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>>> "YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE GENEROUS
POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE GENEROUS FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF MAPE
FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF MAPE MEMBERS, MAKING MINNESOTA CLEAN
MEMBERS, MAKING MINNESOTA CLEAN WATERS, SAFE COMMUNITIES,
WATERS, SAFE COMMUNITIES, QUALITY EDUCATION AND VETERANS
QUALITY EDUCATION AND VETERANS CARE HAPPEN.
CARE HAPPEN. WE WORK HARD FOR MINNESOTANS.
WE WORK HARD FOR MINNESOTANS. >>> LIVE FROM ST. PAUL,
>>> LIVE FROM ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, WE WELCOME YOU TO
MINNESOTA, WE WELCOME YOU TO ANOTHER SEASON OF "YOUR
ANOTHER SEASON OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS", A ROUND TABLE
LEGISLATORS", A ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION FEATURING STATE
DISCUSSION FEATURING STATE LAWMAKERS WHO ARE PREPARED TO
LAWMAKERS WHO ARE PREPARED TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AND
ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AND DISCUSS IMPORTANT ISSUES MINNES.
MODERATOR FOR TONIGHT'S PROGRAM, BARRY
TONIGHT'S PROGRAM, BARRY ANDERSON.
ANDERSON. >> GOOD EVENING.
>> GOOD EVENING. WELCOME TO "YOUR LEGISLATORS".
WELCOME TO "YOUR LEGISLATORS". WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU COULD JOIN
WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU COULD JOIN US ON THIS SPRING DAY.
US ON THIS SPRING DAY. THE TEMPERATURES ARE CHILLING
THE TEMPERATURES ARE CHILLING SIGNS OF GETTING RID OF THE LAST
SIGNS OF GETTING RID OF THE LAST OF OUR SNOW, AND THAT MEANS OF
OF OUR SNOW, AND THAT MEANS OF COURSE THAT ACTIVITIES OF THE
COURSE THAT ACTIVITIES OF THE LEGISLATURE IS HEATING UP A
LEGISLATURE IS HEATING UP A LITTLE BIT.
LITTLE BIT. NOW WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT
NOW WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT ACTIVITY MIGHT
WHAT THAT ACTIVITY MIGHT CONSTITUTE.
CONSTITUTE. WE WANT TO INVITE YOU TO BE A
WE WANT TO INVITE YOU TO BE A PART OF OUR PROGRAM.
PART OF OUR PROGRAM. CALL IN THE QUESTIONS AT THE
CALL IN THE QUESTIONS AT THE NUMBER GIVEN ON THE SCREEN.
NUMBER GIVEN ON THE SCREEN. SEND THEM TO US VIA E-MAIL OR
SEND THEM TO US VIA E-MAIL OR VARIOUS ELECTRONIC MEANS,
VARIOUS ELECTRONIC MEANS, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, ET CETERA,
TWITTER, FACEBOOK, ET CETERA, AND YOU WILL SEE THEY GET TO THE
AND YOU WILL SEE THEY GET TO THE DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS.
DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS. WE BEGIN THIS EVENING AS WE DO
WE BEGIN THIS EVENING AS WE DO EACH WEEK BY INTRODUCING THE
EACH WEEK BY INTRODUCING THE SAWATZKY.
SAWATZKY. >> I'M A SPECIAL EDUCATION
>> I'M A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER AT WILLMAR AND TEACH
TEACHER AT WILLMAR AND TEACH STUDENTS WITH LEARNING
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES, AND WE HAVE
DISABILITIES, AND WE HAVE STUDENTS SIXTH, SEVENTH AND
STUDENTS SIXTH, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADE.
EIGHTH GRADE. IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE AND
IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE AND LOOK FORWARD TO OUR DISCUSSION
LOOK FORWARD TO OUR DISCUSSION TONIGHT.
TONIGHT. >> ALSO JOINING US, A REGULAR
>> ALSO JOINING US, A REGULAR FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, DISTRICT
FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, DISTRICT 17, CLARA CITY, SENATOR LYLE
17, CLARA CITY, SENATOR LYLE KOENEN.
KOENEN. TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOURSELF.
TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOURSELF. >> IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE, TOO.
>> IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE, TOO. I REPRESENT SENATE DISTRICT 17
I REPRESENT SENATE DISTRICT 17 WHICH INCLUDES, SWIFT, CHIPPEWA,
WHICH INCLUDES, SWIFT, CHIPPEWA, AND I LIVE IN CLARA CITY WITH MY
AND I LIVE IN CLARA CITY WITH MY FAMILY, AND MOST OF MY LIFE I
FAMILY, AND MOST OF MY LIFE I WAS A DAIRY FARMER SO THAT'S THE
WAS A DAIRY FARMER SO THAT'S THE BACKGROUND I COME FROM.
BACKGROUND I COME FROM. >> AND YOU ARE NOW CHARACTERIZED
>> AND YOU ARE NOW CHARACTERIZED AS A RETIRED DAIRY FARMER.
AS A RETIRED DAIRY FARMER. WHEN I ENCOUNTERED MY FIRST
WHEN I ENCOUNTERED MY FIRST DAIRY FARMER IN MY LEGAL CAREER,
DAIRY FARMER IN MY LEGAL CAREER, I MADE A MISTAKE, AND I DIDN'T
I MADE A MISTAKE, AND I DIDN'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE DAIRY
KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE DAIRY FARMING BUSINESS, AND I SAID TO
FARMING BUSINESS, AND I SAID TO THE DAIRY FARMER CLIENT, I SAID,
THE DAIRY FARMER CLIENT, I SAID, WILL YOU BE GOING ANYWHERE FOR
WILL YOU BE GOING ANYWHERE FOR THE WINTER?
THE WINTER? AND HE SAID I'M A DAIRY FARMER.
AND HE SAID I'M A DAIRY FARMER. >> THAT'S THE WAY IT IS IN DAIRY
>> THAT'S THE WAY IT IS IN DAIRY FARMING.
FARMING. >> WE ARE DELIGHTED THAT YOU ARE
>> WE ARE DELIGHTED THAT YOU ARE HERE WITH US.
HERE WITH US. >> ALSO JOINING US FROM BREEZY
>> ALSO JOINING US FROM BREEZY POINT, DISTRICT 10, SENATOR
POINT, DISTRICT 10, SENATOR CARRIE RUUD.
CARRIE RUUD. AM I PRONOUNCING THAT RIGHT?
AM I PRONOUNCING THAT RIGHT? >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT
>> TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
ABOUT YOURSELF. >> I REPRESENT SENATE DISTRICT
>> I REPRESENT SENATE DISTRICT 10 AND ALL OF AITKIN COUNTY AND
10 AND ALL OF AITKIN COUNTY AND ALL OF CROW WING COUNTY, AND I
ALL OF CROW WING COUNTY, AND I HAVE THE BEAUTIFUL BRAINERD
HAVE THE BEAUTIFUL BRAINERD LAKES AREA AND AITKIN LAKES
LAKES AREA AND AITKIN LAKES RECREATION AREA.
RECREATION AREA. WE HAVE A LOT OF EXCITING THINGS
WE HAVE A LOT OF EXCITING THINGS TO DO IN OUR AREA, AND MOST
TO DO IN OUR AREA, AND MOST PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TO SEE US ON
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TO SEE US ON VACATION OR TIMESHARE OR
VACATION OR TIMESHARE OR BOATING, AND MY HUSBAND AND I
BOATING, AND MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE A SMALL INDEPENDENT REAL
HAVE A SMALL INDEPENDENT REAL ESTATE COMPANY, AND WE HAVE BEEN
ESTATE COMPANY, AND WE HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR ABOUT 25 YEARS.
IN BUSINESS FOR ABOUT 25 YEARS. >> AND DO I DARE ASK ABOUT THE
>> AND DO I DARE ASK ABOUT THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS THESE DAYS?
REAL ESTATE BUSINESS THESE DAYS? >> UPSWING IN IME WE HAVE SEEN G
>> UPSWING IN IME WE HAVE SEEN G TIME.
TIME. I DO A LOT OF THE FORECLOSURES
I DO A LOT OF THE FORECLOSURES IN THE AREA, AND HAVE NONE IN
IN THE AREA, AND HAVE NONE IN PROCESS, AND WE SAW OUR
PROCESS, AND WE SAW OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN BRAINERD GO
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN BRAINERD GO DOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A
DOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME AND LOOKING AT THE
LONG TIME AND LOOKING AT THE HOUSING MARKET TO HAVE A REALLY
HOUSING MARKET TO HAVE A REALLY GOOD SOLID SPRING.
GOOD SOLID SPRING. >> YOU WATCH THIS PROGRAM AND
>> YOU WATCH THIS PROGRAM AND NOT ONLY FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING
NOT ONLY FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE LEGISLATURE BUT YOU
ON IN THE LEGISLATURE BUT YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THE ECONOMY AS
FIND OUT ABOUT THE ECONOMY AS WELL.
WELL. A FULL SERVICE OPERATION.
A FULL SERVICE OPERATION. ALSO JOINING US FROM DISTRICT
ALSO JOINING US FROM DISTRICT 13B, SARTELL TIM O'DRISCOLL.
13B, SARTELL TIM O'DRISCOLL. >> I REPRESENT THE SARTELL SAUK
>> I REPRESENT THE SARTELL SAUK RAPIDS AREA, AND I HAVE
RAPIDS AREA, AND I HAVE ST. STEVENS, AND I WAS ON THE
ST. STEVENS, AND I WAS ON THE SHOW LAST TIME.
SHOW LAST TIME. WE HAVE A LARGE PREDOMINANCE OF
WE HAVE A LARGE PREDOMINANCE OF AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN OUR
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN OUR DISTRICT AS PRETTY URBANIZED
DISTRICT AS PRETTY URBANIZED AREA WITH A LOT OF MEDICAL
AREA WITH A LOT OF MEDICAL BUSINESSES AS WELL.
BUSINESSES AS WELL. PEOPLE MAY REMEMBER SARTELL
PEOPLE MAY REMEMBER SARTELL BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT THIS
BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST TIME WHEN I WAS ON THE SHOW
LAST TIME WHEN I WAS ON THE SHOW AS WELL.
AS WELL. VERSATILE PAPER A FEW YEARS AGO
VERSATILE PAPER A FEW YEARS AGO ON MEMORIAL DAY, AND THAT'S OUR
ON MEMORIAL DAY, AND THAT'S OUR MOST RECENT CLAIM TO FAME AS FAR
MOST RECENT CLAIM TO FAME AS FAR AS ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE OCCURRED
AS ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IN OUR COMMUNITY. >> I HAVE TO SAY O'DRISCOLL
>> I HAVE TO SAY O'DRISCOLL REALLY CARRIED A GREAT LOAD.
REALLY CARRIED A GREAT LOAD. YOU GOT HELP TONIGHT.
YOU GOT HELP TONIGHT. >>>> DO.
>>>> DO. >> WE HAVE A FULL TEAM.
>> WE HAVE A FULL TEAM. >> I DO HAVE A SUGGESTION FOR
>> I DO HAVE A SUGGESTION FOR NEXT TIME IF THE FIVE OF US ARE
NEXT TIME IF THE FIVE OF US ARE HERE TOGETHER, THAT WE RELOCATE
HERE TOGETHER, THAT WE RELOCATE AND GO TO YOUR DISTRICT AND
AND GO TO YOUR DISTRICT AND ENJOY THE LAKES.
ENJOY THE LAKES. >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> ABSOLUTELY. WE COULD ALL GO OUT ON THE LAKE,
WE COULD ALL GO OUT ON THE LAKE, AND IT WILL WORK OUT.
AND IT WILL WORK OUT. >> WILL THE ICE BE GONE?
>> WILL THE ICE BE GONE? >> SURE.
>> SURE. >> VERY GOOD.
>> VERY GOOD. VERY GOOD.
VERY GOOD. >> SO SAWATZKY, WE WERE TALKING
>> SO SAWATZKY, WE WERE TALKING BEFORE WE WENT ON THE AIR.
BEFORE WE WENT ON THE AIR. THIS IS KIND OF AN INSIDE
THIS IS KIND OF AN INSIDE BASEBALL THING, NOT NECESSARILY
BASEBALL THING, NOT NECESSARILY THE KIND OF THING THAT GETS
THE KIND OF THING THAT GETS HEADLINES, BUT IMPORTANT TO SOME
HEADLINES, BUT IMPORTANT TO SOME MINNESOTANS, AND IT'S A PIECE OF
MINNESOTANS, AND IT'S A PIECE OF SUPPORTING OUR VETERANS AS WELL.
SUPPORTING OUR VETERANS AS WELL. TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT
TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING
ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON.
ON. >> THE FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA
>> THE FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA ASKED MINNESOTA TO JOIN THIS
ASKED MINNESOTA TO JOIN THIS COMPACT, AND WHAT IT IS IS THE
COMPACT, AND WHAT IT IS IS THE INTERSTATE COMPACT FOR MILITARY
INTERSTATE COMPACT FOR MILITARY CHILDREN, AND THE SUBSTANCE OF
CHILDREN, AND THE SUBSTANCE OF THE BILL IS TO JOIN THE COMPACT
THE BILL IS TO JOIN THE COMPACT WITH THE 50 OTHER STATES, BUT
WITH THE 50 OTHER STATES, BUT RIGHT NOW THERE'S 40 OTHER
RIGHT NOW THERE'S 40 OTHER STATES THAT ARE PART OF THIS
STATES THAT ARE PART OF THIS COMPACT.
COMPACT. WHAT IT WOULD PROVIDE IS MORE OF
WHAT IT WOULD PROVIDE IS MORE OF A SEAMLESS OR FLAWLESS OR LESS
A SEAMLESS OR FLAWLESS OR LESS STRESSFUL ENTRANCE IN THE SCHOOL
STRESSFUL ENTRANCE IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IF A STUDENT COMES FROM
DISTRICT IF A STUDENT COMES FROM ANY OF THE OTHER STATES, THAT
ANY OF THE OTHER STATES, THAT BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEIR
BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEIR TRANSCRIPTS DON'T FOLLOW QUITE
TRANSCRIPTS DON'T FOLLOW QUITE QUICKLY OR WE WOULD LIKE TO
QUICKLY OR WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME OF THE OTHER CLASSES
SEE SOME OF THE OTHER CLASSES THEY HAVE TAKEN, DON'T COME
THEY HAVE TAKEN, DON'T COME QUITE AS QUICKLY AS THE CHILDREN
QUITE AS QUICKLY AS THE CHILDREN DO, AND WE WOULD RATHER HAVE
DO, AND WE WOULD RATHER HAVE THEM START SCHOOL, GET ENROLLED
THEM START SCHOOL, GET ENROLLED AND WORRY ABOUT THE DETAILS
AND WORRY ABOUT THE DETAILS LATER.
LATER. WHAT THIS SAYS YOU HAVE A
WHAT THIS SAYS YOU HAVE A MILITARY STUDENT, CHILD COMING
MILITARY STUDENT, CHILD COMING TO YOUR SCHOOL, YOUR DISTRICT,
TO YOUR SCHOOL, YOUR DISTRICT, AND PLEASE ACCEPT THEM THEY ARE
AND PLEASE ACCEPT THEM THEY ARE FROM ANOTHER DISTRICT, OTHER
FROM ANOTHER DISTRICT, OTHER STATE, AND IT CALMS, SO TO
STATE, AND IT CALMS, SO TO SPEAK, THE MILITARY FAMILY, AND
SPEAK, THE MILITARY FAMILY, AND BECAUSE OF NOTHING THAT THE
BECAUSE OF NOTHING THAT THE STUDENT HAS DONE WRONG THAT
STUDENT HAS DONE WRONG THAT THEIR PARENT IS PART OF THE
THEIR PARENT IS PART OF THE MILITARY, AND SO WE DON'T WANT
MILITARY, AND SO WE DON'T WANT TO PUNISH THEM OR HOLD UP THEIR
TO PUNISH THEM OR HOLD UP THEIR EDUCATION, AND FOR INSTANCE TO
EDUCATION, AND FOR INSTANCE TO USE THE EXAMPLE OF EXPLAINING
USE THE EXAMPLE OF EXPLAINING THIS, THE STUDENTS -- MAYBE ONE
THIS, THE STUDENTS -- MAYBE ONE STATE MIGHT SAY YOU NEED THREE
STATE MIGHT SAY YOU NEED THREE YEARS OF MATH AND YOU COME TO
YEARS OF MATH AND YOU COME TO MINNESOTA AND SAY FOUR YEARS OF
MINNESOTA AND SAY FOUR YEARS OF MATH BEFORE YOU GRADUATE.
MATH BEFORE YOU GRADUATE. THE KID MIGHT BE MID-YEAR,
THE KID MIGHT BE MID-YEAR, SENIOR YEAR AND WE DON'T ALLOW
SENIOR YEAR AND WE DON'T ALLOW THEM TO GRADUATE BECAUSE THEY
THEM TO GRADUATE BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN HERE LONG ENOUGH TO
HAVEN'T BEEN HERE LONG ENOUGH TO TAKE THOSE CLASSES.
