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>>> "YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE GENUS
FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF MAPE MEMBERS, MAKING MINNESOTA CLEAN
WATERS, SAFE COMMUNITIES, QUALITY EDUCATION AND VETERANS
CARE HAPPEN. WE WORK HARD FOR MINNESOTANS.
>>> LIVE FROM ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, WE WELCOME YOU TO
ANOTHER SEASON OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS".
A ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION FEATURING STATE LAWMAKERS WHO
ARE PREPARED TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AND DISCUSS IMPORTANT
ISSUES AFFECTING CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA.
>>> NOW, HERE IS YOUR MODERATOR FOR TONIGHT'S PROGRAM, BARRY
ANDERSON. >> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO
"YOUR LEGISLATORS". WE ARE DELIGHTED THAT YOU HAVE
JOINED US FOR THIS THURSDAY EVENING, AND NOT ONLY THIS
EVENING, BUT THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE
GOES HOME FOR A SPIRITED DISCUSSION ABOUT PUBLIC POLICY
ISSUES, AND I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT THIS IS YOUR PROGRAM, HENCE
THE COLORFUL NAME "YOUR LEGISLATORS".
REMIND YOU YOU CAN COMMUNICATE WITH OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF
GUESTS. YOU CAN DO IT BY TELEPHONE.
YOU CAN DO IT BY E-MAIL AT "YOUR LEGISLATORS" AT PIONEER.ORG.
WE WILL BE TRYING TO TRACK THAT A LITTLE BIT IN THE WEEKS AHEAD.
TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO USE THE FANCY TECHNOLOGY.
THOSE WHO THINK IT'S A MISTAKE TO GO AWAY FROM IMPARCHMENT,
THEY WILL UNDERSTAND. THE REALITY IS THEY DON'T GET TO
VOTE ANYMORE THAN THE REST OF US, AND SO AS TO THOSE QUESTIONS
SAVE THOSE FOR YOUR CONGRESSMAN AND SENATOR.
LET'S BEGIN AS WE DO EACH WEEK, INTRODUCING OUR DISTINGUISHED
PANEL OF GUESTS, AND THE FREQUENT CONTRIBUTOR TO OUR
PROGRAM, DISTRICT 67A TIM MAHONEY.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
>> I'M STATE REPRESENTATIVE TIM MAHONEY AND REPRESENT DISTRICT
67A WHICH IS THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF ST. PAUL.
IT HAS HILLCREST, HILLCREST SHOPPING CENTER, A VARIETY OF
NICE LITTLE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT MAKE UP THE AREA, AND I'M VERY
FORTUNATE, MY DISTRICT IS ABOUT A MILE BY A MILE.
I SERVE ON PROPERTY TAXES, PROPERTY TAXES AND LOCAL -- I
CAN'T REMEMBER THE FULL NAME. BUT PROPERTY TAXES, AND CAPITAL
INVESTMENTS, AND CHAIR JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
TRANSPORTATION FINANCE AND WAYS AND MEANS, AND I HAVE BEEN THERE
STARTING BY 15th YEAR. >> TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT
ABOUT WHAT YOUR BACKGROUND IS. >> I HAVE BEEN A LICENSED HIGH
PRESSURE STEAM PIPEFITTER FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS OR 25 YEARS,
OR SOMEWHERE IN THERE AND RETIRED LAST YEAR, A YEAR AGO IN
DECEMBER, AND YOU KNOW, I REPRESENT THE AREA THAT I GREW
UP IN, SO I KNOW MANY OF THE PEOPLE AND ENJOYING RETIREMENT
DURING THE SUMMER, AND LOTS OF TIME IN THE PARK.
>> VERY GOOD. VERY GOOD.
SENATOR EKEN I GUESS YOUR DISTRICT IS BIGGER THAN ONE MILE
BY ONE MILE. >> YES.
>> TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.
>> TWIN VALLEYS UP IN THE NORTHWEST PART OF THE STATE, AND
SMALL TOWN, 800 PEOPLE, AND I LIVE ON THE FARM I GREW UP,
THREE MILES WEST OF TOWN. MY WIFE AND I ARE RAISING OUR
FOUR CHILDREN OUT THERE, AND ONE THAT'S CURRENTLY IN COLLEGE AT
MORE HAD AND THE OTHERS ARE IN TWIN VALLEY EAST.
I SERVED FIVE TERMS IN THE HOUSE AND RECENTLY RAN AND WON A SEAT
IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE. I REPRESENT DISTRICT 4 WHICH
INCLUDES ALL OF NORMAN COUNTY AND CLAY COUNTY, AND THREE AND A
HALF TOWNSHIPS INCLUDING DETROIT LAKES.
I CURRENTLY SERVE ON THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SSVICES COMMITTEE,
CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE, AND THE AG AND JOBS COMMITTEE,
AND ALSO ON THE ELECTION SUBCOMMITTEE, AND I HAVE BEEN A
TEACHER FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, TAUGHT HIGH SCHOOL GOVERNMENT,
ECONOMICS, HISTORY, SOCIAL STUDIES, AND THAT'S MY
OCCUPATION, AND MY OCCUPATION, BUT I ALSO DO SOME FARM WORK IN
THE SUMMER, AND SO I DO WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE DONE, I GUESS, TO
MAKE ENDS MEET. >> VERY GOOD.
DELIGHTED YOU COULD JOIN US. A FREQUENT GUEST THAT'S BEEN
WITH US MANY TIMES OVER THE YEARS DAVID SEND YES SENJEM FROM
ROCHESTER. >> I'M DAVE SENJEM, ROCHESTER,
REPRESENTING NORTHERN ROCHESTER, WESTERN AND NORTHERN OLMSTED
COUNTY, AND A GOOD PORTION OF DODGE COUNTY.
DISTRICT 25, USED TO BE 29, AND I SPENT MOST OF MY WORKING LIFE,
IF YOU WILL WORKING IN ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE AT MAYO
CLINIC, AND RETIRED AFTER 44 YEARS AT THE END OF 2008, AND
HAVE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE NOW -- THIS IS THE 11th YEAR,
AND I HAVE ENJOYED ALL OF THAT AND I CERTAINLY SERVE ON THE
CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE WHERE I'M RANKING MEMBER, AND IN
ADDITION TO THAT TAXES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, AND
IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ASKING.
>> WE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK LATER IN THE PROGRAM.
BUT THERE'S A PROJECT THAT SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES ARE
PRETTY INTERESTED IN THAT WE WILL PROBABLY HAVE A CHANCE TO
TALK ABOUT. WE WILL VISIT ABOUT THAT A
LITTLE LATER. >> AND LUVERNE, A GUEST WITH US
LAST YEAR, AND HERE AGAIN REPRESENTATIVE JOE SHOE MAKE SC.
>> I'M REPRESENTATIVE JOE SCHOMACKER, FROM LUVERNE, AND
THE DISTRICT IS SOUTH DAKOTA. IT'S DEFINITELY-A WAYS AWAY FROM
HERE, AND IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO GET BACK HOME WHENEVER I CAN,
BUT WHEN I'M UP HERE, I'M WORKING ON THE HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICE FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEES AS WELL AS THE
HOUSING COMMITTEE, SO MY DAYS ARE SPENT ALL ON HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES, AND WE DO THAT. WHEN I'M HOME, MY FAMILY RUNS A
CLEANING BUSINESS, AND WE DO JANL TORDOJANITORIAL WORK.
IF I HAPPEN TO BE SNOWED IN THIS WEEKEND I WILL GET OUT OF WORK.
>> I'M AFRAID YOU ARE IN TROUBLE.
>> YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET CLOSE, BUT IT'S THE LAST
30 MILES, 40 MILES THAT MIGHT BE PROBLEMATIC.
>> I LIKE YOUR THINKING ON THERE.
>> WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU JOINED US AND I SUSPECT YOUR SENATOR,
AS WITH SENATOR EKEN IS ALSO MILE BY MILE.
>> NO. I COVER 6 COUNTIES, AND RIGHT
NOW ROCK, NOBLES, MURRAY, PIPE STONE LINE AND LINCOLN, AND IT
TAKES ABOUT TWO HOURS TO GET FROM LUVERNE TO THE NORTHERN
PART OF MY DISTRICT. IT'S VAST COVERAGE.
>> VERY GOOD. WE HAVE A GOOD BALANCE HERE.
LET'S JUMP INTO QUESTIONS WE HAVE FROM VIEWERS, ONE VIEWER
FROM AN UNIDENTIFIED TOWN WANTS US TO TALK ABOUT AQUATIC SPECIES
PROBLEMS, AND IS THE LEGISLATURE GOING TO ADDRESS THIS AND WHAT,
IF ANYTHING, ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT.
