THEY CAME UP WITH THAT NAME, WHO KNOWS.

>> Cathy: NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM, BECAUSE THERE IS A PIECE TO THIS STORY THAT'S INTERESTING.

YOU MENTIONED AFRICAN-AMERICAN FOLKS LIVED THERE.

BUT WHAT'S THE TRANSPORTATION PART OF THIS STORY?

>> PEOPLE THAT CAME HERE EARLY ON, EITHER WORKED ON THE RIVER, OR FOR THE RAILROAD.

AND THEY WERE PORTERS.

SO A NUMBER OF THE FAMILIES THAT LIVED IN THE HOUSE WERE CONNECTED TO THE RAILROAD.

MOST OF THEM WERE PORTERS.

BUT THERE WERE OTHER SERVICE THINGS.

IN FACT, WHEN THEY TOOK THE BUILDING AWAY, THERE WAS AN ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG THAT WENT DOWN AND I DON'T REMEMBER HOW MANY FEET, BUT THEY FOUND, THERE ARE RIGHT NOW ROUGHLY, AND I MIGHT GET THIS NUMBER WRONG, ABOUT 70 ARTIFACTSES THAT IN FACT HAVE RAILROAD INSIGNIAS ON THEM SO REALLY KIND OF CONFIRMS GAIN THE CONNECTION TO THE RAILROADS.

>> Eric: IS THE LEGISLATURE GOING TO HELP YOU OUT HERE?

>> THEY ARE.

THERE IS A BILL RIGHT NOW BY REPRESENTATIVE HUSSAIN.

THAT HAS PROPOSED BILL, $500,000.

MAY NOT GET THAT WHOLE AMOUNT.

BUT WHATEVER WE GET, WILL AGAIN GO TO RESTORING THE BUILDING.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT HERE, FRANK, AND AS A HISTORIAN AND HISTORY BUFF, WHEN SOMEONE LOOKS AT THAT LITTLE PLACE OR ANY OLD BUILDING AND THEY SAY, WHY SPEND $500,000 ON SOME OLD BUILDING?

WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO JUST SAVING HISTORY?

>> I THINK IT'S SIGNIFICANT, AGAIN, TO TELL OUR COMPLETE HISTORY.

IF WE TALK ABOUT DOLLARS, I MEAN, WE COULD TALK ABOUT GENERATIONAL WEALTH THAT'S BEEN LOST OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.

BUT TO REPLACE THAT BUILDING AGAIN GOES BACK, AGAIN, AND HELPS COMPLETE THE STORY OF ST. PAUL.

>> Eric: GREAT.

>> Cathy: IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> Eric: GOOD LUCK THANK YOU LEGISLATURE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

♪♪ >> WELL, I SUPPOSE THE MOST OBVIOUS PART OF MY TIME HERE HAS BEEN THE TRANSFER TO THE NEW BUILDING.

AND I THINK CREATING THE TEETER OUT OF A VISION WAS A THING.

TO SAY THE GUTHRIE, ITS TRADITION HAS BEEN SINCE IT OPENED IN E 63 TO WORK ON THE CLASSICS AND THAT I THINK I HOPE WILL CONTINUE, BUT THE MERGING OF THE CLASSICS WITH CONTEMPORARY WORK, AND ALSO I HOPE THAT ONE OF THE SIGNIFICANT LEGACIES THAT I LEAVE BEHIND IS OUR TRAINING PROGRAMS.

WE HAVE A B.F.A.

PROGRAM WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

WHICH IS ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT TO ME AND TO THE GUTHRIE.

AND IT'S LOOKING TO THE FUTURE.

TO THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG ACTORS AND SO ON TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO THE GUTHRIE STAGE.

♪♪ >> ERIC: CONDITIONS IN MINNESOTA'S PRISONS ARE DETERIORATING.

DEFERRED MAINTENANCE, STAFFING SHORTAGES, AND AN INCREASING NUMBER OF INMATES HAS CREATED UNSAFE CONDITIONS IN SEVERAL FACILITIES.

GOVERNOR WALZ IS ASKING FOR MONEY IN THE BONDING BILL TO FIX UP THE AGING PRISONS, BUT OUR NEXT GUESTS ARE SUGGESTING A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

MAURICE WARD IS A FORMER INMATE AND THE FOUNDER OF J.I.I.V.E., JUSTICE IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS VOTING EFFECTIVELY.

ALSO JOINING US IS DAVID BAN-KEY, A MEMBER OF THE TWIN CITIES INCARCERATED WORKERS ORGANIZING COMMITTEE.

THEY CO-AUTHORED AN OP-ED PIECE THAT APPEARED RECENTLY IN THE "STAR TRIBUNE."

