>> “ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL” IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.
>> Mary: YOU CAN TELL END OF SESSION MUST BE NEAR.
THEY’RE WORKING LATE BEHIND US.
WE’LL PULL SOME LAWMAKERS FROM THE FLOOR TO VISIT WITH US.
LIVE, HERE IN THE HOUSE GALLERY >> THAT’S COMING UP ON “ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL.”
♪♪ >> “ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL” IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.
SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY… MANITOBA HYDRO: PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.
MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.
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>> MARY: WELCOME TO “ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL.”
I’M MARY LAHAMMER.
COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY WHERE YOU MAY HEAR BEHIND ME LAWMAKERS ARE STILL IN ACTION.
IF YOU’RE WATCHING US LIVE AT 7:00 p.m., WE’LL LET YOU KNOW THAT WE WILL REJOIN THE LEGISLATIVE ACTION FOLLOWING THE SHOW.
THERE IS JUST WEEKS TO GO IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND DEMOCRATS AGAIN HAVE COMPLETE CONTROL AT THE CAPITOL WITH THE RETURN OF SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL AFTER HER ARREST.
WE’LL TALK LEGAL ISSUES AND MUCH MORE WITH A RETIRING JUDICIARY CHAIR.
>> ALSO ADDRESS ELECTION LAW WITH SOME KEY MEMBERS FROM THE HOUSE.
BUT FIRST, THE ENTIRE SESSION HINGES ON MAINTAINING THAT SLIM MARGIN IN THE SENATE.
DFL SENIOR NICOLE MITCHELL REFUSED TO COMMENT AS SHE RUSHED TO THE CAPITOL, GIVING DEMOCRATS THEIR ONE-VOTE MARGIN AGAIN AS SHE WAS EMBRACED BY MANY MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER.
>> WHERE YOU AT WITH SENATOR MITCHELL’S PRESENCE?
I KNOW YOU EMBRACED HER.
HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT LEER WORK HERE?
>> SENATOR MITCHELL IS ENTITLED TO VOTE AND THE PEOPLE WHO CENTER HER HERE FROM WOODBURY, SENATE DISTRICT 47, ARE ENTITLED TO HER REPRESENTATION.
SO I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT THAT SHE’S HERE, I THINK IT’S PORSCHES’ VOTING NOTHING PERSON.
>> SENATE REPUBLICANS DONG BELIEVE SHE SHOULD BE VOTING ON THE FLOOR.
THIS IS A CLOUD OVER THE TOP OF THE SENATE RIGHT NOW, AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIGURED OUT THROUGH THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ETHICS.
>> Mary: BUT REPUBLICANS IN THE MINORITY WERE READY TO CHAT HER PRESENCE, TRYING TO CREATE A NEW POLICY IF SOMEONE IS CHARGED WITH A CRIME OF VIOLENCE THEY WOULD BE PROHIBITED FROM VOTING UNTIL THE ETHICS COMMITTEE CONCLUDES.
>> THE CHARGE FACING A MEMBER OF THIS BODY IS SO SERIOUS AND COMPLETELY UNPRITZ DEPARTMENTED, I BELIEVE IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUS STEP TODAY.
WE SHOULD NOT BE PASSING LEGISLATION IN THIS BODY BY ONE VOTE.
>> Mary: OUR INTERVIEW WITH THE MEN LEADER WAS USED AS I FIND AGAINST THE MOTION.
>> IN RESPONSE TO A PRESS INQUIRY, CAN SHE VOTE, SENATOR JOHNSON SAID, SHE ERTAINLY CAN, EITHER ON THE FLOOR OR WITH APPROVAL OF THE CAUCUS LEADER, SO SHE CAN VOTE REMOTELY THAT WAY, OR SHE CAN BE HERE ON THE FLOOR.
>> WE HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL VALUE AT STAKE AND THAT IS THAT THE PEOPLE OF EVERY SINGLE SENATE DISTRICT ARE ENTITLED TO BE REPRESENTED.
>> HER ACTIONS HAVE BROUGHT THE SENATE INTO DISHONOR.
HER ACTIONS HAVE BROUGHT THE SENATE INTO DISREPUTE.
>> SENATOR MITCHELL HAS A RIGHT TO VOTE IN THIS BODY.
>> Mary: THE ATTEMPT TO STOP SENATOR MITCHELL FROM VOTING WAS RESUMED OUT OF ORDER, WHILE REPBS OFFICIALLY REGISTERED THEIR PROTEST, CALLING HER UNFIT FOR OFFICE SINCE HER FELONY CHARGE.