TAKE THOSE CLASSES. THE COMPACT SAYS FROM THE
THE COMPACT SAYS FROM THE SENDING STATE, WOULD YOU PLEASE
SENDING STATE, WOULD YOU PLEASE RECOGNIZE THE STUDENT, AND IF
RECOGNIZE THE STUDENT, AND IF YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH
YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS, MANIPULATE MIN, WE WILL
THIS, MANIPULATE MIN, WE WILL WORK WITH YOU, BUT ALLOW THE
WORK WITH YOU, BUT ALLOW THE CHCHILD TO GO THROUGH THE RIGHT.
CHCHILD TO GO THROUGH THE RIGHT. THE SENDING STATE WOULD WORK
THE SENDING STATE WOULD WORK WITH US AND MAYBE THE DIPLOMA
WITH US AND MAYBE THE DIPLOMA WOULD COME FROM THE SENDING
WOULD COME FROM THE SENDING STATE BUT WE WOULD ALLOW THEM TO
STATE BUT WE WOULD ALLOW THEM TO SO TO SPEAK WALK DURING
SO TO SPEAK WALK DURING GRADUATION.
GRADUATION. IT'S OF NO FAULT OF THE STUDENT
IT'S OF NO FAULT OF THE STUDENT BUT GIVE THEM A BREAK, BECAUSE
BUT GIVE THEM A BREAK, BECAUSE IT'S A THANK YOU TO FAMILIES
IT'S A THANK YOU TO FAMILIES THAT HAVEN LISTED AND BEEN PART
THAT HAVEN LISTED AND BEEN PART OF THE MILITARY.
OF THE MILITARY. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 200 STUDENTS
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 200 STUDENTS THAT THIS DOES EFFECT.
THAT THIS DOES EFFECT. IT'S NOT A HIGH VISIBLE IMPACT
IT'S NOT A HIGH VISIBLE IMPACT THAT WE WOULD HAVE OR IT WOULD
THAT WE WOULD HAVE OR IT WOULD HAVE ON THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.
HAVE ON THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. IT'S BEEN THROUGH QUITE A FEW
IT'S BEEN THROUGH QUITE A FEW COMMITTEES, AND TODAY THEY JUST
COMMITTEES, AND TODAY THEY JUST COMPLETED THE FIFTH COMMITTEE,
COMPLETED THE FIFTH COMMITTEE, AND THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT
AND THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT VETTING WITH THIS ISSUE, AND I
VETTING WITH THIS ISSUE, AND I UNDERSTAND COMPACTS ARE
UNDERSTAND COMPACTS ARE INTERESTING, AND THERE'S A LOT
INTERESTING, AND THERE'S A LOT OF DETAILS TO IT.
OF DETAILS TO IT. SO WE NEED TO TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.
SO WE NEED TO TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. I GUESS THE THING THAT WE NEED
I GUESS THE THING THAT WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND IS WE JUST WANT
TO KEEP IN MIND IS WE JUST WANT OUR STUDENTS TO ENTER SCHOOL,
OUR STUDENTS TO ENTER SCHOOL, FEEL COMFORTABLE AND HAVE THE
FEEL COMFORTABLE AND HAVE THE ABILITY TOTINO WITH THEIR
ABILITY TOTINO WITH THEIR EDUCATION AND LT THE ADULTS DO
EDUCATION AND LT THE ADULTS DO THEIR THING BUT NOT MAKE THE
THEIR THING BUT NOT MAKE THE CHILD FEEL SO BAD.
CHILD FEEL SO BAD. >> LIKELY TO PASS?
>> LIKELY TO PASS? >> CERTAINLY HAVE THE CONFIDENCE
>> CERTAINLY HAVE THE CONFIDENCE IT WILL PASS.
IT WILL PASS. I KNOW IN THE SENATE.
I KNOW IN THE SENATE. >> IT WENT THROUGH OUR COMMITTEE
>> IT WENT THROUGH OUR COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY AND WAS SENT ON ITS
UNANIMOUSLY AND WAS SENT ON ITS WAY.
WAY. I KNOW THROUGH OUR EDUCATION
I KNOW THROUGH OUR EDUCATION POLICY COMMITTEE IT WAS A
POLICY COMMITTEE IT WAS A UNANIMOUS VOTE.
UNANIMOUS VOTE. I THINK IT WENT TO FINANCE.
I THINK IT WENT TO FINANCE. I'M LOOKING FOR A GOOD
I'M LOOKING FOR A GOOD RESOLUTION ON THAT, THOUGH, THAT
RESOLUTION ON THAT, THOUGH, THAT WE COULD ALL BE PROUD WE
WE COULD ALL BE PROUD WE ACCOMPLISHED THIS SESSION.
ACCOMPLISHED THIS SESSION. >> VIEWER FROM DULUTH WANTS TO
>> VIEWER FROM DULUTH WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT PENSION FUNDS.
KNOW ABOUT PENSION FUNDS. WHEN IS THE LEGISLATURE GOING TO
WHEN IS THE LEGISLATURE GOING TO DEAL WITH THE $17 BILLION PUBLIC
DEAL WITH THE $17 BILLION PUBLIC PENSION FUND DEFICITS.
PENSION FUND DEFICITS. THEY HAVE INCREASED OVER A
THEY HAVE INCREASED OVER A BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE LAST
BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE LAST YEAR.
YEAR. WORRIED ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND
WORRIED ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THINKS THE CHANGES MADE IN 2013
THINKS THE CHANGES MADE IN 2013 WEREN'T ENOUGH.
WEREN'T ENOUGH. IS THERE ANYTHING GOING TO
IS THERE ANYTHING GOING TO HAPPEN ON THAT THIS SESSION?
HAPPEN ON THAT THIS SESSION? WHO WANTS TO TAKE A RUN AT THAT?
WHO WANTS TO TAKE A RUN AT THAT? >> PICK ME.
>> PICK ME. PICK ME.
PICK ME. AND I AM ON THE PENSION
AND I AM ON THE PENSION COMMISSION.
COMMISSION. WE JUST ON TUESDAY EVENING
WE JUST ON TUESDAY EVENING FINISHED UP THE 2014 OMNIBUS --
FINISHED UP THE 2014 OMNIBUS -- NOT TAX BILL.
NOT TAX BILL. THAT'S COMING LATER.
THAT'S COMING LATER. THE PENSION BILL, AND WHAT HAS
THE PENSION BILL, AND WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS WE HAVE DISCOVERED
HAPPENED IS WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT MINNESOTA HAS BEEN
THAT MINNESOTA HAS BEEN RECEIVING ON AVERAGE ABOUT 8 TO
RECEIVING ON AVERAGE ABOUT 8 TO 8 1/2% RETURN ON THE MONEY OVER
8 1/2% RETURN ON THE MONEY OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS WE HAVE HAD IN
THE LAST 30 YEARS WE HAVE HAD IN THE PENSIONS, AND THE PROBLEM IS
THE PENSIONS, AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT'S OUR TARGET.
THAT'S OUR TARGET. ONE WOULD SAY IF YOU ARE HITTING
ONE WOULD SAY IF YOU ARE HITTING YOUR TARGET WITH WHERE YOU WANT
YOUR TARGET WITH WHERE YOU WANT TO BE THINGS WOULD BE GREAT.
TO BE THINGS WOULD BE GREAT. WE ARE FINDING WITH PENSIONS
WE ARE FINDING WITH PENSIONS WERE UNDERFUND -- PUTTING IT IN
WERE UNDERFUND -- PUTTING IT IN THE POSITIVE WE ARE FUNDED 48%
THE POSITIVE WE ARE FUNDED 48% IN SOME OF THE STATE PENSIONS TO
IN SOME OF THE STATE PENSIONS TO ABOUT 72, 74%, DEPENDING ON
ABOUT 72, 74%, DEPENDING ON WHICH OF THE PENSIONS YOU ARE
WHICH OF THE PENSIONS YOU ARE LOOKING AT.
LOOKING AT. THERE IS AN UNFUNDED LIABILITY
THERE IS AN UNFUNDED LIABILITY IN THE PENSION PLANS, TEACHERS
IN THE PENSION PLANS, TEACHERS PENSION, POLICE AND FIRE
PENSION, POLICE AND FIRE PENSIONS, MSRS WHICH IS A VAST
PENSIONS, MSRS WHICH IS A VAST MAJORITY OF STATE EMPLOYEES OF
MAJORITY OF STATE EMPLOYEES OF 16 TO 17 BILLION.
16 TO 17 BILLION. IT'S AN AWFUL LOT BECAUSE IT'S
IT'S AN AWFUL LOT BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT A THIRD OF WHAT THE
ABOUT A THIRD OF WHAT THE STATE'S BUDGET IS GOING TO BE IN
STATE'S BUDGET IS GOING TO BE IN ANY GIVEN BIENNIUM.
ANY GIVEN BIENNIUM. IT'S NOT AS BAD AS SOME STATES.
IT'S NOT AS BAD AS SOME STATES. THE STATE OF ILLINOIS THEY ARE
THE STATE OF ILLINOIS THEY ARE ABOUT 118 BILLION.
ABOUT 118 BILLION. SO WE ARE 100 MILLION BETTER OFF
SO WE ARE 100 MILLION BETTER OFF THAN THEY ARE.
THAN THEY ARE. HAWAII AT 15 MILLION.
HAWAII AT 15 MILLION. >> 15 BILLION?
>> 15 BILLION? >> BILLION.
>> BILLION. SO USED TO THINKING OF NUMBERS
SO USED TO THINKING OF NUMBERS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT THAN I AM IN
IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT THAN I AM IN STATE CONTEXT.
STATE CONTEXT. BUT NONETHELESS IT'S A LARGE
BUT NONETHELESS IT'S A LARGE UNFUNDED LIABILITY.
UNFUNDED LIABILITY. SOME OF THE THINGS WE DID DO IN
SOME OF THE THINGS WE DID DO IN THE PENSION PLAN, WHICH IS A
THE PENSION PLAN, WHICH IS A POSITIVE THIS YEAR, IS THE
POSITIVE THIS YEAR, IS THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THE EMPLOYEES
CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THE EMPLOYEES WILL BE MAKING AS WELL AS
WILL BE MAKING AS WELL AS CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THEIR
CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THEIR EMPLOYING ENTITIES OF GOVERNMENT
EMPLOYING ENTITIES OF GOVERNMENT WILL BE PAYING ARE GOING TO
WILL BE PAYING ARE GOING TO INCREASE.
INCREASE. THAT WAS A TRIGGER THAT WAS PUT
THAT WAS A TRIGGER THAT WAS PUT INTO STATUTE THAT SAYS AS WE GET
INTO STATUTE THAT SAYS AS WE GET THE ACTUARY REPORTS, IF WE ARE
THE ACTUARY REPORTS, IF WE ARE NOT HITTING THE BOGEYS WE NEED
NOT HITTING THE BOGEYS WE NEED TO BE AT IT WILL BE AUTOMATIC
TO BE AT IT WILL BE AUTOMATIC ESCALATORS.
ESCALATORS. IT'S GOING UP A QUARTER A
IT'S GOING UP A QUARTER A PERCENT TO THREE-QUARTERS
PERCENT TO THREE-QUARTERS PERCENT.
PERCENT. THE BIGGEST HURDLE I SEE IN THE
THE BIGGEST HURDLE I SEE IN THE PENSION BILL THIS YEAR IS THAT
PENSION BILL THIS YEAR IS THAT THERE ARE TWO TEACHER PENSION
THERE ARE TWO TEACHER PENSION PLANS THAT ARE STILL
PLANS THAT ARE STILL FREESTANDING, DULUTH TEACHER
FREESTANDING, DULUTH TEACHER PENSION PLAN, AND ST. PAUL
PENSION PLAN, AND ST. PAUL TEACHER PENSION PLAN.
TEACHER PENSION PLAN. THERE IS ABOUT $15 MILLION A
THERE IS ABOUT $15 MILLION A YEAR THAT'S BEING PROPOSED AND
YEAR THAT'S BEING PROPOSED AND THEY ARE FROM THE STATE'S
THEY ARE FROM THE STATE'S GENERAL FUND THAT WOULD GO INTO
GENERAL FUND THAT WOULD GO INTO THE DULUTH FUTURE PLAN FOR THE
THE DULUTH FUTURE PLAN FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS, AND IT'S 20
NEXT SEVERAL YEARS, AND IT'S 20 TO 25 YEARS AT $350 MILLION BY
TO 25 YEARS AT $350 MILLION BY THE TIME WE ARE DONE TO BE ABLE
THE TIME WE ARE DONE TO BE ABLE TO SHORE THAT PLAN UP AND MAIL
TO SHORE THAT PLAN UP AND MAIL IT INTO THE TEACHER RETIREMENT
IT INTO THE TEACHER RETIREMENT PLAN.
PLAN. THAT PLAN RIGHT NOW HAS MORE
THAT PLAN RIGHT NOW HAS MORE PEOPLE DRAWING FROM IT THAN
PEOPLE DRAWING FROM IT THAN THERE ARE PEOPLE PAYING INTO THE
THERE ARE PEOPLE PAYING INTO THE PLAN, AND I TEND TO BELIEVE WHAT
PLAN, AND I TEND TO BELIEVE WHAT THE PERSON FROM DULUTH HAS SAID
THE PERSON FROM DULUTH HAS SAID WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT THAT
WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT THAT AND FINDING DIFFERENT WAYS TO
AND FINDING DIFFERENT WAYS TO SUPPORT THOSE.
SUPPORT THOSE. WE MADE PROMISES TO PEOPLE BUT
WE MADE PROMISES TO PEOPLE BUT WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO MAKE THIS
WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO MAKE THIS STYLE OF PROMISE AND HAVE THE
STYLE OF PROMISE AND HAVE THE PENSION PLANS BE FOLLOWED.
PENSION PLANS BE FOLLOWED. I SHOWED THEM THESE ARE CANARIES
I SHOWED THEM THESE ARE CANARIES IN THE MINE THAT ARE GOING TO BE
IN THE MINE THAT ARE GOING TO BE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS, AND WE HAVE
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS, AND WE HAVE TO DO THINGS TO CHANGE PEOPLE'S
TO DO THINGS TO CHANGE PEOPLE'S PHILOSOPHIES ON HOW THE PENSION
PHILOSOPHIES ON HOW THE PENSION PLANS MAY BE WORKING AND LOOK AT
PLANS MAY BE WORKING AND LOOK AT A DEFINED BEEN IT PLAN WITH A
A DEFINED BEEN IT PLAN WITH A DEFIND CONTRIBUTION OR DO
DEFIND CONTRIBUTION OR DO CHANGES WHEN YOU COME TO EMPLOY
CHANGES WHEN YOU COME TO EMPLOY AT A CERTAIN DATE THEY WILL BE
AT A CERTAIN DATE THEY WILL BE DEFINED CONTRIBUTIONS SO WE CAN
DEFINED CONTRIBUTIONS SO WE CAN GET OUR ARMS AROUND THE OVERALL
GET OUR ARMS AROUND THE OVERALL FUNDING.
FUNDING. 8 TO 8 1/2%, LONG ANSWER, SHORT
8 TO 8 1/2%, LONG ANSWER, SHORT QUESTION.
QUESTION. >> OTHER COMMENTS ON THE PENSION
>> OTHER COMMENTS ON THE PENSION PLAN?
PLAN? START WITH YOU SEN?
START WITH YOU SEN? >> I KNOW IN THE LAST FEW
>> I KNOW IN THE LAST FEW BIENNIUMS THERE'S BEEN SOME
BIENNIUMS THERE'S BEEN SOME ADJUSTMENTS MADE ON IT, BUT WHAT
ADJUSTMENTS MADE ON IT, BUT WHAT I'M UNDERSTANDING HERE FROM
I'M UNDERSTANDING HERE FROM REPRESENTATIVE O'DRISCOLL,
REPRESENTATIVE O'DRISCOLL, THERE'S NOTHING ON IT YET.
THERE'S NOTHING ON IT YET. BUT THERE'S BEEN A COUPLE
BUT THERE'S BEEN A COUPLE CHANGES ON THE LAST BIENNIUM.
CHANGES ON THE LAST BIENNIUM. >> I THINK IN THE SENATE, WE ARE
>> I THINK IN THE SENATE, WE ARE FORTUNATE WE HAVE SUBCOMMITTEES
FORTUNATE WE HAVE SUBCOMMITTEES THAT WORK ON THAT, BECAUSE AS
THAT WORK ON THAT, BECAUSE AS YOU CAN SEE, IT'S A VERY
YOU CAN SEE, IT'S A VERY COMPLICATED ISSUE, AND SO IT
COMPLICATED ISSUE, AND SO IT TAKES A LOT OF -- A BIG LEARNING
TAKES A LOT OF -- A BIG LEARNING CURVE IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THE
CURVE IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THE PENSIONS, AND WHILE NEITHER ONE
PENSIONS, AND WHILE NEITHER ONE OF US SIT ON THAT WE ARE
OF US SIT ON THAT WE ARE FORTUNATE WE HAVE GOOD COMMITTEE
FORTUNATE WE HAVE GOOD COMMITTEE FOLKS THAT REALLY PAY TENSION,
FOLKS THAT REALLY PAY TENSION, AND IT'S A TOUGH, TOUGH
AND IT'S A TOUGH, TOUGH COMMITTEE TO SIT ON, BECAUSE
COMMITTEE TO SIT ON, BECAUSE IT'S A LARGE COMPLICATED ISSUE.
IT'S A LARGE COMPLICATED ISSUE. >> ANY THOUGHTS?