MAURICE, YOU'VE BEEN ON THE INSIDE.

HOW BAD ARE THE CONDITIONS AT STILLWATER AND ST.

CLOUD?

>> IT'S DEPLORABLE.

IT'S RIDICULOUS.

I DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND HOW THAT FACILITY IS STILL FUNCTIONING.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES.

>> I SAT THERE AND WATCHED A WALL SWEAT.

I SAT THERE AND WATCHED DRINKING WATER FROM TOILET WATER, BASICALLY, BECAUSE IT'S CELL WATER.

AND YOU'RE -- THE ONLY ACCESS YOU HAVE TO WATER IS OUTSIDE YOUR CELL.

BUT IF YOU'RE LOCKED DOWN, YOU'RE UNABLE TO GET THAT WATER.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE EFFECT ON INMATES WHILE THEY'RE IN PRISON AND THEN WHEN THEY GET RELEASED?

>> I THINK IT'S -- IT'S A BEHAVIOR THAT IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO DETACH YOURSELF FROM.

IT'S HARM.

IT'S TRAUMA.

AND SOME OF THE THINGS I STILL DEAL WITH TODAY.

YES.

>> Cathy: DAVID, PEOPLE ARE WATCHING THIS SHOW THINKING, AND, MAURICE, YOU CAN CHIME IN TOO.

YOU KNOW, THE POOR CONDITIONS, SO WHAT?

THESE GUYS ARE IN PRISON.

THESE WOMEN ARE IN PRISON.

IT SHOULD BE UNPLEASANT.

WHAT DO YOU SAY THAT TO SENATE >> WELL, I SAY, IF YOU WANT PUBLIC SAFETY IN THIS TATE, YOU SHOULD BE SUPPORTING CLOSING THESE PRISONS.

ONE, STILLWATER ALONE HAS $245 MILLION OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BE PAYING FOR IT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

AND WE CAN PAY FOR IT IN STILLWATER.

WE CAN PAY FOR IT IN TREMENDOUSLY EXPENSIVE NEW FACILITY OR WE CAN MAKE SENSIBLE INVESTMENTS TO REDUCE PUBLIC SAFETY AND SAVE MONEY AT THE SAME TIME.

>> TWO THINGS I WANTED TO SAY.

WHAT ABOUT GUARD SAFETY?

TWO, WHAT ABOUT THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL RETURN BACK TO SOCIETY?

VERY IMPORTANT.

BECAUSE YOU CAN SAY THAT THEY DESERVE THESE CONDITIONS.

BUT THEY ARE UNITED STATES CITIZENS.

AND AT SOME POINT, THEY'RE GOING TO BE YOUR NEIGHBORS.

SO WHY ARE WE DOING THAT TO THEM.

>> Eric: SO YOU FELLAS ARE TALKING ABOUT CLOSING THESE FACILITIES.

>> Cathy: NOT RENOVATING OR CLOSING?

>> CORRECT.

>> Eric: WHAT DOES THAT BLISH?

>> THAT ACCOMPLISHES GETTING THESE INDIVIDUALS HOME.

IT ACCOMPLISHES NOT SPENDING TAX DOLLARS IN HE WRONG WAY.

AND IT ACCOMPLISHES US MOVING IN A NEW DIRECTION.

>> Eric: ARE THERE PROGRAMS ON THE OUTSIDE THAT WOULD, I DON'T KNOW, HALFWAY HOUSES OR TRAINING, OR PART OF THAT?

>> SURE, SO ALMOST IS A HALF OF PEOPLE IN PRISON ARE THERE ON A NONVIOLENT CRIME.

SO, YOU KNOW, MAYBE YOU MIGHT SAY, WELL, SOMEONE'S IN PRISON, THEY'RE DANGEROUS.

WELL, HALF OF PEOPLE IN PRISON ARE THERE ON A NONVIOLENT CRIME.

AND THEN BEYOND THAT, THERE'S A HUGE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO MIGHT HAVE COMMITTED A VIOLENT CRIME, BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, NOT US, BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS SAYS YOU ARE LOW RISK TO COMMIT ANOTHER CRIME.

SO I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO ASK OURSELVES, LIKE, WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH OUR PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGET?

RIGHT?

HOW ARE WE INVESTING IN SAFETY?

AND IF WE'RE NOT INVESTING IN SAFETY, WHY DON'T WE?

>> Eric: WOULD YOU NEED MORE PROBATION OFFICERS, PAROLE OFFICERS?

I MEAN, WOULD THEY JUST BE OUT AND HOPE THEY DON'T REOFFEND?