>> TO ASK THE LEGISLATURE TO ASK MEMBERS OF THE SENATE TO BE JUDGE AND JURY AND NOT ALLOW DUE PROCESS IN THE SYSTEM OF ETHICS HERE AND IN THE COURT OF LAW WOULD BE UNDERMINING AND ABRIDGING, REALLY, AND EVERING AN IMPORTANT AMERICAN VALUE IN THE CONSTITUTION HAT WE WORK UPON.
>> SHE MADE THE DECIDING VOTE ON WHETHER SHE SHOULD BE VOTING TODAY ON THE FLOOR.
I HOPE YOU SAW THE IRONY IN THAT.
TO ME, THAT WAS PRETTY EXTREME TO ALLOW HER TO EVEN VOTE OFTEN THAT ONE.
♪♪ >> MARY: HERE WITH US NOW, RETIRING DFL JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CHAIR JAMIE BECKER-FINN.
THANK YOU FOREJOINING US AND COMING UP, IT WASN’T A LONG JOURNEY TONIGHT FROM THE FLOOR.
>> NO.
[Laughter] >> HOPEFULLY YOU WON’T GEL A ROLL CALL VOTE.
>> I’VE GOT SOMEONE COVERING FOR ME.
>> >> Mary: WHICH YOU’RE ALLOWED DO IN THE HOUSE, WE’LL TALK ABOUT THAT LATER WITH OUR NEXT GUEST.
I’M GOING TO HAVE YOU PUT ONLY YOUR LAWYER HAT FIRST.
YOU SAW THE PART, WITH THE SENATOR COMING BACK.
THE LAWYER KNEW, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY ABOUT HER SITUATION AND HOW IT SHOULD BE HANDLED?
>> YEAH.
WELL, I THINK, FIRST, I MEAN YOU HAVE TO HAVE COMPASSION FOR ANYONE WHO’S GONE THROUGH A LOT OF GRIEF, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT’S A LOT OF, YOU KNOW, ALWAYS PUTTING THE PERSON FIRST IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK A LOT OF US DO BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE’VE GOT TO LET THE PROCESS PLAY OUT.
I MEAN, I’VE BEEN A PROSECUTOR, INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
>> Mary: BUT YOU’LL SEEN A LOT OF POLICE REPORTS AND SO THAT ARE THE INNING-1-1 DON’T LOOK GREAT FOR HER.
>> I MEAN, THAT MAY BE TRUE, FINISHING UPON, YOU KNOW, THE SITUATION BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT A LOT OF TIMES POLICE REPORTS DON’T HAVE EVERYTHING AND IT’S ALSO NOT MY JOB AS A JUDICIARY CHAIR AND HOUSE MEMBER TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE SENATE AND SO THE SENATE GONNA SENATE.
[Laughter] SO, YOU KNOW — >> Mary: THAT’S A WHOLE OTHER SEGMENTS.
>> YEAH, YEAH.
SO I THINK THERE’S STILL A LOT WE DON’T KNOW AND THERE’S TIME FOR IT TO PLAY OUTS.
>> Mary: OKAY.
NOW THE CHAIR AND THE LAWMAKER KNEW AND HOW THAT ALL PLAYS OUT, BECAUSE DEMOCRATS NEED THAT VOTE.
SESSION PRETTY MUCH DERAILS IF SHE’S NOT THERE, THAT’S FAIR, RIGHT?
HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED HER AND EXPLAIN WHY YOU STILL THEY WOULD HER TO GET THE REST OF THE WORK ONE.
>> WELL, WE NEED HER BUT WE NEED EVERY SINGLE DFL SENATOR.
I MEAN THAT HASN’T CHANGED AT ALL.
YOU KNOW, THIS WHOLE BIENNIUM, WE’VE KIND OF TALKED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SO MANY SENATORS OVER THERE WHO AM THINK THEY’RE THE GUY, YOU KNOW.
THERE ARE SO MANY POTENTIAL JOE MMANSIONS IN OUR MINNESOTA SENATE THAT IF IT WASN’T HER, YOU KNOW, THERE’S BEEN OTHER TIMES THROUGHOUT SESSION WHERE SOME OTHER MEMBER HAS A HEALTH ISSUE OR, YOU KNOW, IS DEALING WITH SOME OTHER KIND OF CRISIS OR IS JUST LIKE REALLY STUBBORN ABOUT THEIR POSITION ON SOMETHING AND SO THAT REALLY ISN’T NY DIFFERENT, AT LEAST FOR US IN THE HOUSE, THAN IT HAS BEEN IN OTHER POINTS IN SESSION.
>> Mary: LET’S TALK BOUT WHAT HANGS IN THE BALANCE AND THINGS YOU AND YOUR CAUCUS WANT TO GET DONE.
