OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> ERIC: IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL TACKLE SOME BIG STORIES.

WE'LL LEARN WHAT A CONSENT DECREE IS AND WHY YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT IT EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN MINNEAPOLIS.

PLUS WE'LL EXPLORE THE MIX OF LAW AND POLITICS AS WE LOOK AT THE FIRST-EVER INDICTMENT OF A FORMER PRESIDENT.

THEN MARY LAHAMMER EXPLORES AN EXPENSIVE RESTORATION PROJECT ON SUMMIT AVENUE.

>> Mary: LAWMAKERS AT THE CAPITOL HAVE QUESTIONS AFTER LEARNING ABOUT AN EXPENSIVE RENOVATION OF THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE.

WE'LL HAVE SOME UNIQUE HISTORIC CONTEXT.

>> IT'S REALLY BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

>> IT NEEDS EXTRA SCRUTINY AND EXTRA TRANSPARENCY.

>> Mary: 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.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A TRIBAL NATION FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION - ESPECIALLY IN TIMES LIKE TODAY.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

♪♪ >> ERIC: WE'LL GET TO THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE STORY IN A FEW MINUTES AND TREAT YOU TO SOME LIVE CHORAL MUSIC FROM CANTUS.

BUT, FIRST, NEWS OF A LEGALLY BINDING AGREEMENT THAT WILL CHANGE THE RULES FOR MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICERS.

>> CATHY: THIS MORNING DETAILS WERE RELEASED ON THE LONG-AWAITED LEGAL AGREEMENT THAT WILL CHANGE HOW MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICERS DO THEIR JOB.

NO MORE POLICE STOPS FOR BROKEN TAILLIGHTS.

OFFICERS CAN'T USE CHEMICAL IRRITANTS TO CONTROL CROWDS.

THE SETTLEMENT ALSO CHANGES OFFICER TRAINING AND INCREASES ACCOUNTABILITY FOR MISBEHAVIOR.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS IS YOHURU WILLIAMS.

HE'S A HISTORIAN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS AND IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL'S RACIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE.

ONE OF HIS AREAS OF EXPERTISE IS THE HISTORY OF POLICING.

IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THASMTION FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: THERE ARE FOLKS THAT CALL THIS, THIS IS GOING TO BE TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE.

IS IT?

>> IT IS FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS IN THE SENSE THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS DEPARTMENT HAS PURSUED A CONSENT DECREE WITH THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, SO T'S A BIG DEAL IN THAT REGARD.

AND IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS IS A STATE, WE STILL HAVE THE FEDS WHO COULD WEIGH IN AND IT'S VERY LIKELY THAT WE'LL HAVE TWO CONSENT DECREES AT THAT POINT.

ONE FROM THE CITY THAT LOOKS AT RACE-BASED POLICING OR FROM THE STATE, AND THE OTHER FROM THE FEDS THAT WILL LOOK AT CONSTITUTIONAL POLICING.

THAT'S A POTENT ONE-TWO PUNCH WITH REGARD O HOLDING POLICE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS.

>> Eric: HOW MUCH OF THIS IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE GEORGE FLOYD MURDER?

>> I WOULD ARGUE IT'S A DIRECT RESULT.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY -- AND WE HEARD THAT TODAY WITH COMMISSIONER REBECCA LUCERO, WHO TALKED ABOUT IT BEING 1,040 DAYS SINCE GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER.

THIS WAS THE CATALYST.

AT THE SAME TIME THEY TALK ABOUT THIS AS A PATTERN IN PRACTICE CONSENT DECREE.

THIS GOES BACK DECADES AND THEY'RE TRYING TO GET AT SOME OF THE ROOT CAUSES F THOSE DISPARITIES WITH REGARD TO RACE-BASED POLICING IN THE CITY.

>> Cathy: TRAINING IS A BIG ISSUE.

IT LOOKS LIKE THAT'S GOING TO GO UNDER SOME PRETTY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE.

>> YEAH.

AND IT WAS GOOD TO SEE THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS TALK ABOUT ACTUALLY MEETING WITH POLICE AS WELL AS COMMUNITY, SO THEY WERE VERY BIG ON TALKING TO COMMUNITY, BUT THEY ALSO TALK TO POLICE.

THEY SAID, LOOK, OFFICERS WERE SHARING WITH US, WE WANT CLEAR DIRECTION WITH REGARD TO POLICY.

WE WANT TO KNOW THAT WE'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING.

SO THAT MEANS A RAMP-UP IN TRAINING AND NOT JUST SCROLLING THROUGH A POWERPOINT.

THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT GOOD ADULT EDUCATION PRACTICES.

IN PERSON, WORKING WITH TRAINERS, REALLY THINKING CONCRETELY ABOUT HOW TO DO THAT JOB WITH ORE HUMANITY, WHICH IS ANOTHER THEME THAT CAME OUT OF THE REPORT.

>> Eric: I'M REMINDED OF THE OLD MIKE TYSON QUOTE, WHERE EVERYBODY HAS A PLAN UNTIL THEY GET PUNCHED IN THE FACE.

AND I WONDER, ARE THERE EETH IN THIS SOMEHOW, DO HEADS ROLL IF THINGS DON'T GET BETTER?

WHAT'S THE IMPETUS FOR CHANGE, BEYOND JUST THE RECOMMENDATIONS?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

AND PART OF IT IS THE FACT THAT THIS CONSENT DECREE IS JUDICIALLY ENFORCEABLE.

SO THAT OVERSIGHT BY THE COURT, THE FACT THAT YOU'LL HAVE A MONITOR IN PLACE, AND THAT THERE WILL BE THIS FEEDBACK LOOP IS ONE OF THE TOOLS THAT YOU CAN USE TO ACTUALLY DRIVE THE TRANSFORMATIONAL ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE THAT THE CONSENT DECREE AND THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS IS SEEKING TO DRIVE IN THE CITY.

SO THAT'S A BIG PIECE OF THIS.

THEY'RE ALSO VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT TELLING FOLKS, THIS IS JUST THE FIRST STEP.

SEATTLE JUST CAME OFF ITS CONSENT DECREE, TEN YEARS.

OAKLAND, 20 YEARS.

JUST COMING OFF THAT CONSENT DECREE.

SO, THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS, NOT THE END.

COMMUNITY HAS A ROLE TO PLAY.

AS WELL AS CITY OFFICIALS.

>> Cathy: WHO'S MONITORING?

WHAT'S THE MECHANISM TO MONITOR PROGRESS?

>> SO THEY'RE GOING TO BRING IN AN INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT BODY THAT WILL ACTUALLY REPORT TO THE COURT AND THAT WILL BE THE BODY THAT WILL ACTUALLY MAKE SURE AND DETERMINE IF THE CITY'S ON TRACK AND RAISE ISSUES IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT SEEM TO BE OFF KILTER.

AND THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF THIS, THAT MONITORING AND EVALUATION IS GOING TO BE CRITICAL IN TERMS OF MONITORING THE PROGRESS LONG TERM.

>> Cathy: SO THEN WHAT WILL CHIEF O'HARA'S ROLE BE?

>> I THINK WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE, THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I THINK SO MANY PEOPLE WERE EXCITED ABOUT GETTING O'HARA IN.

HE HAS EXPERIENCE OVERSEEING A CITY UNDER CONSENT DECREE.

AND I THINK THIS MAKES IS JOB A LITTLE BIT EASIER.

THERE ARE SOME OTHER CHANGES THAT HAVE HAPPENED WITHIN THE CITY THAT ACTUALLY CHART A COURSE FOR THE FUTURE THAT DRIVE THAT ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE.

>> Eric: JUST OPINION QUESTION.

WILL THESE CHANGES MAKE IT LESS LIKELY OR MORE LIKELY OR WILL HAVE NO IMPACT ON GETTING THE FORCE TO A FULL COMPLEMENT?

>> CAME UP TODAY AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, AND HIEF O'HARA SEEMED TO SUGGEST THAT IT ACTUALLY SHOULD HELP BRINGING THE FORCE BACK.

YOU KNOW, MINNEAPOLIS IS UNDER A CLOUD, AND PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO SERVE IN THAT DEPARTMENT BECAUSE OF THE LEGACY OF GEORGE FLOYD.

WITH THE CONSENT DECREE IN PLACE, WITH ALEXANDER NOW BEING A NEW CHIEF, NOW THE CONSENT DECREE, FOLKS ARE WANTING TO COME ACK, THIS IS PART OF THE CHANGE THAT WE WANT TO SEE, THIS SHIFT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

HE THINKS IT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD RECRUITING TOOL AND ACTUALLY INDICATED TODAY AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE THAT THEY'RE ALREADY SEEING FORMER OFFICERS COME BACK AND NEW PEOPLE EXPRESS INTEREST IN THE JOB.

>> Cathy: SAY, IF YOU READ THROUGH THE REPORT, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WILL BE NO STOPS FOR THINGS LIKE BROKEN TAILLIGHTS AND SPELLING OF CANNABIS IF AN OFFICER STOPS A MOTORIST.

