>>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A PRODUCTION OF PIONEER PUBLIC. PRODUCTION OF PIONEER PUBLIC
TELEVISION. TELEVISION.
MAJOR FUNDING FOR "YOUR.
MAJOR FUNDING FOR "YOUR
LEGISLATORS" IS PROVIDED BY MOVE. LEGISLATORS" IS PROVIDED BY MOVE
MINNESOTA, A STATEWIDE COALITION. MINNESOTA, A STATEWIDE COALITION
FIGHTING FOR A 10 YEAR. FIGHTING FOR A 10 YEAR
COMMITMENT TO FIXING OUR DIRE.
COMMITMENT TO FIXING OUR DIRE
TRANSPORTATION NEEDS, A SAFE. TRANSPORTATION NEEDS, A SAFE
RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
STRENGTHENS MINNESOTA'S ECONOMY. STRENGTHENS MINNESOTA'S ECONOMY.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION AT MOVE.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION AT MOVE
MN.ORG. MN.ORG.
FLAHERTY AND HOOD HAS PROITD. FLAHERTY AND HOOD HAS PROITD
HAS PROVIDEDSERVICES TO CLIENTS.
HAS PROVIDEDSERVICES TO CLIENTS.
OUR TEAM FOCUSES ON MUNICIPAL. OUR TEAM FOCUSES ON MUNICIPAL
EMPLOYMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW. EMPLOYMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
AND LOBBIESTS REPRESENT CLIENTS. AND LOBBIESTS REPRESENT CLIENTS
AT THE STATE CAPITOL.
AT THE STATE CAPITOL.
ONLINE AT FLAHERTY-HOOD.COM. ONLINE AT FLAHERTY-HOOD.COM.
MAPE MEMBERS, MAKING MINNESOTA.
MAPE MEMBERS, MAKING MINNESOTA
CLEAN WATERS, SAFE COMMUNITIES, CLEAN WATERS, SAFE COMMUNITIES,
QUALITY EDUCATION AND VETERANS. QUALITY EDUCATION AND VETERANS
CARE HAPPEN. CARE HAPPEN.
WE WORK HARD FOR MINNESOTANS.
WE WORK HARD FOR MINNESOTANS.
>>> LIVE FROM ST. PAUL, >>> LIVE FROM ST. PAUL,
MINNESOTA WE WELCOME YOU TO THE.
MINNESOTA WE WELCOME YOU TO THE
35th SESSION OF "YOUR. 35Th SESSION OF "YOUR
LEGISLATORS", A ROUNDTABLE. LEGISLATORS", A ROUNDTABLE
DISCUSSION FEATURING STATE. DISCUSSION FEATURING STATE
LAWMAKERS WHO ARE PREPARED TO.
LAWMAKERS WHO ARE PREPARED TO
ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AND. ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AND
DISCUSS IMPORTANT ISSUES. DISCUSS IMPORTANT ISSUES
AFFECTING THE CITIZENS OF. AFFECTING THE CITIZENS OF
MINNESOTA.
MINNESOTA.
>>> NOW, HERE IS YOUR MODERATOR. >>> NOW, HERE IS YOUR MODERATOR
FOR TONIGHT'S PROGRAM, BARRY. FOR TONIGHT'S PROGRAM, BARRY
ANDERSON.
ANDERSON.
>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO. >> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO
THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF "YOUR. THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF "YOUR
LEGISLATORS".
LEGISLATORS".
WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU HAVE JOINED. WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU HAVE JOINED
US FOR OUR HOUR OF CONVERSATION. US FOR OUR HOUR OF CONVERSATION
ABOUT IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING.
ABOUT IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING
MINNESOTA. MINNESOTA.
I WANT TO REMIND YOU THIS IS. I WANT TO REMIND YOU THIS IS
YOUR PROGRAM, NOT OURS, AND WE.
YOUR PROGRAM, NOT OURS, AND WE
INVITE YOU TO CALL THE QUESTIONS. INVITE YOU TO CALL THE QUESTIONS
IN OR SEND THEM IN. IN OR SEND THEM IN
ELECTRONICALLY, AND WE ARE SO. ELECTRONICALLY, AND WE ARE SO
HIGH TECH WE CAN'T STAND IT, AND.
HIGH TECH WE CAN'T STAND IT, AND
WE ARE ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER, WE ARE ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER,
AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER HASHTAG. AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER HASHTAG
"YOUR LEGISLATORS". "YOUR LEGISLATORS".
WE BEGIN THIS PROGRAM EACH WEEK.
WE BEGIN THIS PROGRAM EACH WEEK
BY INTRODUCING OUR PANEL OF. BY INTRODUCING OUR PANEL OF
GUESTS THAT HELP US UNRAVEL THE. GUESTS THAT HELP US UNRAVEL THE
MYSTERIES OF ST. PAUL.
MYSTERIES OF ST. PAUL.
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF FOLKS THAT. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF FOLKS THAT
HAVEN'T BEEN WITH US IN THE PAST.
HAVEN'T BEEN WITH US IN THE PAST
OR IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. OR IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
WE HAVE IN NORTH MANKATO CLARK. WE HAVE IN NORTH MANKATO CLARK
JOHNSON.
JOHNSON.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON AND I HAD. REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON AND I HAD
AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE. AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE
NOTES.
NOTES.
HE WAS WHERE I WAS FROM BUT WE. HE WAS WHERE I WAS FROM BUT WE
WON'T INFLICT THAT ON THE. WON'T INFLICT THAT ON THE
VIEWERS.
VIEWERS.
INSTEAD TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT. INSTEAD TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT
YOURSELF, WHAT YOU DO, YOUR DAY. YOURSELF, WHAT YOU DO, YOUR DAY
JOB.
JOB.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR. INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR
VIEWERS. VIEWERS.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
I LIVE IN NORTH MANKATO, AND I. I LIVE IN NORTH MANKATO, AND I
LIVE WITH MY WIFE APRIL.
LIVE WITH MY WIFE APRIL.
WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED MORE THAN. WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED MORE THAN
30 YEARS, AND I WORK AT. 30 YEARS, AND I WORK AT
MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY.
MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
MANKATO, AND I HAVE BEEN A. MANKATO, AND I HAVE BEEN A
PROFESSOR THERE FOR 30 YEARS, PROFESSOR THERE FOR 30 YEARS,
AND OVER THE YEARS I WAS AN. AND OVER THE YEARS I WAS AN
ACADEMIC ADVISOR AND SEMIRETIRED. ACADEMIC ADVISOR AND SEMIRETIRED
FROM THAT, AND I STILL PREPARE.
FROM THAT, AND I STILL PREPARE
SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES. SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES
TEACHERS, AND MANY OF THE. TEACHERS, AND MANY OF THE
CHILDREN WATCHING THE SHOW OR. CHILDREN WATCHING THE SHOW OR
THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS, THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS,
HOPEFULLY OUT THERE TEACHING A.
HOPEFULLY OUT THERE TEACHING A
LOT ABOUT CIVICS AND HISTORY AND. LOT ABOUT CIVICS AND HISTORY AND
ECONOMICS. ECONOMICS.
>> AND THIS IS YOUR SECOND TERM, >> AND THIS IS YOUR SECOND TERM,
I BELIEVE.
I BELIEVE.
IS THAT RIGHT? IS THAT RIGHT?
>> I WON A SPECIAL ELECTION IN. >> I WON A SPECIAL ELECTION IN
2013 IN FEBRUARY, AND I ARRIVED. 2013 IN FEBRUARY, AND I ARRIVED
A LITTLE LATE, WHICH IS AN.
A LITTLE LATE, WHICH IS AN
INTERESTING CHALLENGE, BUT I. INTERESTING CHALLENGE, BUT I
HAVE ENJOYED IT A LOT, AND I WON. HAVE ENJOYED IT A LOT, AND I WON
REELECTION THIS FALL. REELECTION THIS FALL.
>> THE COMMITTEES YOU SERVE ON. >> THE COMMITTEES YOU SERVE ON
AND SO FORTH. AND SO FORTH.
>> THREE COMMITTEES, ACTUALLY.
>> THREE COMMITTEES, ACTUALLY
FOUR. FOUR.
AG FINANCE, AND CULTURAL POLICY, AG FINANCE, AND CULTURAL POLICY,
AND ALSO SERVE ON THE. AND ALSO SERVE ON THE
ENVIRONMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.
ENVIRONMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
AND ALSO SERVE ON THE. AND ALSO SERVE ON THE
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE. TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.
>> ALSO JOINING US FROM EDINA, >> ALSO JOINING US FROM EDINA,
DISTRICT 49, SENATOR MELISSA.
DISTRICT 49, SENATOR MELISSA
FRANZEN. FRANZEN.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
FIRST TERM SENATOR FROM EDINA. FIRST TERM SENATOR FROM EDINA
AND REPRESENT BLOOMINGTON, AND. AND REPRESENT BLOOMINGTON, AND
SERVE ON THE HIGHER ED COMMITTEE. SERVE ON THE HIGHER ED COMMITTEE
ON THE TRANSPORTATION AND.
ON THE TRANSPORTATION AND
FINANCE COMMITTEE AND PUBLIC. FINANCE COMMITTEE AND PUBLIC
SAFETY AND ON THE HEALTH AND. SAFETY AND ON THE HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE. HUMAN SERVICES FINANCE
COMMITTEE, AND I'M VICE CHAIR OF.