>> ANY THOUGHTS? NO.
NO. >> TELL OUR VIEWERS ONE OF THE
>> TELL OUR VIEWERS ONE OF THE DIFFERENCES IN MINNESOTA IS WE
DIFFERENCES IN MINNESOTA IS WE DO HAVE A BIPARTISAN PENSION
DO HAVE A BIPARTISAN PENSION COMMISSION, AND THAT HAS BEEN --
COMMISSION, AND THAT HAS BEEN -- HOWEVER BAD THE PROBLEM IS OR
HOWEVER BAD THE PROBLEM IS OR SIGNIFICANT THE PROBLEM IS THAT
SIGNIFICANT THE PROBLEM IS THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN
IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN HELPFUL AND HAS PERHAPS KEPT IT
HELPFUL AND HAS PERHAPS KEPT IT FROM BEING A LITTLE LESS OF A
FROM BEING A LITTLE LESS OF A POLITICAL FOOTBALL THAN OTHER
POLITICAL FOOTBALL THAN OTHER STATES.
STATES. >> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S UNFORTUNATE IS THE WAY THINGS
UNFORTUNATE IS THE WAY THINGS ARE RIGHT NOW, AND YOU ARE
ARE RIGHT NOW, AND YOU ARE ALWAYS SPECULATING ON
ALWAYS SPECULATING ON INVESTMENTS AND WHERE THINGS ARE
INVESTMENTS AND WHERE THINGS ARE GOING TO END UP BEING, YOU HAVE
GOING TO END UP BEING, YOU HAVE TO HAVE THICK SKIN TO BE ON IT,
TO HAVE THICK SKIN TO BE ON IT, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO MAKE VERY
BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO MAKE VERY DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT ARE
DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT ARE AFFECTING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS
AFFECTING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MINNESOTANS AND THEIR
OF MINNESOTANS AND THEIR FAMILIES EVERY DAY EVERY YEAR,
FAMILIES EVERY DAY EVERY YEAR, AND I'M UP FOR THE CHALLENGE.
AND I'M UP FOR THE CHALLENGE. I HAVE GOT A NUMBER OF YEARS IN
I HAVE GOT A NUMBER OF YEARS IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY,
THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY, SO I REALLY CAN TALK THE TALK
SO I REALLY CAN TALK THE TALK AND WALK THE WALK WITH THE
AND WALK THE WALK WITH THE EXPERTS THAT WE HAVE AND THE
EXPERTS THAT WE HAVE AND THE ACTUARIES THAT ARE THERE.
ACTUARIES THAT ARE THERE. SOMETIMES YOU FEEL LIKE A WALK
SOMETIMES YOU FEEL LIKE A WALK WHEN YOU ARE DOING THOSE KINDS
WHEN YOU ARE DOING THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.
OF THINGS. >> WE KNEW THAT.
>> WE KNEW THAT. >> ISN'T ALWAYS A BAD THING.
>> ISN'T ALWAYS A BAD THING. SO ON TO A MORE CONTROVERSIAL
SO ON TO A MORE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE.
ISSUE. VIEWER FROM WARROAD WANT TO KNOW
VIEWER FROM WARROAD WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE SENATE
WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE SENATE OFFICE BUILDING, AND THIS VIEWER
OFFICE BUILDING, AND THIS VIEWER SAYS HEY, THERE ARE LARGE NUMBER
SAYS HEY, THERE ARE LARGE NUMBER OF EMPTY OFFICES IN ST. PAUL.
OF EMPTY OFFICES IN ST. PAUL. WHY DON'T WE JUST FILL THOSE UP?
WHY DON'T WE JUST FILL THOSE UP? WHO WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THE
WHO WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THE SENATE OFFICE BUILDING AND WHERE
SENATE OFFICE BUILDING AND WHERE IT SITS.
IT SITS. SENATOR KOENEN, SHOULD WE START
SENATOR KOENEN, SHOULD WE START WITH YOU?
WITH YOU? >> I CAN TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT
>> I CAN TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT.
IT. I'M SURE THERE'S A LOT OF
I'M SURE THERE'S A LOT OF OPINIONS ON IT.
OPINIONS ON IT. TO THE POINT OF FINDING ANOTHER
TO THE POINT OF FINDING ANOTHER BUILDING, SAY DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL
BUILDING, SAY DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, YOU
OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, YOU COULD DO THAT, AND THERE'S VERY
COULD DO THAT, AND THERE'S VERY FEW BUILDINGS THAT ARE LARGE
FEW BUILDINGS THAT ARE LARGE ENOUGH TO HOLD THE SENATE
ENOUGH TO HOLD THE SENATE BECAUSE AT LEAST FOR THE SHORT
BECAUSE AT LEAST FOR THE SHORT TERM, WE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO
TERM, WE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO NEED A PLACE TO HOLD THEM, TOO,
NEED A PLACE TO HOLD THEM, TOO, AT LEAST FOR ONE SESSION, AND
AT LEAST FOR ONE SESSION, AND THERE'S VERY FEW BUILDINGS.
THERE'S VERY FEW BUILDINGS. THERE ARE A FEW, BUT NOT VERY
THERE ARE A FEW, BUT NOT VERY MANY THAT ARE BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD
MANY THAT ARE BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD THAT, AND IN ALL, THE COST OF
THAT, AND IN ALL, THE COST OF REPURPOSING THOSE BUILDINGS, AND
REPURPOSING THOSE BUILDINGS, AND THE COST OF HOOKING EVERYTHING
THE COST OF HOOKING EVERYTHING UP SO WE ARE ALL HOOKED UP FOR
UP SO WE ARE ALL HOOKED UP FOR MEDIA, ALL THE COMPUTER AND
MEDIA, ALL THE COMPUTER AND TELEPHONE AND ALL OF THAT, WE
TELEPHONE AND ALL OF THAT, WE COULD BE LOOKING AT COSTS FROM
COULD BE LOOKING AT COSTS FROM 18 TO 22 MILLION, WHICH WOULD
18 TO 22 MILLION, WHICH WOULD PAY FOR A THIRD OF THE NEW
PAY FOR A THIRD OF THE NEW SENATE OFFICE BUILDING.
SENATE OFFICE BUILDING. THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS
THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THAT ARE BEING CONSIDERED.
THAT ARE BEING CONSIDERED. I KNOW FOR MYSELF I LIKE MY
I KNOW FOR MYSELF I LIKE MY OFFICE IN THE CAPITOL.
OFFICE IN THE CAPITOL. PERSONALLY I WOULDN'T MIND
PERSONALLY I WOULDN'T MIND STAYING THERE.
STAYING THERE. I KNOW THAT'S NOT REALITY, AS
I KNOW THAT'S NOT REALITY, AS THE CAPITOL IS BEING REFURBISHED
THE CAPITOL IS BEING REFURBISHED THERE'S GOING TO BE SPACE LESS,
THERE'S GOING TO BE SPACE LESS, UNLESS WE REALLY WE DO THE
UNLESS WE REALLY WE DO THE PLANS.
PLANS. BUT THE CURRENT PLANS, FROM MY
BUT THE CURRENT PLANS, FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, THE HOUSE WILL
UNDERSTANDING, THE HOUSE WILL GAIN SPACE IN THE CAPITOL, AND
GAIN SPACE IN THE CAPITOL, AND THE GOVERNOR WILL GAIN SPACE IN
THE GOVERNOR WILL GAIN SPACE IN THE CAPITOL, AND THE HISTORIC
THE CAPITOL, AND THE HISTORIC SOCIETY WILL GAIN SPACE IN THE
SOCIETY WILL GAIN SPACE IN THE CAPITOL, AND THERE'S GOING TO BE
CAPITOL, AND THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE SPACE FOR THE PUBLIC WHICH
MORE SPACE FOR THE PUBLIC WHICH CONCLUDES THINGS LIKE REST ROOMS
CONCLUDES THINGS LIKE REST ROOMS AND ANOTHER ELEVATOR AND THAT
AND ANOTHER ELEVATOR AND THAT TYPE OF THING.
TYPE OF THING. >> YOUR MEETING ROOMS.
>> YOUR MEETING ROOMS. >> YES.
>> YES. >> EXCUSE ME.
>> EXCUSE ME. GO AHEAD.
GO AHEAD. >> BUT THAT'S RIGHT, AND FOR THE
>> BUT THAT'S RIGHT, AND FOR THE SENATE TO STAY THERE, WE WOULD
SENATE TO STAY THERE, WE WOULD HAVE TO STOP EVERYTHING AND
HAVE TO STOP EVERYTHING AND REPLAN, AND START AGAIN.
REPLAN, AND START AGAIN. THAT IDEA OF MOVING OFF, YOU
THAT IDEA OF MOVING OFF, YOU KNOW, INTO A BUILDING DOWNTOWN,
KNOW, INTO A BUILDING DOWNTOWN, I MENTIONED THE COST.
I MENTIONED THE COST. WE COULD BE LOOKING AT 18 TO
WE COULD BE LOOKING AT 18 TO 22 MILLION.
22 MILLION. THAT'S JUST TO GET SET UP, BUT
THAT'S JUST TO GET SET UP, BUT THEN, YOU KNOW, IT WOULD MAKE
THEN, YOU KNOW, IT WOULD MAKE BUSINESS FROM THAT POINT ON VERY
BUSINESS FROM THAT POINT ON VERY CUMBERSOME BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE
CUMBERSOME BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE QUITE A BIT OF DISTANCE BETWEEN
QUITE A BIT OF DISTANCE BETWEEN AS REPORTS OF MOVED BACK AND
AS REPORTS OF MOVED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE TWO BODIES AND
FORTH BETWEEN THE TWO BODIES AND ALL THE THINGS LIKE THAT.
ALL THE THINGS LIKE THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO COMPARE IT TO
I WOULD LIKE TO COMPARE IT TO HAVING A CAFE THAT HAS THE
HAVING A CAFE THAT HAS THE KITCHEN A HALF MILE DOWN THE
KITCHEN A HALF MILE DOWN THE ROAD AND YOU PREPARE THE FOOD
ROAD AND YOU PREPARE THE FOOD ENOUGH TO WHEEL IT DOWN.
ENOUGH TO WHEEL IT DOWN. SO IT WOULD BE A LITTLE AWKWARD
SO IT WOULD BE A LITTLE AWKWARD TO DO THAT.
TO DO THAT. THE COST -- AND I'M GIVING YOU
THE COST -- AND I'M GIVING YOU ROUND NUMBERS NOW, THE TOTAL
ROUND NUMBERS NOW, THE TOTAL COST YOU ALWAYS HEAR IS ABOUT
COST YOU ALWAYS HEAR IS ABOUT 90 MILLION.
90 MILLION. A THIRD OF THAT IS ACTUALLY THE
A THIRD OF THAT IS ACTUALLY THE PARKING RAMP IN THE PROPOSED
PARKING RAMP IN THE PROPOSED BUILDING.
BUILDING. >> SENATOR RUUD, YOUR THOUGHTS.
>> SENATOR RUUD, YOUR THOUGHTS. >> ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS
>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS IS WE NEVER HAD A HEARING OR
IS WE NEVER HAD A HEARING OR CONVERSATION ON THIS.
CONVERSATION ON THIS. IT WAS PUT IN THE BILL LAST
IT WAS PUT IN THE BILL LAST YEAR, AND IT PASSED.
YEAR, AND IT PASSED. WE NEVER HAD A CONVERSATION
WE NEVER HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT WERE THE NEEDS OF THE
ABOUT WHAT WERE THE NEEDS OF THE SENATE, WHAT WE SHOULD DO AND
SENATE, WHAT WE SHOULD DO AND WHAT WERE OUR OPTIONS, AND
WHAT WERE OUR OPTIONS, AND THAT'S VERY PROBLEMATIC.
THAT'S VERY PROBLEMATIC. HAD WE HAD THE CONVERSATION
HAD WE HAD THE CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT WE SHOULD REALLY DO,
ABOUT WHAT WE SHOULD REALLY DO, HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST US, THAT
HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST US, THAT BUILDING IS ONLY FOR 44
BUILDING IS ONLY FOR 44 SENATORS.
SENATORS. IT IS NOT FOR THE WHOLE SENATE.
IT IS NOT FOR THE WHOLE SENATE. THAT'S PROBLEMATIC.
THAT'S PROBLEMATIC. YOU ARE GOING TO BUILD A
YOU ARE GOING TO BUILD A BUILDING FOR THE SENATE, MAKE IT
BUILDING FOR THE SENATE, MAKE IT FOR 67 SENATORS.
FOR 67 SENATORS. RIGHT NOW ONLY THE MAJORITY
RIGHT NOW ONLY THE MAJORITY PARTY WOULD MOVE INTO THAT
PARTY WOULD MOVE INTO THAT BUILDING.
BUILDING. IT'S NOT FUNCTIONAL IN MY
IT'S NOT FUNCTIONAL IN MY ESTIMATION.
ESTIMATION. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A VERY
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A VERY FUNCTIONAL BUILDING WITHOUT
FUNCTIONAL BUILDING WITHOUT REFLECTING POOLS, WITHOUT GYMS
REFLECTING POOLS, WITHOUT GYMS AND ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES
AND ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES THAT GO INTO THAT.
THAT GO INTO THAT. THE PARKING RAMP IS THE ONLY
THE PARKING RAMP IS THE ONLY PIECE THAT'S REALLY WORTHWHILE
PIECE THAT'S REALLY WORTHWHILE IN THE WHOLE THING, BECAUSE IF
IN THE WHOLE THING, BECAUSE IF YOU TRY TO PARK AT THE CAPITOL,
YOU TRY TO PARK AT THE CAPITOL, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT.
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT. THIS BUILDING NEVER HAD A GOOD
THIS BUILDING NEVER HAD A GOOD VETTING.
VETTING. $90 MILLION IS A LOT, A LOT OF
$90 MILLION IS A LOT, A LOT OF MONEY.
MONEY. I REALLY THINK IT SHOULD HAVE
I REALLY THINK IT SHOULD HAVE COME THROUGH THE PROCESS LIKE
COME THROUGH THE PROCESS LIKE ANY OTHER BILL.
ANY OTHER BILL. MAYBE WE COULD HAVE COME TO A
MAYBE WE COULD HAVE COME TO A GOOD RESOLUTION LIKE SPACE,
GOOD RESOLUTION LIKE SPACE, TIME, MONEY, TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
TIME, MONEY, TAXPAYER DOLLARS. I THINK IT WASN'T THOUGHTFUL
I THINK IT WASN'T THOUGHTFUL ENOUGH.
ENOUGH. WHEN HE SPENDS $90 MILLION OF
WHEN HE SPENDS $90 MILLION OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS, THEY WORK HARD
TAXPAYER DOLLARS, THEY WORK HARD FOR THEIR MONEY AND WE SHOULDN'T
FOR THEIR MONEY AND WE SHOULDN'T BE SO RECKLESS.
BE SO RECKLESS. >> YOUR THOUGHTS?
>> YOUR THOUGHTS? >> I AGREE WITH PARTS OF THE
>> I AGREE WITH PARTS OF THE CONVERSATION.
CONVERSATION. FIRST OF ALL, WE ARE RENOVATING
FIRST OF ALL, WE ARE RENOVATING OUR CAPITOL RIGHT NOW, AND
OUR CAPITOL RIGHT NOW, AND BECAUSE OF THE RENOVATION THAT
BECAUSE OF THE RENOVATION THAT WE HAVE DECIDED TO DO WITH THE
WE HAVE DECIDED TO DO WITH THE UPKEEP AND MAKING IT -- BECAUSE
UPKEEP AND MAKING IT -- BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T TAKEN CARE OF THAT
WE HAVEN'T TAKEN CARE OF THAT STRUCTURE, JUST BY PROCESS OF
STRUCTURE, JUST BY PROCESS OF REMODELING AND MAKING SPACES
REMODELING AND MAKING SPACES BIGGER AND USABLE FOR OUR
BIGGER AND USABLE FOR OUR CITIZENS, BECAUSE IT IS THE
CITIZENS, BECAUSE IT IS THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE, AND ACTUALLY I
PEOPLE'S HOUSE, AND ACTUALLY I WAS LOOKING FOR A REST ROOM ON
WAS LOOKING FOR A REST ROOM ON FIRST FLOOR, AND I DIDN'T KNOW
FIRST FLOOR, AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE I WENT.
WHERE I WENT. THERE AREN'T ENOUGH REST ROOM
THERE AREN'T ENOUGH REST ROOM WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE GENERATE
WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE GENERATE AND GATHER, AND I GUESS I THINK
AND GATHER, AND I GUESS I THINK WE NEED A BUILDING THAT IS
WE NEED A BUILDING THAT IS CERTAINLY FULL OF BELLS AND
CERTAINLY FULL OF BELLS AND WHISTLES, SO I AGREE WITH YOU
WHISTLES, SO I AGREE WITH YOU 100%.
100%. I ALSO THINK ALL THE SENATORS
I ALSO THINK ALL THE SENATORS SHOULD BE IN ONE PLACE.
SHOULD BE IN ONE PLACE. I MEAN, IT'S -- SO I THINK THAT
I MEAN, IT'S -- SO I THINK THAT MAKEUP OF WHAT THE BUILDING
MAKEUP OF WHAT THE BUILDING LOOKS LIKE, I THINK IT CAN BE
LOOKS LIKE, I THINK IT CAN BE UNDER HOPEFULLY CAN BE UNDER
UNDER HOPEFULLY CAN BE UNDER DISCUSSION STILL AND MAKE SOME
DISCUSSION STILL AND MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS THERE.