THOSE LOW-LEVEL OFFENSES.

IS THAT GOING TO CAUSE ANY ISSUE?

MIGHT THAT BE CONTROVERSIAL AT ALL?

>> I THINK SOME PEOPLE SEE T AS CONTROVERSIAL BECAUSE THEY SEEM THAT IT PREVENTS POLICE FROM USING PROBABLE CAUSE.

DOESN'T TAKE AWAY PROBABLE CAUSE, BUT WHAT IT GETS RID OF ARE THOSE RACE-BASED PRETEXT THAT WE OFTEN SAW ABUSED BY POLICE OFFICERS.

SO, CONSENT SEARCHES, STOPPING FOR THE SMELL OF CANNABIS, SUSPICION IN THAT REGARD.

SO IT TAKES AWAY SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE SAW AS PROBLEMATIC IN TERMS OF HOW POLICE POLICE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

>> WHERE DO YOU PUT THIS IN THE HISTORY OF POLICING MINNEAPOLIS AND ELSEWHERE?

>> THIS IS HISTORIC FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS.

IT'S A BIG DEAL.

AT THE SAME TIME I WANT TO EMPHASIZE WHAT REBECCA LUCERO TALKED ABOUT TODAY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS.

FIRST STEP, COMMUNITY HAS TO STAY ENGAGED, WE WILL HAVE TO STAY ENGAGED.

THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE.

BUT I'M HOPEFUL AND OPTIMISTIC.

THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> Eric: GREAT STEP, PROFESSOR -- GREAT STUFF, PROFESSOR, THANKS SO MUCH FOR COMING OVER.

THANKS.

>> Cathy: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

♪♪ >> ERIC: WE NOW MOVE FROM TODAY'S BIGGEST MINNESOTA STORY TO NATIONAL NEWS THAT IS DOMINATING HEADLINES AND NEWSCASTS.

THE DECISION TO INDICT DONALD TRUMP IN CONNECTION WITH HUSH MONEY PAID TO AN ADULT FILM STAR.

THE STORY REPRESENTS A COLLISION BETWEEN THE LEGAL AND POLITICAL WORLDS.

JOINING US NOW IS SOMEONE WHO KNOWS BOTH REALMS.

DAVID SCHULTZ TEACHES POLITICS AT HAMLINE UNIVERSITY AND IS A PROFESSOR OF LAW AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

IS THIS A COVER-UP CASE, BASICALLY?

>> IT IS A COVER-UP ASE, IN SOME SENSE.

I DON'T WANT TO QUITE SAY THE CLASSIC SORT F PROBLEM HERE, IT'S NOT THE DEED BUT IT'S THE COVER-UP.

BUT IN SOME SENSE IT'S THE COVER-UP THAT'S AT ISSUE HERE.

BUT WHAT MAKES THIS A VERY COMPLEX CASE IS THAT IT INVOLVES BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE LAW.

THE ARGUMENT IS IS THAT TRUMP, THROUGH MICHAEL COHEN, YOU KNOW, HIS ATTORNEY, TRIED TO PAY MONEY TO STORMIE DANIELS SO THAT SHE WOULDN'T TALK ABOUT THEIR ALLEGED AFFAIR DURING THE 2016 RACE.

THE CLAIM IS THAT'S A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS, WAS NOT DISCLOSED.

AND WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE IF THAT IS -- IF THAT IS A CRIME, WHAT THE STATE OF NEW YORK IS NOW ARGUING, THIS IS A PRIOR AD ACT WHICH WAS COVERED UP UNDER NEW YORK STATE FRAUD AW.

OKAY.

BASICALLY TRIED TO COVER IT UP.

AND IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN THEY MOVED THE FRAUD CASE FROM BEING A MISDEMEANOR TO A FELONY.

THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY COMPLEX CASE.

AND IT'S FRAUGHT WITH ALL TYPES OF -- LIKE FROM A LEGAL THEORY POINT OF VIEW, COMPLEX PROBLEMS.

>> Cathy: WAS THIS, THOUGH, -- IS THIS, THOUGH, MAYBE THE WEAKEST AND THE LEAST IMPORTANT OF THE INVESTIGATIONS FACING THE FORMER PRESIDENT?

>> POSSIBLY YES.

I MEAN, AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU NEVER SORT OF WANT TO SAY THAT PAYING OFF HUSH MONEY TO SOMEBODY ISN'T A SERIOUS ISSUE.

I DON'T WANT TO SORT OF DO THAT.

BUT WHEN WE START TO THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE COMPLEXITIES, SOME OF THE LEGAL PROBLEMS FOR THE OTHER ONES, WE HAVE THE GEORGIA CASE, WHICH IS REGARDING PERHAPS EFFORTS TO TRY TO INFLUENCE AN ELECTION THERE.

WE'VE GOT THE JANUARY 6th COMMISSION REPORT.

WE ALSO HAVE THE MARL LARGO CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

AND PEOPLE FORGET ABOUT IT, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF NEW YORK IS LOOKING AT HIM FOR TAX FRAUD.

IF WE CAN RANK THEM, THOSE ARE ALL FAR SERIOUS.

THE OTHER THING I CAN SAY ABOUT THE CASE IN NEW YORK, MICHAEL COHEN, STORMIE DANIELS, DONALD TRUMP, WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT BOY SCOUT BEHAVIOR HERE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE UNDERLYING ACT IS NOT GOOD.

WE'RE LOOKING T HERE.

THE OTHER THING IS, THIS IS NEW YORK CITY POLITICS PLAYING ITSELF OUT ON THE NATIONAL STAGE.

>> Eric: WELL, ON THAT NOTE, THE D.A.

IS ALVIN BRAGG, REPUBLICANS SAY HE'S A PARTISAN, REPUBLICANS SAY THAT HE IS WEAPONIZING THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AGAINST THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THOSE CLAIMS?

>> WELL, WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT NEXT WEEK, ON TUESDAY, WE BELIEVE, THAT TRUMP'S GOING TO BE ARRAIGNED.

AND THE JUDGE IS INDEPENDENT.

I MEAN, THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF HAVING ARRAIGNMENTS IS FOR THE JUDGE TO LOOK AT IT AND DECIDE CAN THE CASE GO FORWARD, FOR DONALD TRUMP TO PLEAD, O FORTH.

AGAIN, WE'LL FIND OUT.

AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE AN INVESTIGATION THAT'S CARRIED OVER FROM AT LEAST A OUPLE OF DIFFERENT ROSECUTORS IN NEW YORK, AND IT'S GOING TO BE KIND OF HARD TO SORT OF MAKE THE ARGUMENT, SAY, THERE'S BEEN THIS BIG, LARGE CONSPIRACY AGAINST DONALD TRUMP THAT'S BEEN SORT OF BEEN PUSHED BY SEVERAL PROSECUTORS.

>> Cathy: CAN THE FORMER PRESIDENT STILL RUN EVEN IF HE ENDS UP EING CONVICTED AND IN JAIL, CAN HE STILL RUN?

>> YES, YOU CAN.

FIRST OFF, REMEMBER, FIRST OFF, WE HAVE A PRESUMPTION IN OUR SOCIETY OF INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.

HE CAN, OF COURSE, RUN.

BUT LET'S SAY HE'S CONVICTED.

CAN HE STILL RUN?

THE ANSWER IS YES.

OUR BEST HISTORICAL EXAMPLE IS IN 1912, EUGENE V DEBBS WAS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, SOCIALIST, HE WAS IN A FEDERAL PENT, HE RAN.

AND -- PENITENTIARY, HE RAN.

AND I BELIEVE ALSO, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, NGELA DAVIS, WHO RAN FOR PRESIDENT BACK IN THE LATE '60s, EARLY '70s, SHE MIGHT HAVE ALSO BEEN CONVICTED OF SOME CRIMES.

BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER.

>> Eric: LYNDON LAROUSCHE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S ANOTHER GOOD EXAMPLE.

SO, YES, BUT THE QUESTION IS, AND THIS TAKES US INTO LALA LAND NOW.

I MEAN THIS, BECAUSE I TALK O MY LAW STUDENTS ABOUT THIS, WHAT IF HE'S CONVICTED, CAN HE STILL SERVE AS PRESIDENT IF HE'S CONVICTED OF A CRIME?

THE INTUITIVELY CORRECT ANSWER IS O.

HOWEVER, THE CONSTITUTION IS SILENT ON THAT.

IT SPEAKS TO THE FACT THAT YOU'VE GOT TO E 35.

YOU'VE GOT TO BE A U.S. CITIZEN, NATIVE BORN, BE IN THE UNITED STATES FOR 14 YEARS.

WE DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER TO THIS.

INTUITIVELY, YOU WOULD SAY NO.

YOU WOULD HOPE, EVEN IF IT'S NOT TRUMP, IT'S ANYBODY WHO'S A PRESIDENT WHO'S CONVICTED OF A FELONY, YOU WOULD HOPE THE PROCESS, IMPEACHMENT WOULD ACTUALLY KICK IN AT THAT POINT.

