>> “ALMANAC” IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA UBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.
>> Cathy: COMING UP ON ALMANAC, GOVERNOR TIM WALZ IS HERE.
KAOMI LEE HIGHLIGHTS CHALLENGES FOR IN-HOME DAYCARE PROVIDERS.
A POLITICAL PANEL BREAKS DOWN THE POLITICS OF THE WEEK.
AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE UNEXPECTED DRAMA THIS WEEK AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
>> WITH THE ALET’S OF A SITTING STATE SENATOR WE’LL HAVE SOME CONTEXT ON LAWMAKERS’ RUN-INS WITH THE LAW OVER THE YEARS.
>> AFTER BEING CHARGED WITH THREE COUNTS OF FELONY CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT.
>> I AM NOT RESIGNING FROM THE OFFICE.
>> THAT’S COMING UP ON “ALMANAC.”
♪♪ >> “ALMANAC” IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.
SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY… GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.
DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH WHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL EQUITIES.
DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.
EDUCATION MINNESOTA, THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.
AND PAINT CARE.
HELPING MINNESOTANS RECYCLE LEFTOVER PAINT.
MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.
>> Cathy: WE HAVE A FULL SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.
IT’S BEEN AN ACTIVE WEEK IN MINNESOTA POLITICS AND AT THE LEGISLATURE.
WE’LL SPEND A GOOD CHUNK OF TIME ON THAT.
KAOMI LEE VISITS A FAMILY BASED DAYCARE AS IT NAVIGATES LICENSING CHALLENGES.
AND ADIA MORRIS IS HERE WITH AN ESSAY.
>> Eric: WE START TONIGHT WITH POLITICS.
THERE’S LESS THAN A MONTH TO GO IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
BIG QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT THE WORK THAT CAN OR WILL GET DONE AFTER D.F.L.
STATE SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL WAS CHARGED WITH FELONY BURGLARY EARLIER THIS WEEK.
DEMOCRATS HOLD JUST A ONE VOTE MARGIN IN THE STATE SENATE, SCHEDULED FLOOR SESSIONS WERE CANCELLED EARLIER THIS WEEK AND SENATE REPUBLICANS HAVE FILED AN ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST SENATOR MITCHELL.
BIG QUESTION FOR MANY, HOW MANY BILLS WILL NOW MAKE IT TO THE GOVERNOR’S DESK BY MAY 20TH?
DFL GOVERNOR TIM WALZ JOINS US.
YOU HAVE SAID THIS WEEK THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD.
YOU ALSO SAID WE NEED MORE FACTS.
SHOULD WE RESIGN AND IF NOT SHOULD THE SENATE VOTE HER OUT OF OFFICE?
>> WELL, THE OTERS WILL VOTE HER OUT IF THAT’S THE CASE ON THIS.
I THINK WE’RE WATCHING A FAMILY TRAGEDY UNFOLD IN FRONT OF US.
IT DOESN’T EXCUSE THERE ARE SERIOUS QUESTIONS AND THAT’S WHY THE LAW IS INVOLVED.
WE ALWAYS GIVE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT THAT PEOPLE GET THEIR DUE PROCESS BUT I ALSO THINK YOU HAVE TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS WHEN YOU’RE IN THIS.
AND I THINK IT’S FAIRFOR THE PUBLIC TO HOLD YOU TO A HIGHER STANDARD.
BUT, LOOK, THIS IS GOING TO BE A DECISION THAT SENATOR MITCHELL HAS TO MAKE.
BUT I THINK DEALING WITH WHAT SHE’S DEALING ITH AND DEALING WITH FAMILY IT MAYBE MAKES SENSE TO FOCUS ON THAT.
>> Cathy: THIS IS BEGINNING TO BE A PRETTY BIG MESS AT THE CAPITOL.
IT STOPPED MOST OF THE WORK AT THIS POINT, SHE SAID SHE WILL NOT RESIGN.
THERE’S A LOT OF PROBLEMS TO WADE THROUGH BEFORE THE END OF SESSION?
>> WE STILL HAVE A DEAL, WE HAD A DEAL, WE GOT TARGETS IN THERE.
I THINK WE HAVE A REASONABLE MANAGEABLE SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET.
WE HAVE A BONDING BILL THAT HAS WIDESPREAD SUPPORT.
I DON’T THINK THERE’S ANY REASON WHY WE CAN’T GET THINGS DONE.
I’M CONVINCED EPUBLICANS WANT TO SEE THE STATE PATROL HEADQUARTERS GET BUILT, HE FUNDING FOR MEALS THIS SUMMER WITH THE EDERAL MONEY.
>> Cathy: SO THINGS CAN GET DONE EACH WITH THE 33-33?
>> I’M A BIG BELIEVER IN ALL OF THIS AND I HAD ASKED OR A FEW FIXES FOR SOME OF THE TECHNICAL PROGRAMS.
I MADE IT CLEAR WE WANTED A PRETTY NARROW BUDGET, WE HAVE THIS TYLER SUIT WE NEED TO GET TAKEN CARE OF, I THINK THAT’S BIPARTISAN.
A LOT OF THIS WHETHER IT’S EMS FUNDING FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES THOSE ARE REALLY BIPARTISAN.
I THINK WE JUST MOVE THEM FORWARD.
>> SOUNDS LIKE YOU FEEL SHE WILL BE AROUND ‘TIL MAY 20TH ADJOURNMENT AND SOUNDS LIKE SHE WILL BE VOTING.
>> I THINK SO RIGHT NOW AND THE SENATE WILL MAKE THEIR DECISIONS, THEY WILL HAVE THEIR ETHICS INVESTIGATION, PEOPLE WILL GET ANSWERS BUT IT SEEMS TO ME PEOPLE IN WOODBURY AND ACROSS THE STATE SHOULD EXPECT US TO GET TO DO THESE THINGS, IT CERTAINLY NARROWS THINGS WHERE WE HAVE TO BE BIPARTISAN, THAT’S OKAY.
I THINK REPUBLICANS AGREE WITH MANY OF THESE THINGS.
>> Cathy: ON THE OFF-CHANCE IT DOESN’T WORK THE WAY YOU’RE HOPING IS THERE ONE THING YOU REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE GETS TO YOUR DESK?
>> WELL, CERTAINLY THE BONDING BILL.
I THINK IT’S JUST THERE’S SO MANY GOOD PROGRAMS IN THERE AND IT’S GOING TO GET MORE EXPENSIVE TO DO THAT AND WE JUST HAVE A FEW THINGS, I REALLY DO NEED A LITTLE BIT F HELP TO MAKE SURE WE CAN GET THIS FEDERAL MONEY FOR THE SUMMER PROGRAM ON FEEDING KIDS THAT A FEW STATES TURNED IT DOWN LIKE IOWA AND OTHERS BUT THE VAST MAJORITY KNOW IT’S A REALLY GOOD NEW PROGRAM ON SUMMER BENEFITS FOR KIDS AND WE NEED A LITTLE BIT OF HELP ON THAT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN DELIVER.
>> Eric: OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR SAYS STATE AGENCIES ARE FAILING TO SAFEGUARD TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS GOING TO NON-PROFITS.
I BELIEVE THE FIGURE IS A BILLION DOLLARS LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR.
HOW MUCH FRAUD, ASTE AND ABUSE ARE YOU WILLING TO TOLERATE?
>> WELL, THEY DIDN’T CALL IT FRAUD, WASTE AND ABUSE, THEY SAID MORE SAFEGUARDS CAN BE PUT IN PLACE.
THINGS LIKE AN INSPECTOR EVERYONE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THINGS TO PUT IN.
THERE’S THINGS WE CAN DO BETTER BUT THEIR FINDINGS WERE NOT CLEAR ABUSE, THAT THIS MONEY WENT TO THE WRONG PLACE, THEY SIMPLY ASKED ARE YOU SURE WE’RE DOING ENOUGH IN THERE, AND I THINK FOR ME IT’S A ZERO SUM PROPOSITION.
I WELCOME THE AUDITOR’S HELP IN THIS, WHEN THE AUDITOR DOES THIS WE’RE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THESE THINGS.
JUST LIKE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WE SIMPLY DIDN’T HAVE THE PEOPLE THERE TO BE ABLE TO DO AS MUCH AND I THINK WE SHOULD.
SO I APPLAUD THEM FOR THE WORK.
I THINK OVERALL THE FINDINGS WERE THAT IT’S SOLID, NOTHING THERE, BUT IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED AND TAKE THAT AS THEY’RE RIGHT.
>> Cathy: GET GETTING BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE HERE FOR A MOMENT.
THERE’S THAT UBER AND LYFT SITUATION THAT’S A LITTLE COMPLICATED AND PEOPLE ARE KIND OF WONDERING WHAT THE HECK’S GOING ON WITH THAT?
IS THERE A DEAL TO BE HAD?
ARE YOU BROKERING ANYTHING?
>> I’M TRYING THE BEST I CAN, I’M TRYING TO GET MIDDLE GROUND ON THIS WHERE WE GET FAIRNESS IN WAGES BUT ALSO MAKE SURE IT WORKS.
THE EASIEST WAY TO FIX THIS IS FOR THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO, USE THE STATE GUIDELINE ON THIS, BRING EVERYBODY TO THE TABLE.
I’M GOING TO KEEP ASKING THEM TO COME TO THE TABLE, LET’S REACH A COMPROMISE.
THAT WOULD BE THE EASIEST AND SUREST WAY.
IN ABSENCE OF THAT WE HAVE A STATE, YOU KNOW, STUDY THAT GIVES US SOME PRETTY GOOD IDEAS TO GIVE SOME CONSISTENCY INTO THIS.
