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

>> Mary: THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION HAS BEGUN, THE LEGISLATORS ARE BACK AND SO ARE SOME OF THE CROWDS.

WE'LL PREVIEW SOME OF THE ISSUES.

>> OUR FOCUS RIGHT NOW IS ON THE 2022 SESSION.

>> HAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

"ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... MANITOBA HYDRO: PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE ON COMMUNITY IMPACT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AT ENBRIDGE.COM/MINNESOTA.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY: PLAYING OUR PART BY GENERATING FUNDS FOR MINNESOTA.

IF YOU'RE GAME, JUST SAY I'M IN.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

♪♪ >> Mary: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" FOR THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I'M HERE ON THE ALMANAC SET BUT WE HOPE TO RETURN TO THE HOUSE GALLERY AT THE CAPITOL SOON.

ON TONIGHT'S SHOW, WE'LL LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR WANT TO DO WITH THE BIG BUDGET SURPLUS, AND HEAR CANDID THOUGHTS FROM ONE OF THIS YEAR'S MANY RETIRING LAWMAKERS.

HOUSE LEADERS WILL JOIN ME LIVE IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

BUT FIRST, THE CAPITOL HALLS WERE BUSTLING EARLIER THIS WEEK AS MORE PEOPLE HAVE RETURNED TO THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

>> LEMON BARS... >> Mary: THE CAPITOL FIELD WITH PEOPLE AND ENERGY.

NOT JUST BECAUSE THE CHEF EXECUTIVE WERE HANDING OUTS HOMEMADE TREATS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION.

>> IS THIS A KINDER GENTLER LEGISLATURE NOW?

>> BEING IN THIS PLACE, BEING IN THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE, BEING AT A PLACE WHERE FOLKS CAN GATHER TO EXPRESS THEIR PASSIONS, THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY IS ABOUT AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND I ARE HERE TODAY TO START THIS THING OUT.

WE SAID ON A SWEET NOTE, HANDING OUT SOME BARS.

NO ONE REJECTED THEM AS WALZ BARS OR GIMMICK YE, SO I'M GLAD OF THAT.

>> THE BUMP HE NOT IS SET, BUT LEGISLATORS HAVE A LOT ON THEIR LIST.

>> THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA SEPTEMBER US HERE TO DO A JOB AND WE'RE HEARING FROM PEOPLE, CRIME IS UP, KIDS ARE FALLING BEHIND IN THE CLASSROOM AND INFLATION IS EATING AWAY AT FAMILY BUDGETS.

SO IT'S OUR JOB TO COME HERE, WORK TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNOR, WITH THE HOUSE, WITH OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE SENATE.

>> E HAVE A ROAD MAP TO SAVE WILL THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND AN ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR MINNESOTANS.

AND A FOCUS ON OUR STATE'S HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT OUR CAUCUS WILL FIGHT FOR.

WE'LL SEE COMPROMISE, WE'LL WORK ACROSS THE AISLE AND JOIN FORCES WITH THE GOVERNOR AND MEMBERS OHOUSE WHO WANT TO JOIN US.

>> BRINGING BARS AROUND, WAS THAT PEAK MINNESOTANS, DID IT HELP, DID IT HURT?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE FOOD ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AND THE OTHER THING I WILL TOLD THE GOVERNOR, THE REPUBLICANS ARE DOWNSTAIRS CAUCUSING AND I SAID TO THE DEMOCRATS, DON'T EAT ALL THE BARS.

>> Mary: DID IT FEEL A THE BUILT LIKE A RETURN TO NORMAL, A LOT MORE SOCIALIZING, PEOPLE, MORE CROWDS HERE?

>> WE NEED TO BREAK BREAD TOGETHER, WE NEED TO LAUGH TOGETHER, WE NEED TO BE REGULAR HUMAN BEINGS, YOU KNOW, ON TOP OF THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING, WE NEED TO INTERACT IN INFORMAL WAYS LIKE THAT.

MARKETPLACE THE AGENDA, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO GET DONE OR STOP FROM GETTING DONE?

>> WE'RE PRETTY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT WHAT CAN GET DONE.

I THINK EVERYONE IS ON RECORD SAYING THAT THE YOU BELIEVE EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND NEEDS TO BE REFUNDED.