ADJUSTMENTS THERE. I THINK THERE HAS BEEN
I THINK THERE HAS BEEN DISCUSSION IN THERE AND THERE'S
DISCUSSION IN THERE AND THERE'S A STUDY GOING ON RIGHT NOW ABOUT
A STUDY GOING ON RIGHT NOW ABOUT RENTING PLACES, HOW MUCH THAT
RENTING PLACES, HOW MUCH THAT MIGHT COST, AND HOW MUCH TO
MIGHT COST, AND HOW MUCH TO RENOVATE AND BRING UP TO SPEED.
RENOVATE AND BRING UP TO SPEED. ONE OF THE SUGGESTIONS WAS THE
ONE OF THE SUGGESTIONS WAS THE FORMER MACY'S BUILDING.
FORMER MACY'S BUILDING. I'M THINKING THAT'S GOING TO BE
I'M THINKING THAT'S GOING TO BE CONVENIENT FOR OUR CITIZENS, YOU
CONVENIENT FOR OUR CITIZENS, YOU KNOW, GO DOWN TO WHAT IS ABOUT A
KNOW, GO DOWN TO WHAT IS ABOUT A MILE FROM THE CAPITOL AND THE
MILE FROM THE CAPITOL AND THE STATE OFFICE BUILDING WITH THE
STATE OFFICE BUILDING WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE HOUSE OF
LEGISLATURE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ARE.
REPRESENTATIVES ARE. THERE'S NOT REAL USER FRIENDLY
THERE'S NOT REAL USER FRIENDLY FOR OUR CITIZENS, AND THAT'S
FOR OUR CITIZENS, AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE WOULD HAVE TO
SOMETHING WE WOULD HAVE TO CONSIDER, AND I THINK THAT
CONSIDER, AND I THINK THAT PEOPLE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT IF
PEOPLE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT IF YOU ARE OFF CAMPUS, AND IF YOU
YOU ARE OFF CAMPUS, AND IF YOU ARE RELOCATED OR PERMANENTLY OR
ARE RELOCATED OR PERMANENTLY OR TEMPORARILY EVEN, THERE'S GOING
TEMPORARILY EVEN, THERE'S GOING TO BE A SHUTTLE SYSTEM OR
TO BE A SHUTTLE SYSTEM OR SOMETHING TO MAKE IT MORE
SOMETHING TO MAKE IT MORE FEASIBLE FOR YOU AND FOR
FEASIBLE FOR YOU AND FOR CITIZENS.
CITIZENS. THE PARKING RAMP IS ABSOLUTELY
THE PARKING RAMP IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, AND I THINK THAT IS
NECESSARY, AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO
SOMETHING WE NEED TO INVESTIGATE.
INVESTIGATE. >> AND REPRESENTATIVE TO THAT
>> AND REPRESENTATIVE TO THAT POINT, THOSE ARE ALL
POINT, THOSE ARE ALL CONVERSATIONS THAT ARE GREAT
CONVERSATIONS THAT ARE GREAT CONVERSATIONS THAT SHOULD HAVE
CONVERSATIONS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN HAD BEFORE THE BILL PASSED,
BEEN HAD BEFORE THE BILL PASSED, AND SO IF WE HAD THOSE
AND SO IF WE HAD THOSE CONVERSATIONS WE WOULDN'T BE
CONVERSATIONS WE WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY.
HERE TODAY. WE WOULD HAVE A PLAN, AND WE
WE WOULD HAVE A PLAN, AND WE WOULD KNOW THE ANSWERS TO ALL OF
WOULD KNOW THE ANSWERS TO ALL OF THOSE QUESTIONS.
THOSE QUESTIONS. I KIND OF LIKEN IT TO REMODELING
I KIND OF LIKEN IT TO REMODELING A HOUSE.
A HOUSE. I REMODELED MY FIRST HOUSE.
I REMODELED MY FIRST HOUSE. THINGS WENT IN A BOX, BUT I
THINGS WENT IN A BOX, BUT I DIDN'T GO OUT AND BUILD A NEW
DIDN'T GO OUT AND BUILD A NEW HOUSE TO STAY IN WHILE I
HOUSE TO STAY IN WHILE I REMODELED THIS HOUSE.
REMODELED THIS HOUSE. I DON'T THINK ANY OF OUR
I DON'T THINK ANY OF OUR CONSTITUENTS WOULD DO THAT.
CONSTITUENTS WOULD DO THAT. ALL OF THOSE QUESTIONS ARE GREAT
ALL OF THOSE QUESTIONS ARE GREAT QUESTIONS, AND THEY SHOULD HAVE
QUESTIONS, AND THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN ANSWERED BEFORE WE GOT TO
BEEN ANSWERED BEFORE WE GOT TO THIS POINT.
THIS POINT. >> REPRESENTATIVE O'DRISCOLL.
>> REPRESENTATIVE O'DRISCOLL. >> WE GENERATE AN AWFUL LOT OF
>> WE GENERATE AN AWFUL LOT OF PAPER.
PAPER. THE REASON I SAY THAT IS IF WE
THE REASON I SAY THAT IS IF WE ARE GOING TO UNDERGO A
ARE GOING TO UNDERGO A RENOVATION AND REMODEL, ONE OF
RENOVATION AND REMODEL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES A LOT OF
THE THINGS THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO ME, IF WE WOULD HAVE
SENSE TO ME, IF WE WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE STATE DOLLARS, ALL THE
TAKEN THE STATE DOLLARS, ALL THE COMMITTEE ROOMS WOULD BE HAVING
COMMITTEE ROOMS WOULD BE HAVING LAPTOPS OR MONITORS, AND BE ABLE
LAPTOPS OR MONITORS, AND BE ABLE TO HAVE ALL OF THESE KINDS OF
TO HAVE ALL OF THESE KINDS OF THINGS COMING UP, AND THE REASON
THINGS COMING UP, AND THE REASON I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT THE
I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT THE REVISORS OFFICE TAKES A LOT OF
REVISORS OFFICE TAKES A LOT OF SPACE IN THAT BUILDING.
SPACE IN THAT BUILDING. WE COULD TIE THE REVISORS OFFICE
WE COULD TIE THE REVISORS OFFICE INTO THE STATE OFFICE BUILDING,
INTO THE STATE OFFICE BUILDING, INTO THE SENATE CONFERENCE ROOMS
INTO THE SENATE CONFERENCE ROOMS AND PHYSICALLY LOCATE THEM
AND PHYSICALLY LOCATE THEM SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE LOWER RENT
SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE LOWER RENT DISTRICT.
DISTRICT. JUST DOWN THE CAPITOL COMPLEX
JUST DOWN THE CAPITOL COMPLEX SEND TEN YL OFFICE BUILDING HAS
SEND TEN YL OFFICE BUILDING HAS VACANT SPACE IN IT.
VACANT SPACE IN IT. IF YOU WOULD TAKE SOME OF THOSE
IF YOU WOULD TAKE SOME OF THOSE SUPPORT SERVICES AND LOCATE
SUPPORT SERVICES AND LOCATE THOSE IN A REMOTE AREA THAT
THOSE IN A REMOTE AREA THAT COULD SUPPORT IT WITH A SMALL ON
COULD SUPPORT IT WITH A SMALL ON SITE TECH TEAM, WE WOULD SAVE A
SITE TECH TEAM, WE WOULD SAVE A LOT OF PAPER, AND WE WOULD END
LOT OF PAPER, AND WE WOULD END UP SAVING A LOT OF EXTRA USE OF
UP SAVING A LOT OF EXTRA USE OF THINGS, AND IT WOULD BE MUCH
THINGS, AND IT WOULD BE MUCH MORE EFFICIENT IN THAT PROCESS.
MORE EFFICIENT IN THAT PROCESS. YES, WE NEED PARKING BECAUSE
YES, WE NEED PARKING BECAUSE IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR MINNESOTANS TO COME DOWN TO TTE
MINNESOTANS TO COME DOWN TO TTE CAPITOL AND SEE THE BUSINESS IN
CAPITOL AND SEE THE BUSINESS IN ACTION.
ACTION. I BELIEVE I HEARD A NUMBER WITH
I BELIEVE I HEARD A NUMBER WITH THE CAPITAL RESTORATION WE FOUND
THE CAPITAL RESTORATION WE FOUND ANOTHER 80,000 SQUARE FEET THAT
ANOTHER 80,000 SQUARE FEET THAT WAS OTHERWISE CORDONED OFF AND
WAS OTHERWISE CORDONED OFF AND INSIDE OF WALLS AND DIFFERENT
INSIDE OF WALLS AND DIFFERENT THINGS, AND IF WE REALLY SAT
THINGS, AND IF WE REALLY SAT DOWN AND REWORKED SOME OF THOSE
DOWN AND REWORKED SOME OF THOSE THINGS, I BET WE COULD MOVE SOME
THINGS, I BET WE COULD MOVE SOME OF THE PRINTING AND SAVE SQUARE
OF THE PRINTING AND SAVE SQUARE FOOTAGE AND GET BY WITHOUT
FOOTAGE AND GET BY WITHOUT PUTTING ANOTHER OFFICE BUILDING
PUTTING ANOTHER OFFICE BUILDING ON THE CAMPUS THAT REALLY ISN'T
ON THE CAMPUS THAT REALLY ISN'T GOING TO FIT INTO THE HISTORIC
GOING TO FIT INTO THE HISTORIC LOOK AND FEEL.
LOOK AND FEEL. NOTHING AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT
NOTHING AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BUT THE 8
OF TRANSPORTATION BUT THE 8 STORY BUILDING THAT REALLY
STORY BUILDING THAT REALLY INHIBITS PEOPLE AS YOU ARE
INHIBITS PEOPLE AS YOU ARE DRIVING DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL, IT
DRIVING DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL, IT REALLY SHOULD BE AT THE CAPITOL,
REALLY SHOULD BE AT THE CAPITOL, AT THE DOME OF THE CAPITOL.
AT THE DOME OF THE CAPITOL. >> WHERE IS THE WHOLE PROCESS AT
>> WHERE IS THE WHOLE PROCESS AT PROCEDURALLY?
PROCEDURALLY? DO WE KNOW?
DO WE KNOW? >> THE ONLY COMMITTEE THAT HAS
>> THE ONLY COMMITTEE THAT HAS TO SIGN OFF IS THE HOUSE RULES
TO SIGN OFF IS THE HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE, AND THAT WOULD BE BY
COMMITTEE, AND THAT WOULD BE BY A SIMPLE MAJORITY OF MEMBERS,
A SIMPLE MAJORITY OF MEMBERS, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN BROUGHT
AND IT HAS NOT BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD TO THE RULES COMMITTEE
FORWARD TO THE RULES COMMITTEE BY LEADERSHIP AT THIS POINT.
BY LEADERSHIP AT THIS POINT. THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING.
THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING. I WOULD DEFER TO SAWATZKY.
I WOULD DEFER TO SAWATZKY. >> THE HOUSE HAS CONTROL WHETHER
>> THE HOUSE HAS CONTROL WHETHER IT GOES FORWARD OR NOT.
IT GOES FORWARD OR NOT. THEY HAVE NOT BROUGHT IT UP YET.
THEY HAVE NOT BROUGHT IT UP YET. >> I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT, TOO,
>> I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT, TOO, AND THERE'S THAT IDEA THIS IS
AND THERE'S THAT IDEA THIS IS SUCH A LAVISH BUILDING.
SUCH A LAVISH BUILDING. YOU HEAR ABOUT A REFLECTING
YOU HEAR ABOUT A REFLECTING POOLS AND EXERCISE ROOMS.
POOLS AND EXERCISE ROOMS. THAT IS NOT PART OF THE PLAN.
THAT IS NOT PART OF THE PLAN. THERE ARE NO REFLECTING POOLS OR
THERE ARE NO REFLECTING POOLS OR EXERCISE ROOM.
EXERCISE ROOM. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE BUILDING
THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE BUILDING WON'T LOOK NICE, BUT IT COST THE
WON'T LOOK NICE, BUT IT COST THE SAME TO BUILD A NICE LOOKING
SAME TO BUILD A NICE LOOKING BUILDING AS AN UGLY ONE.
BUILDING AS AN UGLY ONE. BUT ON THE PROCESS, YOU KNOW,
BUT ON THE PROCESS, YOU KNOW, THERE'S GOOD POINTS MADE UP
THERE'S GOOD POINTS MADE UP HERE, BUT IN THE TAX COMMITTEE
HERE, BUT IN THE TAX COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE, ON THREE
IN THE SENATE, ON THREE DIFFERENT HEARINGS, THIS SUBJECT
DIFFERENT HEARINGS, THIS SUBJECT CAME UP, AND THEN ON THE HOUSE
CAME UP, AND THEN ON THE HOUSE FLOOR IT WAS THERE AGAIN IN THE
FLOOR IT WAS THERE AGAIN IN THE TAX BILL OR THE SENATE FLOOR, I
TAX BILL OR THE SENATE FLOOR, I MEAN, WHEN WE DEBATED IT THERE.
MEAN, WHEN WE DEBATED IT THERE. THEN THE DECISION WAS MADE NOT
THEN THE DECISION WAS MADE NOT TO HAVE COMMITTEES TRY AND PLAN
TO HAVE COMMITTEES TRY AND PLAN THE BUILDING, BUT TO FORM A
THE BUILDING, BUT TO FORM A GROUP OF LEGISLATORS THAT WERE
GROUP OF LEGISLATORS THAT WERE INTERESTED TO GET TOGETHER TO
INTERESTED TO GET TOGETHER TO HELP DEVELOP THE PLAN, ALONG
HELP DEVELOP THE PLAN, ALONG WITH ADMIN, AND I UNDERSTAND
WITH ADMIN, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES
THAT MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES FROM BOTH HOUSES WERE INVITED
FROM BOTH HOUSES WERE INVITED AND I REALLY WASN'T INTERESTED
AND I REALLY WASN'T INTERESTED IN THAT, SO I DIDN'T GO.
IN THAT, SO I DIDN'T GO. I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF
I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF TURNOUT THERE WAS.
TURNOUT THERE WAS. >> IT'S THE REALITIES OF LIFE.
>> IT'S THE REALITIES OF LIFE. I GOT ANOTHER JOB.
I GOT ANOTHER JOB. >> SENATOR KOENEN WAS TALKING 18
>> SENATOR KOENEN WAS TALKING 18 TO $20 MILLION TO DO THE PHONE
TO $20 MILLION TO DO THE PHONE AND INTERNET AND RELOCATE.
AND INTERNET AND RELOCATE. WE WOULD HAVE THOSE SAME KINDS
WE WOULD HAVE THOSE SAME KINDS OF HARD COSTS WHETHER WE PUT IT
OF HARD COSTS WHETHER WE PUT IT IN A NEW BUILDING OR REMODELED
IN A NEW BUILDING OR REMODELED BUILDING.
BUILDING. SOME OF THOSE ARE COSTS WHERE WE
SOME OF THOSE ARE COSTS WHERE WE INCUR, AND I'M WITH SENATOR RUUD
INCUR, AND I'M WITH SENATOR RUUD ON THIS.
ON THIS. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE A MORE ROBUST CONVERSATION ABOUT
A MORE ROBUST CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS AND GET INPUT FOR PEOPLE
THIS AND GET INPUT FOR PEOPLE THAT MIGHT BE AFFECTED FIRSTHAND
THAT MIGHT BE AFFECTED FIRSTHAND BY THIS.
BY THIS. >> WE WILL HAVE MORE
>> WE WILL HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO DISCUSS IT,
OPPORTUNITIES TO DISCUSS IT, BECAUSE IT HASN'T YET GOT THE
BECAUSE IT HASN'T YET GOT THE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING SEAL OF
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING SEAL OF APPROVAL IT NEEDS.
APPROVAL IT NEEDS. SO WE WILL SEE WHERE WE GO FROM
SO WE WILL SEE WHERE WE GO FROM HERE.
HERE. VIEWER FROM SWIFT COUNTY WANTS
VIEWER FROM SWIFT COUNTY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT ESTATE TAXES.
TO TALK ABOUT ESTATE TAXES. THE VIEWER BELIEVES THERE'S SOME
THE VIEWER BELIEVES THERE'S SOME OPTION TO RAISING THE ESTATE
OPTION TO RAISING THE ESTATE TAX.
TAX. THIS I GATHER IS A TAX BILL
THIS I GATHER IS A TAX BILL ISSUE.
ISSUE. WHO CAN TELL US A LITTLE BIT
WHO CAN TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON ON THAT.
ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON ON THAT. >> I CAN START.
>> I CAN START. WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT AN
WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT AN OVERALL $5 MILLION EXEMPTION
OVERALL $5 MILLION EXEMPTION WHEN YOU ARE WORKING THROUGH AND
WHEN YOU ARE WORKING THROUGH AND CALCULATING YOUR ESTATE TAX.