AGAIN, I DON’T, I DON’T ASCRIBE TO THE MAGICAL THINKING THAT SOMETHING’S GOING TO INSTANTLY FILL THIS VOID WHERE IT HASN’T HAPPENED THAT WAY IN OTHER PLACES.
I THINK IT PUTS US AT COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGE, I THINK IT PUTS DISABILITY GROUPS, FOLKS WHO ARE TRYING TO GET TO THEIR JOBS.
IT’S NOT JUST WEDY PEOPLE FLYING IN FROM THE AIRPORT IT’S FOLKS TRYING TO BE DO THEIR JOB TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES.
>> Cathy: I KNOW YOU’RE HOPING THE COUNCIL DOES SOMETHING BUT I THINK THEY’RE LOOKING AT THE LEGISLATURE HOPING THEY DO SOMETHING.
>> I MADE IT CLEAR I THINK THERE’S A COMPROMISE HERE THAT INCLUDES THE RIDESHARE COMPANIES.
BUT I JUST THINK THE, YOU KNOW, BE THE STOPPING THIS, ENFORCING, I WELCOME THAT WE’VE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF A SPACE HERE BUT THAT JUST ADDED A LITTLE SPACE THAT DOESN’T SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
MY HOPE IS AND I WOULD JUST KEEP SAYING THIS IS THAT WE ARE CONTINUOUSLY ASKING PEOPLE TO COME BACK TO THE TABLE TO BRING A WORKABLE PLAN TO SHOW WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN.
THIS IDEA THAT MAGICALLY ON JULY 1ST SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN, I DON’T TALK TO ANY MINNESOTANS WHO THINK THAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN.
THIS IS A CONCERN OF FOLKS ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM.
>> Eric: ARE YOU CONSIDERING GIVING TROOPER LUNDGREN’S ASE TO HENNEPIN COUNTY?
AND WHAT’S YOUR OPINION ON HOW MARY MORIARTY’S DOING?
>> FIRST I WANT TO SAY WE’RE SEPARATE BRANCHES AND I TRY TO BE AS CAREFUL AS I CAN ABOUT NOT WEIGHING AGAIN.
THIS ONE I SAID I HAD CONCERNS FROM THE BEGINNING WHETHER IT WAS A USE OF FORCE EXPERT.
IT IS AN EXTRAORDINARY STEP FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO ASK FOR ME TO DELIVER, IT’S AN INCREDIBLE STEP ON THAT.
BUT AGAIN WE SAW THIS WEEK A LITTLE BIT, AND I TALK TO THE LEGAL EXPERTS TELL ME IT’S KIND OF A RARE SITUATION WHERE WE HAD THE LEAD PROSECUTOR STEP AWAY AND OUTSIDE COUNSEL IS GOING TO BE THERE.
WHAT I WANT IS JUSTICE TO BE SERVED FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN THIS.
AND I THINK THE FEAR IS NOW PEOPLE THINK IF THERE’S A THUMB ON THE SCALE OR WHATEVER WHICH DIRECTION.
WHAT I WOULD SAY ON THIS IS WE CONTINUE TO EVALUATE DAILY, WE CONTINUE TO WAIT TO SEE AS INFORMATION COMES OUT.
>> Eric: I’M REALLY CURIOUS WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN CRITICISM THAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE NOT ONLY ANTILAW ENFORCEMENT BUT MAYBE PRO-CRIMINAL.
AND I’M WONDERING IF THESE THINGS WE’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT ADDS A LITTLE SPICE TO THE SITUATION, OR.
>> LOOK, THESE ARE THE FOLKS THAT BLAME LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR JANUARY 6TH, I TAKE IT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.
I’VE SUPPORTED AND I THINK DEMOCRATS HAVE, WE’RE ASKING FOR ACCOUNTABILITY.
THESE ARE FOLKS THAT WANT TO SAY DEREK CHAUVIN DIDN’T DO ANYTHING WRONG.
OF COURSE THE WORLD SAW HE DID AND THAT CREATES DISTRUST.
I THINK THE POLITICIZING OF SAYING THAT AND THE PRO-CRIMINAL PIECE OF THIS I — LOOK, PEOPLE KNOW THAT’S RIDICULOUS.
COME TO US AND HELP US ON THIS.
HELP US WORK SOME OF THESE THINGS, HELP ME FUND THE BCA FACILITY IN MANKATO.
HELP ME FUND THE STATE PATROL HEADQUARTERS, MAKE SURE WE’RE GETTING GOOD TRAINING FOR OUR FOLKS THAT WE HAVE.
SO AGAIN WHAT THEIR SOLUTION IS TO TRY AND BLAME OTHERS WITHOUT OFFERING SOMETHING, THAT’S A LUDICROUS PROPOSITION.
I THINK FOLKS KNOW WE WANT O STRIKE THE PROPER BALANCE.
PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT AND IN THEY NEED KNOW LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS A DIFFICULT JOB IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS ND WE ALSO HAVE O MAKE SURE WE’RE HOLDING FOLKS ACCOUNTABLE WHEN THEY GET IT WRONG AND THAT’S A SIMPLE THING I THINK MOST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGREES TO.
>> Cathy: IT’S A FORMER EDUCATOR I’M CURIOUS WHAT YOU THINK ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH PROTESTS AT VARIOUS COLLEGE CAMPUSES.
THERE WAS THE PROTEST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EARLIER THIS WEEK AROUND THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR.
AND I’M WONDERING WHERE’S THE LINE BETWEEN FREE SPEECH AND SAFETY?
BECAUSE SO MANY JEWISH STUDENTS FEEL UNWELCOME AND UNSAFE.
>> THAT’S RIGHT, THAT’S THE QUESTION.
>> Cathy: WHERE ARE YOU ON THIS?
>> YEAH, WELL I THINK LIKE THE REST OF THE COUNTRY COLLEGE CAMPUS ESPECIALLY IS A PLACE WHERE YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO EXPRESS OPINIONS, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO CHALLENGE AUTHORITY OR CONVENTIONAL THINKING ON THIS.
BUT IT NEEDS TO BE IN THE WAY THAT A HECKLER’S VETO OR THE IDEA THAT NO ONE ELSE CAN SPEAK ON THESE SITUATIONS.
I THINK HEN JEWISH STUDENTS ARE TELLING US THEY NEED UNSAFE WE NEED TO BELIEVE THEM AND I DO BELIEVE THEM.
I THINK CREATING A SPACE WHERE POLITICAL DISSENT OR RALLYING CAN HAPPEN IS ONE THING.
INTIMIDATION ON ANOTHER IS ANOTHER AND I THINK THESE COLLEGE CAMPUSES HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
I THINK SETTING PARAMETERS IS CORRECT.
I DON’T THINK YOU CAN, YOU KNOW, OCCUPY A SPACE THAT ALLOWS OTHERS NOT TO BE THERE OR NOT TO BE HEARD, SO IT’S A CHALLENGE.
I WILL SAY THIS THAT I THINK ALL OF US AGREE THE SITUATION IN GAZA IS INTOLERABLE.
WHAT HAPPENED ON OCTOBER 7TH WAS INTOLERABLE.
I THINK FOR FOLKS LIKE MYSELF WHO HAVE BEEN THERE, WALKED IN GAZA, BEEN IN ISRAEL, A TWO-STATE SOLUTION AND A WORKABLE SOLUTION HAS TO BE THERE.
THE UNITED STATES NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR THAT.
AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT HUMANITARIAN AID IS GETTING THERE.
SO WHAT THEY’RE ASKING FOR IS ONE THING, BUT THIS IS A COMPLEX ISSUE THAT IS DEEP AND I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS RESPECTING THAT RIGHTS OF OTHERS, RESPECTING THE DIFFERENCE OPINION ON THIS BUT I DO THINK THERE’S A LOT OF COMMONALITY ON THIS.
WE NEED TO BRING PEACE TO THIS REGION AND THE ONLY WAY THAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN IS TWO-STATE SOLUTION WITH SELF-DETERMINATION.
AND WE CAN CRITICIZE WHERE IF ISRAEL IS OVERSTEPPING THEIR AUTHORITY, WE CAN ALSO CRITICIZE WHERE ANTI-SEMITISM IS SNEAKING INTO THIS DISCUSSION AND MAKE SURE WE KEEP IT IN A PLACE TO FIND A SOLUTION.
>> Eric: HAVE YOU THOUGHT WHERE YOU’RE GOING TO BE IN 2026?
ARE YOU GOING TO RUN FOR SENATE, GOVERNOR AGAIN?
CABINET POST?
WHAT — >> I WAS TRYING TO GET THROUGH THIS WEEK WITH ALL THE NEWS THAT WAS OUT THERE.
>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU GOT UP YOUR SLEEVE?
>> LOOK, I’M WORKING HARD TO ELECT MORE GOVERNORS THAT ARE DELIVERING THINGS I THINK, FROM EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.
RIGHT NOW I’M FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE MINNESOTA’S THE BEST STATE IN THE COUNTRY, WE KEEP HEARING BEST ROADS, SAFEST ROADS, SEEING POSITIVE NEWS.
BUT I’M ENJOYING TELLING MINNESOTA’S STORY.
I’M GETTING ASKED TO GO TALK AT PLACES ABOUT MINNESOTA, NOT NECESSARILY TO TALK ABOUT ME BUT WHAT MY ROLE IS IN IT.
>> Cathy: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN WAS HERE LAST WEEK AND SHE SAID YOU GUYS HAVEN’T MADE A DECISION ABOUT RUNNING AGAIN.
>> NO, THERE’S NOT TERM LIMITS, I’M SURE YOUR REPUBLICAN VIEWERS ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT.
MAYBE THAT’S THE NEXT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON TERM LIMITS FOR GOVERNORS.
TRYING TO DO THE BEST WE CAN.