I THINK WE CAN DO THAT RIGHT OUT OF THE CHUTE.

I THINK WE'RE VERY CLOSE TO AGREEMENT ON THE FRONT-LINE WORKER MONEY, I THINK THAT COULD BE DONE RIGHT AWAY.

MARKETPLACE WORKER PAY AND REPAYING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SEEMED PRIME FOR EARLY ACTION.

ISSUES LIKE CRIME AND EDUCATION GET MORE COMPLICATED.

>> REPUBLICANS ARE SO STINKY EXCEPT WHEN IT COMES TO TAX CUTS OR WEALTHY MINNESOTANS AND CORPORATIONS.

WHY IS IT WHEN WE HAVE A $7.7 BILLION PROJECTED SURPLUS, WOULD WE NOT TAKE CARE OF THE FRONT-LINE WORKERS WHO HAD TO GO TO WORK.

>> GOVERNOR WALZ IS STINKY.

GOVERNOR WALZ IS WRITING A CHECK TO THE PUBLIC FOR 10% AND THE REAL WALZ CHECK HE'S HOLDING BEHIND HIS BACK FOR 90%, AND THAT'S THE CHECK THAT HE'S WRITING TO HIMSELF.

IT'S VERY OBVIOUS RIGHT NOW THAT MINNESOTANS HAVE OVERPAID.

>> I AM NOT AT ALL INTERESTED IN GIVING TAX CUTS TO THE WEALTHIEST MINNESOTANS.

>> THROWING PEOPLE IN JAIL ISN'T NECESSARILY GOING TO STOP CRIME FROM HAPPENING.

PEOPLE COMMIT CRIMES IF THEY THINK THEY'RE GOING TO GET AWAY FROM IT OR BECAUSE THEY'RE DEALING WITH THEIR OWN MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE CRISES.

>> IF HE CAN WITH ADDRESS VIOLENT CRIME, ENSURE THAT OUR KIDS ARE GETTING THE QUALITY EDUCATION THAT THEY DESERVE AND RETURN THE MONEY BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, THE BUDGET SURPLUS, GET THAT BACK IN THE POCKETS OF MINNESOTANS, WE FEEL THAT THAT WOULD BE A SUCCESSFUL SESSION.

♪♪ >> Mary: EARLIER TODAY, I ASKED THE GOVERNOR BOUT POSSIBLE GUN CONTROL MEASURES THIS YEAR IN RELATION TO THE SCHOOL SHOOTING IN RICHFIELD.

>> I THINK THE TONE AMONGST THE LEGISLATURE IS OPEN.

I UNDERSTAND HOW DIVISIVE SOME OF THESE THINGS CAN BE BUT IT FEELS TO ME THAT MINNESOTA AND THE COUNTRY UNDERSTAND WE HAVE TO TACKLE THESE THINGS.

THERE'S MULTIPLE WAYS TO DO IT.

I WOULD CERTAINLY WELCOME THE CONVERSATION AND WOULD CERTAINLY SIGN LEGISLATION THAT DEALT WITH THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE.

>> MARY: JOINING ME NOW TO TALK PUBLIC SAFETY, BUDGET SURPLUS AND MORE, DFL HOUSE SPEAKER MELISSA HORTMAN AND REPUBLICAN MINORITY LEADER KURT DAUDT.

FIRST QUESTION FOR YOU, MADAM SPEAKER, RELATED TO WHAT THE GOVERNOR JUST SPOKE ABOUT THERE, ABOUT HIS RENEWED INTEREST IN SOME GUN CONTROL MEASURES.

WOULD THE OUSE BE INTERESTED IN THAT EVEN THOUGH SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MILLER SAID NO WAY, NOTHING WILL PASS THE SENATE?

>> WELL, WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION, I THINK IT'S WAY TOO EARLY TO RELATE ANYTHING BACK TO THE EVENTS OF THIS WEEK.

BUT CERTAINLY THE MINNESOTA HOUSE D.F.L.

HAS BEEN REALLY I WANTED IN A COUPLE OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION MEASURES THAT HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO WORK IN OTHER STATES AT REDUCING VIOLENCE.

