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

>> USA!

USA!

>> Mary: A MELTDOWN AT THE END OF SESSION DERAILED SOME ACTION.

WE'LL EXPLORE HOW AND WHY IT ALL WENT DOWN.

THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

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

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

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES: A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY: DELIVERING NEARLY $4 BILLION TO BENEFIT ALL MINNESOTANS SINCE 1990.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

AND THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATION IN SCOTT COUNTY.

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

>> MARY: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

I'M MARY LAHAMMER.

COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY.

WHERE LAWMAKERS HAVE GONE HOME.

WE'LL EXPLORE THAT CHAOTIC END OF SESSION WITH A COUPLE OF KEY CAPITOL REPORTERS.

WE'LL ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT EMOTIONAL AND EVEN HUMOROUS LAWMAKERS SAYING GOOD-BYE IN THEIR RETIRING SPEECHES HERE IN THE HOUSE.

I'LL CHAT WITH SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON ABOUT NEW ELECTION LAWS AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOUR BALLOT BUT FIRST THE FINAL HOURS OF SESSION WERE PUCT PUNCTUATED BY DISORDER IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

>> THERE BEING -- >> Mr. PRESIDENT, POINT OF ORDER.

>> 18 AYES AND -- [ ALL SHOUTING ] >> Mary: AN UNPRECEDENTED SUSTAINED SHOUTING MATCH MARKS THE END OF SESSION.

[ ALL SHOUTING ] AS DEMOCRATS WHO RUN THE SENATE STRUGGLED TO SPEAK ABOVE REPUBLICANS YELLING FURIOUSLY IN THE MINORITY AS A BILL, 2,000 PAGES LONG, PUSHED THROUGH.

[ ALL SHOUTING ] IN THE CHAOS, THE MAIN WORK OF SESSION, A BONDING BILL, DIDN'T GET THROUGH IN TIME.

>> Mr. PRESIDENT -- >> Mr. PRESIDENT.

>> IT'S PAST MIDNIGHT.

NO BUSINESS CAN BE CONDUCTED AFTER MIDNIGHT.

NO BILLS CAN BE PASSED FTER MIDNIGHTS, Mr. PRESIDENT.

>> I JUST FEEL GROSS COMING OFF THAT SENATE FLOOR TODAY.

THE ABUSE OF THE RULES.

THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL BILLS THAT ARE COMING OFF OF THERE.

AND BY THE WAY, THEY USED AN ALLEGEALLEGED FELON TO PASS THEE BILLS.

>> Mary: THE FELONY ARREST PROVES A STRAIN TO SESSION.

>> MY EARS ARE INDUSTRIAL RINGING.

ONE OF OUR COLLEAGUES, IN THE MINORITY, USED HIS VOICE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T PASS A BONDING BILL.

THE BONDING BILL CAME TO US LATE.

WE LOST IT BY ABOUT 30 SECONDS.

IT FOLLOWED THE RULES.

IT CAN'T PASS MIDNIGHT.

[ ALL SHOUTING >> Mary: THE HOUSE HAS OFTEN HAD ROWDY CONCLUSIONS.

REPUBLICANS THERE TOO PROTESTED.

>> RIDICULOUS.

ABSOLUTE CHAOTIC END TO THE SESSION.

THE DEMOCRAT MAJORITY ABSOLUTELY RAMMED THROUGH 2,860 PAGES.

THAT WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO ANY MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER.

ANYONE IN -- WATCHING OR WANTING TO GO ONLINE TO SEE WHAT WAS IN THERE.

THERE WERE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORTS THAT WERE COMBINED INTO THIS ONE EXTORTION BILL.

>> Mary: THE D.F.L.

LEADER HAS SEEN POLITICS CHANGE OF LATE.

>> YOU'VE SEEN A REAL COARSENING OF DEBATE IN THE TIME THAT I'VE SERVED HERE FROM WHEN THE TEA PARTY CAME IN 2010, SO WHEN THE TRUMP SUPPORTERS CAME IN 2016.