>> O, I THINK WHAT THEY NEED IS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE WALKED THAT JOURNEY TO WALK ALONG THESE INDIVIDUALS, STORIES, SO PEOPLE ARE INSPIRED.

I THINK YOU SHOULD CREATE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, NOT OFFENDERS, JUSTICE IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE RECONNECTED TO SOCIETY AND FEEL LIKE WE'RE PART OF IT.

>> Eric: AND YOU WOULD USE THE SAVINGS FROM NOT HAVING ALL THE INCARCERATION TO DO THOSE PROGRAMS, I FIGURE?

>> YES, I WOULD THINK THAT WE SHOULD DO -- I THINK WE SHOULD INVEST MORE INTO COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMMING.

I THINK WE SHOULD REESTABLISH AND REUNITE THE FAMILY.

I THINK THAT PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICERS CAN MOVE FURTHER OUT, OUTSIDE OF THE CONFINES OF A INCARCERATION AND O MORE SUPERVISION.

YES, I THINK THEY COULD BE RETOOLED AND FIGURE OUT ANOTHER WAY TO DO IT.

SO I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT INDIVIDUALS' BODIES AS A MEANS TO MAKE MONEY.

WHEN THERE'S NO NEED FOR THEM TO BE INCARCERATED.

>> I THINK WE SHOULD ALSO LOOK AT THE FACT THAT COLLEGE IS COMING BACK INTO OUR PRISONS.

WE HAVE THE NORTH TAR MG PROMISE THAT THAT SAYS ANYONE CAN GO TO COLLEGE.

WE SPEND TWICE AS MUCH AS A FULL RIDE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EVERY YEAR, TWICE, PER PERSON IN PRISON.

BUT PEOPLE ARE NOT COMING OUT OF PRISON RIGHT NOW WITH THEIR MASTER'S DEGREES, WITH THEIR PhDS.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BE HOLDING PEOPLE IN A CAGE, WE SHOULD BE SUPPORTING THEM IN HEALING AND SETTING THEM UP TO SUCCEED, SO THAT WHEN THEY'RE COMING OUT, THEY'RE GOOD AND CAN BE BUILDING OUR SOCIETY AND NOT JUST IN THIS LIMBO THAT WE PUT THEM IN.

>> Cathy: WE HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, AND GOING BACK TO OUR VIEWERS.

ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

SO IF YOU COMMITTED A CRIME, WHICH YOU DID, SHOULD YOU NOT HAVE CONSEQUENCES FOR THAT?

AND THAT MIGHT FOR MANY PEOPLE BE PRISON.

>> MY QUESTION IS, THEN TELL ME WHEN THE CONSEQUENCES END.

I PAID MY DEBT TO SOCIETY.

I'VE DONE ALL YOUR PROGRAMMING.

I'M BACK IN THE COMMUNITY.

WHEN DOES IT END?

I MEAN, THAT'S A PART OF COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES.

THIS IS A RED SCARLET LETTER.

[Overlapping conversations] >> I WOULD ALSO JUST SAY THAT IF SOMEONE IS NOT A DANGER, IS THE BEST WAY FOR THEM TO REPAY THEIR DEBT TO SOCIETY TO SIT IN A CAGE?

CAN YOU DO THE MOST GOOD FOR CHANGING OUR STATE AND FOR CREATING SAFETY IN OUR STATE BY SITTING IN A CAGE AND COSTING $70,000 A YEAR?

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

AND IF THE ANSWER IS NO TO THAT ... WELL, ONCE SOMEONE HAS TURNED THEIR LIFE AROUND, GOT THEIR DEGREE, DOING THEIR THING, WHY ARE WE NOT IN FACT WELCOMING PEOPLE HOME AND WELCOMING THEM HOME TO BREAK THE PS CYCLES OF VIOLENCE THAT THEY HAVE INHERITED AND BEEN TRAUMATIZED BY.

>> Cathy: WHAT HAS BEEN THE REACTION TO THE OP-ED PIECE?

>> PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STOPPING ME EVERYWHERE I GO.

I MEAN, LITERALLY, CALLING ME UP, TELLING ME IT WAS FANTASTIC.

>> Eric: IT'S WELT WORTH LOOKING AT.

IT'S A OP-ED IN THE "STAR TRIBUNE."

THANKS, FELLAS.

VERY THOUGHT-PROVOKING STUFF.

♪♪ >> CATHY: CLEAN ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT BROUGHT SCORES OF CITIZENS AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK.

AS MARY LAHAMMER REPORTS, FOLKS ARE BUSY IMPLEMENTING THE NATION-LEADING LEGISLATION PASSED BY THIS LEGISLATURE.

>> THAT WILL HELP OUR FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITIES BUILD WEALTH.