BACKGROUND CHECKS AND RED FLAG LAWS SO THAT IF SOMEBODY'S HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY NOT HAVING ACCESS TO FIREARMS.

BUT THAT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE THAT HAS MET WITH A DEAD END IN REPUBLICAN CIRCLES SO I THINK AS LONG AS WE HAVE A REPUBLICAN SENATE, THE CHANCES ARE REMOTE OF ANYTHING CHANGING ON THAT FRONT.

>> Mary: OKAY, Mr.

MINORITY LEADER, HOW ABOUT THAT AND MORE BROADLY, PUBLIC SAFETY.

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS HAVE ALL SAID PUBLIC SAFETY IS A HUGE PRIORITY.

COULD SOME GUN CONTROL MEASURE FOLD INTO THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK, FIRST OF ALL, WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED IN RICHFIELD, WITH HE DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS A GANG SHOOTING R A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE AND THE REALTY IS, LETTING CRIMINALS OUT OF JAIL WITH GUNS ON TO THE STREETS AND TAKING GUNS AWAY FROM LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS ISN'T GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

SO WE'RE READY TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND SOLVE THE PROBLEMS THAT MINNESOTANS REALLY CARE ABOUT AND THAT'S THE SKYROCKETING CRIME RITZ IN THE METRO AREA AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP MINNESOTANS SAFE.

>> Mary: AND HOW ABOUT TONE, BECAUSE THAT SAME EVENT, WE HEARD THE QUOTE FROM THE GOVERNOR, SOME OF YOU WERE THERE AND THE TONE WAS REMARKABLY CONCILIATORY.

DOES IT HELP?

WE SAW EARLIER, FOLKS ARE BACK IN PERSON, OES IT SEEM IKE THERE'S JUST A BETTER TONE IN POLITICS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE YOU ARE BACK TOGETHER AT THE CAPITOL?

>> I THINK IT DOES, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO MAKE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO BE CONCILIATORY AND WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE DIFFERING OPINIONS ON THESE ISSUES BUT IF WE PUT THE PROBLEMS THAT FACE MINNESOTANS FRONT AND CENTER, AND WE SURROUND THOSE PROBLEMS WITH THE BEST IDEAS AND WE WORK TOGETHER ON THE RIGHT SOLUTION, WE'LL GET THERE.

IF WE START WITH IDEOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS, IN OUR OWN CORNERS, WE'LL PROBABLY NEVER SOLVE THE PROBLEM SO I THINK WE'VE GOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY WORK ON THE THINGS THAT MINNESOTANS CARE ABOUT.

FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, THAT'S THE RISING CRIME RATE, THE FACT THAT KIDS ARE FALLING BEHIND IN CHOOLS AND THE FACT THAT MINNESOTANS ARE PAYING MORE OR THINGS THEY BUY EVERY DAY AND THOSE ARE THE PROBLEMS MINNESOTANS CARE ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

>> ary: MADAM SPEAKER, DID THE FIRST DAY FEEL DIFFERENT, DID IT FEEL BETTER AND COULD THAT BRING BETTER BIPARTISAN RESULTS?

>> WELL, WE WERE FULLY IN PERSON IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR AND I WOULDN'T SAY THAT IT WAS VERY BIPARTISAN TIME, SO I THINK IT'S -- AS THE MINORITY LEADER SAID, IT'S NOT REALLY ABOUT WHETHER WE'RE IN PERSON OR NOT, IT'S WHETHER WE BRING THE SPIRIT OF BIPARTISANSHIP TO THE WORK.

I THINK WHEN COVID FIRST HIT, WE HAD SIX WEEKS OF REALLY THOROUGHLY BIPARTISAN WORK.

I HOPE WE'RE IN A MOMENT LIKE THAT WHERE WE CAN WORK BIPARTISANLY AGAIN.

I WOULD SAY THAT WE HAVE VERY SIMILAR SHARED PRIORITIES.

I THINK FAMILY, ECONOMIC SECURITY IS HIGH ON OUR LIST, AND REPUBLICANS ARE SOUNDING THE SAME NOTES AND ALSO MAKING SURE WE HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY FOR ALL.

