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

>> Cathy: WE'LL CHECK IN WITH A MINNESOTA NATIVE WHO'S BEEN COMING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, HEAR FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE CONTROVERSIAL MINING PROPOSALS NEAR THE BOUNDARY WATERS.

TANE DANGER IS HERE AND HE BROUGHT A SPECIAL MACHINE WITH HIM.

AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN TRACKING A BIPARTISAN ISSUE AT THE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: ONE ISSUE CONTINUES TO GAIN BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE STATE.

THAT'S AGRICULTURE.

WE'LL CHECK IN ON THE ISSUE.

>> FARMERS WILL STICK WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

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

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

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

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.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 HAVE A FULL HOUR FOR YOU TONIGHT.

WE'LL TACKLE THE ISSUE OF COPPER NICKEL MINING NEAR THE BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

MEET THE NEW INTERIM CANNABIS DIRECTOR.

AND WE'LL HAVE PLENTY OF POLITICS FOR YOU INCLUDING A POLITICAL PANEL FILLING THE COUCH.

>> ERIC: AND POLITICS IS WHERE WE START TONIGHT.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS HIT THE END OF THEIR FIRST MONTH AND THE CONTROVERSIAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS, CABINET CONFIRMATIONS AND FIRING OF FEDERAL WORKERS HAVE CONTINUED THIS WEEK AS THE PRESIDENT HAS ALSO ENGAGED IN A VERY PUBLIC WAR OF WORDS WITH UKRANIAN PRESIDENT ZELENSKY.

THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN LAST FALL, WE REGULARLY CHECKED IN WITH NATIONAL POLITICAL REPORTERS AND EDITORS WHO ONCE CALLED MINNESOTA HOME.

AND WE'RE HAPPY TO WELCOME BACK ANGELA GREILING KEANE, NEWS EDITOR FOR BLOOMBERG GOVERNMENT.

ANGELA, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

WHAT'S THE MOOD IN WASHINGTON AND ARE REPUBLICANS STILL FULLY ON BOARD?

>> I'LL ANSWER THE SECOND PART FIRST, YES, REPUBLICANS ARE FULLY ON BOARD.

THE WASHINGTON "AND IPSO HAD A POLL THAT KIM OUT THIS MORNING THAT SHOWED SOMETHING LIKE 90% OF REPUBLICAN VOTERS ARE HAPPY WITH WHERE THINGS ARE GOING.

I WOULD SAY THAT DIFFERS GREATLY FROM THE MOOD IN WASHINGTON ITSELF, WHERE I'M SPEAKING TO YOU FROM THIS EVENING.

WASHINGTON, OF COURSE, IS A CITY, ITS MAJORITY VERY OVERWHELMINGLY DEMOCRATIC AND IT IS, OF COURSE, HOME TO MANY MANY FEDERAL ORKERS OR PEOPLE WHOSE JOBS ARE PERIPHERAL TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.

SO, THE MOOD HERE IS ONE OF UNCERTAINTY.

LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE WONDERING WHAT THINGS MEAN FOR THEIR JOBS, FOR THEIR FUTURES.

BUT, OVERALL, ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE ARE STILL SEEING VERY VERY STRONG SUPPORT FROM REPUBLICANS FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP AND FOR WHAT ELON MUSK AND HIS DOGE EFFORT ARE DOING.

>> Cathy: SAY, WE'RE HEARING FROM "THE WASHINGTON POST" THAT THERE'S SOME SUBTERRANEAN RUMBLINGS WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION ABOUT LON MUSK.

ARE YOU HEARING THAT AS WELL?

>> WE HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING YET ON THAT FRONT.

YEAH, HE'S A STRONG PERSONALITY.

PRESIDENT IS A STRONG PERSONALITIMENT.

THEY'RE THICK AS THIEVES RIGHT NOW.

BUT WE DON'T KNOW, OF COURSE, HOW FAR THIS GOES, HOW THE STORY ENDS.

BUT FOR THE MOMENT, YOU KNOW, EVERY PICTURE YOU SEE COMING OUT OF PRESS POOL PHOTOGRAPHY OF TRUMP SEEMS TO HAVE MUSK BE SOMEWHERE IN THE PICTURE ALONG WITH HIM.

YOU KNOW, OFF TO THE SIDE, RIDING THE HELD CORRELATE, ALL E SORTS OF THINGS.

SO FOR THE MOMENT MUSK SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY INFLUENTIAL AND SHOWING NO SIGNS OF ABATING.

>> Cathy: SAY, ANY PUSHBACK YOU'RE HEARING FROM ANY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS?

>> MITCH McCONNELL, YES.

MITCH McCONNELL, OF COURSE, WAS THE SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER FOR MANY MANY YEARS.

ANNOUNCED LAST YEAR THAT HE WOULD BE STEPPING DOWN THIS YEAR AS REPUBLICAN LEADER, AND THEN JUST ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT HE WILL RETIRE IN 2026.

SO, HE IS ASICALLY FREE TO DO AS HE PLEASES.

HE'S NOT TRYING TO LEAD THE PARTY.

HE'S NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION.

AND HE HAS TAKEN SOME, NOT ALL, BUT SOME VOTES AGAINST SOME OF THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL NOMINEES OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE.

BUT, REALLY, HE'S THE ONLY ONE WHO IS SPEAKING OUT PUBLICLY AT THIS MOMENT.

LAST NIGHT DURING SOME BUDGET VOTES OVERNIGHT, WE SAW SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS, WHO'S A REPUBLICAN OUT OF MAINE, WHICH IS A MORE INDEPENDENT STATE, NOT STRONGLY REPUBLICAN, BUT CERTAINLY NOT A BLUE STATE, BUT SHE TOOK SOME VOTES ON AMENDMENTS THAT DEMOCRATS HAD SPONSORED IN FAVOR F THINGS, LIKE PRESERVING MEDICAID, SOME, YOU KNOW, MORE MODERATE POSITIONS THAT PROBABLY ARE A RESULT OF HER BEING UP FOR ELECTION, WANTING TO RETAIN HER SEAT NEXT YEAR.

BUT SHE IS NOT SPEAKING OUT OVERALL AGAINST THE COST-CUTTING EFFORTS OR AGAINST NOMINEES.

>> Eric: IS A DEMOCRATIC STRATEGY EMERGING?

>> I'M GOING TO SAY NOT QUITE YET.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING SO FAR IS THE DEMOCRATS, PARTICULARLY HAKEEM JEFF RICK, THE DEMOCRATIC LEADER IN THE HOUSE, IS TAKING A -- JEFFRIES -- IS TAKING A STRATEGY OF TRYING TO CAPITALIZE ON LAWSUITS.

THEY'RE VERY VERY CLOSELY TRACKING THE LAWSUITS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED SO FAR AGAINST THE NEW ADMINISTRATION AND THEY'RE TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO USE THAT TO DEMOCRATS' ADVANTAGE.

WE'VE SEEN CERTAINLY INDIVIDUAL DEMOCRATS TALKING ABOUT THE THINGS THAT SEEM TO MOTIVATE VOTERS AT THE POLLS LAST FALL.

YOU KNOW, EGG PRICES WE ARE HEARING A LOT ABOUT.

A LOT OF POCKETBOOK ISSUES.

SO DEMOCRATS ARE ADJUSTING THEIR MESSAGING A BIT, BUT 'M NOT REALLY SEEING A UNIFIED PARTY STRATEGY THAT SEEMS OBVIOUS TO ME AT THIS POINT.

>> Cathy: SAY, ANGELA, THE "ASSOCIATED PRESS," I GUESS, HAS SUED OVER THE PUNISHMENT FROM THE WHITE HOUSE FOR NOT USING THE PRESIDENT'S PREFERRED NAME FOR THE GOLF OF D THEY'VE BEEN SHUT OUT OF WHITE HOUSE EVENT, WHAT IS THE REST OF THE PRESS CORPS SAYING ABOUT THIS?

>> RIGHT.

THAT LAWSUIT CAME JUST ABOUT TWO HOURS AGO.

THAT'S VERY NEW NEWS.

WHAT THE PRESS CORPS IS SAYING, ALMOST UNIVERSALLY, THERE'S A COUPLE OF EXCEPTIONS, BUT MOST OF THE PRESS CORPORATION IS SAYING THAT -- PRESS CORPS IS SAYING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE FOLLOW A.P.

STYLE AT BLOOMBERG, FOR INSTANCE, AND A.P.

SETS THE -- THEY LITERALLY HAVE A STYLE BOOK THAT MANY MANY NEWS ORGANIZATIONS USE TO HAVE A COHESIVE WAY OF WRITING AND TALKING ABOUT LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS IN THE NEWS.

SO, TO HAVE THE "ASSOCIATED PRESS" SHUT OUT OF ACCESS TO COVERING THE WHITE HOUSE, COVERING HE PRESIDENT, IT'S HUGE.

IT'S NOT IN THIS COUNTRY, IT HASN'T BEEN UP, AND IT SHOULDN'T BE, UP TO THE WHITE HOUSE R THE PRESIDENT TO DECIDE WHO GETS TO COVER THEM.

THAT WILL BE A DECISION OF THE PRESS.

WE'LL DECIDE, YOU KNOW, WHO WANTS TO COVER THINGS AND WHAT WE WRITE.

WE LIVE IN A LOWER CASE DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY, FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IS ENSHRINED IN THE CONSTITUTION.

SO THOSE THINGS ARE VERY VERY IMPORTANT, NOT ONLY TO THE PRESS BUT TO CONSUMERS OF INFORMATION.

THE PRESS DOESN'T WRITE FOR OURSELVES.

WE WRITE FOR EVERYBODY WHO, YOU KNOW, CONSUMES THE NEWS IN SOME WAY, WE'RE THE EYES AND EARS OF THE PUBLIC.

SO LOTS OF OTHER NEWS ORGANIZATIONS AND, YOU KNOW, NEWS OUTLETS, AS WELL AS ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB ARE SPEAKING OUT IN FAVOR OF THE "ASSOCIATED PRESS" BEING REGRANTED ACCESS TO COVER THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> Eric: THANKS VERY MUCH FOR YOUR EXPERTISE.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

THANKS A LOT.