COMMITTEE, AND I'M VICE CHAIR OF
THAT COMMITTEE, AND I'M AN. THAT COMMITTEE, AND I'M AN
ATTORNEY BY TRADE, AND IN THE. ATTORNEY BY TRADE, AND IN THE
LAST 6 MONTHS I STARTED MY OWN. LAST 6 MONTHS I STARTED MY OWN
BUSINESS AND LEFT THE CORPORATE.
BUSINESS AND LEFT THE CORPORATE
WORLD AND BALANCING THAT WITH. WORLD AND BALANCING THAT WITH
THE WORLD IN THE SENATE. THE WORLD IN THE SENATE.
>> AS SOMEONE WHO WAS A.
>> AS SOMEONE WHO WAS A
SELF-EMPLOYED LAWYER FOR MANY. SELF-EMPLOYED LAWYER FOR MANY
YEARS, I SYMPATHIZE. YEARS, I SYMPATHIZE.
SENATOR FRANZEN VISIT TO HAMLIN.
SENATOR FRANZEN VISIT TO HAMLIN
TO ENCOURAGE WHERE YOU WENT TO. TO ENCOURAGE WHERE YOU WENT TO
LAW SCHOOL OR ENCOURAGING LAW. LAW SCHOOL OR ENCOURAGING LAW
SCHOOL STUDENTS TO CONSIDER. SCHOOL STUDENTS TO CONSIDER
WORKING OPPORTUNITIES.
WORKING OPPORTUNITIES.
WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU COULD JOIN. WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU COULD JOIN
US. US.
WHAT COMMITTEE DID YOU SERVE ON, WHAT COMMITTEE DID YOU SERVE ON,
THINGS OF THAT SORT? THINGS OF THAT SORT?
>> HIGHER ED COMMITTEE, >> HIGHER ED COMMITTEE,
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE AND. TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE AND
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
FINANCE COMMITTEE. FINANCE COMMITTEE.
>> FROM ROCHESTER, A FREQUENT. >> FROM ROCHESTER, A FREQUENT
GUEST WITH US, SENATOR KARLA. GUEST WITH US, SENATOR KARLA
NELSON. NELSON.
TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOURSELF. TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOURSELF.
>> GOOD EVENING. >> GOOD EVENING.
IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE.
IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE.
I LIVE IN ROCHESTER, AND. I LIVE IN ROCHESTER, AND
REPRESENT ROCHESTER AND MOST OF. REPRESENT ROCHESTER AND MOST OF
OLMSTED COUNTY.
OLMSTED COUNTY.
SERVE ON BONDING, TAXES, HIGHER. SERVE ON BONDING, TAXES, HIGHER
EDUCATION, JOB, AGES RURAL. EDUCATION, JOB, AGES RURAL
DEVELOPMENT AND HEALTH AND HUMAN.
DEVELOPMENT AND HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES. SERVICES.
THE GOOD NEWS IS BY THE TIME THE. THE GOOD NEWS IS BY THE TIME THE
BILLS GET TO THE SENATE FLOOR, I.
BILLS GET TO THE SENATE FLOOR, I
HAVE PROBABLY HEARD A GOOD. HAVE PROBABLY HEARD A GOOD
MAJORITY OF THEM IN COMMITTEE. MAJORITY OF THEM IN COMMITTEE.
>> AND THERE'S A LOT OF.
>> AND THERE'S A LOT OF
CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY IN. CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY IN
ROCHESTER THAT MAYBE WE WILL. ROCHESTER THAT MAYBE WE WILL
HAVE A CHANCE TO VISIT A LITTLE. HAVE A CHANCE TO VISIT A LITTLE
BIT.
BIT.
>> WE COULD DO A SHOW ON THAT. >> WE COULD DO A SHOW ON THAT.
>> WE ASSURE OUR VIEWERS WE WILL.
>> WE ASSURE OUR VIEWERS WE WILL
TALK ABOUT OTHER THINGS. TALK ABOUT OTHER THINGS.
JOINING US FOR THE FIRST TIME, JOINING US FOR THE FIRST TIME,
ALSO, AND FROM DISTRICT 44A. ALSO, AND FROM DISTRICT 44A
SARAH ANDERSON.
SARAH ANDERSON.
FIRST, WE ARE NOT RELATED, FIRST, WE ARE NOT RELATED,
RIGHT? RIGHT?
>> BY MARRIAGE FOR ME. >> BY MARRIAGE FOR ME.
I'M SARAH ANDERSON, AND.
I'M SARAH ANDERSON, AND
REPRESENT THE AREA OF PLYMOUTH. REPRESENT THE AREA OF PLYMOUTH
WHICH IS A WESTERN SUBURB IF YOU. WHICH IS A WESTERN SUBURB IF YOU
ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA. ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA.
I ACTUALLY GREW UP IN ATWATER, I ACTUALLY GREW UP IN ATWATER,
AND MARRIED TO MY HUSBAND PAUL, AND MARRIED TO MY HUSBAND PAUL,
AND HE'S A SCHOOLTEACHER. AND HE'S A SCHOOLTEACHER.
TEACHES PHYSICS. TEACHES PHYSICS.
I HAVE A SON COLE, AND GETTING. I HAVE A SON COLE, AND GETTING
READY FOR HIS VALENTINE'S DAY. READY FOR HIS VALENTINE'S DAY
PARTY TOMORROW, WHICH I'M NOT. PARTY TOMORROW, WHICH I'M NOT
PREPARED FOR.
PREPARED FOR.
BUT I ALSO SERVE ON THE. BUT I ALSO SERVE ON THE
COMMITTEES, AND CHAIR OF THE. COMMITTEES, AND CHAIR OF THE
STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE.
STATE GOVERNMENT FINANCE
COMMITTEE, AND I ALSO SERVE ON. COMMITTEE, AND I ALSO SERVE ON
TAXES WAYS AND MEANS AND. TAXES WAYS AND MEANS AND
COMMERCE. COMMERCE.
>> WE HAVE GOT MANY QUESTIONS. >> WE HAVE GOT MANY QUESTIONS
FROM OUR VIEWERS, BUT I SUPPOSE. FROM OUR VIEWERS, BUT I SUPPOSE
WE HAVE TO START OFF WITH THE. WE HAVE TO START OFF WITH THE
ISSUE THAT'S BEEN SORT OF.
ISSUE THAT'S BEEN SORT OF
DRIVING TWITTER CRAZY OVER THE. DRIVING TWITTER CRAZY OVER THE
LAST FEW HOURS, AND IT'S THE. LAST FEW HOURS, AND IT'S THE
BUSINESS ABOUT COMMISSIONER. BUSINESS ABOUT COMMISSIONER
SALARIES, AND THERE'S BEEN.
SALARIES, AND THERE'S BEEN
ACTION IN THE SENATE AND PRESS. ACTION IN THE SENATE AND PRESS
CONFERENCES AND WHAT NOT. CONFERENCES AND WHAT NOT
HAPPENING, AND MAYBE START WITH. HAPPENING, AND MAYBE START WITH
OUR VETERAN SENATOR, SENATOR.
OUR VETERAN SENATOR, SENATOR
NELSON. NELSON.
I THINK MAYBE YOU COULD BRING. I THINK MAYBE YOU COULD BRING
OUR VIEWERS UP TO SPEED ON WHAT.
OUR VIEWERS UP TO SPEED ON WHAT
HAPPENED. HAPPENED.
>> I WILL TELL YOU IT REALLY. >> I WILL TELL YOU IT REALLY
STARTED LAST WEEK WHEN THE.
STARTED LAST WEEK WHEN THE
GOVERNOR DID THE MASSIVE PAY. GOVERNOR DID THE MASSIVE PAY
HIKES FOR COMMISSIONERS, AND MY. HIKES FOR COMMISSIONERS, AND MY
E-MAIL STARTED BLOWING UP WITH. E-MAIL STARTED BLOWING UP WITH
CITIZENS REALLY ALL ACROSS THE.
CITIZENS REALLY ALL ACROSS THE
STATE, AND HIS COMMISSIONER IS. STATE, AND HIS COMMISSIONER IS
PAID BY 19%, AND 20%, 30%, 40%, PAID BY 19%, AND 20%, 30%, 40%,
AND THOSE ARE MASSIVE PAY HIKES. AND THOSE ARE MASSIVE PAY HIKES
MINNESOTANS AREN'T SEEN. MINNESOTANS AREN'T SEEN.
WHAT CAUSED THE TWITTER VERSE TO. WHAT CAUSED THE TWITTER VERSE TO
GET SO EXCITED WAS IN THE SENATE. GET SO EXCITED WAS IN THE SENATE
WE PASSED AN AMENDMENT WHICH. WE PASSED AN AMENDMENT WHICH
BASICALLY SUSPENDED THOSE.
BASICALLY SUSPENDED THOSE
MASSIVE PAY HIKES REALLY JUST. MASSIVE PAY HIKES REALLY JUST
UNTIL JULY, BUT INTERESTINGLY. UNTIL JULY, BUT INTERESTINGLY
ENOUGH, SENATOR BLOCK OFFERED. ENOUGH, SENATOR BLOCK OFFERED
THAT AMENDMENT, AND IT DID PASS.
THAT AMENDMENT, AND IT DID PASS.
WE OFFERED ANOTHER AMENDMENT. WE OFFERED ANOTHER AMENDMENT
THAT REMOVED THE GOVERNOR'S. THAT REMOVED THE GOVERNOR'S
UNILATERAL AUTHORITY TO DO THAT. UNILATERAL AUTHORITY TO DO THAT
IN THE FIRST PLACE, BUT THAT.
IN THE FIRST PLACE, BUT THAT
AMENDMENT DID NOT PASS, AND I. AMENDMENT DID NOT PASS, AND I
THINK THE FIREWORKS HAPPENED. THINK THE FIREWORKS HAPPENED
AFTERWARDS AT THE PRESS. AFTERWARDS AT THE PRESS
CONFERENCE, AND THE GOVERNOR.