SO I THINK THAT IF WE REALLY PUT OUR NOSE TO THE GRIND STONE, LEAVE THE ELECTION YEAR POLITICS OFF TO THE SIDE UNTIL THE SESSION IS OVER AND REALLY FOCUS ON THE PEOPLE'S WORK, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE PROGRESS ON A LOT OF THINGS.

>> Mary: AND WHAT ABOUT THE TWO THINGS, MADAM SPEAKER, YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD EARLIER, THE MINORITY LEADER SAY WORKER PAY AND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, THAT COULD BE ACTED ON REALLY SOON.

DOES SAYING THAT TO PAID FAMILY LEAVE SLOW IT DOWN FOR YOU?

>> WELL, THERE IS A COUPLE DIFFERENT WAYS YOU COULD LOOK AT IT.

IF WE'RE LOOKING AT A $2.7 BILLION INVESTMENT IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND THAT PRIMARILY ENEFITS EMPLOYERS, AND THEN YOU COUNTERBALANCE THAT WITH $2.7 BILLION WORTH OF INVESTMENT IN WORKERS, IT WOULD MAKE A LOT OF SENSE TO DO THE ONE BILLION IN FRONT-LINE WORKER PAY AND $1.7 BILLION IN TWO YEARS OF PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE WHERE NO EMPLOYERS, NO EMPLOYEES WOULD HAVE TO PAY IN.

YOU COULD DO A SMALLER DEAL WHERE WE PAY THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND UMM TO ZERO, WHICH IS ABOUT $1.3 BILLION.

WE TAKE CARE OF THOSE FRONT-LINE WORKERS FOR A BILLION, AND DO SOMETHING THAT'S MORE COMPACT WHERE WE HAVE THE MONEY IN THE BANK EARLY AND HEN WE PARK SOME OF THOSE LARGER ISSUES UNTIL LATER IN THE SESSION.

IF WE COULD GET AGREEMENT ON THAT, I THINK IT MIGHT BE NICE TO START OUT GETTING SOME THINGS DONE, KNOWING THAT WE HAVE A LOT MORE BIG ISSUES TO TALK ABOUT LATER ON.

>> Mary: AND Mr.

MINORITY LEADER, DOES THAT SOUND DOABLE TO YOU?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WE HAD AGREEMENT ON A DOLLAR AMOUNT FOR THE FRONT-LINE WORKER PAY OF 250 MILLION.

NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN, THAT'S SKYROCKETED UMM TO A BILLION, AND UNFORTUNATELY, IN St. PAUL, IT ALMOST WORKS LIKE AN AUCTION, WHERE THE LONGER IT GOES, WE CONTINUE TO RAISE THOSE NUMBERS UP.

IF WE STICK WITH OUR ORIGINAL AGREEMENT, I DON'T SEE ANY REASON WHY WE COULDN'T WRAP IT UP VERY QUICKLY, AND I WOULD CAUTION -- AND I SAY THIS AS SINCERELY AS I CAN, KNOWING THAT I VIOLATED THIS MYSELF IN THE PAST, BUT IF WE CAN STAY AWAY FROM TRADING THIS FOR THAT, I THINK IT REALLY HURTS THE SPIRIT OF BIPARTISANSHIP BECAUSE IT DOESN'T FORCE SOMEONE TO HAVE TO DEFEND WHY SOMETHING S IMPORTANT AND IT'S THAT PROCESS OF HAVING TO EXPLAIN WHY SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT, THAT GETS EVERYBODY ON BOARD AND GETS SUPPORT FOR A PROJECT, SO THE EASY WAY OUT IS TO SAY I'LL DO THIS IF YOU DO THAT BUT UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S THE WRONG SPIRIT THAT, GOSH, I'LL HAVE TO ADMIT THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE NOBODY WANTS TO HAVE THAT SORT OF ADVERSARIAL SPIRIT RIGHT NOW IN THE SESSION AND I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC THAT THAT'S THE TONE WE'RE OPENING WITH.

>> Mary: BACK WITH YOU, Mr.

MINORITY LEADER, YOUR VOTES AND YOUR CAUCUS'S VOTES ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ON THE BONDING BILL THAT HAS TO BUILD A SUPER MAJORITY.

THE SENATE KEEPS SAYING IT HAS TO START IN THE HOUSE, IT HAS TO START IN THE HOUSE.