LET’S TALK ABOUT GUN CONTROL BECAUSE EVEN WITH 34 VOTES OVER THERE, DO YOU EVER SOME OF THE VOTES FOR THOSE NEW MEASURES THIS YEAR?
>> I’M VERY OPTIMISTIC THIS IS THE YEAR ESPECIALLY NORTH SAFE STORAGE BILL WHICH IS A BILL I CARRY.
I KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE VOTES IN THE HOUSE.
YOU KNOW, IT’S ALWAYS SORT OF — HOPEFULLY IF YOU’RE DOING THIS RIGHT, YOU HAVE A GOOD SENATE CO-AUTHOR WHICH I DO IN SENATOR GUSTAFSON, WHERE SHE’S DOING EVERYTHING SHE CAN WITHIN HER BODY, I’M DOING EVERYTHING I CAN ON THE HOUSE SIDE BUT I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT THAT MINNESOTANS KNOW WHERE THEIR LEGISLATORS ARE ON THIS ISSUE, SORT OF REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT MAKES IT TO GOVERNOR WALZ’ DESK OR NOT.
I THINK IT’S A REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUE TO RAISE UP AT THIS LEVEL.
>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT OMNIBUS ISSUES, THE BIG BILL, YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET EVEN THOUGH YOU ON’T TO HAVE PASS A BUDGET, YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME OF THAT THROUGH, WOULDN’T YOU?
>> I MEAN, ABSOLUTELY.
JUDICIARY CHAIR, WE’RE ALWAYS SORT OF TASKED WITH WE’RE THE ONES WHO REALLY CONTROL THE THINGS THAT THIRD BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT WITH THE SUPREME COURT AND WHAT THE COURTS NEED.
OBVIOUSLY YOU WANT TO SEE THINGS GET DONE.
I’M ALWAYS BEEN VERY PRACTICAL AND FOCUSED ON, LIKE, GETTING AS MUCH DONE AS WE CAN GET DONE AND NOT — THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE CASE, YOU KNOW, I THINK A LOT OF THINGS IN OUR BILL IN PARTICULAR IN THE JUDICIALRY AND PUBLIC SAFETY SPACE CONTROVERSIAL THINGS GET THE MOST ATTENTION BUT THERE IS A LOT THAT WE AGREE ON AND THAT HAVE BEEN BIPARTISAN EFFORTS.
>> Mary: NOW LET’S REFLECT AND HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF FUN.
WITH WE’VE BEEN DOING WITH THIS RETIREES, TAKING A LOOK BACK AT A NOTABLE MOMENT IN THEIR CAREER.
LET’S LOOK AT THIS.
>> ONE THING I WISH THAT I KNEW WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL WAS NOT NECESSARILY COOL TO BE A NERD ABOUT THINGS OR TO BE REALLY SMART ABOUT THINGS AND THOSE ARE THINGS THAT OBVIOUSLY SERVED ME WELL NOW AS A LEGISLATOR TO REALLY BE ABLE TO DIG INTO THINGS AND TO KIND OF NERD OUT ON STUFF.
>> Mary: SO NERDING OUT HAS KIND OF WORKED OUT FOR YOU, RIGHT?
[Laughter] NERDS ENDS UP COMMITTEE CHAIRS, IS THAT THE LESSON HERE?
>> YOU KNOW, AS WE’RE AT THIS POINT INCISION, TOO, THERE IS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON THE FLOOR ABOUT THE RESULTS AND I’M LIKE ONE OF THE RULES NERDS SO I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED TODAY ESPECIALLY TEACHING SOME OF OUR NEWER MEMBERS ABOUT, YOU CAN GO GET A COPY OF THE RULES, LIKE, MY FIRST YEAR, I WAS IN THE MINORITY AND I SPENT MOST OF MY TIME SITTING DOWN THERE, JUST REREADING THE RULES AND — >> Mary: WHICH YOU USE NOW REGULARLY.
>> YES, YES, A LOT AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON’T EACH REALLY NOTICE THINGS LIKE MASON’S APPLIES IN COMMITTEE, TOO, AND SORT OF KNOWING ALL THOSE RULES SO THAT YOU REALLY HAVE ALL THE TOOLS IN THE TOOLBOX.
>> Mary: ONE OTHER QUICK BIT FROM THE YEAR BOOK MOST LIKELY TO BE — >> FAMOUS.
>> Mary: DID YOU FULFILL THAT?
>> I THINK THAT THE WIKIPEELED I CAN’T LISTING FOR MY HOMETOWN OF CASS LAKE HAS ME LISTED AS THE MOST FAMOUS PERSON FROM CASS LAKE BUT I GRADUATED WITH 35 PEOPLE SO IT DIDN’T TAKE MUCH.
