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

>> ERIC: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," GOVERNOR WALZ AND ALL FOUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE HERE AT THE END OF A FIRST WEEK OF SESSION LIKE WE'VE NEVER SEEN HERE IN MINNESOTA.

MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN AT THE CAPITOL.

>> REPRESENTATIVE LISA DEMUTH, DUALLY ELECTED, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> Mary: THE FIRST WEEK OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION STARTED IN AN UNPRECEDENTED WAY AND ENDED WITH A VERY DIFFERENT BUDGET FROM THE GOVERNOR.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MINNESOTA HISTORY, REDUCING THE SALES TAX.

>> LEGAL SPEAKER OF THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> Mary: WE'LL ANALYZE IT ALL, 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.

>> ERIC: WE HAVE A VERY FULL SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT SO WE'RE GOING TO DIVE RIGHT IN.

GOVERNOR WALZ AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS WILL JOIN US HERE IN STUDIO IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

>> CATHY: WE START WITH NEWS FROM THE STATE CAPITOL.

ON TUESDAY THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGAN WITH CHAOS IN THE HOUSE AND CALM IN THE SENATE.

ON THURSDAY GOVERNOR WALZ RELEASED HIS BUDGET.

OUR MARY LAHAMMER FOLLOWED THE ACTION ALL WEEK.

>> >> Mary: GOVERNOR WALZ'S BUDGET REFLECTS THE NEW POLITICAL REALITY, FOCUSING ON SPENDING CUTS, TAX BREAKS, AND STOPPING FRAUD, ALL THINGS WE POINTED OUT THAT REPUBLICANS RAN ON.

>> NO, I THINK THIS IS RESPONSIBLE.

I AGREE WITH YOU ON THIS ONE, MARY.

I THINK THERE WILL BE BIG BUY-IN FROM THEM.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS WERE NOT AND ARE NOT BUYING INTO THE DEMOCRATS' IDEA OF BROADENING THE SALES TAX, BUT CUTTING THE RATE.

SOMETHING GOVERNORS ALL THE WAY BACK TO ESSE VENTURA A QUARTER CENTURY AGO TRIED AND FAILED.

>> I'M PROPOSING A TAX CUT.

IF THEY'RE PROTECTING RICH FOLKS WANTING TO GO TO THEIR BROKER, THEY CAN MAKE THAT CASE TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

I'M SAYING, WHY ARE YOU PAYING TAX ON THEIR DAMN TREE TRIMMER AND THEY'RE NOT PAYING GOING TO THEIR BROKER OR GOING TO THEIR LAWYER?

>> Mary: THIS ALSO MARKS SINCE HIS UNSUCCESSFUL RUN FOR VICE PRESIDENT THAT THE GOVERNOR APPEARED WITH HIS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WHO WAS PREPARING TO TAKE HIS JOB WITH REPORTS OF TENSION.

>> YOU WANT ME TO ADDRESS HOW I FEEL ABOUT GOVERNOR TIM WALZ?

>> I FEEL PRETTY GREAT.

YEAH.

I THINK HE LOOKS SHARP.

I AM HERE TODAY BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE INCREDIBLE WORK TOGETHER OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS.

>> PETITIONERS VS. TIMOTHY WALZ IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: THIS WEEK, THE GOVERNOR LOST IN COURT FOR WHAT REPUBLICANS CALL AN UNLAWFUL SPECIAL ELECTION, IT'S ONE OF SEVERAL PITCHED POLITICAL BATTLES JUSTICES ARE BEING ASKED TO DECIDE.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S WRIT OF SPECIAL ELECTION WAS ISSUED PREMATURELY AND IS FATALLY FLAWED.

WE CAN FIND NO RECORD IN THE HISTORY OF MINNESOTA OF A WRIT BEING ISSUED UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> Mary: THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ARRIVES AT A STATE CAPITOL FRACTURED AND DIVIDED UNLIKE ANYTHING WE'VE SEEN BEFORE.

[ BANGING GAVEL ] THE HOUSE MADE HISTORY.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MINNESOTA, ONE CAUCUS FAILED TO APPEAR AS DEMOCRATS ATTEMPTED TO DENY A QUORUM NECESSARY TO ORGANIZE, BUT REPUBLICANS TOOK THE REIGNS OF POWER ANYWAY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE LISA DEMYTH, DULY ELECTED AS THE SPEAKER OF THE REPRESENTATIVES.

>> I'M HONORED TO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY THIS BODY.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS DISAGREE WITH THE LEGALITY OF DEMUTH'S ELECTION.

THEY PLAN TO CHALLENGE IT IN COURT AFTER THEY HELD A SECRET SWEARING-IN CEREMONY BEFORE THEIR FIRST-DAY BOYCOTT.

>> WHAT WE'RE DOING IS HARD.

WE KNOW WE'RE TAKING SOME HEAT FOR T. >> Mary: WHAT'S THE CASE LAW OR CHALLENGES EXPECTED?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S UP TO DEMOCRATS TO SEE WHETHER THEY WANT TO SHOW UP FOR WORK AND DO THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA OR WHETHER THEY WANT TO CONTINUE WITH THE SHAM IDEA THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE GETS TO DECIDE FOR THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH ISSUES ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH'S ORGANIZATION.

WE SHOWED UP FOR WORK ON THE DAY THAT THE LAW TOLD US TO SHOW UP FOR WORK ON.

WE ELECTED A SPEAKER.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS WANT TO REFUSE TO SEAT SHAKOPEE REPRESENTATIVE BRAD TABKE AFTER A JUDGE REFUSED TO CALL A NEW ELECTION FOLLOWING A RECOUNT AND LOST BALLOTS.

>> WHAT WE SAW TODAY WAS AN ATTEMPTED COUP.

THIS IS THE TYPE OF THING WE DON'T EXPECT IN MINNESOTA.

WE EXPECT IN THIRD-WORLD COUNTRIES.

WE EXPECT FROM FOLKS LIKE DONALD TRUMP.

>> Mary: THE HOUSE COULD RETURN TO A TIE AFTER ANOTHER COURT CHALLENGE ON RESIDENCY RESULTED IN A SPECIAL ELECTION.

MEANWHILE, THE SENATE IS IN A TEMPORARY TIE, BUT THEY WORKED OUT A POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT.

>> I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER THAT CHOSE COOPERATION, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> QUITE A CONTRAST ETWEEN WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE AND WHAT'S HAPPENING OVER IN THE HOUSE.

AND HOPEFULLY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN CONTINUE GOING FORWARD, REALLY HOPING TO WORK THIS MODEL UNTIL THE END OF SESSION FOR THE BENEFIT OF MINNESOTANS.

>> TODAY DEMONSTRATED HOW WE ARE PREPARED AND READY TO GO FORWARD AND WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE MINNESOTA AT THE CENTER, SO EVERYTHING WE'RE DOING IS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF MINNESOTANS.

>> A TIE IS A TIE, WE WANTED TO GET TO WORK.

>> MEMBERS, I WANT TO WELCOME EVERYBODY HERE.

>> Mary: SENATE COMMITTEES SAW SMOOTH SAILING WITH THE BIPARTISAN CO-CHAIR MODEL.

>> EALLY DEMONSTRATE THE GOOD BIPARTISAN WORK THAT CAN BE DONE HERE IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> SEE, WE CAN DO THIS.

RIGHT?

OKAY.

NO FURTHER BUSINESS, WE STAND ADJOURNED.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: HERE WITH MORE ON THE BUDGET AND THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AHEAD, GOVERNOR TIM WALZ.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> YEAH, SLOW NEWS DAY.

>> Cathy: YEAH, NOT MUCH HAPPENING, I GUESS.

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BREAKING NEWS HERE, ON A FRIDAY NIGHT.

SO THE JUSTICES OF THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT, ALL OF THEM DFL APPOINTED, RULED IN FAVOR OF THE GOP IN SAYING THAT YOU PREMATURELY CALLED A SPECIAL ELECTION IN THE ROSEVILLE AREA THERE, 40B.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT RULING?

>> WELL, CERTAINLY WE RESPECT THE RULINGS OF THE COURT.

AND THEY'RE RIGHT ABOUT THIS.

IT WAS UNPRECEDENTED IN THIS CASE.

AND, SO, WE'RE FOLLOWING PAST PRECEDENCE ON THESE WRITS, S THEY WERE ISSUED.

AND THE INTERPRETATION BOTH IN-HOUSE COUNSEL, SECRETARY OF STATE, ATTORNEY GENERAL AND OUTSIDE COUNSEL INTERPRETED IT THAT WE WOULD ISSUE THE WRIT IN THE SAME WAY WE DID ON ALL THE OTHER OPENINGS, THE SUPREME COURT SAID THAT'S NOT THE CASE, BASICALLY SAYING THAT THAT SEAT IS NOT VACATED.

THAT THE REPRESENTATIVE WHO WAS ELECTED AND THEN RESIGNED CAN'T DO THAT.

AND, SO, WE'LL GO BACK, ANALYZE IT.

WE'LL GET IT -- ISSUE THE WRIT.

GET THAT LECTION DONE.

LET THEM GET TO WORK.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE -- IT'S GOING TO END UP 67-67, AND THAT'S WHERE WE GO FROM THERE.

>> Eric: AS YOU'VE SAID, YOU'RE NOT A LAWYER, BUT WHEN DOES THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION START?

IS IT UNDERWAY NOW?

THAT STARTS THE CLOCK TICKING.

>> THIS IS THE QUESTION.

IT SURE APPEARS LIKE THE SUPREME COURT RULED TODAY ON THAT, THERE IS NOT A QUORUM.

THAT'S WHAT THIS SAID, THAT THERE'S NOT A QUORUM TO DO T. SO I THINK THAT QUESTION IS SETTLED.

AND, SO, THEY'LL HAVE TO GET TO THE 68, WHICH YOU'RE GOING TO, AS YOU GET PAST WHERE WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW, BUT I DON'T THINK IT CHANGES, OU'LL TALK TO YOUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, I HAVE TRUST IN THOSE FOUR TO FIGURE IT OUT, YOU'RE GOING TO END UP WITH 67-67 IN THE HOUSE AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COLLABORATE TOGETHER, HAVE A POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT.

I'M SURE THEY'RE WORKING ON THAT RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED.

WILL NEW ATE BE SET FOR THIS ELECTION YET?