>> Mary: CLEAN ENERGY IS A BIG DEAL IN MINNESOTA.

EVER SINCE GOVERNOR WALZ SIGNED THE GROUND BREAKING BILL REQUIRING 00% OF ELECTRICITY TO BE CARBON FREE BY 2040 IN THE STATE, THE ENERGY INDUSTRY MUST BE READY TO IMPLEMENT.

>> IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, WE HAVE NEARLY 60,000 CLEAN ENERGY JOBS.

AND THOSE JOBS ARE PREAD THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

AND NEARLY A THIRD OF ALL CLEAN ENERGY JOBS ARE ACTUALLY IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

SO THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS AND THE JOB CREATION IS HAPPENING IN ALL CORNERS OF STATE.

>> IT'S AN EXCITING TIME BECAUSE LAST YEAR WE PASSED 100% CARBON FREE STANDARD AND OBVIOUSLY THE SOLAR INDUSTRY FITS INTO THAT.

I THINK THE CHALLENGE NOW THAT WE'RE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION STAGE OF ALL THAT IS TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT EVERY SINGLE SCALE OF SOLAR FROM SMALL ROOF TOP SOLAR ALL THE WAY UP TO UTILITY SCALE SOLAR IS INVOLVED IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY.

>> THERE YOU GO.

[ Applause ] >> Mary: WALZ ISN'T THE FIRST GOVERNOR OUT FRONT ON UNUSUALLY ENERGY.

REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR TIM PAWLENTY ALSO SIGNED A NATION-LEADING BILL.

HOW REMARKABLE IS IT THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE DO?

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY EXCITING WHEN WE THINK ABOUT CLEAN ENERGY AND THIS OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE IT'S BIPARTISAN IN NATURE WHERE IT'S CREATING JOBS.

IT'S HELPING TO DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMY AND ALSO IMPROVE OUR ENERGY SECURITY.

>> MY PERCEPTION IS THAT SUNNIER CLIMATES WERE AHEAD OF US.

>> SO WHEN WE HAVE A COLD SUNNY DAY HERE IN MINNESOTA, THAT'S PRIME FOR SOLAR DEVELOPMENT AND SOLAR PRODUCTION.

SO IT'S NOT OVERHEATING, YOU'RE NOT GETTING ANY EFFICIENCY LOSSES.

PEOPLE THINK, OH, THEY'RE WAY UP NORTH, THEY CAN'T DO THAT, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY NOT TRUE.

>> Mary: HUNDREDS SHOWED THEIR ENTHUSIASM FOR THE LARGEST CLEAN ENERGY BUSINESS DAY IN ITS HISTORY INCLUDING AN APPEARANCE BY THE HOUSE SPEAKER.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MINNESOTA IS A STATE THAT IS IN THE FOREFRONT OF ALL THE STATES IN THE UNITED STATES.

BECAUSE THERE'S TREMENDOUS ECONOMIC GROWTH THAT COMES WITH TRANSITIONING FROM A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY.

>> Mary: THE ENVIRONMENT AND RENEWABLE ENERGY ARE TOPIC VOTERS.NSHIPS FOR YOUNG VOTE- >> MINNESOTA'S A NATIONAL LEADER, SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE -- >> ONE OF THE EXCITING THINGS WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE IS SOLAR INSTALLER IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING JOBS IN THE DRESM AND HERE IN MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: AND IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL, THE FEDERAL E.P.A.

ANNOUNCED THE FIRST EVER REGULATIONS FOR PFAS OR FOREVER CHEMICALS IN DRINKING WATER FOLLOWING MINNESOTA'S LEAD.

>> MINNESOTA BECAME A GLOBAL LEADER WHEN WE PASSED THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE BAN ON PFAS IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS IN THE WORLD.

>> Mary: AMARA'S LAW IS APPROACHING YEAR.

>> PFAS ROBBED MY SISTER AND I OF A NORMAL CHILDHOOD AND OUR TEENAGE YEARS.

>> SHE WAS IN I.C.U.

FOR OVER 40 DAYS.

I HAD TO MISS MY FIRST COUPLE MONTHS OF MIDDLE SCHOOL, LOSING TIMING TO MAKE FRIENDS WHICH IS ALREADY HARD AT THAT AGE.

MY PARENTS HAD TO MISS WORK AS WELL.

BUT THOSE IRST 40 DAYS OF DIAGNOSIS IS A AMOUNTED TO ONE BILL COSTS OVER $900,000.