WHO IS THE EXPERT THAT WANTS TO ADDRESS THAT TO BEGIN WITH.
ANYBODY? SENATOR EKEN.
>> IT'S A BIG ISSUE UP IN OUR AREA, AND I REPRESENT DETROIT
LAKES, AND THERE'S REAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE INVASIVE SPECIES
THERE, AND I BELIEVE WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT MORE AGGRESSIVELY
THAN WE HAVE, ALTHOUGH WE MAKE STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
WE STARTED A RESEARCH CENTER DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE,
AND A LOT OF THAT HITS SOME OF THE MORE HIGH PROFILE LIKE THE
ZEBRA MUSSELS AND SO ON. WE NEED TO DO MORE ON THE PLANT
AQUATICS, AND IT'S A THREAT HE CAN NOECONOMICALLY FOR THE COMMS
THAT DEPEND ON THE TOURIST INDUSTRY IN OUR AREA.
A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE TO ADDRESS FOR BOTH THE
ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE.
I THINK THERE'S THE LEGACY FUNDS, AND THERE'S MONEY FOR
CLEAN WATER, AND THERE'S MONEY FOR WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND I
BELIEVE THAT THOSE FUNDS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR COMBATING
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES AS WELL AS OTHER PURPOSES.
IT HASN'T BEEN USED FOR THOSE PURPOSES IN THE PAST, BUT IT
FITS IN THE OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WE
PASSED, AND GETTING TO BE YEARS AGO NOW AND THAT WAS DESIGNED
TO, YOU KNOW, SECURE CLEAN WATER AND BETTER WILDLIFE HABITAT AND
GOES HAND AND HAND WITH THE AQUATIC SPECIES ISSUE.
>> ANYTHING ELSE ON THAT. >> I'M NOT DIRECTLY INVOLVED,
ALTHOUGH A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, THEY PUT $15 MILLION TOWARDS
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE THE *** RAPIDS DAM, AND THERE'S LOTS OF
DISCUSSION NOW. LOTS OF DISCUSSION ABOUT ASIAN
CARP AND THE DAMS DOWNSTREAM, IF YOU WILL.
>> MINNEAPOLIS LOCK AND DAM. >> FORD DAM.
WHATEVER WE USE ELECTRICITY, TO KEEP THE SO-CALLED CARP OUT OF
NORTHERN MINNESOTA, AND I THINK WE WOULD ALL AGREE, THIS IS A
HUGE ISSUE, POTENTIALLY, FROM THE STANDPOINT OF ECONOMIC
IMPACT, AND WE LOSE OUR LAKES TO EITHER PLANT LIFE OR CERTAINLY
THESE ASIAN CARP, AND SHAME ON US, AND IT'S NOT AN EASY THING,
TO TRBUT I THINK WE HAVE TO BETE HOUSE, SO TO SPEAK, AND I AGREE
LET'S USE THAT FUND TO KEEP OUR STREAMS AND LAKES IN S GOOD
CONDITION AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. ONE THING I WORRY ABOUT BEING
FROM SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, EVERY EFFORT TO STOP THE CARP
START IN THE TWIN CITIES AREA, WHICH MEANS WE ARE GOING TO GIVE
UP SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA AND ALL OF THOSE RIVERS, AND STREAMS
TO THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I HOPE NOT.
ONE WOULD LIKE TO THINK WE COULD STOP AT THE ILLINOIS RIVER, BUT
I'M NOT SURE WE CAN. >> THE AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES
ARE A HUGE CONCERN NOT ONLY JUST TO NORTHERN MINNESOTA BUT TO ALL
MINNESOTANS, AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE CONSTANTLY FORGET
NOWADAYS IS THE EMERALD ASH. THEY ARE IN RAMSEY COUNTY, AND
HENNEPIN COUNTY. >> MY BACKYARD.
>> I HAVE GOT A PUBLIC GOLF COURSE 200 YARDS FROM ME THAT
HAS, I THINK, OVER A THOUSAND ASH TREES ON IT, AND YOU CAN
JUST IMAGINE WHAT A GORGEOUS OLD GOLF COURSE -- I DON'T KNOW.
IT'S 75 YEARS OLD AND HAS THE HUGE ASH TREES ON IT, AND ALL OF
A SUDDEN IT'S GOING TO HAVE NOTHING.
NOT ONLY SHOULD WE LOOK AT THAT FUND FOR THE INVASIVE AQUATIC
SPECIES, BUT WE NEED TO -- WE HAVE GOT -- BUCK THORN HAS BEEN
AROUND FOREVER. I WAS AMAZED.
I NEVER THOUGHT IT WAS THAT DEEP.
IT ALMOST TOOK THE WHOLE HILLSIDE OUT.
IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO LOOK AT.
>> SCHOMACKER ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT.
>> NO. THESE GENTLEMEN COVERED IT WELL.
>> THIS IS AN AREA THAT YOU ARE -- A COMMITTEE THAT YOU
SERVE ON. THIS VIEWER HAS A LONG QUESTION
THAT I'M NOT GOING TO DO JUSTICE TO, AND I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE
FOR NOT DOING THAT. IT HAS TO DO WITH HOME
HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND CONCERN THERE MIGHT BE ANOTHER ATTEMPT
TO MAKE A CUT IN THE AMOUNT THAT IS PAID TO HOME HEALTHCARE
WORKERS, AND VIEWERS TALKING ABOUT A POTENTIAL TO 20 TO 30%
CUT IN PAY THIS JUNE OR JULY. I DON'T KNOW A GREAT DEAL ABOUT
THIS, BUT I WILL START WITH YOU, AND WE WILL GO AROUND THE TABLE
AND SEE WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS.
>> I HADN'T HEARD THE 20 TO 30% THEY CUT WITH THAT.
BUT I HAD BEEN HEARING OBVIOUSLY THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET IS OUT,
AND WE HAVE THAT TO REFLECT ON, AND IN HIS BUDGET HE KEEPS
WORKERS IN THE HOME HEALTH AREA KIND OF STEADY IN WHAT THEY ARE
DOING, AND A 1% INCREASE HERE OR THERE IN THE OVERALL SCHEME OF
WHAT HE'S TRYING TO DO. THERE ARE EFFORTS TO DO
INCREASES, AND I THINK THE HOUSE HAS A COUPLE OF BILLS IN RIGHT
NOW TO DO A FEW RATE INCREASES FOR THAT, AND TRY AND KEEP UP
WITH THE PACE ON SOME OF THAT OVERALL.
I GUESS I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHAT THE 20 OR 30% COMES FROM.
I HAVEN'T PERIOD ANYTHING SPECIFIC TO THAT.
OBVIOUSLY THAT'S A PRETTY BIG NUMBER.
THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD STICK IN YOUR MIND IF I
HAD HEARD THAT. >> NOT ONLY IN THE MIND.
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY THE SAME THING.
I DARE ANYBODY TO WRITE A BILL THAT'S GOING TO CUT HOME
HEALTHCARE 20 TO 30%, AND THAT'S PROBABLY UNREALISTIC.
>> SOMETIMES THE QUESTIONS GET LOST OF TRANSLATION, AND THERE'S
ALSO A POSSIBILITY OF MALPRACTICE ON THE PART OF THE
MODERATOR. IN ANY EVENT, MY TIME HERE, YOU
LOOK AT WHEN IT REALLY GETS TOUGH, THE PRIORITIES, AND
PROBABLY SENIORS IN K-12 EDUCATION HAVE RISEN TO THE TOP
IN OUR CAUCUS, AND YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT OUR TIME AT THE PODIUM
SO TO SPEAK FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE POLITICAL POWER, BUT I
THINK WE WOULD ALL GENERALLY AGREE WE WILL TRY TO PROTECT OUR
SENIORS AND PEOPLE THAT NEED HELP AND PARTICULARLY IN HOMES
WHERE YOU CAN SAVE MONEY DOING THAT.
IT'S A POSITIVE THING, AND WE OUGHT TO REINFORCE IT AS BEST AS
WE CAN. >> AND HOME HEALTHCARE IS ONE
AREA WE SHOULD BE EXPANDING OUR SERVICES IN, NOT MAKING CUTS IN,
BECAUSE IT'S ACTUALLY A PLACE WHERE YOU SAVE MONEY IN
PROVIDING HOME SERVICES, AND PROVIDING CARE IN AN
INSTITUTIONAL SETTING WHETHER IT BE A NURSING HOME OR WHAT HAVE
YOU. I KNOW THAT THE GOVERNOR IS
LOOKING AT THAT. OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE SENIORS, A
LARGE NUMBER OF SENIOR CITIZENS IN OUR POPULATION, AND THAT
NUMBER IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO GROW AS DID BABY BOOMERS, AND
THEY ARE GOING TO NEED SOME OF THESE SERVICES, AND WE NEED TO
GET AHEAD OF THAT AGE WAVE, AND I THINK ONE WAY TO DO IT IS
INSURE WE PROVIDE GOOD HOME HEALTH SERVICES AND HOME
HEALTHCARE FOR THE SENIORS, AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES AS WELL.