>> YES.

>> Cathy: HAVE YOU SET ONE YET?

>> NO.

THIS JUST CAME IN THIS AFTERNOON.

WE'LL FOLLOW THE WAY THE LAW IS WRITTEN ON THAT.

THE 30 DAYS PAST THE FIVE DAYS.

I THINK PROBABLY THE 5th OF MARCH.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

SAY, LET ME ASK YOU A LITTLE BIT HERE ABOUT THE BUDGET.

AND MARY MENTIONED THIS IN HER PIECE, IT KIND OF LOOKS ALMOST LIKE A GOP AGENDA, REINING IN FRAUD, CUTTING SALES TAXES.

DOES YOUR BUDGET REFLECT A CHANGING POLITICAL REALITY HERE IN MINNESOTA?

>> WELL, I HOPE THAT THE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVES HERE TONIGHT AGREE WITH YOU ON THAT.

I THINK IT REFLECTS A REALITY THAT YOU'RE ALWAYS -- ALWAYS THE ENVIRONMENT CHANGES.

WE'RE IN A SOLID BLAISE.

WE'RE IN THE BLACK.

WE HAVE A $2 BILLION SURPLUS ON THE BOTTOM LINE.

THIS BUDGET LOOKS TOWARDS THE HORIZON, THERE'S COST RIVERS IN HERE EATING UP A BIGGER PART OF THE BUDGET.

IT DOESN'T COMPROMISE WHAT MINNESOTANS ARE ABLE TO DO, THE SERVICE THAT IS WE DELIVER.

BUT IT DOES IT IN A WAY THAT IS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE.

SO BY THE TIME HE '28-'29 BUDGET YEAR IS OVER, THERE WILL BE HALF OF THAT STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE WILL BE REDUCED, AND THERE WILL STILL BE $300 MILLION ON THE BOTTOM LINE.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE ARE ASKING US TO DO.

WE STILL ARE GOING TO PROTECT THOSE PROGRAMS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR PEOPLE FROM JOB TRAINING TO & D TAX SENIOR CITIZENS AND WE'RE MAKING OUR TAX SYSTEM FAIRER, REDUCING THE SALES TAX BUT BROADENING WHAT'S ON THERE.

>> Eric: $600 MILLION TAX INCREASE.

I GUESS YOU FIGURE IT'S FOR UPPER-INCOME FOLKS WHO USE LAWYER OR A BROKER.

>> IT'S BROADER.

AMERICANS, BUYING, HOW THEY SPEND THEIR MONEY HAS CHANGED, AND WE DEPEND ON THE STABILITY OF THE SALES TAX TO BE A PART OF THAT IN THE -- AND THE STATE ECONOMIST, Dr. BERKE TOLD US IN NOVEMBER, THAT NUMBER HAS CROSSED NOW, AND PEOPLE ARE SPENDING MORE ON SERVICES THAN THEY ARE ON GOODS.

AND, SO, WE'RE MAKING THE CASE, WHY SHOULD THE SERVICE OF TRIMMING YOUR TREES OR YOUR FUNERAL ESCORTS BE TAXED AND WHY SHOULDN'T GOING TO YOUR BROKER OR YOUR LAWYER BE A PART OF THAT?

AND, SO, WHAT YOU'RE DOING, YOU'RE SPREADING IT UT AMONGST MORE PEOPLE.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF MINNESOTANS WILL PAY LESS BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT USING MOST OF THOSE SERVICES, IT JUST MAKES IT FAIR.

>> Eric: DO YOU BELIEVE YOU KIND OF CAME LATE TO THE DANCE ON THE ANTI-FRAUD STUFF?

I MEAN, IT WAS FRAUD DE JURE FOR MANY MONTHS, THE ADMINISTRATION WAS PRETTY QUIET.

I WONDER IF ENOUGH WAS DONE EARLY ENOUGH.

>> I REJECT THAT.

THEY WERE THERE IN THE BEGINNING OF TURNING THINGS OVER TO THE FBI, THE THINGS WENT ON.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS I'M ASKING, I DO THINK -- >> Cathy: WERE YOU PRETTY SURPRISED ABOUT THE AUTISM CENTERS, THAT WHOLE -- >> CANDIDLY, NO, THOSE WERE BEING INVESTIGATED AND TURNED OVER, TOO, THAT WE SEE THEM.

I THINK YOU SAW IT, WHETHER IT'S IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, 1, WHAT, 20 BILLION DOLLARS IN SHOPLIFTING OVER THE YEARS.

YOU'RE ALWAYS GOING TO SEE CRIME IN THIS.

THE ONE THING, THE STATE FOLKS HAVE BEEN ON IT.

WE HAVE TO HAVE THE TOOLS NECESSARY.

WHAT I'M FRUSTRATED ABOUT IS, IF WE KNOW THERE'S AN ORGANIZATION THAT DID SOMETHING WITH THE MEALS, DEPARTMENT DEPARTMDEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,E ARE THEY ALLOWED TO BE PAID BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, SHOULD THEY BE ON SOME LIST THAT SAYS THEY CAN'T BE THERE RIGHT NOW WE CAN'T DO THAT.

I'M AS FRUSTRATED AS ANYBODY, THIS IS THEFT, THEY'RE STEALING, THEY'RE THE CRIMINALS, THESE FOLKS ARE GOING TO JAIL, GOING TO PRISON.

I THINK WE NEED TO BE SKEPTICAL AGAINST THEM, BUT I THINK THE TOOLS ARE THERE.

I'M GOING TO ASK THE LEGISLATURE TO STIFFEN THESE PENALTIES ON THESE.

THIS IS NOT WHITE-COLLAR CRIME, THEY'RE STEALING FROM THE TAXPAYERS, BUT THEY'RE REALLY STEALING FROM KIDS.

>> Cathy: GETTING BACK TO THE BUDGET FOR JUST A MOMENT, PLEASE.

GOSH, THE STATE GOSH, THE STA STATE DEMOGRAPHER FOR DECADES HAS BEEN ALKING ABOUT MINNESOTA BEING A RAPIDLY AGING STATE.

AND OU'RE TALKING, THOUGH, ABOUT CURBING GROWTH IN SPENDING FOR SUBSIDIES THAT HELP OLDER AND DISABLED FOLKS STAY IN THEIR HOMES.

WHY IS IT A WISE MOVE?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, PEOPLE SAID, WHY ARE YOU GOING TO THESE AREAS?

BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE BIGGEST AREAS OF EXPENDITURE.

NOBODY'S TALKING ABOUT CUTTING THOSE SERVICES.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS, MINNESOTA, FAR AND AWAY, THE MEDIUM SPENDING ON DISABILITY, SENIOR DISABILITIES, $25,000, MINNESOTA S AT 53,000.

THE NEXT NEAREST STATE IS AT 40,000.

WE'RE NOT ASKING TO REDUCE SERVICES.

38 STATES PUT CAPS ON IT.

WE'RE NOT ASKING ABOUT PUTTING CAPS ON IT.

WE WILL STILL BY FAR THE MOST GENEROUS STATE.

WHAT I'M ASKING TO DO, WHY ARE THE PROGRAMS ON AUTOPILOT?

WHY ARE WE MAKING 6% INFLATIONARY COST WHEN INFLATION IS AT 6-- 2.7%.

I THINK IT'S A REPUBLICAN PHILOSOPHY ON THIS, COMPETITION WILL DRIVE SOME OF THE COSTS DOWN, WE'RE JUST ASKING, ARE THERE BETTER WAYS THAT WE CAN DELIVER THESE SERVICES?

>> Cathy: SO YOU WOULD SAY TO FOLKS WATCHING, WHO MIGHT BE OLDER, HAVE A DISABILITY, BE A LITTLE GET A SHOWER, SAFELY, ERRANDS -- >> MOST CERTAINLY.

>> Cathy: GET THEIR MEDS.

>> THERE'S NO STATE THAT WILL COME CLOSE TO US.

MINNESOTA WILL STILL BE THE NUMBER ONE STATE, THE OUTLIER, AND AS AARP SAYS, THE TOP STATE FOR AGING IN.

IF WE DON'T CONTROL THESE COSTS, THERE'S NO MONEY FOR ALL THE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT THEY DO.

BY 2029, THAT PROGRAM ALONE WILL BE 1/8 OF THE ENTIRE BUDGET.

78% OF THE DEFICIENCIES ARE BETWEEN THAT AND SOME OF THE TRANSPORTATION ON SPED COSTS.

>> Eric: THERE WERE LIKE -- SPECIAL ED COSTS.

>> Eric: THERE WERE 30 PROGRESSIVE BILLS THAT THE DEMOCRATS WANTED TO DO DURING THE TRIFECTA, I THINK YOU GOT ALL 30.

ARE YOU GOING TO BE ABLE TO SAVE THOSE?

>> A LOT OF THOSE ARE GROWING THE ECONOMY.

WHAT YOU'RE SEEING HERE, MAKING SURE THE PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE PROGRAM GETS KICKED OFF OR THE SCHOOL MEALS THAT IS WILDLY POPULAR OR SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE TO EXPAND AND WE'RE SEEING GROWTH IN EXPORTS AT A RECORD PACE IN JOB TRAINING, SOME OF THOSE THINGS, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PROACTING THOSE -- PROTECTING THOSE PROGRAMS, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS, NO ONE'S TALKING ABOUT CUTTING OR NOT, WE'RE STILL GOING TO BE ADDING MONEY TO THOSE PROGRAMS, WE'RE JUST CURBING GROWTH.

IN AN AGING POPULATION, WE NEED TO BE SMART ABOUT WHERE WE END UP.

>> Eric: HAVE YOU GIVEN A PHONE CALL TO THE PREMIER OF ONTARIO ABOUT THE TARIFF, CANADA IS OUR LARGEST TRADING PARTNER.

>> THEY ARE.

PREMIER FORD IS A FRIEND OF MINE, WE TOSSED A FOOTBALL AROUND WHEN WE WERE YOU WERE IN TORONTO.

I SAW SOMEBODY DAY, THEY DONNED A BASEBALL CAP, TRYING TO BE LIKE ME.

CANADA AND MEXICO ARE OUR BIGGEST TRADING PARTNERS.

UNIVERSAL TARIFFS, WHERE THEY'RE NOT TARGETED, ARE A REALLY BAD IDEA.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I'M LOOKING AT THE SPLAIX TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT DOESN'T GET HIT.

