>> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> ERIC: LOTS OF BIG TOPICS IN THE LINEUP TONIGHT.

NEW MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY RULES.

HOPE FOR LOWER GAS PRICES.

ONGOING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF COVID.

AND THEN MARY LAHAMMER ADDS ANOTHER WEIGHTY TOPIC INTO THE MIX: VOTING RIGHTS FOR THOSE CONVICTED OF FELONIES.

>> Mary: THE RESTORATION OF VOTING RIGHTS FOR RELEASED FELONS IS NOTCH LAW.

WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE IMPACT.

>> TODAY IS A GOOD DAY FOR DEMOCRACY.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> Mary: THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

♪♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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AND EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> ERIC: WE'LL HAVE THE BIG NEWS OF THE WEEK AND A KEVIN KLING ESSAY A BIT LATER IN THE HOUR.

BUT FIRST UP, A BID TO CHANGE A LAW THAT COULD MEAN LOWER GAS PRICES.

>> CATHY: DID YOU KNOW THAT MINNESOTA HAS A LAW THAT DICTATES THAT THE PRICE OF GASOLINE CAN'T GO TOO LOW?

THE MINIMUM MARKUP LAW REQUIRES GAS STATIONS TO CHARGE EIGHT CENTS A GALLON TO THE PRICE THEY PAY FOR THE PRODUCT.

AND THERE ARE POTENTIAL FINES FOR SELLING GAS TOO CHEAPLY.

ONE OF THE SPONSORS OF THE BILL TO REPEAL THIS MARKUP LAW JOINS US.

SENATOR JORDAN RASMUSSON IS A REPUBLICAN FROM FERGUS FALLS.

GOOD TOO HAVE YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: SO CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE ABOUT THIS LAW?

I THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULDN'T -- THEY MIGHT BE SURPRISED THERE'S EVEN A LAW THAT HAS A 34EU78 FLOOR OF GASOLINE.

>> YEAH, YOU DESCRIBED IT CORRECTLY.

IT'S AGAIN THE LAW TO SELL GAS TOO CHEAPLY HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

AND IT'S REALLY A HIDDEN GAS TAX.

THERE WAS A RETAILER IN THE NORTH METRO, FAMILY OWNED, SINGLE STORE OPERATOR, WHO WAS JUST TRYING TO SELL GAS AT A COMPETITIVE PRICE TO ATTRACT CUSTOMERS AND HE GOT FINED BY THE STATE OF MINNESOTA BECAUSE A COMPETITOR REPORTED HIM.

AND SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE WORKING TO TRY TO GET THAT MINIMUM MARKUP LAW REPEALED THIS SESSION, ESPECIALLY ALL THE FEEDBACK WE GOT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL ABOUT VOTERS' CONCERNS WITH INFLATION AND ESPECIALLY THE PRICE OF GAS.

THIS IS SOMETHING THE STATE OF MINNESOTA CAN DO.

>> Eric: HOW ARE CROSS COAND SAM'S LUB BROUGHT INTO THIS?

>> NO, THE LARGE RETAILERS, BECAUSE THEY'RE A CLUB MEMBERSHIP, THIS LAW DOESN'T APPLY TO THEM.

COSTCO CAN BE SELLING GAS 20 CENTS OR CHEAPER PER GALLON CHEAPER THAN OTHER RETAILERS.

TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD AMONG ALL OF THE GAS RETAILERS.

>> Cathy: WOULD THIS WORK AGAINST SOME OF THE SMALL STATIONS THAT ONLY SELL GAS?

YOU KNOW, THERE'S SOME PRETTY TEENY LITTLE STATIONS OUT THERE.

WOULD THAT HURT THEM?

>> ONLY A HANDFUL OF STATES HAVE A MINIMUM MARKUP ON GASOLINE.

THERE'S ABOUT 40 THAT DON'T.

AND WHAT THE FEDERAL FROM AD COMMISSION HAS FOUND THAT DOES NOT IMPACT COMPETITION IN TERMS OF HURTING COMPETITORS THROUGH PREDATORY PRICING, BUT IT DOES INCREASE THE COST OF GAS, AND ACTUALLY RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THE NUMBER OF SMALL RETAILERS REFERERS OR GAS STATIONS DOESN'T DIFFER BETWEEN STATES.

>> Eric: IN MINNESOTA, WHAT'S THE POTENTIAL SAVERS FOR A MOTORIST?

>> TOUGH TO TELL EXACTLY WHAT THE SAVINGS WILL BE.

THOUGH, THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS, HAS SAID THAT THESE LAWS DRIVE UP THE COST OF GAS, SO PEOPLE CAN EXPECT TO SEE SAVINGS.

SCOTT JENSEN, WHEN HE WAS RUN HIS GOVERNOR'S CAMPAIGN PROPOSED THIS AS A WAY TO REDUCE THE COST OF GAS, AND HE ESTIMATED ABOUT 20 CENTS PER GALLON CHEAPER.

AND THEN GOVERNOR EVERS, THE GOVERNOR OF WISCONSIN, HE SAID IT WILL IMPACT ABOUT 14 CENTS A GALLON.

>> REPUBLICANS HAVEN'T HAD MUCH INPUT IN THE SESSION SO FAR.

HOW ON EARTH DID THIS BECOME BIPARTISAN?

THIS IS DINED OF A RARITY THIS SESSION?

>> YEAH, NO, WE HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

IT'S ACTUALLY BEEN ALREADY HEARD IN THE HOUSE COMMERCE COMMITTEE AND WAS VOTED OUT ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS.

>> Eric: YOU BEAT THE FIRST DEADLINE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND WE HAD A HEARING IN THE SENATE YESTERDAY.

ALSO HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

I THINK IT JUST GOES BACK TO THE FEEDBACK WE GOT FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS ABOUT HOW THE PRICE OF GAS IS IMPACTING THEIR POCKETBOOK, AND A LOT OF FOLKS IN THE AREA THAT I REPRESENT, WHEN THAT PRICE OF GAS GOES UP, THAT MEANS THAT THEY HAVE TO PUT SOMETHING BACK OUT OF THEIR GROCERY CART WHEN THEY'RE OUT SHOPPING.

THEY'RE REALLY FEELING STRETCHED RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: SO WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM THE OPPONENTS?

HOW STRONG IS THE ANTI--BILL REACTION?

>> Eric: SO THE PETROLEUM MARKETERS DON'T LIKE MY BILL.

AND IT MAKES SENSE.

YOU KNOW, EVERY INDUSTRY AND PROFESSION WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A LAW THAT PROTECTS YOUR MARGINS FROM COMPETITION.

AND SO I THINK THAT'S THE QUESTION FOR US AS A LEGISLATURE IS, DO WE THINK OUR CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS SHOULD BE THERE TO PROTECT CONSUMERS, OR SHOULD THEY BE TO PROTECT THE PROFIT MARGINS OF PETROLEUM MARKETERS?

>> Eric: I THINK THIS WILL BE ONE THAT EOPLE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT, SO WE'LL KEEP TRACK OF IT.

GLAD YOU CAME OVER.

THANKS, SENATOR.

♪♪ >> ERIC: TODAY GOVERNOR WALZ SIGNED ANOTHER MAJOR BILL INTO LAW.

FOLLOWING THE STATE SUPREME COURT DECISION INFORMING LAWMAKERS THAT ONLY THEY CAN RESTORE FELON VOTING RIGHTS, THE LEGISLATURE TOOK ACTION.

IT WAS A LONG TIME COMING FOR MANY SECOND CHANCE ADVOCATES IN AN EMOTIONAL BILL SIGNING.

MARY LAHAMMER PROVIDES CONTEXT.

>> WE NEED A VOICE.

WE NEED OUR VOICE BACK.

>> Mary: THEY LIVE, WORK, AND PAY TAXES IN THE STATE.

NOW FELONS WHO ARE RELEASED WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE AFTER LONG EFFORT AT THE CAPITOL.

>> TODAY A GOOD DAY FOR DEMOCRACY.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> Mary: WHEN GOVERNOR WALZ CAME INTO OFFICE MORE THAN FOUR YEARS AGO, HE ANNOUNCED HIS SUPPORT FOR RESTORING THE VOTE ALONG WITH OTHER NOTABLE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS WHO HAVE LONG BACKED THE BILL.

>> THE IDEA THAT FOLKS PAY THEIR PRICE FOR THE MISTAKE THEY MADE, BUT IN THIS COUNTRY, WE'RE A COUNTRY OF SECOND CHANCES.

WE'RE A COUNTRY OF WELCOMING FOLKS BACK IN.

AND THE IDEA OF NOT ALLOWING THOSE VOICES TO HAVE A SAY IN THE VERY GOVERNING OF THE COMMUNITIES THEY LIVE IN IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE.

WE KNOW THAT -- [ Applause ] TAKING AWAY THE RIGHT TO VOTE FROM FOLKS DOES NOTHING TO IMPROVE SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> I WANT EVERYBODY TO JUST TAKE A MINUTE.

LOOK AT THE PERSON NEXT TO YOU.

SAY, WE GOT HERE.

>> ALL: WE GOT HERE.

>> WE'RE HERE.

WE DID IT.

>> AND THERE ARE FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR A VERY, VERY LONG TIME.

[ Applause ] >> WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CAST OUT AND THEN INVITED BACK IN >> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE A SAY OVER THE PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT YOU?

BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO ARE PROHIBITED FROM VOTING, THEY HAVE TO PAY THEIR TAXES, THEY HAVE TO OBEY ALL THE LAWS, THEY HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY CHOICE IN WHO REPRESENTS THEM.

NOW THEY DO.

>> I CAME O SEE OVER THE YEARS THAT THIS WAS RIGHT FOR MINNESOTA.

NOT ONLY RIGHT FOR THOSE AFFECTED, BUT IT'S RIGHT FOR ALL OF US.

THIS IS NOT SOME ACT OF CHARITY.

THIS IS GOOD FOR EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE WE KNOW, WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE WHO FEEL INVESTED IN THEIR COMMUNITY, WHO FEEL A STAKE, WHO FEEL CONNECTION TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THEY ARE FAR LESS LIKELY TO REOFFEND.

>> PART OF THE WAY TO NOT HAVE RECIDIVISM IS TO LEARN TO FORGIVE PEOPLE, WHETHER THEY FORGIVE YOU OR NOT.

>> Mary: SOME REPUBLICANS SUPPORT THE DEA OF THE RESTORATION OF VOTER RIGHTS, IN THE END NOT MANY VOTED FOR IT, BUT THIS FRESHMAN HOUSE MEMBER DID.

YOU SPOKE UP.

THERE WEREN'T MANY REPUBLICANS IN THAT LONG DEBATE WHO STOOD UP AND SAID I'M GOING TO VOTE FOR THIS.

>> YEAH, IT'S ONE OF THOSE ISSUES WHERE HONESTLY, IT'S -- WE SHOULD BE THAT PARTY THAT LOOKS AT THE FIRST DAY THAT SOMEBODY IS INCARCERATED IS THE FIRST DAY WE START PREPARING THEM TO COME BACK INTO SOCIETY.

9999.9% GET OUT.

AND I DON'T THINK WE DO A GOOD ENOUGH JOB PREPARING THOSE PEOPLE.

>> THIS YEAR IS DIFFERENT.

FOR ONE THING, THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE IS BOBBY JOE CHAMPION, SO -- [ Cheers and applause ] >> BEFORE ANYONE HAD AN OPINION ABOUT ME, GOD HAD A PLAN FOR ME.

>> THAT'S RIGHT!

[ Applause ] >> AND WHEN YOU THINK IN TERMS OF THE WORK THAT ALL IS DONE, THERE'S ANOTHER LITTLE SAYING THAT TEAM WORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK.

>> I DO UNDERSTAND HOW BIG OF A DEAL THIS IS.

BUT WITH WHAT I WILL SAY IS, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A COLLECTIVE EFFORT.

AND IT WILL BE THE COLLECTIVE THAT CONTINUES TO CARRY US THROUGH ON ALL THAT WE ACCOMPLISH THIS LEGISLATIVE CYCLE AND THE NEXT YCLE AS WELL.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT, AND I APPRECIATE THAT MORE THAN ANYTHING.

TO THE COLLECTIVE THAT'S HERE, JOB WELL DONE.

JOB WELL DONE.

>> Mary: THERE ARE ABOUT A DOZEN STATES THAT HAVE RESTORED THE VOTE.

IS55,000 PEOPLE IN MINNESOTAN WILL NOW BE ABLE TO CAST A BALLOT.

>> TEN YEARS AGO, I LOST MY RIGHT TO VOTE.

I WAS STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION.

WHEN A JUDGE SENTENCED ME TO 40 YEARS OF PROBATION, AND I YEAR IN JAIL.

FOR A DRUG CONVICTION.

THAT MEANT I COULDN'T VOTE UNTIL I WAS 71 YEARS OLD.

I ENROLLED IN COLLEGE AND TOOK A BUS TWO OURS ONE DIRECTION THE FIRST SEMESTER OF SCHOOL.

I BECAME THE EFFICIENT PERSON IN MY FAMILY TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE AND EARNED A DEGREE IN ADDICTION COUNSELING.

>> IF AMERICA IS GOING TO BE WHAT SHE SAYS SHE IS, THEN WE NEED TO LOOK DEEPER WITHIN OURSELVES AND KNOW THAT WE MUST MOVE FROM A THEORETICAL FORM OF DEMOCRAT DEMOCRACY TO A MORE LIVING DEMOCRACY.

- [ Applause ] WHERE EVERY MEMBER OF OUR SOCIETY HAS VALUE.

>> WE ARE PASSING A LOT OF BILLS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF NEW LAWS.

AND WE ARE CHANGING LIVES FOR THE BETTER.

>> Mary: THE GOVERNOR'S DOUBLE-DIGIT BILL SIGNING TALLY JUST TWO MONTHS INTO SESSION SPEAKS TO THE HISTORY CONTINUING TO BE MADE IN THE DEMOCRATIC TRIFECTA THIS SESSION.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ >> CATHY: THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY REGARDING COVID SINCE THE LAST TIME WE TALKED WITH MICHAEL OSTERHOLM.

THERE WAS A CONTROVERSIAL STUDY REVIEW BY THE COCHRANE GROUP ABOUT THE ROLE OF MASKS IN PREVENTING COVID.

PLUS THERE'S BEEN RENEWED INTEREST IN THE ORIGIN OF THE COVID VIRUS AFTER THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CONCLUDED -- WITH LOW CONFIDENCE -- THAT THE VIRUS PROBABLY LEAKED FROM A LAB IN CHINA.

WHAT ARE LEADING SCIENTISTS SAYING ABOUT THESE TWO STORIES?

LET'S HEAR FROM ONE OF THEM.

MICHAEL OSTERHOLM HEADS THE CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH AND POLICY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

BACK FOR HIS MONTHLY VISIT.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

DO YOU THINK WE'LL EVER REALLY KNOW HOW THIS VIRUS ORIGINATED?

>> NO, WE WON'T.

AND I THINK THAT'S THE PROBLEM WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS THAT PEOPLE FOR POLITICAL REASONS ARE ASSERTING THAT WE WILL OR CAN.

YOU KNOW, IT VERY WELL COULD HAVE BEEN A SPILL OVER FROM ANIMALS TO HUMANS.

AND THERE RE DATA TO SUPPORT THAT.

BUT IN ADDITION IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LEK FROM THE LAB THAT OCCURRED THERE.

THERE WAS NO EVIDENT THIS WAS AN INTENTIONAL KIND OF SITUATION OR THAT THE VIRUS WAS MAN-MADE.

IT'S LIKE THE TOP TEN CRIMINAL CASES THAT ARE COLD FOR AN ENTIRE DECADE OR MORE.

SO MY CONCERN IS WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH THIS PANDEMIC OR WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO GET READY FOR THE NEXT ONE.

>> Eric: A VERY INTERESTING OP-ED IN THE "NEW YORK TIMES," A STUDY BY THIS ROCK RAN GROUP FROM ENGLAND THAT MASKING AND THE OTHER CAUTIONARY MEASURES DESIGNED TO REDUCE EXPOSURE TO COVID WERE BASICALLY MEANINGLESS AND I'VE BEEN ANXIOUS TO EAR WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THESE NEW ALLEGATIONS.

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, OUR CENTER PUT OUT A COMMENTARY ON THIS VERY ISSUE LAYING OUT THE CHALLENGES THAT ALL OF THIS PRESENTS.

NUMBER ONE, THE COCHRANE GROUP WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO SOMEWHAT OF A KIND OF A GOLD STANDARD EVALUATION, HAS BEEN FLAWED FOR YEARS.

THIS IS NOT DPLOT THE NOT -- NOT THE FIRST STUDY THEY HAVE COME UNDER HEAVY CRITICISM.

IN THE SENSE OF WHAT POSITIONS HE TAKES AND WHAT DATA HE USES.

THE REVIEW THEY PRESENTED WAS SERIOUSLY FLAWED AND WE'VE LAID THAT OUT.

ON TOP OF THAT, THEN A "NEW YORK TIMES" OP-ED COLUMNIST WHO HAS NO EXPERIENCE OR BACKGROUND TOOK THE COCHRANE INFORMATION, EXTENDED IT FURTHER.

SO IT'S JUST CONTINUED TO KONL POUND IT.

THE RIGHT KIND OF SPRIERT PROTECTION IN, N-95 RESPIRATOR THAT FITS TIGHT ON YOUR FACE THAT BASICALLY HAS THE ELECTROSTATIC CHARGE IN THE MATERIAL ARE VERY EFFECTIVE.

IF YOU'RE WEARING A SURGICAL MASK, PROCEDURE ASK THAT HAS OPEN SPACES ALONG THE SIDE OF YOUR FACE, OR HAS AN INSUFFICIENT FILTERING MATERIAL IN THE FRONT, ARE GOING TO DO VERY, VERY LITTLE.

I TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, IF YOU GO STAND IN A ROOM, 30-FOOT BY 30-FOOT AND SOMEBODY'S SMOKING IN ONE CORNER, YOU HAVE A N-59 ON, OR YOU HAVE A SURGICAL MASK ON, YOU CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE IMMEDIATELY.

SO PLEASE DON'T BE CONFUSED BY THIS INFORMATION.

YOU CAN STILL PROTECT YOURSELF WITH AN N-95 RESPIRATOR.

>> Cathy: I WANT TO GO BACK TO SOMETHING YOU SAID WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE LAB THING.