AND WHERE WE USED TO HAVE DEBATE, WE NOW HAVE PEOPLE KIND OF SCREAMING AT US.

THERE'S A MUCH MORE MEAN SPIRITED FEATURE TO HE DEBATE.

>> I DON'T THINK YOU CAN HAVE UNLIMITED DEBATE.

>> Mary: AND EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT BALLOT QUESTION AGAIN FAILED TO GET ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> WE MOVED THE CAUSE FORWARD.

MANY OF THE THINGS WE DO AT THE LEGISLATURE TAKE, LIKE, A DECADE OR TWO TO GET DONE.

AND SO I THINK IN THE LAST TWO YEARS WE'VE MOVED LIGHT YEARS.

>> Mary: THE NUMBER OF NEW MEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR MADE HISTORY IN THIS LEGISLATURE.

>> WE WERE COMPLETELY SEAM ROLLED BY THE DEMOCRAT MAJORITY.

I HAVE BEEN A MINORITY MY ENTIRE LIFE AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN TREATED THIS POORLY.

>> THIS TRIFECTAR HAS BEEN A DISASTER, NOT JUST FOR THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, BUT SENATOR MINNESOTANS.

REMEMBER THAT THIS NOVEMBER.

WHEN WHEN YOU GO TO THE POLL AND YOU ARE VOTING.

>> RESPECT WILL FADE, BUT THE WORK WILL REMAIN.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS COMPLETE CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT BOUGHT ONE BIG COMPROMISE AT THE END TO KEEP AND ASSIST UBER AND LYFT DRIVERS.

>> IT WAS THE ABILITY TO TRY AND GET THE RIDESHARE COMPANIES TO THE TABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT WAS UNDERSTOOD AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE COMPROMISES WERE DONE.

THIS IS HARD.

NO ONE ELSE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS IN THE COUNTRY.

>> THIS DAMN BILL.

[ Laughter ] OH, MAN.

IT'S BEEN TWO LONG YEARS.

>> Mary: LAST Y YEAR, IT WAS AND STILL IS THE ONLY VETO THE GOVERNOR ISSUED IN THE TRIFECTA.

>> THIS HAS BEEN ABOUT FAIR WAGES, FAIR TREATMENT, AND PROTECTING WORKERS.

>> WHAT AM I MOST EXCITED?

I'M EXCITED IEWBER/LYTT GOT DONE.

FUNDING FOR YOUR RURAL E.M.S.

GOT DONE.

>> Mary: AS YOU JUST SAW, A ROT OF DRAMA, THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS.

LATE NIGHTS, LONG DAYS, FOUR LAWMAKERS AND POLITICAL REPORTERS.

KSTP CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER TOM HAUSER AND MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO SENIOR POLITICS REPORTER DANA FERGUSON.

THANKS, YOU TWO.

SO, TOM, WE'RE OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER REALLY LARGE BILLS BEFORE.

DURABLE OMNIBUS PRIME?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

I FORGET OW MANY YEARS AGO THAT WAS?

>> SPEAKER DAUDT.

BUT DO YOU REMEMBER HOW MANY PAGES?

>> WASN'T IT A LITTLE LESS THAN THOUSAND.

>> IT WAS.

SO I TEXTED HIM TONIGHT AND SAID HOW BIG WAS OMNIBUS PRIME?

>> HE'S LIKE, 900 PAGES.

THAT'S NOTHING TO 2,800 PAGES.

IT REALLY IS UNPRECEDENTED.

>> IT WAS AND IN FAIRNESS A LOT OF THINGS IN THIS MASSIVE BILL WENT THROUGH THE COMMITTEE PROCESS.

THEY WERE DEBATED ON THE FLOOR.

BUT THEN THEY RAN OUT OF TIME ON THE AST DAY.

TO ACTUALLY DO A FORMAL VOTE AND FINAL DEBATE.

SO THEY DECIDED TO LUMP THEM ALL INTO ONE.

WHICH WAS REALLY BAD OPTICS.