>> Cathy: THANKS, ANGELA.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: YOU BET.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: THE POSSIBILITY OF MINING NEAR THE BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA WILDERNESS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE.

MINING RIGHTS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA'S SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST HAVE LONG BEEN A CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC.

DECISIONS ON BANNING IT OR ALLOWING IT HAVE OFTEN HINGED ON WHO CONTROLS THE WHITE HOUSE.

WE'VE ROUNDED UP TWO DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON MINING IN MINNESOTA.

CHRIS KNOPF IS WITH THE FRIENDS OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS AND A SUPPORTER OF THE BIDEN 20-YEAR BAN ON MINING IN THE REGION.

ALSO JOINING US, JULIE LUCAS OF MINING MINNESOTA WHO IS IN FAVOR OF THE TRUMP ADMINSTRATION'S DESIRE TO REVERSE THAT BAN AND ALLOW MINING.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: CHRIS, THE PRESIDENT SIGNED THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER, LIFTING UNDUE BURDENS ON MINES TO RESCIND THAT.

LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE BACK TO PLAYING DEFENSE AT THIS POINT.

IS THAT RIGHT?

>> FOR SURE, WE'RE VERY CONCERNED WITH WHAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS DOING.

SO THEY'RE DOING TWO THINGS.

ONE IS THEY'RE LOOKING TO REINSTATE THE EXPIRED MINERAL LEASES, THEY OWN THE TWIN METALS MINE.

AND THE SECOND THING IS TO REMOVE THE PROTECTIONS AT THE EDGE OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS THAT PROTECT WASTE WATER THAT WILL GO INTO THE BOUNDARIES WATERS.

SO, BOTH THOSE PROTECTIONS ARE AT RISK.

SO WE'RE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS SIGNALED TO DO.

>> Eric: WILL THERE BE EXECUTIVE ORDERS FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OR PETE STAUBER, THE EIGHTH DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN, UP THERE HAS A BILL THAT WOULD REVERSE THE 20-YEAR BAN.

HOW DO YOU EXPECT THIS TO PROCEED?

>> AT THE PRESENT TIME, WE'RE WAITING TO SEE -- AT THIS POINT, WE'RE WAITING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS ITH HIS BILL, WHICH WILL IDEALLY REVERSE THE BAN AND ALLOW THE PROCESS TO GO FORWARD TO UNDERSTAND THE PROJECT.

THE PROJECT HASN'T GONE THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW YET.

IT WOULD STILL HAVE THAT PROCESS AND PERMITTING, AND REVERSING THIS BAN ALLOWS THAT TO GO FORWARD, SO THAT WE CAN DO THAT DUE DILIGENCE AND UNDERSTAND THE PROJECT.

>> Eric: AND YOU NEED A STATE PARTNER, I GUESS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Eric: PCA, DNR, I SUPPOSE?

>> YES.

SO THERE'S A FEDERAL PROCESS, AND THEN WE HAVE OUR STATE PROCESS.

SO BOTH PROCESSES INVOLVE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PERMITTING AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.

AND WE REALLY WANT THE PUBLIC TO BE ENGAGED.

WE WANT TO HEAR THOSE CONCERNS.

WE WANT TO HEAR ALSO, THOUGH, WHAT SOLUTIONS ARE BEING PROPOSED.

AND THAT'S WHERE THOSE PROCESSES ARE SO IMPORTANT FOR NOT JUST MINING, BUT EVERYTHING WE DO THAT IMPACTS THE EARTH HAS THOSE PROCESSES.

>> Cathy: CHRIS, WHAT'S YOUR REJOINDER TO THAT?

>> SURE, YOU KNOW, AS A STARTING POINT, IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF MINING THAT HAS NEVER BEEN DONE IN MINNESOTA.

SO WE HAVE A PROUD TRADITION HERE IN MINNESOTA OF TACONITE MINING.

BUT COPPER NICKEL SULFIDE MINING IS VERY DIFFERENT.

YOU CAN SWIM IN AN OLD IRON PIT.

WITH THE COPPER AND NICKEL, YOU HAVE SULFIDE BOUND UP INTO THE ORE.

SO, WHEN YOU TRY TO GET AT THAT COPPER NICKEL, THAT SULFIDE GETS IN CONTACT WITH WATER, AND YOU CREATE BATTERY ACID, SULFUR IMRIC ACID.

THAT'S HOW IT'S DIFFERENT.

YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO TO SWIM IN A COPPER NICKEL SULFIDE PIT.

SO THIS POLLUTING INDUSTRY IS THE MOST POLLUTING INDUSTRY IN THE COUNTRY.

IT HAS A PERFECT TRACK RECORD OF POLLUTING WATER.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE IS HE CONCERNED.

IT'S NOT OUR FATHER'S, GRANDFATHER'S MINING.

IT'S A DIFFERENT TYPE OF MINING.

WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE WATER POLLUTION.

>> Cathy: I'VE BEEN BE TO BIG BEE, ARIZONA, THEY DO COPPER MINING OUT THERE.

IT DOES LOOK IKE A BOMB BLEW UP OUT THERE.

IT LOOKS PRETTY DESOLATE, BARREN, JUST BECAUSE OF WHAT THE MINING HAS DONE TO THAT AREA.

BISBY.

>> YOU ARE CREATING A HOLE IN THE GROUND.

>> Cathy: SURE.

>> TWIN METALS WOULDN'T BE, IT WOULD BE UNDERGROUND, YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE MINE, THE MINE UNDERGROUND, YOU HAVE THE PROCESSING FACILITY ON THE SURFACE, AND YOU DO HAVE A DRY STACK FACILITY, WHICH, STORY, IS A TAILING STORAGE FACILITY.

AND PEOPLE DO HAVE THOSE CONCERNS BECAUSE THEY HAVE SEEN THOSE MINING OPERATIONS.

AND IT IS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF MINING, WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE MATERIAL, DIFFERENT WAY TO MANAGE THE WATER THAT COULD COME INTO CONTACT, AND THOSE ARE REAL CONCERNS THAT OUR INDUSTRY IS TACKLING.

WE HAVE GUIDANCE ON ACID ROCK DRAINAGE.

WE HAVE DIFFERENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THAT E -- >> Cathy: HAVE THEY BEEN TESTED, DO THEY WORK IS THIS >> EAGLE MINE IN MICHIGAN, I RECOMMEND GOING TO, FLAMBEAU MINE IN WISCONSIN -- EXCUSE ME, WRONG STATE -- WISCONSIN HAD AN OPEN PIT, THESE THINGS ARE OCCURRING, CANADA HAS MINES.

ULTIMATELY, WE ARE ASKING FOR COPPER, NICKEL, WHICH ARE GOING TO BE FOUND WITH SULFIDE OREGONES.

WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO MINE THEM SO WE CAN BUILD THINGS, SO THAT WE CAN POWER THINGS.

SULFIDE ORES.

AND THESE ARE THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE TO WRESTLE WITH, THERE ARE CONCERNS, BUT THERE ARE ALSO SOLUTIONS.

WE WILL NOT GET TO THOSE WITHOUT THESE REALLY COMPLICATED CONVERSATIONS.

>> Eric: THERE IS A BILL, IS THERE NOT, THAT IS KIND OF THE SHOW ME BILL, YOU HAVE TO SHOW IT'S BEING DONE SAFELY SOMEWHERE BEFORE IT CAN PROCEED?

IS THAT STILL AROUND?

>> SURE.

THAT LEGISLATION IS STILL OUT THERE.

AND IT'S CALLED "PROVE IT FIRST."

AND, YOU KNOW, ERIC, SOMETIMES THOSE CHILD-LIKE QUESTIONS ARE SOMETIMES THE MOST PROFOUND.

AND THE QUESTION IS, YOU KNOW, THE BILL WOULD REQUIRE GLENCOE OR ANY OF THESE OTHER FOREIGN MINING COMPANIES THAT WANT TO DO THIS NEW TYPE OF MINING TO FIRST PROVE THAT THERE'S ONE EXAMPLE WHERE THIS TYPE OF MINING HAS BEEN DONE SAFELY OF ELSEWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES BEFORE DOING IT HERE.

SO, PROVE IT FIRST.

AND THE PROBLEM HERE, ERIC, THERE'S NOT AN EXAMPLE WHERE THIS HAS BEEN DONE SAFELY.

SO WE KNOW THAT WE WILL HAVE POLLUTION IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS, IF THIS MINE ERE TO GO FORWARD.

SO THEN WE COULD HAVE A DEBATE, IF WE WE -- GO FORWARD, IF THE COST IS WORTH THE BENEFITS.

BUT PROVE IT FIRST IS ASKING THE CHILD-LIKE QUESTION, BOY, HAS THIS EVER DONE SAFELY BEFORE?

AND IT HASN'T.

>> Cathy: JULIE, DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE LIFE OF THE DEPOSIT WOULD BE UP THERE?

HOW LONG MIGHT IT LAST?

>> IT WOULD DEPEND ON HOW LONG WE MINE AND IT WOULD DEPEND ON HOW MUCH WE WOULD PROSTATE.

BUT IT IS A SIGNIFICANT DEPOSIT.

IF IT WASN'T SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH DEPOSIT TO TALK ABOUT, WE WOULDN'T HAVE COMPANIES LOOKING TO INVEST IN IT.

AND HAVING SPENT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS EVALUATING HOW MUCH IS THERE AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

IT IS A SIGNIFICANT DEPOSIT.

AND WE KNOW THAT BECAUSE OF THE INVESTORS.

>> Eric: ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH HOW THE WALZ ADMINISTRATION HAS HANDLED THIS?

>> NO, CANDIDLY.

BY AND LARGE, THE WALZ ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN ON THE SHRINES -- SIDELINES FOR.

THIS SO WE WANT TO ENGAGE WITH THE WALZ ADMINISTRATION MORE DEEPLY ON THIS.

AND LOOK AT THE FUTURE WHERE WE CAN PROTECT THE BOUNDARY WATERS AND THE OTHER 10,000 LAKES THAT WE HAVE HERE IN MINNESOTA.