>> Eric: IF IT GETS TO TRIAL, CAN THEY FIND A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL JURY?

>> THAT'S GOING TO BE REALLY DIFFICULT TO DO.

AND THEN AT THE SAME TIME, THIS IS THE PROBLEM WE SAW WITH THE DEREK CHAUVIN TRIAL, THE OTHER ISSUE OF IS THE JOB OF JURIES IS TO ASSESS CREDIBILITY, WHO TO BELIEVE.

A LOT OF THIS IS GOING TO COME DOWN TO, WHO DO WE BELIEVE.

STORMIE DANIELS, MICHAEL COHEN, DONALD TRUMP.

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE TASK FOR THE JURORS, WHO'S TELLING THE TRUTH, WHO'S LYING.

>> Eric: STAY BY YOUR PHONE.

WE'RE GOING TO NEED YOU DURING THIS THING.

THANKS, PROFESSOR.

>> SURE.

>> ERIC: THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE HAS LONG BEEN A SOURCE OF CONTROVERSY IN THE STATE.

VARIOUS GOVERNORS HAVE AND HAVE NOT WANTED TO RENOVATE.

TURNS OUT THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION HAS MONEY SET ASIDE AND THE FIRST FAMILY IS MOVING OUT FOR OVER A YEAR.

THE EXPENSE OF THE RENOVATION AND TEMPORARY RESIDENCE ARE RAISING MANY QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS THAT OUR MARY LAHAMMER PUTS INTO CONTEXT.

>> THIS IS ENTIRELY PUBLIC.

THERE'S NO TIME THAT E SPEND DOWN HERE AT ALL.

>> Mary: 30 YEARS AGO, THE PERPICHES TOOK THE PRESS ON A FABLED TOUR OF THE LEAKING MANSION, APPEALING FOR ITS RESTORATION.

>> THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE CONDITION WHEN WE MOVED IN.

>> Mary: 20 YEARS AGO, THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE WAS PACKED UP AND THE VENTURAS MOVED OUT WHEN TOUGH TIMES HIT THE STATE ECONOMY.

>> IT'S HARD TO JUSTIFY WHEN THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HURTING SAYING, YES, YES, YES, KEEP THE RESIDENCE OPEN.

>> Mary: FIVE YEARS AGO, FIRST LADY WEN WALZ SHOWED US HER REDECORATED SPACE THE FAMILY AND PETS WERE ENJOYING.

>> I CREATED IT AS A GREAT WORK SPACE.

>> IT'S REALLY BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR OVER 20 YEARS, MARY, THAT GOVERNOR VENTURA ACTUALLY VETOED A BILL IN 2001 THAT WOULD HAVE COMPLETED THE RENOVATION.

SO IT'S BEEN AN ONGOING NEED.

IT'S A BUILDING THAT'S ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER, IT'S OVER 110 YEARS OLD.

>> I DON'T NECESSARILY QUESTION THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE, I HAVE SOME QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER THIS SHOULD BE THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE OR WHETHER WE SHOULD MOVE IT TO ANOTHER STATE-OWNED HOME.

I'VE ACTUALLY IN THE PAST ADVOCATED THAT WE MOVE THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE TO A JAMES J. HILL HOUSE.

I WILL PROBABLY DRAFT A BILL.

>> Mary: DAUDT WAS A LEADER IN THE RENOVATION WHICH HE SUPPORTED AND SERVED ON THE RESIDENT'S COUNCIL BUT HE HAS A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS NEW RENOVATION.

>> THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE SINGLE-PARTY CONTROL.

IT CAUGHT ME REALLY OFF GUARD.

RENOVATING A GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE, IT NEEDS EXTRA SCRUTINY AND EXTRA TRANSPARENCY.

AND I DON'T THINK IT'S RECEIVED THAT.

IT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE.

>> MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, BUILDING FOUNDATIONS, LEAKING, WINDOWS ARE LEAKING.

STRUCTURAL ISSUES.

PLASTER THAT'S FALLING DOWN.

IT'S BEYOND THE POINT OF JUST THE PIECEMEAL.

WE DO OVER 100 SERVICE CALLS A YEAR FOR MAINTENANCE ITEMS OUT THERE.

SO OUR FACILITY STAFF RUNS OUT THERE WHEN THE HEATING STOPS WORKING, WHEN THERE'S A PLUMBING LEAK.

>> I THINK WE NEED TO KNOW WHO IS THE DRIVER OF THIS AND IS IT ADMIN OR WAS IT THE GOVERNOR OR, YOU KNOW, HIS FAMILY?

MY GUESS IS, IF YOU SOLD THIS HOUSE, T WOULDN'T SELL FOR $6 MILLION.

AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO PUT $6 MILLION OF RENOVATIONS INTO IT.

I THINK YOU HAVE TO ASK YOURSELF, WHAT'S APPROPRIATE AND WHAT'S THE LONG-TERM PLAN HERE?

WHERE'S THE $6 MILLION COMING FROM?

>> OBVIOUSLY THE LONGER IT'S BEEN DELAYED, THE MORE IT'S COST.

NOT JUST FOR THE FIRST FAMILY, THERE'S LOTS OF VISITORS AND EVENTS THAT HAPPEN AT THE RESIDENCE.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO AKE SURE IT'S WELL TAKEN CARE OF.

WE'RE IN THE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PHASE.

FOR THE BUILDINGS ON THE CAMPUS, WE HAVE -- WE COLLECT RENT AND WE HAVE APPROPRIATIONS ON A PORTION OF THAT IS SET ASIDE IN WHAT WE CALL A FACILITIES REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT ACCOUNT.

AND, SO, IT'S THAT FUNDING SOURCE.

>> Mary: HERE IN THE TATE CAPITOL, THERE'S ACTUALLY A RENOVATED SPACE CALLED THE HISTORIC GOVERNOR'S DINING ROOM.

THAT REPRESENTATIVE DAUDT THINKS THE CURRENT GOVERNOR SHOULD BE USING.

>> WHAT IS THIS?

RIGHT?

WE JUST SPENT $300 MILLION RENOVATING OUR STATE CAPITOL.

THIS IS THE GOVERNOR'S PUBLIC SPACE.

>> Mary: FOR $17,000 A MONTH, DFLer WALZ IS RENTING THE LAKE HOME OF FORMER REPUBLICAN U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE MIKE McFADDEN, WHICH WE SAT DOWN INSIDE.

>> YOU KNOW, THE MEDIAN RENT IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA RIGHT NOW I THINK IS $1,600 A MONTH.

AND HE'S GOING TO DO SOMETHING MORE THAN TEN TIMES GREATER THAT.

GREATER THAN THAT.

I THINK THAT'S OUT OF TOUCH AND REALLY TONE DEAF WITH WHERE OUR ECONOMY IS AND WHERE MINNESOTA FAMILIES ARE RIGHT NOW.

>> Mary: IT DOES SEEM LIKE A DONE DEAL.

>> IT DOES SEEM LIKE THAT.

UNFORTUNATELY.

BUT I THINK WE CAN RAISE SOME AWARENESS TO THIS AND PUT SOME ADDITIONAL SCRUTINY ON, HOW DID THIS COME ABOUT, WHO MADE THE DECISION, WHERE DID THE COME MONEY FROM AND WHAT ARE THE SCOPE OF THE RENOVATIONS BEING DONE TO THE RESIDENCE.

I THINK MINNESOTANS NEED TO KNOW THAT.

>> IT'S PART OF THE LARGER CONTEXT OF PART OF THIS OVERALL PROJECT AND DELAYING THAT PROJECT ADDS SIGNIFICANT COST TO IT.

AND WE ADVERTISED EXTENSIVELY AND WENT OUT TO OUR REAL ESTATE NETWORK, BVIOUSLY LOOKING FOR A ERY UNIQUE PROPERTY WITH OBVIOUSLY SIGNIFICANT SECURITY.

WE DID A BROAD SEARCH AND SECURITY BY FAR WAS THE NUMBER ONE CHALLENGE.

>> Mary: THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID HE TRUSTS HIS ADMINISTRATION ON THESE DECISIONS AND WELCOMES LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT BUT HIS OPPOSITION SAYS THIS PLUS A $500 MILLION STATE OFFICE BUILDING RENOVATION COULD BECOME CAMPAIGN FODDER.

>> TO PUT INTO PERSPECTIVE, I THINK REPUBLICANS WON AN ELECTION BECAUSE DEMOCRATS REMODELED THE SENATE OFFICE BUILDING FOR THE TUNE OF ABOUT $90 MILLION.

AND NOW THIS NEW STATE OFFICE BUILDING IS GOING TO COST MORE THAN FIVE TIMES THAT MUCH.