IT BECOMES A MORE COST EFFICIENT WAY TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE, AND
WE NEED TO START FOCUSING ON IT, BECAUSE IF WE DON'T, WE ARE
GOING TO BE CAUGHT FLAT FOOTED WITH THE AGE WAVE THAT'S FAST
APPROACHING, AND UNFORTUNATELY IN PAST YEARS WE HAVE SEEN
PRETTY SIGNIFICANT CUTS MADE IN THESE AREAS, AND WE ARE HAVING
TROUBLES, YOU KNOW, WITH OUR NURSING HOMES AS WELL AS THE
HOME CARE AND A LOT OF OUR NURSING HOMES ARE OPERATING IN
THE RED, AND TIME KEEPING THINGS GOING, AND WE NEED TO FOCUS OUR
EFFORTS IN THAT AREA. >> ANY THOUGHTS ON THE HOME
HEALTHCARE ISSUE? >> THE ONLY TIME I SEEN KENT
AGITATED, IT HAD TO BE FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AGO WHEN THERE WAS A
CUT TO SENIOR CITIZENS AND NURSING HOMES.
HE'S NOT A GUY THAT GETS RED FROM THE NECK UP, BUT HE WAS
GETTING A LITTLE THAT WAY. I AGREE WITH MOST EVERYTHING
THAT'S BEEN SAID. I DON'T THINK THERE'S A 20 OR
30% CUT COMING TO HOME HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND REALLY
AGREE WITH KENT THAT IF WE DON'T GET AHEAD OF HOW WE ARE GOING TO
TAKE CARE OF OUR SENIORS, THE BABY BOOMERS ARE COMING, AND
THEY ARE GOING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO BE DEMANDING LIKE WE
ALWAYS HAVE BEEN, AND I'M ONE OF THEM, AND YOU KNOW, I'M --
ACTUALLY I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE WAYS OVER THE NEXT 20
YEARS IN HOW WE DO THAT, AND I THINK YOUR PERSONAL CARE
ATTENDANTS, AND ACTUALLY THERE ARE SOME STUFF IN KOREA WHERE
THEY ARE DOING IT WITH ROBOTS OVER IN ASIA, AND I WOULDN'T BE
SURPRISED AT SOME POINT THE BABY BOOMERS -- UP TO A CERTAIN POINT
WE HAVE TO HAVE THOSE ANIMALS RUNNINGRUNNING.
>> A VIEWER WANTS TO TALK ABOUT A DNR ISSUE.
WILL THE LEGISLATURE STOP TRAPPING AND HUNTING OF WOLVES.
ANYONE WANT TO TAKE THE WOLF QUESTION?
SENATOR SENJEM, WE WILL START WITH YOU, I GUESS.
>> I SIGNED ON TO A WOLF BILL. IT'S JUST -- IT'S A PRETTY
EMOTIONAL THING, AND I SENSE IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET FACTS AROUND
IT, AND I WANTED THE BILL FRANKLY TO GO FORWARD SO WE HAVE
MORE DISCUSSION ON IT FROM THE STANDPOINT THIS IS A -- WHAT THE
REAL ISSUES ARE. I LIVE IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA, SO
WE DON'T HAVE LARGE NUMBERS OF WOLVES THERE, AND SENATOR EKEN
COULD PROBABLY SPEAK TO THIS MUCH BETTER, BUT WANTED TO HAVE
A DISCUSSION RELATIVE TO NUMBERS, YOU KNOW, ANIMALS
KILLED, CATTLE AND THINGS LIKE THAT, LIVESTOCK, AGRICULTURE AND
HOW IT EFFECTS THAT AND DOES IT REALLY EFFECT THAT.
WE GET A LOT OF INFORMATION ALONG THOSE LINES, AND WHAT THE
SPECIES REALLY IS -- I HEAR THERE'S 3,000 WOLVES.
IF THAT'S THE CASE, IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THAT MANY.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT.
IT'S AN EMOTIONAL ISSUE ACROSS THE STATE.
>> LET'S STEAK SENATOR SENJEM'S INVITATION, AND SENATOR EKEN, I
THINK HE'S RIGHT. YOU PROBABLY KNOW MORE ABOUT THE
TOPIC THAN THE REST OF US. >> WE HAVE WOLVES IN OUR AREA,
AND THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE DAMAGING EFFECTS
THAT THEY HAVE ON LIVESTOCK POPULATION IN PARTICULAR, AND I
DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE AN END TO WOLF HUNTING, BUT
THERE MAY BE AREAS WHERE OBVIOUSLY THEY MAY NOT ALLOW FOR
IT. BUT IN THE AGRICULTURAL AREAS
YOU ARE GOING TO SEE IT CONTINUE, AND ACTUALLY RIGHT
WHERE WE LIVE, A BIGGER PROBLEM HAS BEEN THE COYOTE POPULATION.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF COYOTES IN OUR AREA, AND I HEAR THEM OFTEN
AT NIGHT ON OUR FARM, AND THAT MIGHT BE ONE OF THE REASONS THE
DEER POPULATION IS IN OUR AREA. WE HAVE SEEN A DECREASE IN THAT.
>> SPECIFIC RESPONSE TO THE VIEWER'S QUESTION, UNLIKELY
THERE WILL BE ANY STATE OF ACTION, IN YOUR VIEW.
>> I DON'T THINK MYSELF. >> SENATOR SCHOMACKER, DO YOU
HAVE WOLVES IN LUVERNE? >> NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF.
THEY ARE NOT COMING TO ME FOR ANYTHING.
NO. I REALLY HAVEN'T, BECAUSE I
DON'T SIT ON THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEES OR ANYTHING THAT
DEALS DIRECTLY WITH DNR. I FEEL A FEELING I WILL BE
HEARING MORE THAN I DID THE LAST TWO YEARS AND LOOK FORWARD TO
THE DISCUSSION OF WHAT IS OUT THERE FOR THE ARGUMENTS.
>> AND MAHONEY? >> I DON'T THINK I WILL HEAR
MUCH ABOUT WOLVES UNTIL THE BUDGET IS DONE.
>> DO WE HAVE A QUESTION FOR OUR VIEWER.
A QUESTION WE HAVE NOT HAD AT LEAST IN RECENT YEARS, AND THIS
IS ON THE SO-CALLED PHOTO COP BILL.
THEY WANT TO KNOW IF IT'S DEAD FOR THE SESSION, AND THIS VIEWER
DOESN'T THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA, HE OR SHE THINKS THEY SHOULD BE
ABLE TO FACE THE VIEWER IN COURT IF THERE'S A CHARGE THAT HE RAN
A RED LIGHT. THE BILL HAS BEEN IN THE
DISCUSSION STAGE, AND ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THAT?
>> I'M GOING TO QUOTE ONE OF THE MORE COLORFUL MEMBERS OF OUR
HOUSE. EVERYTHING IS A PRIOR UNTIL THE
SECTION IS OVER, AND THAT WAS REPRESENTATIVE FROM EDINA.
I THINK THERE'S ALWAYS A PRAYER UNTIL SESSION IS DONE, BUT I
BELIEVE THE BILL IS HEADING TOWARDS JUST A CIVIL FINE, AND
GOING ON YOUR RECORD AS A SPEEDING OR MOVING VIOLATION,
AND I HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF FRIENDS T *** AND PEOPLE
RUNNING RED LIGHT$a AND MYSELF ALL AT THE TABLE HAVE BEEN SAVED
BY THE GRACE OF GOD. SO I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A
SUPPORTER OF THE CAMERA, AND I THINK IF YOU CAN STOP PEOPLE
FROM RUNNING THE YELLOW LIGHTS AND KEEP FROM T BONE PEOPLE, IT
DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT HAS 68 VOTES.
DIDN'T HAVE VOTES IN THE COMMITTEE TO GET OUT OF THE
COMMITTEE. THERE'S ALWAYS A PRAYER.
>> SENATOR, YOUR THOUGHTS? >> I'M NOT BIGOT PHOTO COP.