>> Mary: AND IT WAS TECHNICALLY THE AX BILL WHICH THE REPUBLICANS ARE NOW ASKING THE GOVERNOR TO VETO.

ANY CHANCE OF THAT?

>> HE SAID HE ANTICIPATES HE'S GOING TO SIGN IT.

SO THAT IS A LETTER THAT THEY SENT, BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT'LL WIN HIM VER.

>> BECAUSE IT WOULD INCLUDE THE UBER/LYFT AGREEMENT.

WHAT FEW THINGS THEY REALLY GOT DONE SINCE THEY DIDN'T GET TO SPORTS BETTING OR THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT.

>> Mary: OR A BONDING BILL.

>> YEAH, OR A BONDING BILL.

>> Mary: AND THAT'S WHAT AMAZED ME.

I GAVE A SPEECH EARLY THIS MORNING TO A BUSINESS GROUND AND SOMEBODY STOOD UP AND SAID, WASN'T THE BONDING BILL LIKE THE MAIN THING, THE ONLY THING THEY WERE ACTUALLY SUPPOSED TO DO?

SO HOW DID THEY NOT GET THAT DONE?

IT AMAZED ME THAT A NORMAL PERSON KNEW THAT AND CARED.

IS THAT POSSIBLE?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE SAY IT SO MANY TIMES ON THE AIR AND ON THE RADIO AND IN THE NEWSPAPERS THAT IT'S BONDING BILL SESSION AND IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE THE MARQUEE BILL AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AND IT'S REMARKABLE HOW MANY RECENT BONDING BILL YEARS THERE HAS BEEN NO BONDING BILL.

>> RIGHT, AND IT'S BECAUSE THE ISSUE HAS BECOME SO MUCH MORE OF LEVERAGING UNRELATED ITEMS TO THE GET A BONDING BILL ACROS THE FINISH LINE AND THE REPUBLICANS PUT UP ITEMS THIS TIME THAT DEMOCRATS JUST WEREN'T WILLING TO BUDGE ON.

THE E.R.A.

>> Mary: AND BONDING BILL IS ALWAYS LINKED.

THIS WAS A NEW THING TO CLAIM, HASN'T EVERY BONDING BILL YOU'LL COVERED BEEN LINKED TO OTHER ISSUES?

>> YES?

BUT TYPICALLY THEY SAY HISTORICALLY IT'S MORE AN ISSUE OF, I WILL PUT YOUR PROJECTS IN IF YOU PUT UP VOTES FOR THIS.

> >> Mary: BUT NURSING HOMES LAST YEAR, NURSING HOME FUNDING GOT LINKED TO A BONDING BILL.

SO THESE REPUBLICAN LEADERS WERE PROBABLY EXPECTING THAT.

IT HAPPENED BEFORE.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, HORSE TRADING AT THE STATED CAPITOL IS NOTHING NEW.

THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE STATEHOOD.

AND THIS WAS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THAT.

BUT IN THIS CASE, ONE SIDE DIDN'T WANT TO TRADE.

>> Mary: YOU MENTIONED HORSE RACING, THAT'S KIND OF RELATED TO SPORTS BETTING PERHAPS.

SO IT'S A GOOD SEGUE.

BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT E HEAR LAWMAKERS HEARD THE MOST ABOUT FROM CONSTITUENTS.

IS THAT GOING TO BE A PROBLEM?

>> I THINK IT IS.

YOU KNOW, I'VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY BEFORE, WELL, PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO VOTE BASED ON THE ACK OF A SPORTS BETTING BILL.

BUT IF ON THE MARGINS, IF PEOPLE GO TO THE BALLOT BOX AND THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE PASSIONATE IN OUR POLLING AT KSTP SHOWS 57% SUPPORT FOR LEGALIZED SPORTS BETTING, THAT'S A BIG NUMBER, A BIG MAJORITY -- >> Mary: IN TODAY'S SOCIETY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND THEY'RE GOING TO GO IN AND GO, OKAY, THIS PARTY IN CHARGE DIDN'T GET IT DONE EVEN THERE'S SOME BLAME TO GO AROUND TO REPUBLICANS.