THAT WE'RE NOT PAYING TO THE CURRENT PANDEMIC AND HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT ONE.

I'M WONDERING, WITH THE END OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY COMING UP ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL WHAT ARE YOU WORRIED MOST ABOUT?

>> THIS VIRUS HAS CONTINUED TO THROW 210 MILES AN HOUR CURVE BALLS AT US FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.

TODAY WE'RE REPORTING OUT 530 DEATHS IN THIS COUNTRY.

THE NUMBER WE THOUGHT WAS GOING DOWN FOR SEVERAL WEEKS LAST MONTH DOWN INTO THE 3 LEFT HANDS AND NOW IT'S BACK UNAGAIN.

AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, 530 DEATHS A DAY, THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH IN THIS COUNTRY FROM CANCER EVERY DAY IS LUNG CANCER.

AND MOST PEOPLE THINK THAT THE PANDEMIC'S OVER.

AND IT'S NOT.

AND SO WE'VE REALLY GOT TO CONTINUE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT IF YOU GET VACCINATED, PARTICULARLY IF YOU'RE OVER AGE 65, YOU CAN GREATLY REDUCE YOUR RISK OF SERIOUS ILLNESS, HOSPITALIZATIONSHOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS.

YET ONLY 40% OF OUR POPULATION OVER 65 ARE VACCINATED.

WE NEED TO GET THAT MESSAGE OUT.

I FLEW ON A PLANE TODAY FROM LOS ANGELES TO MINNEAPOLIS.

I THINK I WAS ONE OF THREE PEOPLE ON THE PLANE THAT HAD ANY KIND OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTION ON.

IN THE AIRPORT, NOBODY DID.

I GET THAT.

TO DO IF YOU LOOK, MOST OF THE SERIOUS ILLNESS ND DEATHS IS NOT IN THE YOUNGER POPULATION.

BUT IF YOU'RE IN THAT HIGH RISK GROUP, OLDER AGE, YOU HAVE UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS, THIS IS STILL POTENTIALLY A DEATH SENTENCE IF YOU GET COVID.

AND SO WE'VE GOT TO KEEP EMPHASIZING THAT AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE VACCINATED AND IF THEY DO GET SICK, PLEASE, PLEASE GET PAXLOVID, THE DRUG, IT IS A VERY EFFECTIVE AY TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF GETTING SERIOUSLY ILL AND THOSE MESSAGES RIGHT NOW ARE JUST NOT OUT THERE.

>> Cathy: SO LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT, AS YOU SAY, YOUNGER FOLKS ARE LIKE, YEAH, IT'S OKAY, IT'S OVER.

BUT THERE WAS THIS NEW JAMA STUDY WHICH I'M SURE YOU SAW THAT ONE IN FIVE INDIVIDUALS AGES 18 TO 64 HAVE ONGOING HEALTH ISSUES AFTER GETTING COVID AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LONG COVID, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THOSE WHO HAVE HAD COVID IN THE YEAR FOLLOWING THE INFECTION, DOUBLE THE RISK OF DEATH, HEART AND LUNG PROBLEMS, HOSPITAL EXPWAINGSES.

HOSPITALIZATIONS.

THAT MESSAGE IS CLEARLY NOT GETTING THROUGH?

>> NO, I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT.

BUT ALSO LET ME CLARIFY THAT A BIT.

THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE CHALLENGESES WE'VE HAD.

THIS HAS REALLY BEEN SEVERAL DIFFERENT KINDS OF PANDEMIC.

IN THE ARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC, REMEMBER YOU LOST YOUR TASTE AND SMELL, AND LOVE COVID WITH A MUCH MORE LIKELY OUTCOME, AND THEN WE DIDN'T SEE AS MUCH LOSS OF TASTE AND SMELL, BUT WE SAW OTHER CONDITIONS AS THE NEW VIRUS VARIABLES EMERGED.

LONG COVID SURELY IS STILL OF A PROBLEM BUT WE'RE NOT SEEING AS MUCH OF IT DEVELOP IN THE MORE RECENT VARIANT, THE XPV, 1.5, OR ANY OF THOSE WITH OMICRON.

SO I DON'T WANT TO MINIMIZE, BUT YOURS SINCERELY, IF YOU LOOK AT THE HISTORIC IMPACT OF COVID, WE STILL SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD DELTA INFECTIONS, EVEN EARLY OMICRON INFECTIONS THAT GO ON AND DEVELOP LONG COVID.

AND THAT IS A LEGACY ISSUE THAT I THINK IS GOING TO PLAY OUT FOR MANY, MANY YEARS TO COME.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE CHANCES OF A FLU-COVID COMBO SHOT ONCE A YEAR?

>> WELL, THE F.D.A.

JUNS ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE NEXT YEAR.

AND AS YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN NOT A SUPPORTER OF THAT ISSUE.

BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT REALLY, WE REALLY WANT TO HAVE JUST A SINGLE SHOT A YEAR.

AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT, IS IF YOU LOOK AT INFLUENZA, THE REASON WE GIVE FLU VACCINES IN THE LATE FALL IS BECAUSE THE FLU SEASON IS PRETTY WELL DEFINED.

WHEN YOU GET YOUR FLU SHOT, YOU PROBABLY LOSE ABOUT 15% OF THE PROTECTION YOU GET FROM THAT SHOT EVERY MONTH AFTER YOU'VE RECEIVED IT.

SO YOU YOU WANT TO GIVE IT RIGHT AROUND THE TIME THAT YOU'RE MOST LIKELY TO BE EXPERIENCING INFLUENZA.

WHEREAS WITH COVID, WE'RE NOT SEEING DMI SEASONALITY.

WE FILED THIS NEW VARIANT.

AND FOR 12 WEEKS, WE FOLLOW EED CLOSELY WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN NEW SOUTH WALES AUSTRALIA AND THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF THE UNITED STATES AND IT WAS IDENTICAL IN TERMS OF ITS ACTIVITY.

THAT'S NOT SEASONALITY.

AND SO I THINK IT'S TRY TO FORCE IT TO BE A SEASONAL VACCINE IS A MISTAKE.

AND SO I HINK WE HAVE TO HAVE A VERY HARD DISCUSSION ABOUT WILL WE MAKE IT AVAILABLE ANY TIME OF THE YEAR SINCE IT'S AT LEAST SIX MONTHS SINCE YOU GOT YOUR LAST DOSE.

>> Cathy: I KNOW YOU PROBABLY -- YOU'RE ASKED THIS ALL THE TIME, I'M GOING TO ASK YOU AGAIN.

YOU JUST TALKED ABOUT THE NEW VARIANT, RIGHT?

IS THERE A POINT WHERE THIS THING JUST BURNS OUT, OR IS THERE ANOTHER VARIANT THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT OUT THERE?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, CATHY, WE'RE ALL BURNT OUT OURSELVES, SO WE CAN ONLY HOPE, BUT I CAN'T EXPLAIN FOR YOU, FOR THE LIFE ME AND ANYONE WHO IS HONEST AND HUMBLE AS WE SHOULD WITH BE THIS VIRUS, WILL TELL YOU, WHY ARE SUDDENLY WE SEEING THIS BIG INCREASE OF DEATHS AGAIN?

WE THOUGHT WE MIGHT BE ON THE HIGH PLAINS PLATEAU.

WE'VE BEEN AT 350 TO 5500 AND MOST OF IT ON THE UPPER END OF THAT FOR 12 MONTHS NOW, EVERY DAY, EVERY DAY.

THINK ABOUT THAT.

THAT'S OVER 3,700 DEATHS A WEEK IN THIS COUNTRY.

THINK ABOUT, THAT'S 160 TO 170,000 DEATHS A YEAR IN THIS COUNTRY YET EVERY DAY BECAUSE OF COVID.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO NEXT.

AND I THINK WE'RE ALL WAITING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH OUR IMMUNITY.

IF IT WANES FROM OUR LAST DOSE OR LAST INFECTION, WE COULD BE SEEING MORE OF THIS AGAIN.

WE JUST HAVE TO BE HONEST AND SAY WE DON'T KNOW.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT, I'M GOING TO LET YOU GO.

HAVE A GOOD EEKEND.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> ERIC: DURING THE NATIONAL COVID EMERGENCY, MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY WAS LOOSENED, WITH THE RESULT THAT MORE PEOPLE QUALIFIED FOR NEEDED COVERAGE.

WITH THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY DECLARATION COMING TO A FORMAL END SOON, MEDICAID RECIPIENTS HERE AND ELSEWHERE WILL NEED TO REAPPLY FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.

IT'S A BIG PROCESS, AND HERE TO TALK MORE, DR. NATHAN CHOMILO.

HE IS THE MEDICAID MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM, DOCTOR.

JUST SOME QUICK DEFINITION OF TERMS.

IT'S MEDICAID WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT.

NOT MEDICARE.

AND TO FURTHER COMPLICATE THINGS, THE STATE CALLS IT MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, NOT MEDICAID.

BUT HOW BIG A JOB IS THIS GOING TO BE AS FOLKS REAPPLY?

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A PRETTY BIG JOB WHICH IS WHY WE'RE HERE TO TRY TO GET THE WORD OUT.

RITE NOW, ROUGHLY ONE IN FOUR MINNESOTANS ARE COVERED BY EITHER MEDICAID OR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE OR MINNESOTACARE, OUR BASIC HEALTH PLAN FOR OW INCOME MINNESOTANS AS WELL.

