SEEING PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIMILAR POLITICS WHERE WE WANT TO CREATE LIKE A RESPECTFUL SPACE WHERE EVERYBODY'S OPINIONS ARE HEARD JUST LIKE WE DO IN OUR YOUTH LEGISLATURE.

>> ALSO WE DON'T HAVE ANY POLITICAL PARTIES WHATSOEVER AT YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT.

IT'S SOLELY FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE PEOPLE GET CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

WE DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT, RIGHT, EFT, WHATEVER, WE JUST WANT YOU TO LEARN ABOUT PROCESSES, VOTING, OUR SYSTEMS AND MAKING PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN THOSE ILLS BECAUSE IT'S POLARIZING.

>> I'M 17.

>> 17.

>> 17.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT 17-YEAR-OLDS VOTING?

IT COMES UP AT THE LEGISLATURE.

YOU GUYS ARE HIGH INFORMATION PROSPECTIVE VOTERS DOUBT DO YOU THINK IT WOULD WORK?

16, 17?

>> THAT'S A TRILLION INTERESTING QUESTION.

OUR MOTTO IS DEMOCRACY MUST BE LEARNED BY EACH GENERATION.

ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS THAT ISN'T DIRECTLY RELATED TO YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT, THIS CONFERENCE BUT ANOTHER PROGRAM OF THE CENTER FOR YOUTH VOICE IS OUR STUDENTS VOTING PROGRAM.

WE HAD IT IN ALMOST 500, MORE THAN 500 SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

WE HAD LIKE 200,000 KIDS VOTE.

>> Eric: WOW.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO INSTILL THE MISSION OF DEMOCRACY, THE IDEA OF DEMOCRACY, CIVILITY AAS WELL IN THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.

WHETHER OR NOT VOTING PAT 17 IS A GOOD IDEA, WITH US I THINK IT WOULD BE AND WE NEED TO SPREAD THAT IDEA TO OTHERS.

>> Eric: YEAH, WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?

>> SOMETHING I ACTUALLY FIND REALLY INTERESTING ABOUT THAT IS THAT AT LEAST ONCE MAYBE EVEN TWO OR THREE TIMES A YEAR A BILL COMES UP IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT STUDENTS HAVE WRITTEN THAT WANTS TO LOWER THE VOTING AGE TO I FEEL LIKE I'VE SEEN 16 IS USUALLY THE MOST COMMON AGE.

>> LOWEST IS 14 THIS YEAR.

YEAH, I WAS GOING TO SAY I'VE SEEN LOWER.

IT'S SOMETHING YOUTH RE PASSIONATE ABOUT ESPECIALLY IN A PROGRAM LIKE THIS, WE WANT TO HAVE A VOICE, SO.

>> Cathy: ARE THERE OTHER ISSUE THAT'S THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE SHOULD TAKE UP THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT?

>> WELL, I MEAN, HUGE ONE IS PROTECTION IN SCHOOLS, RIGHT?

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SCARED TO GO TO SCHOOL THESE DAYS.

THEY'RE ORRIED ABOUT GUN CONTROL AND ALL THOSE TYPES OF THINGS AND I BELIEVE THERE WAS ACTUALLY A BILL PROPOSED IN THE LEGISLATURE WHERE YOU COULD TEACH SELF-PROTECTION IN CLASSES.

AND SO IT'S REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW PEOPLE INTERACT WITH THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THESE TIMES AND ALSO LIKE WHAT THEY THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT, BECAUSE THAT'S WHY WE PASS ALL THE BILLS AND THEN WE CREATE A BOOK FROM THOSE AND THEN WE SEND THOSE TO THE ACTUAL LEGISLATURE, THAT WAY THEY CAN SEE WHAT WE'RE DOING AND SEE WHAT WE CARE ABOUT AND MAYBE MODEL SOME OF THEIR OWN BILLS OFF OF IT.

, HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR CAREER PATHS ALREADY?

>> I'M HOPING TO GO INTO ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES OR PUBLIC POLICY.

HOPEFULLY A MIX OF THE TWO.

>> Eric: WESLEY?