CONFERENCE, AND THE GOVERNOR
DIDN'T MINCE ANY WORDS. DIDN'T MINCE ANY WORDS.
HE SAID THAT SENATOR BAKK. HE SAID THAT SENATOR BAKK
STABBED HIM IN THE BACK.
STABBED HIM IN THE BACK.
SO AND THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER. SO AND THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER
BARBS THAT WERE THROWN. BARBS THAT WERE THROWN.
BUT THE GOVERNOR THREAT THANKED. BUT THE GOVERNOR THREAT THANKED
TO VETO ON ENTIRE DEFICIENCY. TO VETO ON ENTIRE DEFICIENCY
BILL, BECAUSE HE DIDN'T LIKE THE. BILL, BECAUSE HE DIDN'T LIKE THE
AMENDMENTS ABOUT THE PAY RAISES, AMENDMENTS ABOUT THE PAY RAISES,
AND I THINK THAT'S VERY.
AND I THINK THAT'S VERY
DANGEROUS FOR THE GOVERNOR TO. DANGEROUS FOR THE GOVERNOR TO
VETO THAT ENTIRE BILL. VETO THAT ENTIRE BILL.
IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT THINGS.
IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT THINGS
LIKE SAFETY, HOSPITAL AT ST. LIKE SAFETY, HOSPITAL AT ST.
PETER'S AND I WOULD NOT WANT TO. PETER'S AND I WOULD NOT WANT TO
HAVE THAT ON MY RECORD BECAUSE.
HAVE THAT ON MY RECORD BECAUSE
THIS BILL HAD BEEN VETOED BY THE. THIS BILL HAD BEEN VETOED BY THE
GOVERNOR EBOLA. GOVERNOR EBOLA.
CERTAINLY I DO HOPE THE GOVERNOR.
CERTAINLY I DO HOPE THE GOVERNOR
RECONSIDERS AND DOES NOT VETO. RECONSIDERS AND DOES NOT VETO
THAT DEFICIENCY BILL, AND IT'S. THAT DEFICIENCY BILL, AND IT'S
KIND OF A FAMILY FEUD, AND THE. KIND OF A FAMILY FEUD, AND THE
FDR SENATE AND GOVERNOR RIGHT.
FDR SENATE AND GOVERNOR RIGHT
NOW. NOW.
>> OF COURSE IF THERE'S A VETO, >> OF COURSE IF THERE'S A VETO,
IT CAN BE SPLIT AND PARTS CAN BE. IT CAN BE SPLIT AND PARTS CAN BE
PASSED SEPARATELY AS WELL, I.
PASSED SEPARATELY AS WELL, I
ASSUME, RIGHT? ASSUME, RIGHT?
>> YOU STILL HAVE TO HAVE. >> YOU STILL HAVE TO HAVE
ANOTHER BILL. ANOTHER BILL.
>> LET'S ASK SENATOR FRANZEN, >> LET'S ASK SENATOR FRANZEN,
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT
THAT AND WHERE DOWNING IT'S. THAT AND WHERE DOWNING IT'S
GOING? GOING?
>> I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR. >> I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR
SENATOR BAKK OR THE GOVERNOR, SENATOR BAKK OR THE GOVERNOR,
AND I HAVE SEEN A LITTLE BIT OF. AND I HAVE SEEN A LITTLE BIT OF
MEDIA ON THIS.
MEDIA ON THIS.
THIS. THIS.
IT'S A DEFICIENCY BILL THAT'S.
IT'S A DEFICIENCY BILL THAT'S
NEEDED AND THIS ISSUE IS. NEEDED AND THIS ISSUE IS
IMPORTANT FOR THE GOVERNOR, AND. IMPORTANT FOR THE GOVERNOR, AND
I CAME FROM A PRIVATE SECTOR AND. I CAME FROM A PRIVATE SECTOR AND
I UNDERSTAND COMPETITIVENESS AND.
I UNDERSTAND COMPETITIVENESS AND
TRYING TO RECRUIT TOP TALENT. TRYING TO RECRUIT TOP TALENT.
WE HAVE TO DO IT CAUTIOUSLY, AND. WE HAVE TO DO IT CAUTIOUSLY, AND
THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM AND TIME.
THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM AND TIME
FOR NEGOTIATIONS IN THIS. FOR NEGOTIATIONS IN THIS
SESSION, AND THIS IS ONLY THE. SESSION, AND THIS IS ONLY THE
BEGINNING, I'M SURE THE BOYS. BEGINNING, I'M SURE THE BOYS
WILL FIGURE IT OUT.
WILL FIGURE IT OUT.
>> REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON, YOUR. >> REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON, YOUR
THOUGHTS ON THIS DUST-UP AND. THOUGHTS ON THIS DUST-UP AND
WHERE IT MIGHT LEAD.
WHERE IT MIGHT LEAD.
>> I'M SENSITIVE TO THIS BECAUSE. >> I'M SENSITIVE TO THIS BECAUSE
THE DEFICIENCY BILL IS PRIMARILY. THE DEFICIENCY BILL IS PRIMARILY
FUNDING FOR THE SECURITY.
FUNDING FOR THE SECURITY
HOSPITAL. HOSPITAL.
THE SECURITY HOSPITAL HAS BEEN. THE SECURITY HOSPITAL HAS BEEN
UNDER A LOT OF CHALLENGE IN THE.
UNDER A LOT OF CHALLENGE IN THE
LAST 6, 8, 10 MONTHS, AND THEY. LAST 6, 8, 10 MONTHS, AND THEY
NEED THAT FUNDING BADLY. NEED THAT FUNDING BADLY.
THE FUNDING WENT TO PROVIDE.
THE FUNDING WENT TO PROVIDE
CAMERAS TO COVER SOME AREAS. CAMERAS TO COVER SOME AREAS
WHERE THERE'S POOR SITE LINES, WHERE THERE'S POOR SITE LINES,
AND IT WAS USED TO REMODEL OR DO. AND IT WAS USED TO REMODEL OR DO
A SHORT-TERM REMODEL ON THE. A SHORT-TERM REMODEL ON THE
FACILITY, AND THE ADMISSIONS.
FACILITY, AND THE ADMISSIONS
UNIT FROM A VERY SECURE AND. UNIT FROM A VERY SECURE AND
DANGEROUS UNIT. DANGEROUS UNIT.
IT BROUGHT ON 60 NEW STAFF.
IT BROUGHT ON 60 NEW STAFF.
IT CONTINUES TO BE AFFLICTED. IT CONTINUES TO BE AFFLICTED
WITH ASSAULTS, AND THERE'S A LOT. WITH ASSAULTS, AND THERE'S A LOT
OF ISSUES GOING ON, AND IF WE WE.
OF ISSUES GOING ON, AND IF WE WE
WANT PAST THE DEFICIENCY BILL WE. WANT PAST THE DEFICIENCY BILL WE
ARE LOOKING AT NOT BEING ABLE TO. ARE LOOKING AT NOT BEING ABLE TO
TAKE PATIENTS AT THE HOSPITAL, TAKE PATIENTS AT THE HOSPITAL,
POSSIBLE LAYOFFS, AND THIS IS. POSSIBLE LAYOFFS, AND THIS IS
BAD NEWS.
BAD NEWS.
I THINK WE ALL NEED TO RECOGNIZE. I THINK WE ALL NEED TO RECOGNIZE
IT'S A VERY CHALLENGING PLACE TO. IT'S A VERY CHALLENGING PLACE TO
MANAGE AND CERTAINLY TO WORK IN, MANAGE AND CERTAINLY TO WORK IN,
AND SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR THE.
AND SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR THE
PATIENTS IS REALLY CRITICAL. PATIENTS IS REALLY CRITICAL.
SO THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT'S. SO THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT'S
MERITED FOR ANY KIND OF A.
MERITED FOR ANY KIND OF A
POLITICAL FOOTBALL, AND I WAS IN. POLITICAL FOOTBALL, AND I WAS IN
THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS. THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE LAST MONDAY WHEN THIS. COMMITTEE LAST MONDAY WHEN THIS
WAS BROUGHT UP ALSO IN THE HOUSE.
WAS BROUGHT UP ALSO IN THE HOUSE
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, AND IN. WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, AND IN
THIS CASE IT WAS THE GOP, AND. THIS CASE IT WAS THE GOP, AND
ALL I COULD THINK OF WAS LET'S. ALL I COULD THINK OF WAS LET'S
KEEP POLITICS OUT OF IT, AND I.
KEEP POLITICS OUT OF IT, AND I
REALLY ASK THAT BE DONE. REALLY ASK THAT BE DONE.
IF I HAVE THE POWER, I SAY WE. IF I HAVE THE POWER, I SAY WE
NEED A COOLING OFF PERIOD, AND.
NEED A COOLING OFF PERIOD, AND
LET'S SET THE PAY RAISE STUFF. LET'S SET THE PAY RAISE STUFF
ASIDE ON BOTH SIDES, PULL IT OUT. ASIDE ON BOTH SIDES, PULL IT OUT
OF THE BILL AND PASS THAT. OF THE BILL AND PASS THAT
DEFICIENCY BILL, MOVE FORWARD.
DEFICIENCY BILL, MOVE FORWARD
AND DEAL WITH THAT IN A MORE. AND DEAL WITH THAT IN A MORE
RATIONAL MANNER. RATIONAL MANNER.
IF THERE COULD BE A COOLING OFF.