>> ONCE AMARA'S LAW WAS SIGNED INTO LAW, HERE IN MINNESOTA, IT SET OFF A CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT WENT FROM THE MINNESOTA CAPITOL TO OTHER STATES, TO THE FEDERAL CAPITOL, AND TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> Mary: OTHER STATES FOLLOWED MINNESOTA INCLUDING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> AS A PROUD AUTHOR OF THAT INFORMATION DISCLOSURE BILL, I AM HERE TODAY TO AFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFE GUARDING OUR WATER, OUR ENVIRONMENT, AND THE HEALTH OF EVERY MINNESOTAN.

IN 020, PRESIDENT BIDEN PLEDGED TO IMPROVE DRINKING WATER STANDARDS.

TODAY WE CELEBRATE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FOR FULFILLING THEIR PROMISES.

>> I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY IN CELEBRATION AND RELIEF.

FOR YEARS, MINNESOTANS HAVE BEEN SOUNDING THE ALARM ON PFAS, AND IT FELT LIKE WE WERE ALONE IN THIS FIGHT.

BUT THIS DECISION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FEELS LIKE VEINED DI OCCASION OF EVERYTHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING FOR.

>> WHILE WE DO WHAT'S BEST FOR MINNESOTA IN MINNESOTA, WE DO ALSO HAVE NATIONAL IMPACT.

WE'RE ALREADY SEEING THE EFFECTS OF WHAT WE DID HERE LAST YEAR.

>> ERIC: AS WE'VE BEEN HEARING THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM TONIGHT, THERE A LOT OF IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE MAY STILL ACT ON BEFORE THE END OF THIS SESSION.

WHO BETTER TO SORT THROUGH THOSE ISSUES, AND MORE, THAN A PANEL OF POLITICAL PUNDITS?

WE'LL START WITH THE DEMOCRATS.

JAVIER MORILLO IS A LONGTIME PARTY ACTIVIST AND FORMER NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBER.

JANAÉ BATES IS A MINISTER AND ORGANIZER WHO WORKS ON SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ECONOMIC ISSUES.

ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, AMY KOCH IS A FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, NOW POLITICAL STRATEGIST.

AND ANNETTE MEEKS IS A FORMER CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER WHO NOW HEADS THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA.

JAVIER, THIS UBER/LYFT THING, IT'S DIVIDE IS AKING DEMOCRATS.

>> YEAH, LOOK, I THINK THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL THIS WEEK DID A REALLY GOOD THING.

IT WAS TO DELAY IMPLEMENTATION.

BUT THE REALITY, WHAT PEOPLE ARE UNITED N IS THAT THESE ARE CORPORATIONS THAT HAVE TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

THAT WE REGULATE ALL KIND EACHT OF INDUSTRIES INCLUDING SETTING MINIMUM WAGES ACROSS INDUSTRIES.

AND I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT PEOPLE WILL GET TOGETHER AND WE'VE GET A SOLUTION BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE CITY.

>> Eric: DO HE REPUBLICANS SEE AN OPENING HERE?

>> WELL, I MEAN, I THINK SO.

IT'S SURPRISING, THIS ISSUE HAS KIND OF GONE VERYWHERE.

BUT BY MOVING AND DELAYING THE IMPLEMENTATION UNTIL JULY, I THINK AN ATTEMPT TO GET THE LEGISLATURE OUT OF THE EQUATION BECAUSE THEY WILL ADJOURN MAY 20TH.

AND SO IF THE EXTENSION IS UNTIL JULY 1ST, I'M NOT SURE HOW YOU CAN INCLUDE THE LEGISLATURE IN THE ISSUE.

>> I THINK WE'RE DOOMED IF IT GOES BACK TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS THAT PEOPLE FLYING INTO MINNEAPOLIS FLOOR THE AIRPORT FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WON'T HAVE A RIDE.

I THINK IT'S -- THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO DEAL WITH THIS.

AND I THINK IT'S ON THE GOVERNOR'S SHOULDERS SINCE HE VETOED THE LAST BILL TO PUT TOGETHER A WORKING GROUP THAT REALLY WORKS AND GETS THIS SOLVED BECAUSE WE CAN'T LET IT HAPPEN.

>> I MEAN, I THINK WHAT MINNESOTANS ACROSS THE BOARD AGREE ON IS THAT HAVE THERE SHOULD BE LIVEABLE WAGES FOR FOLKS.

AND THERE IS MOST CERTAINLY GOING TO BE SOME DEBATES ABOUT HOW YOU ACTUALLY GET THERE.

I MEAN, BUT WHAT WE ALSO ARE SEEING IS THAT CORPORATIONS THAT DECIDE TO PAY THEIR CEOs $25 MILLION A YEAR DON'T REALLY GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO WHINE ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE GET 15 AN HOUR.

SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.