>> MY WORK AT YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT LIKE EMI'S IS MORE LOGISTICS, FUND-RAISING, BACKGROUND, SOCIAL MEDIA BEHIND THE SCENES, WORKING WITH THE STATE OFFICE, THE ADULTS AT THE "Y" THAT PUT THAT ON.

I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW THE "Y" REALLY WELL AS AN ORGANIZATION AND THAT'S WHERE I MIGHT SEE MYSELF.

>> Eric: CAREER PATH.

LAW SCHOOL IT SOUNDS LIKE.

>> LAW SCHOOL BUT ALSO ECOMING A FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER THROUGH THAT LAW DEGREE.

I'D LOVE TO WORK WITH GETTING PEOPLE VISAS, GREEN CARDS, ALL THOSE THINGS AS AN IMMIGRANT CHILD MYSELF.

SUPER PASSIONATE ABOUT AND Y.I.G.

HAS ENABLED ME TO BE IN THESE SPACES.

>> Cathy: WHAT A JOY TO HAVE YOU ALL HERE.

>> Eric: I WISH I HAD YOUR FUTURES.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Eric: GOOD LUCK AND THANKS FOR COMING.

THE CAST AT THE CAPITOL CONTINUES TO CHANGE BY THE DAY.

LAWSUITS ARE LOOMING, THE NEW REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR IS PART OF MORE THAN ONE OF THE LAWSUITS AND HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE THREATENING NOT TO SHOW UP ON THE FIRST DAY.

OUR LONGTIME CAPITOL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER GIVES US DEEPER CONTEXT ON ALL OF THIS.

>> THE CLERK PRO TEM WILL CALL THE ROLL.

>> THE SECRETARY OF STATE MUST CONVENE THE SESSION ON THE FIRST DAY, AND ONLY THAT PRESIDING OFFICER CAN DECIDE IF THERE'S ENOUGH MEMBERS PRESENT FOR A QUORUM TO BEGIN WORK.

>> STEVE SIMON WILL BE THE PRESIDING OFFICER AND HE WILL DETERMINE WHETHER QUORUM IS PRESENT OR NOT.

>> THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE CONFIRMS THAT WITHOUT 68 MEMBERS PRESENT, WHICH NEITHER CAUCUS HAS, HE WILL CONCLUDE THERE'S NO QUORUM AND WILL ADJOURN.

REPUBLICANS SAY WITH AT LEAST ONE D.F.L.

SEAT NOT FILLED ON THAT FIRST DAY, THEY WILL ATTEMPT TO ELECT LEADER DEMUTH AS SPEAKER.

>> THERE IS NO LONGER A TIE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

DEMOCRATS WILL BE COMING IN WITH 66 MEMBERS.

WHAT THAT DOES IS THAT GIVES US AN ORGANIZATIONAL MAJORITY.

>> MULTIPLE LEGAL CASES HAVE ALL THE LAWYERS IN LEADERSHIP JUMPING INTO ACTION.

>> HOW MUCH DOES IT HELP TO BE LAWYERS MAYBE -- [ LAUGHTER ] >> AYBE A LITTLE.

AND, YOU KNOW, MAYBE 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE SERVING IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SOME OF THESE THINGS ARE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR.

>> THE LAWYER WHO'S THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY LEADER DESIGNATE SAYS IF DEMOCRATS FAIL TO SHOW AND DENY A QUORUM, THEY'LL START RECALL ELECTIONS AGAINST THEM.

THE MINNESOTA CONSTITUTION SAYS THAT THE GROUNDS FOR RECALL ARE MISFEASANCE OR NONFEESANCE OF OFFICE, IT'S CLEAR AND LEGISLATORS ARE SPECIFICALLY REFERENCES IN THAT.

WE THINK NONFEESANCE OF OFFICE MEANS ANYTHING WITH LEGISLATORS NOT SHOWING UP FOR WORK.

>> THE D.F.L.

SPEAKER SAYS IF THE NEW REPUBLICAN SPEAKER DOESN'T HONOR THEIR PREVIOUS POWERSHARING AGREEMENT DEMOCRATS WILL DENY AND STAY HOME IN THEIR DISTRICTS.