I FEEL THE SAME WAY THAT THE VIEWER WHO SENT THE QUESTION IN
FEELS, THAT REALLY YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO FACE THOSE THAT ARE
MAKING THE ACCUSATIONS IN COURT. SO I DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT
THAT, AND IT SEEMS ALMOST BIG BROTHERRISH WHEN YOU HAVE
TECHNOLOGY BEING USED IN THIS WAY, BUT THAT'S MY OWN FEELINGS.
>> SENATOR SENJEM? >> A LITTLE OLD FASHIONED
MYSELF. WE WILL HEAR THE BILL ON MONDAY.
I WILL LEAVE LATITUDE OPEN IF I GET CONVINCED.
IF I'M NOT CONVINCED, I WILL BE CONVINCED.
APPARENTLY THE IDEA IS A PICTURE OF THE LICENSE PLATE, AND A
PICTURE OF THE DRIVER, IF YOU CAN GET A GOOD PICTURE.
I'M NOT SURE THE TECHNOLOGY IS THAT GOOD, BUT OF COURSE THE
TICKET IS ISSUED IN SOME FASHION, AND I SUPPOSE THE
POLICE OFFICER OR SOMEONE ELSE GOES TO YOUR HOUSE AND LOOKS FOR
THAT, WHO IS IN THE PICTURE AND GIVES YOU THE TICKET, BUT I
DON'T KNOW. I'M TENDING TO THINK THAT'S --
YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE STAY AWAY FROM THAT FOR A LITTLE WHILE,
AND THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT IT, AND FACING THE ACCUSER, HAVING
YOUR DAY IN COURT, AND ALTHOUGH I GUESS HE COULD WITH A PICTURE,
BUT IT JUST DOESN'T TASTE WELL TO ME, AND I'M PROBABLY GOING TO
BE A HARD ONE TO CONVINCE. >> SCHOMACKER, ANY THOUGHTS?
>> YOU SAID YOU HAVEN'T HEARD A LOT ABOUT IT.
OBVIOUSLY I HAVE. I HAVE CONSTITUENTS THAT GET
CAUGHT WITH THIS. THEY RUN A RED LIGHT IN SIOUX
FALLS AND WRITE ME TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT.
A LITTLE MISPLACED ANGER THERE, BUT IT'S GOOD, SO I HAVE HAD A
FEW HERE, AND I HAVE HEARD BACK FROM A FEW ON THIS ISSUE AND THE
ISSUE THAT YOU BROUGHT UPPER THE SAME ONES THAT THEY HAVE THE
CHALLENGES THERE. >> VIEWER FROM ST. PAUL WANTS TO
TALK ABOUT NURSING HOME LEGISLATION, NOTING THAT THERE'S
BEEN A DISCUSSION OF SEVERAL BILLS WITH RESPECT TO NURSING
HOME LEGISLATION REIMBURSEMENT RATES AND THE LIKE.
THIS VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THE PANEL THINKS ABOUT THE
VARIOUS BILLS AND WHAT'S LIKELY TO HAPPEN IN THE SESSION.
REPRESENTATIVE SCHOMACKER, YOU SAT IN ON THE HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES COMMITTEE. >> WITH THAT, SENATOR AITKIN AND
I ARE LEADING UP AN EFFORT, BIPARTISAN GROUP OF MEMBERS OF
BOTH CHAMBERS TO BRING FORWARD LEGISLATION THAT REALLY HELPS
NURSING HOMES, ESPECIALLY IN GREATER MINNESOTA AND WE TALKED
ABOUT IT EARLIER TONIGHT, WHAT KIND OF DISCREPANCY THE NURSING
HOMES ARE SEEING AS PEOPLE GROW OLDER BUT WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE
TRYING TO GET INTO NURSING HOMES TO UTILIZE THE TYPE OF CARE THEY
NEED AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING IN THOSE NURSING HOMES,
TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET ON WASTE THAT HABIT HASN'T
INCREASED IN FOUR YEARS. I CALL IT A JOBS BILL FROM MY
DISTRICT. I KNOW ONE OF THE PROPOSALS, I
THINK, THAT'S GOING TO BE INTRODUCED NEXT WEEK IS WORKING
WITH A RATE INCREASE OF ABOUT 5% FOR NURSING HOMES AND FOR
ELDERLY WAIVER, BECAUSE AS WE TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE HOME
HEALTH THINGS AND ASSISTED LIVING, WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE
SURE WE GET AN INCREASE FOR THOSE, TOO, SO THEY CAN STAY IN
LINE THERE. 3% OF THAT WOULD BE KIND OF THE
BASE, AND 2% FOR THE PERFORMANCE TYPES OF THINGS, AND AS LONG AS
QUALITY STAYS HIGH THOSE EXTRA PERCENTAGES COULD BE ACHIEVED.
WE WANT TO SEE THINGS GO FORWARD THAT WAY.
I HAD A BILL COME ACROSS MY DESK FROM THE DEPARTMENT TRYING TO
MODERNIZE SOME OF THE LANGUAGE FROM WHEN A RESIDENT GETS PUT
INTO A NURSING HOME AND SOME OF THE EVALUATIONS THEY HAVE TO
DECIDE TO DETERMINE WHAT THEY OR HOW MANY NEEDS THEY REALLY HAVE,
HOW MUCH CARE NEEDS TO BE PROVIDED FOR THAT PARTICULAR
RESIDENT AND TRYING TO MODERNIZE SOME OF THAT AND BRING IT UP TO
WHAT THE FEDERAL LEVEL IS SO THAT OUR NURSING HOMES CAN GET
BETTER REIMBURSEMENTS WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO AND PROVIDE
CARE AS WELL. AS LONG AS WE CAN WORK ON
INCREASING RATES, WHICH I'M HOPING WE WILL SEE IN THE NEXT
COUPLE OF WEEKS AND IN THE BILLS AND THE HEARINGS THAT COME
FORWARD WITH THAT, AND WORK ON MODERNIZING SOME OF THE LANGUAGE
AND REDUCING SOME OF THE RED TAPE THAT BINDS OUR NURSING
HOMES AND ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES WE WILL BE IN BETTER
SHAPE THAN WE ARE TODAY. >> SENATOR AITKIN, YOUR THOUGHTS
ON THAT. >> AS REPRESENTATIVE SCHOMACKER
STATED, WE ARE WORKING ON LEGISLATION FOR A 5% INCREASE
BOTH ON NURSING HOMES AND THE ELDERLY WAIVER, AND I THINK WE
NEED TO EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANT ROLE THAT NURSING HOMES DO PLAY
IN OUR SOCIETY, NOT JUST IN RURAL MINNESOTA BUT OUR STATE
GENERALLY, AND THEY ARE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN OUR
RURAL COMMUNITIES AND NOT JUST A PLACE TO CARE FOR YOUR SENIORS,
BUT AS AN ECONOMIC ENGINE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, AND THEY ARE IN
MOST OF OUR SMALL TOWNS, AND NO. 1 OR NO. 2 EMPLOYER, AS WELL AS
BEING AN IMPORTANT PLACE TO CARE FOR YOUR SENIORS, AND WE WANT TO
BE ABLE TO CARE FOR OUR SENIORS AT HOME IN OUR HOME TOWNS.
IT'S SO IMPORTANT, AND FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE ON THAT,
HAVING HAD A FATHER THAT WAS IN A NURSING HOME FOR SIX YEARS,
AND THE HIGH QUALITY OF CARE HE RECEIVED, DESPITE THE LOW
COMPENSATION THAT THE NURSES AND THOSE THAT WORKED IN THE NURSING
HOMES RECEIVED, THEY PROVIDED OUTSTANDING CARE, AND IT WAS
BECAUSE THEY WERE A PART OF THAT COMMUNITY, AND THEY DID AN
OUTSTANDING JOB, AND I THINK WE OWE IT TO OUR -- TO THOSE
WORKERS. THEY DO IMPORTANT WORK, AND I
DON'T THINK THEY REALLY ARE RECOGNIZED AND RESPECTED FOR THE
HARD WORK THAT THEY ARE DOING, AND THEY ARE DOING IT FOR THE
RIGHT REASONS BECAUSE THEY REALLY WANT TO HELP THESE
PEOPLE. WE ARE GOING TO PUSH FORWARD,
AND WE ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE DOING A PRESS CONFERENCE NEXT
WEEK TO TRY TO DRAW PUBLIC ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE AND
MOBILIZE SOME SUPPORT IN HOPES OF SECURING ADDITIONAL FUNDING
FOR OUR NURSING HOMES AND THE ELDERLY WAIVER AS WELL.
>> REPRESENTATIVE MAHONEY, YOUR THOUGHTS?
I THINK WE COVERED IT PRETTY GOOD.
>> I SIGNED ON TO ACTUALLY A CLONE BILL OF SENATOR EKEN'S.