>> Mary: LET’S TALK LEGACY.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF ACCOMPLISHING HERE?
>> YEAH, I THINK MY FOUR YEARS AS CHAIR OF THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AND ESPECIALLY GETTING THE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC DEFENSE AND CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES, I THINK WILL HAVE RAMIFICATIONS ON THE WELL-BEING OF A LOT OF PEOPLE FOR A LONG TIME, AND THAT’S REALLY SOMETHING THAT I’M THINKING ABOUT.
>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT SOME OF THE DIVERSITY, THE RACIAL RECKONING THAT YOU COME AT FROM MANY PERSPECTIVE.
>> YEAH, I GREW UP ON THE REZ, THE FIRST PERSON IN MY FAMILY TO BE RAISED OUTSIDE OF POVERTY AND AS I’M LOOKING BACK ON THE LIST OF ALL THE BILLS THAT I PASSED, A LOT OF THOSE THINGS REALLY HAVE TO DO WITH MAKING SURE THAT THOSE WITH THE LEAST STILL HAVE AN EQUITABLE SHOT IN OUR SYSTEM AND SO I HAVE BEEN REALLY PROUD OF THAT.
>> Mary: MADAM CHAIR, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE HERE.
APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU.
♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> MARY: ELECTION LAWS COULD BE CHANGING.
WITH US NOW, DFL ELECTIONS CHAIR MIKE FREIBERG AND REPUBLICAN LEAD, REPRESENTATIVE PAUL TORKELSON.
Mr.
CHAIR, ELECTIONS TOMORROW, THERE’S GOING TO BE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A RECALL EFFORT FOR IS SENATOR MITCHELL.
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL LAW?
SHOULD IT BE CHANGED?
IS IT GOING TO BE LOOKED AT NOW THAT IT’S RELEVANT?
>> WE HAVEN’T DISCUSSED THE RECALL LAW AT ALL.
I MEAN, THERE IS A PROCESS IN PLACE SO I HAVEN’T HEARD WHAT’S GOING ON IN WOODBURY, EXACTLY, WITH THE RECALL EFFORT SO — YEAH — SO WE’LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
I MEAN, I KNOW THEY HAVE TO GET A CERTAIN NUMBER OF SIGNATURES, I KNOW THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ALLEGATION OF MALFEASANCE OR SOMETHING THAT’S VERIFIED BY A COURT O WE HAVEN’T SEEN ANY — I HAVEN’T SEEN ANY BILLS TO CHANGE THE RECALL PROVISIONS OUT BUT I’M CERTAINLY LOOKING IN THEM IF THERE ARE ANY SO SEE WHAT HAPPENS FROM THE — IS THAT WAS NEWS TO ME.
I DIDN’T KNOW THEY HAD ACTUALLY STARTED DOING THAT.
>> Mary: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS EFFORT?
>> WHAT AN INTERESTING SITUATION NOW.
IF SOMEONE HAD ASKED ME TO MAKE UP THE MOST BIZARRE STORY I COULD THINK OF A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, IT PROBABLY WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN QUITE AS BIZARRE AS THIS ONE.
>> Mary: BUT VOTES ARE IMPORTANT.
>> O OF COURSE THEY WERE.
>> Mary: AND THERE IS AN ELECTION NOW, MAYBE BEING RECALLED.
>> BUT IT WILL HAVE TO PLAY OUT.
THE VOTERS IN HER DISTRICT CERTAINLY HAVE THE RIGHT TO MOVE FORWARDS WITH THIS PROCESS.
THE PROCESS WILL TAKE TIME SO IT WON’T DIRECTLY AFFECT THIS SESSION AS THEY WON’T BE ABLE TO DO THE RECALL BEFORE THE SESSION’S OVER.
BUT THERE IS AN ELECTION COMING, AS EVERYONE KNOWS, AND WITH ONE OTENTIALLY TWO SENATE SEATS ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT, THERE WILL E A LOT OF HOT CAMPAIGNING BECAUSE OF THE ONE-VOTE DIFFERENCE IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE.
>> Mary: LET’S TALK ABOUT THAT.
YOUR WHOLE CHAMBER IS UP, YOUR MEMBERS ARE EAGER TO GET OUT OF HERE AND START RUNNING AND THERE COULD BE AS MANY AS TWO SENATE RACES UP SO THAT KIND OF PUTS THE LEGISLATURE UP, DOESN’T IT?
>> I SUPPOSE.
I MEAN, I THINK WE HAVE A GREAT RECORD TO RUN ON.
I MIND, AS THE ELECTIONS CHAIR, LAST YEAR WE PASSED AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION, WE RESTORED THE VOTE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE COMMUNITY.