>> WE DON'T PLAN TO ENGAGE IN MALFEASANCE, ONE OF THE TACTICS A LEGISLATOR CAN USE IS DENIAL OF QUORUM.

>> REPUBLICANS PLAN TO KEEP A DEMOCRAT FROM SHAKOPEE FROM TAKING OFFICE AFTER VOTES WERE LOST IN HIS RACE.

>> KNOWING THAT THERE WERE 20 BALLOTS THROWN AWAY MEANS THAT THERE WERE 20 DISENFRANCHISED VOTERS.

EVERY VOTER SHOULD HAVE THEIR VOTE FAIRLY COUNTED.

>> IT'S A BIT IRONIC THAT ON JANUARY 6TH WE'RE TALKING ONCE AGAIN ABOUT STEALING AN ELECTION BUT IN THE REPUBLICAN PRESS CONFERENCE THEY WERE VERY CLEAR THAT THEY INTEND TO USE A TEMPORARY SITUATION WHERE THEY HAVE A ONE-VOTE ADVANTAGE BUT NOT A MAJORITIES TO KICK OUT A DULY ELECTED MEMBER.

>> ALSO IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THIS CHAOS AT THE CAPITOL IS A BRAND NEW REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR WHO'S PART OF A LAWSUIT ON A SPECIAL ELECTION THE GOVERNOR CALLED FOR A HOUSE SEAT.

>> I GOT INVOLVED 20 YEARS AGO AND I DIPPED MY TOE IN THE WATER AND THEN HERE I AM AS THE CHAIR.

>> YEAH, THIS IS MORE THAN DIPPING, THIS IS DIVING HEAD-FIRST.

>> YEAH, WELL, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

BUT I'LL TELL YOU I WASN'T REALLY PLANNING O DO THIS QUITE HONESTLY.

I WASN'T EVEN THINKING ABOUT IT, IT WASN'T ANYTHING I WAS ANGLING TOWARD BUT A FEW PEOPLE I TRUST CONTACTED ME.

>> HIS FIRST BIG PRESS CONFERENCE WAS ABOUT SUING THE GOVERNOR FOR THE TIMING OF CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION, NO SMALL ACT.

>> WHEN I GOT ELECTED I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING INTO THE POLITICAL BUSINESS BUT IN FACT I GOT INTO THE FIREHOSE DRINKING BUSINESS.

>> DID YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WERE GETTING INTO?

>> NO.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> BECAUSE IT'S BEEN A BUSY START.

>> HONESTLY I KNEW SOME OF IT, I KNEW THE TECHNICAL STUFF, I'D BEEN ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND INVOLVED IN POLITICS INCLUDING RNC, BUT THE HAPPENING PARTICULARLY THIS LAST WEEK IS AN EYE-OPENER.

>> ESPECIALLY WE ARE STARING DOWN HISTORY IN THE MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL, POTENTIAL OF A TIED SENATE AND TIED HOUSE AND MAYBE JUST CHAOS AND STALEMATE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS.

DID YOU THINK YOU'D BE SEEING THAT?

>> I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY AN ISSUE FOR THE SENATE AND HOUSE CAUCUS, THEY GOT TO BATTLE THAT OUT.

MY VIEW IS WHEN I CAME INTO THIS, IT WAS ALL BLUE, DEMOCRAT ALL THE WAY AROUND SHO NOW WE'RE BEGINNING TO NIP AT THE EDGES.

THE NATION LOOKS AT US AS BEING A BLUE STATE.

WE'RE NOT REALLY, WE ARE A RED STATE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IT.

>> ARE WE PURPLE?

>> WELL, OF COURSE WE ARE, WE ARE THE VIKINGS STATE.

>> THE CHAIR IS A FORMER FOOTBALL COACH NVOLVED WITH YOUTH SPORTS ALONG WITH SERVING ON THE WAYZATA CITY COUNCIL.

>> I KEPT HEARING FOLKS SAY WE WANT A BORING CHAIR.

>> WELL, THEY GOT ONE.

>> HE OUSTED DAVID HAHN WHO VOWED TO BE BORING AFTER SCANDAL PLAGUED THE PARTY ALONG WITH POOR FUND-RAISING.

