♪♪ >> Cathy: STATE CAPITOL IS GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING PLACE THIS UPCOMING SESSION.

THE HOUSE SPECIFICALLY A TIE APPEARS LIKELY.

REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SHARE POWER TO GET THINGS DONE.

JOINING US NOW, THE TWO HOUSE LEADERS WHO HAVE ALREADY STARTED WORKING ON THAT TASK.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE LISA DEMUTH HAS BEEN ELECTED SPEAKER DESIGNATE BY HER CAUCUS.

THAT IS THE TITLE D.F.L.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE MELISSA HORTMAN HAS BESTOWED UPON HER AS WELL BY THE D.F.L.

CAUCUS.

SPEAKER DESIGNATE HORTMAN, I'LL START WITH YOU.

THE ACLU MINNESOTA, YOU PROBABLY KNOW THIS, THINKS A SPECIAL SESSION SHOULD BE CALLED WHILE THE D.F.L.

TRIFECTA IS STILL IN PLACE -- I KNOW THE GOVERNOR HAS TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION -- BUT THEY WANT A SPECIAL SESSION CALLED TO TAKE UP THE ERA AND SANCTUARY STATE LEGISLATION, WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO THAT?

>> I DON'T THINK WE'VE HAD A CHANCE TOE LOOK AT WHAT THE ACLU HAS REQUESTED OF US IN-DEPTH FOR THE GOVERNOR AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER AND I TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE HAD THE VOTES TO PASS THE E.R.A.

THROUGH THE SENATE LAST YEAR WHEN WE SENT IT OVER SO I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD CHANGE NOW.

AND THEN WITH REGARD TO THE OTHER LEGISLATION THAT WAS MENTIONED, I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT EVER EVEN MADE IT OUT OF A COMMITTEE.

SO I DON'T THINK THAT THERE IS THE SUPPORT TO GET THOSE TWO THINGS THROUGH IN A SPECIAL SESSION.

>> Cathy: AND YOU WILL AGREE?

>> I WOULD AGREE BUT IF THE GOVERNOR CALLS A SPECIAL SESSION WE'LL SHOW UP, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE WOULD BE THE VOTES.

>> Eric: THERE WAS PRETTY RAW FEELINGS AT THE END OF THE SESSION LAST YEAR, EARLIER THIS YEAR.

>> THERE WERE.

>> Eric: AND I WONDER, I HEARD SENATOR JOHNSON SAYING TRUST HAS TO BE RE-ESTABLISHED AND YOU SEEM TO GET ALONG VERY WELL AND HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP, BUT IS IT PRETTY DEEP IN THE RANK AND FILE WHAT HAPPENED AT THE END OF THE SESSION?

>> YOU KNOW, THE WAY THE SESSION ENDED LAST YEAR IT WAS WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER DISRESPECTFUL TO THE INSTITUTION.

SPEAKER DESIGNATE HORTMAN AND I GET ALONG VERY WELL.

WE'VE WORKED AND BUILT THAT RELATIONSHIP OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

THAT'S WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD GOING FORWARD WITH A 4 -- 67-67 TIE, WE HAVE GOT TO WORK TOGETHER EARLIER AND MORE THAN WE HAVE AND I THINK WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> Eric: YOU TALKED ABOUT A FRESH START.

FLESH THAT OUT, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN EXACTLY?

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK GOING FORWARD.

WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY.

EVERY LEGISLATURE IS EXPECTED BY THE VOTERS TO DELIVER A STATE BUDGET ON TIME.

SO THAT IS OUR TASK.

IN A TIED HOUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE COMMITTEE CHAIRS WHO WILL WORK TOGETHER.

AND THEY HAVE TO START KIND OF LOOKING FORWARD AND NOT LOOKING BACK.

I DON'T THINK IT'S TO ANYBODY'S BENEFIT TO RELITIGATE THE LAST THREE WEEKS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN 2024.

I THINK MINNESOTA VOTERS, WE'VE HAD A NEW ELECTION, THEY HAVE SENT NEW FOLKS TO ST. PAUL, MANY OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE NOW COMING TO ST. PAUL WEREN'T THERE THEN, AND THEY COME WITH NEW IDEAS AND I THINK VOTERS HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO EXPECT THAT WE'LL GET OUR WORK DONE.

>> Eric: ARE YOU TEXTING MEMBERS ON THE OTHER SIDE WHO MAY BE AMENABLE TO FLIPPING AND CREATING A 68 VOTE?

>> I KNOW THAT THERE'S CONVERSATIONS ON BOTH SIDES >> Eric: HAVE YOU MADE ANY CALLS?