WE CREATED AUTOMATIC — PRE-REGISTRATION FOR 16- AND 17-YEAR-OLDS, NATIONAL VOTE COMPACT AND THOSE ARE JUST THE AREAS IN THE ELECTIONS FIELD.
I MEAN, NOT TO MENTION THINGS LIKE FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES FOR KIDS AND STUFF SO I THINK WE HAVE A GREAT RECORD TO RUN ON AND, I DON’T KNOW, I’M OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE — >> Mary: WE’LL TRUCK ABOUT THE CURRENTS BILL IN A SECOND.
WHAT ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT WAS PASSED AST YEAR, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?
>> A LOT WAS PASSED, A LOT OF TOOLS WERE PUT IN HE TOOLBOX OF ELECTIONS.
>> Mary: HOW DID YOU VOTE ON IT?
>> WE VOTED GANGS ALMOST EVERYTHING BECAUSE WE DIDN’T HAVE A VOICE IN THE ACTION IN THE COMMITTEE.
THERE WERE NO REPUBLICAN BILLS PASSED OUT OF THE COMMITTEE, ONLY ONE BILL WAS HEARD AND IT WAS LAID OVER.
THAT WAS ISAPPOINTING.
ELECTIONS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE BIPARTISAN, EFFORTS SUPPOSED TO BE BIPARTISAN AND IT WASN’T.
>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THAT OLD TRADITION, I’M OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE BEEN ARRANGED HERE WHEN ALL BILLS WERE A HE LESS, ATTENTION BILLS WERE A PARTISAN OR THE GOVERNOR WOULDN’T SIGN THEM.
>> THAT WAS DIFFER.
REPRESENTATIVE TORKELSON HAS BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH ON THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE BUT IF YOU COMPARE THE GOP FROM TEN YEARS AGO WITH THE GOP OF TODAY, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE MANY MEMBERS WHO DON’T BELIEVE THE 20120 ELECTION WAS VALIDLY DECIDED.
THEY’VE SUPPORTED POLICIES REJECTED BY MINNESOTA-INS LIKE VOTER I.D., I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
I THINK A LOT OF PROVISIONS WHICH HAVE DO IN FACT, IF YOU INTERVIEW PEOPLE ON THE STREET BUT I DON’T WANT TO PUT AN ART TERRIBLE BARRIER IN PLACE THAT IT HAS TO BE SUPPORTED BY ELECTED OFFICIALS OF ANY PARTY.
I THINK THESE ARE THINGS MINNESOTANS WANT AND HAVE ASKED FOR.
>> Mary: THAT WAS REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR TIM PAWLENTY WHO WAS KIND OF SEEN AS TWO MODERATE, DOESN’T BELONG IN YOUR PARTY ANYMORE.
IS THAT A VALID ARGUMENT?
>> WELL, NOT REALLY.
EVEN THE GOVERNOR BEFORE THIS BIENNIUM STARTED SAID THAT INTERESTED A BIPARTISAN ELECTIONS BILL.
HE APPARENTLY CHANGED HIS MIND, OF COURSE >> ON THE OTHER HAND, WE WANT PEOPLE TO VOTE.
I DON’T WANT TO BE SO CRITICAL OF THIS THAT IT SCARES PEOPLE AWAY FROM VOTING, AND WE WANT TO USE ALL THE TOOLS IN THE TOOLBOX OURSELVES, TOO, FOR REPUBLICAN VOTERS, SO EARLY VOTING, YOU KNOW, ABSENTEE VOTING, DO IT ALL, VOTE EARLY — >> Mary: THAT’S A REPUBLICAN SAYING YOU LIKE EARLY VOTING AND ABSENTEE VOTING.
>> NO, I’M SAYING AYBE WE SHOULD USE IT.
I’M NOT SAYING I LIKE IT OR THAT WE WOULD HAVE DONE IT THAT WAY BUT ONCE THE TOOL IS IN THE TOOLBOX, IT WOULD BE FOOLISH FOR OUR PARTY NOT TO USE THE TOOLS.
>> Mary: MAKES SENSE.
LET’S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE NEW TOOLS.
WONG OF THE REALLY INTERESTING PARTS THAT’S BEEN DEBATED IS RANKED CHOICE VOTING.
EXPLAIN WHAT’S IN THE BILL AND WHAT YOU WANT O GET THROUGH.
>> SURE.
I’M A STRONG SUPPORTER OF RANGED CHOICE VOTING.
I THINK IT MAKES ELECTIONS MORE POSITIVE AND ISSUE FOCUSED.