>> IF YOUR COMPETITOR OUTFUNDS YOU 8 TO 1 OR 10 TO 1 YOU'RE AT A DISADVANTAGE.

>> DO YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT JOB THAN THAT NOW?

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK I'M BORING.

TALK TO SOME PEOPLE.

I NEVER THOUGHT OF IT THAT WAY.

I'M A MARINE.

I'M A FIGHTER PILOT.

I CAN'T AFFORD TO BE BORING IN THAT CONTEXT BECAUSE THE PEOPLE AROUND ME WON'T LET ME.

>> UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP REPUBLICANS WILL WIN THE STATE.

>> WELL, THAT'S WHAT I'M COMMITTED, CAMPAIGN STARTED YESTERDAY FOR NEXT YEAR.

IT STARTED YESTERDAY.

♪♪ >> Cathy: GOSH, IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK IN MINNESOTA POLITICS.

LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL KICK OFF WITH COURT CASES, SPECIAL ELECTIONS, POSSIBLE TIES AND A WHOLE LOT OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.

GOING TO DIVE RIGHT IN WITH THIS WEEK'S FORMER LAWMAKER PANEL.

FORMER HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER RYAN WINKLER IS HERE.

KARLA BIGHAM, FORMER STATE SENATOR AND HOUSE MEMBER.

ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THINGS FORMER STATE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER AMY KOCH AND FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE KURT DAUDT.

SPEAKER DAUDT, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT -- [ LAUGHTER ] SECRETARY SECRETARY OF STATE SIMON SENT THAT LETTER THAT SAYS THAT IT'S A QUORUM AT 68.

I'M WONDERING WILL THIS WIND UP IN COURT?

>> IT PROBABLY WILL IF HE REMAINS STEADFAST WITH THAT POSITION AND HE THINKS HE'S GOING TO COME IN AND DO A ROLL CALL AND THEN SAY THERE'S NO QUORUM AND GAVEL OUT.

THE PROBLEM IS, AND DON'T KNOW IF HE'S THOUGHT ABOUT IT OR NOT BUT IT'S NOT ADDRESSED IN HIS LETTER OR ANYWHERE ELSE, THE SECRETARY OF STATE NOWHERE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO JUDGE THE RULES OF THE HOUSE, THE CONSTITUTION FOR THE HOUSE, THE -- ANY OF IT.

IT -- OUR CONSTITUTION DOESN'T ENVISION THAT.

AND IT ACTUALLY CREATES A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS.

WE WILL BE WITHOUT -- IF THAT HAPPENS, WE WILL BE WITHOUT A LEGISLATURE FOR LIKELY MORE THAN A MONTH.

AND THE HOUSE JUDGES ITS OWN RULES, IT WILL DETERMINE WHETHER IT'S MEETING THE CONSTITUTION, AND IT DOES THAT THROUGH ITS OWN PROCESS.

VOTES, MAKING A POINT OF ORDER AND THEN OVERTURNING THE RULING OF THE SPEAKER AND WHOEVER HAS THE MOST VOTES WINS, THAT'S THE WAY THAT IT WORKS.

IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T LIKE THAT, IF THEY FEEL HARMED BY THAT THEY CAN TAKE THAT TO COURT.

BUT THE SECRETARY OF DOES NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE THAT AUTHORITY.

>> THERE IS NO OF REPRESENTATIVES WITHOUT 68 VOTES.

IT DOESN'T EXIST.

IT'S 68 PEOPLE MILLING AROUND IN A ROOM TALKING TO EACH OTHER UNTIL YOU GET TO 68.

THE STATE CONSTITUTION HAS NOT BEEN TESTED ON THE LANGUAGE.

BUT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS ALWAYS USED 68 VOTES AS A STANDARD FOR PASSING BILLS.

YOU WOULD AGREE WITH THAT, 68 VOTES FOR PASSING BILLS, ALL BEEN THAT WAY.

AND THE STATE CONSTITUTION SAYS HAS THE SAME LANGUAGE FOR PASSING BILLS AND FOR A QUORUM.

IT IS 68.