MINNESOTANS WILL DECIDE THAT IF THEY DECIDE AT A TIME AND SAY, LOOK, THEY’LL SPEAK ABOUT IT AND IF WORN OUT OUR WELCOME WE’LL DO THAT TOO.
>> Eric: YOU HAVEN’T RULED IT OUT I WOULD SAY.
>> NO, I HAD A FRIEND AND CONFIDANT TELL ME DON’T EVER TURN DOWN A JOB YOU HAVE NOT BEEN OFFERED.
AND JJ MCCARTHY?
>> I’M THERE, AND I KNOWS IN EVERYBODY, I WAS SAYING MCCARTHY A FEW WEEKS AGO.
I LOVE WATCHING HIM PLAY AT MICHIGAN.
THIS GUY SIMPLY WINS AND AT THE END OF THE DAY SIMPLY WINNING IS WHAT THEY’RE THERE FOR.
>> Eric: WE UNIFY OVER THE VIKINGS.
>> WE DO.
>> Eric: THANKS, GOVERNOR.
APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU.
♪♪ >> Cathy: THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SPENDS MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR ON A CIVIL COMMITMENT PROGRAM FOR SEX OFFENDERS THAT CONFINES MORE PEOPLE – AND RELEASES FEWER – THAN ANY OTHER STATE WITH SIMILAR PROGRAMS.
A REPORT OUT WEDNESDAY FROM THE MITCHELL HAMLINE SCHOOL OF LAW CALLS FOR SUNSETTING THE MINNESOTA SEX OFFENDER PROGRAM, SAYING IT IS A FAILED AND EXPENSIVE INTERVENTION THAT DOES NOT HAVE A BROAD IMPACT ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
ERIC JANUS HEADS UP THE SEX OFFENSE LITIGATION AND POLICY RESOURCE CENTER AT THE MITCHELL HAMLINE LAW SCHOOL AND HE’S BEEN WORKING ON THESE ISSUES FOR DECADES.
>> 30 YEARS.
>> Cathy: 30 YEARS.
WELL, PROFESSOR, BECAUSE YOU’VE WORKED ON THIS A LONG TIME, YOU KNOW THAT MOST PEOPLE FEEL THAT THE POPULATION IN QUESTION PROBABLY SHOULD STAY BEHIND BARS FOR A VERY, VERY LONG TIME AND THIS IS NOT A VERY SYMPATHETIC GROUP.
YOU’RE KIND OF PUSHING THE BOULDER UP THE HILL HERE, AREN’T YA?
>> WE ARE, BUT THINK WE’RE ASKING THE WRONG QUESTION IN A WAY.
WE HAVE $110 MILLION A YEAR GOING INTO THIS PROGRAM.
THE QUESTION WE OUGHT TO BE ASKING IS WHAT’S THE BEST USE OF THAT FAIRLY LARGE POT OF MONEY IN TERMS OF PREVENTION OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND SUPPORTING VICTIMS?
AND IT’S CLEAR TO US THAT WHAT WE’RE DOING RIGHT NOW IS HAVING A VERY SMALL IMPACT AND WE COULD BE DOING A LOT MORE.
AND EVERY YEAR THAT GOES BY THAT WE DON’T DO MORE, WE’RE LOSING OPPORTUNITIES TO PREVENT SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
>> Cathy: WHY WOULDN’T LOCKING AWAY SERIOUS OFFENDERS KEEP SOCIETY SAFE, THOUGH?
>> BECAUSE YOU’RE MAKING A CHOICE.
YOU’RE PUTTING THAT MONEY INTO A VERY NARROW GROUP INSTEAD OF A MUCH BROADER EFFORT.
SO WE KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ARE HURTING FOR MONEY AND IT’S GOING TO GET WORSE.
THERE’S A CUTBACK COMING NEXT YEAR IN TERMS OF FEDERAL FUNDING.
WE NEED TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HARMED BY THIS.
SO THERE ARE TRIED AND TRUE PROGRAMS THAT ARE STARVED FOR FUNDS THAT COULD PROBABLY DO MORE THAN THIS PROGRAM IS DOING.
>> Cathy: WHAT ABOUT THE PERPETRATOR?
HOW WOULD YOU FRONT-END TO TRY TO MITIGATE OR TO TRY TO DEAL WITH THE PERPETRATORS EARLY ON?
>> MM-HMM.
WELL, CLEARLY SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS SERIOUS AND ONCE IT TAKES PLACE IT OFTEN IS APPROPRIATELY DEALT WITH IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
WE NEED TO HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE WHO HARM OTHERS.
AND THE RIMARY PLACE FOR DOING THAT IS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
WHAT WE’VE GOT IS A IVIL COMMITMENT SYSTEM THAT’S KIND OF GERRYMANDERED TO AKE CARE OF WHAT ARE THOUGHT TO BE SOME LACK, SOME INADEQUACIES IN HE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, BUT WE’VE HAD 30 YEARS TO FIX THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
>> Eric: DO YOU HAVE A PACKET OF TALKING POINTS AND INFORMATION YOU COULD GIVE TO A LEGISLATURE TO — LEGISLATOR TO SELL THIS?
I THINK IF YOU GO BACK LONG ENOUGH IN YOUR CAREER, OU MENTIONED DRU SJODIN.
NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA COLLEGE STUDENT RAPED AND KILLED.
AND PEOPLE GO THAT’S IT, I’M NOT LISTENING ANYMORE.
WHAT’S THE CASE A LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATE TO MAKE AT THE DOOR?
>> WELL, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS HAS BEEN A WEAPONIZED ISSUE IN THE PAST AND I’M NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.
IT’S BEEN WEAPONIZED BY BOTH SIDES.
WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT IN A MUCH MORE SENSIBLE WAY, EVIDENCED WAY, IN A COMPREHENSIVE WAY, NOT IN A REACTIVE WAY, THIS IS A TERRIBLE CRIME, HOW CAN WE FIX THAT SMALL PROBLEM?
NOT THAT THE TERRIBLE CRIME IS A SMALL PROBLEM BUT IT’S NOT AN ARCHETYPE OF WHAT SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS.
YES, WE HAVE A REPORT THAT LAYS OUT THE EVIDENCE OF WHY WE THINK THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT SHOULD BE SUNSET.
WE UNDERSTAND IT’S A COMPLEX PROBLEM.
WE’RE THINKING ABOUT A FIVE-YEAR PROGRAM PROBABLY TO WORK OUT THE DETAILS AND SUNSET THE PROGRAM, AND THEN REALLOCATE THAT MONEY IN PLACES THAT IT COULD BE MORE EFFECTIVELY USED.
>> Eric: WHO’S JOINING THE COALITION?
>> WELL, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, SOME, YOU KNOW, AND NOT EVERYBODY IS ALL IN ON THIS, I HAVE TO SAY.
BUT WE HAVE BEEN CERTAINLY TALKING TO VICTIM ADVOCATES, WE’VE BEEN TALKING TO FOLKS WHO PROVIDE SERVICES TO VICTIMS, WE’VE BEEN TALKING TO PEOPLE WHO DO TREATMENT AND RE-ENTRY.
AGAIN, WE AGREE WITH THEM ON SOME THINGS BUT NOT ON EVERYTHING.
WE THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A WHAT WE’RE CALLING A COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING PROCESS.
BECAUSE IF YOU TALK TO PEOPLE PRIVATELY AROUND THE STATE, MANY MANY PEOPLE WILL SAY THIS IS A BROKEN SYSTEM.
THEY — THEY’RE CAUTIOUS ABOUT SAYING IT PUBLICLY.
BUT WE ARE ADVOCATING AN ORDERLY SYSTEM TO BRING OUT WHAT WE THINK IS A HIDDEN CONSENSUS ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.
>> Cathy: SO IF A MAJOR MAGIC WAND WAS WAVED AND THE PROGRAM WAS SUNSETTED AS YOU WOULD LIKE, WHAT HAPPENS TO SOME OF THESE INDIVIDUALS?
>> WELL, THERE NEEDS TO BE A CAREFUL RE-ENTRY PLAN DEVELOPED FOR THEM.
AND HERE WE NEED TO SAY THAT MINNESOTA’S AN OUTLIER.
WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE AND WE’VE RELEASED MANY FEWER PEOPLE, WE HAVE MODELS RIGHT NEXT DOOR, WISCONSIN DOES A MUCH BETTER JOB, NEW YORK DOES A BETTEROB IS, STATE OF WASHINGTON DOES A BETTER JOB OF RELEASING PEOPLE WITHOUT, WITHOUT UNDUE INCIDENT.
>> Eric: DO THEY AGE OUT?
IS THAT ONE OF THE THINGS?
>> WELL, HEY AGE OUT, THEY GO TO TREATMENT, SOME OF THEM PROBABLY NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
THEY WERE JUVENILE ONLY OFFENDERS, IN THE SYSTEM AND GOT SWEPT IN, YOU KNOW, IN THE MID-2000s.
SO IT’S A VARIETY, IT’S A RANGE OF PEOPLE.
>> Cathy: SO THERE’S OTHER MODELS YOU MIGHT LOOK TO AS YOU SAY.
>> YEAH, THERE’S DEFINITELY OTHER MODELS.
THERE ARE SOME CLEAR ROAD BLOCKS AND IMPEDIMENTS TO THIS PROGRAM ORKING APPROPRIATELY HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.
THOSE ARE FIXABLE.
SO THERE ARE A NUMBER OF INTERIM STEPS THAT COULD BE TAKEN TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE AND THE EXPENSE.
WE THINK THAT THE PROGRAM ITSELF NEEDS TO BE SUNSET BECAUSE AS LONG AS IT’S THERE — LET’S PUT IT THIS WAY.
IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A TEMPORARY SMALL PROGRAM WHEN IT WAS ENACTED 30 YEARS AGO.