IF THERE COULD BE A COOLING OFF
PERIOD, THE STATE WOULD BENEFIT. PERIOD, THE STATE WOULD BENEFIT
THAT, AND THE FOLKS THAT WORK AT. THAT, AND THE FOLKS THAT WORK AT
THE SECURITY HOSPITAL WOULD. THE SECURITY HOSPITAL WOULD
DEFINITELY BENEFIT FROM THAT.
DEFINITELY BENEFIT FROM THAT.
>> REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON. >> REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON.
>> I HAVE A LOT OF.
>> I HAVE A LOT OF
COMMISSIONERS, AND SALARIES ARE. COMMISSIONERS, AND SALARIES ARE
UNDER MY JURISDICTION, AND MY. UNDER MY JURISDICTION, AND MY
BIGGEST CONCERN IS HOW IT'S. BIGGEST CONCERN IS HOW IT'S
GOING TO IMPACT THE OVERALL.
GOING TO IMPACT THE OVERALL
BUDGET. BUDGET.
WE HAVE A $1 BILLION SURPLUS, WE HAVE A $1 BILLION SURPLUS,
AND I DON'T THINK THE CITIZENS. AND I DON'T THINK THE CITIZENS
OF MINNESOTA EXPECTED THAT TO.
OF MINNESOTA EXPECTED THAT TO
HAPPEN. HAPPEN.
WE TALK ABOUT THE POLITICAL. WE TALK ABOUT THE POLITICAL
POIAPPOINTEES.
POIAPPOINTEES.
I THINK IT'S THE WRONG MESSAGE. I THINK IT'S THE WRONG MESSAGE
TO SEND THEM, THAT THESE. TO SEND THEM, THAT THESE
SALARIES ARE A HIGHER PRIORITY, SALARIES ARE A HIGHER PRIORITY,
WHETHER IT'S TRANSPORTATION OR.
WHETHER IT'S TRANSPORTATION OR
EDUCATION OR WHATEVER YOU ARE. EDUCATION OR WHATEVER YOU ARE
PASSIONATE ABOUT. PASSIONATE ABOUT.
I THINK THAT'S A BIG CONCERN.
I THINK THAT'S A BIG CONCERN
THAT I HAVE, AND I THINK THAT WE. THAT I HAVE, AND I THINK THAT WE
HAVE TO PEEL BACK THE AUTHORITY. HAVE TO PEEL BACK THE AUTHORITY
THAT THE GOVERNOR WAS GIVEN IN. THAT THE GOVERNOR WAS GIVEN IN
2013.
2013.
I DIDN'T SUPPORT IT. I DIDN'T SUPPORT IT.
IT'S A GOOD TIME TO REIGN THAT.
IT'S A GOOD TIME TO REIGN THAT
BACK IN. BACK IN.
NOBODY SHOULD HAVE THE. NOBODY SHOULD HAVE THE
UNILATERAL OPPORTUNITY TO DO.
UNILATERAL OPPORTUNITY TO DO
THAT. THAT.
REPRESENTATIVE -- OR SENATOR. REPRESENTATIVE -- OR SENATOR.
>> ONCE A REP ALWAYS A REP. >> ONCE A REP ALWAYS A REP.
>> I'M SURE WE INSULTED. >> I'M SURE WE INSULTED
SOMEBODY, BUT I'M NOT SURE WHO.
SOMEBODY, BUT I'M NOT SURE WHO.
>> I HAVE GOTTEN NUMEROUS. >> I HAVE GOTTEN NUMEROUS
E-MAILS FROM CONSTITUENTS AND. E-MAILS FROM CONSTITUENTS AND
PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE, AND.
PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE, AND
IT'S STRUCK A CHORD WITH THEM. IT'S STRUCK A CHORD WITH THEM.
II HAD A SINGLE MOTHER SAY I HAE. II HAD A SINGLE MOTHER SAY I HAE
THREE KIDS IN COLLEGE, AND YOU.
THREE KIDS IN COLLEGE, AND YOU
ARE DOING THIS WITH MY TAXPAYER. ARE DOING THIS WITH MY TAXPAYER
DOLLARS. DOLLARS.
I HAVE STATE EMPLOYEES THAT SAY.
I HAVE STATE EMPLOYEES THAT SAY
THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING, THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING,
AND I THINK THE PUBLIC HAS GREAT. AND I THINK THE PUBLIC HAS GREAT
CONCERNS ABOUT THIS, AND WE NEED. CONCERNS ABOUT THIS, AND WE NEED
TO ADDRESS IT QUICKLY AND GET IT. TO ADDRESS IT QUICKLY AND GET IT
DONE WITH.
DONE WITH.
I AGREE IT SHOULDN'T BE. I AGREE IT SHOULDN'T BE
IMPACTING THE DEFICIENCY BILL. IMPACTING THE DEFICIENCY BILL
WHEN THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD.
WHEN THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD
VETO THE BILL. VETO THE BILL.
HOPEFULLY THE LARR LEGISLATURE,E. HOPEFULLY THE LARR LEGISLATURE,E
WILL LET HIM KNOW IF IT HAPPENS.
WILL LET HIM KNOW IF IT HAPPENS
I SUSPECT WE HAVEN'T HEARD OF. I SUSPECT WE HAVEN'T HEARD OF
LAST OF THIS. LAST OF THIS.
WE HAVE A VIEWER FROM PINE RIVER.
WE HAVE A VIEWER FROM PINE RIVER
THAT WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THE. THAT WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THE
ENBRIDGE SAND RIVER PIPELINE. ENBRIDGE SAND RIVER PIPELINE.
WHETHER OR NOT THIS KIND OF.
WHETHER OR NOT THIS KIND OF
PIPELINE WILL GET ANY. PIPELINE WILL GET ANY
LEGISLATIVE ACTION. LEGISLATIVE ACTION.
ANYBODY WANT TO TAKE A CRACK AT.
ANYBODY WANT TO TAKE A CRACK AT
THAT, THE PIPELINE ISSUE? THAT, THE PIPELINE ISSUE?
SENATOR NELSON? SENATOR NELSON?
>> THAT DOES NOT GO THROUGH MY. >> THAT DOES NOT GO THROUGH MY
DISTRICT, BUT THIS IS AN. DISTRICT, BUT THIS IS AN
IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR ALL OF. IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR ALL OF
MINNESOTANS, AND BECAUSE THAT.
MINNESOTANS, AND BECAUSE THAT
PIPELINE HAS BEEN SO DELAYED IN. PIPELINE HAS BEEN SO DELAYED IN
GETTING THAT PUC APPROVAL, ONE. GETTING THAT PUC APPROVAL, ONE
OF THE THINGS WE SAW HAPPEN THIS. OF THE THINGS WE SAW HAPPEN THIS
FALL PARTICULARLY WAS THE OIL.
FALL PARTICULARLY WAS THE OIL
THAT WAS BEING BROUGHT THROUGH. THAT WAS BEING BROUGHT THROUGH
ON RAILCARS THAT COULD HAVE COME. ON RAILCARS THAT COULD HAVE COME
ON THE PIPELINE, AND I WAS AT. ON THE PIPELINE, AND I WAS AT
ONE OF THE TRANSPORTATION.
ONE OF THE TRANSPORTATION
HEARINGS, AND HAD THAT PIPELINE. HEARINGS, AND HAD THAT PIPELINE
BEEN IN PLACE, IT WOULD REPLACE. BEEN IN PLACE, IT WOULD REPLACE
300 UNIT TRAINS A DAY, THE OIL. 300 UNIT TRAINS A DAY, THE OIL
THAT IS BEING SHIPPED FROM OUR.
THAT IS BEING SHIPPED FROM OUR
NEIGHBOR TO THE WEST, AND WITH. NEIGHBOR TO THE WEST, AND WITH
THAT MASSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THAT MASSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL
COMING THROUGH ON THE FREIGHT, COMING THROUGH ON THE FREIGHT,
ON THE RAIL, IT'S THE CONDUCT OF. ON THE RAIL, IT'S THE CONDUCT OF
THE RAIL LINES, AND POSED SAFETY.
THE RAIL LINES, AND POSED SAFETY
ISSUES FOR THE COMMUNITIES ALONG. ISSUES FOR THE COMMUNITIES ALONG
THAT LINE, AND IT ALSO HAS. THAT LINE, AND IT ALSO HAS
CAUSED COMMODITIES NOT TO BE. CAUSED COMMODITIES NOT TO BE
ABLE TO GET TO WHERE THEY NEED.
ABLE TO GET TO WHERE THEY NEED
TO BE AS WELL. TO BE AS WELL.
IT'S COSTING OUR FARMERS, AND. IT'S COSTING OUR FARMERS, AND
IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE, AND THEN OF.
IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE, AND THEN OF
COURSE THERE WAS A PROPANE. COURSE THERE WAS A PROPANE
ISSUE, AND PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE. ISSUE, AND PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE
TO GET PROPANE, AND REALLY IT'S. TO GET PROPANE, AND REALLY IT'S
LONG OVERDUE, AND I'M HOPING.
LONG OVERDUE, AND I'M HOPING
THAT THE GOVERNOR WILL ENCOURAGE. THAT THE GOVERNOR WILL ENCOURAGE
A SPEEDY RESOLUTION ON THIS AND. A SPEEDY RESOLUTION ON THIS AND
THEY REALLY NEED TO GET THIS. THEY REALLY NEED TO GET THIS
PIPELINE.
PIPELINE.
THEY NEEDED IT YESTERDAY. THEY NEEDED IT YESTERDAY.
>> ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON THAT.
>> ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON THAT.