SOME PEOPLE MIGHT VOTE ON THAT ISSUE.

NOT A BIG NUMBER, BUT IN A CLOSE RACE -- CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT WAS A BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT THAT GOT REACHED AT THE VERY END OF SESSION, THERE ARE DEMOCRATS THAT DON'T SUPPORT IT THAT DO SUPPORT IT, REPUBLICANS THAT DON'T SUP IT AND DO SUPPORT IT.

SO IT'S LIKE WHO'S REALLY THE ONE WHO'S GOING TO HELP YOU?

>> BUT THE VOTER GOING INTO THE VOTING BOOTH DOESN'T KNOW WHAT WE KNOW.

THEY JUST KNOW IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

THEY WANT TO FLAME SOMEONE.

>> Mary: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT T THE TONE?

DO YOU THINK FOLKS ARE GOING TO WANT TO BLAME LAWMAKERS FOR THE TONE?

>> WELL, IF YOU ASK EITHER OF THE PARTIES, THEY WOULD TELL YOU THE EITHER PARTY IS THE ONE TO BLAME.

WE HEARD A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH ABOUT, WE ONLY HAD TO TAKE THIS STEP BECAUSE OF WHAT THE MINORITY WAS DOING.

THE MINORITY SAYS THAT THE MAJORITY IS OPPRESSING THEM.

SO CLEARLY THEY'RE NOT HAPPY WITH ONE ANOTHER.

IT'S PROBABLY GOOD THEY GOT A CHANCE TO TAKE A BREAK AND LEAVE THE BUILDING.

>> SESSION AFTER SESSION AFTER SESSION IS THAT THEY LEAVE EVERYTHING TO THE LAST MINUTE.

AND THEY DON'T REALIZE, THE MAJORITY, WHETHER IT'S REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY, THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CAN WEAPONIZE THE DEADLINE IF YOU DON'T GET YOUR WORK DONE EARLY.

BECAUSE GUESS WHAT.

A FILIBUSTER ON IT A TWO-PAGE JUNK FEES BILL IN EARLY TO MID-APRIL IS NOT GOING TO HAVE THE SAME IMPACT AS THE LAST WEEK OF SESSION.

THEY KNOW, THE MINORITY KNOWS, THEY LOOK AT EVERYTHING THAT'S ON THE PLATE AND THEY GO, ALL WE GOT TO DO IS TALK THIS DEATH AND WE'RE GOING TO -- >> Mary: BUT IS THAT THE END OF IT?

ARE WE AT THE END OF FILIBUSTERS AND TALK IT TO DEATH BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE LEADERS ARE INTERESTED IN CHANGES.

>> WE DON'T HAVE TIME LIMITS HERE.

IT'S ODD FOR A LEGISLATURE TO NOT HAVE SOME SORT OF A BOARD TO ONLY LET PEOPLE BE ABLE TO SPEAK.

EVERYONE'S MICROPHONE IS ON ALL THE TIME.

THAT'S REALLY BIZARRE.

>> Mary: THAT'S WHY THE AUDIO IS SO TERRIBLE.

WASN'T IT A NIGHTMARE TO CUT SOME OF THAT AUDIO AT THE END?

>> I THINK IF WOULD BE HARD FOR THEM TO PASS TIME LIMITS HERE, BUT IT WORKS IN OTHER STATES.

YOU CAN YIELD YOUR TIME TO OTHER MEMBERS.

AND IT REALLY KEEPS THINGS GOING FASTER.

>> KIND OF LIKE THEY DO IN CONGRESS.

AND WE DON'T KNOW WHO'S GOING TO BE IN CHANGER OF THE HOUSE NEXT YEAR.

SO MAYBE IF IT'S THE REPUBLICANS, THEY MIGHT SAY NOPE, WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE IT THE WAY IT IS, OR MAYBE THEY WILL CHANGE IT.

>> Mary: AND THAT'S WHERE WE PIVOT TO NOW.