THE VAST MAJORITIES OF STATES -- >> WE'VE HAD SPEAKERS WITH 67 VOTES -- >> WE'VE LITIGATED THIS -- WITH THAT 68 YOU'RE JUST PEOPLE MILLING AROUND A ROOM.

>> BUT SETTING ASIDE THE QUORUM WHICH MINNESOTANS DON'T GIVE A FROG'S FAT PATOOT ABOUT, THIS IS ABOUT LEGISLATORS NOT SHOWING UP THE FIRST DAY.

>> Eric: AND GETTING PAID.

>> WELL, ITS NOT CLEAR, I DON'T THINK THEY GET PAID BECAUSE THEY DON'T ORGANIZE.

MINNESOTANS DON'T CARE ABOUT A QUORUM, THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE SPEAKER OR MAJORITY LEADER, APOLOGIZE TO Y'ALL, BUT THEY DON'T.

THEY CARE ABOUT THE WORK GETTING DONE.

AND WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS THERE'S GOING TO BE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHY WE'RE ARGUING ABOUT THIS QUORUM WHICH THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE NOT SHOWING UP ON THE FIRST DAY FOR A JOB THEY RAN FOR AND PEOPLE ELECTED THEM TO GO TO THE HOUSE AND VOTE.

>> LOOK, I WASN'T SPEAKER, BUT -- IT'S 68 VOTES, WE ALL KNOW THAT.

THE HOUSE NEEDS TO TAKE SOME ADVICE FROM THE SENATE WHICH I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH LEADER MURPHY AND LEADER JOHNSON WHERE THEY ARE HAVING PRODUCTIVE, FRUITFUL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW THEY ARE GOING TO GET THROUGH THE BEGINNING PART OF SESSION HERE.

AND THAT IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.

THEY -- TO AMY'S POINT, STOP FIGHTING EACH OTHER, START FIGHTING FOR MINNESOTA.

START FIGHTING FOR THE ISSUES THAT MINNESOTANS CARE ABOUT.

AND THAT'S WHAT THEY NEED TO START FOCUSING ON.

>> BUT IT TAKES BOTH SIDES TO PUT DOWN SWORDS.

>> Cathy: THAT'S TRUE, SO IF D.F.L.ERS DO BOY BOYCOTT THE FIRST COUPLE WEEKS OF SESSION WHO WINS THE BATTLE OF PUBLIC OPINION ON THIS, TO YOUR -- >> I THINK TO BELIEVE THE REPUBLICANS DO -- >> NOBODY IS.

>> AND MINNESOTANS DO LOSE BUT IF DEMOCRATS DO THAT THE NONPARTISAN STAFF THAT WORK SO HARD TO MAKE THEM ALL LOOK GOOD IS NOT GOING TO GET PAID FOR A MONTH.

AND THAT'S PRETTY HARSH.

>> IT'S THE REPUBLICANS MAKING THE CHALLENGES, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY.

YOU NEED EACH OTHER TO PASS THINGS.

>> WELL -- OR THEY COULD ALL SHOW UP ON THE FIRST DAY OF SESSION AND TAKE A VOTE FOR SPEAKER AND THE ONE WITH THE MOST VOTES WINS.

>> IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE THIS WAY.

>> -- IT WASN'T THE REPUBLICANS THAT DETERMINED CURTIS JOHNSON DIDN'T LIVE IN HIS DISTRICT, IT WAS A COURT AND HE COULD NOT BE SEATED.

A COURT, NONPARTISAN COURT.

>> THE DEMOCRATS ARE NOT APPEALING IT.

THAT'S HOW BLATANT IT WAS, THEY BROKE THE LAW AND CHEATED -- >> REPUBLICANS HAVE CHALLENGED THE TABKE ELECTION AND THEY'RE NOT -- >> THAT'S IN SHAKOPEE.

>> AND THEY'RE NOT WILLING TO ABIDE BY THE DECISION OF THE COURT, THEY'RE SAYING THEY'RE GOING TO IGNORE THE COURT'S DECISION AND NOT SEAT HIM ANYWAY.

THERE IS A DISTRICT -- >> THEY'VE ALREADY SAID THEY WON'T.