LOOKING AT THE SALES TAX.

ANTAGONIZING OUR ALLIES OUR CLOSEST TRADING PARTNERS DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.

THESE TRADE MISSIONS WE TAKE OUR FOLKS ON ARE REALLY PAYING OFF.

WE'LL BE IN AMSTERDAM EARLY THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE PHILLIPS THAT IS OPENING THE NEW FACILITY, FIRST TIME CREATING 150 JOBS, THOSE FOLKS ARE INVESTING HERE.

NO MATTER WHAT WE DO FEDERALLY, STATE OF MINNESOTA NEEDS THESE EXPORT MARKETS, BOTH MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, AGRICULTURE, SOME OF THOSE THINGS.

WE NEED TO STILL SAY -- STAY ON THE WORLD MARKET.

>> Cathy: SAY, I'M WONDERING HERE, VIEWERS, I'M SURE, MINNESOTANS ARE LOOKING AT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND THEY'RE SEEING CONFUSION, IT'S CONFOUNDING, IT'S CHAOTIC.

YOU TAUGHT CIVICS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: RIGHT?

AND IT PLAYS INTO ALL OF THE DISGUST THAT PEOPLE HAVE OVER POLITICS.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO FOLKS WHEN THEY WATCH WHAT'S HAPPENING?

>> EAH, THIS HAS BEEN THE NORM, I THINK, FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS.

WE'VE SEEN THIS CHAOS.

I THINK WE'VE SEEN IT IN D.C., WE WALK RIGHT UP TO DEBT CEILING VOTES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I THINK THE LEGISLATURE HERE, THERE'S A LOT OF PASSION IN IT.

I THINK IT CAN BE AND WE PROVED IT IN THE 2019 SESSION, THAT YOU CAN FIND BIPARTISAN DECISIONS.

MINNESOTA IS STILL UNIQUE IN THAT E'RE PROBABLY ONE OF THE LAST, WHAT, MAYBE FOUR OR FIVE TRULY PURPLE STATES, WHERE WE HAVE THAT CAPACITY TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT DONE.

BUT YOU'VE GOT TO FOLLOW THE RULES.

WE CAN'T HAVE PEOPLE DISREGARDING WHAT AN ELECTION SAYS.

YOU CAN'T SAY, NO, WE DON'T LIKE WHAT THE JUDGE SAID, WE DON'T LIKE THIS.

LOOK, I DON'T NECESSARILY WANT THE DECISION THAT WAS MADE TODAY.

BUT IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US TO SAY, WE RESPECT THE JUDGE'S DECISION, WE'LL HONOR IT, MOVE FORWARD IN THERE.

WE'RE NOT SEEING THAT IN EVERY CASE.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO TELL THE PUBLIC, IT'S NOT ABOUT YOUR TEAM WINNING AT ALL COSTS.

IT'S ABOUT FOLLOWING THE RULE OF LAW AND FINDING WAYS THAT WE CAN GET THE DECISIONS MADE.

>> Cathy: IN THE PAST OTHER GOVERNORS HAVE KIND OF BROKERED PEACE IN THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.

AND YOU HAVEN'T REALLY SAID ANYTHING TO THIS POINT.

WHY?

>> WELL, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS, WE'RE SEEING THIS DISCUSSION PLAY OUT IN REALTIME.

I'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT THIS, WHEN THERE'S A DISCUSSION THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEAT THE DULY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE, I SAY I ABSOLUTELY DISAGREE WITH THAT.

I'VE BEEN CLEAR ABOUT THIS, FIND THE POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT, NOT FOR THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, TELL THEM HOW TO DO IT.

WE'RE GOING TO END UP 6-67 IN THE HOUSE.

WE HAVE TWO INCREDIBLY LEADERS IN THE DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP THAT WILL FILLING OUT HOW TO DO THAT.

THE SENATE FIGURED OUT A WAY TO DO THAT.

I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT UPON ME TO RECOGNIZE AND MODEL, WE'RE GOING TO FOLLOW THE RULE OF LAW, WE'LL HELP GET THIS DONE, WE'LL WORK TOGETHER.

>> Eric: KEEP IN TOUCH.

APPRECIATE YOU COMING.

THANKS.

GOOD TO SEE YA.

♪ >> NEXT WEEK THERE ARE SEVERAL MEETINGS IN THE COMMUNITY TO DISCUSS THREE OF THE MERGERS OR CLOSINGS THAT THEY HAVE DECIDED TO SORT OF THINK ABOUT A LITTLE BIT MORE AND GET MORE INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY, WHICH I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT AND LOOK FORWARD TO THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

>> ERIC: WE JUST HEARD FROM GOVERNOR WALZ, AND NOW LEGISLATIVE LEADERS GET THEIR TURN.

SENATORS UP FIRST TONIGHT.

SENATOR MARK JOHNSON IS THE REPUBLICAN SENATE LEADER.

HE HAILS FROM EAST GRAND FORKS.

ERIN MURPHY IS THE DFL SENATE LEADER.

SHE REPRESENTS ST. PAUL.

MELISSA HORTMAN IS THE DFL SPEAKER DESIGNATE.

SHE CALLS BROOKLYN PARK HOME.

AND LISA DEMUTH IS THE REPUBLICAN SPEAKER DESIGNATE, FROM COLD SPRING.

I HOPE THOSE TITLES ARE OKAY.

>> YOU GOT TO PICK SOMETHING.

>> Eric: YEAH, GOT TO DO SOMETHING.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAID?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO AS HE LOYAL OPPOSITION?

>> VERY INTERESTING TO HEAR WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAID.

WE KNOW HE TALKED ABOUT HIS BUDGET A LITTLE BIT.

WHICH, OBVIOUSLY, IT DOES SOUND VERY REPUBLICAN, STOPPING FRAUD.

WE SAY NO NEW TAXES.

NO TAX INCREASES.

HE SEES THAT A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

DEPENDING ON HOW YOU LOOK AT IT.

WE CAN REDUCE SALES AX, MINIMALLY, BUT THEN WHEN WE PUT MORE TAXES IN OTHER PLACES, THAT'S A TAX INCREASE.

THERE'S OTHER THINGS, BUT AS FAR AS THAT 40B ELECTION, THE SUPREME COURT BREAKING NEWS DECISION SAYING THAT HE WAS PREMATURE IN HIS CALLING FOR THE SPECIAL ELECTION AND THAT'S THE SPECIAL ELECTION WHERE THE DEMOCRAT DIDN'T LIVE IN HIS DISTRICT, SO RIGHT NOW WE KNOW OUR DEMOCRAT COLLEAGUES HAVE 66 MEMBERS IN THEIR CAUCUS.

WE HAVE 67.

>> ON CONTRAIR, I THINK THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT RULED THIS EVENING THAT THERE ARE 67 MEMBERS IN BOTH CAUCUSES.

THAT CURTIS JOHNSON WAS NOT ABLE TO RESIGN.

I THINK WHAT THEY RULED, HE'S STILL A MEMBER-ELECT.

SO WE HAVE RETURNED TO A TIE.

>> Eric: OKAY.

NEU.

>> Cathy: SO WHEN DO YOU PLAN ON SHOWING UP TO WORK, BY THE WAY?

>> WE FIRST NEED A RULING FROM THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT ON WHEN IS REAL SESSION AND WHEN IS FAKE SESSION.

SO WHEN SECRETARY SIMON CONVENED THE HOUSE TO ORDER ON JANUARY 14th, HE CALLED THE ROLL, HE DETERMINED THERE WAS NOT A QUORUM, HE ADJOURNED THE SESSION CLOSED.

WE BELIEVE THAT SESSION WAS DONE THEN.

THE REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THAT SESSION CONTINUED.

WE THINK WHAT THEY DID WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND VIOLATED MINNESOTA LAW.

SO, WHEN THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT TELLS US WHETHER WE'RE IN REAL OR FAKE SESSION, WE'LL MAKE A DETERMINATION OF WHEN WE'LL GO BACK.

>> Eric: FOR YEARS, SENATOR JOHNSON, THE SENATE HAS BEEN KNOWN AS KIND OF THE MORE LEVEL-HEADED BODY.

>> THE UPPER BODY, YES.

>> OH, COME ON!

>> Eric: AGAINST THE MORE RAMBUNCTIOUS HOUSE.

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT, YES.

>> Eric: AND IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ASSUMED THAT POSITION HERE THIS WEEK WITH PEACE IN THE VALLEY.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

AND I THINK PART OF THAT, THOUGH, IS WE HAD A PASSING OF SENATOR DZIEDZIC.

AND, SO, REALLY, WHAT HER LEGACY IS TO THE SENATE, IT GAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER AND DO THIS POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT, WHICH HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE ABLE TO HONOR HERE GOING FORWARD.

IT'S REALLY BEEN A GIFT TO US.

SEE REPUBLICAN CHAIRS AND DEMOCRAT CHAIRS WORKING TOGETHER OVER THIS LAST WEEK.

>> Eric: HOW LONG LASTING IS THIS CALMNESS?

>> I HOPE IT EXTENDS THE DURATION OF THE SESSION, THE DURATION OF THE OF OF THE -- OF THE BIENNIUM GOING FORWARD.

I'VE SEEN THIS KIND OF COMEDY IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

HOUSE TRAINED, PROUDLY, HOUSE TRAINED.

BUT I WAS SPEAKING WITH LEADER JOHNSON EARLIER TODAY AND WITH SENATOR RASMUSSON, I THINK OUR MEMBERS HAVE REALLY APPRECIATED THIS WEEK AND THE ABILITY TO WORK TOGETHER AND TO FOCUS ON PUBLIC POLICY.

AND EVERY COMMITTEE IS WORKING A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY, BUT THEY'VE GOTTEN TO WORK.

AND I THINK THAT ONCE THERE'S A SPECIAL ELECTION AND THE TIE IS BROKEN IN THE SENATE, THIS APPROACH THAT WE HAVE INSTILLED, I THINK, WILL LAST BEYOND.

>> Eric: ONE OF THE KEY PLAYERS IN THE DRAMA NOW IS BRAD TABKE, WHO IS -- HAS WON BY 14 VOTES, WAS IT, WITH 20 VOTES THAT WERE OUTSTANDING.