AND SO IT'S VERY POSSIBLE THAT SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY, SOMEONE IN YOUR COMMUNITY IS GETTING COVERAGE FROM THE STATE NOW.

AND WE HAVE TO REENROLL EVERYONE IN THE PROGRAM.

SO THAT'S 1.5 MILLION MINNESOTANS ROUGHLY, AND SO FOLKS HAVE CALLED THIS THE BIGGEST THING TO HIT MEDICAID SINCE THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

>> Cathy: SO HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHO'S ON MED MEDICAID.

OBVIOUSLY THERE'S FINANCIAL BENCHMARKS.

>> SO TO APPLY OR BE ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID, YOU'RE RIGHT, IT IS FOR MOST FOLKS, INCOME-BASED.

THERE ARE CERTAIN FOLKS WHO GET IT THROUGH OTHER, ELDERS AND FOLKS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES THAT CAN QUALIFY FOR IT AS WELL.

SO -- BUT WE'RE TRACKING, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THE FOLKS THAT WE SERVE, AND SO THE PROBLEM IS, THOUGH, FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, WE HAVEN'T BEEN IN ROUTINE CONTACT AS FAR AS GETTING FOLKS' ADDRESSES, PEOPLE MOVE, PEOPLE CHANGE, AND SO IT IS GOING TO BE A BIG EFFORT FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS KNOW THAT IF THEY DON'T GET THAT MESSAGE IN THE MAIL THAT WE NEED TO FIND WAYS TO CONNECT WITH THEM, LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY'RE UP FOR RENEWAL AND HOPEFULLY KEEP THAT COUGH RAJ.

>> Eric: HOW MUCH FRAUD IN THE REAPPLICATION ARE YOU WILLING TO ACCEPT?

>> YOU KNOW, WE REALLY ARE FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE WHO IS ELIGIBLE, FOR MEDICAID, ONTINUES TO KEEP THAT ELIGIBILITY.

WE KNOW THAT HISTORICALLY THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CHURN, MEANING THAT FOLKS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE LOSE COVERAGE BECAUSE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HURDLES.

THEY DIDN'T GET THAT MESSAGE IN THE MAIL.

YOU KNOW, THREW IT OUT WITH ALL THE OTHER MAIL.

AND SO THEY SHOW UP TO THE PHARMACY WITH THEIR MEDICATIONS, AND THEY CAN'T GET THEM.

AND SO IT'S NOT ONLY IMPACTING THEIR HEALTH BUT IMPACTING THEIR FINANCES.

SO WE'RE REALLY FOCUSED ON KEEPING FOLKS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE KELGTED.

>> Eric: BUT IS THERE GOING TO BE A SCREEN TO VERIFY INCOME LEVELS AND ELIGIBILITY LEFTS?

>> SO FOLKS ARE ALWAYS REQUIRED TO PRESENT THEIR INFORMATION THAT -- AND FILL OUT AN APPLICATION THAT THEN HELPS US DETERMINE IF THEY MEET ELIGIBILITY, WHETHER IT'S FOR MEDICAID OR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.

WHETHER IT'S FOR MINNESOTACARE.

OR THEN WE CAN CONNECT THEM TO QUALIFYING HEALTH PLANS THROUGH THE MARKETPLACE IF THEY DON'T -- NO LONGER QUALIFY FOR THAT.

SO WE'RE REALLY DEDICATED TO AGAIN KEEPING FOLKS ON IT, BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A BIG IMPACT TO YOUR HEALTH.

SOON YOU'RE GOING TO NEED TO HAVE INSURANCE TO EVEN ACCESS PAXLOVID.

SO WE EALLY WANT TO KEEP FOLKS CONNECTED TO THEIR HEALTHCARE SO WE DON'T SEE SOME OF THESE GAPS IN HEALTH EMERGE.

AND WE'VE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT HOW TO CONNECT WITH COMMUNITIES AND MEET THEM WHERE WE'RE THEY'RE AT DURING COVID-19.

MEETING IN CHURCHES AND SHELTERS AND OTHER PLACES.

AND SO WE'RE REALLY OCUSED ON HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO GROW FROM THOSE LESSONS AND MEET MINNESOTANS WHERE THEY'RE AT.

>> Cathy: SO IF SOMEONE DOES FIND THAT THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE BECAUSE OF COURSE RULES WERE RELAXED, CAN THEY GO THROUGH MNsure WHICH OF COURSE IS THE PROGRAM WHICH HELPS RESIDENTS WHO MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY TO QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID, STEER THEM IN THESE RIGHT DIRECTIONS SO THEY ARE COVERED?

>> YES, SO INTERESTS A SITE, RENEW MY COVERAGE, SO YOU CAN PE GET N ON THE TIMING THIS.

IT'S GOING TO BE BASED ON WHEN YOU FIRST ENROLLED IN MEDICAID OR MINNESOTACARE.

AND THEN IF YOU DO FIND OUT THAT OU'RE NO LONGER MNsure, WE'RE WORKING REALLY CLOSELY WITH WITH NAVIGATORS.

NAVIGATORS ARE KEY TO HELPING FOLKS -- >> Cathy: IT'S COMPLICATED.

>> AS A PHYSICIAN, I KNOW, FIGURING OUT WHICH HEALTH INSURANCE I'M GOING TO GET CAN SOMETIMES BE A LITTLE HEAD SPINNY.

>> Eric: CAN FOLKS THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE TO REAPPLY, IS THERE STEPS THEY CAN TAKE BEFORE -- I THINK MAY 11TH IS THE OPENING DATE.

WHAT SHOULD THEY KNOW ABOUT IT GOING FORWARD HERE?

>> SO FA YOU'RE KNOW YOU'RE ON MEDICAID OR MINNESOTACARE, REACHING OUT TO YOUR HEALTH PLANS TO MAKE SURE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION IS UP TO DATE.

YOU CAN TOUCH BASE WITH YOUR COUNTY AS WELL IF THAT'S WHO'S SERVICING YOUR MEDICAID.

AND THEN WE HAVE A CALENDAR ON OUR RENEW Y COVERAGE SITE THAT REALLY SHOWS THAT FOLKS THE RENEWAL PROCESS WILL START FOR FOLKS FIRST IN THAT JULY MONTH OF RENEWALS, AND EACH MONTH WILL BE SENDING OUT NOTICES AHEAD -- TO TRY TO MAKE SURE FOLKS GET THAT INFORMATION ON TIME SO THEY CAN COMPLETE THAT APPLICATION AND BE RENEWED.

>> Cathy: WOW, IT IS COMPLICATED, I GOT TO TELL YOU.

WE WISH YOU WELL, THOUGH.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Eric: KEEP US POSTED, IF WE CAN HELP YOU PUBLICIZE IT, LET US KNOW.

>> 'D LOVE TO COME BACK AND GIVE YOU UPDATES.

>> Eric: THAT'D BE GREAT.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> ERIC: AS WE SWAP OUT GUESTS, WE HAVE AN UPCOMING DIGITAL PROJECT WE WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT.

NEXT WEDNESDAY, TPT WILL LAUNCH THE SECOND SEASON OF IT'S OUTDOORS PROGRAM "OUTSIDE CHANCE."

SERIES HOST CHANCE YORK TAKES ON A SLEW OF NEW OUTDOOR ADVENTURES AROUND THE STATE WHILE PROVIDING THE KEY INGREDIENTS FOR GETTING STARTED.

YOU MAY REMEMBER WE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO YORK ON "ALMANAC" LAST YEAR.

THE FIRST EPISODE FOR THIS SEASON -- AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW ON PBS PASSPORT -- IS A TUTORIAL ON THE EXPLODING SPORT OF PICKLEBALL.

IN THIS SNEAK PEEK, CHANCE YORK LEARNS HOW TO PLAY.

>> OH, THAT -- THAT'S A GREAT SHOT.

>> IF IT BUNSES BOUNCES TWICE, YOU GET A SCORE.

CAN YOU SCORE ANY TIME?

>> NO, THE SERVE HAS GOT TO BOUNCE.

THEN THE SERVICE TURN RETURN HAS GOT TO BOUNCE.

THEN AFTER THAT, IT'S FREE TO HIT AS A VOLLEY.

>> SO YOU'RE A NATIONAL CHAMPION.

>> YEAH, I WON MY FIRST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN SINGLES.

AND THEN I GOT WOMEN'S DOUBLES.

THAT'S MY FAVORITE.

BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF STRATEGY INVOLVED.

>> YOU CAN TELL THIS IS A POPULAR SPORT.

LOW DID YOU GET INTO IT?

>> I WAS HEADED DOWN TO FLORIDA TO GO PLAY TENNIS WITH MY DAD, BUT HE SAID HE CAN'T PLAY TENNIS ANYMORE.

HE SAID, IT'S OKAY, I FOUND A NEW SPORT.

SO I THANK HIM.

AND I ALWAYS CARRY MY DAD'S PADDLE WITH ME.

IT'S 20 YEARS OLD OR SOMETHING.

>> HIS PADDLE'S GOT SOME MILES ON IT.

LOOKS LIKE ECHNOLOGY'S COME A LITTLE WAYS, RIGHT?

THAT'S AMAZING.

RAISE THE CHAMPION.

HEY.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

[ Laughter ] >> I'M LIGHTLY SWEATING.