I WILL SAY THAT IN MY HISTORY OF RUNNING ELECTIONS IN THIS STATE, AND I'VE DONE IT FOR A LONG TIME, THAT THE BIGGEST ISSUES THAT SEEM TO REALLY RESONATE WITH OR FRUSTRATE MINNESOTANS ARE ISSUES OF WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE OR THE SORT OF SELF-DEALING.

BUILDING FANCY OFFICE BUILDINGS FOR YOURSELF OR RENTING A BIG MANSION FOR YOURSELF.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE POLITICAL ISSUE?

>> FROM AN ADMINISTRATION STANDPOINT, WE'RE IN THAT NONPOLITICAL ARENA.

OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO TAKE CARE OF STATE ASSETS.

♪♪ >> CATHY: WE HAVE ALL HEARD THE STORIES, AMERICANS ARE ON THE MOVE NOW THAT MANY JOBS CAN BE DONE FROM ANYWHERE.

CHEAPER HOUSING IS OFTEN A MOTIVATION.

FOLKS ON THE EAST AND WEST COASTS ARE PACKING UP AND HEADING INLAND.

OTHERS ARE LEAVING BIG CITIES TO LIVE IN SMALL TOWNS AND ALONG LAKE SHORES.

HOW IS THAT PLAYING OUT IN MINNESOTA?

SOME NUMBERS WERE RELEASED THIS WEEK SHOWING THAT RAMSEY AND HENNEPIN COUNTY ARE LOSING POPULATION, AND SEVERAL COUNTIES IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA ARE BENEFITING FROM THE METRO'S LOSS.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THESE FIGURES, ERIC GUTHRIE.

HE'S A SENIOR DEMOGRAPHER AT THE STATE DEMOGRAPHIC CENTER.

WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: WELL, CONTINUING TO MOVE OUT OF THE TWIN CITIES.

DO WE KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING?

>> WELL, WE KNOW THAT FOLKS ARE MOVING OUT OF HENNEPIN ND RAMSEY COUNTIES.

YOU KNOW, THE OTHER COUNTIES IN THE METRO AREA HAVE BEEN INCREASING IN POPULATION.

SO THERE'S SOME FOLKS THAT ARE MOVING JUST OUT OF THE CORE CITIES AND INTO THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES, AND LIKE YOU SAID, THERE ARE SOME FOLKS THAT ARE MOVING TO MORE AMENITY-RICH AREAS IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL PARTS OF THE STATE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A NEW NORMAL THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING WHERE PEOPLE ARE NOT NECESSARILY AS TIED TO PLACE IN TERMS OF THEIR ABILITY TO WORK.

>> Eric: SO THIS IS BEYOND THE RATIO OF DEATHS TO BIRTHS?

>> THIS IS.

I MEAN, SO, YOU KNOW, IN RAMSEY AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES WE'RE STILL IN A SITUATION OF NATURAL INCREASE, SO WE HAVE MORE DEATHS THAN BIRTHS.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE THAT LIKELY CHANGE OVER THE NEXT DECADE OR SO AS THE BABY BOOM GENERATION BEGINS TO FEEL THE EFFECTS OF MORTALITY AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN HAVING DECLININGER FERTILITY -- FERTILITY RATES SINCE THE 1970s.

WHAT MINNESOTA HAS BEEN BENEFITTING FROM SEVERAL YEARS IS STRONG INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION THAT HAS OFFSET SOME OF OUR DOMESTIC LOSSES, WHICH HAS KEPT POPULATIONS INCREASING.

>> Cathy: TELL ME ABOUT WRIGHT COUNTY, WRIGHT COUNTY APPEARS TO BE BENEFITTING FROM THIS MIGRATION.

>> YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A OT OF OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITIES AND PEOPLE THAT WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE, PERHAPS WANT TO LIVE IN A PLACE THAT IS NOT AS DENSE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT ENJOY THAT MORE PASTORAL LIFE, YOU KNOW, WRIGHT COUNTY MIGHT NOT BE PASTORAL IN ITS ENTIRETY, BUT IT IS CERTAINLY -- IT CERTAINLY OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR LARGER LAND, CHEAPER HOUSING, THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> Eric: YOU'RE THE DATA GUY, BUT I WONDER HOW YOU THINK POLICY MAKERS WOULD USE THIS DATA.

WHAT KIND OF DECISIONS WOULD BE MADE BASED ON THIS DATA?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE LOOKING AT POPULATION LOSSES THAT HAS EFFECTS ON THE ABILITY TO COLLECT TAXES, THE ABILITY FOR JUST THE OVERALL TAX BASE.

IT HAS RELEVANCE IN TERMS OF AMOUNTS OF INCOME TAX AND PROPERTY TAX THAT ARE COLLECTED AND THAT THEN TURNS INTO THE ABILITY FOR AREAS TO PROVIDE SERVICES.

YOU KNOW, AND AS WE TART MOVING INTO A PERIOD WHERE WE'RE HAVING MORE AND MORE PERSONS CROSS THAT 65-YEAR MARK, YOU KNOW, AND FEWER CHILDREN BEING BORN BECAUSE OF DECLINING FERTILITY RATES, YOU KNOW, WE START TO RUN INTO SITUATIONS WHERE IS THERE TRADE-OFFS THAT HAVE TO OCCUR FOR ELDER CARE ERSUS EDUCATION, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY IN PLACES IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE DECISIONS THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WRESTLE WITH.

HOW WOULD WE ALSO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO AGE IN PLACE BECAUSE WE'RE NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO BE EQUIPPED TO HAVE NURSING SPACE OR SOMETHING -- YOU KNOW, ASSISTED LIVING SPACE FOR THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE HAVING ENTERING THAT PHASE OF LIFE.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING ABOUT THIS WORRISOME TREND, ARE WE ALSO SEEING PROBLEMS IN AREAS OF GREATER MINNESOTA, SAY, TO THE WEST, THOSE WESTERN COUNTIES, ARE THEY EXPERIENCING THE CONTINUED LOSSES AS WELL?

>> SOME PLACES ARE EXPERIENCING LOSSES IN POPULATION.

YOU KNOW, IN THE WEST, IN CENTRAL, SOME IN THE SOUTHEAST AS WELL, YOU KNOW, WE'VE SEEN SOME LOSSES, BUT WE'VE ALSO SEEN SOME SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN PLACES AS WELL.

>> Eric: COULD WE TALK ABOUT THE CENSUS AND MINNESOTA'S ABILITY TO COUNT, WE DON'T HAVE MUCH AN UNDERCOUNT HERE AS OPPOSED TO ANOTHER STATES -- OTHER STATES OR AM I BEING TOO NICE ABOUT IT?

>> YOU'RE NOT.

MINNESOTA IS A STATE THAT TRADITIONALLY DOES VERY WELL IN TERMS OF HAVING OUR POPULATION COUNTED.

WE TYPICALLY COME IN NUMBER ONE IN TERMS OF OUR ABILITY FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR PEOPLE TO ANSWER THE CENSUS WITHOUT THE EXPENSIVE NONRESPONSE FOLLOW-UP TO HAVE TO OCCUR.

SO WE DID DO VERY WELL.

THERE ARE ALWAYS DIFFERENTIALS IN TERMS OF DIFFERENT POPULATIONS BEING COUNTED MORE ACCURATELY AND BETTER THAN OTHERS.

SO WE ALWAYS HAVE TO CONTINUE WITH THAT AND LOOK AT IT.

BUT MINNESOTA DOES VERY WELL.

>> Eric: ERIC GUTHRIE, THANKS SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

♪♪ >> CATHY: HATE CRIMES LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY HAVE RISEN IN RECENT YEARS.

AND FOR A WHILE NOW, THERE'S THE SENSE THAT MINNESOTA'S HATE CRIME LAW NEEDS TO BE STRENGTHENED.

REPRESENTATIVE SAMANTHA VANG IS THE AUTHOR OF A BILL IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE THAT WOULD DO THAT.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING.

WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: SO THIS WOULD CHANGE HOW WE MEASURE WHAT IS A HATE CRIME, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> IT IMPROVES THE DATA COLLECTION BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THERE'S AN UNDERREPORTING.

THE ONLY AY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO REPORT A HATE CRIME IS TO A POLICE OFFICER.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS REALLY IT ALLOWS THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS TO COLLECT REPORTS FROM OMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.

>> Eric: I SUPPOSE TRUSTING THE POLICE IS PROBABLY ONE REASON IT HASN'T GOTTEN BETTER?

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

>> Eric: WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

WHAT'S THAT DYNAMIC ABOUT?

>> I THINK, YOU KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, AS WE'VE SEEN DURING THE PANDEMIC, THERE'S A RISE IN ANTI-ASIAN HATE, AND MANY -- WE'VE SEEN FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS WHO HAVE XPERIENCED INCIDENTS OF HATE AND BIAS INCIDENTS, THEY WILL OFTEN REPORT TO A COMMUNITY LEADER OR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION.

THE POLICE OFFICER IS REALLY NOT THE FIRST PERSON THAT THEY THINK ABOUT TO TALK ABOUT THESE TYPES OF SITUATIONS.