AND HE'S WON ON ELECTION NIGHT.

HE'S WON ON THE RECOUNT.

AND HE'S WON ON ADVISORY OPINION BY A JUDGE.

AND YOU TALKED ABOUT EXPELLING HIM.

WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH?

HASN'T HE ON THREE TIMES?

>> WE KNOW IT IS UP TO THE HOUSE TO ACTUALLY MAKE THE DETERMINATIONS OF THE ELIGIBILITY OF THE MEMBERSHIP.

WHAT WE'RE FOCUSED ON RIGHT NOW IS THE FACT THAT DEMOCRATS WILL NOT SHOW UP FOR WORK BECAUSE THEY ONLY HAVE 66 MEMBERS THAT CAN BE SEATED RIGHT NOW.

WITH THAT OPEN SEAT IN ROSEVILLE, NOW IT'S GOING TO BE QUITE LATE BEFORE THE GOVERNOR ACTUALLY CAN CALL THAT ELECTION.

WE PASSED A RESOLUTION WEDNESDAY THAT WOULD ALLOW THE GOVERNOR TO CALL THAT IMMEDIATELY.

WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING ON THE ROSEVILLE CASE.

SO IF DEMOCRATS WANT TO SHOW UP FOR WORK AND WE CAN MOVE FORWARD, WE KNOW THAT QUORUM OF 133 MEMBERS, WHICH IS ALL THE ELECTION CERTIFICATES THAT ARE ELIGIBLE RIGHT NOW, A QUORUM IS 67.

THAT'S WHY WE ORGANIZED ON TUESDAY ON THE -- 'M THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND WE'LL MOVE FORWARD.

>> Eric: IS THE LOOK OF THE SECRET SWEARING-IN AND GETTING PAID BUT NOT SHOWING UP AT THE CAPITOL, IT'S KIND OF A BAD LOOK, ISN'T IT?

>> YOU HAVE TO ASK YOURSELF WHAT LENGTHS WILL YOU GO TO TO STAND UP FOR YOUR PRINCIPLES.

AND IS THE PRINCIPLE OF FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS A PRINCIPLE THAT'S WORTH STANDING UP FOR?

AND I THINK IN MINNESOTA HISTORY, WE HAVE NEVER HAD A MAJORITY PARTY SAY, WE'RE GOING TO JUST KICK OUT PEOPLE ON THE OTHER SIDE BECAUSE WE LIKE TO HAVE A SPECIAL ELECTION.

WE DON'T CARE THAT THE PERSON WON.

WE'RE JUST GOING TO DO A DO-OVER BECAUSE WE WANT A CHANCE TO WIN THAT SEAT.

THAT'S A PRINCIPLE THAT'S WORTH TAKING SOME HEAT IN THE PUBLIC FOR.

DENIAL OF QUORUM IS NOT SOMETHING THAT LEGISLATIVE CAUCUSES LIKE TO DO, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT THEY DO WHEN THEY THINK THE RINCIPLES ARE STRONG ENOUGH THAT THEY'RE STANDING UP OR AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE STANDING UP FOR.

>> Cathy: SENATORS, WE'RE GOING TO GET YOU IN IN JUST A SECOND.

BUT I DO NEED TO ASK REPRESENTATIVE DEMUTH, I KNOW YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT NOT SEATING REPRESENTATIVE TABKE.

AND THAT WOULD SET A PRECEDENT.

I'M WONDERING, DO SOME MEMBERS OF YOUR CAUCUS THINK, YOU KNOW, IF IT COULD HAPPEN TO TABKE NOW, IT COULD HAPPEN TO ONE OF US LATER?

DOES THAT GIVE YOU PAUSE?

>> IT REALLY TAKES A LOOK AT, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS THAT COURT CASE, GAIN, THE HOUSE IS ABLE TO DETERMINE THEIR OWN ELIGIBILITY.

HE DID WIN WITH 14 VOTES.

BUT 20 BALLOTS WERE DESTROYED.

WE WERE TALKING, BEFORE THAT COURT CASE CAME OUT, OF THE ABILITY FOR US TO CONSIDER THAT INFORMATION.

THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT WE ARE ABSOLUTELY GOING TO UNSEAT HIM.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ARE VERY MUCH CONSIDERING.

BUT THERE IS NO DETERMINATION, BUT, AGAIN, DEMOCRATS HAVE SKIPPED FOUR DAYS OF WORK, GETTING PAID BY THE TAXPAYERS, AND, YET, THEY ONLY HAVE 66 MEMBERS.

THEY DO NOT HAVE A TIE UNTIL THE SPECIAL ELECTION IN ROSEVILLE, WHICH, AS THE GOVERNOR SAID, COULD BE IN MARCH AND IT MAKES ME WONDER, ARE DEMOCRATS GOING TO STAY OUT OF WORK UNTIL MARCH NOW THAT YOU'RE WAITING FOR THE POWER GRAB?

>> WELL, ONE THING I THINK THAT LEADER DEMUTH HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT ON OTHER MEDIA OUTLETS, CONSERVATIVE MEDIA OUTLETS, THAT THEY ARE GETTING RID OF BRAD TABKE, NO MATTER WHAT THE COURT SAID.

SO THEY DON'T CARE THAT HE WON ON ELECTION NIGHT, HE WON THE RECOUNT, THAT HE WON IN COURT.

AND I THINK THE GOVERNOR SAID IT REALLY WELL.

THAT IN A SOCIETY, WE HAVE TO ABIDE BY THE RULE OF LAW.

AND WHEN THE COURTS MAKE A DECISION, WE HAVE TO RESPECT THAT.

WHEN THE VOTERS MAKE A DECISION, WE HAVE TO RESPECT THAT.

>> Eric: BUT IT'S NOT UP TO THE REPUBLICANS TO BAIL THE DEMOCRATS OUT BECAUSE THEY HAD AN LLEGAL CANDIDATE.

YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

NO, I DON'T EXPECT THAT AT ALL, WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE PUT A PROPOSED AGREEMENT N THE TABLE THAT WOULD HAVE THE REPUBLICANS RUN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE AS THOUGH THEY WERE A MAJORITY, EVEN THOUGH THEY DON'T HAVE 68 VOTES, UNTIL THE SPECIAL ELECTION IS RESOLVED.

>> Eric: NICOLE MITCH SELL A DFL SENATOR FROM WOODBURY, AND HER BURGLARY TRIAL NOW HAS BEEN DELAYED UNTIL AFTER THE SESSION.

>> RIGHT.

>> Eric: AND IT'S A 34-33, SO HER VOTE IS VITAL, OBVIOUSLY.

>> IT IS.

>> Eric: WHAT'S YOUR REACTION TO HAVING THE THING DELAYED UNTIL AFTER THE SESSION?

>> AND, SO, WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT THAT HERE GOING FORWARD IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WISH WE WOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF LAST YEAR AND HAD SOME COOPERATION ON THAT.

THIS WILL BE ANOTHER DISCUSSION WE'LL HAVE WITHIN OUR CAUCUS.

WE BELIEVE THAT SHE SHOULD RESIGN, OPEN UP THAT SEAT AND GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION THERE.

SO THAT BY THE END OF SESSION, THERE'S CLARITY WITHIN THE VOTING -- WITHIN HE SENATOR GROUP THERE THAT WE CAN HAVE, WHETHER IT'S 34 VOTES OR WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE AT THE END, THAT WE KNOW THAT NOT A CHARGED FELLON IS VOTING ON THOSE ISSUES.

FELL ON.

FELON.

SO WE'RE HOPING WE CAN GET SOME COOPERATION ON THAT.

>> Cathy: SENATOR MITCHELL IS A BUR IN YOUR SADDLE ON THIS.

SO WHAT WAS YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS?

>> SO SENATOR MITCHELL IS ELECTED TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF WOODBURY.

SHE IS ENTITLED TO DUE ROCESS HEADING INTO A TRIAL WITH A JURY OF HER PEERS.

HER COURT CASE IS NOT A MATTER FOR THE SENATE.

SHE'S A MEMBER OF THE SENATE TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE THERE.

THE SENATE HAS NEVER TAKEN ACTION TO EXPEL A MEMBER WHO IS FACING A CRIMINAL CHARGE, AND SHE'S ACCUSED AND NOT CONVICTED, THE SENATE'S NEVER TAKEN ACTION TO EXPEL AHEAD OF A COURT.

THAT HASN'T CHANGED.

NONE OF THE CONDITIONS HAVE CHANGED.

AND WHILE I KNEE THERE IS INTEREST ON THE PART OF SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES TO TALK ABOUT THAT IN THE LEGISLATURE, I GROW MORE AND MORE CONCERNED THAT THE ACTIONS ON THE PART OF MEMBERS OF HE SENATE WILL MAKE IT HARDER FOR HER TO GET A FAIR TRIAL AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE HAVE IMPORTANT WORK TO DO FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA TO BALANCE THE BUDGET, WHICH IS JOB NUMBER ONE, WHICH IS WHY LEADER JOHNSON AND I TOOK THE EXTRAORDINARY EFFORT, AND I KNOW IT IS HISTORIC AND A FOOTNOTE RIGHT NOW, THE EXTRAORDINARY EFFORT TO REACH A POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT SO THAT WE COULD BEGIN THE WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA, WE'RE COMMITTED TO THAT.

>> Cathy: LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THE WORK, THE BUDGET, ACTUALLY, THAT'S YOUR MAIN FOCUS, SUPPOSED TO BE, ANYWAY.

AND I'M WONDERING, WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON WITH LAWSUITS AND RANCOR AND CHAOS, DO YOU THINK YOU CAN GET A BUDGET DONE, REALLY?

>> I REALLY DO.

I BELIEVE THAT REPRESENTATIVE HORTMAN AND I WILL WORK TOGETHER.

AND WHEN THEY RETURN, OR IF THEY RETURN TO AN ACTUAL TIE AND CHOOSE TO COME TO WORK, I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING WORKING ON THE POWER SHARING.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE NOT TIED, SO THAT DOESN'T EXIST.

AND WE NEED THOSE CONVERSATIONS TO GO FORWARD.

THAT HAS TO TAKE PLACE SO WE CAN DO THE BUDGET, WE NEED THEM TO ACTUALLY COME TO WORK AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE.

SO, YES, WE WILL GET THAT DONE.