DO REPUBLICANS WANT A BONDING BILL?

>> IT DOES HAVE TO START IN THE HOUSE AND OBVIOUSLY THIS IS THE ISSUE THAT HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE MOST RELEVANT ON IN THAT THEY NEED AT LEAST 11 OF OUR VOTES TO PASS THE BONDING BILL.

WE ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF A BONDING BILL, WE WANT SOMETHING THAT'S VERY STRONG IN INFRASTRUCTURE, BOTH TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND WASTE WATER AND DRINKING WATER, OUR HEPR, OUR STATE-OWNED ASSETS, MAKING SURE WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THOSE.

I CAN SEE SOMETHING UP TO THAT KIND OF -- OR AROUND, I SHOULDN'T SAY UP TO AS IF IT'S A CEILING BUT SOMETHING AROUND THAT 1.4 BILLION, WHICH IS THE LARGEST BONDING BILL WE'VE EVER DONE IN STATE HISTORY.

I DO BELIEVE IT'S TIME TO INVEST IN SOME OF THOSE ASSETS THAT HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED FOR A LONG TIME.

WE JUST NEED -- >> Mary: LAST WORD, QUICKLY, TO THE SPEAKER ON BONDING BILL?

>> YEAH, WE'RE READY TO ROCK AND ROLL AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE TO GET SOMETHING GOING.

>> Mary: VERY GOOD.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, HOUSE LEADERS.

♪ ♪♪ >> MARY: UP NEXT IS THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF OUR SERIES OF RETIRING LAWMAKER PROFILES.

DFL STATE REPRESENTATIVE ALICE HAUSMAN HAS SEEN A LOT OF CHANGE SINCE FIRST ELECTED IN 1989.

SHE'S NOT SURE ALL OF IT HAS BEEN GOOD FOR GOVERNMENT.

REPRESENTATIVE ALICE HAUSMAN, YOU BEGIN OUR RETIREMENT INTERVIEWS AND I HAVE TO SAY YOU'RE ONE OF THE FEW LAWMAKERS THAT GO ALL THE WAY BACK, MY FATHER COVERED YOU AND I'VE COVERED YOU OVER THE DECADES.

AND HE REMEMBERS YOU FONDLY AND BEING A FORCE AS A FRESHMAN.

WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER RIGHT AWAY?

>> IT WAS A VERY DIFFERENT TIME AND BECAUSE WE WERE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, IT WAS EASIER TO JUST IMMEDIATELY BE PART OF THE ACTION.

I THINK IT'S -- IT WOULD BE HARDER NOW JUST BECAUSE WE'RE ALL REMOTE.

I REMEMBER YOUR FATHER, TOO, AS THIS DEAR PROFESSIONAL PERSON WHO DID SUCH A GOOD JOB FOR US.

>> Mary: MAY DAD SAID YOU WERE KNOWN AS A KIND OF ENVIRONMENTALIST WHEN YOU CAME IN.

>> I WAS THE VICE CHAIR FOR HAROLD MUNK GEAR AND TALK ABOUT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR LEARNING IN THOSE EARLY YEARS FROM SOMEONE LIKE WILLARD WITH SUCH INTRIGUE RECEIPT.

HE SERVED WITH SUCH INTRIGUE RECEIPT.

>> Mary: WHEN I THINK OF HAUSMAN, I THINK OF HOUSING.

>> I REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST GOT INVOLVED IN ROUGHLY 202 WITH THE HOUSING ISSUE IN A MORE VIGOROUS WAY, WE WERE DOING MAYBE $2 MILLION OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDING FOR HUSBAND HOUSING.

I MEAN, IT WAS REALLY PATHETIC AND EVEN LAST CYCLE, IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET, HOUSING GOT THE SMALLEST BUDGET IN OUR BUDGETING PROCESS.

SO WE HAVE JUST NOT DONE VERY WELL.

ALL THE HOUSING ADVOCATES WERE COMING -- THE FAITH COMMUNITY AND OTHERS, THERE AS HUGE EFFORT AROUND THIS BUT THEY WERE ALL COMING WITH DIFFERENT MESSAGES.

AND THERE AS A YEAR THAT ALL THOSE MIXED MESSAGES WERE COMING THAT WE GOT NOTHING FOR HOUSING.