>> THEY SAID THEY DON'T CARE.

>> THEY DON'T CARE.

>> AND YOU HAVE GOT A SPECIAL ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 28TH SO PEOPLE IN ROSEVILLE CAN HAVE ACTUAL REPRESENTATION AND THEY'RE TRYING TO STOP THAT ELECTION FROM HAPPENING TOO.

>> AND JUST LIKE A QUORUM -- >> ITS JUST TURNS OUT THEY DON'T WANT THE DEMOCRATS TO HAVE 67 PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE SO THEY CAN HAVE THIS ARGUMENT -- >> HAS JUST LIKE A QUORUM THE LAW IS VERY CLEAR THAT THE HOUSE WILL DETERMINE WHETHER THAT MEMBERS GETS SEATED OR NOT, NOT A JUDGE.

>> THE HOUSE CREATED LAWS FOR AN ELECTION CONTEST, THE HOUSE AND SENATE CREATED THESE STATUTES, THEY HAVE TO BE FOLLOWED, THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO BE BOUND BY THE LAWS THEY HAVE PASSED.

>> Eric: GOING BACK TO THE ROSEVILLE SEAT, THOUGH, WHY IS IT UP TO REPUBLICANS TO BAIL OUT THE DEMOCRATS WHEN IT WAS THE DEMOCRAT'S CANDIDATE THAT VIOLATED THE RESIDENCY?

IS >> IT ISN'T.

>> THERE'S A SPECIAL ELECTION COMING UP, LET'S CFSS LET THE VOTERS DECIDE.

>> WE DON'T HAVE TO PUT THE STATE ON HOLD TO WAIT FOR THE DEMOCRATS TO FINALLY GET IT RIGHT AFTER THEY BROKE THE LAW.

AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE ASKING MINNESOTANS TO DO AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO NOT PAY NONPARTISAN STAFF FOR A MONTH TO GET THERE?

LET'S SHOW UP, DO OUR JOBS ON THE FIRST DAY OF SESSION AND VOTE AND WHOEVER HAS THE MOST VOTES WIN JUST LIKE IN 2025.

>> THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA ELECTED 67 DEMOCRATS AND 67 REPUBLICANS.

>> NO, THEY ELECTED 67 REPUBLICANS AND 66 DEMOCRATS.

>> NO, THAT DISTRICT, THOSE VOTERS DID NOT KNOW THAT CANDIDATE DIDN'T LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> CHEATED?

IS >> HE LIED, HE LIED.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO SET SOMETHING UP FOR TWO YEARS?

THAT'S THE OTHER ISSUE HERE TOO, SO I MEAN, LOOK -- >> IT'S NOBODY'S FAULT BY THE DEMOCRATS.

>> -- TOWARDS THE ISSUE THAT MATTER TO MINNESOTANS AND LOOK WHAT WHAT THEY SENT THE MESSAGE OF FOCUSING ON THE ISSUES, STOP FIGHTING EACH OTHER.

>> BUT TO THAT, SENATOR BIGHAM, THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA WANT THEM TO GET TO WORK.

THEY HAVE A BUDGET THAT'S DUE.

THAT IS CLEAR -- >> THAT'S TRUE, 68 PEOPLE TO GET TO WORK.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING WHERE IS THE OVERNOR ON THIS, CAN HE CALL A SPECIAL SESSION?

>> NO, BUT -- >> HE COULD.

>> AND -- LAY OUT A PLAN AND A SCHEDULE FOR EVERYBODY TO HAVE A FRUITFUL AND VERY PRODUCTIVE SESSION AND THE GOVERNOR DOES LEAD VERY WELL DURING TIMES OF CRISIS SO GET THEM ALL IN A ROOM -- >> WELL, WHERE IS HE NOW?

>> Eric: IT WOULD HAVE TO BE SET UP FOR HIM TO GET A WIN, HE WOULDN'T WALK IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS AND -- >> E'S GOT TO HAVE A LEGISLATURE THAT IS ACTUALLY CALLED TO ORDER.

>> IN THE END -- >> AND THEY GOT TO HAVE LEADERS >> .