AND, SO, ALLOWING THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO COLLECT THESE REPORTS AND TO WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS TO DO THAT DATA COLLECTION REALLY IMPROVES WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING ON THE GROUND FOR COMMUNITIES.

>> Cathy: DOES THIS SYSTEM DEAL WITH ALSO SLURS, I MEAN, CALLING SOMEONE A RACIAL SLUR, CALLING THEM A NAME, THAT WOULD BE A BIAS SITUATION, RIGHT, VERSUS A HATE CRIME?

WOULD THAT BE COUNTED AS WELL?

>> SO NOT ALL INCIDENTS ARE CRIMES.

SO, LIKE, IF THERE WAS A SLUR, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT'S A BIAS MOTIVATED BUT IT'S NOT CRIMINAL.

SO WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS WE'RE CALLING IT THE STOP HATE BILL BECAUSE IT DOESN'T JUST ADDRESS CRIMES, IT ADDRESSES HATE AND BIAS INCIDENTS IN GENERAL.

>> Eric: THE ACLU HAS EXPRESSED SOME CONCERNS.

WHAT'S THEIR PROBLEM WITH IT?

HAVE YOU ADDRESSED THAT AT ALL?

>> YOU KNOW, THE ACLU HAVE NOT QUITE REACHED OUT TO ME ABOUT WHAT EXACTLY THEY HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT.

AND I'M STILL PRETTY VAGUE -- >> Eric: FREE SPEECH CONCERNS, MAYBE, FIRST AMENDMENT STUFF?

>> SO, FREE SPEECH IS STILL PROTECTED.

IT'S NOT A CONCERN IN THIS BILL.

I THINK IF I'M TRYING TO IDENTIFY WHAT THEY MIGHT HAVE CONCERN, REALLY, IS ABOUT THE PERCEIVED ASSOCIATION.

SO WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS IT ALSO ADDS THE VICTIMS OF HATE CRIMES.

BASICALLY THE STATUTE RIGHT NOW IS OUTDATED.

AND, SO, IT INCLUDES LGBTQ VICTIMS OF HATE CRIMES.

>> Eric: AND YOU DON'T LIST PEOPLE BY NAME, IT'S JUST BY THE INCIDENT, IS THAT HOW IT WORKS?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

SO THE DATA COLLECTION DOES NOT IDENTIFY THE INDIVIDUAL, IT JUST IDENTIFIES THE NATURE OF THE INCIDENT AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT IS.

>> Cathy: WOULD THIS HELP TO ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE GROUND MORE THAN WHAT WE KNOW NOW IN TERMS OF BIAS AND HATE CRIMES?

>> RIGHT.

IT IS -- RIGHT NOW THERE'S REALLY NO INFRASTRUCTURE SET UP TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHERE COMMUNITIES CAN REPORT WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUND.

AND, SO, THIS REALLY HELPS THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS TO SET UP A SYSTEM TO ALLOW TO COLLECT DATA FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO EXPERIENCE HATE AND BIAS INCIDENTS.

>> Cathy: AND ONCE THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE THOSE REPORTS, CAN THEY THEN DO MORE EDUCATION, PERHAPS?

I MEAN, WHAT WOULD BE THEIR ROLE?

>> YEAH.

DEFINITELY.

I MEAN, I THINK RIGHT NOW THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITIES, AND WHAT THEY CAN DO IS BE A PLACEHOLDER FOR COMMUNITIES TO COME AND HEAL, TO LOOK AT WHERE THEY CAN FIND PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE STATE AND HOW THEY CAN ADDRESS HATE.

THERE'S REALLY NO PLACE FOR HATE IN MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: REMIND ME, THIS AS PASSED THE HOUSE FLOOR IN A PREVIOUS SESSION.

>> YES.

>> Eric: HOW IS IT GOING IN THE SENATE?

>> SO, RIGHT NOW DEADLINES HAVE PASSED, AND, SO, THE BILL ONLY NEEDS -- HAS GONE THROUGH TWO COMMITTEES -- TWO COMMITTEE STOPS, PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUDICIARY, AND THAT'S ALL IT NEEDS TO GO.

>> Eric: YOU'LL GET IT INTO THE OMNIBUS PUBLIC SAFETY BILL, I WOULD GUESS.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT.

IT'S PART OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE JUDICIARY BUDGET BILL.

AND THEN ONCE IT GOES ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, THEN IT WILL PASS.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU COMING OVER.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: NICE TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THIS WEEK, I FOUND MYSELF IN THE MIDST OF A GROUP TEXT DISCUSSING HOW THE MINNESOTA TWINS WOULD FARE THIS SEASON, AND THE RESPECTIVE FEELINGS WE ALL EXPECTED TO HAVE.

ONE LONG-SUFFERING FAN SIMPLY REMARKED "“DISAPPOINTMENT.

THEN APATHY.

"” OH, SURE, OUR BOYS BEAT THE ROYALS YESTERDAY AFTERNOON ON OPENING DAY.

BUT THE SKEPTICISM, I THINK, CAN BE FORGIVEN.

WE HAVEN'’T PLAYED .500 BALL SINCE THE ASTERISK SEASON OF 2020, AND, EVEN WHEN WE'’RE GOOD, WE'’RE NOT THAT GOOD.

MINNIE AND PAUL HAVEN'’T WON A PLAYOFF *GAME * SINCE 2004.

WE'’VE TAKEN A PLAYOFF *SERIES * A GRAND TOTAL OF ONE TIME SINCE WE LAST WON THE WORLD SERIES IN 1991.

THE TWINS ARE THE OLDEST PROFESSIONAL FRANCHISE IN THE STATE, AND AS SUCH, STAND AS A PRETTY GOOD METAPHOR FOR OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH PRO SPORTS -- DIZZYING ASCENTS TOWARD THE HEIGHTS.

STOMACH-CHURNING PLUMMETS TO THE DEPTHS.

THE WILD ARE LOOKING GOOD NOW, BUT THEY HAVEN'’T MADE IT OUT OF THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS SINCE 2015.

THE TIMBERWOLVES?

THEY CAN'’T EVEN WIN THE DRAFT LOTTERY.

EVEN THE ONCE-MIGHTY MINNESOTA LYNX HAVE SEEN THEIR DYNASTY DEVOLVE INTO MEDIOCRITY.

SO WHAT'’S A MINNESOTA SPORTS FAN TO DO?

ME?

I'’VE BEEN DIALED IN TO GOPHER WOMEN'’S ATHLETICS.

I'’VE BEEN IN THE STANDS TO WATCH AN IMPROVING SOCCER TEAM AND A TOP TEN VOLLEYBALL SQUAD THAT SEEMS TO BE TRANSITIONING BETWEEN COACHES NICELY.

WE HAD SEASON TICKETS FOR HOCKEY THIS YEAR.

AND WE WERE EVEN UP IN DULUTH A COUPLE WEEKENDS AGO TO WATCH THE GOPHER WOMEN FALL TO WISCONSIN IN THE FROZEN FOUR.

IT WAS A HEARTBREAKER IN OVERTIME, BUT I'’M OKAY WITH THAT.

WHEN I WALK INTO THE TEAM'’S CAMPUS HOME AT RIDDER ARENA, I CAN SEE A DOZEN CHAMPIONSHIP BANNERS.

ALL FROM THIS CENTURY.

♪♪ >> JEARLYN: THE RENOWNED MINNESOTA-BASED ACAPELLA CHOIR CANTUS IS HAVING A CONCERT THIS WEEKEND.

WHAT MAKES IT EXTRA SPECIAL IS THE PRESENCE OF A SECOND CHOIR, ALSO KNOWN AS CANTUS.

THAT CHOIR IS FROM NORWAY.

IF YOU HAVE WATCHED ANY OF DISNEY'S "FROZEN" MOVIES, YOU'VE HEARD THE WORK OF THIS CHOIR.

LET'S FIND OUT MORE.

ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE PAUL WITH US, WE HAVE MONA, I'LL ALWAYS GET THE LAST ONE WRONG, MAREN, IT'S SO GREAT TO SEE YOU ALL HERE AND TO KNOW THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HE AMERICAN CANTUS ITH TWO WOMEN STANDING HERE, AND THERE'S SO MUCH MORE THAN TWO WOMEN.

SO, WHO HAD THIS GREAT IDEA, PAUL?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT WAS ACTUALLY OUR FRIEND JAKE BACK THERE WHO ORIGINALLY THOUGHT OF IT.

BUT WE GO ON TOUR A LOT AROUND THE U.S., AND AFTER CONCERTS, INEVITABLY, THERE'S SOME EXCITED YOUNG FOLKS WHO COME UP AND SAY, OH, MY GOSH, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU CAME TO OUR LITTLE TOWN.

THE CANTUS THAT'S ON "FROZEN," THAT'S AMAZING.

>> IT IS AMAZING.

>> IT IS AMAZING.