>> THE PIPELINE IS GOING THROUGH. >> THE PIPELINE IS GOING THROUGH
SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS, SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS,
AND MY FAMILY OWNS A SMALL TREE. AND MY FAMILY OWNS A SMALL TREE
FARM NEAR PARK RAPIDS, AND IT.
FARM NEAR PARK RAPIDS, AND IT
GOES THROUGH THE COUNTRY I KNOW. GOES THROUGH THE COUNTRY I KNOW
PRETTY WELL, SPEND A LOT OF TIME. PRETTY WELL, SPEND A LOT OF TIME
AT. AT.
IT'S NOT AN AREA WHERE YOU PUT. IT'S NOT AN AREA WHERE YOU PUT
THE PIPELINE IN THE GROUND AND. THE PIPELINE IN THE GROUND AND
THERE ARE NOT OTHER POSSIBLE. THERE ARE NOT OTHER POSSIBLE
RAMIFICATIONS, AND THE PROCESS.
RAMIFICATIONS, AND THE PROCESS
NEEDS TO WORK ITSELF THROUGH, NEEDS TO WORK ITSELF THROUGH,
AND IT IS A DELIBERATIVE. AND IT IS A DELIBERATIVE
PROCESS, AND IT TAKES TIME, AND. PROCESS, AND IT TAKES TIME, AND
I TRUST THOSE PROCESSES, AND I. I TRUST THOSE PROCESSES, AND I
THINK THE STATE OF MINNESOTA HAS.
THINK THE STATE OF MINNESOTA HAS
A LONG HISTORY OF TAKING CARE OF. A LONG HISTORY OF TAKING CARE OF
THESE SORTS OF ISSUES, AND I. THESE SORTS OF ISSUES, AND I
TRUST THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING. TRUST THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING
WITH IT AND IT WILL RECEIVE A.
WITH IT AND IT WILL RECEIVE A
FULL HEARING. FULL HEARING.
IT WOULDN'T BE 300 UNIT TRAINS, IT WOULDN'T BE 300 UNIT TRAINS,
THAT'S A LOT OF RAILCARS, BUT. THAT'S A LOT OF RAILCARS, BUT
HOPEFULLY WHATEVER PIPELINE -- HOPEFULLY WHATEVER PIPELINE --
THE PINE LINE DOES HOLD THE.
THE PINE LINE DOES HOLD THE
POTENTIAL TO REDUCE TRAINS, AND. POTENTIAL TO REDUCE TRAINS, AND
WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THEY ARE. WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THEY ARE
GOING TO DUMP THROUGH. GOING TO DUMP THROUGH.
WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME EXAMINING. WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME EXAMINING
THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THE TRAINS. THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THE TRAINS
THAT ARE COMING THROUGH, THAT ARE COMING THROUGH,
ESPECIALLY ON THE MAIN LINE AND. ESPECIALLY ON THE MAIN LINE AND
BNSF.
BNSF.
I THINK A LOT OF OUR COMMUNITIES. I THINK A LOT OF OUR COMMUNITIES
ARE AT RISK, AND WE NEED TO BE. ARE AT RISK, AND WE NEED TO BE
VIGILANT MAKING SURE ALL STEPS.
VIGILANT MAKING SURE ALL STEPS
ARE BEING TAKEN TO MAKE SURE WE. ARE BEING TAKEN TO MAKE SURE WE
CAN SECURE THEIR SAFETY. CAN SECURE THEIR SAFETY.
LIKEWISE WITH THE PIPELINE, LIKEWISE WITH THE PIPELINE,
THERE CAN BE SAFETY ISSUES WITH.
THERE CAN BE SAFETY ISSUES WITH
THE PIPELINE, AND THESE AREN'T. THE PIPELINE, AND THESE AREN'T
TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY. TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.
BE DELIBERATE, THOROUGH AND MAKE.
BE DELIBERATE, THOROUGH AND MAKE
THE APPROPRIATE DECISION. THE APPROPRIATE DECISION.
LET'S MAKE SURE WE DO THIS WELL, LET'S MAKE SURE WE DO THIS WELL,
TOO. TOO.
AND WE HAVE BEEN TAKING A CLOSE. AND WE HAVE BEEN TAKING A CLOSE
LOOK AT THE REAL CAPABILITIES, LOOK AT THE REAL CAPABILITIES,
AND WE HAVE A DELAY THERE, AND. AND WE HAVE A DELAY THERE, AND
WE KNOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO. WE KNOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO
DO SOMETHING IN TERMS OF.
DO SOMETHING IN TERMS OF
ADDRESSING THE EXPANSION OF. ADDRESSING THE EXPANSION OF
RAIL, IF THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY, RAIL, IF THAT IS AN OPPORTUNITY,
BUT EITHER OR, BOTH OPTIONS. BUT EITHER OR, BOTH OPTIONS
TO -- THEY CERTAINLY BOTH HAVE. TO -- THEY CERTAINLY BOTH HAVE
RISKS, AND WE WANT TO LOOK AT.
RISKS, AND WE WANT TO LOOK AT
THAT SAFETY STANDPOINT, AND WE. THAT SAFETY STANDPOINT, AND WE
HAVE HAD HEARINGS AND BILLS, AND. HAVE HAD HEARINGS AND BILLS, AND
WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK. WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK
ON THAT AND COME UP WITH.
ON THAT AND COME UP WITH
SOMETHING WE CAN ALL SUPPORT. SOMETHING WE CAN ALL SUPPORT.
>> ANY THOUGHTS? >> ANY THOUGHTS?
>> VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE. >> VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE
SAFETY SIDE OF IT.
SAFETY SIDE OF IT.
THROUGH MY DISTRICT I REPRESENT. THROUGH MY DISTRICT I REPRESENT
WE HAVE A RAILROAD TRACK THAT. WE HAVE A RAILROAD TRACK THAT
RUNS THROUGH THE DISTRICT, AND A.
RUNS THROUGH THE DISTRICT, AND A
LOT OF MY CONSTITUENTS ARE. LOT OF MY CONSTITUENTS ARE
CONCERNED ABOUT THE RAILCARS AND. CONCERNED ABOUT THE RAILCARS AND
WHAT THEY ARE RECALLING AND WHAT. WHAT THEY ARE RECALLING AND WHAT
IT MEANS FOR THEIR SAFETY.
IT MEANS FOR THEIR SAFETY
THROUGH THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS. THROUGH THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
>> STAY TUNED, I GUESS, RIGHT? >> STAY TUNED, I GUESS, RIGHT?
>> VIEWER FROM BECKER WANTS TO. >> VIEWER FROM BECKER WANTS TO
TALK ABOUT -- WE TALK GENERALLY.
TALK ABOUT -- WE TALK GENERALLY
ABOUT TRANSPORTATION HERE, AND. ABOUT TRANSPORTATION HERE, AND
BECKER WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT. BECKER WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT
RAISING THE GAS TAXES WHEN THE. RAISING THE GAS TAXES WHEN THE
PRICES ARE LOW.
PRICES ARE LOW.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE GAS. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE GAS
PRICES ARE HIGH? PRICES ARE HIGH?
WE HAVE OTHERS CONCERNED ABOUT. WE HAVE OTHERS CONCERNED ABOUT
BRIDGES AND ROADS.
BRIDGES AND ROADS.
LET'S START WITH YOU, LET'S START WITH YOU,
REPRESENTATIVE, WHAT'S YOUR. REPRESENTATIVE, WHAT'S YOUR
THOUGHTS ON THE TRANSPORTATION? THOUGHTS ON THE TRANSPORTATION?
WHERE DO YOU THINK WE MIGHT WIND. WHERE DO YOU THINK WE MIGHT WIND
UP WHEN ALL THE DUST SETTLES.
UP WHEN ALL THE DUST SETTLES.
>> MINNESOTA NEEDS A LONG-TERM. >> MINNESOTA NEEDS A LONG-TERM
COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION TO THE. COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION TO THE
TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGE, AND.
TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGE, AND
WHERE I LIVE PEOPLE ARE READY. WHERE I LIVE PEOPLE ARE READY
FOR THIS, AND I THINK THEY. FOR THIS, AND I THINK THEY
RECOGNIZE IT. RECOGNIZE IT.
HIGHWAY 14 GOES THROUGH MY. HIGHWAY 14 GOES THROUGH MY
DISTRICT, AND WE MADE PROGRESS. DISTRICT, AND WE MADE PROGRESS
ON IT, AND WE OCCURRED FUNDING. ON IT, AND WE OCCURRED FUNDING
FOR THE LAST SESSION, AND.
FOR THE LAST SESSION, AND
$300 MILLION TOWARD THE. $300 MILLION TOWARD THE
CORRIDORS OF COMMERCE, AND IT. CORRIDORS OF COMMERCE, AND IT
WILL BE EXTENDING FROM NORTH. WILL BE EXTENDING FROM NORTH
MANKATO.
MANKATO.
THAT'S A STRETCH OF ROAD THAT'S. THAT'S A STRETCH OF ROAD THAT'S
NOT ONLY ABOUT CARRYING GOODS, NOT ONLY ABOUT CARRYING GOODS,
BUT ALSO A STRETCH OF ROAD. BUT ALSO A STRETCH OF ROAD
BECAUSE WE HAVE SERIOUS.
BECAUSE WE HAVE SERIOUS
FATALITIES, AND IT'S TIME TO GET. FATALITIES, AND IT'S TIME TO GET
THAT ROAD DONE. THAT ROAD DONE.
WE HAVE BEEN WAITING 50, 60 WE HAVE BEEN WAITING 50, 60
YEARS TO GET IT TO ROCHESTER.