I’VE BEEN A CO-AUTHOR OF THE BILL SO IT’S BEEN A BIT OF A BUMPY RIDE SO NOT CURRENTLY IN THE BILL.
I KNOW THERE IS AN AMENDMENT TO PUT IT BACK IN TOMORROW WHICH I’M CERTAINLY HOPEFUL WE’LL BE ABLE TO ADOPT BECAUSE AS I SAID I’M A STRONG SUPPORTER OF SIGHT WE’LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS AS PART OF THE PROCESS.
>> Mary: I THINK REPUBLICANS HAVE NOT ENJOYED RANGED CHOICE.
>> GENERALLY NOT ALTHOUGH THERE IS SOME INTERESTS IN SOME OF THE CITIES AROUND THE STATE, SURPRISING INTEREST.
>> Mary: AND LOCAL CONTROL, REPUBLICANS LIKE LOCAL CONTROL.
>> WE O LIKE LOCAL CONTROL.
>> Mary: SHOULD LOCAL JURISDICTIONS BE ABLE TO DO IT?
>> WELL, IT WILL PROBABLY HAPPEN.
I PERSONALLY ON’T SUPPORT RANKED CHOICE VOTING, I THINK IT’S CONFUSING AND EXPENSIVE AND TEDIOUS BUT IT’S ALSO PAY POPULAR IDEA.
Ph.D.
DEFENDS THE FIELD USE AND CONFUSING ARGUMENTS.
>> I DON’T THINK IT’S CONFUSING.
YOU RANK YOUR FIRST CHOICE, SECOND CHOICE TANNED YOUR THIRD CHOICE.
CERTAINLY, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME EDUCATION AS IT COMES OUT AS IT’S ROLLED FORWARD IN COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE IT BUT, YOU KNOW, IT’S BEEN IN PLACE IN FIVE CITIES IN MINNESOTA AND I THINK IT’S WORKED WELL AND PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IT AND PEOPLE LIKE IT.
>> Mary: OKAY, LAST BIT, HOW DOES THE SIGNIFICANCE ENDS?
HOW DOES THIS PLANE LAND?
>> HOPEFULLY IT HANDS SMOOTHLY BUT RIGHT NOW, THE AIR IS A LITTLE BUMPY AND THE DAYS ARE LONG.
>> Mary: QUICKLY?
>> YEAH, I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT BUDGET BILLS ONLY FLOOR.
I THINK WE’LL GET THEM ACROSS THE FINISH LINE AND I THINK WE’LL PASS SOME LAWS THAT WE CAN BE PROUD OF.
>> Mary: AND WE’LL ET THE TWO OF YOU BACK DOWN THERE TO VOTE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.
>> MARY: OUR FIRST-TERM LAWMAKER IS A REPUBLICAN WHO REPRESENTS A GROWING AND CHANGING DISTRICT.
AS A FORMER CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, HE BELIEVES IN STARTING IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
IN THE QUESTION WE START WITH EVERYONE, IS WHY DID YOU WANT TO RUN FOR THIS OFFICE?
>> I’VE ALWAYS BEEN INVOLVED IN POLITICS AS AN ACTIVIST AND I’VE ALWAYS HAD AN EXHIBIT IN IT SINCE I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND GOT INVOLVED IN THE TEA PARTY MOVEMENT.
I HAVE A BACKGROUND IN COMMUNICATIONS, BROADCAST, WRITTEN, DONE SOME WORK AS AN EDITOR OR CONTRIBUTOR AND HAD MY OWN RADIO SHOW FOR A FEW YEARS.
I’VE DEVELOPED A LOT OF CONNECTIONS IN THE POLITICAL WORLD AND AS YOU WELL KNOW, WHEN REDISTRICTING HAPPENS, ITS KY KIND OF LIKE SOMEBODY BUMPING THE TABLE AS YOU’RE PLAYING A GAME AND ALL THE PIECES GET KNOCKED OVER AND IT PRESENTED THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS HISTORIC FRESHMAN CLASS THAT WE HAVE SEEN COME IN.
MOPING THAT I WASN’T GOING TO STEP ON ANYBODY’S TOES BECAUSE IT’S ANNUAL OPEN DISTRICT, I DECIDED TO THROW MY HAT IN THE RINK AND HERE WE ARE.
>> Mary: YOUR DISTRICTS IS GROWING, LET’S TALK ABOUT IT, BECAUSE YOU’RE BOOMING, RIGHT?
>> THE FARM LAND IS SLOWLY SHRINKING AWAY AND BEING REPLACED BY HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS THAT COME WITH FAMILIES.
>> Mary: HOW HARD IS THAT TO REPRESENT SO MANY NEW PEOPLE AND PROBABLY THE CONSTANTLY CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS?