THAT’S WHAT WE ERE TOLD.
BECAUSE THIS TURNS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ON ITS HEAD.
OF COURSE WE’RE LOCKING PEOPLE UP FOR FUTURE CRIMES NOT PAST CRIMES.
>> Eric: WE’LL EEP TRACK.
THANKS FOR COMING OVER.
>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
THANKS.
>> THANK YOU.
♪♪ >> I DON’T BELIEVE THAT I’M ANY LESS PRINCIPLED OR CONVICTED OF AN ACTIVIST THAN I WAS BEFORE I STARTED SERVING IN HE CITY COUNCIL.
AND I’M REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THAT EXPERIENCE AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT FOR ANYBODY WHO’S ASPIRING TO SERVE, THAT YOU START LOCALLY.
IT TAKES THE EDGE OFF OF YOUR ACTIVISM.
PEOPLE HAVE THEIR REASONS FOR VOTING THE WAY THAT THEY DO.
IF YOU ACTUALLY SIT AND YOU LISTEN TO THEIR CASE, EVEN IF YOU DON’T AGREE WITH IT, YOU KIND OF HAVE TO RESPECT IT.
THE PROBLEM IS IS THAT THE STAKES OF EVERYTHING ARE RATCHETED UP SO HIGH THAT EVEN WHEN PEOPLE SEE WHAT HEY BELIEVE TO BE A GOOD IDEA, IF IT COMES FROM THE WRONG PERSON, THEY’RE GOING TO FOREGO WHAT THEY KNOW TO BE A GOOD POLICY IN FAVOR OF THE PARTISAN POLITICS AND THAT’S DEEPLY UNFORTUNATE.
♪♪ >> Adia: REMEMBER WHEN YOU REALIZED THAT YOU’D HAVE TO WORK FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?
REMEMBER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE AND SEEING YOUR DAYS STRETCHING OUT AHEAD OF YOU, THE MAJORITY OF YOUR WAKING HOURS FILLED BY A JOB OF SOME KIND?
YOUNG ADULTS ARE COMMISERATING IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA ETHER ON THIS VERY TOPIC.
I FEEL SYMPATHY AND A TINY BIT OF AMUSEMENT AT THEIR REACTIONS TO LOSING MONTHS-LONG SUMMER BREAKS AND GUARANTEED HOLIDAYS.
THAT MOMENT FEELS LIKE THAT MOVIE TECHNIQUE WHERE THE BACKGROUND SEEMS TO RECEDE AS THE CAMERA PUSHES IN ON THE PROTAGONIST: TERROR AND DISORIENTATION ALL IN ONE.
HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN THAT HAPPENED?
ME?
I THINK I WENT THROUGH THE FIVE STAGES OF GRIEF, AND I DEFINITELY WENT MORE THAN ONE ROUND WITH DENIAL.
IN FACT, I STILL CAN’T SHAKE THE EXPECTATION OF A LENGTHY, LAZY SUMMER VACATION WHEN THE WEATHER WARMS AND THE LILACS BLOOM; PERFECT CONDITIONS FOR LYING IN A HAMMOCK AND STARING AT THE CLOUDS.
WE SPEND OUR FIRST 18 YEARS, AT LEAST IN MOST PLACES IN THE U.S., TUNING OUR ANNUAL RHYTHMS TO AN AGRARIAN CYCLE THAT THE MAJORITY OF US NO LONGER LIVE AND DIE BY.
EVERY FEW YEARS, IT SEEMS, THERE’S A SWELL OF SUPPORT FOR YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL, BUT IT NEVER SEEMS TO STICK.
MAYBE IT’S BECAUSE WE’RE ALL STILL SECRETLY HOPING WE’LL SOMEHOW GET THE SUMMER OFF.
WHAT DO YOU SAY, BOSS-TYPES?
SEE YOU IN THE HAMMOCK?
[ APPLAUSE ] ♪♪ >> Eric: AS MINNESOTA CONTINUES TO ADDRESS ITS CHILDCARE CRISIS THE NUMBER OF IN-HOME CHILDCARE PROVIDERS IS STILL SHRINKING.
STATE PAYMENTS THAT REPLACED PANDEMIC AID HAVE HELPED SOME TO SURVIVE AMID RISING COSTS.
REPORTER KAOMI LEE REPORTS THAT SOME CHALLENGES THAT REMAIN, ESPECIALLY WITH FAMILY CHILDCARE AND THE WAY THEY ARE LICENSED.
>> NORTH MINNEAPOLIS CHILDCARE PROVIDER TANIA PETERS LOVES WHAT SHE DOES.
>> I’VE BEEN DOING DAYCARE LICENSED FOR 24 YEARS BUT WATCHING CHILDREN FOR OVER 30.
>> PETERS FILED HER PAPERWORK WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY IN JANUARY.
HER SITE VISIT WAS IN FEBRUARY.
SHE THOUGHT ALL WAS FINE, UNTIL A FEW WEEKS AGO.
>> THEY SHUT ME DOWN BECAUSE THEY SAID MY LICENSE CHILDCARE NAME HAD EEN DEACTIVATED.
>> PETERS WAS ALSO TOLD SHE NEEDED AN ADDITIONAL FORM BECAUSE SHE HAD MOVED OFFSITE.
SHE COMPLETED ALL THE PAPERWORK MARCH 9TH.
BUT IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 2ND HENNEPIN COUNTY SAID SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS.
THE REASON?
BECAUSE HER LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED.
IN REALITY, HER LICENSE HAD ACTUALLY EXPIRED IN FEBRUARY.
HER LICENSOR NOT ONLY FAILED TO IT TELL HER, BUT APPEARS TO HAVE CAUSED MUCH OF THE DELAYS.
>> I WAS SHUT DOWN FOR A WEEK.
I WAS AN EMOTIONAL MESS BECAUSE I COULDN’T FIGURE OUT WHY THEY SHUT ME DOWN.
I LOST A SET OF PARENTS.
I HAD A FAMILY OF FIVE GOING TO START HERE THAT WEEK, AND UNFORTUNATELY I HAD TO TURN THEM AWAY BECAUSE MY LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED WITHOUT ME EVEN KNOWING WHY.
>> XCESSIVE PAPERWORK AND REGULATIONS ALMOST DROVE TANYA OUT OF BUSINESS.
THAT’S ANOTHER FAMILY CHILDCARE PROVIDER THE STATE CAN ILL AFFORD TO LOSE.
ACCORDING TO THE STATE OMBUDS, MORE THAN 700 FAMILY CHILDCARE PROGRAMS CLOSED LAST YEAR.
THAT’S AN OVERALL YEAR OVER YEAR DIFFERENCE OF 258 FEWER PROGRAMS.
MOST OF THE CLOSURES WERE VOLUNTARY BUT 30 LICENSES WERE REVOKED AND ANOTHER 14 SUSPENDED.
AND PERHAPS MOST SIGNIFICANTLY, 84 PROGRAMS, OR 17%, CLOSED IN THEIR FIRST YEAR.
>> CONSISTENTLY THE CALLS THAT I GET FROM LICENSE HOLDERS HAVE NOT TO DO WITH THE RULES IN PLACE, BUT THE APPLICATION OF THOSE RULES.
>> LISA THOMPSON IS THE STATE OMBUDS FOR FAMILY CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.
LAWMAKERS CREATED HER POSITION IN 2021.
SHE PROVIDES ADVOCACY AND RETENTION SUPPORT.
>> THERE REMAINS SOME WHAT I CALL GRAY AREAS IN THE LAW THAT ARE OPEN TO INTERPRETATION BY THE LICENSOR.
FOR A LICENSE HOLDER, THEY MAY BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE 100% COMPLIANT WITH HE RULES AND REGULATIONS, AND THEN THE LICENSOR HAS A DIFFERENT INTERPRETATION OF A RULE AND THEY CAN GET SANCTIONED FOR THAT.
>> CHILDCARE CENTERS ARE LICENSED BY DHS, BUT IT DELEGATES LICENSING FOR FAMILY CHILDCARE PROVIDERS TO THE COUNTIES, AND THAT’S WHERE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS ARISE.
>> LAST YEAR I HELPED A PROVIDER WHO WAS BEING SANCTIONED BECAUSE A SHEET ON A CRIB WAS NOT TIGHT ENOUGH.
ONE PULLED UP A LITTLE BIT FURTHER THAN THE OTHER.
– SHE WAS SANCTIONED ONLY FOR THE ONE THAT THE SHEET PULLED UP ON, AND IT WAS A $200 FINE.
>> THOMPSON ULTIMATELY INTERVENED TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND GOT PETERS’ LICENSE BACK-DATED.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT HER CASE, HENNEPIN COUNTY SAID WE ASSIST PROVIDERS WITH REGISTRATION AND REAUTHORIZATION IN PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THEIR BUSINESSES AND THE FAMILIES THEY SERVE.
HOWEVER, MANY PROGRAMS ARE ADMINISTERED BY OTHER AGENCIES.
BUT PETERS’ EXPERIENCE IS NOT THE EXCEPTION.
ALISSA DODSON IS THE DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR LICENSING AT DHS.
>> FAMILY CHILDCARE IS AT THAT LOCAL LEVEL WHERE THE LICENSING IS DELEGATED TO THOSE COUNTIES AND WE HAVE HEARD OVER TIME THAT THAT CAN DRIVE SOME INCONSISTENCY.
>> DHS IS MIDWAY IN OVERHAULING ITS ENTIRE PROCESS FROM LICENSING TO REGULATIONS.
LEGISLATION FOR THIS WORK WAS PASSED IN 2021.
>> I THINK OUR MODERNIZATION PROJECT AS WELL AS OUR, SOME OF OUR SYSTEMS ORK THAT WE’RE DOING IS GOING TO CREATE A MORE UNIFIED PROCESS FOR FAMILY CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.