AND THEN WE HAVE TO EXPLAIN IN A VERY DEJECTED WAY, IT'S OT ACTUALLY US.

WE THOUGHT IT WAS ABOUT TIME, IF YOU CAN'T BEAT 'EM, JOIN 'EM.

SO WE INVITED THEM TO SING WITH US AND WE'RE SO EXCITED TO BE SINGING TOGETHER ON SUNDAY.

>> Jearlyn: WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT FROM THE CHOIR?

IT'S AMAZING THAT WOMEN ARE NOW IN CANTUS.

CAN I JUST SAY AMEN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I'VE BEEN BEGGING TO BE A PART OF THIS GROUP.

BUT THE LADIES ARE HERE.

AND IT'S NOT JUST THE TWO OF YOU.

IT'S NOT JUST THE TWO OF YOU.

IT'S HOW MANY?

>> WE'RE ABOUT 25 THAT'S HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND THERE ARE, LIKE, A FEW MORE THAT DIDN'T COME ON THIS TRIP.

>> Jearlyn: OKAY.

SO YOU ARE TOURING, NOT JUST MINNESOTA, BUT THE WHOLE COUNTRY?

>> WE STARTED OUT IN CHICAGO.

>> Jearlyn: YES.

>> AND THEN WE ENT TO LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY.

AND YESTERDAY WE HAD A CONCERT AT DRAKE UNIVERSITY.

>> Jearlyn: INCREDIBLE.

SO TELL ME ABOUT THE MUSIC THAW DO.

IS IT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THE GUYS ARE DOING?

>> IT'S A BIT DIFFERENT, YEAH.

WE HAVE A LOT OF MUSIC THAT ARE ESPECIALLY MADE FOR THIS CHOIR.

AND WE DO SING A FEW PIECES OF NORWEGIAN FOLK MUSIC.

>> YEAH.

>> Jearlyn: SO YOU'RE PERFORMING IN THE CONCERT THAT'S COMING UP THIS SUNDAY, RIGHT?

AND KNOWING THAT THE WOMEN ARE ALL GOING TO BE HERE, I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

WE HAVE SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT WITH THAT.

SO TELL ME HOW THIS CAME TO BE AT St. KATE'S IN O'SHAUGHNESSY AUDITORIUM.

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, IT'S A GREAT VENUE, IT FELT LIKE -- THE AMERICAN CANTUS HASN'T PERFORMED AT St. KATE'S I THINK IN A LONG TIME, MAYBE EVER, BUT IT FELT LIKE THE RIGHT SIZE OF VENUE, AND TO HAVE IT ON St. KATE'S CAMPUS, A WOMEN'S COLLEGE IS PERFECT.

SO THEY WERE GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO HOST US.

AND WE THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A REALLY FUN SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

>> Jearlyn: IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

I JUST WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR, WHEN THIS SHOW HAPPENS ON SUNDAY, IT'S THE WOMEN, 30 OF THEM, AND ALL OF YOU.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME SINGING TO DO.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SING LOUD.

THE AMERICAN CANTUS.

>> Jearlyn: YOU GOT THAT RIGHT.

OH, I GOTTA COME SEE THIS.

ABSOLUTELY.

OKAY.

SO TELL US WHERE IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN, WHAT TIME IT STARTS.

>> YEAH, SO IT'S AN APRIL 2nd, THIS SUNDAY, O'SHAUGHNESSY AUDITORIUM AT St. KATE'S UNIVERSITY IN St. PAUL.

AND IT'S AT 3:00 P.M. AND YOU CAN CATCH IT IN PERSON AND ONLINE.

>> Jearlyn: SO LOOK FOR ME, YOU CAN'T MISS ME.

LOOK FOR ME.

>> WE'LL CALL YOU UP ON STAGE.

>> Jearlyn: WHAT SONG ARE WE GOING TO HEAR?

>> WE'RE GOING TO HEAR TWO SONGS FROM THE FAMOUS NORWEGIAN COMPOSER, THE FIRST IS IMPROMPTU AND THE SECOND IS CALLED HAULING.

>> Jearlyn: HAULING, OH, YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE IT.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE, LADIES.

♪♪ ♪ EDVARD GRIEG "IMPROMPTU" ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> ERIC: A COUNTERBUDGET PROPOSAL FROM SENATE REPUBLICANS, A TUSSLE ABOUT RESTORING THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE, AND, OH, YEAH, SOME LEGAL NEWS OUT OF NEW YORK TOO.

ALL AMONG THE TOPICS FOR THE NEXT TEN MINUTES WITH THIS WEEK'S POLITICAL PANEL.

WE WELCOME MICHELLE BENSON TO THE GROUP.

THE REPUBLICAN IS A FORMER LAWMAKER AND CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

SHE'S JOINED BY REPUBLICAN PARTY ACTIVIST JEN DEJOURNETT.

DFLERS WITH US, FORMER LAWMAKER, NOW WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER KARLA BIGHAM.

AND FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER AND ATTORNEY ABOU AMARA.

SENATOR BENSON, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT'S BEEN RAISED BY THE REPUBLICANS IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO IS THAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE PURSUING AN AGENDA THAT THE VOTERS DIDN'T VOTE FOR.

YOU BUY THAT?

DID THE VOTERS NOT GET WHAT WAS GOING ON, GOING TO GO ON HERE?

>> WELL, IF YOU LOOK AT THE BUDGET, $7 BILLION IN TAX INCREASES, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY HAD THAT ON A ALK PIECE.

THEY'RE LOOKING AT $7 BILLION IN TAX INCREASES.

THOUSANDS OF EW TATE EMPLOYEES, 400 ALONE, FOR THE PAID FAMILY LEAVE BUREAUCRACY.

I DON'T HINK THAT WAS ON ANYBODY'S WALK CARD AS THEY WERE GOING OUT AND TALKING ABOUT THESE THINGS.

THINGS THAT WERE ON THE WALK CARDS, RETURNING THE OCIAL SECURITY -- STOP TAXING SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME.

THEY WALKED BACK ON THAT PROMISE.

EDUCATION FOR KIDS, YES, THEY'RE FUNDING IT, BUT ARE THEY RAISING THE BAR SO THAT OUR KIDS ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO LEARN TO READ?

AND, SO, NO, SOME OF THE THINGS WERE ON WALK CARDS.

BUT THEY'RE REALLY MISSING THE BOAT WITH THE VERAGE MINNESOTAN WHO IS SUFFERING UNDER INFLATION AND WOULD REALLY LIKE SOME DIRECT RELIEF FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

>> Eric: ABU?

>> WELL, FOR A DECADE, YOU HAD STALEMATE AT THE CAPITOL, YOU HAD SENATE REPUBLICANS BLOCKING MANY PROPOSALS THAT FOLKS WANTED TO GET DONE, PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, MAKING SURE WE WOULD SEND BACK SOME OF THE SURPLUS, MAKE SURE WE INVEST OF IN OUR SCHOOLS, IT WAS GRIDLOCK.

SO MINNESOTANS WERE TIRED OF IT, SO THEY GAVE CONTROL TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO GET THINGS DONE.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU'VE BEEN SEEING OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> OBVIOUSLY, IT WAS BY THE TINIEST OF MARGINS, BY HUNDREDS OF VOTES, NOT BY A LOT.

BUT WHAT'S NOT BEING EXPLAINED IS THAT A FINANCIAL TRAIN WRECK IS GOING TO BE RUN THROUGH EVEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF THE BILLS IS GOING TO COST $350,000 UPON IMPLEMENTATION, AND TRUST ME, NO ONE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT KNOWS THAT BECAUSE I, AS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL, JUST FOUND THAT OUT THE OTHER DAY WHEN I ASKED SOME DETAILED QUESTIONS ABOUT A BILL.

SO NOBODY TALKED ABOUT ALL OF THIS.

AND IT'S OT LIKE YOU WON BY A ZILLION MILLION VOTES, IT WAS JUST THE TINIEST LITTLE BIT, IF THE WIND HAD BLOWN A DIFFERENT WAY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AT LEAST STATUS QUO.

>> I'VE NOTICED THAT THESE BILLS ARE PASSING WITH 1 VOTES.

SO, OBVIOUSLY THERE'S SOME GOOD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT THAT'S COMING THROUGH THERE.

AND IT IS HISTORIC THAT THE TARGETS HAVE ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED.

I'M OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER WHEN SENATOR BENSON WAS STILL WAITING FOR HER TARGET A WEEK BEFORE ADJOURNMENT.

SO, IT'S FANTASTIC THAT THIS STUFF IS GETTING DONE.

IT HAS BEEN A LOT OF YEARS OF OBSTRUCTION.

I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THE TAX CUTS THAT MINNESOTANS ARE EXPECTING, DAY CARE, YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE SOCIAL SECURITY WILL BE REPEALED.

I THINK THE PROPERTY TAX, RENTERS CREDIT, ALL OF THOSE CREDITS ARE GOING TO COME THROUGH THAT REALLY ARE MEANINGFUL FOR MINNESOTA FAMILIES.