CONTROL OF THE HOUSE IS WHAT WE'LL BE COVERING ALL SUMMER AND FALL, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THOSE EARTH MARQUEE RACES.

134 RACES ARE WHAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE WATCHING.

>> FRANKLY, THE CONTROL OF THE SENATE TOO, BECAUSE ONE, POSSIBLY THREE SEATS ARE GOING TO BE UP FOR SPECIAL ELECTIONS.

SO -- >> Mary: WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANKS SO MUCH.

I KNOW YOU GUYS WORKED A LOT OF HOURS.

APPRECIATE YOU COMING THIS WAY.

>> THANKS, MARY.

[ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪ >> Mary: NEW ELECTION LAWS ARE COMING AND EVERY SINGLE HOUSE MEMBER ON THE BALANCE AND MAYBE EVEN SOME SENATORS AND THIS IS THE PERSON WHO'S GOING TO RUN IT ALL, SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON IS HERE.

YOU'RE BUSIER FILING NOW BECAUSE SOON AS SESSION IS OVER, THERE'S JUST, LIKE, A BLINK, ISN'T THERE, AND FILING FOR OFFICE, YOU'RE A BUSY PLACE AND YOU'RE IN A NEW LOCATION.

>> WE ARE.

WE'RE IN THE VETERANS SERVICES BUILDING BECAUSE THEY'RE REDOING THE STATE OFFICE BUILDING.

AND SO WE'RE THERE TEMPORARILY.

MEANING LIKE THE NEXT TWO AND AND A HALF OR SO YEARS.

I ALWAYS LOVE THE FIRST DAY OF FILING.

IT'S A CARNIVAL ATMOSPHERE.

SOMETIMES THIS OR THAT POLITICAL GROUP OR PARTY DO AN UNMASKED FILING.

PEOPLE WERE POSING WITH A BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF THE CAPITOL THAT WE HAVE.

>> Mary: AND A EW SEAL.

THAT'S PART OF THE VISUAL.

>> AND FLAG, IT WAS GREAT.

AND SO A TON OF PEOPLE ONLINE.

IT'S LIKE ONE OF THESE GREAT POINTS OF DEMOCRACY.

>> Mary: YOU HAVE A LOT F NEW THINGS TO IMPLEMENT FROM LAST SESSION AND THIS SESSION.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT'S AT THE TOP OF YOUR LIST.

>> I THINK ONE IS RESTORATION OF THE FREEDOM TO VOTE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE LEFT PRISON BEHIND.

THAT'S 55,000 PEOPLE NOW WHO HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE BACK.

AND SO OUR JOB ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS, IS TO GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THIS.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THIS IS A THING.

>> Mary: DO THEY KNOW?

IS IT HARD TO REACH THIS POPULATION?

>> IT'S HARDER TO REACH.

BUT WE'RE WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, WITH A TON OF COMMUNITY GROUPS ACROSS THE TATE JUST TO GET THE WORD OUTSIDE.

ANOTHER ONE IS AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION WHICH WE JUST CERTIFIED FOR USE.

A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

IT TOOK SOME TIME AND IT MEANS IF YOU GET OR RENEW A DRIVER'S LICENSE IN MINNESOTA AND IF YOU ARE OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE, IF YOU HAVE PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP, IF YOU'RE A RESIDENT, ALL OF THAT, THEN YOU WILL BE DEEMED TO WISH TO REGISTER TO VOTE, YOU CAN ALWAYS OPT OUT, BUT YOU'LL BE ADDING TO THE VOTING LIST.

>> Mary: INTERESTING.

COLLEGE CAMPUSES TOO, THAT WAS THIS SESSION.

>> YEAH, IT WON'T KICK IN UNTIL THE NEXT ELECTION IN 2026, BUT WHAT IT MEANS S UPON REQUEST, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES CAN GO TO A COUNTY OR CITY AS THE CASE MAY BE AND SAY, HEY, WE'D LIKE A POLLING PLACE ON OUR COLLEGE CAMPUS.

AND THEY HAVE TO DO IT.

>> Mary: DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD INCREASE TURNOUT?

>> IT CAN'T HURT.