AND SO I SAT IN MY OFFICE WITH THE ADVOCATES AND I SAID, DON'T EVER LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN.

IN THE INTERIM, GET YOURSELVES ORGANIZED.

SIT AROUND A TABLE, DEBATE AND THEN COME TO US WITH A COMMON MESSAGE, A COMMON AGENDA THAT EVERYONE IS WORKING TOGETHER ON.

AND THEY DID IT.

THEY FORMED THE HOMES FOR ALL COALITION AND IT'S STILL A POWERFUL ENTITY TODAY.

>> Mary: NOW, CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND BONDING HAVE BEEN BIG ISSUES FOR YOU, AND YOU'VE BIN CHAIR OF THE BONDING COMMITTEE AND PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW THAT OUTSIDE THE CAPITAL BUT CHAIRS OF THE BONDING COMMITTEE ARE VERY MUCH LIKED, HAVE BIPARTISAN TRUST AND RELATIONSHIPS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO BUILD A SUPER MAJORITY.

>> IT'S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING AND BUILDING TRUST.

I LEARNED EARLY ON, WHETHER YOU'RE IN THE MAJORITY OR THE MINORITY, YOU HAVE TO GET THINGS DONE.

YOU CAN'T JUST SAY I'M IN THE MINORITY, I CAN'T DO ANYTHING.

VERY EARLY IN MY CAREER, I LEARNED THAT FROM DAVID BISHOP, WHO OU MAY RECALL.

AND DAVID BISHOP AND I, I WAS IN THE MINORITY BUT I WORKED TOGETHER WITH HIM AND WE GOT THE FUNDING FOR THE VISITORS CENTER AT COMO, SO WHAT YOU LEARN IS YOU HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER ON THAT BILL.

AND DEAN URDAHL AND I HAVE HAD JUST A WONDERFUL RELATIONSHIP, SENATOR SENJEM AND I HAVE HAD JUST A WONDERFUL RELATIONSHIP.

I WILL TELL YOU THE DEANE URDAHL STORY THAT I'VE TOLD SO MANY PEOPLE.

HE WAS THE CHAIR, I WAS THE MINORITY -- RANKING MINORITY MEMBER AND WE ERE NEGOTIATING WITH SENATOR SENJEM FOR HE FINAL PRODUCT.

WHEN WE CAME TO THE HOUSING PORTION OF THE BILL, BECAUSE DEAN URDAHL KNEW HOW IMPORTANT HOUSING WAS TO ME, HE SENT ME TO NEGOTIATE WITH SENJEM.

HE GAVE ME NO INSTRUCTIONS, AND HE DIDN'T GO WITH ME.

I HAVE TO TELL YOU, I'VE NEVER SEEN A CHAIR HAND OVER THEIR POWER IN THAT WAY, IN THAT VERY GENEROUS WAY.

AND THEN OF COURSE WITH SENATOR SENJEM, IT WAS A VERY, VERY QUICK NEGOTIATION, AS WELL.

>> Mary: IS IT TRUE THAT BIPARTISANSHIP IS FAILING AND DISAPPEARING?

>> I BELIEVE SO.

>> I MEAN, THIS IS BAD POLITICS.

>> Mary: WHAT'S THE IMPACT, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA?

>> IT'S HURTING THE STATE.

THIS IS A -- THE LEADERSHIP DECISION TO HOLD ALL THE BIG ISSUES UNTIL THE END BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THAT IF THEY AVE EVERYTHING AT THE LAST MINUTE FOR THE LAST-MINUTE APPEAL, IT GIVES THEM MORE POWER IN THE FINAL NEGOTIATIONS.

IT'S NOT WORKING.

I'M TAKING ON THE GOVERNOR FOR A REBRANDING OF THE BONDING BILL THAT IS NOT A WISE THING.

HE HAS REBRANDED THE BONDING BILL, THE LOCAL JOBS AND PROJECTS BILL, BUT HERE'S THE PROBLEM WITH THAT.

IN THE PAST, IF YOU BROUGHT A PROJECT TO THE TABLE FOR BONDING, YOU HAD TO FIRST DEMONSTRATE THIS HAS REGIONAL OR STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE, AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS ALL THE TAXPAYERS IN THE STATE ARE DOING TO BE PAYING FOR THIS.