YOU KNOW, JUST VOLLEYING IT BACK AND FORTH.

IT'S PHYSICAL, BUT IT'S NOT SUPER HIGH IMPACT.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH, WELLNESS BENEFITS TO THIS SPORT?

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE PLAYING THIS SPORT THAT HAVE NEVER PLAYED A SPORT IN THEIR LIFE.

IT'S EASY TO JUST PICK IT UP.

IT'S HARD TO MASTER.

I'VE BEEN PLAYING FOR 15 YEARS.

I WAS PART OF THE FIRST ORIGINAL GROUP THAT PLAYED ON THESE COURTS.

>> FOR SURE.

>> THERE'S STILL SO MUCH TO LEARN AND THAT'S EXCITING.

AND THE OTHER THING, IF YOU HAVE A WHOLE NEW SOCIAL GROUP OF FRIENDS.

IT'S A VERY FRIENDLY SPORT.

>> IT'S A COMMUNITY.

♪♪ >> KEVIN: THE WORLD IS MELTING.

THE SNOW ANYWAY.

AND THAT MAKES THIS ONE OF MY FAVORITE TIMES OF THE YEAR.

SEE, IN THE RECEDING SNOWDRIFTS AROUND MY NEIGHBORHOOD, LAYERS OF ARTIFACTS ARE BEING EXPOSED: CAR KEYS, SUNGLASSES, PIECES OF BALLOONS WITH CHINESE WRITING.

AND WITH EVERY MELT, ANOTHER WONDER IS REVEALED.

IT'’S SORT OF A PALEONTOLOGIST'S VIEW OF WHAT HAPPENED A FEW WEEKS AGO.

I CALL IT "SHALLOW TIME."

FIRST TO EMERGE ARE DISCARDED CHRISTMAS TREES, CANDY CANES, TINSEL, REMNANTS OF TRIBAL RITUALS.

WITH LUCK AND MORE EXCAVATING, A HOT DISH LID WITH A TURKEY ON IT, OR FURTHER DOWN, HALLOWEEN CANDY.

STILL GOOD.

AND ON THE WAY, VACCINATION CARDS, "I VOTED" STICKERS, POLITICAL LAWN SIGNS.

I FIND A THIN PAPER SKIN USED FOR TRANSPORTING FOODSTUFFS WITH WRITINGS ON IT AND A PICTURE OF A TACO AND A BELL.

QUESTIONS EMERGE.

WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE WERE THESE?

WAS THIS THE GIFT OF A LOVER?

A PARENT?

WHAT SECRETS ARE HOUSED IN THESE TREASURES?

I'’VE KNOWN SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT LIVED ON MY BLOCK FOR YEARS, AND A WHOLE NEW APPRECIATION UNFOLDS.

LIKE, WHOA, NOW THIS EXPLAINS A LOT.

THERE IS A GRADE SCHOOL BY MY HOUSE, AND THE ROADS LEADING THERE RUN LIKE RICH VEINS OF LOST SCIENCE AND ART PROJECTS, NOTEBOOKS, HAIR CLIPS, HATS, SINGLE MITTENS.

I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A KID, WE HAD TO BRING HOME OUR REPORT CARDS TO BE SIGNED BY OUR PARENTS.

SADLY, MANY OF THEM NEVER MADE IT.

AND AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, THEY WOULD POP UP LIKE DAFFODILS.

I STILL HAVE A REPORT CARD AT HOME FROM MS. KELLER, THIRD GRADE, BEST TEACHER, THAT SAYS, "KEVIN HAS NO UNDERSTANDING OF THE MATERIAL, BUT I'’M NOT WORRIED ABOUT HIM."

A COUPLE YEARS AGO, ABOUT A MILE FROM THE HOUSE, OUR WIENER DOG STUCK HIS NOSE IN A DRIFT AND PULLED OUT A HAT I'’D LOST TWO MONTHS EARLIER.

HE CARRIED IT ALL THE WAY HOME, LIKE FINDERS KEEPERS.

IT'’S MINE NOW, BUDDY.

BUT TODAY AS I SPEED BACK WITH MY FINDINGS FOR DATING AND LABELING, MY MIND IS FLOODED WITH EXISTENTIAL QUESTIONS.

WHAT WILL NEAR FUTURE WORLDS MAKE OF US BY WHAT WE LEAVE BEHIND?

IS SCIENCE ACTUALLY DISCOVERING OR MORE THE ART OF UNCOVERING?

IS IT EVEN POSSIBLE TO GO BACK IN TIME OR ONLY PULL TIME FORWARD TO HOW WE UNDERSTAND THE WORLD TODAY?

ARE WE JUST CIRCLING, AS ENERGY, A CONTINUANCE INTO OTHER FORMS OF MATTER?

IN OTHER WORDS, CAN I RELY ON REINCARNATION TO SEE IF THE VIKINGS WIN A SUPER BOWL?

ALL THIS AND MORE.

AND THEN AT SOME POINT SOON, OR MAYBE IN THE MIDDLE OF APRIL, WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER SNOWSTORM.

IMPORTANT RESEARCH MAY BEGIN ANEW.

GOD BLESS ARCHAEOLOGY.

[ Applause ] >> CATHY: THE MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ART HAS A RENOWNED COLLECTION OF CHINESE BRONZE OBJECTS.

THESE ANCIENT VESSELS WERE USED TO MAKE OFFERINGS TO RELIGIOUS AND ANCESTRAL SPIRITS.

AN IMMERSIVE EXHIBIT AT MIA FEATURES THESE BRONZE ART OBJECTS.

"ETERNAL OFFERINGS" IS THE NAME OF THE INSTALLATION, AND IT OPENS THIS WEEKEND.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT "ETERNAL OFFERINGS" IS LOO YOUNG.

HE IS THE CURATOR OF CHINESE ART AT MIA.

SO NICE TO VOLUNTEER YOU HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

MIA AS THIS WONDERFUL COLLECTION OF ANCIENT CHINESE ART, THE BRONZE VESSELS.

HOW IN THE WORLD DID IT COME TO MIA?

>> WE ARE SO GRATEFUL THAT ONE OF OUR PATRONS, OUR BENEFACTORS, PILLSBURY, ALFRED PILLSBURY COLLECTED THE CHINESE BRONZES IN BETWEEN 1920 THROUGH TO '50, BEFORE HE DIED.

HE COLLECTED MORE THAN 150 ARCHAIC CHINESE BRONZES.

OF COURSE HE DONATED ALL TO THE MUSEUM.

SO NOW THE COLLECTION OF CHINESE BRONZES, TOP THREE IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> Eric: YOU HAVE THE FELLOW THAT IS PUTTING THE EXHIBIT TOGETHER WITH THE VARIOUS ELEMENTS IS A ACADEMY AWARD WINNER.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

TIM YIP.

HE'S BEST KNOWN FOR HIS ROLE AS A DIRECTOR OF A SETTING, A FELL AME SETTING FOR "CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON," THAT RECEIVED AN ACADEMY WARD.

>> Eric: WE HAVE SOME SLIDES I THINK OF SOME OF THE OBJECTS.

MAYBE YOU CAN COMMENT ON WHAT WE'RE SEEING?

>> SO, YES, THIS IS A FOOT VESSEL THAT DATES TO 11TH CENTURY AROUND.

THAT WAS OF COURSE USED NOT FOR, AS A UTENSIL, BUT RATHER!

A GREAT SIGNIFICANTANCE OF A RITUAL.

THEY ARE CAST AND MAKING OFFERING TO ANCESTRAL SPIRITS.

IN THE CEREMONY.

AND O THAT -- YOU SEE THAT VERY MYSTERIOUS OWRNMENTS ON THE VESSEL, THOSE WERE USED TO HELP TO COMMUNICATE WITH ANCESTRAL SPIRITS.

>> Eric: I SEE.

>> YES.

>> Cathy: IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

>> Eric: A VASE?

OR WHAT'S THIS ONE?

>> THIS IS A WINE VESSEL.

SO A VISITOR WILL SEE A RANGE OF VESSELS IN VARIOUS SHAPES.

EACH FULFILL THEIR FUNCTIONS SERVING AS WATER VESSEL, WINE VESSEL, FOOD VESSEL.

THOSE WERE ON ISPLAYED IN ANCESTRAL TEMPLE OR IN THE SPECIAL CEREMONY.

>> Cathy: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT THESE ARE BRONZE?

>> WELL, BRONZE THAT, YOU KNOW, PRIOR TO THE SO-CALLED BRONZE AGE IN CHINA, THERE WAS SEVERAL THOSE YEARS OF SO-CALLED JADE AGE.

BUT THEN THE TASTE, AESTHETIC SHIFTED FROM JADE TO BRONZES.

AND SO THE BRONZE WAS SO VALUED AND TO MAKE VESSELS SERVED AS A OFFERINGS TO -- >> Cathy: NOW, THIS EXHIBIT SOUNDS FANTASTIC BECAUSE IT'S AN IMG PERCENTIVE EXPERIENCE.

IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THAT TO PEOPLE?

>> IN THE ORDINARY SHOW, THE VESSELS WILL BE ORGANIZED CHRONOLOGICALLY, SUPPORTED DI DABBING TICKS AND TICKS LABELINGS, BUT THIS TIME WE WANTED O IMAGINE THESE ANCIENT BRONS AND TRYING TO PUT THEM IN THE ORIGINAL CONTEXTS.