YEARS TO GET IT TO ROCHESTER.
THIS IS THE TIME TO DO IT. THIS IS THE TIME TO DO IT.
I BELIEVE MINNESOTA HAS HAD A.
I BELIEVE MINNESOTA HAS HAD A
THOROUGH DISCUSSION, AND I THINK. THOROUGH DISCUSSION, AND I THINK
MINNESOTA BELIEVES WE NEED TO. MINNESOTA BELIEVES WE NEED TO
IMPROVE OUR TRANSPORTATION. IMPROVE OUR TRANSPORTATION.
TRAFFIC ON THE RAIL, TRAFFIC ON. TRAFFIC ON THE RAIL, TRAFFIC ON
THE FORK, AND TRAFFIC ON THE. THE FORK, AND TRAFFIC ON THE
RIVERS, AND CERTAINLY A LOT OF. RIVERS, AND CERTAINLY A LOT OF
TRAFFIC ON OUR ROADS THAT NEEDS.
TRAFFIC ON OUR ROADS THAT NEEDS
TO BE ADDRESSED. TO BE ADDRESSED.
I THINK IT NEEDS LONG-TERM. I THINK IT NEEDS LONG-TERM
DEDICATED FUNDING, AND.
DEDICATED FUNDING, AND
SUFFICIENT FUNDING SO WE KNOW WE. SUFFICIENT FUNDING SO WE KNOW WE
CAN DO IT. CAN DO IT.
I'M CONCERNED WE ARE GOING TO.
I'M CONCERNED WE ARE GOING TO
TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT AND FALL. TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT AND FALL
BACK TO A SHORT TERM SOLUTION. BACK TO A SHORT TERM SOLUTION
THAT WILL NOT PROVIDE THE. THAT WILL NOT PROVIDE THE
FUNDING WE NEED.
FUNDING WE NEED.
I THINK SOME SORT OF A GAS TAX. I THINK SOME SORT OF A GAS TAX
IS WHERE IT GOES. IS WHERE IT GOES.
WE UNDERSTAND THE GAS TAX. WE UNDERSTAND THE GAS TAX.
IT'S DEDICATED TO ROADS, AND I. IT'S DEDICATED TO ROADS, AND I
THINK THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT.
THINK THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT
OUT THERE FOR THAT. OUT THERE FOR THAT.
I THINK IT'S TIME FOR US AS A. I THINK IT'S TIME FOR US AS A
LEGISLATURE TO BE MATURE ABOUT.
LEGISLATURE TO BE MATURE ABOUT
IT AND MAKE THAT STEP AND. IT AND MAKE THAT STEP AND
INVESTMENT. INVESTMENT.
>> REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON? >> REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON?
>> FOR THE AVERAGE FAMILY THAT.
>> FOR THE AVERAGE FAMILY THAT
HAS FOUR DRIVERS IN THEIR. HAS FOUR DRIVERS IN THEIR
HOUSEHOLD THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. HOUSEHOLD THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT
1,200-DOLLAR INCREASE THEY WILL. 1,200-DOLLAR INCREASE THEY WILL
BE PAYING BECAUSE OF THE GAS TAX.
BE PAYING BECAUSE OF THE GAS TAX
GOVERNOR DAYTON IS PROPOSING AND. GOVERNOR DAYTON IS PROPOSING AND
AFTER INCREASING THEIR TAXES BY. AFTER INCREASING THEIR TAXES BY
2.1 MILLION OVER THE LAST TWO. 2.1 MILLION OVER THE LAST TWO
YEARS.
YEARS.
I READ AN E-MAIL THAT SAID YOU. I READ AN E-MAIL THAT SAID YOU
ARE BREAKING ME. ARE BREAKING ME.
THIS IS ENOUGH. THIS IS ENOUGH.
I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE. I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE.
STOP WITH THE TAXES AND IN. STOP WITH THE TAXES AND IN
PARTICULAR THE GAS TAX. PARTICULAR THE GAS TAX.
THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL, 28 THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL, 28
CENTS, AND AT A MINIMUM WHAT.
CENTS, AND AT A MINIMUM WHAT
HE'S PROPOSING IS 16 CENTS, AND. HE'S PROPOSING IS 16 CENTS, AND
THAT'S AT THE FLOOR OF GAS BEING. THAT'S AT THE FLOOR OF GAS BEING
2.50, AND WE EXPERIENCED WHEN. 2.50, AND WE EXPERIENCED WHEN
GAS WAS AROUND A DOLLAR.
GAS WAS AROUND A DOLLAR
WHATEVER. WHATEVER.
>> $1.90. >> $1.90.
>> IT WOULDN'T BE TAXED THAT. >> IT WOULDN'T BE TAXED THAT
THAT LEFT. THAT LEFT.
ONCE IT GOES UP TO $4, THEY WILL.
ONCE IT GOES UP TO $4, THEY WILL
BE PAYING EVEN MORE IN GAS TAX. BE PAYING EVEN MORE IN GAS TAX.
THE PEOPLE HAVE SAID I PAID IN A. THE PEOPLE HAVE SAID I PAID IN A
LOT OF MONEY, AND I'M NOT SEEING.
LOT OF MONEY, AND I'M NOT SEEING
THE RESULTS. THE RESULTS.
TRESULTS. TRESULTS.
WHEN YOU ARE SPENDING. WHEN YOU ARE SPENDING
$137 MILLION IN THE SENATE. $137 MILLION IN THE SENATE
OFFICE BUILDING, PEOPLE SAY. OFFICE BUILDING, PEOPLE SAY
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
YOU NEED TO SPEND YOUR MONEY. YOU NEED TO SPEND YOUR MONEY
WHERE THE PRIORITIES ARE, AND. WHERE THE PRIORITIES ARE, AND
THAT'S ROADS AND BRIDGE.
THAT'S ROADS AND BRIDGE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF ROOM FOR. WE HAVE A LOT OF ROOM FOR
IMPROVEMENT. IMPROVEMENT.
>> I COME AT IT FROM A DIFFERENT. >> I COME AT IT FROM A DIFFERENT
ANGLE. ANGLE.
YOU CAN PUT THE NUMBER AROUND, YOU CAN PUT THE NUMBER AROUND,
AND THEY DON'T MEAN ANYTHING.
AND THEY DON'T MEAN ANYTHING
UNTIL WE KNOW WHAT WE NEED. UNTIL WE KNOW WHAT WE NEED.
WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FUNDS FOR. WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FUNDS FOR
BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
WE HAD REPORTS THAT LOOKED AT. WE HAD REPORTS THAT LOOKED AT
THIS FOR A LONG TIME WITH. THIS FOR A LONG TIME WITH
EXPERTS AND INDUSTRY LEADERS AND.
EXPERTS AND INDUSTRY LEADERS AND
WE REALIZED WE DID NEED EXTRA. WE REALIZED WE DID NEED EXTRA
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT THAT. ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT THAT
KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON ISN'T. KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON ISN'T
ENOUGH TO KEEP MINNESOTA IN THE.
ENOUGH TO KEEP MINNESOTA IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION AS FAR AS. RIGHT DIRECTION AS FAR AS
ECONOMIC VISIBILITY AND KEEP. ECONOMIC VISIBILITY AND KEEP
THEM HERE, PARTICULARLY ME. THEM HERE, PARTICULARLY ME
MILLENNIALS.
MILLENNIALS.
I THINK THE SENATE HAS A REALLY. I THINK THE SENATE HAS A REALLY
STRONG PACKAGE, AND IT'S A FIRST. STRONG PACKAGE, AND IT'S A FIRST
OPTION IN TERMS OF STARTING.
OPTION IN TERMS OF STARTING
POINT OF DUGS, AND IT'S NOT. POINT OF DUGS, AND IT'S NOT
GOING TO SEE AT THE END OF THE. GOING TO SEE AT THE END OF THE
DAY. DAY.
IT'S TRYING TO ADDRESS THE. IT'S TRYING TO ADDRESS THE
ENTIRE NEEDS OF THE STATE, AND. ENTIRE NEEDS OF THE STATE, AND
IN PORTS, AND AIRPORTS, AND IT. IN PORTS, AND AIRPORTS, AND IT
TACKLES ALL OF THE.
TACKLES ALL OF THE
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS WHEN. INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS WHEN
IT COMES TO TRANSPORTATION FOR. IT COMES TO TRANSPORTATION FOR
OUR STATE, AND IT'S LONG. OUR STATE, AND IT'S LONG
OVERDUE, AND I'M LOOKING AGAIN.
OVERDUE, AND I'M LOOKING AGAIN
AS SEEING THE REPRESENTATIVE IN. AS SEEING THE REPRESENTATIVE IN
TERMS OF HAVING A 10-YEAR PLAN. TERMS OF HAVING A 10-YEAR PLAN.
I'M NOT INTERESTED IN A.
I'M NOT INTERESTED IN A
SHORT-TERM SOLUTION OR IF I CAN. SHORT-TERM SOLUTION OR IF I CAN
TIRKS SOLUTIONS OF USING GEO. TIRKS SOLUTIONS OF USING GEO
BONDS, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH MONEY. BONDS, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH MONEY
THERE TO REALLY FILL THE GAP AND.
THERE TO REALLY FILL THE GAP AND
NEED WE KNOW EXISTS IN THE. NEED WE KNOW EXISTS IN THE
TRANSPORTATION AND. TRANSPORTATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE, AND I'M LOOKING. INFRASTRUCTURE, AND I'M LOOKING
FOR A LONG-TERM PLAN, AND I WANT.