I BELIEVE WE WILL ACTUALLY END THE SESSION ON TIME, AND WE KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE BUMPY, BUT I THINK MINNESOTANS EXPECT US TO DO THAT.

RIGHT NOW MINNESOTANS AND TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING FOR 66 MEMBERS OF A CAUCUS THAT AREN'T EVEN SHOWING UP TO WORK.

MINNESOTANS ARE SAYING, GO BACK TO WORK.

BE ADULTS IN THE ROOM.

BE THE LEADERS WE'VE ELECTED YOU TO BE AND DO THE WORK.

THAT'S WHY I BELIEVE WE CAN GET THAT WORK DONE.

>> IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE FOUR OF US.

IT'S ABOUT ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

AND WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IN THE SENATE, AND I THINK YOU WILL SEE SOON IN THE HOUSE, IS THAT MEMBERS WANT TO WORK TOGETHER.

YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY WHEN WE HAD OUR AGREEMENT ON THE COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND WE APPOINTED THOSE CO-CHAIRS, THEY PICKED UP THE PHONE RIGHT AWAY AND GOT TO WORK.

AND THEY'RE STILL HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, PUTTING A BUDGET TOGETHER DOESN'T DEPEND UPON THE CONVERSATIONS JUST AMONGST THESE FOUR PEOPLE.

PUTTING A BUDGET TOGETHER DEPENDS ON THE WORK OF ALL 201 LEGISLATORS.

AND I THINK MOST OF THEM ARE ANXIOUS TO PUT ALL THIS RANCOR BEHIND US AND GET THE SESSION REALLY UNDERWAY.

>> Eric: SENATOR JOHNSON, WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE GOVERNOR'S APPROACH TO COMBATTING FRAUD IN HE PUBLIC MONEY PROGRAMS?

>> WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THAT WE SAW A LOT OF RED FLAGS ON SOME OF THE ISSUES GOING FORWARD BACK IN 2018.

HOPING TO TAKE A LOT OF ACTION FROM THAT.

WE HAVEN'T HAD MUCH RESPONSE FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, UNTIL ALMOST $500 ILLION HAS BEEN WIIED IN FRAUD.

SO NOW THAT HE'S COMING, AFTER ALL THAT'S HAPPENED, SIX YEARS, $500 MILLION, IT SEEMED A LITTLE TOO LATE TO BE DOING THIS, BUT, HEY, WE ARE RIGHT THERE, WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING ON THAT THROUGH THIS BUDGET CYCLE, HOPING THAT WE CAN FIND WAYS OF MUTUAL AGREEMENT TO CURTAIL THE WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE WITHIN OUR STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> Cathy: SAY, I'M WONDERING, TOO, ABOUT THE BUDGET HERE IN TERMS OF REINING IN SOME OF THE EXPECTED GROWTH IN SPENDING, RIGHT?

AND WHEN YOU LOOKED AT WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAD IN HIS VARIOUS BUDGET DOCUMENTS, DID IT LOOK TO YOU THAT THE LARGEST STATE BUDGET WAS PASSED A COUPLE YEARS AGO, THAT MAYBE POSSIBLY THE DFL, YOU WERE OVER YOUR SKIS A LITTLE BIT WHEN IT CAME TO SOME OF THE SPENDING?

>> I THINK THAT'S NOT REALLY THE ISSUE.

THE PROBLEM IS, IN THE OUTYEARS, BEYOND THE YEARS THAT WE BUDGETED FOR, GROWTH IN PARTS OF OUR BUDGET THAT WE'VE KNOWN ARE COMING FOR 30 YEARS, THE SILVER TSUNAMI.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE EXPENSES THAT AN AGING POPULATION BRINGS, WE'VE KNOWN THERE'S A LOT LESS YOUNG PEOPLE THAN OLDER PEOPLE, YOU KNOW US GRAY HAIRS ARE BECOMING IN THE VAST MAJORITY.

AND WE'RE EXPENSIVE TO TAKE CARE OF.

SO, THOSE ARE KIND OF GROWTH ISSUES THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO WRESTLE WITH.

CERTAINLY WE DON'T WANT TO CUT THE COST OF LONG-TERM CARE.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO NEED LONG-TERM CARE, BUT WE HAVE TO ACCEPT THE REALITY THAT THOSE COSTS ARE INCREASING REATLY.

>> Eric: SALES TAX, GOVERNOR'S SALES TAX PROPOSAL, $600 MILLION TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND A 7-CENT DECREASE -- >> .075%.

>> Eric: DEAD, ALIVE?

>> THAT IS DEAD.

THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE AT ALL.

WE ALSO KNOW IN HIS BUDGET PROPOSAL, THAT'S ALL IT IS RIGHT NOW, HE'S CUTTING FUNDING TO SCHOOLS AND HE'S CUTTING LONG-TERM CARE FUNDING.

THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WHEN YOU REALIZE THAT WE'VE RAISED OUR STATE BUDGET AND ADDED 6,000 NEW F TEs TO THE GOVERNMENT ALONE, THERE'S OTHER PLACES THAT WE CAN FIND SAVINGS AND THAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO.

FTEs.

WE'VE INVITED THE AGENCIES, WE'RE DOING ALL OF OUR AGENCY OVERVIEWS RIGHT NOW IN COMMITTEE.

APPARENTLY THE AGENCIES AVE BEEN TOLD NOT TO SHOW UP.

>> Eric: WE HAVE FAILED TO SOLVE ANOTHER ONE ON "ALMANAC."

WE TRIED.

WE'RE CLOSE.

>> MAYBE NEXT TIME.

>> Cathy: WE WISH YOU ALL WELL.

>> Eric: GOOD LUCK WITH NEGOTIATIONS.

ALL THE BEST.

THANKS FOR COMING.

♪ >> MARK: IT’S JANUARY, AND LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE GETTING SICK, BUT DON'T BOTHER GOING TO THE DOCTOR FOR A SORE THROAT OR STOMACHACHE - THEY’RE ALL BUSY TREATING PICKLEBALL INJURIES.

THIS IS BECOMING A SUPER POPULAR SPORT, WITH AN INJURY RATE LIKE LOGGING OR PROFESSIONAL RUGBY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE START PLAYING AT RETIREMENT AGE.

I GUESS NOBODY’S WATCHING “MURDER SHE WROTE” ANY MORE.

NOW ALMOST 90% OF THE PEOPLE GETTING HURT ON THE PICKLEBALL COURT ARE OVER 60, AND 90% OF THOSE INJURIES WERE CAUSED BY FALLING DOWN.

HOW CAN YOU TELL THEY’RE OVER 60?

BECAUSE THEY HAVE GRAY HAIR, AND BIG GLASSES, AND GRAY BEARDS, AND, OKAY, I HAVE PLAYED TWICE, BUT I ONLY FELL DOWN ONCE OR TWICE.

LOTS OF MY FRIENDS PLAY, SO I FIGURED I BETTER TRY.

IT’S NOT EASY.

SCORING IS WEIRD, LIKE “IT’S 3 TO 7 TO 2.” THE RULES ARE STRANGELY CENTERED ON FOOD.

GOOD SHOTS ARE CALLED FALAFELS OR FLAPJACKS.

YOU CAN GET PICKLED.

THE “KITCHEN” IS THE AREA BY THE NET.

YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN, WHICH IS GOOD WEIGHT LOSS ADVICE, BUT I KEPT CHARGING BACK IN, I GUESS BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT I DO AT HOME.

THE FALLING IS A PROBLEM.

OLDER PEOPLE LOSE SOME OF THE BALANCE CELLS IN THE INNER EAR, AND SOMETIMES OUR BONES TURN INTO PRETZEL STICKS.

EXERCISE IS GENERALLY GOOD FOR THIS, BUT THAT MEANS DOING MORE WALKING, NOT DIVING HEADFIRST AFTER A YELLOW PLASTIC BALL.

AND, OF COURSE, THERE IS THE NOISE, A CONSTANT LOUD CLICKING LIKE A MASSIVE CICADA INVASION.

IF YOU WEREN’T ALREADY HARD OF HEARING, YOU MIGHT BE AFTER A FEW GAMES.

MAYBE I'LL START A NEW SPECIALTY - PICKLEBALL MEDICINE.

I’LL BECOME A PICKLE-IST.

TALK ABOUT A HIGH-GROWTH AREA.

I MIGHT EVEN DO A PICKLE FELLOWSHIP, AND START MY OWN PICKLEBALL CLINIC, WITH A PROPER KITCHEN.

NOW IF ONLY I CAN GET A GRANT FROM GEDNEY OR CLAUSSEN.

IT COULD REALLY BE A BIG DILL.

♪ >> CATHY: THE "MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE" RELEASED A BRAND-NEW NARRATIVE PODCAST THIS MONDAY AND ITS INTRODUCTION GRACED THE COVER OF THE SUNDAY PRINT EDITION.

"GHOST OF A CHANCE" HAS TWO EPISODES NOW AVAILABLE AND WILL DROP A NEW EPISODE EACH MONDAY.

HERE'S A QUICK LOOK.

>> ERIC NEVER INTENDED TO MAKE A PODCAST.

>> MY HOUSE WAS 113 YEARS OLD WHEN I BOUGHT IT WITH MY HUSBAND.

>> THIS IS TANE.

I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE THAT WE CLOSED ON YESTERDAY.

>> WHEN HE MOVED INTO HIS HOUSE, HE WAS JUST DOING WHAT HE ALWAYS DID.

>> YOU KNOW, I LOVE HISTORY.

I WRITE ABOUT HISTORY.

LOVE A GOOD WALK THROUGH A CEMETERY.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, WHO DOESN'T?

I'M THE GUY WHO ALWAYS STOPS IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING TO READ THE HISTORICAL MARKER.

SO, I WAS, LIKE, THIS IS OUR HOUSE NOW.

I MEAN, IT'S LIKE THE STORY OF THIS HOUSE HADN'T BEEN WRITTEN YET, YOU KNOW?

AND I HAD TO GO FIND IT AND PIECE IT TOGETHER.

>> CATHY: JOINING US NOW, TWO OF THE VOICES YOU JUST HEARD.

ERIC ROPER IS A REPORTER FOR THE "STAR TRIBUNE" AND JOINING HIM IS PRODUCER AND NARRATOR, MELISSA TOWNSEND.