SO I AM OMENT MYSTIC IT WILL.

>> Mary: NOW THE ISSUE YOU'VE DONE A LOT OF PRESS FOR, THIS IS THE DEEP FAKES, THE MISINFORMATION.

IS MINNESOTA STILL REALLY A LEADER?

>> WE ARE.

WE WERE ONE OF THE FIRST THREE STATES LAST YEAR TO IMPLEMENT A STATUTORY BAN ON THE USE OF DEEP FAKES.

IF IT'S WITHIN 90 DAYS OF THE ELECTIONS.

IF IT'S DONE WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE PERSON WHO'S DEPICTED AND IF IT'S DONE FOR THE PURPOSE OF INFLUENCING THE OUTCOME OF AN ELECTION.

WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY TEST CASES YET.

BUT I INSPECT WE MIGHT.

>> Mary: VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

THAT FEDERAL POLICY IS TRICKLING DOWN AND THERE'S STATE LANGUAGE FROM THIS SESSION.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE FEDERAL VETTING RIGHTS ACT, MOST PEOPLE KNOW, 1965, HUGE DEAL, BUT THERE WAS A FEDERAL COURT CASE IN THE 8TH SIR KATE COURT OF APPEALS WHICH BASICALLY TOOK WAY A LONG-HELD RITE.

IT SAID THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN'T SUE UNDER CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

THE STATE CAN, BUT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO FEELS THEY'VE BEEN DISCRIMINATEDDED AGAINST, THEY CAN'T EVEN GET A DAY IN COURT.

SO IN MINNESOTA WE FINALLY PASSED A STATE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

SOMEONE IN MINNESOTA WHO THINKS THAT THEY WERE THE SUBJECT OF DISCRIMINATION CAN AT LEAST HAVE A DAY IN COURT.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT ELECTION WORKERS?

WE'RE LOSING ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY?

>> WE'RE IN MUCH BETTER SHAPE IN MINNESOTA.

WE NEED 30,000 ELECTION JUDGES EVERY CYCLE O PUT ON AN ELECTION.

SO PLEASE I HOPE VIEWERS WILL CONSIDER DOING THAT JOB.

BUT LAST YEAR WE SAFE GUARDED ELECTION WORKERS BY ADDING NEW PENALTIES IN LAW TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE NOT MESSED WITH.

WE WANT TO KEEP OUR POLLING ALWAYS HAVE BEEN IN MINNESOTA, KIND OF AN OASIS OF CALM.

>> Mary: SO ALL THE SEATS IN THE HOUSE AND YOU COULD HAVE SOME SPECIAL ELECTSES COMING IN THE SENATE BUT YOU DON'T KNOW YET.

WHAT DATES DO FOLKS NEED TO HIT TO GET ON HE NOVEMBER BALLOT?

>> IT'S SORT OF A MATTER OF INTERPRETATION.

BUT REALLY THE ABSOLUTE DROP DEAD DATE IS JUNE 8TH.

THERE'S AN RGUMENT THAT YOU REALLY SHOULD GET IT DONE BY JUNE 5TH FOR PEOPLE TO RESIGN.

>> Mary: E'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM RETIRING LAWMAKERS IN THE MOMENT.

>> MY FRIEND PAT GAROFALO.

HE'S REALLY A GREAT GUY.

AND WAS A REALLY EFFECTIVE AND GOOD AND RESPECTED LAWMAKER.

WE COME FROM DIFFERENT POLITICAL PARTIES BUT WE WERE CLASSMATES AND I JUST WANTED TO GIVE HIM A SHOUT-OUT BECAUSE HE'S REALLY AN EXCEPTIONAL PUBLIC SERVANT.

EVEN WHEN WE DISAGREED, A LEARN A LOT FROM HIM AND HE'S REALLY JUST A PRINCIPLED PERSON AND IDENTIFICATION IT'S A HUGE LOSS FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

>> THANK YOU, MR. SECRETARY.