>> FIRST SHE SAYS THERE WILL BE A WEIGHTED RISK SYSTEM, CORRECTIVE ACTION WOULD BE ASSIGNED DIFFERENTLY BASED ON THE VIOLATION’S RISK TO CHILD SAFETY.
SECOND, ABBREVIATED ANNUAL INSPECTIONS.
A GOOD TRACK RECORD COULD SPEED UP THE SITE VISIT.
AND THIRD, A COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING STANDARDS.
>> A LOT OF OUR LICENSING STANDARDS, THE MAJORITY OF THEM FOR CHILDCARE WERE ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN THE EARLY 1980S.
OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS A LOT HAS CHANGED.
>> A DRAFT HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC FOR FEEDBACK AND SOON DHS WILL ROLL OUT AN ONLINE PROVIDER HUB ON MOBILE OR COMPUTER APP.
BUT STATE MBUDS LISA THOMPSON SAYS, AN ALL-DIGITAL SYSTEM COULD HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.
>> ALMOST 27% OF CURRENTLY LICENSED PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LICENSED FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS.
AND THIS IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT HAVE THE SAME COMPUTER LITERACY OR COMFORT WITH TECHNOLOGY.
SO I HAVE HEARD FROM SOME PEOPLE WHO JUST SAY I’M GOING TO QUIT.
>> TANYA PETERS HOPES THINGS GET BETTER.
SHE’S STILL WONDERING HOW SHE’LL MAKE UP THE LOST INCOME.
>> THEY COULD SUT ME DOWN AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON EVEN THOUGH IT’S NOT EVEN VALID LIKE THEY JUST DID AND THEN I’M SUPPORT SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES?
♪♪ >> IN MY FAMILY THERE’S ONE RESTRAINING STORY THAT’S BECOME SOMETHING OF A LEGEND.
IT’S NOT A STORY OF BRAVERY OR ALTRUISM.
IT’S JUST THE STORY OF A SPOON.
AND IT GOES LIKE THIS.
ABOUT ONE YEAR AFTER THE BIRTH OF OUR FIRST CHILD A PLASTIC SPOON SOMEHOW GOT PLACED ON OUR FRONT STEPS.
AS FAR AS PLASTIC SPOONS GO, IT WAS I GUESS RELATIVELY HIGH QUALITY, VERY SOLID CONVICTION CONSTRUCTION.
BUT OTHER THAN THAT, IT WAS JUST A PLASTIC SPOON.
AND WE HAVE NO MEMORY OF HOW IT GOT THERE.
NOW, WHAT DID MAKE THIS SPOON SPECIAL IS THAT IT DIDN’T MOVE.
NOBODY TOUCHED IT, NOBODY KICKED IT, NOBODY ACCIDENTLY SWEPT IT INTO THE BUSHES.
AND FOR A DAY AND THEN FOR A WEEK AND THEN FOR A MONTH THE SPOON JUST SAT THERE.
YOU SEE, BACK THEN MY WIFE AND I WERE VERY, VERY, VERY TIRED PEOPLE.
WE WERE NEW PARENTS, STILL IN THE FIRST YEARS WHEN ENERGY MUST BE CONSERVED IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE.
THE SPOON WASN’T TECHNICALLY IN THE WAY, THEREFORE IT WASN’T URGENT.
THEREFORE WE LEFT IT ALONE.
THE FUNNY THING IS THAT WE WERE BOTH VERY AWARE THE SPOON WAS THERE.
WE WERE EVEN AWARE THAT ITS ONGOING PRESENCE REPRESENTED SOMETHING PROFOUND ABOUT OUR LIVES.
WE JUST DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT.
SO WE JUST GAVE IT A NAME.
THE SPOON BECAME THE STOOP SPOON, A QUIET, BUDDHA-LIKE PRESENCE IN OUR OTHERWISE CHAOTIC LIVES.
UNFORTUNATELY THIS STORY DOESN’T HAVE ANY DRAMATIC TWISTS, BUT T DOES HAVE A NARRATIVE ARC.
FOR AN ENTIRE SUMMER THE FIRST PART OF AN EARLY FALL THE STOOP SPOON WAS OUR DAILY COMPANION.
UNTIL ONE AFTERNOON INEXPLICABLY AND SIMULTANEOUSLY, WE DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO THROW THE SPOON AWAY.
AND SO WE DID.
NO CEREMONY, NO TEARS.
WE JUST TOSSED IT IN THE TRASH.
AND THAT’S WHEN IT FINALLY OCCURRED TO US, THE STOOP SPOON WAS MORE THAN JUST A SPOON.
IT WAS A COSMIC LESSON, A REMINDER THAT IN THIS LIFE THERE TRULY IS A SEASON TO ALL THINGS.
DON’T FEEL THE NEED TO RUSH.
ACCEPT DISORDER.
THIS TOO WILL PASS.
WHEN IT DID COME TIME TO PART WAYS WITH THE STOOP SPOON, MY WIFE AND I WERE ACTUALLY ANNOUNCING TO THE UNIVERSE WE HAD RECLAIMED A SMALL AMOUNT OF SURPLUS ENERGY, WHICH, AS EVERY PARENT KNOWS, IT A PROFOUND AND FUNDAMENTAL MILESTONE.
A MILESTONE WORTH CALLING OUT AND GIVING A NAME.
OR, AS WE SAY IN MY FAMILY, THE LEGEND OF THE STOOP SPOON.
♪♪ >> Eric: LAST ENTRY POINT, STORIES OF DANGER AND DEATH IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS IS A NEW BOOK ABOUT NORTHERN MINNESOTA’S BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA WILDERNESS.
COMMON KALES STORIES OF TRAVELERS OF TRIP OUTCOMES THEY DID NOT PLAN.
AUTHOR JOE FREDERICKS LIVES NEAR THE BOUNDARY WATERS, HE RECENTLY LEFT HIS GIG AS A REPORTER ON WT IP RADIO TO COFOUND PADDLING PORTAGE, ADVENTURE ACROSS NORTH AMERICA AND THE BOUNDARY WATERS AND ONTARIO.
NICE TO SEE YOU.
THANKS FOR COMING DOWN.
>> GREAT TO BE HERE.
>> Eric: WHAT’S THE MISSION STATEMENT HERE?
>> WITH THE BOOK?
>> Eric: YEAH.
>> THE IDEA ABOUT IT IS NOT TO FREAK PEOPLE OUT, NOT TO SCARE YOU ABOUT GOING TO THE BOUNDARY WATERS BUT EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT CANOE COUNTRY, THAT PEOPLE DIE, PEOPLE GET INJURED THERE OCCASIONALLY.
IT’S PART OF THE EXPERIENCE THAT HAS PROBABLY HAPPENED TO MORE GROUPS THAN PROBABLY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT.
AND IN MY TIME AT THE RADIO STATION WHEN SOMEBODY DIES A NEWS RELEASE WOULD COME IN, READ IT, SOMEBODY DIED ON WINCHILL LAKE, NOW THE WEATHER FROM LUTSEN, THERE WASN’T A LOT OF INFORMATION, NO STORY BEHIND IT.
AND AFTER TEN YEARS, EIGHT YEARS WHEN I STARTED IT, WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
WHAT ARE THE STORIES?
WHAT’S THE EMOTIONAL COMPONENT HERE?
AND STARTED TO LOOK INTO IT AND THE STORIES JUST STARTED TO COME AFTER THAT.
>> Cathy: I HEAR YOU TALKED TO SURVIVORS F SOME OF THING VICTIMS, THAT HAD TO BE PRETTY TOUGH.
>> YEAH, IT WAS, BUT I DEVELOPED RELATIONSHIPS WITH TRUST WITH THEM ABOUT WHY I WAS WRITING THE BOOK WHICH ISN’T FREAK THEM OUT OR OTHER PEOPLE OUT, IT’S TO EDUCATE WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE LOSS OF YOUR LOVED ONE AND TAKE HIS TRAGEDY AND USE IT AS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTRUMENT TO BRING SAFETY TO OTHER PEOPLE’S GROUPS AND THEN PEOPLE REALLY STARTED TO OPEN UP IN AN HONEST WAY.
>> Eric: I DIRECT YOU TO CHAPTER 5.
OPENS WITH THIS SENTENCE: JORDAN — GRIDDERS?
JORDAN GRIDDER’S SKULL IS STILL OUT THERE.
HIS STORY, PLEASE.
WHERE IS IT OUT THERE?
>> IT’S OUT IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS.
I ACTUALLY WENT WITH A CONSERVATION OFFICERFOR THE D.N.R.
IN ELY, SHAWN WILLIAMS.
WE DIDN’T GO LOOKING FOR HIS SKULL BUT WE WENT TO THE CAMPSITE WHERE HE WAS EATEN BY WOL EAVES IN THE ELY AREA OFF THE ECHO TRAIL.
AND HE LIKELY HAD BEEN INJURED FIRST AND THEN WAS EATEN BY WOLVES, NO DISPUTE ABOUT THAT.
ALL THAT WAS RECOVERED WERE 13 BONES OF HIS, NOT THE SKULL.
AND JORDAN’S STORY IS REALLY ONE THAT IMPACTED ME A LOT WRITING THIS BOOK.
HE WAS FROM NEW MEXICO, 29 YEARS OLD AND HAD KIND OF HAD A ROUGH LIFE AND VAGABONDED AROUND THE UNITED STATES.
AND ENDED UP IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS TRYING TO SPEND THE WINTER THERE AND LASTED TWO NIGHTS FROM WHAT THEY CAN FIGURE.
AND THEN LIKE I SAID GOT INJURED AND THEN EATEN BY WOLVES.