WE SAW THESE BRONZES QUITE OFTEN IN A MUSEUM, BUT THESE ARE DIVORCED FROM THEIR ORIGINAL CONTEXT.

WE ARE TRYING TO CREATE THIS KIND OF IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE, TO HAVE THE VISITORS IN THAT KIND OF CONTEXT TO ENGAGE IN MULTISENSORY KIND OF EXPERIENCE.

>> Eric: IS THIS THE KIND OF EXHIBIT YOU COULD TAKE ON THE ROAD?

I DON'T KNOW, WOULD IT BE SOMETHING THAT IN CHINA OR ASIA WOULD BE OF INTEREST TO FOLKS THERE OR IS THAT IN THE PLAN AT ALL?

>> WELL, IT'S VERY UNIQUE, BECAUSE THE -- IT'S ALL DESIGNED, BASED ON OUR GALLERIES.

SO IT'S NOT THAT EASY BECAUSE THE SPECIAL EXPEDITION SPACE MIGHT BE DIFFERENT IN DIFFERENT MUSEUM.

>> Eric: MUSEUM TO MUSEUM, IT'D BE DIFFERENT.

YEAH, SURE.

>> O IN THIS INSTALLATION, THAT WE HAVE SEVEN GALLERIES, THAT WILL BE USED.

EACH EMBODIES A FACET OF THE RITUAL ENACTED TO HONOR ANCESTRAL SPIRITS.

EACH IS SO DIFFERENT, ALMOST LIKE A FILM SETTING.

I'M SURE YOU WOULD NEVER SEE A STILL LIKE THAT BEFORE.

>> Cathy: IS THIS BECOMING MORE COMMON IN MUSEUM SETTINGS TO ENGAGE MAYBE MORE OF A YOUNGER PATRON PERHAPS?

>> I'M SURE THAT WILL BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, AS I SAID EARLIER, WE SEE THOSE BRONZES OFTEN IN A MUSEUM SETTING, BUT THEY'RE ALL IN THE BEAUTIFUL SHOWCASES, DETACHED FROM THEIR ORIGINAL CONTEXT.

SO WHAT THEY WERE MADE FOR IN WHAT KIND OF SETTING THEY ARE WERE USED, THAT'S THE SHOW THAT WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE THAT KIND OF SETTING AND THE ENVIRONMENT FOR PEOPLE TO ENJOY AND TO LEARN A BIT MORE ABOUT THAT.

>> Eric: AND THE DATES AND THE TIBTS TICKETED AND SO FORTH ARE AVAILABLE ON THE MIA WEBSITE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> Eric: WELL, GOOD LUCK WITH IT.

IT SOUNDS INTERESTING.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> LOOKING AT YOUR WEB PAGE, I THOUGHT, BOY YOU CAN'T TELL IF YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT OR A REPUBLICAN.

>> I'M A REPRESENTATIVE OF MY DISTRICT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALLY CARE, IF I GOOD IDEA COMES FROM A REPUBLICAN OR A DEMOCRAT.

THEY JUST WANT PEOPLE WHO GET THE WORK DONE.

AND I LIKE TO SAY THAT MY WORK IS HONEST.

RIGHT?

I AM WHO I REPRESENT.

A LOT OF THE PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT ARE STRUGGLING RITE NOW.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK EDUCATION FIRST AND FOREMOST.

>> I'M A PUBLIC HIGH CHOOL HISTORY TEACHER.

I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AND PARENTS AND SCHOOLS ARE STRUGGLING WITH RIGHT NOW.

CLASS SIZES ARE TOO BIG.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS.

WE ARE HAVING TROUBLE RECRUITING AND RETAINING TEACHERS.

WE NEED MORE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES.

WE NEED TO FULLY FUND SPECIAL EDUCATION.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT WE CANNOT KEEP KICKING DOWN THE ROAD AND JUST IGNORING.

♪♪ >> ERIC: LAWMAKERS CONTINUE TO STAY BUSY IN ST. PAUL.

THIS WEEK'S NEWS INCLUDED A NEW STATE BUDGET FORECAST, DEBATES ABOUT CANNABIS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND FOREVER CHEMICALS, AND A BILL SIGNING RESTORING VOTING RIGHTS.

LET'S CATCH UP ON ALL THINGS POLITICAL WITH A QUADRIGA OF POLITICAL ANALYSTS.

DEMOCRATS GO FIRST SINCE THEY ARE IN CHARGE OF THE STATE CAPITOL.

SUSAN KENT IS THE FORMER SENATE MINORITY LEADER.

NO LONGER IN OFFICE, SHE STILL FOLLOWS THE LEGISLATURE CLOSELY.

HERE, TOO, IS LAWYER AND FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER ABOU AMARA.

REPRESENTING REPUBLICANS TONIGHT, BRIAN MCCLUNG.

NOW IN THE P.R.

BUSINESS, HE'S A FORMER TIM PAWLENTY STAFFER.

ANNETTE MEEKS IS HERE.

SHE'S THE FOUNDER OF THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA.

IS AABOU, YOU ARE TOUTING THE SESSION SO FAR AS THE MOST PRODUCTIVE HALF SESSION IN MINNESOTA HISTORY?

>> WITHOUT QUESTION.

TEN YEARS AGO, WHEN I WAS AT THE CAPITOL, WE GOT A LOT OF THINGS DONE.

THEY ARE SHOWING THAT THEY'RE DOING WAY MORE THAN WE EVER DID.

AND SO I THINK IT'S THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN MINNESOTA HISTORY.

>> Cathy: ANNETTE, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT?

>> SADLY, I THINK IT IS FOR THEM PROBABLY THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL.

I THINK IT'S BUNCH OF PENT-UP DEMANDS FROM A BUNCH OF THEIR SPECIAL INTERESTS AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE THE CHANCE OF LEAVING ANYTHING ON THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY'RE JUST GOING TO PASS IT ALL AND HOPE IT'S WRITTEN WELL, WHICH IT'S NOT, AND HOPE THAT IT SURVIVES COURT CHALLENGES.

IT WON'T.

AND JUST HOPE FOR THE BEST AS THEY MOVE IT AS FAST AS THEY CAN.

>> Cathy: I BELIEVE YOU MIGHT WANT TO RESPOND TO THAT.

>> LOOK, THESE AREN'T ABOUT COURT CHALLENGES.

THIS IS ABOUT WHAT THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR.

AND FOR TEN YEARS MINNESOTANS HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THINGS FOR AFFORDABLE AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE SEEING.

MIND YOU, THE BIGGEST TAX CUT IN MINNESOTA HISTORY IS BEING PROPOSED BY THIS GOVERNOR.

YOU'RE SEEING MASSIVE INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION AND LOWER PROPERTY TAXES.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT MINNESOTANS HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR, FOR A DECADE.

IT'S BEEN STALLED BY REPUBLICANS.

>> Eric: LET ME TRY THIS SIDE.

BRIAN, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO SLOW DOWN A LOT NOW.

DEMOCRATS ONLY HAVE THAT ONE-VOTE MAJORITY IN THE STATE SENATE.

AND I KNOW ABOU'S EXCITED ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT'S GOTTEN DONE.

I DO NOT THINK THAT HAVING A ONE-SEAT MAJORITY THAT YOU WON BY 200 VOTES IS A MANDATE.

I THINK THAT MINNESOTANS ACTUALLY WANT PEOPLE AT THE CAPITOL TO GET THINGS DONE IN A BIPARTISAN WAY AND TO WORK TOGETHER.

AND WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT SO FAR.

THE DEMOCRATS REALLY HAVE NOT BEEN LISTENING TO REPUBLICANS AND THEIR PERSPECTIVES.

I THINK THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME ISSUES COMING UP.

FOR EXAMPLE, COMPLETELY REPEALING THE SOCIAL SECURITY TAX.

WHERE YOU MIGHT SEE THAT COME INTO PLAY.

BUT THUS FAR, IT REALLY HAS BEEN A ONE-PARTY PUSH.

>> Eric: SENATOR, I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU IN THIS CONTEXT, THE CULTURAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE HOUSE, THEY RUN EVERY TWO YEARS, SENATORS, EVERY FOUR YEARS.

HOW DOES THAT DYNAMIC PLAY INTO WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN EVEN WITH JUST ONE PARTY IN CONTROL.

>> YOU KNOW, HONESTLY AS I LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING ON, AND I TALK TO PEOPLE THAT I'M STILL IN KUCH WITH OVER THERE, YOU KNOW, THEY REALLY ARE FOCUSED ON WHAT THEY HEARD PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT AT THE DOORS.

YOU KNOW, I WAS IN FOR TEN YEARS.

I WAS IN THE MAJORITY FOR FOUR YEARS, I WAS IN THE MINORITY FOR SIX YEARS, AND I WATCHED THE GRIDLOCK HAPPEN.

AND MINNESOTANS ARE TIRED OF IT.

AND THEY WANT SENATORS TO FOCUS ON THE ISSUES THAT MAKE THEIR LIVES BETTER.

HOUSING, PROPERTY TAXES, EDUCATION, CHILD CARE, THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO MAKE PEOPLE'S LIVES BETTER AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT THE LEGISLATURE'S FOCUSED ON.