SO BY AND LARGE, THE WALZ ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN N THE SIDELINES FOR THIS.

>> Cathy: SO THE NEXT STEPS WOULD BE WHAT?

DO WE KNOW?

>> NEXT STEP IS FOR THE BILL -- TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE BILL ON HE EDERAL LEVEL.

>> Cathy: THE STAUBER BILL.

>> YUP.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, BOTH, APPRECIATE IT.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING.

♪ ♪ >> I LOVE MY DISTRICT, SO I'M ORIGINALLY FROM A SMALL TOWN IN INDIANA, BUT I ENDED UP IN ONE OF THE MOST DENSE PARTS OF OUR STATE.

WHEN I MOVED HERE, YOU KNOW, MY HUSBAND AND I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE MULTIPLE MODES OF TRANSPORTATION TO OUR DAY JOBS.

I FOUND A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN WALK, BIKE, DRIVE, TAKE TRANSIT, AND I THINK THAT JUST DIVERSITY OF TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS AND THE DIVERSITY OF SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS AND THERE'S NATURE, BECAUSE WE'VE GOT THE LAKES IN THERE, WE'VE GOT DOWNTOWN, IT'S A VERY HAPPENING PLACE.

>> Mary: YOU'RE AN ENGINEER.

THAT'S KIND OF UNIQUE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> YES, IT IS.

I THINK WHAT, YOU KNOW, I'M GOING TO BE BRINGING FROM THAT BACKGROUND IS REALLY JUST MORE DATA AND STATISTICS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE GROUNDING THE SOLUTIONS THAT WE'RE MOVING FORWARD IN SCIENCE.

AND ALSO THINKING ABOUT THE IMPLEMENTATION.

I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS, WE GET REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE PROMISES OF CERTAIN BILLS, BUT I WANT THEM TO HAVE IMPACT.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: WE'VE BEEN TAKING A LOOK AT HOW MANY OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ACTIONS IN THE LAST MONTH MAY IMPACT PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS HERE IN MINNESOTA.

THE UNCERTAINTY OVER FEDERAL FUNDING AND INCREASED SCRUTINY IN THE WAKE OF FEEDING OUR FUTURE TRIALS HAS LED TO A BUSY 2025 FOR THE MINNESOTA COUNCIL OF NONPROFITS.

NONOKO SATO HEADS UP THE COUNCIL.

WELCOME BACK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: HOW MUCH OF A PR HIT HAS FEEDING OUR FUTURE HIT?

I WOULD GUESS PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT THAT, WONDERING IF THEIR MONEY IS GOING TO THE RIGHT PLACES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S ONLY A FEW DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS ARE BEING IMPACTED, RIGHT?

AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ARGUE THE FACT THAT IT'S AN INDIVIDUAL THAT IS COMMITTING CRIMES VERSUS THE ENTIRE NONPROFIT SECTOR THAT'S BEING VILIFIED RIGHT NOW.

AND, SO, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT WE ARE KIND OF KEEPING AN EYE ON AT THE STATE LEVEL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE AREN'T FURTHER REGULATIONS AGAINST THE NONPROFIT SECTOR.

WE'RE HIGHLY REGULATED ALREADY.

WE'RE VERY MUCH COMMITTED TO BEING TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE AS A SECTOR.

I MEAN, WE ACTUALLY REALLY RELY ON THE PUBLIC TRUST IN ORDER FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DO OUR WORK.

AND, SO, YES, LIKE IT IS ACTUALLY IMPACTING ALL OF US, BUT WE DO ENCOURAGE LEGISLATORS WHO ARE THINKING THROUGH WAYS OF, YOU KNOW, REGULATING NONPROFITS MORE TO WORK, ACTUALLY, WITH THE NONPROFIT SECTOR, NCLUDING THE MINNESOTA COUNCIL OF NONPROFITS.

WE'RE HERE TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THEM.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> SURE.

>> Cathy: A LOT OF NONPROFITS IN MINNESOTA RECEIVE FEDERAL GRANTS.

AND FEDERAL GRANTS ARE PAID AFTER THE WORK IS DONE, RIGHT?

SO SINCE THEY'RE FROZEN, A LOT OF THESE NONPROFITS WOULD NOT GET PAID.

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: DO THEY HAVE TO ABSORB, THEN, THE COSTS OF THIS?

>> POTENTIALLY, YEAH.

I MEAN, THERE ARE THREE DIFFERENT WAYS THAT NONPROFITS RECEIVE FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

ONE IS DIRECTLY THROUGH A GRANT.

ONE IS THROUGH SERVICES LIKE MEDICAID AND MEDICARE THAT IS PROVIDING A FEE FOR SERVICES THAT NONPROFITS ARE ALREADY PROVIDING.

AND THEN ALSO GRANTS THAT ARE GOING DIRECTLY THROUGH THE STATE AS WELL, AND THEN BEING ALLOCATED INTO THE NONPROFIT SECTOR.

AND, YES, MAJORITY OF THESE FUNDING MODELS ARE REIMBURSEMENT, WHICH MEANS THAT NONPROFITS HAVE ALREADY SPENT THE MONEY.

NOT ONLY THAT, THERE'S ALSO, LIKE, CONTRACTS THAT ARE BEING -- THAT ARE ALREADY SIGNED, LET'S SAY, FOR 2025.

AND, SO, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN GRANTED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND WAS TOLD, LIKE, YES, WE WILL GIVE YOU FUNDING, NOT ONLY ARE SOME NONPROFITS NOT RECEIVING FUNDING OF THE ONEY THAT'S ALREADY SPENT, BUT NOW THEY'RE NOT EVEN SURE WHETHER THEY SHOULD GO FORWARD WITH THE 2025 WORK.

>> Cathy: WELL, THEN HOW DO YOU -- HOW DOES, SAY, A EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR A BOARD PLAN THE WORK AHEAD OR TRY TO -- HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THE UNCERTAINTY?

WHAT ARE YOU TELLING YOUR MEME G YOUR PEOPLE?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK THE SIMPLE THING PEOPLE KEEP ON SAYING, YOU NEED TO DIVERSIFY FUNDING.

THAT'S NOT REALLY THAT EASY.

THE FEDERAL FUNDING THAT COMES THROUGH IS PROPORTIONALLY SO MUCH BIGGER THAN, LET'S SAY, INDIVIDUALS AND WHAT FOUNDATIONS MIGHT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE.

AND, SO, YEAH, I MEAN, RIGHT NOW NONPROFITS HO DO NOT KNOW OR HAVE THEIR FUNDING CUT OFF ARE HAVING TO AY OFF STAFF, MAKING SOME REALLY DIFFICULT DECISIONS AROUND THEIR BUSINESSES IN ORDER FOR THEM TO EVEN JUST MAINTAIN SOME OF THE PROGRAMMING THAT REALLY NEEDS TO EXIST.

>> Eric: I THINK THERE ARE 40,000 NONPROFITS IN MINNESOTA.

30,000, I THINK, THAT ACCEPT DONATIONS.

>> YEAH, IT'S ACTUALLY 9,000 ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE FINANCIALLY ACTIVE IN MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: OKAY.

>> YEAH.

>> Eric: WELL, WOULD IT BE A GOOD -- SIGN OF GOOD FAITH TO MAYBE LOOK AT SOME CONSOLIDATION, MAKE THINGS MORE EFFICIENT, MAYBE FEWER ADMINISTRATORS, IF THERE'S 100 HOUSING NONPROFITS, MAYBE CUT IT DOWN?

>> CERTAINLY.

I THINK THERE ARE -- >> Eric: IS ANY OF THAT BEING LOOKED AT?

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT'S ALWAYS A CONSTANT CONVERSATION ABOUT, LIKE, WELL, THERE'S TOO MANY NONPROFITS.

THE THING IS, WE EXIST, DONORS GIVE US MONEY BECAUSE THERE'S A COMMUNITY NEED.

AND, SO, JUST BECAUSE ONE ORGANIZATION IS WORKING WITH, LET'S SAY, YOU KNOW, YOUTH, THE OTHER ORGANIZATION THAT'S WORKING WITH YOUTH, THEY MIGHT HAVE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TYPES OF SERVICES AVAILABLE, SO THAT MERGER AND COLLABORATION MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE THE RIGHT FIT.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY SHOULDN'T BE EXPLORING IT AND CERTAINLY A LOT OF NONPROFITS ARE.

I WILL ALSO SAY THAT IN MINNESOTA, IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, THERE AREN'T A LOT OF NONPROFITS OUT THAT ARE CONDENSED TOGETHER.

SO EVEN IF ONE ORGANIZATION IN ONE RURAL COMMUNITY MERGES WITH ANOTHER OR, WORST-CASE SCENARIO,S CLOSES, THE COMMUNITY IS HAVING A REALLY REALLY HARD TIME IDENTIFYING ANOTHER ORGANIZATION THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A SIMILAR SERVICE.

SO IT'S -- YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT -- IT'S CHALLENGING, I THINK, FOR MANY BOARD MEMBERS TO HAVE TO NAVIGATE THOSE KIND OF OPTIONS.

>> Cathy: FINAL QUESTION, I MEAN, YOU'VE HAD WEBINARS, I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN MEETING WITH YOUR MEMBERS.

SO WHAT ARE YOU TELLING THEM AT THIS POINT?

>> YEAH, I THINK THE BIG THING IS THAT WE DON'T WANT TO STOKE ANY MORE EAR THAN THERE IS.

I THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY AND CONCERN AROUND WHAT'S NEXT, AND THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE JUST DON'T KNOW.

AND, SO, FOR US, I THINK THE BIG THING IS, LINING, MAKING SURE THAT -- LIKE, MAKING SURE THAT ORGANIZATIONS ARE LEGALLY COMPLIANT, LOOKING AT BOTH THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVELS, PUTTING TOGETHERRING A SCENARIO PLANNING, BUDGETS, LOOKING AT CASH FLOWS.

THESE ARE ALL THINGS A NONPROFIT SHOULD BE DOING ANYWAY.