CALCULATING YOUR ESTATE TAX. WHAT HAPPENED -- I'M SURE WHAT
WHAT HAPPENED -- I'M SURE WHAT HE'S REFERRING TO WHAT HAPPENED
HE'S REFERRING TO WHAT HAPPENED IS THE SENATE BILL HAD A
IS THE SENATE BILL HAD A $5 MILLION EXEMPTION IN IT, AND
$5 MILLION EXEMPTION IN IT, AND THEN ON FRIDAY MORNING WHEN WE
THEN ON FRIDAY MORNING WHEN WE TOOK UP THE TAX BILL, THERE'S AN
TOOK UP THE TAX BILL, THERE'S AN AMENDMENT OFFER TO $2 MILLION.
AMENDMENT OFFER TO $2 MILLION. IT WASN'T THAT, I THINK, PEOPLE
IT WASN'T THAT, I THINK, PEOPLE WERE AGAINST THE 5 MILLION, BUT
WERE AGAINST THE 5 MILLION, BUT IT'S THAT WHEN YOU LOOKED OUT
IT'S THAT WHEN YOU LOOKED OUT INTO NOT SO MUCH THE NEXT
INTO NOT SO MUCH THE NEXT BIENNIUM BUT THE BIENNIUMS AFTER
BIENNIUM BUT THE BIENNIUMS AFTER THAT THAT IT WOULD REALLY,
THAT THAT IT WOULD REALLY, REALLY PUT THE BUDGET INTO
REALLY PUT THE BUDGET INTO TROUBLE AS FAR AS HAVING A
TROUBLE AS FAR AS HAVING A BALANCED BUDGET, AND I THINK
BALANCED BUDGET, AND I THINK THAT'S THE PRIMARY DRIVER FOR
THAT'S THE PRIMARY DRIVER FOR LOWERING THAT EXEMPTION FROM
LOWERING THAT EXEMPTION FROM 5 MILLION TO 2 MILLION.
5 MILLION TO 2 MILLION. IT'S FAIRLY EXPENSIVE.
IT'S FAIRLY EXPENSIVE. YOU GO 3, 4 BIENNIUMS.
YOU GO 3, 4 BIENNIUMS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE 3
IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE 3 OR $4 MILLION EXEMPTION FOR
OR $4 MILLION EXEMPTION FOR FARMS IS STILL IN PLACE LIKE IT
FARMS IS STILL IN PLACE LIKE IT ALWAYS WAS.
ALWAYS WAS. SO THAT HASN'T CHANGED.
SO THAT HASN'T CHANGED. THE GIFT TAX WAS TAKEN OUT, TOO,
THE GIFT TAX WAS TAKEN OUT, TOO, IN THE TAX BILL.
IN THE TAX BILL. THAT SIMPLIFIES ESTATE PLANNING,
THAT SIMPLIFIES ESTATE PLANNING, ALSO.
ALSO. IF YOU COMPARE WHAT'S PASSED IN
IF YOU COMPARE WHAT'S PASSED IN THE TAX BILL TO WHAT WAS CURRENT
THE TAX BILL TO WHAT WAS CURRENT LAW LAST YEAR.
LAW LAST YEAR. THE GENERAL EXEMPTION WENT FROM
THE GENERAL EXEMPTION WENT FROM 1 MILLION TO 2 MILLION.
1 MILLION TO 2 MILLION. THE GIFT TAX IS GONE, AND THE
THE GIFT TAX IS GONE, AND THE FARM AND SMALL BUSINESS
FARM AND SMALL BUSINESS EXEMPTION IS STILL 5 MILLION.
EXEMPTION IS STILL 5 MILLION. THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.
THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED. >> AND YOU DID HAVE TO CHANGE
>> AND YOU DID HAVE TO CHANGE THAT ON THE FLOOR BECAUSE THE
THAT ON THE FLOOR BECAUSE THE BILL DIDN'T BALANCE OUT.
BILL DIDN'T BALANCE OUT. IT WAS CHANGED FROM 5 TO 2.
IT WAS CHANGED FROM 5 TO 2. BUT THE FARMS ARE STILL
BUT THE FARMS ARE STILL PROTECTED.
PROTECTED. >> AND.
>> AND. >> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO
>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE -- AND I'M ONE OF THEM, AND
NOTE -- AND I'M ONE OF THEM, AND PROBABLY SOME OF YOU AROUND THE
PROBABLY SOME OF YOU AROUND THE TABLE, TOO -- I THINK IT'S A
TABLE, TOO -- I THINK IT'S A GOOD GOAL TO GET TO THE
GOOD GOAL TO GET TO THE 5 MILLION, BUT IT'S JUST WE ARE
5 MILLION, BUT IT'S JUST WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO AT A LITTLE
GOING TO HAVE TO GO AT A LITTLE SLOWER PACE THAN SOME OF US
SLOWER PACE THAN SOME OF US WANTED TO, BUT ALSO IN
WANTED TO, BUT ALSO IN MINNESOTA, BY LAW, WE HAVE TO
MINNESOTA, BY LAW, WE HAVE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.
BALANCE THE BUDGET. >> ANY THOUGHTS ON THE EXEMPTION
>> ANY THOUGHTS ON THE EXEMPTION ISSUES?
ISSUES? >> WE ARE FORTUNATE WE HAVE
>> WE ARE FORTUNATE WE HAVE SENATOR KOENEN WHO IS -- WORKS
SENATOR KOENEN WHO IS -- WORKS WITH IT EVERY DAY, AND I LOOK
WITH IT EVERY DAY, AND I LOOK AND REFLECT -- LOOKING FORWARD,
AND REFLECT -- LOOKING FORWARD, AND BECAUSE LIKE I SAY IT'S
AND BECAUSE LIKE I SAY IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO BE
SOMETHING WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR, AND THINGS THAT
RESPONSIBLE FOR, AND THINGS THAT WE CAN'T FORGET, AND THINGS THAT
WE CAN'T FORGET, AND THINGS THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY ON THE
AREN'T NECESSARILY ON THE PEOPLE'S MINDS NECESSARILY AND
PEOPLE'S MINDS NECESSARILY AND TO REMEMBER THAT WE HAVE TO WORK
TO REMEMBER THAT WE HAVE TO WORK OUT AND WE DON'T WANT TO SPEND
OUT AND WE DON'T WANT TO SPEND MONEY THAT WE DON'T HAVE FOR THE
MONEY THAT WE DON'T HAVE FOR THE FUTURE RIGHT NOW.
FUTURE RIGHT NOW. >> I WILL TELL YOU THIS IS
>> I WILL TELL YOU THIS IS REALLY THE FIRST TAX BILL IN MY
REALLY THE FIRST TAX BILL IN MY TERM THAT I HAVE VOTED FOR.
TERM THAT I HAVE VOTED FOR. I THINK IT WAS A VERY TOUGH
I THINK IT WAS A VERY TOUGH BILL, WORKED ON VERY HARD.
BILL, WORKED ON VERY HARD. WE DID REPEAL THE B TO B,
WE DID REPEAL THE B TO B, BUSINESS TO BUSINESS TAXES, AND
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS TAXES, AND WE DIDN'T DO THE MARRIAGE
WE DIDN'T DO THE MARRIAGE PENALTY UNTIL NEXT YEAR.
PENALTY UNTIL NEXT YEAR. WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE DONE
WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE DONE IT THIS YEAR.
IT THIS YEAR. BUT OVERALL, I THINK WE DID A
BUT OVERALL, I THINK WE DID A REALLY -- IT WAS A HARD FOUGHT
REALLY -- IT WAS A HARD FOUGHT BATTLE, AND I THINK THIS IS A
BATTLE, AND I THINK THIS IS A GOOD TAX BILL.
GOOD TAX BILL. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WAS
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WAS REALLY HAPPY TO SEE, AND THAT'S
REALLY HAPPY TO SEE, AND THAT'S THE FEDERAL CONFORM SI, AND THE
THE FEDERAL CONFORM SI, AND THE SHORT SALES FORECLOSURE, BECAUSE
SHORT SALES FORECLOSURE, BECAUSE MINNESOTA HAS HAD A HUGE TAX
MINNESOTA HAS HAD A HUGE TAX LIABILITY.
LIABILITY. SOME OF THE FOLKS IN MY DISTRICT
SOME OF THE FOLKS IN MY DISTRICT TALKED ABOUT THEY WOULD HAVE UP
TALKED ABOUT THEY WOULD HAVE UP TO $8,000 TAX LIABILITY BECAUSE
TO $8,000 TAX LIABILITY BECAUSE OF THE SHORT SALE.
OF THE SHORT SALE. >> ON PROPERTY THEY NO LONGER
>> ON PROPERTY THEY NO LONGER OWN.
OWN. >> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. IN SOMETHING THEY WERE TRYING TO
IN SOMETHING THEY WERE TRYING TO DO THE MOST HONEST THING AND
DO THE MOST HONEST THING AND HAVE A SHORT SALE AND NOT HAVE
HAVE A SHORT SALE AND NOT HAVE IT GO INTO FORECLOSURE.
IT GO INTO FORECLOSURE. WE WERE HAPPY TO SEE THAT
WE WERE HAPPY TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.
HAPPEN. PLUS THE B TO B'S, AND I THINK
PLUS THE B TO B'S, AND I THINK IT WAS A GOOD SOLID TAX BILL.
IT WAS A GOOD SOLID TAX BILL. COULD WE HAVE DONE BETTER?
COULD WE HAVE DONE BETTER? MAYBE.
MAYBE. BUT I THINK OVERALL, WHEN YOU
BUT I THINK OVERALL, WHEN YOU GET THE OVERALL SUPPORT ON THE
GET THE OVERALL SUPPORT ON THE TAX BILL THAT WE HAD BOTH IN THE
TAX BILL THAT WE HAD BOTH IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, I THINK IT
HOUSE AND THE SENATE, I THINK IT SHOWS THAT WE REALLY WORKED HARD
SHOWS THAT WE REALLY WORKED *** THAT BILL.
ON THAT BILL. >> MY THOUGHTS WOULD BE WE HAD
>> MY THOUGHTS WOULD BE WE HAD WORKED VERY HARD AT THE END OF
WORKED VERY HARD AT THE END OF LAST SESSION TO BRING THE B TO B
LAST SESSION TO BRING THE B TO B TAXES AND WE WORKED JUST AS HARD
TAXES AND WE WORKED JUST AS HARD TO REPEAL HOSE.
TO REPEAL HOSE. WE DID SUGGEST THAT THOSE WERE
WE DID SUGGEST THAT THOSE WERE GOING TO BE PROP PROBLEMATIC FOR
GOING TO BE PROP PROBLEMATIC FOR BUSINESSES AND FAMILY FARMS AND
BUSINESSES AND FAMILY FARMS AND TO PAY THOSE TYPES OF TAXES.
TO PAY THOSE TYPES OF TAXES. THE PROBLEM WE HAVE IS THAT THEY
THE PROBLEM WE HAVE IS THAT THEY WENT INTO PLACE, AND NOW THAT
WENT INTO PLACE, AND NOW THAT THEY ARE COMING UP, WE ALL WANT
THEY ARE COMING UP, WE ALL WANT TO BE HEROES ON THAT.
TO BE HEROES ON THAT. I'M HEARING FROM A LOT OF TAX
I'M HEARING FROM A LOT OF TAX PREPARERS IN MY DISTRICT, AND
PREPARERS IN MY DISTRICT, AND PEOPLE WITH OPEN RETURNS SAYING
PEOPLE WITH OPEN RETURNS SAYING REPRESENTATIVE O'DRISCOLL WHEN
REPRESENTATIVE O'DRISCOLL WHEN AM I GOING TO KNOW IF I GET THE
AM I GOING TO KNOW IF I GET THE MARRIAGE PERSONALITY?
MARRIAGE PERSONALITY? AND I HAVE ESTATE TAX QUESTIONS
AND I HAVE ESTATE TAX QUESTIONS THAT SENATOR KOENEN HAS OUTLINED
THAT SENATOR KOENEN HAS OUTLINED AND I HAD FOLKS CONTACT ME, VERY
AND I HAD FOLKS CONTACT ME, VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONFORMITY
CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONFORMITY AS IT RELATES TO THE SHORT SALE
AS IT RELATES TO THE SHORT SALE AND LOSSES.
AND LOSSES. TAXES DO MATTER FOR PEOPLE.
TAXES DO MATTER FOR PEOPLE. THEY ABSOLUTELY DO MATTER FOR
THEY ABSOLUTELY DO MATTER FOR PEOPLE IN ALL INCOME GROUPS AND
PEOPLE IN ALL INCOME GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL SITUATIONS.
INDIVIDUAL SITUATIONS. >> WE WORKED VERY HARD NOT TO
>> WE WORKED VERY HARD NOT TO PASS THOSE TAXES LLST YEAR.
PASS THOSE TAXES LLST YEAR. >> BUT IT'S REALLY AMAZING TO ME
>> BUT IT'S REALLY AMAZING TO ME THAT IT ONLY TOOK SUCH A SHORT
THAT IT ONLY TOOK SUCH A SHORT TIME TO FIND OUT THEY WERE A BIG
TIME TO FIND OUT THEY WERE A BIG MISTAKE AND REPEAL THEM?
MISTAKE AND REPEAL THEM? >> VIEWER FROM HENNING WANTS TO
>> VIEWER FROM HENNING WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THE PRESS AND
TALK ABOUT THE PRESS AND ATTENTION.
ATTENTION. WHAT'S THE STATUS IN THE MINIMUM
WHAT'S THE STATUS IN THE MINIMUM WAGE BILL AND HE OR SHE DOESN'T
WAGE BILL AND HE OR SHE DOESN'T INDICATE WHETHER HE OR SHE IS
INDICATE WHETHER HE OR SHE IS FOR IT OR AGAINST IT.
FOR IT OR AGAINST IT. SENATOR RUUD, LET'S START WITH
SENATOR RUUD, LET'S START WITH YOU TO MIX THINGS UP HERE A
YOU TO MIX THINGS UP HERE A LITTLE BIT.
LITTLE BIT. >> I THINK ONE OF THE
>> I THINK ONE OF THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE ARE REALLY
CONVERSATIONS THAT WE ARE REALLY MISSING IS WHY DO WE NEED TO
MISSING IS WHY DO WE NEED TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE?
RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE? AND I THINK IT'S BECAUSE WE ARE
AND I THINK IT'S BECAUSE WE ARE TAXING OUR CITIZENS AND SO THEY
TAXING OUR CITIZENS AND SO THEY NEED TO MAKE A BIGGER WAGE.
NEED TO MAKE A BIGGER WAGE. THE QUESTION SHOULD BE CAN WE
THE QUESTION SHOULD BE CAN WE LOWER THEIR PROPERTY TAXES AND
LOWER THEIR PROPERTY TAXES AND INCOME TAXES, AND IF WE LOWER
INCOME TAXES, AND IF WE LOWER THEIR TAXES AND GAVE THEM MORE
THEIR TAXES AND GAVE THEM MORE OF THEIR MONEY, WE WOULDN'T HAVE
OF THEIR MONEY, WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO HAVE A MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE.
TO HAVE A MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE. THEY WOULD KEEP MORE OF THEIR
THEY WOULD KEEP MORE OF THEIR OWN MONEY TO BEGIN WITH.
OWN MONEY TO BEGIN WITH. THAT BEING SAID, I DO FAVOR THE
THAT BEING SAID, I DO FAVOR THE FEDERAL CONFORMITY, BECAUSE MOST
FEDERAL CONFORMITY, BECAUSE MOST BUSINESSES PAY THAT ANYWAY.
BUSINESSES PAY THAT ANYWAY. IF YOU USE A CREDIT CARD IN A
IF YOU USE A CREDIT CARD IN A BUSINESS, YOU HAVE TO PAY THE
BUSINESS, YOU HAVE TO PAY THE FEDERAL CONFORMITY, AND THERE'S
FEDERAL CONFORMITY, AND THERE'S VERY FEW PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF
VERY FEW PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA THAT MAKE LESS THAN
MINNESOTA THAT MAKE LESS THAN THE FEDERAL CONFORMITY.
THE FEDERAL CONFORMITY. AS FAR AS INDEXING IT'S PUTTING
AS FAR AS INDEXING IT'S PUTTING MINIMUM WAGE ON AUTO PILOT.
MINIMUM WAGE ON AUTO PILOT. WE ARE IN A PERIOD OF LOW
WE ARE IN A PERIOD OF LOW INFLATION, BUT AS SOON AS THE
INFLATION, BUT AS SOON AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STOPS
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STOPS PRINTING MONEY, WE KNOW WE WILL
PRINTING MONEY, WE KNOW WE WILL HAVE A BIG INFLATIONARY PERIOD,
HAVE A BIG INFLATIONARY PERIOD, AND WE WILL PUT THAT MINIMUM
AND WE WILL PUT THAT MINIMUM WAGE ON INFLATION.
WAGE ON INFLATION. I'M VERY WORRIED ABOUT A BILL WE
I'M VERY WORRIED ABOUT A BILL WE HAVE UP IN COMMITTEE TOMORROW
HAVE UP IN COMMITTEE TOMORROW MORNING.
MORNING. WE JUST GOT A HEARING NOTICE.