FOR A LONG-TERM PLAN, AND I WANT
SOMETHING TO BE COMPREHENSIVE TO. SOMETHING TO BE COMPREHENSIVE TO
TACKLE THE ROADS, BRIDGES, BIKE, TACKLE THE ROADS, BRIDGES, BIKE,
PEDESTRIAN, AND IT'S GOING TO. PEDESTRIAN, AND IT'S GOING TO
HAVE TO, YOU KNOW THE MONEY IS. HAVE TO, YOU KNOW THE MONEY IS
GOING TO HAVE TO COME FROM.
GOING TO HAVE TO COME FROM
SOMEWHERE, AND AS LONG AS WE. SOMEWHERE, AND AS LONG AS WE
MAKE THE ARGUMENT YOU ARE GOING. MAKE THE ARGUMENT YOU ARE GOING
TO GET VALUE FOR YOUR TAX. TO GET VALUE FOR YOUR TAX
DOLLARS, I THINK PEOPLE.
DOLLARS, I THINK PEOPLE
UNDERSTAND THAT. UNDERSTAND THAT.
I HAVE DOZENS OF E-MAILS EVERY. I HAVE DOZENS OF E-MAILS EVERY
WEEK ON TRANSPORTATION, AND I'M.
WEEK ON TRANSPORTATION, AND I'M
TAKING THE TIME TO EDUCATE THE. TAKING THE TIME TO EDUCATE THE
PUBLIC, WHERE THE TAX DOLLARS. PUBLIC, WHERE THE TAX DOLLARS
COME FROM, WHERE ARE THEY GOING, COME FROM, WHERE ARE THEY GOING,
AND I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO. AND I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO
PROVIDE THEM SO WE HAVE FURTHER.
PROVIDE THEM SO WE HAVE FURTHER
DISCUSSION ABOUT THE NEEDS OF. DISCUSSION ABOUT THE NEEDS OF
OUR STATE. OUR STATE.
WE CAN COME TO A SOLUTION THAT.
WE CAN COME TO A SOLUTION THAT
WE CAN ALL AGREE ON. WE CAN ALL AGREE ON.
>> WELL, THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT. >> WELL, THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT
TRANSPORTATION IS ONE OF THE KEY.
TRANSPORTATION IS ONE OF THE KEY
ISSUES THAT IS THE. ISSUES THAT IS THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF MINNESOTA. RESPONSIBILITY OF MINNESOTA
STATE GOVERNMENT, AND ROADS AND. STATE GOVERNMENT, AND ROADS AND
BRIDGES PARTICULARLY, AND WE.
BRIDGES PARTICULARLY, AND WE
ALSO KNOW COMMERCE RIDES ON. ALSO KNOW COMMERCE RIDES ON
TRANSPORTATION, AND PEOPLE RIDE. TRANSPORTATION, AND PEOPLE RIDE
ON TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO. ON TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO
THOSE JOBS OR GET TO THE.
THOSE JOBS OR GET TO THE
SCHOOLING, AND SO TRANSPORTATION. SCHOOLING, AND SO TRANSPORTATION
AND A RELIABLE SYSTEM IS. AND A RELIABLE SYSTEM IS
ABSOLUTELY KEY. ABSOLUTELY KEY.
BUT I THINK IN $2 MILLION TAX. BUT I THINK IN $2 MILLION TAX
HIKE IN THE LAST BUDGET SESSION, HIKE IN THE LAST BUDGET SESSION,
AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST TAX HIKS. AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST TAX HIKS
IN THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE, ONE. IN THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE, ONE
WOULD HAVE HOPED THAT PRIORITY.
WOULD HAVE HOPED THAT PRIORITY
WOULD HAVE PRIORITIZED AND I. WOULD HAVE PRIORITIZED AND I
WANT TO SAY I REALLY LIKE WHAT. WANT TO SAY I REALLY LIKE WHAT
THE GOVERNOR SAID WHEN HE WAS IN. THE GOVERNOR SAID WHEN HE WAS IN
ROCHESTER FOR HIS FIRST DEBATE.
ROCHESTER FOR HIS FIRST DEBATE
DURING THE CAMPAIGN SEASON. DURING THE CAMPAIGN SEASON.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE GAS TAX AT. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE GAS TAX AT
THAT POINT, HE SAID I BELIEVE.
THAT POINT, HE SAID I BELIEVE
MIMINNESOTANS HAVE BEEN TAXED. MIMINNESOTANS HAVE BEEN TAXED
ENOUGH. ENOUGH.
I'M NOT INTERESTED IN INCREASING.
I'M NOT INTERESTED IN INCREASING
THE GAS TAX. THE GAS TAX.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S. LET'S TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S
GAS TAX PROPOSAL.
GAS TAX PROPOSAL.
IT'S PROBLEMATIC, AND THAT'S. IT'S PROBLEMATIC, AND THAT'S
BECAUSE IT'S LIKE A SALES TAX ON. BECAUSE IT'S LIKE A SALES TAX ON
A GALLON OF GAS, AND IT GOES UP.
A GALLON OF GAS, AND IT GOES UP
AS THE PRICE GOES UP. AS THE PRICE GOES UP.
THAT PERCENTAGE AMOUNT INCREASES. THAT PERCENTAGE AMOUNT INCREASES
DRAMATICALLY, AND CONCONSUMERS.
DRAMATICALLY, AND CONCONSUMERS
WOULD GET A DOUBLE HIT IN THEIR. WOULD GET A DOUBLE HIT IN THEIR
POCKETBOOK, AND THEY WOULD GET. POCKETBOOK, AND THEY WOULD GET
THE HIT FROM HIGHER PER GALLON. THE HIT FROM HIGHER PER GALLON
GAS PRICES PLUS THE INCREASE.
GAS PRICES PLUS THE INCREASE
GAS, PERCENTAGE WOULD BE AN. GAS, PERCENTAGE WOULD BE AN
INCREASED AMOUNT. INCREASED AMOUNT.
THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL WITH THE.
THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL WITH THE
STATE AND FEDERAL TAX WOULD BE. STATE AND FEDERAL TAX WOULD BE
60 CENTS A GALLON ON TAX, 60 60 CENTS A GALLON ON TAX, 60
CENTS A GALLON JUST IN TAX. CENTS A GALLON JUST IN TAX.
I THINK IT'S PROBLEMATIC ON THE.
I THINK IT'S PROBLEMATIC ON THE
FACE OF THAT, BUT WE HAVE THE. FACE OF THAT, BUT WE HAVE THE
ENTIRE ISSUE THAT, ONE, GAS. ENTIRE ISSUE THAT, ONE, GAS
TAXES ARE ONE OF THE MOST. TAXES ARE ONE OF THE MOST
AGGRESSIVE TYPES OF GASES, AND.
AGGRESSIVE TYPES OF GASES, AND
THEY HIT THE POOREST THE. THEY HIT THE POOREST THE
HARDEST, AND THEY OFTEN DRIVE. HARDEST, AND THEY OFTEN DRIVE
THE LESS EFFICIENT VEHICLES, AND. THE LESS EFFICIENT VEHICLES, AND
IT'S A GREATER PERCENT OF THEIR.
IT'S A GREATER PERCENT OF THEIR
INCOME, AND LASTLY, IF WE ARE. INCOME, AND LASTLY, IF WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT A PERMANENT. TALKING ABOUT A PERMANENT
SOLUTION, BELIEVE ME THE GAS TAX. SOLUTION, BELIEVE ME THE GAS TAX
ISN'T IT.
ISN'T IT.
IT'S A DECLINING SOURCE OF. IT'S A DECLINING SOURCE OF
REVENUE. REVENUE.
THE GOVERNOR'S GAS TAX IS NOT. THE GOVERNOR'S GAS TAX IS NOT
IT. IT.
THERE WILL BE OTHER PROPOSALS, THERE WILL BE OTHER PROPOSALS,
AND I THINK WE WILL DISCUSS.
AND I THINK WE WILL DISCUSS
THOSE, AND I THINK AT THE END OF. THOSE, AND I THINK AT THE END OF
THE DAY, WE WILL NOT BE SEEING. THE DAY, WE WILL NOT BE SEEING
THE GOVERNOR'S GAS TAX PROPOSAL. THE GOVERNOR'S GAS TAX PROPOSAL.
>> I WANT CORRECT SOMETHING.
>> I WANT CORRECT SOMETHING.
WE HEAR A LOT OF NUMBERS, AND I. WE HEAR A LOT OF NUMBERS, AND I
HAD A GENTLEMAN IN MY OFFICE. HAD A GENTLEMAN IN MY OFFICE
TODAY, CONSTITUENT OF MINE, AND.
TODAY, CONSTITUENT OF MINE, AND
HE HAD DONE CALCULATING AND HE. HE HAD DONE CALCULATING AND HE
SAID IF YOU DRIVE 12,000 MILES A. SAID IF YOU DRIVE 12,000 MILES A
YEAR, WHICH IS WHAT A LOT OF. YEAR, WHICH IS WHAT A LOT OF
PEOPLE WOULD DRIVE.
PEOPLE WOULD DRIVE.
GET 30 MILES TO THE GALLON, 66 GET 30 MILES TO THE GALLON, 66
BUCKS A YEAR. BUCKS A YEAR.
THAT'S A BUCK AND A QUARTER A.
THAT'S A BUCK AND A QUARTER A
WEEK, LESS THAN A CUP OF COFFEE. WEEK, LESS THAN A CUP OF COFFEE.
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
I THINK WE KNOW IF WE ARE GOING.
I THINK WE KNOW IF WE ARE GOING
TO INVEST IN OUR ROADS AND MAKE. TO INVEST IN OUR ROADS AND MAKE
THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM TO. THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM TO
MOVE OUR ECONOMY FORWARD, WE. MOVE OUR ECONOMY FORWARD, WE
NEED TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT, AND.