>> YOU HAVE TO ASK, RIGHT?

I KNOW A FEW OF OUR MEMBERS HAVE BEEN APPROACHED, I KNOW A FEW REPUBLICAN MEMBERS HAVE BEEN APPROACHED.

IT WOULD BE LEGISLATIVE MALPRACTICE TO NOT ASK.

>> I WOULD AGREE.

>> Cathy: ANY N INTEREST IN ANYBODY FLIPPING?

MAKE SOME NEWS RIGHT NOW IF YOU'D.

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE PLANNING FOR A 67-67 TIE.

THERE IS THE RECOUNT IN SHAKOPEE AS YOU TALKED ABOUT.

IF THAT WOULD CHANGE, THAT WOULD CHANGE IN OUR FAVOR.

RIGHT NOW WITH THE 67-67 TIE THAT'S THE WAY WE'RE PLANNING.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTIONED THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIPS, CHAIRPERSONSHIPS, AND I LOVE HISTORY, LOOKING BACK IN '79, DIFFERENT TIMES AND DIFFERENT MAKE-UP OF THE LEGISLATURE, BUT ARE THERE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED?

THAT POWER SYSTEM WORKED UNTIL IT DIDN'T.

>> IT DIDN'T REALLY WORK VERY WELL.

I THINK WHEN WE LOOKED AT IT, THINK WE BOTH SEPARATELY REJECTED IT.

AND I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT, YOU CAN TELL THAT ONE PARTY WAS TRYING TO GET AN ADVANTAGE OVER THE OTHER PARTY AND THAT THEY WERE CONSTANTLY THEN BATTLING FOR THAT ADVANTAGE TO GO BACK AND FORTH.

AND SO THEY PLAYED GAMES LIKE WHEN SOMEBODY WOULD LEAVE COMMITTEE THEY'D TAKE A VOTE.

BUT THEN THE PERSON WOULD COME BACK AND THEY'D REVOTE.

AND WE KNEW WE DIDN'T WANT TO GO DOWN THAT PATHWAY, THAT STUFF IS KIND OF SILLY.

>> AND EQUAL 50/50 SHARING OF TWO CHAIRS, COCHAIRS IN EACH COMMITTEE IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT AND EQUAL NUMBER OF MEMBERS.

THIS S GOING TO FORCE THE ABILITY TO WORK TOGETHER FROM THE VERY START OF SESSION.

SO I DON'T ANTICIPATE US HAVING A BUMPY END TO SESSION.

I THINK THE BUMPS ARE GOING TO BE FELT EARLY ON AND WE'LL WORK THROUGH THOSE AS WE GO.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT USING THIS AS A WAY TO LOOK AT THE TEMPORARY RULES OF THE HOUSE, AND DO THINGS IKE LIMIT THE -- 5,000 BILLS LAST SESSION OR SOMETHING?

IT WAS CRAZY.

>> OVER 6,000.

OVER 6,000 BILLS.

>> Eric: OKAY, I WAS EVEN UNDERSHOOTING IT.

AND THEN LIMIT DEBATES, THOSE SORTS OF THINGS, ANY MOOD TO DO THAT?

>> I THINK THERE ARE DEFINITELY PROPONENTS.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE PROPONENT OF LIMITING WHAT WE CAN ASK FOR UR STAFF.

RIGHT NOW YOU CAN ASK FOR UNLIMITED BILLS TO BE DRAFTED AND UNLIMITEDS.

THAT'S OTALLY UNREALISTIC FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WORK THERE.

I'LL BE ASKING OUR CAUCUS TO BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES AND AT THE SAME TIME I ASK US TO DO THAT INTERNALLY.

WE'LL BE WORKING TO SEE IF WE CAN NEGOTIATE ON THE RULES TO HAVE FEWER BILLS INTRODUCED.

>> Cathy: I WONDER ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE CAUCUSES.

HOW WILL YOU KEEP YOUR CAUCUSES TOGETHER?

BECAUSE EVEN IN THE BEST OF TIMES, CAUCUSES CAN BE A LITTLE FRACTIOUS, AS IT WERE.

SO WHAT'S THE PLAN?

>> WE'VE ALREADY HAD A COUPLE OF CAUCUS MEETS AND WE'VE GOT 14 NEW MEMBERS THAT ARE IN WITH US AND WE WANT TO REALLY BUILD OUR TEAM TOGETHER AS IT STANDS.