WE JUST GOT A HEARING NOTICE. SINCE THAT HEARING NOTICE WENT
SINCE THAT HEARING NOTICE WENT OUT A FEW HOURS AGO, MY E-MAIL
OUT A FEW HOURS AGO, MY E-MAIL HAS GONE ABSOLUTELY CRAZY ON
HAS GONE ABSOLUTELY CRAZY ON PEOPLE OPPOSED TO THIS, AND
PEOPLE OPPOSED TO THIS, AND THAT'S PUTTING THE MINIMUM WAGE
THAT'S PUTTING THE MINIMUM WAGE ON AUTO PILOT IN THE
ON AUTO PILOT IN THE CONSTITUTION IN THE STATE OF
CONSTITUTION IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, A VERY DANGEROUS
MINNESOTA, A VERY DANGEROUS THING TO DO.
THING TO DO. >> PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL
>> PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
AMENDMENT. >> YES.
>> YES. >> AND THAT'S COMING UP IN
>> AND THAT'S COMING UP IN COMMITTEE AT 9:00 TOMORROW
COMMITTEE AT 9:00 TOMORROW MORNING, AND THAT'S A DANGEROUS
MORNING, AND THAT'S A DANGEROUS THING TO BE DOING, AND I EXPECT
THING TO BE DOING, AND I EXPECT A VERY SPIRITED COMMITTEE AND
A VERY SPIRITED COMMITTEE AND PROBABLY -- [LAUGHTER].
PROBABLY -- [LAUGHTER]. >> A EXCHANGE OF VIEWS.
>> A EXCHANGE OF VIEWS. >> [LAUGHTER] AND A LOT OF FOLKS
>> [LAUGHTER] AND A LOT OF FOLKS ARE COMING TO THE CAPITOL TO
ARE COMING TO THE CAPITOL TO OBJECT TO THAT.
OBJECT TO THAT. >> MINIMUM WAGE, SAWATZKY.
>> MINIMUM WAGE, SAWATZKY. >> WE WANT MINNESOTANS WORKING
>> WE WANT MINNESOTANS WORKING AND WE WANT THEM TO HAVE THAT
AND WE WANT THEM TO HAVE THAT DESIRE TO WORK AND FEEL GOOD
DESIRE TO WORK AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT GOING TO WORK AND RIGHT
ABOUT GOING TO WORK AND RIGHT NOW EVEN RAISING THE MINIMUM
NOW EVEN RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE TO 9.50 IS NOT A LIVING
WAGE TO 9.50 IS NOT A LIVING WAGE IT'S -- WE NEED TO MAKE
WAGE IT'S -- WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR PEOPLE THAT ARE
SURE THAT OUR PEOPLE THAT ARE BRINGING THEIR MONEY HOME TO
BRINGING THEIR MONEY HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES, THEY CAN PROVIDE
THEIR FAMILIES, THEY CAN PROVIDE FOR OTHER NEEDS.
FOR OTHER NEEDS. I THINK THAT NEED TO PAY OUR
I THINK THAT NEED TO PAY OUR PEOPLE, AND I THINK THEY NEED
PEOPLE, AND I THINK THEY NEED TO -- I THINK THERE'S BEEN A LOT
TO -- I THINK THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF GOOD DISCUSSION ABOUT MINIMUM
OF GOOD DISCUSSION ABOUT MINIMUM WAGE, AND ABOUT THE LARGE
WAGE, AND ABOUT THE LARGE BUSINESS VERSUS SMALL BUSINESS,
BUSINESS VERSUS SMALL BUSINESS, AND MAKING SOME ACCOMMODATIONS
AND MAKING SOME ACCOMMODATIONS THERE, AND NOT A TRAINING WAGE
THERE, AND NOT A TRAINING WAGE BUT YOUTH WAGE, AND SO THERE ARE
BUT YOUTH WAGE, AND SO THERE ARE SOME DISCUSSIONS.
SOME DISCUSSIONS. I'M NOT ON THAT COMMITTEE TO
I'M NOT ON THAT COMMITTEE TO HEAR THE DAY IN AND DAY OUT
HEAR THE DAY IN AND DAY OUT CONVERSATIONS.
CONVERSATIONS. >> COME JOIN US TOMORROW.
>> COME JOIN US TOMORROW. >> I THINK TO HAVE TO WORK -- WE
>> I THINK TO HAVE TO WORK -- WE WANT OUR FAMILIES TO BE TOGETHER
WANT OUR FAMILIES TO BE TOGETHER AND NOT HAVE TO HAVE TWO JOBS TO
AND NOT HAVE TO HAVE TWO JOBS TO MAKE A LIVING, AND IT WOULD BE
MAKE A LIVING, AND IT WOULD BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE FAMILIES
NICE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE FAMILIES BE ABLE TO WORK A 40 HOUR WEEK,
BE ABLE TO WORK A 40 HOUR WEEK, AND BE ABLE TO SPEND SOME TIME
AND BE ABLE TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES AT HOME
WITH THEIR FAMILIES AT HOME ANDEN JOY THEIR FAMILIES FOR
ANDEN JOY THEIR FAMILIES FOR BEING AT HOME.
BEING AT HOME. WHEN OUR FAMILIES HAVE TO WORK
WHEN OUR FAMILIES HAVE TO WORK 155 HOURS FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR
155 HOURS FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR TO MAKE ENDS MEET.
TO MAKE ENDS MEET. IT DOESN'T MEAN GOING TO YOUR
IT DOESN'T MEAN GOING TO YOUR FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP TO HAVE THE
FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP TO HAVE THE COFFEE NOW AND AGAIN OR ORDER A
COFFEE NOW AND AGAIN OR ORDER A PIZZA AT HOME.
PIZZA AT HOME. IT'S TO PROVIDE FOR YOUR FAMILY.
IT'S TO PROVIDE FOR YOUR FAMILY. I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT,
I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT, AND I THINK WHEN EVERYBODY MAKES
AND I THINK WHEN EVERYBODY MAKES MORE MONEY, EVERYBODY DOES
MORE MONEY, EVERYBODY DOES BETTER.
BETTER. >> SENATOR KOENEN?
>> SENATOR KOENEN? >> WHAT I HEAR FROM BUSINESSES
>> WHAT I HEAR FROM BUSINESSES BACK HOME, A LOT OF THEM PAY
BACK HOME, A LOT OF THEM PAY ABOUT MINIMUM WAGE ANYWAY.
ABOUT MINIMUM WAGE ANYWAY. THEY ARE NOT SO OPPOSED TO
THEY ARE NOT SO OPPOSED TO RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE TO SOME
RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE TO SOME DEGREE, BUT THEY WOULD LIKE TO
DEGREE, BUT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT BE REASONABLE AND PHASED
SEE IT BE REASONABLE AND PHASED IN OVER TIME.
IN OVER TIME. AS MARY MENTIONED, YOUTH WAGE IS
AS MARY MENTIONED, YOUTH WAGE IS ALSO IMPORTANT, AND I AGREE WITH
ALSO IMPORTANT, AND I AGREE WITH THAT.
THAT. I THINK IT IS, TOO.
I THINK IT IS, TOO. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE BOTH YOUTH
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE BOTH YOUTH WAGE AND TRAINING WAGE.
WAGE AND TRAINING WAGE. THE DIFFERENCE IS YOUTH WAGE IS
THE DIFFERENCE IS YOUTH WAGE IS FOR UNDER 18, AND THE TRAINING
FOR UNDER 18, AND THE TRAINING WAGE IS FOR THE FIRST 90 DAYS OF
WAGE IS FOR THE FIRST 90 DAYS OF EMPLOYMENT.
EMPLOYMENT. I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT THAT IS.
I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT THAT IS. I THINK BOTH OF THOSE ARE GOOD
I THINK BOTH OF THOSE ARE GOOD MEASURES, TOO.
MEASURES, TOO. I'M SAYING THIS WITHOUT -- I
I'M SAYING THIS WITHOUT -- I DON'T SERVE ON THE CONFERENCE
DON'T SERVE ON THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE DEALING WITH MINIMUM
COMMITTEE DEALING WITH MINIMUM WAGE, AND I HAVEN'T ACTUALLY HAD
WAGE, AND I HAVEN'T ACTUALLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT IN ON A
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT IN ON A COMMITTEE MEETING.
COMMITTEE MEETING. SO I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE WHAT'S
SO I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THAT COMMITTEE
HAPPENING IN THAT COMMITTEE RIGHT NOW.
RIGHT NOW. THE QUESTION OF THE
THE QUESTION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL BILL THAT WOULD
CONSTITUTIONAL BILL THAT WOULD PLACE THE QUESTION ON THE BALLOT
PLACE THE QUESTION ON THE BALLOT FOR THE POSSIBLE INCLUSION IN
FOR THE POSSIBLE INCLUSION IN THE CONSTITUTION, THE ORIGINAL
THE CONSTITUTION, THE ORIGINAL BILL, I THINK, SETS THE MINIMUM
BILL, I THINK, SETS THE MINIMUM WAGE AND INDEXES IT FROM THAT
WAGE AND INDEXES IT FROM THAT POINT FORWARD.
POINT FORWARD. IF THE VOTERS SAID YES, THAT'S
IF THE VOTERS SAID YES, THAT'S WHAT WOULD HAPPEN.
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE IF THAT'S
I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE IF THAT'S WHAT THE FINAL BILL IS GOING TO
WHAT THE FINAL BILL IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.
LOOK LIKE. I WOULD HAVE TO SEE WHAT'S
I WOULD HAVE TO SEE WHAT'S DRIVING THIS, I WOULD SAY
DRIVING THIS, I WOULD SAY THERE'S SOME -- AND THIS IS MY
THERE'S SOME -- AND THIS IS MY OPINION NOW, I THINK THERE'S
OPINION NOW, I THINK THERE'S NERVOUSNESS ABOUT THIS
NERVOUSNESS ABOUT THIS CONFERENCE COMMITTEE NOT GETTING
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE NOT GETTING TOGETHER WITH AN AGREEMENT TO
TOGETHER WITH AN AGREEMENT TO GET THIS DONE.
GET THIS DONE. >> WORKING A LONG TIME, AND
>> WORKING A LONG TIME, AND EVERY OTHER DAY THEY MEET AND
EVERY OTHER DAY THEY MEET AND DON'T MEET.
DON'T MEET. >> THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE
>> THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE PASSED DIFFERING BILLS, AND THIS
PASSED DIFFERING BILLS, AND THIS IS IN A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE,
IS IN A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING TTAT'S
AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING TTAT'S BEFORE ANY OF YOUR RESPECTIVE
BEFORE ANY OF YOUR RESPECTIVE COMMITTEES, SO THEY WILL COME UP
COMMITTEES, SO THEY WILL COME UP WITH SOME KIND OF A BILL THAT
WITH SOME KIND OF A BILL THAT WILL THEN BE VOTED ON WITH NO
WILL THEN BE VOTED ON WITH NO AMENDMENTS IN THE HOUSE AND
AMENDMENTS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.
SENATE. >> UP OR DOWN VOTE AT THAT
>> UP OR DOWN VOTE AT THAT POINT.
POINT. >> MY THOUGHTS -- BECAUSE I SEE
>> MY THOUGHTS -- BECAUSE I SEE EVERYBODY LOOKING AT ME.
EVERYBODY LOOKING AT ME. MY THOUGHTS ARE VERY MUCH IN
MY THOUGHTS ARE VERY MUCH IN KEEPING WITH WHAT WE JUST TALKED
KEEPING WITH WHAT WE JUST TALKED ABOUT IN MY PREVIOUS
ABOUT IN MY PREVIOUS CONVERSATION, AND THAT'S WHERE
CONVERSATION, AND THAT'S WHERE WE SAW THE B TO B TAXES AND
WE SAW THE B TO B TAXES AND IMMEDIATELY WE FOUND OUT THAT
IMMEDIATELY WE FOUND OUT THAT THAT WAS A PROBLEM, HURTING THE
THAT WAS A PROBLEM, HURTING THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY, AND
AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY, AND BUSINESSES ARE HAVING TO PAY
BUSINESSES ARE HAVING TO PAY EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF TAXES
EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF TAXES BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING
BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING BUSINESSES WITH OTHER
BUSINESSES WITH OTHER BUSINESSES, AND ONCE YOU PUT
BUSINESSES, AND ONCE YOU PUT SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN THE
SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN THE CONSTITUTION AS WE HAVE BEEN
CONSTITUTION AS WE HAVE BEEN REMINDED TIME AND TIME AGAIN,
REMINDED TIME AND TIME AGAIN, IT'S PERMANENT AND IT TAKES
IT'S PERMANENT AND IT TAKES FOREVER TO GET THAT OUT AND
FOREVER TO GET THAT OUT AND CHANGE THAT.
CHANGE THAT. IF WE ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE
IF WE ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE START SEEING AREAS OR POCKETS
WE START SEEING AREAS OR POCKETS WITHIN THE STATE, DIFFERENT
WITHIN THE STATE, DIFFERENT TYPES OF BUSINESSES, BUSINESSES
TYPES OF BUSINESSES, BUSINESSES THAT HAVEN'T EVEN IN EXISTENCE
THAT HAVEN'T EVEN IN EXISTENCE BECAUSE OF CHANGES IN
BECAUSE OF CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY, WE ARE TIED INTO
TECHNOLOGY, WE ARE TIED INTO WHATEVER THE CONSTITUTION SAYS
WHATEVER THE CONSTITUTION SAYS WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DO ON THAT.
WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DO ON THAT. WE MAY FIND OURSELVES IN A
WE MAY FIND OURSELVES IN A SITUATION WHERE WE SEE DEFLATION
SITUATION WHERE WE SEE DEFLATION AND OTHER KINDS OF THINGS THAT
AND OTHER KINDS OF THINGS THAT COULD CREATE PROBLEMS FOR
COULD CREATE PROBLEMS FOR BUSINESS PRICING, BUT YET
BUSINESS PRICING, BUT YET BUSINESSES ARE STILL LOCKED INTO
BUSINESSES ARE STILL LOCKED INTO WHATEVER THE MINIMUM WAGE WAS,
WHATEVER THE MINIMUM WAGE WAS, AND IT'S 11.50 AND BUSINESSES
AND IT'S 11.50 AND BUSINESSES CAN'T EVEN PUT A PROFIT-LOSS
CAN'T EVEN PUT A PROFIT-LOSS STATEMENT TOGETHER THAT MAKES
STATEMENT TOGETHER THAT MAKES SENSE.
SENSE. DOORS CLOSE AND PEOPLE LOSE
DOORS CLOSE AND PEOPLE LOSE THEIR JOBS.
THEIR JOBS. THE OTHER THING WE HAVE THAT I
THE OTHER THING WE HAVE THAT I THINK IS FOR PEOPLE TO KEEP IN
THINK IS FOR PEOPLE TO KEEP IN MIND IN A LOT OF OUR STARTING
MIND IN A LOT OF OUR STARTING AND ENTRY LEVEL POSITIONS, YOU
AND ENTRY LEVEL POSITIONS, YOU WILL HAVE PEOPLE THAT WILL BE
WILL HAVE PEOPLE THAT WILL BE WORKING IN MINNESOTA'S NURSING
WORKING IN MINNESOTA'S NURSING HOMES WHO ARE SEMIRETIRED AND
HOMES WHO ARE SEMIRETIRED AND LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL INCOME OR
LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL INCOME OR GETTING STARTED INNA CAREER, AND
GETTING STARTED INNA CAREER, AND THEY ARE MAKING MINIMUM WAGE OR
THEY ARE MAKING MINIMUM WAGE OR A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN MIN MIM
A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN MIN MIM WAGE TO GET SKILLS AND
WAGE TO GET SKILLS AND SUPPLEMENT INCOME FOR
SUPPLEMENT INCOME FOR THEMSELVES.
THEMSELVES. THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS A LOT
THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE IN NURSING HOMES HAVE
OF PEOPLE IN NURSING HOMES HAVE GONE THROUGH THEIR OWN PERSONAL
GONE THROUGH THEIR OWN PERSONAL ASSETS, AND THE STATE IS MAKING
ASSETS, AND THE STATE IS MAKING A STATE PAYMENT FOR THE CARE OF
A STATE PAYMENT FOR THE CARE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS.
THOSE INDIVIDUALS. THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE IF WE
THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE IF WE INCREASE MINIMUM WAGE AND WE
INCREASE MINIMUM WAGE AND WE DON'T INCREASE THAT, WE HAVE
DON'T INCREASE THAT, WE HAVE PRESSURE IN THE SYSTEM ON THAT,
PRESSURE IN THE SYSTEM ON THAT, AND WE HAVE ALSO HEARD -- I KNOW
AND WE HAVE ALSO HEARD -- I KNOW I HAVE FROM THE NURSING HOMES IN
I HAVE FROM THE NURSING HOMES IN MY DISTRICT -- SAYING YOU KNOW
MY DISTRICT -- SAYING YOU KNOW WHAT THE ABAMA CARE AFFORDABLE
WHAT THE ABAMA CARE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ISN'T AFFORDABLE FOR
CARE ACT ISN'T AFFORDABLE FOR US.
US. WE ARE SEEING PRESSURE AND GOING
WE ARE SEEING PRESSURE AND GOING BACK TO THE STATE AND LOOK AT
BACK TO THE STATE AND LOOK AT INCREASING WAGES AND THE
INCREASING WAGES AND THE VARIABLE TO RECEIVE FROM THE
VARIABLE TO RECEIVE FROM THE STATE ON THE TRANSFER PAYMENT.