BUT I WOULD SAY, THOUGH, AND HE IN FACT DID ELUD HE ALLUDE TO T.
AS WE LABOR AND LEARN WHAT'S GOING ON THERE, WE DECIDED A
LONG TIME AGO IN MINNESOTA WE WERE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THE
ELDERLY. IT'S EMBEDDED IN THE FAB LICK OF
THE STATE. I THINK THE COMMITMENT IS GOING
TO LIVE ON FOR AN AWFUL LONG TIME.
WE HAVE TO LIVE UP TO IT, IF YOU WILL.
THOSE PEOPLE THAT WORK IN THE HOUSES, THE HOMES ARE TWO
COMMUNITY HEROES THERE. YOU HATE TO SAY IT'S A LABOR OF
LOVE BUT IN MANY CASES IT IS, AND I THINK WE HAVE GOT TO BE
FAIR ABOUT IT AND MAKE SURE THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN
FACT WORK HE AT THE LOWER END OF THE WAGE SCALE FOR A GIVEN
PROFESSION DO COMPETE WITH OTHERS, AND PARTICULARLY NURSES
THAT MIGHT WORK IN OTHER MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS AND THERE'S ALL
KINDS OF COMPETITION FOR WORKERS THERE, AND AGAIN, MANY OF THEM
COME AND STAY IN THE NURSING HOMES, BUT NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE
MAKING MORE MONEY BUT BECAUSE THEY ENJOY THE PEOPLE, AND THEY
HAVE THAT WITHIN THEIR FABRIC IN TERMS OF WANTING TO STAY AND
HELP THESE PEOPLE. >> A QUESTION FOR A VIEWER WANTS
TO TALK ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION, AND THIS VIEWER IS CONCERNED
ABOUT COMPENSATION TO MNSCU PROFESSORS, WORRIED THEY DON'T
WORK HARD ENOUGH AND NOTE THEY ONLY WORK FIVE HOURS TEACHING.
THE VIEWER IS TALKING ABOUT TIME IN THE CLASSROOM.
THE BROADER TOPIC ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION, AND NOT JUST MNSCU,
BUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, AND WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSION BOTH
AT THE LEGISLATURE AND IN THE NEWSPAPERS ABOUT ADMINISTRATIVE
EXPENSES, AND THESE THINGS HAVE ALSO BEEN SUBJECT TO
CONVERSATION, AND WE ARE GOING TO ANSWER THE VIEWERS' QUESTION
ABOUT PAY FOR PROFESSORS BUT WE ARE GOING TO TALK MORE ABOUT
HIGHER EDUCATION. WHO WANTS TO TAKE A RUN AT THAT
FIRST? I SERVED ON THE HIGHER EDUCATION
COMMITTEE? THAT WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE TO
START. >> I DO BELIEVE IN THE LAST
SEVERAL YEARS WE HAVE SEEN VERY SEVERE CUTS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
WHICH IS A RESULT OF THE SKYROCKETING TUITION, AND IT
USED TO BE A TIME, A LITTLE OVER A DECADE AGO, THAT THE COST OF
WAS PAID FOR BY THE STUDENT, TWO-THIRDS BY THE STATE AT OUR
STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES HERE IN MINNESOTA, AND NOW IT'S
COMPLETELY FLIPPED. COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE PICKING UP
TWO-THIRDS OF THE COST, AND THE STATE IS ONLY PICKING UP A
THIRD. THAT'S DIRECTLY A RESULT OF THE
CUTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE AT THE STATE LEVEL, AND SO WE NEED TO
ADDRESS THE SKYROCKETING TUITION, BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE
SURE THAT COLLEGE EDUCATION REMAINS AFFORDABLE AND
ACCESSIBLE TO ALL THE STUDENTS IN OUR STATE, INCLUDING THOSE
THAT COME FROM FAMILIES OF AVERAGE MEANS OR LOWER INCOME
FAMILIES, INCLUDING FAMILIES FROM RURAL AREAS, AND WE WANT TO
MAKE SURE EDUCATION REMAINS ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE THERE.
AS FAR AS THE IMPORTANCE OF HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY, IT'S
ONE OF THE REASONS WE ENJOYED A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE HERE IN
MINNESOTA BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB OF PROVIDING
OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, AND FOR NOT JUST YOUNG
PEOPLE, BUT OLDER PEOPLE WHO GO BACK TO COLLEGE AS WELL.
THAT'S BECOMING MORE IMPORTANT IS THE ECONOMY CHANGES, AND
PEOPLE NEED TO GO BACK FOR MORE EDUCATION, AND MORE TRAINING,
AND TO REENTER THE JOB MARKET AND OTHER AREAS, AND SO I THINK
IT'S BECOMING EVEN MORE IMPORTANT AS WE MOVE ALONG.
HIGHER EDUCATION IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE NECESSARY TO
SECURE THE GOOD JOBS AND OPPORTUNITY THAT OUR CITIZENS
DESERVE. >> LET'S TAKE A RUN AT ANSWERING
THE VIEWER'S QUESTION AND TALK ABOUT EFFICIENCIES, AND CONCERNS
ABOUT PROFESSORS WHO MAYBE SHOULD BE WORKING HARDER,
CONCERNS ABOUT ADMINISTRATIVE AND OVER ADMINISTRATION, THOSE
KINDS OF THINGS. IS THERE ANYTHING IN THE SENATE
DEALING WITH THESE ISSUES? IS THIS A CONCERN?
>> WE CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN ASKING QUESTIONS AND LOOKING INTO THE
MATTER ABOUT THE COST OF ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE SURE WE
DON'T HAVE BLOATED ADMINISTRATIONS IN THE HIGHER ED
SYSTEM. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE DOLLARS
ARE GOING TOWARDS THE STUDENTS AND EDUCATING OUR CITIZENS HERE
IN MINNESOTA, AND AS FAR AS PROFESSORS ARE CONCERNED,
OBVIOUSLY THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF AN EDUCATION SYSTEM IS
ITS TEACHERS, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE BEST
QUALITY PROFESSORS HERE, AND WE ARE COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER
STATES IN TERMS OF COMPENSATION AND PROVIDING PROFESSORS WITH
WHAT THEY NEED TO DO A GOOD JOB, AND GIVING THEM THE TOOLS THAT
THEY NEED AS WELL AS PROVIDING THE COMPENSATION THAT'S
NECESSARY TO ATTRACT GOOD QUALITY PEOPLE TO THAT
CONVERSATION BECAUSE AGAIN, IT'S SO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR
QUALITY OF LIFE HERE IN MINNESOTA.
>> SENATOR SENJEM, HIGHER EDUCATION.
>> YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO QUESTION THERE HAVE BEEN CUTS, AND WE
TALKED ABOUT PRIORITIES OVER THE LAST 3 TO 4 YEARS, DURING THE
COURSE OF A DEEP RECESSION, AND HIGHER EDUCATION DID TAKE ITS
CUTS, AND WE DON'T MANAGE THE MNSCU SYSTEM AT THE LEVEL WE ARE
MANAGING WHAT INDIVIDUAL PROFESSORS OR OTHER EMPLOYEES
DO. IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET TO THAT
DEPTH BUT GIVEN THE CUTS THE MIN ASK YOU SYSTEM AS WELL ATHEMNSCD
SUGGESTS HOPEFULLY THOSE WERE PRIORITIES THAT RELATED TO THE
CLASSROOM AS OPPOSED TO A LOT OF ADMINISTRATIVE OVER BURDEN.
IT'S DIFFICULT FOR US, AT LEAST FOR ME, WHERE I SIT IN THE STATE
CAPITOL TO KIND OF GET THAT DEEP INTO WHAT'S HAPPENING AT WINONA
STATE, MANKATO STATE OR MOOREHEAD OR WHATEVER IT MIGHT
BE, BUTxD WE TRY TO PUT INTO PLE GOOD ADMINISTRATORS AT THE
HIGHEST LEVEL. A MIN ASA MNSCU BOARD THAT LOOKT
AND TRY TO BUDGET APPROPRIATELY, AND I BELIEVE PROBABLY THAT THIS
YEAR'S BUDGET IS GOING TO BE BETTER THAN THAT OF THE LAST
BIENNIUM, AND JUST GOING FORWARD, IT'S A CHALLENGE AND
SENATOR EKEN MENTIONED THE IMPORTANCE OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
IT'S ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT TO OUR FABRIC AND WE HAVE GOT TO TAKE
CARE OF THAT AND WE WILL DO AS BEST WE CAN.
>> REPRESENTATIVE MAHONEY, YOUR THOUGHTS.