>> I JUST HAVE TO SAY I DON'T BELIEVE THERE WAS ONE MEMBER OF THE 201 THAT WERE ELECTED THIS PAST NOVEMBER THAT HEARD SOMEBODY SAY, PLEASE INCREASE OUR STATE BUDGET BY 25%.

I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE ARE OUT FOR THAT LEVEL OF OF OUTRAGEOUS SPENDING BEING PROPOSED BY THIS GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE'S GOING AROUND -- IT'S NOT ONLY UNSUSTAINABLE, IT'S UNDESIRABLE.

>> Eric: D.F.L.

OVERREACH A POCKET?

>> THIS IS NOT ABOUT OVERREACH.

THIS IS ABOUT LISTENING TO WHAT MINNESOTANS HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR.

THE PEOPLE HAVE GIVEN US CONTROL OF ALL OF GOVERNMENT.

AND WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO?

LET'S NOT DO THE THINGS THAT MINNESOTANS HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR?

I JUST REJECT THAT PREMISE.

WE HAVE A HISTORIC SURPLUS, A HISTORIC MAJORITY AND LET'S DO SOME HISTORIC HINGS.

>> I KEEP HEARING THIS TALK ABOUT TAX BREAKS AND I WANT TO SEE THEM -- >> READ THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET.

>> HERE'S THE THING, THOUGH, WE HAVE A 17.5 BILLION, OR $19 BILLION SURPLUS, HOWEVER YOU LOOK AT IT.

MINNESOTA IS NONCOMPETITIVE IN BASICALLY EVERY TAX CATEGORY.

YOU KNOW, MOST STATES THEY MIGHT HAVE ONE TAX THAT'S HIGH BUT THE REST ARE LOW.

IN MINNESOTA, HIGH SALES TAX, HIGH INCOME TAX, HIGH PROPERTY TAX, DOWN THE LINE, AND THIS GOVERNOR IS NOT REALLY TALKING ABOUT FUNDAMENTAL TAX RELIEF AND TAX REFORM.

REPUBLICANS HAVE PUT OUT A PLAN, $13 BILLION IN TAX RELIEF, REALLY MONEY BACK TO MINNESOTANS.

AND I THINK MOST MINNESOTANS SAID, WITH $19 BILLION IN SURPLUS, IF YOU CAN'T GIVE US REAL TAX RELIEF NOW, WHEN CAN YOU?

>> Eric: GO AHEAD, SENATOR.

>> THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THAT SURPLUS IS AS WE KNOW ONE-TIME MONEY THAT DOES NOT LEND ITSELF WELL TO TAX CUTS WITHOUT MAKING THEM BIG TAX CUTS TO THE WEALTHY AND REALLY POCKET CHANGE TO WORKING AND MINNESOTA FAMILIES WHO WOULD MUCH RATHER HAVE RELIEF ON THE EXPENSE OF CHILD CARE, FOREVER, AND RELIEF ON THEIR HOUSING COSTS.

SO I MEAN, THIS IS A COMMON SENSE PLAN THAT FOCUSES ON THE NEEDS OF WORKING MINNESOTANS.

>> BUT HERE'S THE DEAL.

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS HAVE BOTH PROPOSED FAX CUTS.

THE QUESTIONS ARE, WHO IS IT FOR?

DEMOCRATS HAVE PROPOSED CUTTING TAXES FOR MIDCAL CLASS FAMILIES.

REPUBLICANS HAVE PROPOSED CUTTING TAXES FOR BILLIONAIRES THAT DON'T LEGISLATIVE IN MINNESOTA.

>> THE TRUTH IS, REPUBLICANS PUT FORTH A REALLY GOOD TAX PROPOSAL THAT CUTS THE FIRST TWO RATES THAT EVERYBODY PAYS.

AND THAT'S REALLY A GOOD WAY OF GETTING US STARTED TO BECOMING A COMPETITIVE STATE.

AS BRIAN SAID, WE'RE NOT COMPETITIVE WITH ANYBODY EXCEPT CALIFORNIA.

>> THEN WHY DO WE HAVE THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN AMERICA?

WHY DO WE HAVE THE MOST FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES PER CAPITA THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY?

GLESES HOW ABOUT THE REBATES -- >> Cathy: HOW ABOUT THE REBATES, BY THE WAY?

WILL THAT BE PART OF AN ULTIMATE TAX BILL AT THE VERY END?

>> WELL, LET'S HOPE SO, BUT WE DO EE THAT THE D.F.L.

LEADERSHIP IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE IS LUKEWARM AT BEST ON THOSE TAX REBATES.

AND FROM MY PERSPECTIVE THAT'S ONE OF THE NICE THINGS ABOUT GOVERNOR WALZ'S BUDGET.

IS HE DOES WANT TO GIVE SOME MONEY ACK.

I THINK IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

BUT THAT'S A GOOD STARTING POINT.

AND I WOULD HOPE THAT HE CAN BRING THE DEMOCRATS IN THE LEGISLATURE ALONG BECAUSE I REALLY DO THINK WITH A BUDGET SURPLUS THIS SIZE, YES, SOME OF THAT IS ONE-TIME MONEY, SO A ONE-TIME REBATE IS A OKAY USE OF SOME OF THAT.

>> Cathy: SENATOR KENT IS WHY HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP LUKEWARM TO THE REBATE CHECKS?

>> I JUST THINK THERE ARE WAYS -- IT IS A SHORT-TERM LITTLE CONTRIBUTION TO PEOPLE'S BOTTOM LINES WHEN THEY KNOW IF WE CAN MAKE SOME REAL INVESTMENTS IN SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE ONGOING, REGULAR, AND SERIOUS COSTS TO FAMILIES, CHILD CARE, HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, THAT'S WHERE THEY CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES ON AN ONGOING BASIS.

>> Eric: I WANT TO SHIFT GEARS A LITTLE BIT TO THE STATE PARTY'S DIRECTION.

THE MINNESOTA G.O.P., FINED $100,000 BY THE F.E.C.

FOR SOME SLOPPILY BOOK KEEPING.

AND THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT, BUT THEN THE MINNESOTA DFL PARTY IS HOLDING A MID-SESSION FUNDRAISER FOR THE PARTIED?

BUT NOT FOR NDIVIDUAL LAWMAKERS?

OR THE CAUCUSES.

AND SO IT'S LEGAL?

OR -- WHO WANTS TO HELP ME WITH THIS.

>> 'LL START WITH THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

IT'S REALLY UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE DAVID HANN IS KIND OF THE LIKE THE GUY YOU SEE AT THE CIRCUS WHO HAS TO CLEAN UP AFTER THE ELEPHANTS.

>> Eric: THE NEW CHAIR.

>> RIGHT, AND UNFORTUNATELY ALL OF THESER ERRORS OCCURRED UNDER THE PREVIOUS CHAIR, NOT UNDER DAVID HANN.

HE IS A REMARKABLY CONSCIENTIOUS CHAIRMAN AND HAS DONE A GOOD JOB.

WITH THAT SAID, I THINK WITH THE D.F.L.

DID WAS SKIRTING THE LAW AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN, IT'S, YOU KNOW, WALKING RIGHT UP TO THAT CLIFF AT THE GRAND CANYON AND LOOKING OVER IT IN TERMS OF WHAT OUR CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS -- >> Eric: BECAUSE LAWMAKERS CAN'T RAISE MONEY DURING A SESSION.

>> RIGHT, AND YET THEY DID.

>> Eric: WHAT'S OING ON HERE, ABOU.

>> AS THE LAWYER ON THE PANEL, WE FOLLOWED THE LAW.

AND ANOTHER INSTANCE, REPUBLICANS WERE FINED FOR VIOLATING THE LAW.

>> FOUR YEARS AGO.

>> MY POINT REMAINING, IS THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAD VIOLATED NO LAWS.

IF YOU DISAGREE WITH THIS, GO FACULTY TO YOUR LEGISLATOR AND SEE IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE LAW.

THE DEMOCRATS ARE COMPLYING WITH MINNESOTA'S CAMPAIGN LAW.

>> WHEN YOU DO A FUNDRAISER AT A HOTEL THAT'S A BLOCK FROM THE CAPITOL AND YOU SAY YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SHUTTLE BUSES TO AND FROM THE CAPITOL AND YOU HAVE THE LEADERSHIP AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR THERE, THAT'S WHAT MINNESOTANS WORRY ABOUT WHEN THEY THINK ABOUT MONEY ND POLITICS COMING TOGETHER.

SO, YES, I AGREE WITH YOU.

I MEAN, I THINK IT'S CLEARLY LEGAL UNDER THE LAW.

BUT IS IT ADVISABLE?

I THINK NOT.

>> I REMEMBER NOT THAT LONG AGO WHEN I WAS THE CAUCUS LEADER AND WE WERE HAVING SPECIAL SESSIONS EVERY FIVE MINUTES DURING COVID, THERE WAS A BIG BOAT PARTY FOR THE REPUBLICANS.

I THINK THE DAY AFTER THE SPECIAL SESSION.

SO, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, THIS IS -- IT IS FOLLOWING THE LAW.

>> THAT'S IGHT.

>> Cathy: SO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME ISSUES ON THE FLOOR.

A BONDING BILL IS GOING TO BE ON THE FLOOR EVIDENTLY ON MONDAY WHAT THE HECK?

>> THEY ALMOST HAD A BONDING BILL LAST YEAR.

AND FUNDAMENTAL AGREED TO BY BOTH PARTIES LAST YEAR.