BUT WE'RE ALSO MAKING ROOM FOR OTHER COMPANIES WHO THINK THAT THEY CAN PAY A LIVEABLE WAGE TO COME IN AND TRY O DO THAT.

>> Cathy: ANOTHER ISSUE.

SO I WAS TALKING TO SENATOR MURPHY EARLIER THIS WEEK, AND, MAN, TALKING TO HER, IT SEEMS LIKE THE SPORTS BETTING BILL IS ON ROCKY GROUND, RIGHT?

SHE DOESN'T SEEM VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT AT ALL.

AND IF YOU LISTEN TO WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY WITH THE PERSON FROM RUNNINGSTS, THE HORSE TRACKS ARE NOT SURE WHAT'S -- THEY WANT A PIECE OF THIS.

BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THAT'S KIND OF A CLOUDY FUTURE.

I DON'T KNOW.

WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE SPORTS BETTING BILL?

IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S KIND OF A MESS NOW.

>> WELL, IT'S BECAUSE IT'S A COMPLICATED BILL, RIGHT?

SPORTS BETTING HAS SO MANY STAKEHOLDERS AND SO MUCH QUESTIONS, BUT THE TRUTH IS MOST STATES OR MANY STATES HAVE ALREADY LEGALIZED THIS AFTER THE SUPREME COURT DECISION.

IT ACTUALLY DOESN'T BRING THAT MUCH MONEY TO THE STATE.

SO IF YOU'RE SUPPORTING BECAUSE IT BRINGS IN REINHARDT, IT DOESN'T.

IT GETS IT OUT OF THE BLOCK MARKET.

CATHY, AND I COULD GO ON RIGHT NOW AND ILLEGALLY BET ON SPORTS BOOK.

BUT UESS WHAT, IF SOMEBODY TAKES OUR MONEY, THERE'S NO WAY TO GET ANY HELP FOR THAT.

IT GOES INTO BLACK MARKETS ENTERPRISES.

THE MONEY THAT WE WOULD PUT IN.

AND BY THE WAY, IF PEOPLE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PROBLEM GAMBLING, THERE'S NO SUPPORT FOR THEM SO LEGALIZING IS REALLY ABOUT BRINGING IT OUT OF THE SHADOWS AND HAT'S WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD SUPPORT AND IF WE FOCUS ON THAT -- >> Eric: YOU BRING A DIFFERENT ASPECT TO THIS.

>> I BRING A VERY DIFFERENT ASPECT INDEED.

EVEN WE'RE THE A-TEAM, I DON'T THINK THIS THING IS GOING TO PASS.

THERE'S TOO MANY MOVABLE PARTS.

THEY'VE OVERCOM COMPLAITED IT.

I THINK WHAT THE MINNESOTA RACING COMMISSION ID WAS REALLY MUDDY THE WATER.

AND I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO PULL BACK THE POWER THAT THAT COMMISSION HAS, AND THEY WASTED TWO WEEKS DEALING WITH HISTORIC HORSE RACING WHICH I CAN GUARANTEE, NO ONE KNEW WHAT IT WAS UNTIL THEY BROUGHT IT UP ND TRIED TO PROP UP TWO FAILED RACETRACKS WITH IT.

BUT I THINK THE BIGGER PROBLEM WE HAVE IS THERE'S SO MANY MOVABLE PARTS AND SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE SO OPPOSED TO THIS.

AND WE'VE EEN WHAT SPORTS BETTING BEGETS.

LOOK AT ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR BASEBALL PLAYERS THAT ALL OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL NOW HAS A CLOUD OVER HIS NAME -- >> OHTANI FOR THE DODGERS.

>> RIGHT.

$16 MILLION WENT MISSING IN MY BANK ACCOUNT, I THINK I'D NOTICE T. BUT I THINK IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE AND IDENTIFICATION SPORTS BETTING IS SOMETHING WE DON'T NEED.

>> YOU WANT TO WEIGH IN?

>> I WOULD SAY EVEN THOUGH THEY CALLED THEMSELVES THE A-TEAM, THE NUMBER ONE TEAM HERE, I JUST THINK IT'S ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS IS REALLY TRULY A BIPARTISAN WORK THAT'S HAPPENING.

AND FOLKS ARE AS YOU NAMED, JEREMY ILLER AND MATT KLEIN IN THE SENATE AND ZACH STEPHENSON AND IN THE HOUSE ARE WORKING HARD.

>> Eric: KSTP POLL.

TOO CLOSE TO FOR THE MINNESOTA HOUSE, AND THE FORMER PRESIDENT, DEAD HEAT.

JAVIER?

NOT PANIC, BUT CONCERN ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE?