AND NOT TO BOAST ABOUT THE WORK OF THE STATE ASSOCIATIONS, BUT THIS IS EXACTLY THE TYPE OF WORKING THAT WE TRY TO DO, IS PROVIDE CAPACITY-BUILDING SUPPORT SO THAT NONPROFITS CAN GO THROUGH AND WEATHER THESE KIND OF UNCERTAINTIES.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU COMING OVER.

KEEP US POSTED, WILL YOU?

>> THANK YOU, SO MUCH, OF COURSE.

YEAH, THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ >> TANE: MY FELLOW CITIZENS!

AREN’T YOU TIRED OF THE UNENDING MESS AT THE CAPITOL?

PARTISAN BICKERING.

COMPLICATED COURT CHALLENGES.

TIME AND TIME AGAIN, OUR HUMAN LAWMAKERS LEAVE US WONDERING WHAT THEY’RE EVEN DOING UP THERE.

DON’T YOU WISH THERE WERE A BETTER WAY?

A MEANS OF GETTING THE NEW LAWS WE ALL CRAVE, BUT DISPENSED WITHOUT THE MORTAL DRAMA THAT JUST MUCKS EVERYTHING UP?

BEHOLD, THE LAW MACHINE FROM DANGER BOAT PRODUCTIONS!

>> FRED: A LAW MACHINE?

HOW DOES IT WORK?

>> TANE: WHY, MY FRIEND, THIS MARVEL OF THE MECHANICAL AGE MAKES LAWMAKING SO SIMPLE, A CHILD CAN DO IT — AND NO LOBBYIST IS REQUIRED.

A COUPLE OF QUARTERS IS ALL YOU NEED.

YOU SIMPLY PUT MONEY IN AND A NEW RULE ABOUT HOW WE LIVE OUR LIVES COMES OUT.

JUST LIKE REGULAR GOVERNMENT.

>> FRED: THIS ONE SAYS, “ANY PERSON NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR, EMMY, OR TONY WHO SPENDS MORE THAN 3 HOURS IN MINNESOTA MAY BE LEGALLY DEEMED A MINNESOTAN.” >> TANE: SEE, THAT’S BASICALLY ALREADY THE RULE, THE LAW MACHINE JUST MADE IT OFFICIAL.

>> FRED: ARBOR DAY IS A LEGALLY RECOGNIZED HOLIDAY FOR ALL TREES IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND THEY ARE THEREBY NOT REQUIRED TO PRODUCE ANY OXYGEN FOR THOSE 24 HOURS.

>> TANE: YOU SEE, TREES DON’T VOTE, SO WHO WAS GOING TO STAND UP FOR THEM IN OUR CURRENT PROCESS?

THE LAW MACHINE ISN’T SWAYED BY POLITICAL WINDS, IT JUST SPITS OUT STATUTES WITH NO FEAR OR FAVOR!

>> SOME OF THESE LAWS SEEM A LITTLE IMPRACTICAL.

>> HEY, NOW, YOU LISTEN.

THE LAW MACHINE JUST GAVE YOU TWO, COUNT 'EM, TWO GREAT LAWS IN A MATTER OF MINUTES.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW HARD IT IS TO MAKE GOOD, THOUGHTFUL LAWS CONGRUENT WITH ALL THE OTHER STATUTES ON THE BOOKS?

WHY, IF YOU WANTED LEGISLATING LIKE THAT, YOU’D NEED -- I DON'T KNOW, HUNDREDS, PERHAPS THOUSANDS SELFLESS INDIVIDUALS IN GOVERNMENT.

YOU’D NEED A WHOLE OFFICE OF PEOPLE WHO DO NOTHING BUT READ AND REVISE STATUTES AND TRY TO ENSURE THEY WORK WITHIN THE BROADER SET OF LAWS ALREADY ON THE BOOKS.

YOU’D NEED THE WHOLE GOVERNMENT WORKING TOGETHER TO TRY AND MAKE THE RULES ALL AIMED AT SERVING A COMMON GOOD.

I MEAN, WHO IS IMPRACTICAL NOW?

>> FRED: THIS ONE SAYS, GOING FORWARD, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH GLADIATORIAL COMBAT.

>> TANE: WELL, MAYORS HAD BETTER REPORT TO U.S. BANK STADIUM ON THE DOUBLE IF THEY’RE HOPING TO MAKE SOME LAWFUL EXPENDITURES NEXT YEAR!

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: IN DULUTH, THERE'S A MUSIC SPACE IN A LATE NINETEENTH CENTURY CATHEDRAL.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

"ALMANAC'S" KAOMI LEE VISITED THE SACRED HEART MUSIC CENTER TO FIND OUT MORE -- INCLUDING HOW A MANUAL, TWO-RANK ORGAN WITH MORE THAN NEARLY 2000 PIPES SAVED IT FROM DEMOLITION.

>> ORGANIST CHARLES SUNDQUIST SAYS IT'S RARE TO BE ABLE TO PLAY AN ORGAN 127 YEARS OLD.

>> THIS ORGAN WAS BUILT FOR THE CHURCH BACK IN 1898.

THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE PREVIOUS CATHEDRAL AND THAT ORGAN WAS LOST.

SO THEN THIS ORGAN WAS PUT IN.

>> Kaomi: SUNDQUIST IS PART OF A GROUP THAT PROTECTS AND MAINTAINS THE STUNNING INSTRUMENT BUILT BY PENNSYLVANIA COMPANY.

IT'S AT THE SACRED HEART MUSIC CENTER IN DULUTH.

HE SAYS IT'S A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF LATE 19th ENTURY CRAFTSMANSHIP.

>> IT'S IN ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION, OUTSIDE OF A NEW PEDAL BOARD WAS PUT ON AND IT'S A WONDERFUL WONDERFUL SPECIMEN, ESPECIALLY THE TONAL QUALITY OF THIS INSTRUMENT IS JUST VERY VERY SPECIAL.

>> Kaomi: IN 1896, BISHOP OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF DULUTH PICKED THE ORGAN OUT OF A CATALOG FOR $3,000.

>> I STILL ASK ORGAN BUILDER FRIENDS, HOW IS IT THAT THE COMPANY, FELGAMCKER, TO CREATE AN INSTRUMENT THAT WAS BASICALLY A STOCK MODEL, THAT WAS IN THE CATALOG, THE PRIEST IN DULUTH HAD SAID, ELL, WE'LL TAKE ONE OF THESE.

THEY BUILT IT, PACKED IT, SHIPPED IT, SENT A GUY FROM THE FACTORY OUT TO PUT IT TOGETHER, AND THEN HE LEFT.

♪ ♪ IT PLAYS INTO THE BUILDING IN A MAGICAL WAY.

FORTUNATELY, THE SACRED HEART SPACE HAS A WONDERFUL ACOUSTIC.

AND THIS ORGAN MATCHES IT AND USES IT WITH PERFECTION.

>> Kaomi: DECADES LATER WHEN THE DIOCESE PLANNED TO DEMOLISH THE CHURCH AND MOVE THE ORGAN ELSEWHERE, LONGTIME ORGANIST JOAN CONNOLLY SAID NO.

>> THE BUILDING WAS IN DISREPAIR, THEY WERE BUILDING A NEW CATHEDRAL CHURCH IN THE EASTERN PART OF DULUTH.

AND, SO, SHE ROUNDED UP SOME FRIENDS, THEY BOUGHT THE BUILDING FOR A DOLLAR, FROM THE DIOCESE.

>> Kaomi: A NONPROFIT WAS BORN IN 18 -- IN 1985 MAINTAINING THE CATHEDRAL AS A 21st CENTURY MUSIC SPACE TAKES A LOT OF WORK AND VISION.

>> I'M PRESIDENT OF THE MUSIC CENTER.

I'VE BEEN THAT FOR A LONG TIME.

AND I'M ALSO IN MY REGULAR DAY JOB RUN A DESIGN/BUILD CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.

AND I'VE DONE A GREAT DEAL OF THE RESTORATION WORK ON THE BUILDING FOR THE LAST PROBABLY 40 YEARS.

>> Kaomi: HE SAYS THE ACOUSTICS STAND OUT.

>> THE ONLY MUSIC THAT DOESN'T WORK WELL IN HERE WOULD BE SOMETHING WITH A REALLY HEAVY BACK BEAT, A LOT OF DRUM.

>> Kaomi: KAHN HAS OVERSEEN A LOT OF STRUCTURAL CHANGES.

THE ORIGINAL FLOOR AND FLOOR JOISTS ARE GONE, THEY ADDED A NEW ROOF, MODERN DANISH RADIATORS, L.E.D.

LIGHTS AND OTHER UPGRADES.

>> AND THEN AS YOU COME UP INTO HERE, YOU'LL SEE SOME SIGNS OF NEWER-AGE PERIOD.

YOU'LL SEE THE STEEL PLATES ON THE WALL AND THESE METAL CONNECTORS THAT YOU CAN TIGHTEN UP, AND THESE ARE THE TENSION CABLES WE PUT ON WHEN WE TORE OUT SOME OF THE MASONRY OF THE BELL TOWER.

>> Kaomi: TENSION CABLES KEEP THE BUILDING IN COMPRESSION FOR SUPPORT.

BUT THE TOUR WASN'T DONE.

>> IF YOU'RE SLIGHTLY AFRAID OF HEIGHTS, YOU'RE DOING BRILLIANTLY BECAUSE THIS IS A CHALLENGING WALKWAY.

IT'S NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.

>> Kaomi: NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.

SO, YEAH, I DEFINITELY FEEL LIKE THE OUTSIDE AIR.

>> YOU'RE IN THE OUTSIDE AIR.

THIS IS A SCREEN TO KEEP THE PIJ BE ONS OUT.

>> Kaomi: THIS IS THE BELL TOWER?

>> THIS IS THE BOTTOM OF THE BELL TOWER.

AS YOU LOOK UP, IF YOU'RE LOOKING UP AT THE BELL RIGHT HERE.

PIGEONS.

♪ ♪ OVER THE YEARS, THE CENTER AS HOSTED OUNTLESS LOCAL AND TOURING MUSICIANS.

>> I LIVED IN DULUTH FROM THE LATE 1990s, UP UNTIL JUST TWO YEARS AGO.