>> I WILL DO DEFENDING OF THE PROFESSORS AND COLLEGE
INSTRUCTORS AND MANY OF THEM ARE ADJUNCT OR PART-TIME, AND IT'S
NOT UNCOMMON TO WORK 6 OR 8 OR 10 HOURS A WEEK AND THAT'S IT.
IF YOU ARE A FULL-TIME PROFESSOR, THERE IS ALSO ARE YOU
A FULL-TIME PROFESSOR DRAWING IN PH.D. STUDENTS AND CREATING THAT
WHOLE GROUP AROUND YOU THAT NOT ONLY TEACHES BUT DOES RESEARCH
AND GOES OUT AND GETS GRANTS, AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE PARTS TO
IT, AND I WILL DEFEND THE PRESIDENT BECAUSE HE'SALREADY
NOT REPLACED A NUMBER OF TOP POSITIONS AND DEPARTMENTS BELOW
THEM, MRNLGED THEM WITH A NUMBER OF PLACES.
HE'S REALLY WORKING, AND I THINK HE HAS MORE WORK TO DO.
I THINK THEY HAVE MORE WORK TO DO IN MNSCU, BECAUSE THERE'S NO
DOUBT THAT SENATOR EKEN IS CORRECT.
1998, WE PAID A THIRD, -- WE PAID TWO-THIRDS, AND WE NOW PAY
A THIRD. MY LAST CHILD WAS JUST DONE WITH
COLLEGE A FEW YEARS BACK, AND YOU WOULD THINK AFTER THREE OR
FOUR YEARS DEPENDING ABOUT THE COLLEGE DEBT WOULD STOP, BUT IT
NEVER DOES AND I DON'T WANT TO MAKE LIGHT OF THE COLLEGE DEBT.
>> THE ONE THING I THINK WE DO NEED TO LOOK AT IN HIGHER ED,
THOUGH, POST SECONDARY HAS TO BE FOUR YEARS, AND IN REALITY MANY,
MANY GOOD JOBS ARE OUT THERE WITH A 30 OR 120 OR 180 DAY
CERTIFICATE, THAT'S WHAT I DID AS AN APPRENTICE PIPEFITTER, AND
I WENT 9 MONTHS, AND SPENT FIVE YEARS GOING TO NIGHT SCHOOL.
MANY -- NOT MANY, BUT THAT IS A JOB TRAINING KIND OF TREND WE
ARE SEEING, WHICH IS MORE SHORT-TERM STACKABLE
CREDENTIALS, AND IT'S NOT WHAT WE HAVE DONE OFFER THE LAST 15
TO 100 IN COLLEGE, SO IT'S A LITTLE HARD TO GET OUR
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES THE MNSCU SYSTEM TO MOVE IN THAT
DIRECTION. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE
SOME OF THAT OUT IN THE WORK FORCE AND START WORKING THROUGH
JOB SKILLS PARTNERSHIP, AND DISLOCATED WORKERS, AND SOME OF
THE OTHER STUFF TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU DO THEIR 30, 60, 90 DAY
CERTIFICATION, AND THEN ONCE GOTTEN A NEW JOB OR A JOB, COME
BACK AND DO THE NIGHT SCHOOL STUFF, SO THEY FURTHER THEIR
LICENSING AND FURTHER THEIR INCOME.
IT'S A LOT CHEAPER THAN A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE, AND NONE OF
THE MANUFACTURING JOBS IN THE METRO AREA AND MANY OF THE RURAL
AREAS, AND WE TALKED ABOUT A LIVING WAGE JOB AT $13 AN HOUR,
AND THEY ARE WELL, WELL BEYOND A LIVING WAGE JOB, AND THEY
ACTUALLY HAVE A FUTURE, WHERE WORKING IN MANUFACTURING PLANT,
YOU ACTUALLY CAN GO HOME IN A WHITE SHIRT AND COME HOME IN A
WHITE SHIRT, NOT EVEN DIRTY. I TOURED SOME OF THEM, AND IT'S
AN AMAZING DEAL. >> REPRESENTATIVE SCHOMACKER.
>> HE WAS GOING TO WHAT MAHONEY DID.
IF WE TWEETED, WE WOULD PROBABLY TWEET THAT.
TYPICALLY TO THE QUESTION, I JUST GOT OUT OF MNSCU SCHOOL IN
2008 IS WHEN I GRADUATED THERE. FROM THE STUDENTS' PERSPECTIVE
YOU SEE THE PROFESSOR FIVE HOURS A WEEK, AND IT MIGHT BE ON WHAT
YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO READ AND MIGHT NOT BE ON WHAT YOU WERE
SUPPOSED TO READ. >> YOU WERE READING WHATEVER YOU
WERE SUPPOSED TO BE. >> YES, THANKS, THANKS, GUYS.
BUT THERE IS THAT PERSPECTIVE THAT THEY ARE NOT DOING THE JOB
THAT THEY THINK THEY SHOULD BE DOING.
BUT FROM A STUDENTS' PERSPECTIVE WHAT OTHER REFERENCE DO YOU HAVE
AND WHAT OTHER VALUE DOES THAT PROFESSOR BRING TO THE
UNIVERSITY AS A WHOLE OR SCHOOL AS A WHOLE AND WHAT THEY ARE
TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH, AND IT'S A WHOLE PART OF THE REST OF THE
DISCUSSION THERE THAT WOULD GOO INTO THE SALARY THAT THEY HAVE,
AND SO I WOULD ASSUME -- I DON'T KNOW WHO THE WRITER WAS, BUT IT
SOUNDS LIKE A STUDENT WHO WAS FRUSTRATED WITH THINGS, AND I'M
ALSO PAYING OFF STUDENT DEBT AND ON THE 10-YEAR PLAN TO GET THAT
PAID OFF. I'M NOT EXCITED ABOUT THAT ONE,
AND MY STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS ARE MORE THAN THE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS
EVERY MONTH. IT IS WHAT IT IS, I WANTED TO GO
TO SCHOOL, AND I WENT ON THE 6 YEAR PATH TO GET MY MASTERS
DEGREE AS WELL. I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN
BETTER SUITED TO DO A TWO-YEAR PROGRAM OR SOMETHING, AND TRY AN
APPRENTICESHIP. I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH OF
THOSE THESE DAYS REALLY TO GET INTO A JOB OR FIELD THAT I COULD
ACTUALLY UTILIZE AND START MAKING MONEY AND CONTRIBUTING
BACK TO THE COMMUNITY EARLIER THAN WHAT I WILL BE ABLE TO NOW
WITH THESE STUDENT LOANS. >> YOU WERE GOING TO SAY?
>> IT'S REALLY INTERESTING, BECAUSE YOU KNOW, NEBRASKA,
WHICH IS A WAYS AWAY FROM YOUR CORNER OF THE WORLD, BUT THEY
HAVE AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR THEIR COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND THEY
ACTUALLY GET PAID, AND THEY GET PAID 4, 5, $6,000 OR $8,000 FOR
THE SUMMER, INTERNSHIP, AND THEY GET WORK EXPERIENCE, AND WHEN
THEY GET DONE WITH SCHOOL, THEY ARE A PRACTICED CHEMIST OR
BIOLOGIST OR MECHANIC OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT THEY ARE
DOING, AND THE GOVERNOR'S BILL PUT INTERNSHIPS AND APPRENTICE
SHIPS, AND APPRENTICESHIP COMES TO OUR COMMITTEE AND IT'S KIND
OF A HOW DO YOU GET A MANUFACTURER TO WANT TO HIRE AN
APPRENTICE WITHOUT HAVING TO GO THROUGH STATES.
THERE'S NOT A LOT OF RED TAPE BUT THERE'S A HUGE AMOUNT OF RED
TAPE. YOU HAVE GOT TO WRITE A LETTER
AND HAVE AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM AND GET THIS PERSON TO
THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM IN TWO OR THREE YEARS, BUT WE ARE
TRYING TO DO THAT IN MINNESOTA. I WAS GOING BACK TO NEBRASKA.
MINNESOTA HAD A PROGRAM THE LAST YEAR THAT RUN THROUGH THE
MINNESOTA HIGH TECH NEGOTIATION, AND I THINK THEY DID 60 INTERNS
IN A PROGRAM LIKE THAT. NEBRASKA DID OVER 600.
NEBRASKA -- I DON'T WANT TO DISPAIRNLG NEBRASKA BUT I DON'T
THINK THEY HAVE AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE HAVE IN THE METRO AREA IN
THE WHOLE STATE. THEY DO MORE THAN 10 TIMES WHAT
WE DID. WE ARE BEHIND ON THAT.