>> I'D SAY APPROPRIATELY CONCERNED.

AS WE ALL AND EVERY ELECTION.

I THINK IN MINNESOTA, THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON.

THIS IS SOMETHING I SAY ALL THE TIME IN MY CURRENT JOB, I WORK NATIONALLY O SAY, PEOPLE SORT OF IN PROGRESSIVE SURGERY ALES WILL SAY, OH, WELL, Y'ALL HAVE A RIFECTA.

WE ARE A CONTESTED STATE.

WE HAVE BEEN FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

WE'RE A PURPLE STATE AND I FOUND THIS NEWS VERY HELPFUL FOR FUNDRAISING.

[ Laughter ] SO I AM QUITE THRILLED.

>> Eric: WHAT FACTORS ARE LEADING FOLKS TO LEAN MAYBE CLOSER TO THE REPUBLICANS?

>> FIRST OF ALL, TOP OF THE TICKET IS GOING TO BE A CONCERN, RIGHT?

AND FRANKLY, IT'S NOT SO MUCH THAT TRUMP WINS MINNESOTA.

LAST TIME AROUND, BUT HILLARY LOST AND I THINK YOU COULD HAVE A SIMILAR SITUATION HERE.

THERE'S THE QUESTIONS ABOUT $17 BILLION SURPLUS AND WHERE EXACTLY THAT WENT AND HOW MUCH WAS SPENT.

38% INCREASE IN THE STATE BUDGET.

YOU KNOW, WE DEFINITELY HAD PRIORITIES.

WE'RE NEVER GOING TO BE A LOW TECH STATE.

BUT WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

AND THEN, YOU KNOW, JUST SORT OF A GENERAL, I THINK FOR MINNESOTANS, THEY LIKE A DIVIDED GOVERNMENT.

WE ALWAYS HAVE.

AND, YOU KNOW, TRIFECTA ON EITHER SIDE WOULD JUST BE SOMETHING THAT WE FEEL A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH.

>> I WOULD DISAGREE WITH THIS NOTION ABOUT US LIKING A DIVIDED GOVERNMENT.

IDENTIFICATION INNESOTANS REALLY STARTED TO SHOW A LOT OF DISDAIN FOR THE WAY IN WHICH WE HAD GRIDLOCK FOR SO LONG.

AND SO WHAT WE GOT TO SEE IN 2023 AND WHAT MINNESOTANS ARE FEELING NOW, EVEN, YOU KNOW, KNOWING WE'RE COMING UP ON TAX TIME AND THAT HILD TAX CREDIT IS BENEFITING SO MANY MINNESOTANS, WE'RE CUTTING CHILD POVERTY BY A THIRD.

I MEAN, THERE WAS SO MUCH MOVEMENT THAT IS HATCHING -- >> BUT I DON'T THINK DIVIDED MEANS GRIDLOCK.

IT HOULDN'T.

IT SHOULD MEAN WORKING TOGETHER.

>> TELL THAT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

[ Laughter ] >> WHAT WE SAW WAS I THINK A WILD OVERREACH BY THE D.F.L., THERE WAS A 16-POINT JUMP FROM BEING FAVORING THE D.F.L.

TO FAVORING THE REPUBLICANS.

>> WE SHOULD ACTUALLY JUST MAKE YOU QUESTION THE POLL.

THE REALITY IS THAT -- BECAUSE THE LAST POLL WAS ACTUALLY TAKEN RIGHT AFTER ALL THOSE LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

I THINK THIS ELECTION WILL BE NATIONALIZED.

THIS ELECTION WILL BE, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUBURBS ABOUT, LIKE, WILL YOU VOTE FOR A PARTY THAT WILL DO WHAT IS HAPPENED IN ARIZONA, WHAT HAPPENED IN ALABAMA, WHAT IS IT LIKE.

A VOTE FOR A PARTY THAT IS DETERMINED TO TAKE AWAY YOUR BODILY AUTONOMY.

>> Eric: I WANT TO ASK THE TWO REPUBLICANS ABOUT CANDIDATE QUALITY.

BECAUSE I'VE HEARD THAT SOME OF THE CANDIDATES THAT HAVE BEEN UP FOR ENDORSEMENT MAY HAVE NOT BEEN THE PREFERRED CANDIDATE FOR THE HOUSE?

>> WELL, I THINK WE'RE ACTUALLY, THERE'S SOME VERY GOOD CANDIDATES.

I THINK BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE HAVE SOME STRUGGLES WHEN IT COMES TO THE PRECINCT CAUCUS ND THE ENDORSEMENT PROCESS.

IT TENDS TO BE VERY BASE RACE, RIGHT?