DULUTH IS KIND OF WHERE I GOT MY START.

>> aomi: FOLK BLUES SINGER, CHARLIE PAEHR, IS ONE OF THE MORE WELL KNOWN USICIANS TO PERFORM AND RECORD.

>> THE REVERB TIME, THE DECAY TIME IN THE ROOM IS NINE SECONDS, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, WHICH IS MASSIVE, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN REALLY PLAY WITH THAT WHEN YOU'RE PLAYING THERE.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT SPACES IN THE BUILDING THAT YOU CAN GO AND THE SOUND IS DIFFERENT IN ALL THESE SPACES.

I RECORDED A RECORD IN THE CLOAK ROOM THAT THE CHOIR WOULD USE TO STORE THEIR CLOTHES.

AND IT SOUNDED AMAZING.

IT'S RESCUED, YOU KNOW?

MAKES IT EVEN MORE SPECIAL, I THINK, TO THE COMMUNITY.

BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE LOST IT.

>> Kaomi: KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON AND THE DOORS OPEN COSTS MONEY.

THERE'S ALSO A MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAM AND RECORDING STUDIO.

TWICE A YEAR, AREA MUSICIANS COVER THE AME ARTIST IN AN EVENT CALLED DULUTH DOES TO HELP RAISE FUNDS.

THE LAST SHOW WAS ALL ABOUT DAVID BOWY AND IT PACKED THE HOUSE.

♪ WALKS BESIDE ME ♪ ♪ WALKS ON BY ♪ ♪ GETS ME TO THE CHURCH ON TIME ♪ ♪ CLOSE TO MY LOVE ♪ ♪ LALALALALA ♪ ♪ ♪ >> BACK ERE, THEY DON'T KNOW OUT THERE, WE HAVE A PARTY IN HERE AND WE GET TO CATCH UP WITH EACH OTHER.

>> Kaomi: BACK STAGE IT FEELS LIKE A FAMILY REUNION.

NONE OF THE ARTISTS ARE PAID AND MANY SAY IT'S ALSO WHAT MAKES IT A SPECIAL NIGHT.

>> IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO DO THESE THINGS, HELP KEEP THE LIGHTS ON.

>> I THINK IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT DULUTH DOES AS A COMMUNITY THAT IS VERY BUILDING -- IT'S VERY COMMUNITY CENTRIC.

♪ >> ERIC: THIS TUESDAY THE OFFICE OF CANNABIS MANAGEMENT OPENED UP BUSINESS APPLICATIONS.

THE MOVE FOLLOWS A TURBULENT LOTTERY ROUND FOR SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS AND INTERIM DIRECTOR CHARLENE BRINER STEPPING DOWN LAST MONTH.

THE OFFICE'S GENERAL COUNSEL WAS TAPPED TO TAKE HER PLACE AS THE NEW INTERIM DIRECTOR AND ERIC TAUBEL JOINS US NOW.

WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

YOU'RE STARTING FROM SCRATCH.

IS THAT ONE OF THE FACTORS THAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING, WHAT'S TAKING SO LONG?

>> YEAH.

OF I THINK SO.

I THINK THAT BUILDING SOMETHING THE GROUND UP TAKES A LONG TIME.

IT PROBABLY TAKES A LOT LESS TIME IF YOU BUILD SOMETHING THAT'S NOT SO GREAT.

AND, SO, WE'VE TAKEN THE APPROACH OF BUILDING A SOLID FOUNDATION THAT HAS A LOT OF STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY TO IT.

WE'VE BEEN TASKED WITH THE PROJECT OF LEARNING FROM OTHER STATES, AND PART OF THAT LEARNING PROCESS MEANS TALKING TO PEOPLE.

WE'VE BEEN TO THE NATIONAL CANNABIS REGULATORS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE TWICE, AND HAD THE CHANCE TO TALK TO OTHER REGULATORS AND KIND OF GET A PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT WENT WRONG, WHAT WENT RIGHT, WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY IF YOU COULD DO IT OVER AGAIN.

AND WE'VE TAKEN THOSE LESSONS BACK AND WE'VE INTERNALIZED THEM AND TRIED O REALLY WORK ON WHAT CAN WE DO, WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE THIS MARKET LOOK BETTER THAN OTHER MARKETS AND FLAWNCH A WAY THAT'S NOT JUST QUICK BUT SUSTAINABLE AND SUCCESSFUL.

>> Cathy: YOU DID AN AUDIT, I BELIEVE I SAW AN AUDIT OF- 60BELIEVE I SAW AN AUDIT OF- 600,LIEVE I SAW AN AUDIT OF- 600,00EVE I SAW AN AUDIT OF- 600,000 E I SAW AN AUDIT OF- 600,000 ELI SAW AN AUDIT OF- 600,000 ELICSAW AN AUDIT OF- 600,000 ELICITW AN AUDIT OF- 600,000 ELICIT PAN AUDIT OF- 600,000 ELICIT PRO AUDIT OF- 600,000 ELICIT PRODUUDIT OF- 600,000 ELICIT PRODUCTIT OF- 600,000 ELICIT PRODUCTS.

OF- 600,000 ELICIT PRODUCTS.

OF- THAT'S A FAIR AMOUNT, RIGHT.

BECAUSE THE RAMP-UP HAS BEEN PRETTY SLOW, I'M WONDERING, IS THERE A BLACK MARKET BEING CREATED IN THE MEANTIME AS YOU'RE RAMPING UP?

>> I DON'T WANT TO ALARM ANYONE, THERE IS A BLACK MARKET BUT IT HAS EXISTED FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

>> Cathy: SURE.

>> WE'RE COGNIZANT THAT THE CONGER IT TAKES TO GET A REGULATED MARKET LAUNCHED, THE HARDER THAT MARKET BECOMES.

BUT WE'VE ALSO, AT THE SAME TIME, WE'VE BEEN UILDING OUR CANNABIS MARKET AND GETTING THE LICENSING READY, WE'VE DEVELOPED A ENFORCEMENT TEAM THAT'S OUT IN THE FIELD GOING TO PLACES THAT SELL SOME OF THOSE ILLICIT PRODUCTS.

WE'RE EDUCATING PEOPLE ON WHAT'S ALLOWED, WHAT'S NOT ALLOWED, WHAT WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE FUTURE.

TAKING THE PRODUCTS THAT ARE DANGEROUS, ILLEGAL AND UNSAFE OFF THE SHELVES.

>> Eric: TRIKES GETTING A HEAD START?

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS I FIND THE GREATEST ABOUT THE LAW AS PASSED.

TRIBES.

THERE'S NO WINNER OR LOSER.

THIS MARKET WILL BE BIGGER THAN EVERYONE.

THERE WILL BE SPACE FOR THE MOM AND POP SHOPS THAT HAVE ONE STORE FRONT UP IN FERTILE.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE SPACE FOR LARGER OPERATORS THAT ARE GOING SUBSTANTIAL CANNABIS CANOPIES IN THE CITIES.

THERE'S ALSO GOING TO BE SPACE FOR OUR TRIBAL PARTNERS.

AND I REJECT THE PREMISE THAT ONLY ONE GROUP GETS TO WIN IN THIS SPACE.

THE REALITY IS THAT THERE'S A LOT OF SPACE FOR EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO BE A PART OF THIS MARKET TO GET IN, GET STARTED AND GET RUNNING.

IT'S ACTUALLY -- >> Cathy: YOU HAVE TRIBAL COMPACTS THAT YOU HAVE AGREED TO.

SO IT LOOKS LIKE TRIBAL ENTERPRISES ARE BEING ABLE TO RAMP UP, WHEREAS, STATE LICENSED APPLICANTS ARE KIND OF STILL STUCK WAITING.

>> SO WE'RE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF NEGOTIATING THOSE COMPACTS.

WHEN THOSE COMPACTS GET SIGNED AND EXECUTED BY THE LEADERS OF THE TRIBAL NATIONS AND THE GOVERNOR, WE'LL HAVE THOSE POSTED PUBLICLY FOR EVERYONE TO SHARE.

AT THE SAME TIME, AS ERIC NOTED, ON TUESDAY, WE OPENED FOR STATE LICENSES.

SO WE'RE GOT PEOPLE GETTING READY TO GO.

ALSO WE HAVE THE LICENSE PREAPPROVAL PROCESS THAT GOT STYMIED BY LITIGATION, BUT AS PART OF THAT PROCESS, THE OFFICE WENT THROUGH 1,800 APPLICATIONS AND IDENTIFIED OVER, I THINK, 600 APPLICANTS WHO MET THE CONDITIONS OF THE APPLICATION.

THEY'RE NOW IN WHAT WE'RE CALLING LIKE A QUALIFIED APPLICANT STATUS WHERE THEY'RE READY TO GO ONCE WE GET OUR RULES IN PLACE AND THEY GET THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENT APPROVALS, THEY GET THEIR LABOR PEACE AGREEMENTS AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS DONE, THEY'LL BE READY TO LAUNCH THE MARKET.

THERE WILL BE A REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE EARLY MOVERS, EARLY ENTRANTS INTO THE MARKET TO PARTNER WITH TRIBAL NATIONS AND TRIBAL ENTERPRISES.

>> Cathy: THEY'LL BE ABLE TO DO THAT?

>> ONCE WE GET RULES IN PLACE, ONCE WE GET THE FINAL INSPECTIONS DONE, THE LICENSES ARE ISSUED, WE'LL BE ABLE TO SEE PARTNERSHIPS FORM, NOT JUST BETWEEN STATE BUSINESSES BUT BECAUSE THE TRIBAL LANDS AS WELL.

>> Eric: I HOPE YOU'LL COME BACK, GIVE US CONTINUED UPDATES.

>> YEAH, I'D BE HAPPY TO.

>> Eric: IT'S A BIG JOB.

>> Cathy: AT THE END OF THIS APPLICATION PROCESS, HOW MANY DO YOU THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE APPROVED?

>> SO WE HAVE ON, YOU KNOW, OUR INTERNAL WHITEBOARD, A LOT OF GUESSES, ABOUT HOW MANY WE MIGHT GET.