IF WE WANT TO KEEP UR BRIGHT YOUNG PEOPLE AND FILL THEM INTO
EXCITING NEW JOBS, WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT HOW WE DO THAT.
>> I JUST MENTIONED IN PASSING THAT THE DIFFICULTIES THAT YOU
FOLKS WERE IN THE POLICY MAKING BUSINESS HAVE TO DEAL WITH IN
THE LEGISLATURE WHICH IS DEALING WITH HOW HIGHER EDUCATION IS
GOING, YOU ARE ALSO SEEING IT IN THE LEGAL BUSINESS.
SHOULD IT BE THREE YEARS, LESS THAN THREE YEARS, AND LOOKING AT
THE EXPENSE ASSOCIATED AND THE STUDENT LOANS YOU WERE
DISCUSSING, IT'S NOT SOW-IT IS AN ISSUE FOR ALL OF HIGHER
EDUCATION, AND TO OUR VIEWER THERE, I WILL SIMPLY SAY, I
DON'T THINK WE ARE GOING TO GET IT RESOLVED.
>> I THINK PROBABLY AMP IDENTIFYING ON REPRESENTATIVE
MAHONEY, BUT HE'S VERY INVOLVED IN THE WORK FORCE, BUT LOOKING
FORWARD AT EVERY CORNER, WHETHER IT'S NURSING OR WHETHER IT'S
STEAM PIPEFITTERS OR WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE GOT
THESE PEOPLE, AND MOVING INTO RETIREMENT AGES, AND WE HAVE GOT
A BIG, BIG VAVAUM IN TERMS OF OUR WORK FORCE, LOOKING FORWARD,
AND WE HAVE GOT TO, I THINK, STEP UP, WHICH WOULD FRANKLY BE
ADVISED TO STEP UP EARLY AND AMPLIFY SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS
AND MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE L LES E DON'T HAVE THE WORK FORCE, WE
ARE NOT GOING TO BE ECONOMICALLY SUCCESSFUL.
>> VIEWER FROM PLYMOUTH WANT HAA QUESTION.
I ASSUME THE VIEWER IS CORRECT WHEN HE SAYS THIS, BUT HE SAYS
HE WANTED TO ALLOW BEER SALES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA LIKE
TCS STADIUM. DOES THE PANEL SUPPORT OR OPPOSE
THIS? IS THERE SUCH A BILL, AND DOES
ANYBODY WISH TO SPEAK TO THIS? >> THERE'S A BILL SHOWN FROM
COTTAGE GROVE INTRODUCED IT, I THINK, TODAY, AND IT FOLLOWS THE
PATH OF WHAT'S HAPPENED AT TCS STADIUM.
THEY WANT TO WHERE YOU CAN SELL BEER AT THE BASKETBALL GAMES,
AND THE HOCKEY GAMES, AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING, AND THE
UNIVERSITY WILL HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH IT FOR A VARIETY
OF REASONS, AND ONE BEING WCHA, AND THE COLLEGE LEAGUES, THEY
DON'T LIKE THAT IN THEIR STADIUM OR AUDITORIUMS.
WE WILL SEE HOW THAT ONE PROGRESSES, AND THE UNIVERSITY
WAS RELUCTANT TO DO THE BEER SALES AT TCS AND WANT TO SEE HOW
THAT PLAYS OUT OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS BEFORE THEY JUMP ON BOARD
WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS, ALTHOUGH I FULLY UNDERSTAND A
PERSON'S DESIRE TO HAVE A BEER WHILE YOU ARE WATCHING THE
BASKETBALL GAME OR HOCKEY GAME. MYSELF, SINCE I CAME TO THE
LEGISLATURE, MY HOCKEY GAMES ATTENDED HAS DROPPED OFF.
>> ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON THAT? >> I WAS JUST AT A BASKETBALL
GAME THE OTHER NIGHT, IT'S PRETTY TIGHT IN THERE, AND NOT
THAT I'M A SMALL GUY. BUT YOU ARE SITTING PRETTY
CLOSE, AND A PERSON IN FRONT OF YOU IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU,
AND THE SPILLAGE AND ALL OF THAT.
I'M NOT SURE PHYSICALLY IT WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE TO HAVE A LOT OF
BEER CUPS FLYING AROUND, BUT THINK ABOUT THE CORRIDORS AND
STUFF, THEY ARE PRETTY NARROW, AND I DON'T KNOW PHYSICALLY IF
IT WOULD WORK VERY WELL. >> SENATOR SENJEM LET'S PICK ON
YOU AND TALK ABOUT THE ROCHESTER PROJECT.
WE HAD A BRIEF DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS SEVERAL WEEKSñr AGO WHEN IT
WAS INTRODUCED. TELL THE VIEWERS BRIEFLY WHAT
IT'S ABOUT AND WHY THE LEGISLATURE IS INVOLVED AND WHAT
THAT MEANS. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT YOU SPEND
A MINUTE OR TWO ON THAT. >> I WILL TRY TO KEEP IT
SOMEWHAT BRIEF. I THINK MAYO CLINIC, I THINK,
HAS COME TO THE REALIZATION THAT AS HEALTHCARE EVOLVES AND
SPECIFICALLY AS CERTAIN MEDICAL CENTERS, AGAIN, HOPE TO LEAD IN
TERMS OF THEIR POSTURE NOT ONLY NATIONALLY BUT INTERNATIONALLY
THAT CERTAINLY WE WANT MAYO CLINIC TO BE IN THAT HUNT SO TO
SPEAK. >> AND THEY ARE COMPETING WITH
CLEVELAND CLINIC, JOHN HOPKINS;, AND THESE PREMIER SO-CALLED
MEDICAL CENTERS. >> MEDICAL DESTINATIONS.
>> YES, AND THESE EACH HAVE THEIR OWN REPUTATIONS AND WE ARE
KIND OF ENTERING INTO THIS THING NOW WHERE WE ARE LOOKING AT THE
MEDICAL MARKET, AND ANY PATIENT COMING TOMEI-FOR INSTANCE, IS
GOING TO SPEND SIX OR 8 HOURS WITHIN THE MAYO FACILITIES, AND
THAT'S GENERALLY SPEAKING A GOOD MEDICAL EXPERIENCE, BUT THERE'S
ANOTHER 18 HOURS OUTSIDE OF THAT, AND WHAT DOES DOWNTOWN
ROCHESTER HAVE IN TERMS OF AMENITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR
PATIENTS THAT MIGHT COME TO ROCHESTER TO SEEK THEIR MEDICAL
CARE. THE THOUGHT IS WE HAVE GOT TO
ENHANCE THOSE KINDS OF FACILITIES.
MAYO AS WELL IS GOING TO ENHANCE THEIRS, AND AS WE LOOK AT THIS,
THERE'S PROJECTED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 5 1/2 BILLION
DOLLARS PROJECTED TO BE SPENT OVER THE NEXT 30 YEARS IN
ROCHESTER TO CREATE PATIENT ENHANCEMENTS BUT OTHER AMENITIES
THAT RELATE TO THE MAYO'S EVOLUTION AS A MEDICAL CENTER.
THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY, AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF
ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE WITHIN ROCHESTER TO ACCOMPLISH THAT,
MUCH MORE THAN THE EXISTING TAX BASE CAN ACCOMMODATE.
WHAT THIS IS, MAYO SAYS, WE WILL MAKE THESE KIND OF INVESTMENTS,
AND WE WILL PERHAPS CREATE 95,000 JOBS, AND WE WILL MEASURE
BEFORE AND MEASURE AFTERWARDS. AFTER WE PERFORMED, IF WE HAVE
PERFORMED, IN CRNLLY THOSE NEW TAX REVENUES GOING TO THE STATE,
THE QUESTION IS CAN WE RECAPTURE SOME OF THOSE AND USE THEM FOR
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ALL OF THIS TO HAPPEN.
IT'S ALL RETROACTIVE. IT DOESN'T OCCUR IF MAYO
PERFORMS,, AND IF IT DOES PERFORM NOT ONLY WILL MAYO
CONTINUE TO BE IN MINNESOTA BUT WILL BE COMPETITIVE
INTERNATIONALLY AND NATIONALLY FOR THAT PATIENT MARKET, WHICH
IS VITAL TO MINNESOTA, AND RIGHT NOW I THINK IT'S ABOUT
$4 BILLION EVEN ONE YEAR OF STATE MONEY COMING INTO OUR
STATE, AND THAT'S IMPORTANT. IT IS IMPORTANT NOT ONLY TO
ROCHESTER AND SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA BUT IMPORTANT TO THE
STATE OF MINNESOTA AND THAT'S AN ECONOMIC ROCKET DOWN THERE, AND
IN MY OPINION, WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF IT.