WELL, ON THE FINAL DAY TO PASS BILLS HERE WAS MARKED WITH DISIS A ARRAY AND CONFUSION, THE FOLLOWING DAY SAW LAWMAKERS BIDDING FAREWELL IT.

WAS EMOTIONAL AND MEMORABLE.

THE SPEECHES HERE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

>> I'M THE ONLY -- THE SECOND ONLY MUSLIM WOMAN WHO HAS SERVED IN THIS BODY.

BUT I WILL TELL YOU, THIS WORK IS HARD AND EVERY TIME I WALK INTO THIS BUILDING, MY HEART BEATS A LITTLE FASTER.

THE REASON WHY I KEPT COMING BACK IS BECAUSE THE LITTLE HIJAB GIRLS ACROSS THE STATE NEED SOMEBODY THAT LOOKS LIKE THEM, THAT THEY SEE AND SAY, I COULD BE SOMEBODY LIKE THAT.

>> I TELL EVERYONE OUTSIDE OF THIS BUILDING THAT THE PEOPLE INSIDE THIS BUILDING ARE GOOD, DECENT PEOPLE.

LIVE UP TO THAT.

BE GOOD.

DO BETTER.

NAVIGATE THIS PLACE SO THEN WHEN IT'S YOUR TURN TO LEAVE, YOU CAN HEAR YOUR MAKER TELL YOU, WELL DONE, THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.

>> DO THE RIGHT THING.

NOT THE E EASY THING.

NO OFFENSE, NOT THE THING THAT LEADERSHIP TELLS YOU YOU SHOULD DO.

NOT THE THING THAT ANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PAID TO BE HERE TELL YOU TO DO.

NOT THE THING THAT FEAR TELLS YOU TO DO.

THIS JOB WILL EAT YOU UP.

BUT ONLY IF YOU LET IT.

YOU WILL NEVER BE DONE.

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE MORE EMAILS.

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE MORE EMAILS.

REAL TALK.

A LOT OF PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS DON'T SURVIVE THIS JOB.

A LOT OF MARRIAGES, A LOT OF FRIENDSHIPS DON'T SURVIVE THIS JOB.

>> ONE MORE TIME, A BONDING BILL SPEECH.

[ Laughter ] OH, WAIT, WAIT, THAT WAS LAST NIGHT.

AND I NEVER GAVE IT.

[ Laughter ] YOU KNOW, ACTUALLY, AFTER OUR BASIC DISASTER LAST NIGHT, I DECIDED THAT THIS ISN'T REALLY RETIREMENT.

IT'S MORE AN ESCAPE.

>> YOU GOT TO MOVE FAST.

DON'T TALK -- AND SOME WILL GET DRY AND SOME GET FRISKY.

SO DO THOSE WORKSHEETS.

WATCH THEM TAPES.

BECAUSE FROM U.S. HISTORY, THERE AIN'T NO ESCAPE.

[ Cheers and applause ] I COULD LITERALLY COUNT ON ONE HAND THE NUMBER OF BAD DAYS THAT I HAD HERE IN MY FIRST TEN YEARS.

THIS PLACE WAS FUN.

IT'S CHANGED.

PARTISANSHIP HAS GROWN.

AS COOPERATION HAS DECLINED.

I URGE YOU TO BE STATESMEN AND NOT POLITICIANS.

>> THERE ARE NOSE IN OR ON THE FRINGES OF MY PARTY WHO ARE NOT REPUBLICANS.

THEY ARE ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OVER MY PARTY AND MOLD IT INTO SOMETHING ELSE.

SOMETHING THAT NEVER WAS AND THEY ARE THE TRUE R.I.N.O.s.

I LEAVE YOU, ESPECIALLY FRESHMAN, WITH SOME ADVICE.

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.

KEEP YOUR WORD.

REMEMBER WHO SENT YOU HERE.

AND FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, DON'T EVER SAY WOULD SO AND SO YIELD FOR A QUESTION?

[ Laughter ] IF YOU HAPPEN BY, THE LITCHFIELD WAL-MART, YOU CAN PAUSE.

POINT AT ME AND SAY, THERE HE IS.