THE GUESSES RANGE FROM ON THE LOW SIDE, 2,000 OR SO UP TO 5,000.

>> Eric: WOW.

>> I ASKED THE TEAM WHERE WE WERE AT TODAY AT NOON, YOU KNOW, THREE DAYS IN, WE ONLY HAD 52 APPLICANTS SUBMITTED.

BUT AS ALWAYS, WE EXPECT A BIG WAVE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF HOURS.

AND THOSE EARLY APPLICANTS SO FAR HAVE COME IN OUR SMALLEST BUSINESS CATEGORY, THE MICROBUSINESS.

WHICH WE THINK WILL REALLY BE THE KIND OF FLAVOR OF MINNESOTA'S CANNABIS MARKET, A SORT OF CRAFT MARKET WITH SMALL PRODUCERS, SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> Eric: WE'LL STAY TUNED.

THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, APPRECIATE IT.

>> ERIC: STATE POLICYMAKERS ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH FEDERAL FUNDING.

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS COMING TO MINNESOTA IN A BUDGET YEAR ARE AT RISK IN THE FEDERAL FREEZE.

AFTER PUSHBACK, SOME OF THE MONEY IS STARTING TO RETURN TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER TAKES A DEEPER LOOK INQUIRING IF AG ISSUES CAN CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE TRADITION OF BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

[ CHANTING ] >> Mary: OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL PROTESTORS TOOK ON ELON MUSK AND PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BUDGET CUTS AND THE DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACY IN DAYS OF DIFFERENT RALLIES.

>> IT IS STANDING-ROOM ONLY OF THE THREE FLOORS OF THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA.

>> Mary: FOR A FRESHMAN FROM FARM COUNTRY, IT'S A LOT TO TAKE IN.

>> THAT EXPERIENCE I HAD GROWING UP ON THE FARM, I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT AGRICULTURE IS TO THIS STATE, ESPECIALLY WHERE I IVE.

>> Mary: WE'RE HEARING A LOT ABOUT FEDERAL FARM MONEY BEING FROZEN, BUT STATE POLICYMAKERS ARE SAYING THEY'RE STANDING BEHIND THE FARMERS, LOCAL POLICY.

HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN?

>> THERE CLEARLY IS A BIG DIFFERENCE.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

WE'RE PROBABLY IN FOR SOME INTERESTING TIMES, WHAT'S COMING OUT OF WARRANT, AND, YOU KNOW, PRESIDENT TRUMP CAMPAIGNED, HE WAS GOING TO BE A DISRUPTER AND E WAS GOING TO CHANGE THINGS.

>> Mary: BUT FARMERS VOTED FOR HIM.

>> FARMERS VOTED FOR HIM.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

FARMERS WILL STICK WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.

I JUST GUARANTEE.

>> Mary: THIS HA TO HAVE BEEN A SURPRISINGLY DIFFICULT COUPLE OF WEEKS FOR YOU, FIGURING OUT THE FEDERAL IMPACT.

>> IT REALLY IS.

I FEEL LIKE, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALMOST NTERESTING, BECAUSE, LIKE PRESIDENT'S DAY NOTHING KIND OF HAPPENED BECAUSE EVERYTHING WAS SHUT DOWN.

BUT IT'S ALMOST AN HOUR TO HOUR, MINUTE TO MINUTE, DAY TO DAY, YOU KNOW, SEEING THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS, WHO'S BEING, YOU KNOW, FURLOUGHED OR LAID OFF.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT FARMERS, BECAUSE WE HAVE HEARD SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF MINNESOTA FARMERS THAT ARE IN FINANCIAL TROUBLE BECAUSE OF FEDERAL MONEY THAT WAS PROMISED AND NOW NOT DELIVERED.

>> IT REALLY IS.

YOU ALMOST HAVE TO GO BACK A LITTLE WAYS, OUR FARM ECONOMY, IN SOME CASES, IS NOT VERY -- COULD BE STRONGER AT THIS MOMENT.

>> Mary: THE STATE AG DEPARTMENT SAYS IN TOTAL, TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WERE FROZEN FOR MINNESOTA FARMERS, LIKE SMOOTY SUNFLOWERS.

COMMISSIONER PETERSON IS REACHING OUT TO REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF MINNESOTA EYE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATES AND DEMOCRATS WHO HAVE LEAD POSITIONS ON AG COMMITTEES.

>> WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPACT OF THESE EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND WILL THESE ORDERS JUST SLOW IRA DISBURSEMENTS, IMPACT FARMERS LOOKING TO USE VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION PROGRAMS?

>> PRESIDENT TRUMP AND OUR ADMINISTRATION'S HEART IS WITH THE RURAL COMMUNITIES AND THE AGRICULTURE COMMUNITIES.

IN ENSURING THAT THERE'S FULL UNDERSTANDING AND DATA TO SUPPORT WHAT THIS WILL DO.

>> Mary: IN OUR MANY DECADES COVERING THE CAPITOL, WE'VE SEEN MORE THAN ONE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND A BEVY OF SPECIAL SESSIONS IN BUDGET YEARS, WHICH THIS ONE IS, AND OFTEN THE FIRST BILL AGREED UPON IS AGRICULTURE.

FOLKS ARE ALREADY TALKING, SPECIAL SESSION, POSSIBLE SHUTDOWN, ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THAT BUDGET WRAPPED UP IN TIME.

CAN YOU GUARANTEE AG ILL STILL BE THE FIRST THING DONE?

>> YOU KNOW, I'M AN OPTIMIST.

I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE AG COMMISSIONER IF I WASN'T.

BUT I'VE BEEN DOING THIS A LONG TIME, I TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE.

>> Mary: THIS NEW LAWMAKER REPLACED ONE OF THE LAST SELF-DESCRIBED REPUBLICAN MODERATES IN RURAL MINNESOTA, WHO ALWAYS ADVOCATED FOR GOVERNMENT FUNDING.

HE WAS NOT AFRAID OF BEING MODERATE.

>> SURE.

>> Mary: AND THAT GOVERNMENT COULD DO GOOD THINGS.

THAT'S NOT SO POPULAR RIGHT NOW.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S A VERY DIVISIVE PLACE, AS YOU KNOW.

WHICH IS SAD THAT IT IS -- THAT IT HAS BECOME.

BUT I'M CONSERVATIVE, I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY TO GO AND TO SERVE.

I BELIEVE FARMERS ARE JUST REALLY EXCITED BECAUSE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A LOT OF US SEE SOME REAL CHANGE HAPPENING IN GOVERNMENT.

>> THERE BEING 66 AYES AND 67 NAYS, THE BILL DOES NOT PASS.

>> Mary: AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE THEIR FIRST TEST TO TRY TO PASS A BILL OFF THE FLOOR, WITH THE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT NECESSARY IN THIS UNIQUE CLASS OF LAWMAKERS THAT NOW INCLUDES SEVERAL FARMERS.

IT IS USUALLY THE FIRST BUDGET BILL DONE.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: USUALLY THE MOST BIPARTISAN THING.

>> UM-HUM.

>> Mary: HOW EXCITED AND HOW SPECIAL IS AGRICULTURE?

IS IT STILL?

>> YEAH.

I WOULD SAY, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, IT'S NUMBER THREE IN GDP IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE RANK UP THERE AS EITHER THE SECOND OR THIRD LARGEST EMPLOYER OF PEOPLE IN THE STATE.

AGRICULTURE, SINCE THE FOUNDING OF MINNESOTA, HAS HELD A VERY SPECIAL PLACE HERE.

AND IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT I THINK PERSONALLY IS A VERY BIPARTISAN BILL THAT PEOPLE ARE ALL COMMITTED TO BECAUSE IF YOU EAT, YOU'RE INVOLVED IN AG.

I HONESTLY THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE'LL BE ABLE TO WORK THROUGH THIS YEAR.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: ANOTHER REALLY BUSY WEEK IN POLITICS SO LET'S JUMP RIGHT IN WITH THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF THE POLITICAL PANEL.

DEMOCRATS UP FIRST.

JEFF HAYDEN IS A FORMER STATE SENATOR, NOW A LOBBYIST.

ABOU AMARA IS A FORMER CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER, NOW AN ATTORNEY.

REPUBLICANS WITH THEM, AMY KOCH IS A FORMER STATE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ALSO TURNED LOBBYIST.

AND ANDY BREHM IS A LAWYER AND FORMER PRESS SECRETARY FOR U.S.

SENATOR NORM COLEMAN.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU ALL BACK.

WELL, SENATOR KOCH, I WANT TO ASK YOU, MARY HAD THAT PIECE ABOUT AG AND USUALLY VETERANS ISSUES ARE USUALLY BIPARTISAN AT THE CAPITOL.

>> CORRECT.

>> Cathy: YOU THINK THAT'S STILL GOING TO BE THE CASE AT THE END OF SESSION?

>> I THINK AT THE END OF SESSION, IT WILL.

IT'S GOTTEN -- EVERYTHING AT THE CAPITOL IS NOW GOING TO BE SO CAREFULLY NEGOTIATED BECAUSE OF THE COMPLETE SPLIT.

BUT I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT PEOPLE WON'T LOSE THEIR FOCUS ON THINGS LIKE AG AND VETS.

THERE'S JUST NO REASON TO MAKE ANYTHING PARTISAN THERE.

AND THE BUDGETS ARE SO TINY.

YOU'RE SQUABBLING OVER LITTLE THERE'S LOTS TO AGREE ON THERE.

HE SAID THE TIDE OF GOOD FEELINGS, THE ERA OF GOOD FEELINGS OVER?

WAS THERE EVER ONE?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE EVER WAS.

IT'S THE SESSION, YOU GOT TO GO THERE, YOU GOT TO FIGHT FOR THE THINGS THAT YOU WANT.

YOU GOTTA WORK WITH YOUR CAUCUS, WHICH SOMETIMES GETS A LITTLE DICEY.

SO, IT'S JUST THAT TIME OF YEAR.

SO THEY'LL BE FINE AT THE END.

BUT NOW THEY'RE GETTING AFTER IT.

>> Eric: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT POLITICAL PUNDITS GET TO DO, YOU GUYS, IS TO BE THE GREAT MENTIONERS.