>> THE GOVERNOR COULD CALL A SPECIAL SESSION BUT THEY WOULD HAVE THIS NEW PROBLEM.

>> Eric: WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS, FEBRUARY, MARCH, WHENEVER, WHAT DOES THIS PORTEND FOR A BUDGET?

>> THAT'S THE DRAMA P FRONT, IN THE END THEY ARE ALMOST DEAD-EVEN ANYWAY.

RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

>> IN THE END ALL OF THIS IS GOING TO COME DOWN TO ABSOLUTELY ALL FOUR CAUCUSES AND THE GOVERNOR AT A TABLE.

SO ACTUALLY THE DRAMA JUST MAKES IT HARDER IN MARCH AND APRIL AND MAY TO GET WHAT REALLY NEEDS TO GET DONE.

>> I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IN NEW HOUSE LEADERSHIP THAT MAYBE DOESN'T HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OF SPEAKER DAUDT BECAUSE THEY SHOULD REALIZE THEY'RE THEY'RE JUST MAKING IT HARDER TO DO WHAT THEY ALL HAVE TO DO IN THE END.

>> IN REALITY THEY'RE CHASING A TITLE AND I HAD THAT TITLE AND THERE IS POWER THAT GOES WITH IT, YOU GET TO APPOINT COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND APPOINT MEMBERS TO COMMITTEES BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU DO NEED 68 VOTES TO HAVE A BILL AND HAVING THIS ADVERSARIAL BATTLE AT THE BEGINNING MAKES IT MUCH TOUGHER AND IS IT WORTH IT FOR A TITLE THAT REALLY IF YOU ELECT A SPEAKER UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY POWER, IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE OTES TO BACK IT UP YOU DON'T HAVE THE POWER.

>> AND A SHUTDOWN, WHO'S GOING TO GET BLAMED FOR IT?

THE PERSON WITH THAT GAVEL.

>> WE'LL SEE.

>> Cathy: SOUNDS LIKE IT WILL BE REALLY INTERESTING.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH SENATOR MITCHELL?

>> SO DISAPPOINTING.

>> Eric: SHE WANTS TO DELAY HER TRIAL UNTIL AFTER SESSION.

>> WHAT'S GOING ON WITH HER, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY REALLY KNOWS.

>> SO DISAPPOINTING.

I REPRESENT THE BEST PART OF WOODBURY, HAS THE BREWERY.

IT'S O DISAPPOINTING WHAT SHE'S DONE TO THE COMMUNITY AND BODY TO BE HONEST, SHE SHOULD HAVE RESIGNED A LONG TIME AGO.

>> Eric: DEMOCRATS NEED THAT VOTE, RIGHT?

IT'S 33-33 WITHOUT HER.

>> THE SENATE, IT'S 33-33 GOING IN BECAUSE OF THE UNFORTUNATE DEATH OF SENATOR KARI DZIEDZIC, AND THEY TRIAL MAKES THE REAL WILD CARD OUT OF THE SENATE.

DON'T SLEEP ON THE SENATE BECAUSE OF THIS TRIAL AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED EIGHT MONTHS AGO.

SHE SHOULD HAVE DONE THE RIGHT -- THEN, NOW SHE SHOULD HAVE STEPPED DOWN.

THERE IS SO MUCH ABOUT WHAT SHE DID, SHE CAN FIGURE THAT OUT AND SORT IT OUT IN COURT BUT SHE SHOULD NOT BE SERVING IN THE SENATE AND NOT REPRESENTING PEOPLE IN WOODBURY AND SHE SHOULD HAVE HAD GOOD CONSCIOUS TO STEP OWN.

>> AND LET'S END ON THIS.

[ LAUGHTER ] ALL OF THESE GOOD FOLKS, REMEMBER KARI DZIEDZIC, THEY'LL BE BETTER OFF.

>> Eric: THE PANEL HAS OLVED ANOTHER ONE.

CONGRATULATIONS.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Cathy: THERE WE GO.

GOOD LUCK NEXT WEEK.

>> Eric: GREAT STUFF.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

THANKS A LOT.