>> ERIC, YOU AND I ARE KINDRED SPIRITS, MY FRIEND, YES, I TROMP THROUGH CEMETERIES AND I READ THE HISTORICAL PLACARDS WHEREVER I AM.

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE KIND OF DIGGING YOU HAD TO DO ONCE YOU DECIDED THAT YOU WANTED TO KNOW THE HISTORY OF YOUR HOUSE.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, BASICALLY, IT WAS DURING THE PANDEMIC, TOO, SO WE HAD THAT KIND OF TIME.

WE EAR ABOUT PEOPLE'S PANDEMIC PROJECT AND THIS WAS MY PANDEMIC PROJECT, IT REALLY WASN'T CLEAR FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS THAT THERE WAS A COHESIVE STORY HERE.

AND IT TOOK ANOTHER TWO YEARS FOR MELISSA TO MAKE IT INTO A COMPELLING AND GRIPPING STORY.

BUT, YEAH, THERE WAS A LOT OF DIGGING, YOU KNOW, BOTH STARTING AT COMPUTERS, BUT THEN DRIVING ACROSS THE MIDWEST, GOING TO ARCHIVES, ALL THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

>> Eric: WAS IT HARD FINDING STUFF?

DID YOU COME UP EMPTY ONCE IN A WHILE?

>> THERE WAS A LOT OF COMING UP EMPTY, FOR SURE.

I WILL SAY, IF YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO'S INTERESTED IN HISTORICAL RESEARCH OR GENEALOGY TODAY, YOU CAN BE MUCH MORE PRODUCTIVE THAN YOU COULD EVEN A DECADE AGO.

THE "STAR TRIBUNE" ARCHIVES ARE DIGITIZED, ALL THE BLACK NEWSPAPERS ARE DIG TIED, THAT DOESN'T GIVE YOU EVERYTHING BUT IT GIVES YOU A GOOD STARTING PLACE.

>> Eric: WHAT DREW YOU TO THE PROJECT?

>> WELL, YEAH, I HAD INITIAL CONVERSATIONS WITH THE FOLKS AT THE STAR AT THE ST "STAR TRIBUNE," AND I WAS REALLY INTRIGUED BY ALL THE RESEARCH THAT ERIC HAD DONE, I LISTENED TO 25 HOURS OF RECORDING THAT HE HAD DONE.

>> Eric: WOW.

>> AND THEN FROM THERE, IT WAS OH, SO MANY FASCINATING FACTS AND SCENES AND EXPERIENCES.

>> Cathy: NOW, THIS DEALS WITH A BLACK FAMILY.

DO THEY INITIALLY OWN THE HOUSE?

I MEAN, THE HOUSE IS 113 YEARS OLD.

>> THEY'RE THE SECOND OWNERS.

>> Cathy: SECOND OWNERS, OKAY.

>> YEAH.

>> ERIC: A WHITE PART OF MINNEAPOLIS, WE SHOULD SAY.

>> YES, SO ASICALLY THE ORIGINAL FINDING, WHICH IS BASED OFF OFF OF THE FINDINGS OF MAPPING PLEDGE, WHICH WAS A BLURB ON THE MAP THAT THEY CREATED, THE ROBINSONS WERE PART OF A SMALL WAVE OF BLACK FAMILIES WHO LIVED IN SOUTHWEST MINNEAPOLIS IN THE EARLY 20th CENTURY.

THAT'S NOW THE WHITEST PART OF MINNEAPOLIS, AND ALMOST ALL THOSE FAMILIES WERE GONE BY 1940, INCLUDING THE ROBINSONS AND THEY LIVED IN MY HOME.

IT WAS LIKE, OKAY, WE'RE STARTING THERE.

AND WE ALSO KNEW THAT THERE WAS CONTROVERSY ABOUT THESE FAMILIES IN 1920.

SO, THAT'S KIND OF WHERE THE RABBIT HOLE BEGAN AND IT GOT BIGGER AND BIGGER FROM THERE.

>> Cathy: KNOWING YOU, AND YOU HAD TO LISTEN TO ALL OF THAT AUDIO, YOU'RE GOOD AT FERRETING OUT A STORY.

AND WHEN YOU -- HAT WAS THE NUGGET FOR YOU THROUGH ALL OF THOSE HOURS OF AUDIO?

WHEN YOU WENT, AH-HA, THERE IS THE THREAD.

>> I THINK INITIALLY SOME OF THE STUFF THAT STOOD OUT WAS WHAT PEOPLE HEARD IN EPISODE 1, WHICH WERE THE HOMETOWNS OF HARRY AND CLEMENTINE.

AND ERIC WAS WALKING THROUGH A CEMETERY AND TALKING TO A WOMAN WHO SAID, YOU KNOW, I JUST REALLY FEEL THE SPIRITS HERE.

AND I JUST THOUGHT, THAT'S SORT OF THE ETHOS OF THE WHOLE PROJECT, IS JUST, I CAN LOOKS FEEL THE SPIRITS, O BACK, EMBODY THE LIVES OF THESE PEOPLE.

>> Eric: HOW DID GEORGE FLOYD, HIS DEATH AND THE AFTERMATH OF THAT, DID HAT PLAY ANY ROLE IN BRINGING THE STORY TO HE PRESENT DAY?

>> I MEAN, WHILE I WAS WORKING ON THE RESEARCH THAT EVENT HAPPENED.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE ASKING A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT MINNESOTA'S HISTORY WITH RACE IN MINNEAPOLIS -- AND MINNEAPOLIS' HISTORY WITH RACE.

AND AS I WAS WORKING ON IT, I FELT, WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN CONTRIBUTE TO, THAT BUT I'LL DO THIS RESEARCH, SORT OF SEE WHERE IT GOES.

AND I THINK THAT NOW I CAN SORT OF COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT EVENT REFLECTS THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING -- THE UNREST AFTER THE EVENT REFLECTS THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING BREWING BENEATH THE SURFACE AND I THINK IT'S CONNECTED TO SOME OF THE HISTORY OF RACE IN MINNEAPOLIS.

AND I THINK IT'S THE -- AS THE PROJECT OUTLINES, HERE WAS A LOT OF THINGS THERE THAT WERE SURPRISING TO ME, AND I'M SOMEONE WHO FEELS PRETTY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT LOCAL HISTORY, AND, SO, AS I KEPT GOING DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE AND MELISSA GOT ON BOARD, I THINK WE REALIZED THAT THERE'S REALLY A STORY TO TELL HERE THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE CITY AND THE STATE.

>> Cathy: WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THE ROBINSONS AND THEIR STORY?

>> I LOVE THEM.

[ Laughter ] I JUST KIND OF FELL IN LOVE WITH THEM.

I MEAN, THEY HAD SUCH AMBITION AND RAN INTO SO MANY ROADBLOCKS AND JUST KEPT GOING.

JUST KEPT GOING.

AND THEIR LIVES SHIFTED AND THE POSSIBILITIES FOR THEM SHIFTED OVER TIME.

BUT YOU CAN SEE THEY FOUND JOY AND BUILT A COMMUNITY.

AND JUST LIVED REALLY IMPRESSIVE LIVES.

>> Eric: SOUTHWEST MINNEAPOLIS NEIGHBORS, THEY ORGANIZED A MEETING IN 1920, THAT WAS TO ET BLACKS OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

>> YEAH.

SO BASICALLY THERE'S ORT OF TWO KEY POINTS ABOUT THIS MEETING, WHICH WAS ON 43rd AND PILLSBURY IN SOUTHWEST MINNEAPOLIS.

IT WAS 200 PEOPLE GATHERING.

ONE OF THE POINTS, THIS SEEMS TO BE ONE OF HE PRIMARY NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS OF THAT ERA THAT WAS HOLDING THIS MEETING.

AND THEY'RE ASKING, OKAY, HOW DO WE GET RID OF THESE, I THINK, NINE BLACK FAMILIES, THAT'S WHAT WE THINK IS THE NUMBER OF BLACK FAMILIES THAT WAS THERE IN SOUTHWEST.

THE SECOND POINT YOU'RE GOING TO LEARN ON MONDAY'S EPISODE, THAT MEETING REACHED THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE NAACP, AND A FAMOUS HISTORICAL FIGURE BECAME PERSONALLY INVOLVED WITH TRYING TO NEGOTIATE WITH LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS.

>> Eric: LEAVE IT AS A CLIFFHANGER, DON'T GIVE IT AWAY.

>> Cathy: YOU'RE THE NARRATOR, WHICH IS INTERESTING TO ME, YOU DID A GREAT JOB, BUT YOU'RE KIND OF WALKING ERIC -- YOU'RE WALKING US THROUGH ERIC'S STORY BUT YOU DIDN'T HAVE ERIC NARRATE HIS OWN STORY, INTERESTING.

>> WELL, YEAH, I MEAN, WHEN AIR I CAN WAS TELLING ME THE STORY, WHERE HE HAD THE MOST ENERGY, AND THEN THIS HAPPENED, AND THEN THIS HAPPENED, SO WE NEEDED SOMEBODY IN THE STORY TO KIND OF GO, AND LET'S BRING THE AUDIENCE ALONG AND HOLD THE HAND AND INTRODUCE THEM TO HIS PASSION.

I JUST WANTED TO CREATE THE BALANCE.

>> Eric: GOT TO RUN.

"GHOST OF A CHANCE," -- >> ALL PODCAST APPS, WHEREVER YOU GET PODCASTS AND ON STARTRIBUNE.COM/GHOST OF A CHANCE.

>> Eric: THANKS, GUYS.

>> ERIC: UP NEXT, KAOMI LEE TRAVELS TO ITASCA COUNTY TO CATCH UP WITH AN INDIGENOUS ARTIST WHO BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER TO REALIZE THEIR POWER.

[ PIANO MUSIC AND SINGING ] ♪ ♪ >> Kaomi: NATIVE ARTIST AND MUSICIAN ANNIE HUMPHREY SINGS ABOUT EVERYDAY LIFE.

LYRICS: I DON'T CLAIM TO HAVE THE ANSWERS.

>> Kaomi: HER SONG, PERSONAL SAVIOR IS ABOUT HER 30-YEAR-OLD SON AND HIS STRUGGLES WITH ADDICTION.

>> I DO HAVE AN INDIAN NAME.

[ SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE ] IT MEANS HEARING A WINDSTORM ON THE WATER.