STATE ON THE TRANSFER PAYMENT. WE HAVE A LOT OF THESE POCKETS
WE HAVE A LOT OF THESE POCKETS IN HERE.
IN HERE. I WAS APPROACHED BY NATIONAL
I WAS APPROACHED BY NATIONAL RESTAURANT CHAINS THAT SAID YOU
RESTAURANT CHAINS THAT SAID YOU KNOW WHAT?
KNOW WHAT? WE HAVE A MODEL THAT IF THINGS
WE HAVE A MODEL THAT IF THINGS GET TOO EXPENSIVE WITH LABOR, WE
GET TOO EXPENSIVE WITH LABOR, WE CAN SIMPLY THANK OUR FLOORPLAN,
CAN SIMPLY THANK OUR FLOORPLAN, PUT A SODA FOUNTAIN IN, AND YOU
PUT A SODA FOUNTAIN IN, AND YOU PUSH WHATEVER YOU WANT ON THERE,
PUSH WHATEVER YOU WANT ON THERE, AND WE WILL CALL YOU UP BY
AND WE WILL CALL YOU UP BY NUMBER, AND YOU PAY WHEN YOU GO,
NUMBER, AND YOU PAY WHEN YOU GO, AND WE CAN CUT OUT A WHOLE LOT
AND WE CAN CUT OUT A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE WITHIN THE SYSTEM.
OF PEOPLE WITHIN THE SYSTEM. I DON'T LIKE THAT IDEA.
I DON'T LIKE THAT IDEA. BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT?
BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT? A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE WORKING IN
A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE WORKING IN THE RESTAURANTS, THEY ARE TRYING
THE RESTAURANTS, THEY ARE TRYING TO BETTER THEMSELVES, GOING TO
TO BETTER THEMSELVES, GOING TO COLLEGE, AND WE ARE GOING TO CUT
COLLEGE, AND WE ARE GOING TO CUT ALL OF THAT OUT THERE, AND THE
ALL OF THAT OUT THERE, AND THE POTENTIAL EXISTS ON THAT.
POTENTIAL EXISTS ON THAT. WE REALLY HAVE TO MOVE SLOW AND
WE REALLY HAVE TO MOVE SLOW AND ARDUOUS ON IT.
ARDUOUS ON IT. THERE'S THE RIPPLE EFFECT.
THERE'S THE RIPPLE EFFECT. I LOOK AT WHAT WE JUST DID WITH
I LOOK AT WHAT WE JUST DID WITH THE TAXES AND FOUND OUT HOW
THE TAXES AND FOUND OUT HOW TOUGH THAT WAS AND WANTED TO
TOUGH THAT WAS AND WANTED TO CHANGE THAT AS QUICKLY AS WE
CHANGE THAT AS QUICKLY AS WE COULD.
COULD. >> WITH THAT, YOU HAVE POINTS
>> WITH THAT, YOU HAVE POINTS THAT I THINK ARE INTERESTING.
THAT I THINK ARE INTERESTING. WITH THAT, TRYING TO PUT THINGS
WITH THAT, TRYING TO PUT THINGS IN THE CONSTITUTION, THERE'S
IN THE CONSTITUTION, THERE'S BEEN SOME IDEAS FLOATING AROUND
BEEN SOME IDEAS FLOATING AROUND THAT WE NEED TO RAISE THE BAR TO
THAT WE NEED TO RAISE THE BAR TO MAKE THAT HARDER TO DO, AND ONE
MAKE THAT HARDER TO DO, AND ONE EXAMPLE WOULD BE TO TAKE 60%.
EXAMPLE WOULD BE TO TAKE 60%. >> WHICH IS THE REQUIREMENT FOR
>> WHICH IS THE REQUIREMENT FOR BONDING BILLS, NOT AN UNUSUAL
BONDING BILLS, NOT AN UNUSUAL NUMBER.
NUMBER. >> AND IT WOULD MAKE IT RAISE
>> AND IT WOULD MAKE IT RAISE THE BAR SO IT'S NOT QUITE SO
THE BAR SO IT'S NOT QUITE SO EASY TO DO.
EASY TO DO. TIM MADE GOOD POINTS ABOUT THE
TIM MADE GOOD POINTS ABOUT THE NURSING HOMES AND TRIED TO
NURSING HOMES AND TRIED TO COMPETE IN THE LABOR MARKET AND
COMPETE IN THE LABOR MARKET AND IT'S PART OF THE 5% CAMPAIGN,
IT'S PART OF THE 5% CAMPAIGN, TOO, NOW.
TOO, NOW. >> WHICH HAS STRONG BY PA BIPARN
>> WHICH HAS STRONG BY PA BIPARN SUPPORT.
SUPPORT. >> AND THOSE THAT WORK IN THE
>> AND THOSE THAT WORK IN THE CARE WHO ARE ELDERLY OR
CARE WHO ARE ELDERLY OR DISABLED, THEIR EMPLOYERS DON'T
DISABLED, THEIR EMPLOYERS DON'T HAVE ANY CAB ABILITY TO BRING ME
HAVE ANY CAB ABILITY TO BRING ME INCOME IN.
INCOME IN. THE STATE, WE SET THOSE LAW
THE STATE, WE SET THOSE LAW BILLS, AND SO IF WE RAISE THE
BILLS, AND SO IF WE RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE, THERE HAS TO BE AN
MINIMUM WAGE, THERE HAS TO BE AN INCREASE ON THAT SIDE.
INCREASE ON THAT SIDE. EVEN WITH THE INCREASE, IF THE
EVEN WITH THE INCREASE, IF THE MINIMUM WAGE GOES TOO HIGH, IT
MINIMUM WAGE GOES TOO HIGH, IT STILL DOESN'T HELP.
STILL DOESN'T HELP. SO THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS
SO THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS WITH THIS.
WITH THIS. >> AND WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT OUR
>> AND WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT OUR NURSING HOMES ARE, AND THIS
NURSING HOMES ARE, AND THIS COULD BE VERY DEVASTATING TO
COULD BE VERY DEVASTATING TO THEM.
THEM. WE ARE SEEING MY NURSING HOME
WE ARE SEEING MY NURSING HOME OPERATORS CALL ME AND SAY IF YOU
OPERATORS CALL ME AND SAY IF YOU DO THIS, WE COULD BE OUT OF
DO THIS, WE COULD BE OUT OF BUSINESS.
BUSINESS. WE HAVE SERVICES TO OUR SENIORS,
WE HAVE SERVICES TO OUR SENIORS, AND OUR VULNERABLE POPULATION,
AND OUR VULNERABLE POPULATION, AND WHAT DO WE DO NOW?
AND WHAT DO WE DO NOW? WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL AND
WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL AND DELIBERATE ON THAT, BECAUSE WE
DELIBERATE ON THAT, BECAUSE WE TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME IN
TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME IN OUR RURAL CAUCUS ABOUT HOW THAT
OUR RURAL CAUCUS ABOUT HOW THAT AFFECTS US.
AFFECTS US. >> WE DO HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE
>> WE DO HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT, AND WE ALSO HAVE TO
FOR THAT, AND WE ALSO HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THOSE WORKERS THAT
REMEMBER THAT THOSE WORKERS THAT ARE THERE ARE WORKING HARD, AND
ARE THERE ARE WORKING HARD, AND WE WANT TO MAINTAIN THEIR
WE WANT TO MAINTAIN THEIR RELATIONSHIPS, BUT WITH OUR
RELATIONSHIPS, BUT WITH OUR LOVED ONES AND OUR ELDERLY.
LOVED ONES AND OUR ELDERLY. WE ALSO HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT
WE ALSO HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE A WAGE,
THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE A WAGE, AND IT IS HARD WORK, AND IF YOU
AND IT IS HARD WORK, AND IF YOU CAN FIND THE SAME KIND OF WORK
CAN FIND THE SAME KIND OF WORK SOMEPLACE ELSE, YOU HAVE THAT
SOMEPLACE ELSE, YOU HAVE THAT RESOLVING DOOR, AND I WOULD
RESOLVING DOOR, AND I WOULD RATHER HAVE A CONSISTENT LOVING
RATHER HAVE A CONSISTENT LOVING PERSON WHO WANTS TO BE THERE
PERSON WHO WANTS TO BE THERE WORKING WITH THE ELDERLY AND
WORKING WITH THE ELDERLY AND FEEL LIKE THEY CAN MAKE IT AT
FEEL LIKE THEY CAN MAKE IT AT THAT JOB.
THAT JOB. IT'S A TOUGH ISSUE, AND WE HAVE
IT'S A TOUGH ISSUE, AND WE HAVE TO KEEP ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
TO KEEP ALL OF THOSE THINGS. >> TWO QUICK THINGS.
>> TWO QUICK THINGS. I WANT TO UNDER SCORE SOMETHING
I WANT TO UNDER SCORE SOMETHING SENATOR KOENEN SAID.
SENATOR KOENEN SAID. IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, AND
IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, AND THAT THE NURSING HOMES CAN
THAT THE NURSING HOMES CAN CHARGE BECAUSE OF THE MAXIMUM
CHARGE BECAUSE OF THE MAXIMUM TRANSFER PAYMENT FROM THE STATE
TRANSFER PAYMENT FROM THE STATE TO THE NURSING HOME OR IF I'M A
TO THE NURSING HOME OR IF I'M A PRIVATE PAY, IT'S THE SAME
PRIVATE PAY, IT'S THE SAME AMOUNT.
AMOUNT. THERE'S NO DISCONNECT IF YOU PAY
THERE'S NO DISCONNECT IF YOU PAY PRIVATELY OR STATE TRANSFER
PRIVATELY OR STATE TRANSFER PAYMENT FOR THE CARE OF THE
PAYMENT FOR THE CARE OF THE INDIVIDUAL.
INDIVIDUAL. IT'S THE SAME.
IT'S THE SAME. MINNESOTA IS ONE OF THE VERY FEW
MINNESOTA IS ONE OF THE VERY FEW STATES THAT CAN DO THAT, AND
STATES THAT CAN DO THAT, AND NURSING HOMES HAVE BEEN ASKING
NURSING HOMES HAVE BEEN ASKING US TO CHANGE THAT SO THAT THEY
US TO CHANGE THAT SO THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO CHARGE
WOULD BE ABLE TO CHARGE DIFFERENTLY FOR PRIVATE PAY THAN
DIFFERENTLY FOR PRIVATE PAY THAN THEY WOULD FOR THE STATE TO
THEY WOULD FOR THE STATE TO COVER PAYMENT ON THAT.
COVER PAYMENT ON THAT. THE OTHER THING THAT'S IMPORTANT
THE OTHER THING THAT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDER SCORE, WE DEFINITELY
TO UNDER SCORE, WE DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO HAVE THE STATE
DON'T WANT TO HAVE THE STATE BEING INVOLVED IN HAVING TO TAKE
BEING INVOLVED IN HAVING TO TAKE OVER NURSING HOMES AND TAKING
OVER NURSING HOMES AND TAKING OVER ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES
OVER ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FINANCIALLY
BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE.
FEASIBLE. VISIONS IN MY MIND, THE NATIONAL
VISIONS IN MY MIND, THE NATIONAL GUARD IS OUT, AND THAT'S NOT
GUARD IS OUT, AND THAT'S NOT WHAT WE NEED TO HAVE BECAUSE WE
WHAT WE NEED TO HAVE BECAUSE WE COULD BE A CRISIS AT THAT LEVEL.
COULD BE A CRISIS AT THAT LEVEL. ALL THE NURSING HOMES ARE
ALL THE NURSING HOMES ARE NONPROFITS.
NONPROFITS. THEY ARE CONTINUING TO TRY TO
THEY ARE CONTINUING TO TRY TO ROLL BACK IN FOR THE CARE OF THE
ROLL BACK IN FOR THE CARE OF THE LOVED ONES THAT WE ENTRUST THEM
LOVED ONES THAT WE ENTRUST THEM TO TAKE CARE OF.
TO TAKE CARE OF. >> I WANT TO CLOSE THE LOOP ON
>> I WANT TO CLOSE THE LOOP ON THE VIEWER'S QUESTION ABOUT
THE VIEWER'S QUESTION ABOUT LINKING IT TO INFLATION,
LINKING IT TO INFLATION, AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT.
AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT. THE WAY TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION
THE WAY TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION IS THAT QUESTION IS BEFORE THE
IS THAT QUESTION IS BEFORE THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE. THE FOUR OF YOU ARE NOT ON THAT
THE FOUR OF YOU ARE NOT ON THAT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE. WE NEED TO FIND THOSE PEOPLE AND
WE NEED TO FIND THOSE PEOPLE AND ASK THEM THAT QUESTION.
ASK THEM THAT QUESTION. >> I THINK THAT'S WHY YOU ARE
>> I THINK THAT'S WHY YOU ARE SEEING THIS IS TAKING SO LONG
SEEING THIS IS TAKING SO LONG WHEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE PASSED
WHEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE PASSED IT, BECAUSE IT MAKES A LOT OF
IT, BECAUSE IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE, AND IT'S MOTHER HOOD,
SENSE, AND IT'S MOTHER HOOD, APPLE PIE.
APPLE PIE. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE UNDERLYING
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE UNDERLYING THINGS, IT'S A BIG CHESSBOARD
THINGS, IT'S A BIG CHESSBOARD AND THERE'S AN EQUAL AND
AND THERE'S AN EQUAL AND OPPOSITE PHYSICAL REACTION TO
OPPOSITE PHYSICAL REACTION TO THINGS.
THINGS. >> THIS VIEWER IS CONCERNED
>> THIS VIEWER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE STATUS OF SCHOOL TRUST
ABOUT THE STATUS OF SCHOOL TRUST LANDS, AND THIS VIEWER THINKS
LANDS, AND THIS VIEWER THINKS YOU KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.
YOU KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THAT. START WITH YOU.
START WITH YOU. >> THE GUY THAT HAS THE D
>> THE GUY THAT HAS THE D DIVERGING OPINION.
DIVERGING OPINION. I THINK THAT QUESTION COMES
I THINK THAT QUESTION COMES BECAUSE I WAS VERY INSTRUMENTAL
BECAUSE I WAS VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN MY FIRST TERM IN THE HOUSE IN
IN MY FIRST TERM IN THE HOUSE IN WORKING IN A BIPARTISAN WAY TO
WORKING IN A BIPARTISAN WAY TO BRING ABOUT AN INSTITUTION OF
BRING ABOUT AN INSTITUTION OF THE PERMIT SCHOOL TRUST LAND.
THE PERMIT SCHOOL TRUST LAND. THE REASON YOU HEARD THE OTHERS
THE REASON YOU HEARD THE OTHERS LAUGH ON THAT, I'M THE CHAIR AND
LAUGH ON THAT, I'M THE CHAIR AND SENATOR RUUD IS THE VICE CHAIR.
SENATOR RUUD IS THE VICE CHAIR. >> IT HAS JUST BEEN A REAL
>> IT HAS JUST BEEN A REAL PLEASURE TO WORK WITH BOTH OF
PLEASURE TO WORK WITH BOTH OF YOU, AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT
YOU, AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT BECAUSE THE BEST THING, AND THE
BECAUSE THE BEST THING, AND THE ISSUE AT HAND IS WHAT WE ARE ALL
ISSUE AT HAND IS WHAT WE ARE ALL CONCERNED ABOUT, AND WE WANT TO
CONCERNED ABOUT, AND WE WANT TO MAKE IT RIGHT.
MAKE IT RIGHT. YOU DO A BEAUTIFUL JOB DOING IT.
YOU DO A BEAUTIFUL JOB DOING IT. >> IT'S REALLY THE TUST FOR THE
>> IT'S REALLY THE TUST FOR THE KIDS, YOU KNOW, AND I APPRECIATE
KIDS, YOU KNOW, AND I APPRECIATE THAT THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN THE
THAT THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN THE FOCUS.
FOCUS. THIS IS FOR THE CHILDREN IN THE
THIS IS FOR THE CHILDREN IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, AND WE ARE
STATE OF MINNESOTA, AND WE ARE GOING TO DO OUR ABSOLUTE BEST TO
GOING TO DO OUR ABSOLUTE BEST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE THEM
MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE THEM THAT.
THAT. >> THE PRESSURE IS ON.
>> THE PRESSURE IS ON. >> HERE WE GO.
>> HERE WE GO. LITTLE KNOWN TRIVIA FACT, YOU
LITTLE KNOWN TRIVIA FACT, YOU HAVE TONIGHT IN ADDITION TO
HAVE TONIGHT IN ADDITION TO GREAT PANELISTS, THE ONLY
GREAT PANELISTS, THE ONLY REPUBLICAN CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
REPUBLICAN CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR IN THE ENTIRE LEGISLATURE AT THE
IN THE ENTIRE LEGISLATURE AT THE TABLE CHAIRING COMMITTEES.
TABLE CHAIRING COMMITTEES. WHAT WE LOOKED TO PUT TOGETHER
WHAT WE LOOKED TO PUT TOGETHER THE SCHOOL TRUST LAND'S
THE SCHOOL TRUST LAND'S COMMISSION, WE SAID LET'S TAKE
COMMISSION, WE SAID LET'S TAKE THE POLITICS OUT OF THIS.