>> Cathy: YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TAX CUTS, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF TAX INCREASES.

TAB FEES ARE GOING TO GO UP, SALES TAX, THE METRO AREA TRANSIT TAX.

WHAT AM MISSING HERE?

THE AMAZON DELIVERY.

75 CENTS ON EACH DELIVERY.

>> NOBODY TALKED ABOUT THAT IN THE LAST ELECTION.

I KNOW I LIVE IN THE SUBURBS, AND I KNOW, NO MINNESOTA MOM KNOWS THAT THEIR AMAZON DELIVERY, THEIR UBER EATS, ALL OF THAT IS GOING UP.

AND THERE IS NO BENEFIT TO THOSE UBER DRIVERS, I SAT IN A HEARING AND LISTENED TO THEM.

IT'S NOT LIKE THIS TAX INCREASE, YOU KNOW, IS GOING TO BENEFIT THEM IN A MATERIAL WAY.

THEY'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE ISSUES.

SO, ALL OF THAT, ALL OF WHAT YOU JUST SAID WAS OT DISCUSSED AT ALL.

>> Cathy: THOSE ARE SUBSTANTIAL FEE INCREASES.

SO WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK WE HAVEN'T KEPT UP WITH OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

>> Cathy: THERE'S A GAS TAX.

>> WE HAVEN'T KEPT UP WITH OUR HOUSING, WE HAVEN'T KEPT UP WITH ALL OF THAT.

AND IT'S BEEN BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD LITERAL GRIDLOCK.

AND, SO, I WOULD SAY THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW THE PAST COUPLE YEARS HAVE GONE, IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO PASS THESE PROJECTS WHEN THE GOAL WAS TO STARVE GOVERNMENT AND STARVE THE BEAST.

NOW THERE'S RESULTS COMING AND MINNESOTANS ARE GOING TO BENEFIT FROM A LOT OF THE INVESTMENTS IN EDUCATION AND IN HEALTHCARE AND DAY CARE.

>> BUT THE GRIDLOCK WAS JUST SAYING NO TO THINGS THAT DIDN'T WORK.

WE FUNDED TRANSPORTATION.

THERE WERE INCREASES IN SPENDING.

I MEAN, ROADS AND BRIDGES WERE ABSOLUTELY A PRIORITY FOR THE DECADE BEFORE THIS CAME.

NOW THERE'S A NEW FEE BEING ADDED THAT WAS NOT ON ANYBODY'S WALK CARD.

WE'RE ADDING MASSIVE BUREAUCRACIES, LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF STATE EMPLOYEES WHEN WE ALREADY HAVE ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE GOVERNMENTS IN THE COUNTRY.

>> MINNESOTANS UNDERSTAND, FOR EXAMPLE, ON THE GAS TAX, YOU HAVE A RECORD INCREASE IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WHICH DON'T USE GAS.

I'M ONE F THOSE PEOPLE.

>> Cathy: YES.

>> SO THE GAS TAX ACTUALLY HAS DRIVEN DOWN THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE.

SO THE QUESTION IS, WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO FIND THE MONEY TO INVEST IN THE THINGS THAT WE NEED, LIKE ROADS AND BRIDGES?

>> BUT YOU CAN'T CAMPAIGN ON ONE THING AND THEN DO SOMETHING ELSE WHEN, YOU KNOW, SAY, WELL, WE'VE GOT A TRIFECTA NOW SO WE'RE GOING TO FRONT LOAD AND TAKE IT RIGHT OUT OF YOUR POCKETBOOK WHEN FAMILIES ARE SEEING RECORD INFLATION AND CAN'T AFFORD THEIR DAILY LIFE.

>> AND THE OTHER PIECE I WAS GOING TO SAY IS HAT, THAT'S TRUE, IN AREAS THEY'RE SEEING TAX INCREASES.

IN OTHER AREAS YOU'RE SEEING MASSIVE TAX CUTS OR REBATES.

>> WHAT CUTS?

>> THE NET EFFECTS OF THAT -- FOR EXAMPLE, DEMOCRATS HAVE PROPOSED A TAX CREDIT FOR FAMILIES FOR CHILD CARE.

EVERYBODY NOWS, CHILD ARE'S ONE OF THE FASTEST INCREASES IN MINNESOTA POCKETBOOKS.

IF YOU DRIVE DOWN THOSE COSTS, THE NET EFFECT OF THAT IS ACTUALLY A TAX DECREASE.

FOR MINNESOTANS.

>> BUT THAT DOESN'T OVERALL MAKE OUR ECONOMY MORE STABLE.

YES, IT HELPS THOSE FAMILIES.

KUDOS.

TO THE FAMILIES WHO WILL GET THAT.

BUT IF WE WANT OUR ECONOMY TO ACTUALLY CATCH UP, DID YOU KNOW THAT SINCE 2000, MINNESOTA'S ECONOMY HAS GROWN SLOWER THAN THE NATIONAL ECONOMY?

IF WE WANT TO CATCH UP, IF WE WANT OUR ECONOMY TO GROW SO THAT EVERYBODY WHO COMES HERE CAN BE LIFTED UP AND HAVE A GOOD-PAYING JOB, WE NEED TO LOOK LONG TERM, AND WITH A $17 BILLION URPLUS, ACTUALLY, $20 BILLION SURPLUS, WHY ARE WE GETTING $7 BILLION MORE IN TAX INCREASES?

AND SMALL OFFSETS TO SPECIFIC GROUPS.

>> Eric: WHY NO MANDATORY STATEWIDE RANK CHOICE VOTING?

APPARENTLY IT'S A STUDY.

>> Cathy: WOULD YOU LIKE O JUST RESPOND?

>> I DO.

>> Eric: GO AHEAD.

>> I WILL SAY THIS, THE REASON MAYBE WHY IT'S BEEN STAGNANT, SENATOR BENSON, IS BECAUSE THE TAX CUTS THAT HAVE HAD TO GO THROUGH MAYBE SHOULD BE MORE TARGETED TOWARDS WORKING FAMILIES AND THE ISSUES THAT ARE FACING THEM.

AGAIN, DAY CARE, MORTGAGE -- OR THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AND THE COUNTY PROGRAM AID, THE STUFF LIKE THAT THAT'S REALLY GOING TO HELP WITH PROPERTY TAXES.

INSTEAD OF, YOU KNOW, THE TAX BILLS THAT THE SENATE HAD PASSED THAT WERE REALLY GEARED TOWARDS THE HIGHER-INCOME FOLKS.

>> NO, ACTUALLY, IF YOU LOOK AT THOSE TAX BRACKETS, THEY CUT THE LOWEST TIER FIRST.

AND THEY -- >> THE FINAL ONES DID, THANKS TO GOVERNOR WALZ AND THE HOUSE.

>> NO, THE SENATE BILLS THAT -- PUT FORTE TAX CUTS ACROSS THE BOARD STARTING ITH THE LOWEST TIER FIRST.

EVERY SINGLE DOLLARS PASSES THROUGH THE OWEST TIER, THAT'S WHERE HE CUTS WERE, AND THERE WERE INCREASES IN COUNTY PROGRAM AID.

IN 2000 WASN'T THE YEAR THAT THOSE TAX CUTS WENT INTO PLACE.

>> Eric: OKAY.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT RANK CHOICE VOTING.

WHERE ARE YOU ON THAT, PARTY ACTIVIST?

>> WELL, I'M AN OPERATIVE ON VARIOUS CAMPAIGNS.

IF YOU FEEL -- FIRST OF ALL, RANK CHOICE VOTING IS VERY COMPLICATED FOR THE AVERAGE VOTER TO UNDERSTAND.

I MEAN, REALLY, AND RESULTS AREN'T NECESSARILY RECEIVED RIGHT AWAY.

AND ALSO THAT CREATES A LITTLE CONFUSION.

I THINK BEFORE YOU WOULD PUT THROUGH SUCH A MASSIVE LEGISLATION PIECE STATEWIDE AND SHOVED INTO AN OMNIBUS BILL, IT WOULD TAKE A LOT OF DISCUSSION TO SEE IF MINNESOTA REALLY WANTS TO GO THERE.

AND IT DOESN'T ALWAYS GIVE YOU, NECESSARILY, A CONSENSUS CHOICE BECAUSE, AGAIN, IT'S CONFUSING, PEOPLE JUST DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND IT, AND IT'S THE WRONG CHOICE FOR MINNESOTA AT THIS TIME.

>> Eric: APPARENTLY THEY'RE ALLOWING LOCALITIES TO DO IT, BUT THERE'S NO STATEWIDE MANDATE FOR IT.

>> YEAH.

AND THAT MAY MAKE SENSE IN TERMS OF WHAT'S VIABLE.

YOU NEED TO SCALE UP.

BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S ACTUALLY THAT COMPLICATED.

MINNESOTANS EVERY YEAR GO TO THE STATE FAIR, THEY RANK THEIR FAVORITE FOODS.

IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN THAT.