BUT CTUALLY -- I'VE ACTUALLY MET A COUPLE OF REALLY, REALLY GOOD CANDIDATES.

WE HAVE SOME REPUBLICANS THAT ARE STEPPING ASIDE.

FRANKLY, THERE'S A LOT OF RETIREMENTS.

AND SO IT'LL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHO COMES INTO THOSE DISTRICTS EVEN THE SAFE DISTRICTS.

>> I THINK TWO THINGS.

I THINK WE HAVE SOME REALLY EXCELLENT CANDIDATES AND INTERESTINGLY, IF YOU LOOK AT ALL THE OPEN SEATS AND E AND SOME OF THE MORE COMPETITIVE SEATS WHERE DFLerS WON BY FEWER THAN 00 OR 300 VOTES WE HAVE FIVE POLICE OFFICERS OR RETIRED POLICE OFFICERS RUNNING FOR THOSE, WHICH TELLS YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CALL TO ACTION.

THAT THEY FEEL TO GET INVOLVED IN THEIR STATE GOVERNMENT.

BUT I THINK THE OTHER THING THAT YOU'RE SEEING IS, OH, I'LL USE PENNINGTON COUNTY AS AN EXAMPLE.

COUNTY OF 14,000 PEOPLE.

THEY HAD 21 REPUBLICANS SHOW UP TO CAUCUS.

THIS IS THE END OF THE REPUBLICAN -- OR OF THE ENDORSING PROCESS.

PEOPLE ARE -- THEY DON'T WANT TO GO FIGHTS WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS.

BUT WHEN PENNINGTON COUNTY REPUBLICANS AD THE CHANCE TO GO VOTE, ALMOST 900 OF THEM SHOWS UP TO VOTE.

>> BUT WHAT YOU'RE POINTING IS AN IDEOLOGICAL DIVIDE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE THAT IS EXTREME.

THAT YOU HAVE EXTREMIST CANDIDATES RUNNING -- >> COPS?

>> AND YOU DON'T THINK THAT THERE CAN BE COPS THAT ARE EXTREMISTS?

AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SEEING OUT IN MINNESOTA AND LSEWHERE THAT THERE'S A REAL BATTLE BETWEEN A GRASS ROOTS THAT IS EVEN FURTHER RIGHT THAN MOST MINNESOTANS CERTAINLY WANT IN THEIR GOVERNMENT.

>> I'M GOING TO NOMINATE ONE TOMORROW TO REPLACE PAT GAROFALO AND OUR LOCAL CONVENTION.

AND I DON'T SEE AN EXTREMIST.

AND I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, JAVIER.

WE HAVE THAT COMMON BELIEF.

THERE ARE BAD APPLES IN EVERY INDUSTRY.

BUT I THINK FOR THE MOST PART, PEOPLE HAVE SEEN WHAT'S HAPPENED.

WE'VE HAD A WAR ON COPS IN THIS STATE THAT HAS TO STOP.

>> Eric: IT'S ONLY APRIL.

WE WILL CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION.

>> WELL, CAUTION FOR THE REPUBLICANS TOO, BECAUSE 2022 LOOKED REALLY GOOD, AND THEN WE GOT OUR BUTTS HANDED TO US.

>> THE BELL'S RUNG.

[ Laughter ] ♪♪ >> CATHY: IT'S NOW TIME FOR YOU TO PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAP AND TRY TO COME UP WITH THE ANSWER TO A MINNESOTA HISTORY QUESTION.

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SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

♪♪ >> ♪ TWO YEARS HAVE PASSED ♪ ♪ FLOATING ON AN IDLE SEA ♪ ♪ MY EYES HAVE CLOSED ♪ ♪ CONTENT WITH THE SLIGHTEST BREEZE ♪ ♪ WARM WATER, WARM SUN ♪ ♪ IT'S BEEN THE STUFF OF DREAMS ♪ ♪ BUT MY MUSE LIVES IN WINTER ♪ ♪ AND SHE MISSES ME ♪ ♪ IT WAS EASY TO GET HERE AND EASY TO STAY ♪ ♪ BUT EASY NOW ♪ ♪ GOT TO BE ON MY WAY ♪ ♪ BRING ME THE BLESSING OF WIND IN MY SAIL ♪ ♪ TRAVEL BY AIR ♪ ♪ ZERO TO SIXTY ♪ ♪ WARM AIR, COME TAKE ME ♪ ♪ ZERO TO SIXTY ♪ ♪ WARM AIR, COME TAKE ME ♪ ♪ ZERO TO SIXTY ♪ ♪ WARM AIR, COME TAKE ME ♪ ♪ ZERO TO SIXTY ♪ ♪ WARM AIR, COME TAKE ME ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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