WE HAD SOME RETIREMENTS AND SO STARTING THAT WORK EARLY IS WHAT OUR INTENT IS AND THEN WE'LL BE CAUCUSING AGAIN A COUPLE OF TIMES IN DECEMBER TO REALLY BUILD THE RELATIONSHIP.

IT'S ALWAYS A CHALLENGE.

YOU'VE GOT IN OUR CASE 67 MEMBERS THAT ARE READY TO SERVE AND HAVE INDEPENDENT VIEWS, BUT REALLY PULLING TOGETHER AND LOOKING AT THE BIG PICTURE IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT EARLY AGREEMENT ON A GOOD OLD FASHIONED BIPARTISAN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF BILL?

EVERYBODY'S GETTING THEIR NOTICES.

>> THEY ARE, YES.

>> Eric: AND THEY'RE A LITTLE EYE-OPENING IN A LOT CASES.

>> THE BIG QUESTION THERE IS LOCAL CONTROL, RIGHT?

THAT'S ONE OF THE ISSUES WE DEBATE VERY HOTLY AT THE LEGISLATURE IS WHAT THE THE PROVINCE AND THE CITIES AND COUNTIES AND IN HOW MANY CASES DO WE TELL THEM EXACTLY HOW TO RUN THE GOVERNMENT AT THEIR LEVEL.

THEY'RE CLOSER TO THE VOTERS, IT'S EASIER TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER THAN YOUR -- >> Eric: SO WHERE DOES THE BUCK STOP?

>> I HINK THAT PROPERTY TAX LIMITATIONS IS OMETHING WE'VE DEFINITELY TALKED ABOUT AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE BUT THEY'VE NEVER GOT VERY BECAUSE WHETHER YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, YOU DON'T REALLY WANT TO TELL ALL THE MAYORS AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS IN YOUR DISTRICT WHAT TO DO.

>> Eric: BUT YOU'RE HELPING THEM.

>> LOCAL CONTROL.

>> Eric: SELF-STARTERS.

>> I THINK EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE, I WOULD NEVER SAY NO.

BUT AS A FORMER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER I UNDERSTAND FULLY THE CHALLENGES THAT SCHOOLS ARE FACING THAT IMPACTS THE AMOUNT THEY GET FROM THE STATE BUT ALSO THE PROPERTY AXES, THAT'S WHERE TRUTH IN TAXATION AND SHOWING UP AT YOUR MEETINGS AT A LOCAL LEVEL MATTER.

>> Cathy: SO I KNOW YOU ALL MET WITH THE GOVERNOR THIS WEEK.

HE'S OBVIOUSLY BACK AFTER BEING DEFEATED ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL AND I'M WONDERING WHAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP MIGHT YOU TWO HAVE WITH THE GOVERNOR UNDER THIS POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT?

WHAT ROLE DOES HE PLAY AT THIS POINT?

>> I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THE POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT HAS TO BE BETWEEN THE TWO OF US SITTING HERE.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE CHARGED WITH, WHAT THE VOTERS OF MINNESOTA SENT US TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO DO WITH EQUAL POWER SHARING.

WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE THAT OUT AT A LEGISLATIVE LEVEL.

>> Eric: I DON'T WANT TO BE SEXIST IN ANY WAY, TWO MEN DOING IT, ISN'T THAT GOING TO BE BETTER?

TESTOSTERONE LEVEL IS DOWN, YOU'RE NOT JUST GOING FOR POWER AND AUTHORITY AND ALL THAT >> I DON'T THINK IT'S GENDER, I THINK IT'S PERSONALITY.

I THINK YOU COULD HAVE TWO MEN WHO WOULD GET ALONG THIS WELL, WE JUST HAPPEN TO BE WOMEN WHO ARE IN THIS SPOT.

>> I WOULD AGREE.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY JUST WOMEN, WE WANT TO GET THE WORK DONE.

>> Eric: THERE'S NO GENDER BONUS HERE.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE SO.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING, BEFORE YOU GO, WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?

DO YOU STILL HAVE TO DO SOME MORE WORK?

WHAT ARE THE NEXT FEW STEPS HERE?

I KNOW THE HOLIDAYS ARE UPON US HERE TOO.

>> RIGHT, WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE WORK TO DO.

WE DECIDED ON THE COMMITTEE STRUCTURE.

WE DECIDED THERE WILL BE COCHAIRS AND EQUAL NUMBERS OF MEMBERS ON BOTH SIDES AND WE'RE CONTINUING TO TALK ABOUT ALL THE REST OF IT.

>> Eric: REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS SHOWING UP, IT WAS GREAT TO HAVE YOU AND BEST OF