AND, SO, I THINK MINNESOTANS CAN GRAPPLE WITH, HEY, YOU KNOW WHAT, LET'S STREAMLINE OUR ELECTIONS, LET'S DO IT ALL AT ONCE AND LET'S GET IT DONE AND MOVE FORWARD.

>> SO I THINK THAT THE REFORMS THAT ARE BEING PASSED NOW AND ARE GOING TO BE TREMENDOUS, YOU KNOW, FOR THE STATE IN MAKING SURE THAT FUNDING IS AVAILABLE FOR JUDGES, FOR OPERATIONS, FOR EQUIPMENT, FOR A LOT OF THIS STUFF, THEY'RE UPDATING A LOT OF THE LAWS, AL MAIL-IN VOTING -- ALLOWING MAIL-IN VOTING, A LOT OF THAT IS FANTASTIC, LET'S DO THAT FIRST, THEN LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

I THINK IT'S FINE FOR THE LOCAL BUT THE WHOLE STATEWIDE THING IS I THINK IS PROBLEMATIC.

>> THE ELECTION BILL, THERE'S A TON OF STUFF IN THERE THAT IS NOT GETTING ATTENTION.

FOR EXAMPLE, THEY'RE EXPANDING EARLY VOTING OUT TO 18 DAYS.

THERE IS POP-UP POLLING LOCATIONS, WHICH AROUND THAT IS A LITTLE COMPLICATED ON HOW YOU CAN REQUEST ONE AND HOW IT GOES THROUGH THE PROCESS.

I ASKED SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON SOME CLARITY QUESTIONS ON THAT THE OTHER DAY.

THERE'S A LOT -- THERE'S DEMOCRACY DOLLARS, WHICH THAT IS A WHOLE 'NOTHER -- CHANGES OUR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION REFUND PROGRAM.

THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF IN THERE THAT NEEDS A LOT MORE DAYLIGHT, AND THAT'S THE FRUSTRATION OF THIS SESSION, IS A LOT OF THIS STUFF IS HAPPENING BEHIND THE SCENES AND NOT BEING DISCUSSED.

>> AND TO FOLLOW UP ON JEN'S POINT, MARK DAYTON SAID HE WOULD NOT SIGN AN ELECTIONS BILL UNLESS IT HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT BECAUSE HE WANTED PEOPLE TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

SO, RAMMING SOMETHING THROUGH THAT DOESN'T HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IS BRAND-NEW FOR DEMOCRATS AND CERTAINLY WASN'T ON ANYBODY'S WALK CARD.

>> Cathy: ANOTHER ISSUE, I'M WONDERING, IS CANNABIS LOSING STEAM?

LEGALIZED CANNABIS.

>> NO, I DON'T.

I ACTUALLY THINK WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IS EALIZING THERE'S STILL MECHANICS THAT NEED TO BE WORKED OUT.

THIS IS THE PERFECT TYPE OF ISSUE THAT MAKES SENSE GOING INTO THE 2024 SESSION.

YOU'RE GOING TO DEAL WITH A NEW PRODUCT IN THE MARKET THAT IS GOING TO BE REGULATED, THAT NEEDS TO HAVE -- >> Cathy: NOT THIS SESSION?

>> NOT THIS SESSION.

I THINK GOING INTO 2024, IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE, YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF RUNWAY AND YOU'VE REALLY ONLY GOT A BONDING BILL, BESIDES THAT, YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF TIME TO INVEST IN WHAT THIS WILL LOOK LIKE.

>> I CONCUR.

I THINK IT WILL BE NEXT YEAR FOR THAT.

I THINK IT WILL BE NEXT YEAR FOR WAGERING.

IT'S A BUDGET YEAR.

AND THEY'VE DONE SOME INCREDIBLE THINGS AND HAD A LOT OF GREAT DISCUSSIONS ON A LOT OF THESE ISSUES THAT MINNESOTANS WANT TO SEE PASSED.

I THINK IT WILL END UP ON BOTH OF THOSE WILL BE NEXT YEAR.

>> Eric: TRUMP INDICTMENT, ANY FALLOUT FOR LOCAL POLITICS, MINNESOTA POLITICS?

>> I THINK DONALD TRUMP NEEDS TO GET BETTER LAWYERS.

HE'S IN A PRETTY BIG FIGHT NOW, AND IN AT LEAST THREE PLACES INDICTMENTS ARE COMING DOWN.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, REPUBLICANS NEED TO NOT TAKE THE BAIT AND FOCUS ON NOMINATING A CANDIDATE WHO CAN ACTUALLY BEAT WHOEVER THE DEMOCRATS PUT UP.

>> Eric: HE 30 SECONDS.

>> YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE IN THE RULE OF LAW AND YOU ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.

NANCY PELOSI SAID THAT HE HAD TO PROVE HIS INNOCENCE.

NO, THE OTHER SIDE HAS TO PROVE GUILTY.

GUILT.

THAT'S JUST OUR JUDICIAL PROCESS.

AND I THINK HE SHOULD GET SOME GREAT LAWYERS AND I'M SURE WE WILL HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IT'S THE STORY THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO END.

>> Eric: WOULD HE WIN A STRAW POLL AMONG MINNESOTANS RIGHT NOW, REPUBLICANS?

>> YOU KNOW WHAT?

I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF GREAT CANDIDATES COMING DOWN THE PIKE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM MANY OF THEM.

>> THE ANSWER IS YES.

>> AND NO ONE'S ABOVE THE LAW.

>> Eric: OKAY.

>> NO ONE'S ABOVE THE LAW.

>> Eric: GOOD FEISTY DISCUSSION, GREAT, OOD STUFF, GUYS, THANKS.

>> Cathy: THANKS.

♪♪ >> ERIC: LET'S CHANGE GEARS BY HAVING SOME FUN WITH MINNESOTA HISTORY.

HERE'S THE SETUP TO THIS WEEK'S QUESTION.

THE PLACE?

SWEDEN.

IT'S THE SUMMER OF 1988.

AND 33,115 FANS CRAM INTO A SOCCER STADIUM THERE.

A NUMBER OF GROUPS PERFORM THAT DAY, INCLUDING A MUSICAL ENSEMBLE FROM MINNESOTA.

ONE MORE HINT.

THIS EVENT IS GROUND BREAKING IN SOME WAY.

YOUR TASK?

WE WANT YOU TO NAME THE EVENT AND THE MINNESOTA GROUP THAT PERFORMED.

WHAT MINNESOTA MUSIC ENSEMBLE PERFORMED BEFORE 33,115 SWEDES IN THE SUMMER OF 1988?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU ARE CALLING IN FROM NEW SWEDEN, DENMARK TOWNSHIP, OR NORWAY POINT.

ALL REAL PLACES IN MINNESOTA.

651-229-1430.

THAT'S OUR VOICEMAIL.

CONDUCT YOUR RESEARCH AND CALL IT IN.

OR IF YOU NEED SOME TIME TO COMPOSE YOUR ANSWER, EMAIL IS FINE TOO.

ALMANAC@TPT.ORG IS OUR EMAIL ADDRESS.

A REMINDER TO TUNE INTO LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE ON THE STATEWIDE DIGITAL MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE IS AVAILABLE EVERY WEEKDAY ON EVERY PBS STATION IN THE STATE.

THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL IS ALSO THE PLACE WHERE YOU CAN WATCH OUR SISTER PROGRAM, "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

EACH WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7:00 FROM NOW UNTIL THE END OF MAY.

FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, HOW ABOUT ANOTHER TUNE BY THE CANTUS.

YOU CAN HEAR THEM AND THE NORWEGIAN CANTUS SUNDAY AT 3:00 AT O'SHAUNESSY AUDITORIUM IN ST. PAUL.

BATTLE OF THE CHORAL GROUPS.

AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

BE CAREFUL.

♪♪ ♪ I DON'T KNOW HOW MY MOTHER WALKED HER ♪ ♪ I DON'T KNOW MY FATHER STOOD HIS GROUND ♪ ♪ I DON'T KNOW HOW MY PEOPLE SURVIVED SLAVERY ♪ ♪ I DO REMEMBER THAT'S WHY I BELIEVE ♪ ♪ I DON'T KNOW WHY THE RIVERS OVERFLOW THEIR BANKS ♪ ♪ I DON'T KNOW WHY THE SNOW FALLS AND COVERS THE GROUND ♪ ♪ I DON'T KNOW WHY THE HURRICANE SWEEPS THROUGH THE LAND EVERY NOW AND THEN ♪ ♪ STANDIN' IN THE RAINSTORM I BELIEVE ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM ♪♪ ♪ I DON'T KNOW WHY THE ANGELS WOKE ME UP THIS MORNING ♪ ♪ I DON'T KNOW WHY THE BLOOD STILL RUNS THROUGH MY VEINS ♪ ♪ I DON'T KNOW HOW ♪ >> "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.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A TRIBAL NATION FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION - ESPECIALLY IN TIMES LIKE TODAY.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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