THE POLITICS OUT OF THIS. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SENATORS ON
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SENATORS ON THERE, HOUSE MEMBERS, AND 6 FROM
THERE, HOUSE MEMBERS, AND 6 FROM THE HOUSE, 6 FROM THE SENATE, 3
THE HOUSE, 6 FROM THE SENATE, 3 FROM THE MAJORITY PARTY, THREE
FROM THE MAJORITY PARTY, THREE FROM THE MINORITY PARTY IN BOTH
FROM THE MINORITY PARTY IN BOTH CHAMBERS, AND THERE'S NONE OF
CHAMBERS, AND THERE'S NONE OF THIS YOU GET MORE SEATS AND MAKE
THIS YOU GET MORE SEATS AND MAKE THIS POLITICAL.
THIS POLITICAL. WITHIN THE MEMBERS OF THE
WITHIN THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION THEY WILL SELECT
COMMISSION THEY WILL SELECT THEIR OWN LEADERSHIP.
THEIR OWN LEADERSHIP. IT'S NOT OUTSIDE LEADERSHIP.
IT'S NOT OUTSIDE LEADERSHIP. IT'S TAKE THE POLITICS OUT OF
IT'S TAKE THE POLITICS OUT OF IT.
IT. SO PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY SAYING
SO PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY SAYING WHY ARE THESE TRUST LANDS?
WHY ARE THESE TRUST LANDS? WHEN MINNESOTA BECAME A STATE AS
WHEN MINNESOTA BECAME A STATE AS OF THE CASE WITH ALL STATES
OF THE CASE WITH ALL STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE ENDED UP
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE ENDED UP HAVING TO SET ASIDE ONE SECTION
HAVING TO SET ASIDE ONE SECTION OF LAND IN EACH OF THE TOWNSHIPS
OF LAND IN EACH OF THE TOWNSHIPS FOR THE PURPOSE OF SCHOOL
FOR THE PURPOSE OF SCHOOL FUNDING.
FUNDING. I ALWAYS TEAL PEOPLE HOW DO YOU
I ALWAYS TEAL PEOPLE HOW DO YOU FIGURE IT OUT.
FIGURE IT OUT. THE LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE
THE LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE WHEN THE INGLES WENT TO SCHOOL
WHEN THE INGLES WENT TO SCHOOL IT WAS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF
IT WAS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
NOWHERE. IT'S SECTION 16 IN EVERY
IT'S SECTION 16 IN EVERY TOWNSHIP HERE IN THE STATE OF
TOWNSHIP HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND IF ONE IS GOOD, WE
MINNESOTA AND IF ONE IS GOOD, WE WOULD TAKE TWO, AND SO WE DID,
WOULD TAKE TWO, AND SO WE DID, WE TOOK SECTION 16 AND 36 AND
WE TOOK SECTION 16 AND 36 AND SET THEM ASIDE.
SET THEM ASIDE. WE WOULD BE RAISING CROPS ON
WE WOULD BE RAISING CROPS ON THERE, AND BUY SCHOOLBOOKS, AND
THERE, AND BUY SCHOOLBOOKS, AND GET THE WOOD AND THE FURNACE,
GET THE WOOD AND THE FURNACE, ALL THE THINGS YOU REMEMBER FROM
ALL THE THINGS YOU REMEMBER FROM THOSE DAYS.
THOSE DAYS. AS EDUCATION AS EVOLVED IN THE
AS EDUCATION AS EVOLVED IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, AS THINGS
STATE OF MINNESOTA, AS THINGS HAVE HAPPENED, THE TRUST LAND
HAVE HAPPENED, THE TRUST LAND STILL REMAINS, AND IN SOME CASES
STILL REMAINS, AND IN SOME CASES THEY HAVE BEEN SOLD FOR PROFIT.
THEY HAVE BEEN SOLD FOR PROFIT. MONEY HAS BEEN REINVESTED IN
MONEY HAS BEEN REINVESTED IN OTHER ASSETS.
OTHER ASSETS. THERE'S SOME PROPERTIES THAT
THERE'S SOME PROPERTIES THAT HAVE TIMBER ON THERE, AND THEY
HAVE TIMBER ON THERE, AND THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO UP TO
HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO UP TO NORTHERN MINNESOTA TO SEE THESE
NORTHERN MINNESOTA TO SEE THESE OPERATIONS AND SO WE COULD MAKE
OPERATIONS AND SO WE COULD MAKE INTERDECISIONS FOR THE KIDS IN
INTERDECISIONS FOR THE KIDS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.
THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. THERE'S MINERAL ASSETS IN THERE,
THERE'S MINERAL ASSETS IN THERE, AND REALLY GOOD THINGS FOR THE
AND REALLY GOOD THINGS FOR THE KIDS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA,
KIDS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, END OF STORY, THERE'S A BILLION
END OF STORY, THERE'S A BILLION DOLLARS THAT'S IN THIS TRUST
DOLLARS THAT'S IN THIS TRUST FUND RIGHT NOW THAT PAYS MONEY
FUND RIGHT NOW THAT PAYS MONEY EACH AND EVERY YEAR TO SCHOOL
EACH AND EVERY YEAR TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS AT ABOUT $29 PER
DISTRICTS AT ABOUT $29 PER STUDENT.
STUDENT. IT GENERATES $29 MILLION, AND WE
IT GENERATES $29 MILLION, AND WE HAVE A MILLION KIDS, SO IT'S
HAVE A MILLION KIDS, SO IT'S $20 MILLION PER KID THAT GOES TO
$20 MILLION PER KID THAT GOES TO HELP SCHOOLS BE ABLE TO DO SOME
HELP SCHOOLS BE ABLE TO DO SOME EXTRA THINGS.
EXTRA THINGS. THIS IS DESIGNED TO BE AN ASSET
THIS IS DESIGNED TO BE AN ASSET THAT WOULD BE MANAGED INTO
THAT WOULD BE MANAGED INTO PERPETUITY.
PERPETUITY. IF YOU THINK ABOUT ALL THE
IF YOU THINK ABOUT ALL THE PROPERTY ACROSS THE STATE OF
PROPERTY ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, UP IN THE IRON RANGE,
MINNESOTA, UP IN THE IRON RANGE, YOU HAVE GOT A LOT OF POTENTIAL
YOU HAVE GOT A LOT OF POTENTIAL FOR MINERALS THAT ARE UP THERE
FOR MINERALS THAT ARE UP THERE THAT CAN BE LEASED, MINED AND
THAT CAN BE LEASED, MINED AND ROYALTIES COMING IN THAT CAN GO
ROYALTIES COMING IN THAT CAN GO INTO THE COFFERS.
INTO THE COFFERS. THE STATE OF UTAH A NUMBER OF
THE STATE OF UTAH A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO TOOK THEIR PROPERTIES,
YEARS AGO TOOK THEIR PROPERTIES, AND BECAUSE THEY HAD NATURAL GAS
AND BECAUSE THEY HAD NATURAL GAS AND OTHER ASSETS AND TURNED
AND OTHER ASSETS AND TURNED THEIRS INTO MULTIPLE BILLION
THEIRS INTO MULTIPLE BILLION DOLLARS, AND IT'S SIGNIFICANT IN
DOLLARS, AND IT'S SIGNIFICANT IN BEING ABLE TO OFFSET SCHOOL
BEING ABLE TO OFFSET SCHOOL CHARGES.
CHARGES. AND THAT'S A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF
AND THAT'S A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF HOW THOSE ASSETS WORK.
HOW THOSE ASSETS WORK. >> AND THERE'S ADDITIONAL
>> AND THERE'S ADDITIONAL REFORMS THAT ARE UNDERWAY?
REFORMS THAT ARE UNDERWAY? >> WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
>> WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT. WE ARE PUTTING IN ADDITIONAL
WE ARE PUTTING IN ADDITIONAL OVERSIGHT TO ADVISE THE
OVERSIGHT TO ADVISE THE COMMISSION ON THIS.
COMMISSION ON THIS. WE HAVE HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT
WE HAVE HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT ON THESE ACTIVITIES.
ON THESE ACTIVITIES. WE ASKED THE DNR TO PRIORITIZE
WE ASKED THE DNR TO PRIORITIZE THE LANDS, AND THEY MAY ALSO, BY
THE LANDS, AND THEY MAY ALSO, BY THE NATURE OF THE FACT, IT'S TWO
THE NATURE OF THE FACT, IT'S TWO SECTIONS MIGHT BE IN THE MIDDLE
SECTIONS MIGHT BE IN THE MIDDLE OF A STATE PARK THAT THE KIDS
OF A STATE PARK THAT THE KIDS OWN THAT PROPERTY, AND WE MAY
OWN THAT PROPERTY, AND WE MAY WANT TO REUNITE IT WITH THE
WANT TO REUNITE IT WITH THE OTHER PROPERTIES, AND WE WILL
OTHER PROPERTIES, AND WE WILL PUT TOGETHER A SCHEDULE TO
PUT TOGETHER A SCHEDULE TO PURCHASE THOSE, CHANGING
PURCHASE THOSE, CHANGING OWNERSHIP FROM THE KIDS TO THE
OWNERSHIP FROM THE KIDS TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, AND WE NEED
STATE OF MINNESOTA, AND WE NEED TO HAVE FUNDING AND OTHER KINDS
TO HAVE FUNDING AND OTHER KINDS OF THINGS TO MAKE THOSE HAPPEN.
OF THINGS TO MAKE THOSE HAPPEN. WE ARE KIND OF IN THE IN FANCY Y
WE ARE KIND OF IN THE IN FANCY Y OF WHAT WE CAN DO.
OF WHAT WE CAN DO. I THINK WE HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY
I THINK WE HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY SUCCESSFUL IN DOING THAT.
SUCCESSFUL IN DOING THAT. >> I THINK ONE OF THE EXCITING
>> I THINK ONE OF THE EXCITING THINGS IS OVER THE PAST YEAR WE
THINGS IS OVER THE PAST YEAR WE DIRECTED THE TRUST TO DOING
DIRECTED THE TRUST TO DOING INVENTORY OF THE LAND, AND
INVENTORY OF THE LAND, AND BECAUSE OVER THE YEARS, WE HAVE
BECAUSE OVER THE YEARS, WE HAVE KIND OF LOST SIGHT OF WHAT THEY
KIND OF LOST SIGHT OF WHAT THEY WERE BEING USED FOR AND THE BEST
WERE BEING USED FOR AND THE BEST RESOURCE ON THAT, AND DECEMBER
RESOURCE ON THAT, AND DECEMBER WE GOT THE FULL INVENTORY OF
WE GOT THE FULL INVENTORY OF WHERE ARE THE LANDS AND WHAT ARE
WHERE ARE THE LANDS AND WHAT ARE THEY BEING USED FOR?
THEY BEING USED FOR? NOW, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF A
NOW, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF A FIVE-YEAR PLAN ABOUT WHAT ARE
FIVE-YEAR PLAN ABOUT WHAT ARE THE BEST USES OF THOSE LANDS TO
THE BEST USES OF THOSE LANDS TO BRING YOU THE MOST MONEY FOR THE
BRING YOU THE MOST MONEY FOR THE KIDS.
KIDS. THAT WAS AN EXCITING PART.
THAT WAS AN EXCITING PART. IT'S VERY DETAILED, AND WE HAVE
IT'S VERY DETAILED, AND WE HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH THAT.
BEEN GOING THROUGH THAT. WE HAVE MEETINGS USUAL ON MONDAY
WE HAVE MEETINGS USUAL ON MONDAY MORNINGS TO GO THROUGH THAT
MORNINGS TO GO THROUGH THAT WHOLE REPORT.
WHOLE REPORT. >> REPRESENTATIVE SAWATZKY,
>> REPRESENTATIVE SAWATZKY, ANYTHING FURTHER ON THAT?
ANYTHING FURTHER ON THAT? >> IT'S BEEN A LEARNING CURVE TO
>> IT'S BEEN A LEARNING CURVE TO UNDERSTAND AND KNOW WHAT IT'S
UNDERSTAND AND KNOW WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.
ALL ABOUT. THE HIGHLIGHT WAS LAST FALL WHEN
THE HIGHLIGHT WAS LAST FALL WHEN WE DID GO AND TOUR THE NORTHERN
WE DID GO AND TOUR THE NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND SEE OUR TIMBER,
MINNESOTA AND SEE OUR TIMBER, AND ACTUALLY THE PROCESS OF HOW
AND ACTUALLY THE PROCESS OF HOW WE DO MANUFACTURE OR GET OUR
WE DO MANUFACTURE OR GET OUR TIMBER AND IT'S A REAL PLAN, AND
TIMBER AND IT'S A REAL PLAN, AND IT WAS A REAL EXCITING TIME TO
IT WAS A REAL EXCITING TIME TO SEE WHAT THEY DO FOR A LIVING.
SEE WHAT THEY DO FOR A LIVING. AND ACTUALLY THAT DAY IT WAS ON
AND ACTUALLY THAT DAY IT WAS ON A SCHOOL TRUST FUND PIECE OF
A SCHOOL TRUST FUND PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT WE WERE MINING
PROPERTY THAT WE WERE MINING THAT DAY.
THAT DAY. >> THE DOLLAR AMOUNT.
>> THE DOLLAR AMOUNT. >> THEY SAID IT WOULD GENERATE
>> THEY SAID IT WOULD GENERATE ABOUT $2 MILLION.
ABOUT $2 MILLION. >> ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS?
>> ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS? >> I'M GLAD THE THREE OF THESE
>> I'M GLAD THE THREE OF THESE ARE [LAUGHTER].
ARE [LAUGHTER]. >> ANOTHER PIECE OF TRIVIA.
>> ANOTHER PIECE OF TRIVIA. ONE OF THE RUNWAYS DOWN AT THE
ONE OF THE RUNWAYS DOWN AT THE AIRPORT HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES
AIRPORT HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES IS FORMER SCHOOL TRUST LAND.
IS FORMER SCHOOL TRUST LAND. >> INTERESTING.
>> INTERESTING. AS PEOPLE COME AND GO, THEY ARE
AS PEOPLE COME AND GO, THEY ARE LANDING AND TAKING OFF ON FORMER
LANDING AND TAKING OFF ON FORMER TRUST LAND PROPERTY.
TRUST LAND PROPERTY. BUT, YOU LIVE AND YOU LEARN.
BUT, YOU LIVE AND YOU LEARN. >> THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE A CHANCE
>> THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO BY LAKE MINNETONKA FAMILY IN
TO BY LAKE MINNETONKA FAMILY IN THE '30s.
THE '30s. ANYBODY HAVE A PREDICTION ON
ANYBODY HAVE A PREDICTION ON WHEN WE ARE GOING TO GO HOME?
WHEN WE ARE GOING TO GO HOME? WHEN IS THE LEGISLATURE GOING TO
WHEN IS THE LEGISLATURE GOING TO END?
END? >> MAY 19th.
>> MAY 19th. >> I WANT TO THANK YOU THE
>> I WANT TO THANK YOU THE VIEWER FOR JOINING US AND I WANT
VIEWER FOR JOINING US AND I WANT TO REMIND YOU WE WILL BE WITH
TO REMIND YOU WE WILL BE WITH YOU HOWEVER LONG THE LEGISLATURE
YOU HOWEVER LONG THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, AND WE WILL BE
IS IN SESSION, AND WE WILL BE COMING BACK TO YOU EVERY
COMING BACK TO YOU EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT FROM NOW TO
THURSDAY NIGHT FROM NOW TO WHENEVER THE LEGISLATURE GOES
WHENEVER THE LEGISLATURE GOES HOME.
HOME. THANKS TO THE PANEL AND THANKS
THANKS TO THE PANEL AND THANKS TO THE VOTERS AND VIEWERS FOR
TO THE VOTERS AND VIEWERS FOR BOTH OF THOSE THINGS, AND WE
BOTH OF THOSE THINGS, AND WE WILL SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK.
WILL SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK. >> GOOD NIGHT.
>> GOOD NIGHT. >>> THERE'S MUCH MORE ABOUT
>>> THERE'S MUCH MORE ABOUT "YOUR LEGISLATORS" ONLINE AT
"YOUR LEGISLATORS" ONLINE AT PIONEER..ORG.
PIONEER..ORG. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE PROGRAM, WHO HAS BEEN A
OF THE PROGRAM, WHO HAS BEEN A GUEST.
GUEST. THERE'S ALSO A PHOTO GALLERY,
THERE'S ALSO A PHOTO GALLERY, INFORMATIVE LINKS AND MUCH MORE.
INFORMATIVE LINKS AND MUCH MORE. YOU CAN ALSO GET INVOLVED AND
YOU CAN ALSO GET INVOLVED AND STAY IN TOUCH BY FOLLOWING US ON
STAY IN TOUCH BY FOLLOWING US ON TWITTER AND JOIN THE DISCUSSION
TWITTER AND JOIN THE DISCUSSION ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "YOUR
THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "YOUR LEGISLATORS".
LEGISLATORS". >>> "YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS MADE
>>> "YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE GENEROUS
POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE GENEROUS FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF MAPE
FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF MAPE MEMBERS, MAKING MINNESOTA CLEAN
MEMBERS, MAKING MINNESOTA CLEAN WATERS, SAFE COMMUNITIES,
WATERS, SAFE COMMUNITIES, QUALITY EDUCATION AND VETERANS
QUALITY EDUCATION AND VETERANS CARE HAPPEN.
CARE HAPPEN. WE WORK HARD FOR MINNESOTANS.