>> Kaomi: A QUIET WINDSTORM SHE IS.

HUMPHREY LIVES ON HER FARM ON THE LEECH LAKE RESERVATION IN DEER RIVER.

>> I'M A GRANDMA.

SO I HAVE THREE GRANDSONS AND ONE MORE ON THE WAY.

I LIVE HERE N THIS RURAL SETTING WITH MY HUSBAND AND WE HAVE ANIMALS AND PROPERTY TO TAKE CARE OF.

>> Kaomi: SHE LIVES CLOSE TO THE LAND, CHOPPING WOOD AND SAPPING TREES FOR SYRUP, GROWING UP IN A FAMILY WHERE MONEY WAS SCARCE, HUMPHREY SAYS SHE LEARNED SELF-SUFFIENCY.

HER FAMILY HUNTED, FISHED AND GREW THEIR OWN FOOD.

>> BUT AS I GOT OLDER, I REALIZED IT WASN'T REALLY ABOUT THE ECONOMY, IT WAS THE WAY WE JUST LIVE, THE WAY MY FATHER AND MOTHER WANTED TO SHOW US HOW TO LIVE.

SO EVERY SPRING WE WERE OUT TAPPING MAPLE TREES.

AND WE BOIL ON SITE, SO WE'RE IN THE WOODS.

AND NOW THERE ARE THESE TUBE SYSTEMS, ALL THE SAP FROM ALL THESE TREES ARE COLLECTED IN ONE BIG CONTAINER.

I REMEMBER, I SKED MY DAD, YOU KNOW, WHY DON'T WE DO IT LIKE THIS, DAD?

AND HE SAID, IF WE DID IT LIKE THAT, WE WOULD NEVER GO VISIT THE TREES.

♪ ♪ >> Kaomi: RESPECTING THE EARTH AND SELF-RELIANCE ARE VALUES IMBUED IN HER ARTISTRY, NOT JUST THE MUSIC BUT ALSO TRADITIONAL ANISHINAABE BEAD WORK AND IN MAKING JINGLE DRESSES AND ACCESSORIES, SHE SAYS, SEEING THE RESULTS OF HER LABOR IS ATISFYING.

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES IS SOMETHING SHE LEARNED SHE COULD DO FROM TIME SPENT N THE MARINES.

>> THE MILITARY TAUGHT ME TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE, THAT PHYSICALLY I'M STRONGER THAN I THINK I AM.

WE ALL ARE.

>> Kaomi: ANOTHER BIG INFLUENCE ON HUMPHREY IS THE LATE INDIGENOUS RIGHTS ACTIVIST, AUTHOR AND POET, JOHN TRUDELL.

>> EVERY NEGATIVE THING YOU THINK ABOUT YOURSELF, BELIEVE ABOUT YOURSELF, OU KNOW WHAT, YOU DIDN'T THINK IT UP.

YOU DIDN'T.

WHATEVER OUR NEGATIVE -- WHATEVER WE FIND IS OUR SHORTCOMINGS, NEGATIVE THINGS WE BELIEVE ABOUT OURSELVES, WE DIDN'T THINK IT UP.

SOMEBODY PUT IT THERE.

SOMEBODY PUT IT THERE.

>> HE INSPIRED ME BECAUSE HE WOULD TALK ABOUT, LIKE, HOW WE SOMETIMES JUST HAND UR OWER OFF BECAUSE WE MISTAKE POWER FOR AUTHORITY.

♪ ♪ [ SINGING ] LYRICS: USED AGAINST THE ONES WHO WON'T FIGHT BACK ♪ >> Kaomi: THIS FALL, HUMPHREY AND FELLOW CREATIVES TOOK THEIR MESSAGE ON TOUR.

THEY CO-FOUNDED A NON-PROFIT CALLED FIRE IN THE VILLAGE, THEY GOT FUNDING FROM THE McKNIGHT FOUNDATION AND OTHERS.

EVENTS WERE PART CONCERT, PART FASHION SHOW, AND PART PRINTMAKING STUDIO.

SHE SAYS, THEY WANT TO STOKE EVERYONE'S INNER FIRE.

>> WE'RE NOT BUILDING ANYTHING.

THAT'S KIND OF ARROGANT TO SAY.

THEY'RE ALL THERE.

BUT I THINK JUST ADDING SOME INSPIRATION, TEACHING A KID SOME NEW STUFF, THEY'LL CARRY ON, YOU GOT TO FEED THAT LITTLE FIRE.

>> SHE'S JUST A GREAT SONGWRITER AND, YOU KNOW, JUST A BRILLIANT MUSICIAN, YOU KNOW, SHE'S MORE THAN A MUSICIAN, I MEAN, SHE'S REALLY AN ARTIST.

SHE INCORPORATES SO MUCH, LIKE, FASHION INTO HER MUSIC.

YOU KNOW, SHE HAS A MESSAGE, TOO.

IT'S A POWERFUL MESSAGE.

>> HER MUSIC CUTS TO THE CORE.

IT'S STORYTELLING THAT IS SO REAL AND AUTHENTIC.

HER LAST ALBUM, "THE LIGHT IN MY BONES," THE "WAS ABOUT HER LOSING HER DAD AND I WAS LOSING MY DAD AT THAT TIME THAT THE ALBUM CAME OUT AND I FELT LIKE SHE NEW MY STORY.

>> Kaomi: HUMPHREY ALSO USES HER ART TO STAND UP FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES.

IN RECENT YEARS, SHE ORGANIZED AGAINST A PROPOSED $440 MILLION HUBER ENGINEERED MILL IN COHASSET, PROPONENTS SAID IT WOULD CREATE JOBS.

HER BAND, THE LEECH LAKE BAND OF BANDOF OJIBWE, OPPOSED IT.

HUMPHREY SAYING, DREW CHALK MURALS AND HELPED GATHER PETITIONS.

SHE'S INSPIRED A YOUNGER GENERATION OF INDIGENOUS VOICES AND COLLABORATORS.

>> SHE'S REALLY HELPED TO SHAPE WHO I AM, SHE'S HELPED ME FIND MY PURPOSE IN THIS WORLD.

>> Kaomi: GOOSE IS NOW RESEARCHING HOW TO PROTECT MAHNOMEN FOR THE NEXT SEVEN GENERATIONS AT THE LEECH LAKE TRIBAL COLLEGE.

>> I WOULD SAY I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS.

MY DAD TAUGHT ME THAT, YOU KNOW, THE LAND CAN TAKE CARE OF US IF WE AKE CARE OF THE LAND.

AND ANNIE, I THINK SHE GREW UP IN THAT SAME WAY.

SHE'S HELPED ME TO,, LIKE, TURN THAT INTO ACTIVISM, THOUGH.

HER WORDS EALLY STICK WITH ME.

SHE TOLD ME, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO STAY IN THE PLACES WHERE WE'LL HAVE THE GREATEST IMPACT.

>> Eric: WE'RE ENDING THE HOUR TONIGHT WITH POLITICS AND THE HISTORIC WEEK AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

FRITZ KNAAK IS BACK, FORMER STATE SENATOR, LONGTIME REPUBLICAN, NOW AN ATTORNEY IN PRIVATE PRACTICE.

ABOU AMARA, FORMER DFL LEGISLATIVE STAFFER, WORKED FOR HOUSE SPEAKER DURING HIS TIME IN THE HOUSE, AND HE'S ALSO AN ATTORNEY IN PRIVATE PRACTICE.

BOY, IS IT GOOD TO HAVE ATTORNEYS ON THIS LAST SEGMENT.

>> HOW OFTEN DO YOU HEAR THAT?

>> YEAH, I KNOW, THE ONE TIME THEY WANT ATTORNEYS.

>> Eric: WHAT DID WE LEARN NOW FROM THE SUPREME COURT?

>> OH.

[ Laughter ] I THINK YOU HEARD WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAID.

THEY'RE GOING TO AVE TO WAIT.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S GOING TO BE -- IT'S NOT AT ALL CLEAR IN MY MIND.

I MEAN, ABOU HAS MAYBE A DIFFERENT VIEW, AS TO HOW LONG THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT.

>> Eric: FOR THE 40B RE-ELECTION.

>> FOR THE 40B, RIGHT.

>> Eric: RE-ELECTION.

>> RIGHT.

>> Eric: BECAUSE THE CANDIDATE THAT WOULD, THE DEMOCRAT -- THAT WON, THE DEMOCRAT, WAS NOT LIVING IN THE DISTRICT LONG ENOUGH.

>> IT'S THE FIRST PART OF A TWO-PART PLAY.

THIS IS THE FIRST DECISION BY THE SUPREME COURT.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE LAST.

THE SECOND ONE'S GOING TO BE, WAS THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE HOUSE, WERE THEY CONSTITUTIONAL?

AND FROM THE DEMOCRATIC STANDPOINT, WE BELIEVE AROUND ARTICLE IV, SECTION 13 OF THE MINNESOTA CONSTITUTION, THAT IT WAS NOT.

AND IF IT'S NOT, THAT'S GOING TO BASICALLY ERASE THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION.

4 AND THEN I THINK DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATS DON'T AVE 68, WHICH IS THE MAJORITY OF THE HOUSE, AND THE REPUBLICANS DON'T HAVE 68.

>> I'M GLAD YOU WERE ABLE TO FOLLOW THAT.

I COULD TELL THAT -- >> Cathy: I'M TRYING TO FIGURE THIS WHOLE THING OUT.

OKAY, I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE SUPREME COURT RULING TODAY.

AND I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED.

NOT TO BE SURPRISED HERE.

WHEN MIGHT THIS SPECIAL ELECTION BE HELD?

DOESN'T IT DEPEND ON THE SESSION?

THE DATE OF THE SESSION?

>> SO I THINK, MY INTERPRETATION IS, THAT THE CLOCK BASED ON WHAT THE SUPREME COURT SAID, THE CLOCK IS GOING TO START ON THE FIRST DAY OF SESSION.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> IT WILL COUNT, 22 DAYS, AND THEN THAT WRIT CAN BE ISSUED, SO THAT EAT CAN BE FILLED.

SO, ASSUMING NOTHING ELSE HAPPENS, THEN WE'RE LOOKING SOMEWHERE INTO MARCH, THAT'S MY INTERPRETATION OF THE STATUTE.

>> YEAH, OPTIMISTICALLY.