♪♪ >> SAY, FRIENDS, THE SEELEY COMPANY IS ABOUT TO MAKE YOU THE OFFER OF THE CENTURY!

>> RIGHT!

GO AHEAD, TELL 'EM.

>> TELL 'EM WHAT?

>> TELL 'EM ABOUT THE SEELEY THREE FREE SHEET OFFER?

>> WHAT SEELEY THREE FREE SHEET OFFER?

>> THE SEELEY FREE SHEET OFFER YOU GET WHEN YOU BUY WHATEVER IT IS YOU BUY TO GET THE THREE SEELEY FREE SHEETS.

>> WHAT WOULD I WANT WITH THREE FREE SHEETS?

>> NOT YOU, YOU DUMBBELL, THE PEOPLE WATCHIN!

>> THE LEGENDARY DAVE MOORE.

IT IS MINNESOTA HISTORY TIME, FRIENDS.

WE'RE GOING TO QUICKLY REVIEW THE QUESTION WE ASKED IN DECEMBER.

WE ASKED IT IN DECEMBER FOR GOODNESS SAKES.

THE YEAR IS 1998, A MINNESOTA PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM IS NEARING THE END OF THEIR SEASON.

IN A HIGH SCORING CONTEST WON BY MINNESOTA NOT ONE BUT TWO LEAGUE RECORDS WERE SET.

WHAT TWO PROFESSIONAL SPORTS RECORDS WERE SET IN A 1998 GAME?

THAT'S THE QUESTION.

WRONG ANSWERS ALWAYS GO FIRST.

>> NEW YORK YANKEES PITCHER DAVID WELLES STAYED UP ALL NIGHT BEFORE A PERFECT GAME AGAINST THE TWINS ON MAY 17TH, 1998.

>> IT WAS DECEMBER 26TH, THE VIKINGS BEAT THE THEN-TENNESSEE OILERS 26-16 TO BECOME THE HIGHEST SCORING TEAM IN NFL HISTORY.

IN ADDITION GARY ANDERSON SET A RECORD FOR ABOUT NUMBER OF POINTS BY A KICKER A SEASON.

>> THE ANSWER TO THIS WEEK'S INDEX FILE QUESTION IS THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS WHO SET A RECORD FOR MOST POINTS IN AN NFL REGULAR SEASON.

>> OKAY.

THE LAST TWO ANSWERS WERE THE RIGHT TEAMS AND PLAYERS, BUT NOT THE RIGHT GAME OR RECORDS.

NO ONE GOT THIS THING RIGHT.

SO WE'RE GOING TO ADD MORE DETAILS FOR YOU.

ON DECEMBER 13TH, 1998, THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS AND THE BALTIMORE RAVENS DID SOMETHING TOGETHER TO SET AN NFL RECORD THAT STILL STANDS TODAY.

IN THE SAME GAME, BE GARY ANDERSON SET A RECORD THAT HE WOULD BREAK HIMSELF LATER IN THE MONTH.

WHAT TWO NFL RECORDS WERE SET ON DECEMBER 13TH, 1998?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU'RE CALLING IN FROM THREE ISLAND LAKE, FOOTBALL LAKE OR VIKING TOWNSHIP WHICH IS IN MARSHALL COUNTY.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL WITH ALL OF YOUR GUESSES RIGHT OR WRONG.

YOU CAN DROP US A NOTE, ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

BEFORE WE GO A COUPLE OF TUNE IN REMINDERS FOR YOU.

AS YOU'VE HEARD THE LEGISLATURE RETURNS TO THE CAPITOL NEXT WEEK.

YOU CAN WATCH FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE ACTION AND A WHOLE LOT MORE BY TUNING INTO THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL ON A BS STATION NEAR YOU.

AND OF COURSE DON'T FORGET TO JOIN MARY LAHAMMER WEDNESDAY NIGHTS, "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL," LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. ON THAT SAME STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC.

THIS WEEK BACK IN 2017 WILLIE MURPHY VISITED THE STUDIO ND PERFORMED FOR US.

TAKE A LISTEN.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK WHEN GOVERNOR TIM WALZ AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS WILL JOIN US LIVE IN THE STUDIO.

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