>> AND DOWN IN BALTIMORE WITH JOHN HOPKINS THE CITY POURED
HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND THAT
PARTICULAR FACILITY. YOU GET OVER TO CLEVELAND, AND
HONEST TO GOD, CLEVELAND IS BROKE.
CLEVELAND IS BROKE. THEY STILL ARE DOING A
$350 MILLION MEDICAL MILE TO CONNECT UP CLEVELAND CLINIC,
WHICH IS IN A TOUGH, TOUGH NEIGHBORHOOD.
I HAVE TAKEN A WALK AROUND THAT PLACE, AND I WASN'T AS BRIGHT AS
I THOUGHT I WAS. THEY CONNECTED IT DOWNTOWN.
$350 MILLION INVESTMENT. THAT PALES -- $585 MILLION
INVESTMENT OVER 20 YEARS, WHICH AMOUNTS TO 25 MILLION A YEAR,
PALES IN COMPARISON TO WHAT CLEVELAND CLINIC GOT TO GO SET
UP A CLINIC IN, I THINK, IT'S THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES.
JOHN HOPKINS GOT ONE IN SINGAPORE, AND THAT'S NOT
HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, BUT THAT'S MARKED IN BILLIONS.
SO MAYO IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IS NOT COMPETING JUST
WITH A COUPLE OF LITTLE HOSPITALS; WE ARE COMPETING WITH
COUNTRIES AT THIS PARTICULAR POINT FOR THESE TYPE OF MEDICAL
TEST NATIONS, ANDESTINATIONS. I HAVE BEEN CRITICAL OF MAYO AND
HOW THEY DO THE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.
THERE'S NO QUESTION TO THAT. I TOLD MAYO ABOUT THAT.
BUT IF YOU ACTUALLY WORK TOGETHER AND GET THAT TECHNOLOGY
SOLD AND DEVELOPED IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, THAT'S -- YOU ARE
TALKING $6 BILLION WITH AN INVESTMENT IN ROCHESTER.
I HOPE YOU GET IT. I THINK IT'S GREAT.
BUT THOSE MEDICAL DISCOVERIES WE DO IN ROCHESTER, IF THEY ARE
KEPT HERE IN MINNESOTA CREATE ANOTHER 2 BILLION OR $3 BILLION
WORTH OF BUSINESS OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE STATE, NOT
JUST ROCHESTER, BUT IN THE STATE.
FOR FELLOWS THAT HAVE A LARGER FARMING COMMUNITY, BIOLOGY IS
THE FUTURE. WHAT THEY DISCOVER AT MAYO OR AT
THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AS A BIPRODUCT OF THE HUMAN BIOLOGY
THEY ARE DOING, I'M A CITY KID, YOU KNOW, BUT I THINK THIS IS A
GOOD IDEA. IT'S A HUGE PANDORA'S BOX IF YOU
OPEN IT. IT WILL BE THE FIRST THING
THAT'S BEEN DONE IN AMERICA, PERIOD.
I REALLY WANT A LOT OF OFF RAMPS AND BRAKES AND EVERYTHING ELSE
ON IT, BUT WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT, AND WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT
HOW TO MAKE MAYO THE DESTINATION IT HAS BEEN FOR THENEXT HUNDRED
YEARS. >> AND UNLIKE THE VIKINGS
STADIUM, MAYO HAS TO PERFORM FIRST.
THEY HAVE TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT AND CREATE THE NEW JOBS, AND
AFTER THEY HAVE DONE THAT, IF THERE'S A DEMONSTRATED
INCREMENT, NEW MONEY COMING TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, THAT'S
RECAPTURED AND SOME OF THAT IS GOING TO PAY FOR THE
INFRASTRUCTURE. THAT'S THE ESSENCE OF IT.
>> IT'S A FORM OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCING, SOMETHING WE HAVEN'T
BEEN DONE PREVIOUSLY. >> IT'S BEEN DONE NOWHERE IN
AMERICA, AND IT NEEDS TO BE VERY VERKS WELVERY, VERY WELL THOUGHH
A LOT OF BRAKES ON IT IN CASE SOMETHING GOES WRONG, AND WE ALL
KNOW OR HAVE HEARD THE HORROR STORIES WHAT HAPPENED WITH TAX
INCREMENT FINANCE IN MULTIPLE CITIES AND COUNTIES AND
LOCALITIES AROUND THE STATE 20 YEARS AGO.
>> SENATOR EKEN, ANY THOUGHTS? >> I AGREE WE HAVE TO MOVE
FORWARD CAUTIOUSLY ON IT, AND I AGREE ABOUT THE IMPORTANT ROLE
THAT MAYO CLINIC AND ROCHESTER PLAYS IN OUR STATE, AND IT IS AN
ECONOMIC ROCKET, AND IT DOES BENEFIT THE WHOLE STATE.
WE CERTAINLY WANT TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND ON THAT AND TO BE A
DESTINATION POINT, AND I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE THAT
WE ARE COMPETING WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD ON THIS, AND WE
SHOULD BE VERY PROUD TO HAVE A HOSPITAL LIKE MAYO HERE IN OUR
STATE, SO WE DEFINITELY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CONTINUE TO
EXPAND, AND I THINK THERE IS AÑi NEED FOR A GREATER
INFRASTRUCTURE, AND I THINK BEING A DESTINATION, WE NEED TO
ALSO FOCUS ON THE MEANS OF GETTING THERE, AND MAKING SURE
THAT IT'S MORE ACCESSIBLE IN THAT WAY SO THE TRANSPORTATION
INFRASTRUCTURE THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT AS WELL.
WE NEED TO BE CAUTIOUS IN HOW WE MOVE FORWARD ON THIS.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF MONEY HERE.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA ARE GETTING THE
BENEFITS THAT THEY DESERVE FROM ANY INVESTMENT MADE THERE.
>> REPRESENTATIVE SCHOMACKER, YOUR THOUGHTS?
>> I HADN'T HAD THE ISSUE COME BEFORE ME IN COMMITTEE OR MY
OFFICE, SO TONIGHT'S DISCUSSION WAS VERY HELPFUL FOR ME IN WHAT
WE TRY TO DO AND ALWAYS TRYING AND BE THE BEST STEWARDS OF THE
TAXPAYERS DOLLARS AND PUT THOSE DOLLARS TO BEST USE AND
EVERYTHING THAT WE TRY TO DO, AND I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
>> AND A VIEWER WANTS TO TALK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH
LEGISLATION AND UPPY MILLS AND PEOPLE THAT OVER BREED DOMESTIC
ANIMALS. ANY DISCUSSION ON THAT IN THE
LEGISLATURE. >> I HAVE NOT GOTTEN INTO IT TOO
DEEP. >> I THINK THERE IS ACTUALLY.
I HAVE HEARD OF SOME, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHO HAS GOT IT.
>> THERE ARE PEOPLE WORKING ON LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE LICENSURE
AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT I'M NOT SURE WHERE IT'S AT IN THE
PROCESS. >> WE HAVE HAD ONE COMMITTEE
HEARING ON IT, AND I THINK IT WAS IN GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
JUST LAST WEEK, AND IT'S IN THE PROCESS ON THE HOUSE SIDE, AND
STAY TUNED. >> 30 SECONDS LEFT, VIEWER FROM
MINNEAPOLIS SAYS IS THERE ANY POSSIBILITY OF A DISCUSSION
ABOUT LEGAL LIESING MARIJUANA, ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER OR
NOT THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN? >> NEXT YEAR.
>> NEXT YEAR PROJECT. >> THERE'S A BUDGET HERE.
WE HAVE GOT A BIG JOB AHEAD OF US THIS YEAR.
>> SAME THING WITH CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, AND
THAT'S PROBABLY A NEXT YEAR PROJECT, MORE THAN LIKELY,
RIGHT? >> I HOPE IT'S A NEVER PROJECT.
IT CAN WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR. >> ALL RIGHT.
THAT'S -- I WANT TO THANK OUR PANEL FOR YOUR HELP THIS
EVENING, AND I WANT TO THANK OUR VIEWERS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.
IF WE DIDN'T GET TO YOUR QUESTION, SORRY ABOUT THAT.
WE INVITE YOU TO CALL BACK, ACCEPTED IT VIA E-MAIL OR
TWITTER. WE APPRECIATE YOUR
PARTICIPATION, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO ALL THE WEEKS THAT
FOLLOW UNTIL THE LEGISLATION GOES HOME.
THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT. >>> THERE'S MUCH MORE ABOUT
"YOUR LEGISLATORS" ONLINE AT PIONEER.ORG.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM, WHO HAS BEEN A
GUEST AND WATCH ALL OUR PAST EPISODES.
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