I WOULD SAY THAT THAT'S PROBABLY TRUE.

I THINK WE PROBABLY AGREE ON THAT.

>> Cathy: THE DFL, GIVEN WHAT SPEAKER DESIGNATE HORTMAN SAID HERE TONIGHT, SOUNDS LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO STAY OUT AND WAIT.

>> I THINK IT'S NOT THAT.

I THINK IT'S WAITING FOR THE SUPREME COURT TO ANSWER THAT SECOND QUESTION.

AGAIN, THAT GOES TO WHAT CONSTITUTES A QUORUM IN MINNESOTA?

REMEMBER, IT'S NOT JUST A MAJORITY OF REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS.

IT'S A MAJORITY OF THE HOUSE.

THAT'S AN INSTITUTION, SO YOU NEED 68.

IT'S NOT JUST THE FOLKS WHO SHOW UP.

IT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION.

AND I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE LAW FARE TO ME.

I THINK ULTIMATELY IT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON WHETHER OR NOT THE SUPREME COURT EVEN WANTS TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS.

AND I THINK THAT THEY WOULD BE SMART TO AVOID FOR ANY OF I A NUMBER OF REASONS MAKING A DECISION, BOTH INSTITUTIONALLY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT, WHAT, SEVEN OF THEM THAT WERE APPOINTED BY A DEMOCRAT, PRESUMABLY ALL GOOD LIBERAL DEMOCRATS, ONCE UPON A TIME, NOT SINCE THEY'VE BEEN ON THE BENCH, OF COURSE.

AND IF THEY, LET'S SAY THAT THEY RULE IN FAVOR OF THE DFL POSITION ON THAT, HOW IS THAT GOING TO LOOK?

AND, YOU KNOW, INSTITUTIONALLY, IT LOOKS PARTISAN.

IT WILL BE PERCEIVED AS BEING PARTISAN.

THAT WOULD DAMAGE THE COURT.

AND IT WOULD BE EVEN WORSE F THE SPEAKER DESIGNATE WERE TO, SAY, WELL, WE'VE GOT THIS ORDER FROM THE SUPREME COURT, ADVERSE TO US, WE DON'T AGREE THAT THE SUPREME COURT HAS ANY RIGHT TO BE MAKING DECISIONS ON OUR PROCEDURAL ISSUES.

IN ALL DUE RESPECT, CHIEF JUSTICE.

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE PROBLEM.

AND WHAT IT ALL COMES BACK TO, WHEN YOU CIRCLE AROUND TO IT, IS THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO REACH A POLITICAL AGREEMENT.

>> I THINK IT'S LAUGHABLE TO SAY THAT THE SUPREME COURT WOULD LOOK LIKE THEY'RE DOING SOMETHING PARTISAN.

WHEN THEY JUST RULED AGAINST THE GOVERNOR.

SEVEN PEOPLE APPOINTED BY DEMOCRATS JUST RULED AGAINST THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR.

THE IDEA THAT THAT'S PARTISAN IS ABSURD.

>> Eric: IS IT POSSIBLE OR LIKELY THAT THE HIGH COURT WILL SAY, WE DON'T WANT TO TOUCH THIS.

YOU GUYS FIGURE OUT THE REST OF THIS STUFF?

>> RIGHT.

THAT'S WHAT THEY SHOULD DO, FRANKLY.

>> THIS IS NOT A TRADITIONAL PARTISAN SQUABBLE, YOU'RE RIGHT.

IF THIS WAS SOMETHING ABOUT HOUSE RULES, I'M TOTALLY WITH YOU, THE COURT SHOULD STAY OUT OF IT, THAT'S ABOUT SEPARATION OF POWERS.

THIS IS ASKING THE SUPREME COURT TO INTERPRET THE MINNESOTA CONSTITUTION, AND INTERPRET MINNESOTA STATUTE.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY DO, THAT IS WHAT OURTS DO, THEY INTERPRET STATUTES, THEY INTERPRET LAWS, THEY SHOULD DO THE SAME.

>> PROFESSOR DAVID SCHWARTZ, "ALMANAC" VIEWERS WOULD CERTAINLY KNOW, WROTE A VERY GOOD PIECE IN THE MINNEAPOLIS PAPER TODAY ON THIS VERY TOPIC.

I'M GOING TO SHOUT-OUT TO HIM AND ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO READ THAT SHOULD DO SO.

AND HE'S BASICALLY SAYING THAT.

THAT THE SUPREME COURT, FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS, THE SUPREME COURT SHOULD JUST SIMPLY NOT MAKE DECISION HERE.

AND THEY SHOULDN'T.

THEY SHOULDN'T BE INVOLVED IN THIS.

>> Eric: MEANWHILE, IN SHAKOPEE, REPRESENTATIVE TABKE IS THE DEMOCRAT, WON BY 14 VOTES, ALL THE COURT ACTION, STUFF, THREE TIMES HE'S PREVAILED.

BUT APPARENTLY HE'S ONE OF THE KEY ACTORS NOW, HE MIGHT BE EXPELLED BY THE REPUBLICANS.

WOULD VETERAN SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES SAY THIS COULD HAPPEN TO ME HE NEXT TIME AROUND?

>> OH, SURE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Eric: PRECEDENT.

>> REPUBLICANS WANT IT BOTH WAYS, RIGHT?

SO ON ONE LEVEL THEY SAY, FOLLOW THE SUPREME COURT IN THIS CASE, GOVERNOR ALZ, IN THIS OTHER CASE, THEY SAY, WE DON'T CARE WHAT THE COURT SAID, WE'RE STILL GOING TO DO WHAT WE WANT TO, DO RIGHT?

IT'S OPENING PANDORA'S BOX, WHOEVER HAS THE MAJORITY CAN POINT TO THE CONSTITUTION AND SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, WE HAVE THE MAJORITY, WE DON'T WANT TO SEAT THAT PERSON, WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEAT THAT PERSON.

>> THEY HAVE THAT RIGHT, THEY HAVE THAT AUTHORITY.

FOR ME, THERE WAS A CERTAIN DÉJÀ VU IN THIS.

REMEMBER, BACK IN 2003, WHATEVER, WHERE E HAD 17 BALLOTS BURNED DURING THE RECOUNT AND THE RACE WAS A, WAS A LAWYER REPRESENTING A DEMOCRAT THERE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE AN ELECTION ALL OVER AGAIN.

THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS INVOLVED.

BUT I STILL WONDER BACK THEN, BECAUSE, ULTIMATELY, SHE HAD LOST NITIALLY BY THREE, SCHWAB.

>> Eric: GRACE SCHWAB, YEAH.

>> BY 33.

THEN ENDED UP AFTER THE RECOUNT OF THE BALLOTS BY FIVE.

17 BALLOTS WOULD HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENCE, BUT AT THAT POINT WE ALREADY MADE A CONCESSION THAT WE WEREN'T GOING TO RAISE THAT ISSUE.

THAT HASN'T HAPPENED HERE.

IT IS KIND OF A FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION.

IF YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTION THAT IS DECIDED, YOU KNOW, BY SMALL MARGIN, AND THAT APPLIES BOTH WAYS.

>> 100%.

>> YOU ALMOST HAVE TO HAVE THE WHOLE ELECTION ALL OVER AGAIN.

AND I THINK COURTS ARE RELUCTANT TO ORDER THAT BECAUSE IT'S A VERY EXPENSIVE PROPOSITION.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU SAY TO PEOPLE, I ASKED THE GOVERNOR THIS, I'LL ASK YOU THIS, TOO, THIS, TO MOST NORMAL PEOPLE WATCHING, IS JUST CHAOTIC, IT LOOKS -- IT'S CONFOUNDING.

IT'S JUST CONFUSING.

AND IT JUST PLAYS INTO ALL OF THE BAD THOUGHTS.

>> GO AHEAD, SAY IT.

CHILDISH.

>> Cathy: CHILDISH, ANOTHER C WORD, YEAH.

IT PLAYS INTO ALL OF THE PERCEPTIONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE OF POLITICS AND POLITICIANS, RIGHT?

SO WHAT ARE NORMAL PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS?

>> WE HAVE A CONFUSING OUTCOME BECAUSE WE HAD A CONFUSING RESULT.

RIGHT?

THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA SENT TO THE CAPITOL, SENT TO THE HOUSE, EFFECTIVELY A SPLIT MAJORITY, A SPLIT DECISION.

AND, SO, WITH SPLIT DECISIONS, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE CONTROVERSY.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE CONFUSION.

AND, SO, I THINK MINNESOTANS SHOULD UNDERSTAND, IF OU SEND A SPLIT DECISION TO THE CAPITOL, YOU'RE GOING TO GET SOME MIXED RESULTS, AND I THINK THIS IS KIND OF HOW THE SAUSAGE IS MADE IN CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE THAT.

>> I LOVE IT.

>> Cathy: WILL THEY BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER AT ALL?

>> THEY'LL HAVE TO.

WE KEEP FORGETTING, IN THIS STATE, OUR STATE, IN ITS INFANCY, HAD TWO CONSTITUTIONS BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATS AND THE REPUBLICANS COULDN'T EVEN STAND TO BE IN THE SAME ROOM TOGETHER, AND THEY ENDED UP SIENGD TWO DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION, THE REPUBLICAN ONE, AS I RECALL, WAS WHITE, APPROPRIATELY ENOUGH, AND THE DEMOCRATIC ONE WAS BLUE, AS I RECALL, AGAIN, APPROPRIATELY ENOUGH.

AND IT WASN'T UNTIL THE 1970s THAT FINALLY THAT THING GOT STITCHED TOGETHER CORRECTLY.

WE'VE GOT A LONG TRADITION OF THIS, SOMEHOW WE'VE MANAGED.

>> Eric: KIDS LOOK UP JOE ROULETTE AND BOB LESSARD, STOLEN BILLS, TAKEN THEM AWAY FROM THE CAPITOL.

>> Cathy: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Eric: WE HAVE RUN LONG TONIGHT, SO YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT TIME FOR THE ANSWER TO OUR LATEST MINNESOTA HISTORY QUESTION.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC.

THIS WEEK BACK IN 2013 MOTHER BANJO PERFORMED LIVE FOR US HERE IN STUDIO B.

TAKE A LISTEN.

AND, OF COURSE, BE CAREFUL.

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