AND WE SHOULD MENTION SOME POSSIBLE CANDIDATES FOR SENATE AND GOVERNOR.

IN 2026.

MELISSA LÓPEZ FRANZEN LEFT THE UNIVERSITY AS A LOBBYIST.

TO RUN.

>> LOOKS LIKE SHE'S IN, EVERYTHING THAT I CAN SEE, I HEAR, SHE'S IN.

>> Eric: PEGGY FLANAGAN, OF COURSE.

>> SHE'S IN.

>> Eric: WAS THAT COORDINATED, IT SEEMS LIKE FIVE MINUTES AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT, SHE WAS READY.

>> I WOULDN'T CALL IT COORDINATED.

WHAT I WOULD SAY IS, I THINK CERTAIN PEOPLE ARE VERY PREPARED.

SO WHEN THE MOMENT HITS, THEY'RE READY TO TURN THE LIGHT SWITCH ON.

>> BECAUSE THEY HAVE A HEADS-UP.

>> SHE WAS VERY PREPARED, THE LIGHT SWITCH WAS ON, SHE WAS READY TO GO.

>> Cathy: DOES THAT MEAN, THEN, THAT SHE KIND OF CUT THE LEGS OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE GOVERNOR IN A SENSE?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK THOSE CONVERSATIONS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING FOR WEEKS OR DAYS PRIOR TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

I'M NOT TOO CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

SENATOR SMITH SAID SHE GAVE FOLKS SOME HEADS-UPS.

THERE WERE CONVERSATION, IT DOESN'T SURPRISE ME ONE BIT.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT THE REPUBLICANS, JULIA COLEMAN, STATE SENATOR, KRISTIN ROBBINS.

>> BOTH KRISTIN ROBBINS AND JULIA COLEMAN HAVE SAID THAT THEY'RE LOOKING INTO IT.

MICHELLE DEFOY I CAN'T HAS BEEN THE NAME PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

SENATOR KARIN HOUSLEY, LIZ COLLINS.

>> Eric: ALPHA NEWS.

>> ALPHA NEWS.

YEAH.

I'M VERY PLEASED TO SEE THE LONG LIST OF REPUBLICAN WOMEN THAT ARE IN.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> LISTEN, THE LIST IS LONG.

THESE ARE ATTRACTIVE RACES.

MINNESOTA'S A 50-50 STATE.

AND, SO, THESE ARE COMPETITIVE RIGHT OFF THE BAT.

SO IF WE CAN PUT FORWARD COMPETENT, ATTRACTIVE CANDIDATES, WHICH ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ARE, KENDALL QUAALS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, I THINK, YOU KNOW, HE'D BE TERRIFIC.

YOU KNOW, I THINK REPUBLICANS CAN DO EXTREMELY WELL.

I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC, I'M DELIGHTED TO SEE SO MANY FIRST-RATE PEOPLE WILLING TO THROW THEIR NAMES IN.

I'M VERY ENCOURAGED BY THAT.

>> Cathy: STILL TALKING ABOUT NAMES.

EVIDENTLY, LAST WEEK -- >> SORRY ABOUT THAT, RIGHT WHITE.

>> Cathy: IS ROYCE WHITE GOING TO RUN?

I MISSED THAT.

>> HE DIDN'T QUALIFY IN MY DESCRIPTION.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

I'M WONDERING HERE, WE HAD A REPORTER ON FROM THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL" LAST WEEK, HIS SOURCES SAID THE GOVERNOR IS NOT GOING TO RUN FOR U.S. SENATE.

HOWEVER, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, WILL HE RUN FOR ANOTHER TERM AS GOVERNOR?

>> LOOK, I THINK ALL INDICATIONS ARE HE'S DOING IT, HE'S SITTING WITH A MILLION DOLLARS IN THE BANK.

LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, NOT THE NOISE, THE FUNDAMENTALS, HE'S ABOVE WATER AND HAS A FAVORABILITY THAT'S ABOVE 50%.

UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS, WHEN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS BEEN ABLE TO RAISE, WHAT, $67, I THINK THEY REPORTED LAST YEAR, I MEAN, THOSE ARE CONDITIONS THAT YOU THINK ARE GOING TO BE GOOD.

ADD ON TOP OF THAT, MIDTERMS WHICH SHOULD BE GOOD FOR DEMOCRATS.

TIM WALZ IS PROBABLY GOING TO RUN.

>> FIRST OF ALL, I THINK HE'S ADDICTED TO POLITICS.

I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF HE RUNS FOR A THIRD TERM.

BUT HE DOESN'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF INTEREST BEYOND IT.

HE IS AN EXTREMELY VULNERABLE GUY.

I MEAN, E IS ABOUT AS LEFT AS THEY COME.

I THINK, RUNNING N A NATIONAL TICKET, EXPOSED HIM TO A LOT OF THINGS THAT VOTERS IN MINNESOTA DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT HIM.

SO I'D BE DELIGHTED, I HOPE HE DOES RUN FOR A THIRD TERM.

I THINK HE'S INCREDIBLY WEAK.

DO DEMOCRATS HAVE A FINANCIAL EDGE?

ABSOLUTELY.

YOU GUYS ALWAYS HAVE.

AND THE FACT THAT WE'RE ABLE TO TIE THINGS UP IN THE HOUSE, DESPITE THAT, SHOWS THAT IDEAS ULTIMATELY MATTER, CANDIDATES ULTIMATELY MATTER.

BUT I HOPE TIM WALZ RUNS AGAIN, IT WOULD BE GREAT.

>> Eric: I WANT TO OFFER SOMETHING ABOUT 2028.

THE GOVERNOR IS WRITING A BOOK.

GETTING A PODCAST.

THOSE ARE STEPS THAT YOU MIGHT TAKE IF YOU HAVE BROADER INTERESTS.

>> WELL, ALL THE COOLEST PEOPLE HAVE PODCASTS.

[ Laughter ] >> Eric: ABOUT EVERYTHING -- ROUND ABOUT EVERYTHING, EVERY WEDNESDAY.

>> TEN YEARS, SOME OF US ARE AHEAD OF THE CURVE.

NO DOUBT, I'VE SAID THIS MANY TIMES, THE GOVERNOR HAS POSITIONED HIMSELF IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT.

HE MOVED VERY QUICKLY INTO THAT VICE PRESIDENTIAL SLOT.

AND HE HAS EVER SINCE, HE'S BEEN SORT OF POSITIONING HIMSELF A THE DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR RESPONSE TO WALZ -- OR TO TRUMP.

HE'S -- HIS ANNOUNCEMENT WAS NOT SENT TO LOCAL PRESS WHEN HE WAS THINKING ABOUT CONSIDERING A RUN FOR U.S. SENATE.

HIS ANNOUNCEMENT -- HIS, LIKE, LEAK WENT TO POLITICO, WHICH IS A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION.

SO, HE'S, FOR SURE, PLAYING ON A NATIONAL FIELD.

AND THAT WOULD MEAN, YOU KNOW, 2026, SORT OF BE, I WOULD SAY, A STEPPING STONE TO 2028.

>> Eric: WHEN WAS IT IN BLOOMINGTON THERE WAS A SPECIAL HOUSE ELECTION IN A DFL DISTRICT AND A REPUBLICAN WON THE SPECIAL ELECTION OUT IN BLOOMINGTON?

>> YEAH.

>> Eric: COULD THIS HAPPEN IN SHOREVIEW AND ROSEVILLE, 40B?

>> THAT WAS A BIT DIFFERENT.

THAT WAS THE ANDREW CARLSON RACE, 2016, 2018, I FORGET.

FUNDAMENTALLY I THINK THAT'S A DIFFERENT RACE.

ROSEVILLE IS A SAFE DFL DISTRICT.

I MEAN, IT'S ONE OF THE FASTEST-GROWING CITIES IN THE STATE.

IT IS, I THINK, PLUS 10 DEMOCRATIC.

I AM NOT CONCERNED AT ALL ABOUT THAT SEAT.

>> Eric: EFFORT BEING PUT IN BY BOTH PARTIES?

>> BOATS PEARTSDZ.

>> I CAN'T SPEAK -- >> BOTH SIDES RAISING MONEY, BOTH SIDES RUNNING.

>> IT'S AN IMPORTANT ELECTION.

>> IT'S THE MAJORITY.

YOU KNOW, IT'S EITHER A TIE FOR THE DEMOCRATS, 68 SOLID MAJORITY FOR THE REPUBLICANS.

>> Cathy: SAY, LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE GOING BACK TO THIS QUESTION ABOUT THE REVENUE FORECAST, RIGHT?

MIGHT THERE -- BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL, MIGHT THERE HAVE TO BE ANOTHER REVENUE FORECAST, SAY, I DON'T KNOW, MAY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, APRIL, MAY?

>> I THINK THERE POTENTIALLY COULD BE ONE.

OR OFTEN WHAT THEY'LL DO, IF THEY'RE REALLY UNCERTAIN, THEY MAY JUST PUT A BUNCH OF MONEY ON THE BOTTOM LINE.

SO IF THERE IS A SURPLUS, WE HAD $650 MILLION, HALF OF THAT OR 2/3 OF THAT COULD GO KIND OF TO THE BOTTOM LINE.

AND USING THE IDEA THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH IS ABOUT 1/3 OF OUR OVERALL BUDGET.

>> WHICH ON THAT POINT, PROBABLY MEANS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION.

AT SOME POINT -- >> WELL, WE'RE ALREADY DELAYED.

>> BUT IT EVEN ADDS MORE LEGITIMATE REASONS AS TO WHY WE WOULD HAVE ONE IN THE SUMMER.

>> Eric: DONALD TRUMP'S IMPACT ON POLICY AND POLITICS IN MINNESOTA, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK IT'S POSITIVE.

I MEAN, I THINK THE PRESIDENT IS DOING EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS ELECTED TO DO.

I MEAN, POLLS HOW THAT ABOUT 80% OF AMERICANS WANT THINGS SHAKEN UP IN WARRANT.

HE'S DOING THAT.