>> Eric: THIS IS NOT THE THING THAT THE ELY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WOULD PUT OUT.
ARE YOU DISCOURAGING PEOPLE FROM GOING UP THERE?
>> Cathy: LIKE HE SAID, THOUGH, HE DOESN’T WANT TO FREAK PEOPLE OUT.
I’M A LITTLE FREAKED OUT, THOUGH, JOE.
>> Eric: THE SKULL HERE.
>> AND GRIDDER’S TORY IS DIFFERENT FROM MOST OF THE OTHERS IN THE BOOK.
HE WASN’T ON A CANOE TRIP, WASN’T AT A DESIGNATED CAMPSITE.
KIND OF A CHRIS MCCANNEDLESS-TYPE.
IT’S ONE THAT IMPACTED ME, I GOT TO MEET HIS PARENTS IN NEW MEXICO, I WENT TO HIS HOUSE WHERE HE GREW UP AND I WAS SO CURIOUS ABOUT HIM AND OW HE ENDED UP THERE AND DIED IN THIS GRUESOME WAY.
BUT IT’S VERY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER STORIES THAT ARE IN THE BOOK.
THERE’S NOT A LOT OF EDUCATION BEHIND GRIDDER OTHER THAN IF YOU’RE GOING TO TRY TO SPEND THE WINTER IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS, BE PREPARED, HAVE AN EMERGENCY BEACON, THESE THINGS HE DIDN’T HAVE.
>> Cathy: WHAT’S THE MOST COMMON ISSUE PEOPLE RUN INTO IN THE BWCA?
>> COLD WATER DROWNINGS IS THE ONE THAT SCARES MOST OF THE OUTFITTERS, SCARES ME.
THIS TIME OF YEAR STARTING THE QUOTA SEASON, FISHING OPENER COMING UP, THOSE INSTANCES WHERE SOMEBODY CAPSIZES, FALLS OUT OF A CANOE EVEN WITH A LIFE JACKET ON CAN STILL BE LIFE THREATENING, THE WATER IS SO COLD THAT YOU SUFFOCATE.
YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED IF YOU’RE IN A CANOE AND CROSSING BIG WATER YOU CAN END UP IN THE WATER AND THAT’S A DISASTROUS SITUATION.
>> Cathy: I WAS A LITTLEFREAKED OUT THAT YOU HAD YOUR OWN NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE THAT ALMOST WAS THE ENDING TO THIS BOOK.
>> RIGHT.
THE MANUSCRIPT HAD BEEN SUBMITTED AT THAT POINT WHEN I ALMOST DIED IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS LAST MAY.
THERE WAS A REVISION THAT TOOK PLACE.
WE CAPSIZED AND WENT DOWN A STRETCH OF RAPIDS AND I GOT PINNED ON A WHITE PINE THAT WAS SUBMERGED THAT WE CAN’T SEE, AND IT WAS — I INTERVIEWED RICK SLATTEN FROM THE ST. LOUIS COUNTY RESCUE SQUAD, ONE OF THE KEY FIGURES IN THE BOOK AND HE SAID, POINT BLANK, YOU’RE A HAIR’S BREADTH FROM DEWY DYING.
>> Eric: JEEZ.
ARE THERE MORE PEOPLE COMING FORWARD NOW AND SAYING, HEY, JOE, I GOT A STORY?
>> THEY ARE ACTUALLY.
AND ALSO PEOPLE SAYING, HEY, I’M LEARNING FROM YOUR BOOK.
TECHNICALLY COMES OUT NEXT WEEK BUT IT’S ON THE SHELVES AROUND MINNESOTA SOMEWHERE.
BUT THEY’RE SAYING THAT, YES.
>> Eric: WHERE ARE YOU SIGNING AND READING?
>> DRURY LANE AT THE BOOK STORE IN GRAND MARAIS.
ELY.
>> Eric: LAST ENTRY POINT, MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESS.
PERFECT FOR HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING.
[ LAUGHTER ] >> YOUR STOCKING WILL BE STUFFED THIS YEAR.
>> Eric: THANKS, JOE.
>> Cathy: HEY, GOOD TO SEE YOU.
♪♪ >> Cathy: THE ARREST OF A STATE SENATOR CHOWS THE DECIDING VOTE IN THE STATE CHAMBER DERAILED SESSION PLANS THIS WEEK AT THE CAPITOL.
D.F.L.
SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL SAYS SHE WAS NOT RESIGN AND HER ETHICS HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 7TH.
>> I MOVE THE RULES COMMITTEE BE COMPELLED BY THE SENATE TO IMMEDIATELY INITIATE DUE PROCESS PROCEEDINGS TO CONSIDER EXPELLING SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL FROM THE MINNESOTA SENATE.
>> THE ARREST OF SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL FOR FELONY BURGLARY HAS THE REST OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN SERIOUS DOUBT WITH A ONE-VOTE MARGIN, WORK IN THE SENATE COULD SCREECH TO A HALT.
>> THIS LEGISLATURE HAS SEEN MEMBERS CHARGED WITH CRIMES, FIFTH DEGREE ASSAULT, CONSPIRACY TO EMBEZZLE.
BY MY COUNT FIVE DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCES JUST IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
>> MITCHELL WAS A BROADCAST METEOROLOGIST AND AIR NATIONAL GUARD FROM WOODBURY WHO WAS ARRESTED IN DETROIT LAKES INSIDE HER LATE FATHER’S HOME DRESSED IN ALL BLACK WITH A FLASHLIGHT AND BACKPACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
SHE LATER POSTED A VERY DIFFERENT ACCOUNT SAYING SHE WAS CHECKING IN ON A RELATIVE WITH ALZHEIMER’S AND PARANOIA.
REPUBLICAN MINORITY LEADER MARK JOHNSON SAYS SHE HAS TO GO.
>> SENATOR MITCHELL IS HAVING AN IMPACT ON BUSINESS OF THE MINNESOTA SENATE.
WE NO LONGER HAVE BILLS ON THE FLOOR AND COMMITTEES ARE — WE NEED TO GET THIS RESOLVED ASAP.
IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE MORE STUFF HAPPENS.
>> CAN SHE VOTE?
SHOULD SHE VOTE?
>> SHE CERTAINLY CAN ON THE FLOOR OR WITH APPROVAL OF THE CAUCUS LEADER.
>> BUT YOU ASKED HER TO RESIGN.
>> I ASKED HER IN MY STATEMENT TO RESIGN, YES.
>> SENATOR FRENTZ POINTED OUT THAT OTHER LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED, ACCUSED CRIMES, HE DETAILED A NUMBER OF THEM.
OTHERS CALLED THIS UNPRECEDENTED.
WHICH IS IT?
>> WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS AND HUMAN BEINGS MAKE MISTAKES AND THIS IS NOT THE FIRST INCIDENT WHERE SOMEONE HAS RUN AFOUL OF THE LAW.
THE LEGISLATURE HAS A PROCESS TO DEAL WITH THAT IN THE ETHICS COMMITTEE.
SENATOR MITCHELL, JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER MEMBER OF THIS BODY, SHE HAS A DUE PROCESS RIGHT IN THIS BODY.
SHE HAS A DUE PROCESS RIGHT IN COURT.
>> WE WERE HERE BACK IN THE YEAR 2000 WHEN WE REMEMBER A SITTING STATE REPRESENTATIVE WHO WAS ARRESTED WHILE SERVING HERE AT THE CAPITOL.
>> REPRESENTATIVE JIM ROSSBERG RETURNED TO THE CAPITOL.
>> I AM NOT RESIGNING FROM THE OFFICE.
>> YOU MIGHT SAY REPRESENTATIVE ROSSBERG WAS WELCOMED BACK BY HIS COLLEAGUES.
>> OUR FRIEND JIM.
>> SINCE THIS WAS ALSO A FELONY CASE IT MIGHT BE THE BEST CASE STUDY.
THAT LAWMAKER FINISHED SESSION AND DIDN’T RUN AGAIN.
>> THIS IS REAL LIFE POLITICS GOING ON RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES.
>> PRIOR TO THAT LAWMAKERS ACTUALLY CARRIED A GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD THAT PROVIDED IMMUNITY FROM ARREST, WHICH A REPEAL STRUGGLED TO GET THROUGH THE CAPITOL.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE SOON STOPPED ISSUING THE CARDS AND AT LEAST HALF A DOZEN LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED SINCE FOR THINGS LIKE TRESPASSING AND NUMEROUS DWIs ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND IN BOTH LEGISLATIVE CHAMBERS.
THE DIFFERENCE WITH THE LATEST ARREST IS THE TIE THAT RESULTS FROM THE SENATOR’S ABSENCE.
>> THERE BEING 33 AYES AND 33 NOES THE LUCERO MOTION FAILS.
>> FOR THE NEW SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ERIN MURPHY, IT’S THE CHALLENGE OF HER POLITICAL CAREER.
SHE HAS SERVED AS HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER AND D.F.L.
ENDORSED CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR WHO CURRENT GOVERNOR TIM WALZ BEAT IN A PRIMARY.
>> YOU’VE BEEN IN LEADERSHIP BEFORE, YOU RAN FOR GOVERNOR, WHERE DOES THIS STAND IN YOUR CAREER IN THE TESTS YOU FACE COME >> THIS IS A NEW EXPERIENCE FOR ME.
I’LL JUST SAY THAT.
BUT I HAVE A LOT OF FAITH BOTH IN THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA IN THEIR CAM POSHAN.
I HAVE A LOT OF FAITH IN MY COLLEAGUES AND THEIR ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE THE TROUBLING NATURE OF THIS SITUATION AND TO COMMIT TO THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.
>> SENATOR MITCHELL IS THE 34TH VOTE.