SO THEY'RE WORKING OFF OF THAT AS THE STARTING POINT.

OF COURSE THE THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CHANGES SINCE THEN.

BUT THAT'S THE FOUNDATION OF IT.

THEY'VE HAD HEARINGS.

YOU KNOW, THEY'RE BRINGING IT TO THE FLOOR.

I THINK, THOUGH, IT'S SAFE TO SAY AT THIS POINT, THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH REPUBLICAN VOTES TO PASS IT.

IT TAKES 11 REPUBLICANS IN THE HOW FAST, 7 REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE TO GET TO THAT 60% SIEWN MAJORITY, IT IS THE MAIN LEVERAGE POINT THAT MINORITY APPARENTS HAVE AT THE LEGISLATURE.

SO I WOULD NOT EXPECT THAT THEY'RE GOING TO MOVE IT FORWARD.

BUT I THINK DEMOCRATS WANT TO TRY TO PUT SOME PRESSURE ON.

>> Eric: INSTEAD OF BORROWING, >> WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

THE FORECAST CAME OUT THIS WEEK.

THAT IS THE OFFICIAL START OF THE BUDGETING PROCESS.

AND THERE'S JUST GOING TO BE A BIG CONVERSATION ABOUT ALL OF THESE ISSUES WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

BUT I WILL SAY, I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT A BONDING BILL IN MARCH.

INSTEAD OF THROWING IT ONTO THE LEGISLATIVE FLOOR 15 MINUTES BEFORE MIDNIGHT ON THE LAST DAY.

>> Cathy:>> THEY CAN TALK ABOUT IT ALL THEY WANT IN MARCH BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO PROCESS.

>> IT'S A PROCESS.

>> RIGHT.

TO HAVE A VOICE, AND SAY HERE'S WHAT WE WANT TO SEE IN THE BONDING BILL AND SEE IF THEY CAN'T MOVE IT FORWARD THAT WAY.

>> BEFORE YOU RUN A MARATHON, YOU BETTER STRETCH.

AND I HINK THIS IS A STRETCH OPPORTUNITY FOR DEMOCRATS TO SHOW WHAT THE BONDING BILL'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

IS THERE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE APPETITE FROM REPUBLICANS?

>> Eric: THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE GOAL IS TO MAKE MINNESOTA THE BEST STATE TO RAISE A FAMILY.

WHAT ROLE DOES GOVERNMENT PLAY IN TRYING -- REACHING THAT GOAL?

>> LOWERING COSTS FOR MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES.

WHEN YOU LOWER COSTS FOR MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES, PARENTS CAN SEND THEIR KIDS TO DAYCARE WITHOUT GOING BROKE.

PARENTS CAN AFFORD HEALTHCARE WITHOUT GOING BROKE.

>> AND WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT?

LOWER THE TAXES ON THOSE MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES AND LOWER THE REGULATIONS SO WE CAN HAVE MORE DAYCARES OPEN.

RIGHT NOW MITE'S ONE THE MOST HIGHLY REGULATED DAYCARE PROVIDERS IN THE NATION AND WE HAVE DAYCARE PROVIDERS BECAUSE OF COVID AND OTHER THINGS THAT COULDN'T SURVIVE.

AND SO WE HAVE A SHORTAGE NOT ONLY OF NEWBORN BUT OF INFANT CARE AND WE HAVE SO MANY REGULATIONS.

>> LABOR COSTS FOR ARING FOR VULNERABLE LITTLE CHILDREN, THERE'S NOT A WAY YOU CAN SCALE THAT UP AND MAKE THAT REALLY A LOT MORE EFFICIENT.

AND A BEST WAY WE CAN DO THAT IS TO BASICALLY HELP FAMILIES AFFORD IT, BY MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN PAY GOOD QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR LITTLEST MINNESOTANS, BUT RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE SMALL TOWNS AROUND THE STATE THAT ARE STRUGGLING BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE CHILD CARE AND IT'S A FINANCIAL ISSUE.

>> Eric: OKAY, THE REPUBLICAN GOAL -- THE REPUBLICAN PATH TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL OF MAKING MINNESOTA THE BEST STATE TO RAISE A FAMILY.

>> I'LL ADD, ANNETTE TALKED ABOUT, THEY NEED TO LOWER TAXES AND MAKE IT MORE FAIR FOR ALL MINNESOTANS.

BUT ALSO LET'S NOT FORGET SMALL BUSINESSES.

SMALL BUSINESSES EMPLOY MORE PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA THAN ALL OF THE BIG BUSINESSES COMBINED.

AND SO LET'S NOT REGULATE AND TAX SMALL BUSINESSES IN A WAY THAT HURTS THEIR AND TO HIRE PEOPLE, PROVIDE HEALTHCARE, TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR THEM.

>> Eric: I'M GETTING THE HOOK HERE.

I GOT TO RUN.

NICE JOB, PASSAGE.

THANKS.

NICE JOB, PANEL.

THANKS.

♪♪ >> WHAT IF ERP TO WE WERE TO PUT LOVE AT THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING THAT WE DEBATE AND WE DISCUSS AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR?

>> I AM JUST SO PROUD TO BE A MINNESOTAN TODAY.

>> Mary: AND AT THE REACTION PRESSER, A SUBURBAN ENATOR WHO'S ALSO A CHAPLAIN HAD SOME STRONG WORDS.

>> I PERSONALLY WILL GO TO JAIL BEFORE I EVER PERFORM A MARRIAGE TO A HOMOSEXUAL.

>> ERIC: MARRIAGE EQUALITY HAS BEEN LAW IN MINNESOTA FOR NEARLY TEN YEARS NOW.

IT'S MINNESOTA HISTORY TIME.

AND IN ALL MODESTY, THIS WEEK'S INDEX FILE QUESTION IS FABULOUS.

OUR QUESTION CONCERNS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS AMERICAN ATHLETES OF THE PAST HALF CENTURY.

THIS PERSON -- NOT SEEN HERE IN THE LEAST -- IS A MEMBER OF THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME.

THIS ATHLETE IS THE SUBJECT OF A RECENT DEFINITIVE BIOGRAPHY, RELEASED LAST FALL TO GREAT FANFARE.

WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH MINNESOTA?

THIS BOOK FEATURES A PROMINENT QUOTE -- ON PAGE 394 -- FROM A PERSON WHO REGULARLY APPEARS ON "ALMANAC."

IT'S YOUR JOB TO TELL US THE NAME OF THE FAMED ATHLETE AND THE QUOTED FREQUENT "ALMANAC" GUEST.

THINK OF FOOTBALL.

THINK OF OUR REGULAR GUESTS.

AND THEN ANSWER THIS QUESTION: WHAT "ALMANAC" REGULAR IS QUOTED IN A RECENT BOOK ABOUT A COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMER?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU LIVE NEAR FOOTBALL LAKE, TENNIS LAKE, GOLF LAKE, OR FRISBEE LAKE.

651-229-1430 IS OUR VOICEMAIL.

AND REMEMBER, WE APPRECIATE A WELL-CRAFTED WRONG ANSWER AS MUCH AS A CORRECT ONE.

651-229-1430.

EMAIL ANSWERS ARE ANOTHER EASY OPTION.

COMPOSE YOUR RESPONSE CAREFULLY, AND THEN SEND IT ALONG TO ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

WE ALWAYS LIKE TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS TOO.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT TONIGHT'S SHOW?

WHAT DO YOU THINK WE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER?

PHONE NUMBER AGAIN.

651-229-1430.

AND REMEMBER, IF YOU WANT TO TRACK WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE LEGISLATURE, WE HAVE TWO SUGGESTIONS FOR YOU.

WATCH LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS EACH WEEKDAY ON THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

AND REMEMBER TO WATCH OUR SISTER PROGRAM, "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL," EACH WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7:00 ON THE SAME PBS STATION WHERE YOU WATCH LEGISLATIVE TV.

FOR SHOW-ENDING MUSIC, IT WAS THIS WEEK IN 2016 THAT DALE WATSON AND THE TEXAS TWO STOPPED BY STUDIO "B" AND PLAYED SOME COUNTRY MUSIC FOR US.

IT WAS A GREAT NIGHT.

LET'S LISTEN TO DALE SING HIS TUNE "RUN AWAY" AS WE ROLL THE CREDITS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

BE CAREFUL.

>> ♪ RUN AWAY FROM ME, GIRL ♪ ♪ DON'T TAKE A SECOND LOOK AT ME ♪ ♪ I AIN'T WHAT THIS WORLD WANTS YOUR MAN TO BE ♪ ♪ NOT ME ♪ ♪ I'VE NEVER BEEN IN LOVE ♪ ♪ DON'T THINK I EVER WILL ♪ ♪ IT'S JUST SOMETHING I CAN'T DO ♪ ♪ BUT I KEEP TRYING STILL ♪ ♪ RUN AWAY FROM ME, HUN ♪ ♪ DON'T LET ME DRAG YOU DOWN ♪ ♪ I KNOW HOW ♪ ♪ TAKE OFF AND RUN ♪ ♪ I'VE NEVER BEEN IN LOVE ♪ ♪ DON'T THINK I EVER WILL ♪ ♪ IT'S JUST SOMETHING I CAN'T DO ♪ ♪ BUT I KEEP TRYING STILL ♪ ♪ RUN AWAY ♪ CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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AND EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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