ONCE WE STARTED IN THIS DIRECTION OF THE EARMARKS, LOCAL PROJECTS, I JUST PREDICTED THERE WOULD BE HUNDREDS OF BILLS, AND THERE ARE.

>> Mary: WHAT'S YOUR DEPARTING ADVICE TO FOLKS AFTER BEING THERE FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES NOW?

>> ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU'RE THERE TO GET SOMETHING DONE, AND THE BIG THINGS ARE HARD AND YOU JUST NEVER GIVE UP.

>> Mary: THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE HAUSMAN, YOU'LL BE MISSED.

♪♪ >> KRIS EHRESMANN HAS SPENT MORE THAN THREE DECADES WORKING IN PUBLIC HEALTH FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

MOST OF THOSE YEARS, HER NAME AND FACE WERE NOT WIDELY KNOWN.

BUT AS DIRECTOR OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE FOR THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, SHE HAS BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC.

EHRESMANN IS RETIRING FROM MDH.

TODAY WAS HER LAST DAY ON THE JOB.

SHE'S NEARLY DONE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHERE WE'RE AT NOW.

HOW DO YOU FEEL AS YOU'RE DEPARTING?

DO YOU FEEL LIKE WE'RE IN THE HOME STRETCH AND NEARLY OUT OF THE WORST DANGER OF COVID?

>> WELL, I THINK IF WE'VE LEARNED ANYTHING OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, IT'S BEST NOT TO MAKE PREDICTIONS.

THIS VIRUS CAN DO SOME STRANGE THINGS BUT I FEEL BETTER ABOUT WHERE WE'RE COMING OFF OF OMICRON.

WE'RE STARTING TO SEE OUR WILL NUMBERS DROP AND SO THAT IS VERY POSITIVE SO I THINK THAT WILL GIVE US A BREAK.

IT'S JUST UNCLEAR WHAT VARIANT MAY COME NEXT.

>> Mary: AND HOW MUCH DO VACCINES MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER BECAUSE THIS DOES LOOK LIKE IT'S GOING TO MUTATE AND WE HAVE SEEN VARIANTS BUT THE VACCINE LEVEL IN IDS IN PARTICULAR NOW THAT THAT'S AVAILABLE AND BOOSTERS, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HOW MINNESOTA'S DOING ON THAT?

>> WHY UN, MINNESOTA'S ACTUALLY DOING QUITE WELL RELATIVE TO THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

WE STILL NEED TO MOVE AHEAD IN TERMS OF OUR VACCINE COVERAGE BUT I THINK THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE VACCINATED MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF THE SEVERITY OF DISEASE THAT WE'RE SEEING, AND NOW WITH THE NEWS THAT VACCINES FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5 COULD BE COMING AVAILABLE SOON, THAT REALLY GIVES US THE ABILITY TO HAVE REALLY OUR WHOLE POPULATION PROTECTED, AND THAT COULD MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR US.

>> Mary: WERE YOU SURPRISED ABOUT VACCINE HESITANCY?

>> I WAS IN THE SENSE THAT, YOU KNOW, FOR MY WHOLE CAREER, I HAVE HAD A FOCUS ON VACCINE PREVENTABLE DISEASE AND SO I KNOW ABOUT VACCINE HESITANCY BECAUSE OF THAT BUT BECAUSE OF WHAT COVID MEANT TO US AS A SOCIETY AND THE VACCINE REALLY SERVED AS KIND OF THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THAT TUNNEL, TO SEE THAT THERE WAS A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO WERE RELUCTANT TO GET THE VACCINE, YES, THAT WAS SURPRISING TO ME.

>> Mary: AND HOW ABOUT THE POLITICAL LAYER?

DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU EVER HAD TO DEAL WITH POLITICS BEFORE COVID IN PUBLIC HEALTH?

>> NO, NO, WE NEVER HAVE, AND I WILL ADMIT TO THE FACT THAT WE WERE PRETTY NAIVE ABOUT THAT.