THE LAST EISENHOWER REPUBLICAN.

HE TRIED TO DO WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS RIGHT.

[ Applause ] [ Laughter ] >> AFTER THAT, I AM GOING TO BE BRIEF.

[ Laughter ] I'M GOING TO TELL A STORY.

AND I AM GOING TO DO AN IMPERSONATION.

[ Cheers and applause ] THIS MIGHT BE THE FIRST TIME A PRESIDING OFFICER INTRODUCED A SPOUSE TO GIVE THE PRAYER.

SO WE WITNESSED A LITTLE HISTORY TODAY.

THIS PLACE RUNS ON RELATIONSHIPS.

AND THE INCREDIBLE RELATIONSHIPS I'VE HAD ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, I VALUE, I TREASURE, AND I'VE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THIS ROOM AND OTHERS THAT AREN'T HERE.

I THINK ABOUT THE GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAT IN THESE SEATS FOR SO LONG.

THE NEED TO COME TOGETHER S STATE.

AND TO FIGHT THE HATE THAT IS DIVIDING US.

AND I LOOK AROUND THIS CHAMBER AND I SEE SO MANY FACES OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN REPRESENTED HERE BEFORE.

AND THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TO KEEP GOING.

WE HAVE TO KEEP THAT TREND GOING.

SINCE THE SPEAKER DID SAY THAT SHE LIKED MY BOB DYLAN IMPRESSION, SO FOR ALL OF US WHO WANT TO COME HERE TO MAKE CHANGE, THIS IS FOR YOU.

♪ COME GATHER ROUND PEOPLE WHEREVER YOU ROAM ♪ ♪ AND ADMIT THAT THE WATERS AROUND YOU HAVE GROWN ♪ ♪ AND ACCEPT IT THAT SOON YOU'LL BE DRENCHED TO THE BONE ♪ ♪ IF YOUR TIME TO YOU IS WORTH SAVING ♪ ♪ WELL, YOU BETTER START SWIMMING OR YOU'LL SINK LIKE A STONE ♪ EVERYBODY, SING WITH ME.

♪ FOR THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGING ♪ ♪ ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, EVERYBODY.

THANK YOU.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> Mary: SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING EDITOR NICK AND PHOTOGRAPHER SCOTT FOR DOING THAT SEGMENT JUSTICE.

IT IS OUR FINAL SHOW OF THE SEASON.

WE'RE PLANNING TO RETURN NEXT SESSION.

WE'LL BE COVERING MINNESOTA POLITICS AND THE CAMPAIGN SEASON AHEAD ON OUR SISTER PROGRAM "ALMANAC."

AND IF YOU WANT TO REWATCH ANY PART OF THIS SHOW OR ANY SHOW, SINCE THE BEGINNING OF "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL"'S TIME, HEAD TO OUR EBSITE, TPT.ORG/AATC.

YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA SITES RIGHT THERE.

TUNE INTO "ALMANAC" FRIDAY NIGHT.

ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK WITH THE PERSON MAKES NEWS ROM EXPLORE MINNESOTA WHO'S RIDING THAT WAVE OF SUCCESS OF THE TIMBERWOLVES ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

KAOMI LEE TAKES US TO NORTHWEST MINNESOTA TO CONTINUE COVERING CHILD CARE.

I WILL PROVIDE SOME MORE CONTEXT ON SESSION.

AND WE WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY BEHIND THE SCENES BEFORE WE GO.

YOU HEARD THE SHOUT-OUT.

OUR NTIRE CREW BEHIND THE SCENES, BEST IN THE BUSINESS AND COULD BE AGGREGATES TO OUR BRAND-NEW PRODUCER, CHRISTOPHER BACK IN THE CONTROL ROOM.

THANK YOU, EVERYBODY.

THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS YEAR.

GOOD NIGHT.

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

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FLINT HILLS RESOURCES: A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY: DELIVERING NEARLY $4 BILLION TO BENEFIT ALL MINNESOTANS SINCE 1990.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY: POWERING WHAT'S POSSIBLE.

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