SHE’S THE ONE THAT CAN OR CANNOT BE THE DECIDING VOTE ON PASSING A BILL.
>> DO YOU SEE YOURSELF BEING A PSEUDO MAJORITY LEADER?
>> WE’VE HAD SOME INSTANCES LIKE THIS IN THE PAST, I REMEMBER SENATOR FISCHBACH AT THE TIME WAS BUMPED UP TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
THE REALITY IS MINNESOTANS EXPECT THESE BILLS TO COME ACROSS SOMETHING THAT’S BIPARTISAN THAT WE CAN WORK ON TOGETHER.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE ACTUALLY AN EXCELLENT WAY TO END THE SESSION.
♪♪ >> Cathy: AS WE’VE VOTED NOTE THE THROUGHOUT THE SHOW TONIGHT IT’S BEEN A BUSY WEEK AT THE CAPITOL.
DEMOCRATS UP FIRST, ABU AMARA, FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER AND RENOWNED FOREIGN.
JEFF HAYDEN IS FORMER STATE SENATOR.
AMY KOCH AND ROUNDING OUT THE GROUP TONIGHT WE WELCOME KALEY TAIF, LOBBYIST REPUBLICAN ACTIVIST AND FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER.
KAYLIE, WELCOME, NICE TO HAVE YOU HERE.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> Cathy: SENATOR HAYDEN, I DON’T KNOW WHAT WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT HERE TONIGHT.
[ LAUGHTER ] SENATOR MURPHY DID SAY HAT HUMAN BEINGS MAKE MISTAKES.
GOVERNOR SAYS ELECTED FFICIALS SHOULD ADHERE TO A HIGHER STANDARD THAN MOST FOLKS BUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN NOWADAYS?
>> WELL, I THINK THAT — I THINK THAT THEY’RE DEEPLY TRYING TO FIGURE THAT OUT.
YOU KNOW, I WAS THINKING ABOUT SENATOR MITCHELL AND WHAT SHE HAS TO GO THROUGH, SHE HAS TO GO THROUGH HER DUE PROCESS AND FIGURE IT OUT.
BUT WE ALSO HAVE A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE PRESUMPTIVE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE THAT’S SPENDING A LOT OF TIME IN COURT AS WELL.
SO I THINK WE ARE REDEFINING WHAT THAT MEANS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.
>> SENATOR MITCHELL, SENATOR KOCH, HAVE TO GO?
>> SO I’M ONE THAT HAS GONE THROUGH A LOT, RIGHT, IN MY PERSONAL LIFE WAS DRAGGED OUT IN FRONT OF EVERYONE.
AND SO I’M SENSITIVE TO THAT.
AND AT THE SAME TIME MY MOTHER DIED OF BREAST CANCER AND MY FATHER STARTED A TEN-YEAR FIGHT WITH ALZHEIMER’S.
SO WE WOULD — SO SENATOR MITCHELL WOULD HAVE US BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A FAMILY TRAGEDY OR, AND SHE WAS JUST COLLECTING SOME MEMENTOS OR IT WAS A CONFUSED RELATIVE.
BUT THE FACTS OF THE CASE THAT WE KNOW FROM HE POLICE REPORT ARE THAT SHE PUT ON BLACK, SHE CLIMBED THROUGH A WINDOW, SHE STOLE LAPTOPS THAT SHE HAD PUT IN HER BACKPACK AND LIED ABOUT THEM.
SHE HAD A FLASHLIGHT COVERED IN A SOCK.
WE KNOW FROM THE 911 CALL THAT HER STEPMOTHER TRIPPED OVER HER BECAUSE SHE WAS LYING BESIDE HER BED.
I AN’T IMAGINE THE TERROR SHE MUST HAVE FELT.
AND SO WHILE SHE WOULD US BELIEVE THAT SHE’S SORT OF A VICTIM IN THIS, THERE ARE VICTIMS IN THIS, CAROL MITCHELL’S A VICTIM, HER CHILDREN ARE VICTIMS, FRANKLY, THE DETROIT LAKES P.D.
ARE VICTIMS BECAUSE EVERY STATEMENT SHE’S PUT OUT SINCE THEN HAS HAD US BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE NOT TELLING THE TRUTH IN THE REPORT OR THEY WERE JUST SO INCOMPETENT THAT THEY DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THEY HAD A WOMAN THAT WAS CONFUSED AND THEY HAULED HER OFF TO JAIL ERRONEOUSLY AND I THINK SHE HAS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR THAT AND I THINK MOST MINNESOTANS THINK SHE NEEDS O ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS.
>> Eric: YOU THINK SHE SHOULD RESIGN?
>> I THINK IF I WERE HER, I WOULD.
BY THE WAY, WHEN MY STUFF WENT DOWN I STEPPED DOWN BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU’RE JUST NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THINGS.
>> ABU.
>> LOOK, I THINK IT’S A QUESTION OF WHEN RATHER THAN IF.
YOU KNOW, LOOK, SHE’S HOLDING A PRESTIGIOUS POSITION IN OUR GOVERNMENT AND SO YOU’RE GOING TO BE HELD TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS AND I THINK WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT.
I ALSO THINK WE HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THE PEOPLE OF WOODBURY DESERVE TO HAVE REPRESENTATION TOWARDS THE END OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
HOW DO WE BALANCE THESE TWO THINGS?
IS MAKING SURE A PERSON IS ACCOUNTABLE AND MAKING SURE WOODBURY HAS REPRESENTATION.
I THINK IT HAPPENS IN THE SUMMER OR EARLY FALL.
>> I’LL HAPPY TO SEE THEY HAD AN ETHICS HEARING COMING UP WITHIN THOSE 30 DAYS.
BUT IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO – SEE IF SHE’S ALLOWED TO VOTE BECAUSE SHE IS A DECIDING FACTOR.
>> Eric: IS THERE ANY CHANCE — >> LET’S BE CAREFUL HERE.
SHE CAN VOTE.
SHE’S STILL SITTING THERE, SHE’S A SENATOR, SHE CAN VOTE.
IS IT DISRUPTIVE OR NOT?
NO ONE CAN ALLOW OR NOT ALLOW HER — >> I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT IS THERE QUESTIONS OF JUDGMENT, RIGHT?
WE HAVE QUESTIONS OF CONTRADICTIONS WITH POLICE.
>> I HAVE QUESTIONS — EVERY SINGLE DAY.
>> — PUBLIC AFETY THAT WAS AFFECT ALL OF MINNESOTA.
>> Eric: HERE’S WHAT I WONDER.
>> BECAUSE SHE’S THE DECIDING VOTE.
>> Eric: KAY.
>> I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE A STEP BACK A LITTLE BIT.
THERE IS DUE PROCESS.
WE HAVE PERSONAL FEELINGS ABOUT IT, WE ALL HAVE BEEN THROUGH SOME THINGS AND CERTAINLY AMY AND I HAVE BEEN THROUGH SOME THINGS, SHE DOES HAVE A RIGHT TO GO THROUGH ALL THE ADJUDICATION PROCESSES THAT THERE ARE AND THERE’S ONE IN THE SENATE THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH.
>> Eric: SENATE’S NOT UP FOR REELECTION, HOUSE IS.
I WONDER IF SPEAKER HORTMAN IS THINKING THIS IS THE KIND OF STUFF CAN ONLY HURT US POLITICALLY, IF WE ADJOURN SINE DIE EARLY WE DON’T GIVE REPUBLICANS THIS PLATFORM TO BEAT S UP EVERY DAY, WOULD IT MAKE SENSE FOR HER TO ADJOURN THE SESSION MAYBE NEXT WEEK?
>> I DISAGREE, I DON’T THINK THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA ARE GOING TO GET CAUGHT UP IN THE SQUABBLE, THIS IS IMPORTANT AND IT HAS TO BE DEALT WITH BUT PEOPLE CARE MOST ABOUT WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR THEM AND THAT’S WHAT THE DEMOCRATS WILL BE TALKING ABOUT AND WHEN THE SESSION IS OVER THERE WILL BE AMPLE TIME TO MAKE SURE SHE’S HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
>> Eric: IS THERE POLITICAL SLOP HELD OVER FOR 2024?
>> YEAH, I THINK A LOT OF THE NEW CANDIDATES ON THE HOUSE SIDE ARE FORMER POLICE OFFICERS SO THEY’LL BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO THAT AND WE’LL SEE THE PUBLIC REACTS.
>> I THINK OBVIOUSLY THERE’S POLITICAL — EVERY YEAR SOMEBODY DOES SOMETHING, THEY VOTE A WRONG WAY, TALK ABOUT THINGS THEY SHOULDN’T, GET THEMSELVES IN TROUBLE, AND THEN YOU SEE THAT OUT IN THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.
OFTEN YOU SEE THINGS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THAT AREN’T EVEN TRUE.
SO POLITICS ARE GOING TO BE POLITICS ON THIS ISSUE.
>> BUT THIS IS SO BEYOND THOSE EXTRAORDINARY THINGS ND WHAT I WOULD JUST SAY IS WE JUST HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR THAT HIS TOP PRIORITIES ARE BONDING BILL AND FRANKLY WE TALKED ABOUT UBER LYFT, RIGHT?
BOTH OF THOSE FIXES ARE GOING TO REQUIRE REPUBLICAN VOTES NO MATTER WHAT.
SO I WOULD JUST SAY CUT A DEAL WITH THE REPUBLICANS, GET YOUR PRIORITIES, GET THINGS DONE FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND THEN — >> THAT’S WHAT THEY DO ANYWAYS.
>> ANOTHER WAY, AMY, WHAT YOU’RE SAYING IS.
>> I’M SAYING YOU COULD ESTILL GET WORK DONE AND STILL DEAL WITH THE QUESTIONS AND ETHICS INQUIRY AND STILL LIKE SERVE THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA BECAUSE I THINK THERE ARE SERIOUS QUESTIONS OF JUDGMENT.