>> I’M NOT UNIQUE IN THAT REGARD.
THERE IS A LOT OF HOUSING BOOMING GOING ON, WHICH IS KIND OF AN INTERESTING PHENOMENON BECAUSE IT BEGS A LOT OF INTERESTING QUESTIONS REGARDING HOW SUSTAINABLE THAT IS.
I GREW UP IN COTTAGE GROVE WHICH IS A VERY SIMILAR COMMUNITY IN THAT HEN MY PARENTS BOUGHT THEIR HOME IN COTTAGE IN ABOUT 1993, WHEN YOU LOOKED OUT THE FRONT WINDOW OF OUR HOUSE, YOU SAW THE SUBURB AND WHEN YOU LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW, YOU SAW FARM LAND.
>> Mary: WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM SERVING ON CITY COUNCIL THAT NOW HELPS YOU IN THE LEGISLATURE?
>> I’M REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THAT EXPERIENCE AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT FOR ANYBODY WHO IS ASPIRING TO SERVE IN STATE GOVERNMENT OR ABOVE THAT, YOU START LOCALLY BECAUSE IT TAKES THE EDGE OFF OF YOUR ACTIVISM.
I DON’T BELIEVE THAT I’M ANY LESS PRINCIPLED OR CONVICTED OF AN ACTIVIST THAN I WAS BEFORE I STARTED SERVING IN THE CITY COUNCIL BUT WHAT — >> Mary: IF I CAN JUMP IN, PEOPLE MIGHT DESCRIBE YOU AS EDGY.
[Laughter] RIGHT?
>> SURE.
>> Mary: THAT’S FAIR.
>> YOU’RE BEING QUITE KIND.
YOU GO CHECK ON MY TWITTER FEED, I’M PUSHING THE EDGES — >> Mary: YOU’RE NOT AFRAID TO PICK A FIGHT, HONESTLY, RIGHT?
>> NO, NO.
>> Mary: OR TO TAKE YOUR OFFENSE, DEFERENCE, I WOULD SAY YOU LAY BOTH, RIGHT?
>> SURE.
I KIND OF LOOK AT IT AS THERE ARE DIFFERENT RHETORICAL STYLES THAT ARE APPROPRIATE IN DIFFERENT CONTEXTS, RIGHT?
SO A PREACHER ON SUNDAY IS GOING TO THUMP THE PULPIT AND PREACH FIRE AND BRIMSTONE, OR AT LEAST THEY USED TO.
BUT WHEN HE GOES TO VISIT SOMEBODY ON THEIR DEATH BED, HE’S NOT GOINGS TO DO THAT BECAUSE THE CONTEXT IS DIFFER, IT WILL BE MORE RELIABLE AND SPECIFIC TO THE PERSON AND I FEEL AS THOUGH THAT TRANSLATES TO POLITICS, SWEAT.
>> Mary: DO YOU GET THAT OPPORTUNITY IN THE MINORITY TO BE IN A ROOM AND WORK WITH PEOPLE IN THE MINORITY?
>> SOMETIMES.
SOMETIMES.
IT VERY MUCH DEPENDS ON THE PERSON AND THE SSUE.
ONE EXAMPLE OF THAT WAS THE INDIAN FAMILY PRESERVATION ACT, I BELIEVE IT WAS CALLED, THAT WAS AUTHORED BY REPRESENTATIVE HEATHER KIELER.
THAT BILL WAS COME THROUGH THE COMMITTEE AND I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT, AT ALL, AND I WAS READING THROUGH THE BILL AND HAD SOME REALLY NERDY TECHNICAL QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW IT WORKS AND SO I SENT HER AN EMAIL AND SHE WAS SO EXCITED THAT SOMEBODY CARED ABOUT THAT BILL THAT SHE HOOKED ME UP WITH A ZOOM AND HAD ME TALKING TO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT EXPERTS AND WALKED MEE — >> Mary: DID YOU SUPPORT IT, THEN?
>> NOT — I DID, I GOT UP ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AND I ARGUED FOR IT AND — >> Mary: THAT SOUND LIKE BIPARTISANSHIP, WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE.
>> YES.
YES.
IT IS POSSIBLE.
>> Mary: OKAY.
>> IT’S ABSOLUTELY POSSIBLE.
THE PROBLEM IS IS THAT THE ELECTORAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE STAKES OF EVERYTHING ARE RATCHETED UP SO HIGH THAT EVEN WHEN PEOPLE SEE WHAT THEY BELIEVE TO BE A GOOD IDEA, IF IT COMES FROM THE WRONG PERSON WHO’S WEARING THE WRONG UNIFORM, THEY’RE GOING TO FOREGO WHAT THEY KNOW TO BE A GOOD POLICY IN FAVOR OF THE PARTISAN POLITICS AND THAT’S DEEPLY UNFORTUNATE.