YOU KNOW, IN -- ON REFLECTION, YOU RECOGNIZE THAT ANYTHING THAT IS THAT PERVASIVE IN SOCIETY IS GOING TO HAVE -- POLITICS WILL GET INVOLVED BUT MY HOPE IS THAT IT WON'T BE TOO MUCH LONGER THAT PUBLIC HEALTH CAN GO BACK TO BEING WHAT IT IS, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, PROTECTING, MAINTAINING AND IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR CITIZENS WITHOUT REGARD FOR POLITICS.

>> Mary: WOULD YOU TELL PEOPLE TO GO INTO PUBLIC HEALTH?

I KNOW YOU SEE IT AS PUBLIC SERVICE.

>> YES, I WOULD STILL ENCOURAGE PEOPLE -- I MEAN, IT HAS BEEN THE BEST CAREER EVER.

NOW, THE LAST TWO YEARS MADE IT THE HARDEST BEST CAREER BUT IT'S VERY, VERY GRATIFYING SO, YES, I WOULD STILL ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GO INTO PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> Mary: AND CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW HARD IT WAS, THE HOURS YOU PUT IN?

I'M UESSING YOU PROBABLY HAD THREATS AGAINST YOU, MAYBE YOUR SAFETY FELT THREATENED.

A LOT OF PEOPLE IN PUBLIC HEALTH DID.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> WELL, IT WAS RATHER INTENSE AND SO IT'S BEEN A LOT OF MONTHS OF WORKING LONG HOURS AND IT'S NOT JUST ME, IT'S THE WHOLE TEAM.

I MEAN, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I'M JUST THE FACE OF A FABULOUS TEAM BUT, YES, LONG HOURS AND CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, THEY ARE FRUSTRATED AND THEY'RE UPSET AND SO WHO CAN THEY LET KNOW THAT THEY'RE UPSET?

WELL, WE KNOW THAT KRIS EHRESMANN, WE RECOGNIZE THAT NAME, WE'RE GOING TO SEND HER AN EMAIL AND TELL HER WHAT WE REALLY THINK SO, YES, I'VE GOTTEN PLENTY OF VERY FRANK EMAILS BUT I'VE ALSO GOTTEN MANY NOTES FROM PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN VERY KIND AND ENCOURAGING, SO I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WHILE WE'RE GETTING VITRIOL, WE ARE ALSO GETTING ENCOURAGEMENT FROM PEOPLE WHICH HAS BEEN GREAT.

>> Mary: SO IN THE END, DO YOU REGRET THIS LINE OF WORK, ARE YOU HAPPY YOU DID IT ALL THESE DECADES?

>> OH, NO, I'M VERY PLEASED.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR A BREAK BUT, NO, THIS IS -- THIS HAS BEEN THE PERFECT JOB FOR ME AND I HAVE LOVED IT.

>> Mary: ARE YOU REALLY RETIRING?

>> YES, YES, I'M ACTUALLY -- I SAID GOODBYE TODAY, LOTS OF TEARS BUT THE TEAM THAT IS FOLLOWING ME IS PHENOMENAL, SO I'M SHIFTING FROM RUNNING THE RACE TO CHEERING THE TEAM.

>> Mary: VERY GOOD.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Mary: APPRECIATE IT.

>> MARY: THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH SENATE LEADERS.

IF YOU MISSED PART OF TONIGHT'S SHOW OR WANT TO RE-WATCH ANY EPISODES FROM THE PAST, HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC.

FOLLOW "ALMANAC" ON FACEBOOK, LOOK FOR SESSION UPDATES AND MORE FROM OUR TEAM ON TWITTER.

THAT'S ALL AT TPT.ORG/AATC.

WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, YOU CAN FOLLOW HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MORE ON THE PBS STATION YOU ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC" ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

GOVERNOR TIM WALZ WILL JOIN ERIC AND CATHY IN THE STUDIO.

AND I'LL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE FIRST WEEK OF THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THAT'S OUR SHOW.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

♪♪ Captioned by: Paradigm Reporting/Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com PROPOSAL BLOOM "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... MANITOBA HYDRO: PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

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ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE ON COMMUNITY IMPACT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AT ENBRIDGE.COM/MINNESOTA.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY: PLAYING OUR PART BY GENERATING FUNDS FOR MINNESOTA.

IF YOU'RE GAME, JUST SAY I'M IN.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY: POWERING WHAT'S POSSIBLE.

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

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