EVERYBODY’S ACTING LIKE THIS IS JUST RUN OF THE MILL.
THIS STORY IS SHOCKING, THAT’S WHY MINNESOTANS ARE TALKING ABOUT IT.
>> Cathy: AND T’S SO FAR STOPPED LEGISLATION ON THE FLOOR.
>> COMPLETELY HELD UP THE MINNESOTA SENATE.
>> — EVERYTHING IS FINE, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MET, HOUSE MET, THEY ERE PASSING PAPER THERE TODAY.
THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF HYPERBOLE HERE THAT I’M A LITTLE BIT SURPRISED HERE.
>> AMY’S POINT ESSENTIALLY IS THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA CAN’T GET WHAT THEY ARE ENTITLED TO FROM THE REPRESENTATIVES BECAUSE ONE STATE SENATOR MAYBE COMMITTED A CRIME.
>> THERE’S A ONE-VOTE MARGIN IN THE SENATE, FOLKS, YOU’RE PRETENDING LIKE THAT DOESN’T EXIST.
WE’RE PRETENDING HER JUDGMENT IS NOT IMPAIRED?
LIKE THIS IS A NORMAL THING?
I’M STATING THE POLICE FACTS.
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY I AGREE WITH AMY AND I THINK THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DEMOCRATS TO SHOW THEY CAN WORK WITH REPUBLICANS ON SOME OF THESE KEY MAJOR ISSUES THE REST OF SESSION AND SHOW INNESOTANS — >> MIND BLOWING YOU’RE CALLING FOR PEOPLE TO RESIGN WHEN YOUR NOMINEE FOR PRESIDENT HAS A CRIMINAL TRIAL AS WE SPEAK.
>> FOLKS.
>> EVERYBODY KNOWS WHERE I STAND WITH DONALD TRUMP ND I’VE NOT BEEN A FAN OF DONALD TRUMP.
I’M BEING CONSISTENT, OTHER FOLKS PERHAPS — >> Eric: ET’S FLIP THE COIN.
SHANNON WATSON, MAJORITY IN THE MIDDLE PERSON WHO WANTS BIPARTISAN.
SHE RAISED THE ISSUE THIS WEEK THAT SENATORS MURPHY AND JOHNSON SIGN UP A LIST OF BILLS 33-33 OR 34-33 AND ACTUALLY WORK TOGETHER AND USE THIS AS COME TOGETHER MOMENT FOR THE GOOD OF MINNESOTA.
>> I MEAN, LISTEN, — AND WE ALL KIND OF WISH THAT GOVERNMENT ACTUALLY WORKED THAT WAY BUT IT DOESN’T SO WE HAVE TO BE — >> WE HAVE TO BE REALLY CLEAR THAT’S TO WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT.
THE LEGISLATURE’S GOING TO MOVE FORWARD.
PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GO AFTER, QUESTION SENATOR MITCHELL, THEY’RE BRINGING UP EVERYBODY ELSE’S AST, THAT’S JUST THE WAY IN WHICH THIS WORKS.
THEY’LL GOD HO THROUGH THE PROCESS, IF THERE IS GOING TO BE POLITICAL FALLOUT WE’LL SEE IN THE FALL.
>> DO YOU THINK THERE’S GOING TO BEEA RECALL EFFORT AGAINST THE SENATOR?
>> THAT WILL HAVE TO COME FROM WOODBURY POTENTIALLY.
>> BUT EVEN IF THAT DOES THAT HAS TO BE CERTIFIED ULTIMATELY BY THE SUPREME COURT.
MECHANICALLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TIMELINE HERE WE’RE TALKING ABOUT POST-SESSION ANYWAY AND PRACTICALLY IT DOESN’T REALLY MATTER.
>> Eric: ROLE OF THE NEWS MEDIA, IF THE MEDIA PURSUES THIS HARD IS THAT DIFFERENT THAN IT IF IT KIND OF JUST ONLY REPORT WHEN AN EVENT HAPPENS?
WHAT’S THE ROLE OF A NEWS MEDIA HERE, IF ANY?
>> FIRST OF ALL, I MEAN, I THINK THIS IS A STORY THAT PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT SO WHAT THAT DOES IS THAT MEANS CLICKS, THAT MEANS PEOPLE TUNE IN.
AND SO CERTAINLY THE MEDIA HAS A ROLE.
AND I THINK THAT THEY’RE LOOKING AT HER PUBLIC STATEMENTS, COMPARED TO WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT FROM THE POLICE AND FROM THE 911 TRANSCRIPT, I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED HERE.
>> AND THAT’S WHAT THE MEDIA DOES IS THEY HELP US ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS.
THIS IDEA, AND I’M A LITTLE KIND OF TAKEN ABACK THAT IDEA THAT SOMEHOW WHEN THE COPS SAY SOMETHING, THAT’S IT.
THAT’S IT, THERE’S NO, WE HAVE DEFENSE ATTORNEY SITTING IN OUR MIDST HERE, THERE IS ANOTHER SIDE, THERE IS THE SCALES OF JUSTICE AND WE NEED TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS REGARDLESS TO WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE ON ITS FACE.
ONCE AGAIN WE HAVE A PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE, PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE THAT’S GOING THROUGH A PROCESS THAT HE SAYS THAT THEY’RE OVERWHELMING SAYING HE DID A TON OF THINGS, HE’S SAYING E DIDN’T AND WE WATCH HIM GO THROUGH THE PROCESS.
>> JEFF, WE HAVE THE 911 TRANSCRIPT OF A MINNESOTA WOMAN WHO WAS REALLY TERRIFIED AND NO DOUBT SHE WOKE UP WITH SOMEONE BESIDE HER BED SHE TRIPPED HER AND INSTEAD OF COMFORTING HER STEPMODE BY SAYING, MOM, IT’S ME, IT’S ME, SHE RAN TO THE BASEMENT AND APPARENTLY TRIED TO CRAWL OUT THE WINDOW.
>> WE DON’T KNOW WHAT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY IS.
IT CLEARLY IS TRIGGERING TO YOU, BUT WHEN THE OTHER PERSON GETS A CHANCE TO TELL THE STORY, WHEN I READ IS I REALLY, REALLY THINK ABOUT THIS AND WONDER WHAT WAS SENATOR MITCHELL DOING, I WANT TO HEAR WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY.
>> KAYLIE.
>> I WAS SAY THE DISCREPANCIES FROM WHAT SHE HAS SAID IN THE BEGINNING TO WHAT SHE HAS SAID NOW ARE VERY DIFFERENT.
AND I WOULD SAY IF IT IS WHAT SHE’S SAYING IS TRUE THAT SHE WAS ON THERE ON A WELFARE CHECK BECAUSE SHE’S GOT PARANOIA I CAN ASSURE YOU IF I HAD PARANOIA THE LEST WELFARE I WOULD WANT IS SOMEONE BREAKING INTO MY HOME DRESSED IN ALL BLACK LAYING NEXT TO MY BED AND RUNNING AWAY WITH WHEN I WAKE UP.
>> WE JUST DON’T CONVICT PEOPLE OR REMOVE THEM BASED ON ACCUSATIONS, WE HAVE A PROCESS TO TEST WHAT’S HAPPENING HERE AND ULTIMATELY GET TO THE TRUTH.
>> AND THE SENATE HAS A PROCESS AND THAT’S THE ETHICS COMMITTEE AND THEY ARE GOING THROUGH IT AND THAT’S GOOD.
SENATOR MITCHELL, HELP US ALL OUT BY RELEASING BODY CAMS.
>> Eric: WE GOTTA GO, WE GOTTA GO.
[ LAUGHTER ] >> Cathy: OBVIOUSLY WE’VE RUN LONG TONIGHT BUT WE PROMISE THE INDEX FILE SECTION WILL BE BACK NEXT FRIDAY.
UNTIL THEN, DON’T FORGET TO STOP BY OUR WEBSITE: TPT.ORG/ALMANAC.
YOU CAN CHECK OUT ANY PART OF TONIGHT’S SHOW YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED OR ANY PAST SHOW FROM OUR ARCHIVES.
THAT’S ALSO WHERE YOU CAN FILL OUT THIS YEAR’S ALMANAC VIEWER SURVEY.
IT’S A WAY FOR US TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE AS WE PLAN UPCOMING SHOWS.
YOU CAN FILL OUT THE SURVEY ONLINE BY GOING TO TPT.ORG/ALMANACSURVEY.
BEFORE WE GO, WE HAVE SOME SPECIAL SHOW-ENDING MUSIC FOR YOU.
EARLIER THIS WEEK FORMER STATE SENATOR FLORIAN CHMIELEWSKI DIED AT THE AGE OF 97.
HE SERVED IN THE STATE SENATE FOR 26 YEARS, BUT MUSICIAN AND ACCORDION PLAYER WAS HIS LIFELONG VOCATION.
HIS CHMIELEWSKI FUNTIME BAND INCLUDED MULTIPLE GENERATIONS AND WAS FEATURED ON POLKA TV SHOWS FOR DECADES.
INCLUDING RIGHT HERE ON ALMANAC.
MR. CHMIELSKI’S LAST APPEARANCE ON OUR SHOW WAS IN THE SPRING OF 2015 WHEN HE PERFORMED WITH DAUGHTER PATTY.
THEY PLAYED SEVERAL TUNES FOR US THAT EVENING.
IT WAS GREAT FUN.
MY FAVORITE WAS AT THE END OF THE SHOW, WHEN MANY OF US WERE INSPIRED TO POLKA BEFORE THE END OF THE HOUR.
ENJOY.
THANKS FOR WATCHING.
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