I THINK WHAT DO GEVMENTD IS DOING -- DOGE IS DOING, LOOKING AT THIS INCREDIBLE WASTE THAT THEY'RE CUTTING, IS A GOOD THING.

DONALD TRUMP SAID SUCCESS IS GOING TO BE OUR, YOU KNOW, CARRYING CARD AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF CUTTING THE NIH IS WASTE.

LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO CUT POSTAL EMPLOYEES, THERE IS JUST A TON OF THINGS.

THEY'RE CUTTING PEOPLE, THEN THEY'RE HIRING THEM BACK.

I DON'T NECESSARILY THINK THAT THAT'S WASTE.

I THINK THAT'S A ALKING POINT.

I THINK THE REPUBLICANS, IN PARTICULAR, ARE GOING TO PAY FOR IT IN THE MIDTERMS.

>> WHAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE UNDERSTAND, I THINK THE DEMOCRATS DON'T, THE COUNTRY'S ABOUT TO GO BANKRUPT.

AND IF WE CONTINUE ON THIS TRAJECTORY, THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ANYTHING.

THE BENEFITS ARE OUT THE DOOR.

>> THEY'RE NOT GIVING THE MONEY TO THE -- FOR DEBT.

RIGHT?

LIKE THEY'RE INCREASING THE DEBT, THEY'RE GIVING IT TO FOR TAX BREAKS FOR BILLIONAIRES.

>> NO, THEY'RE GOING TO APPLY TO -- IT TO THE DEBT.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE TAX RATES THAT ARE CURRENTLY THE CASE PERMANENT.

WHICH, AGAIN, IS PART OF IT A PRO GROWTH AGENDA.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK THEY START MESSING WITH MEDICAID AND MEDICARE?

>> WELL, THE PRESIDENT SAID HE DOESN'T WANT TO DO THAT.

I MEAN, THAT'S PART OF GETTING THE FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER SO WE CAN PROTECT THOSE PROGRAMS.

THEY ARE SET TO GO BROKE HERE QUITE SOON IF WE DO NOTHING.

SO IF WE DO NOTHING, THEN WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO CUT THEM.

SO, THE WAY WE AVOID THAT IS BY CUTTING THE FAT, WHICH, UNFORTUNATELY, IS IN EXCESS.

>> YEAH, WHAT I WOULD SAY, THOUGH, UNLESS YOU'RE LOOKING AT DEFENSE SPENDING, UNLESS YOU'RE LOOKING AT ENTITLEMENTS IN A VERY REAL WAY, THE DEBT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW ON A NEW YORK LEVEL.

AND ANYONE WHO'S BEING HONEST ABOUT THAT, KNOWS THAT.

AND, SO, TACKLING THOSE BIG ISSUES, NOW, IT IS NOT TO SAY YOU DON'T TACKLE ALL THE THINGS, AND YOU DON'T ROOT OUT FIRST AND FOREMOST THE WASTE AND FRAUD THAT PEOPLE HAVE JUST BEEN ALLOWING TO GO RAMPANT.

AND I DO APPLAUD THAT.

HOW YOU DO IT, I THINK MATTERS.

AND I WOULD ALWAYS SAY, DON'T TAKE A SLEDGEHAMMER, TAKE A SCALPEL AND EVERY SINGLE DAY FIND SOMETHING.

BUT ULTIMATELY, ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS ARE A HUGE DRIVER OF COST AND DEBT ON A NATIONAL LEVEL.

>> IT'S UNDISPUTABLE.

>> Eric: WOULD THE MINNESOTA SENATE RACE MERIT A TOP-TIER, ALL-OUT FUNDING BLITZ ON BOTH SIDES OR IS IT NOT AT THAT TOP-TIER LEVEL?

>> IT WILL BE BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATS NEED TO EXPAND -- THE REPUBLICANS NEED TO EXPAND THE MAP IN 2026.

THE MAP WAS GOOD FOR REPUBLICANS ON THE U.S. SENATE SIDE IN 2024.

IT'S NOT AS STRONG IN 2026.

AND THEN WITH AN OPEN EAT, IN SORT OF A WING YEAR STATE THEY HAVE TO MAKE A MOVE.

>> I THINK IT DEPENDS ON WHO THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE IS.

SO IF IT'S THE PEOPLE WHO WE THINK KIND OF CAN PROJECT AND SEEM TO BE NORMAL, BUT IF IT BECOMES A FRINGE CANDIDATE AGAIN THEN IT'S NOT.

>> ON ITS FACE IT'S NOT A TIER ONE RACE.

IT'S TIER TWO.

THIS IS A HOLD, IT'S NOT PICKUP OPPORTUNITY THAT'S IN A SWING DISTRICT OR A BATTLE GROUND STATE.

WHEREAS, I LOOK AT MICHIGAN, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT IS A DISTRICT THAT HAS TO BE PROTECTED BY THE DEMOCRATS, IF THE DEMOCRATS LOSE THAT SEAT, THERE IS NO PATH TO THE MAJORITY IN THE SENATE.

>> Eric: AND WOULD PRESIDENT TRUMP ENDORSE FOR OVERNOR OR SENATOR HERE IN MINNESOTA?

>> I THINK THAT'S THE REALITY OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY RIGHT NOW.

I MEAN, I THINK THE PRESIDENT PROBABLY WILL BE INVOLVED.

WE'LL SEE HOW THAT SHAKES OUT.

AGAIN, I'M HOPING TO HAVE A VERY COMPETITIVE PRIMARY.

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD REPUBLICANS RUNNING.

AND WE DON'T WANT A CORONATION, WE WANT A CONTEST HERE.

>> Eric: SO THE REPUBLICAN TRADITION OF THE STRONG ENDORSEMENT MAY NOT BE THE CASE THIS YEAR, NEXT YEAR?

>> I THINK WE MAY MOVE BEYOND THAT, WE'LL SEE.

>> I THINK THAT'S WISHFUL THINKING.

>> WE'LL SEE.

REPUBLICANS ARE WINNING AND THEY LIKE IT.

I THINK WE WANT TO DO IT AGAIN.

>> HE'S NEVER DEMONSTRATED -- HE'S DEMONSTRATED WE WILL -- [ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> KIND OF WENT A LITTLE.

THEY LIKE TO TEASE.

[ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> Eric: THANKS FOR FILLING THE TIME WITH NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT.

THANKS A LOT.

♪ ♪ >> Eric: YOU SAY THAT THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP IS THE CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE OF OUR TIME.

>> EXACTLY.

>> Eric: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> YES, I CAN.

I THINK THAT WHEN YOU ARE NOT ACHIEVING AT YOUR HIGHEST LEVEL, AND YOUR OPPORTUNITIES PAST HIGH SCHOOL ARE LIMITED, THAT MEANS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS DEMOCRACY.

YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BECOME EMPLOYED.

AND YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT YOUR FAMILY AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT INSTITUTIONAL POVERTY, AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE HAVE UNEDUCATED INDIVIDUALS, THERE'S AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON FAMILIES.

>> CATHY: WE'VE REACHED THE END OF ANOTHER HOUR TOGETHER, BUT WE STILL HAVE TIME TO ANSWER THE INDEX FILE QUESTION FROM LAST TIME.

WE ASKED ABOUT A SUPERSTAR MINNESOTAN - NOT SEEN HERE - WHOSE UNUSUAL WORK TOURED THE COUNTRY IN 1993.

THE TOUR BROKE INDUSTRY NORMS AND LED AN INDUSTRY INSIDER TO ANOINT THIS MINNESOTAN “A MODERN MOZART.” WE WANTED TO KNOW WHO THE MINNESOTAN WAS AND WHY HE OR SHE WAS COMPARED TO MOZART.

NOT MANY OF YOU TACKLED THIS QUESTION.

MAYBE THE EXTREME COLD HAD YOU ALL HIBERNATING?

WE START- AS ALWAYS- WITH THE WRONG ANSWERS.

>> Cathy: OH, JEFF, YOU ARE A FUNNY ONE, NOT EVEN CLOSE, THOUGH, JEFF.

BUT WE LOVE YOUR ENTHUSIASM.

LORIE LINE WASN'T THE RIGHT ANSWER EITHER.

IN FACT, WE HAD JUST ONE VIEWER CALL IN WITH THE CORRECT ANSWER THIS WEEK.

DONOVAN, THE STAGE IS YOURS.

>> Cathy: DONOVAN, WELL DONE.

YES, PRINCE IS THE ANSWER.

HIS "BILLBOARDS" ROCK BALLET PREMIERED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA ON JANUARY 27, 1993.

THERE'S A NICE SHOT OF A CURTAIN CALL AFTER ONE OF THE IOWA PERFORMANCES.

BY THE WAY, THE RECLUSIVE PRINCE WAS NOT IN ATTENDANCE FOR THE PREMIERE.

THE JOFFREY BALLET PERFORMED "BILLBOARDS" FROM COAST TO COAST FOR MUCH OF THE YEAR.

A SUMMERTIME REVIEW IN THE LA TIMES NOTED THAT "BILLBOARDS" HAD BECOME AS POPULAR AS THE TROUPE'S ANNUAL NUTCRACKER PERFORMANCES.

WOW.

IN THAT SAME REVIEW, L.A.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR PETER SELLARS CALLED PRINCE "A MODERN MOZART AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FIGURES IN THE HISTORY OF MUSIC."

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR SHOW-ENDING MUSIC OF ANOTHER SORT.

THIS WEEK BACK IN 2020 WE PREVIEWED AN UPCOMING HOW OF THE SOUNDS OF GOSPEL PERFORMANCE.

TAKE A LISTEN.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

♪ THERE WAS A WOMAN IN THE BIBLE DAYS WHO HAD BEEN -- SO VERY LONG ♪ ♪ SHE HEARD THE SAVIOR WAS PASSING BY ♪ ♪ SO SHE JOINED THE GATHERING THRONG ♪ ♪ AND WHILE SHE WAS USHIN' HER WAY THROUGH ♪ CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM ♪ OH, LORD ♪ ♪ OH, OH, OH ♪ ♪ OH, LORD ♪ ♪ SHE SAID IF I COULD TOUCH HIS HAND ♪ >> ALMANAC IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.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.

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