PEOPLE HAVE THEIR REASONS FOR VOTING THE WAY THAT THEY DO AND YOU SIT AND YOU LISTEN TO THEIR CASE, EVEN IF YOU DON’T AGREE WITH IT, YOU KIND OF HAVE TO RESPECT IT.
>> Mary: YOUR CAUCUS ELECTS THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN MUCH TO LEAD IT.
TALK TO US ABOUT DIVERSITY AND RACE.
>> THAT’S BEEN N INTERESTING JOURNEY FOR ME DURING THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION BECAUSE I GREW UP IN THE SUBURBS, I WENT TO PREDOMINANTLY WHITE SCHOOLS, THERE WERE SOME MINORITY KIDS BUT WE WERE A MINORITY, THERE’S NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.
I DON’T HAVE THE SAME WHAT THEY WOULD CALL LIVED EXPERIENCE THAT FOLKS SAY, LIKE, IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS HAVE HAD.
AND SO FOR ME, WHEN I LOOK AT RACIAL ISSUES, IT’S MUCH MORE THROUGH THE LENS OF WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT TO FIND TALKING TO A SUBURBAN CONSERVATIVE.
THE IDEAL IS A KIND HAVE AA COLOR-BLINDNESS.
>> Mary: MINNESOTA IS OFF THE CHARTS ON NUMBERS WHEN IT COMES TO MULTI-RACIAL OR MIXED RACIAL AND I BELIEVE THAT’S YOUR BACKGROUND.
HOW DOES THAT FORM, DO YOU THINK, YOUR POLITICS, OUR STATE MAKING US UNIQUE?
>> I THINK ITS LARGELY INOCULATES ME TO THE POLARIZING RACIAL NARRATIVES BECAUSE IT’S LIKE WHAT SIDE OF ME DO YOU WANT ME TO HATE?
RECOGNIZING IN MY OWN LIFE EXPERIENCE, AND I THINK THIS IS PROBABLY A COMMON EXPERIENCE AMONGST FOLKS, PARTICULARLY WHO LIVE IN MINNESOTA WHERE WE DO HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF DIVERSITY, THE DAY-TO-DAY EXISTENCE OF PEOPLE LIVING AMONGST EACH OTHER IN THE STATE IS PEACEFUL AND HARMONIOUS AND ORKING TOGETHER AND WORKING ALONGSIDE EACH OTHER.
>> I WORK WELL IN THE SQUISHY MID HE WOULD, NOT BEING SO EXTREME.
SOME PEOPLE WOULD AY SOME OF MY VIEWS ARE VERY EXTREME.
OTHER PEOPLE CALL ME NOT PROGRESSIVE, YOU KNOW, LIKE PRAGMATIC WOULD BE A NICE — YOU KNOW, PRAGMATIC PROGRESSIVE.
SO REACHING OUT ACROSS THE AISLES TO ME WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO BEGIN WITH.
I DID REACH OUT TO REPUBLICANS EVEN BEFORE BEING SWORN IN WHO WERE ON COMMITTEES OR WORKING ON THINGS THAT WERE OF INTEREST TO ME.
YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY BRINGS A LITTLE SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO THE TABLE, RIGHT?
THEY HAVE THESE REALLY RICH, GREAT EXPERIENCES THAT WE SHOULD ALL LEARN TO DRAW FROM, WHETHER, YOU KNOW — THERE ARE SOME THINGS WHERE I’M LIKE, OKAY, WE’RE NEVER GOING TO SEE EYE TO EYE ON THAT BUT HERE IS WHERE I DO THINK WE CAN MOVE THE BALL FORWARD AND MUTUALLY AGREEABLE WAY.
>> Mary: SEE THERE, WE’LL TALK WITH A SPECIAL ELECTION FRESHMAN NEXT WEEK.
>> IF YOU MISSED PART OF TONIGHT’S SHOW, OR WANT TO RE-WATCH ANY EPISODES FROM THE PAST, HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC… DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW “ALMANAC” ON FACEBOOK, LOOK FOR SESSION UPDATES AND MORE FROM OUR TEAM ON X.
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MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TO “ALMANAC” ON FRIDAY NIGHT, WHEN ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON, AND I’LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE ONGOING IMPACT OF THE ARREST OF A SENATOR WITH A ONE-VOTE MARGIN TO FINISH SESSION.
THAT’S OUR SHOW.
WE’LL RETURN YOU TO LIVE LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE NOW.
THANKS FOR WATCHING.
GOOD NIGHT.
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