NEED TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT, AND
I THINK THIS IS THE YEAR TO DO. I THINK THIS IS THE YEAR TO DO
IT. IT.
THE ECONOMY IS HEALTHY AND PRICE.
THE ECONOMY IS HEALTHY AND PRICE
OF GAS IS LOW, AND I THINK WE. OF GAS IS LOW, AND I THINK WE
SHOULD GO AFTER IT. SHOULD GO AFTER IT.
I HOPE WE CAN DO IT.
I HOPE WE CAN DO IT.
>> WE SHOULD HAVE AN HONEST. >> WE SHOULD HAVE AN HONEST
CONVERSATION WITH PEOPLE, WITH. CONVERSATION WITH PEOPLE, WITH
CONSTITUENTS, WHERE THE MONEY IS.
CONSTITUENTS, WHERE THE MONEY IS
COMING FROM, WHERE IT'S GOING, COMING FROM, WHERE IT'S GOING,
AND BEING TRANSPARENT, AND. AND BEING TRANSPARENT, AND
THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION OUT. THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION OUT
THERE. THERE.
TRANSPORTATION WASN'T PARTISAN. TRANSPORTATION WASN'T PARTISAN.
IT'S BECOME MORE AND MORE TOXIC. IT'S BECOME MORE AND MORE TOXIC
IN THE RECENT YEARS, BUT IT USED.
IN THE RECENT YEARS, BUT IT USED
TO BE SOMETHING WE NEED TO. TO BE SOMETHING WE NEED TO
INVEST IN. INVEST IN.
NOW WE ARE NOT ON THE SAME SIDE.
NOW WE ARE NOT ON THE SAME SIDE
OF THAT EQUATION, AND THINK WE. OF THAT EQUATION, AND THINK WE
NEED TO FIND A WAY WE CAN DO. NEED TO FIND A WAY WE CAN DO
THIS TOGETHER. THIS TOGETHER.
I THINK AGAIN, DEMONSTRATE THE. I THINK AGAIN, DEMONSTRATE THE
VALUE, AND IT WAS TRANSPARENT. VALUE, AND IT WAS TRANSPARENT
WHERE IT'S COMING, WHERE IT'S. WHERE IT'S COMING, WHERE IT'S
GOING, AND PEOPLE WOULD HAVE A.
GOING, AND PEOPLE WOULD HAVE A
DIFFERENT OPINION THAN RELYING. DIFFERENT OPINION THAN RELYING
ON THIS INFORMATION, AND I THINK. ON THIS INFORMATION, AND I THINK
OUR JOB AS LEGISLATORS IS TO. OUR JOB AS LEGISLATORS IS TO
EDUCATE OUR CONSTITUENTS ON THE.
EDUCATE OUR CONSTITUENTS ON THE
FACTS, AND DIFFERENT NUMBERS, FACTS, AND DIFFERENT NUMBERS,
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S
NOT THE PROPOSAL THAT'S GOING TO. NOT THE PROPOSAL THAT'S GOING TO
PASS, IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME, PASS, IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME,
BUT LET'S HAVE AN HONEST. BUT LET'S HAVE AN HONEST
DISCUSSION ABOUT THE NUMBERS AS.
DISCUSSION ABOUT THE NUMBERS AS
WELL. WELL.
>> WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT THIS. >> WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT THIS
ISSUE.
ISSUE.
DON'T FEEL THEY ARE GETTING WHAT. DON'T FEEL THEY ARE GETTING WHAT
THEY PAY FOR. THEY PAY FOR.
THIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE. THIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE.
THEY DON'T EXPECT THEIR TAX. THEY DON'T EXPECT THEIR TAX
DOLLARS ARE GOING TO BE USED FOR.
DOLLARS ARE GOING TO BE USED FOR
COMPENSATION PACKAGES. COMPENSATION PACKAGES.
THEY ARE EXPECTING IT'S GOING TO. THEY ARE EXPECTING IT'S GOING TO
GO INTO THE ROADS AND BRIDGES, GO INTO THE ROADS AND BRIDGES,
AND EVENING WE ARE LOSING FAITH.
AND EVENING WE ARE LOSING FAITH
WITH THE PUBLIC WHEN WE DO THOSE. WITH THE PUBLIC WHEN WE DO THOSE
ACTIONS AND NOT FOCUS ON THE. ACTIONS AND NOT FOCUS ON THE
PRIORITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE OF. PRIORITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE OF
THE STATE.
THE STATE.
>> JUST TO LET OUR VIEWERS. >> JUST TO LET OUR VIEWERS
UNDERSTAND, I WANT TO TAKE A RUN. UNDERSTAND, I WANT TO TAKE A RUN
HERE AT MAKING SURE WE.
HERE AT MAKING SURE WE
ADEQUATELY EXPLAIN THAT THE. ADEQUATELY EXPLAIN THAT THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL MAY LEAD. GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL MAY LEAD
INTO A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. INTO A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.
BUT HIS PROPOSAL IS A WHOLESALE. BUT HIS PROPOSAL IS A WHOLESALE
TAX, AND THAT'S SOMETHING A. TAX, AND THAT'S SOMETHING A
LITTLE DIFFERENT WHICH WE. LITTLE DIFFERENT WHICH WE
HAVEN'T SEEN BEFORE.
HAVEN'T SEEN BEFORE.
THOSE NUMBERS MAY CHANGE, THOSE NUMBERS MAY CHANGE,
DEPENDING ON THE PRICE OF GAS. DEPENDING ON THE PRICE OF GAS.
>> 2.50 IS THE FLOOR.
>> 2.50 IS THE FLOOR.
IF THE PRICE OF GAS IS A DOLLAR. IF THE PRICE OF GAS IS A DOLLAR
90. 90.
YOU WILL PAY THE WHOLESALE OF. YOU WILL PAY THE WHOLESALE OF
2.50. 2.50.
>> YOU SEEM TO KNOW ABOUT THE.
>> YOU SEEM TO KNOW ABOUT THE
WHOLESALE TAX. WHOLESALE TAX.
IT'S NOT LIKE THE CENTS PER. IT'S NOT LIKE THE CENTS PER
GALLON.
GALLON.
IT'S A PERCENT OF THE COST. IT'S A PERCENT OF THE COST.
6 1/2% OF THE COST.
6 1/2% OF THE COST.
YOU CAN TELL 6 AND A HALF. YOU CAN TELL 6 AND A HALF
INSISTER OF $2.50 IS 16 CENTS. INSISTER OF $2.50 IS 16 CENTS.
HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO BE WHEN. HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO BE WHEN
GAS GOES UP TO $4 A GALLON. GAS GOES UP TO $4 A GALLON.
>> THE PERCENTAGE DOESN'T.
>> THE PERCENTAGE DOESN'T
CHANGE. CHANGE.
BUT WHAT YOU MEANT IS THE AMOUNT. BUT WHAT YOU MEANT IS THE AMOUNT
CHANGES.
CHANGES.
>> 6 1/2% OF $2.50 IS 16 CENTS. >> 6 1/2% OF $2.50 IS 16 CENTS.
6 1/2% OF $4 IS POLITICALLY.
6 1/2% OF $4 IS POLITICALLY
MORE. MORE.
>> VIEWER FROM BEMIDJI WANTS TO. >> VIEWER FROM BEMIDJI WANTS TO
TALK ABOUT MNSCU AND THIS VIEWER.
TALK ABOUT MNSCU AND THIS VIEWER
IS CONCERNED ABOUT THERE'S AN. IS CONCERNED ABOUT THERE'S AN
ARGUMENT GOING ON BETWEEN THE. ARGUMENT GOING ON BETWEEN THE
CHANCELLOR AND FICA OVER. CHANCELLOR AND FICA OVER
CHARTING THE FUTURE PLANNING.
CHARTING THE FUTURE PLANNING
PROCESS, AND MNSCU IS ASKING FOR. PROCESS, AND MNSCU IS ASKING FOR
MONEY, AND THE GOVERNOR. MONEY, AND THE GOVERNOR
INDICATED THERE'S A PHRASE UNTIL. INDICATED THERE'S A PHRASE UNTIL
IT'S RESOLVED.
IT'S RESOLVED.
WHAT'S THE LEGISLATURE PLANNING. WHAT'S THE LEGISLATURE PLANNING
ON DOING? ON DOING?
WHO WANTS TO TAKE A RUN AT THAT. WHO WANTS TO TAKE A RUN AT THAT.
>> TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT.
>> TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT
ABOUT THAT, WELL, CERTAINLY IN. ABOUT THAT, WELL, CERTAINLY IN
THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL, HIS. THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL, HIS
PROPOSAL WAS TO FUND THE. PROPOSAL WAS TO FUND THE
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, MOST.
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, MOST
NOTABLY IN THAT $30 MILLION TO. NOTABLY IN THAT $30 MILLION TO
BRING THEIR RESEARCH BACK UP. BRING THEIR RESEARCH BACK UP
INTO A TOP TIER MED SCHOOL AND. INTO A TOP TIER MED SCHOOL AND
RESEARCH FACILITY.
RESEARCH FACILITY.
THE GOVERNOR CHOSE TO PUT. THE GOVERNOR CHOSE TO PUT
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA IN HIS. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA IN HIS
BUDGET BUT DIDN'T PUT ANY MONEY.
BUDGET BUT DIDN'T PUT ANY MONEY
FROM MNSCU INTO HIS BUDGET. FROM MNSCU INTO HIS BUDGET
PROPOSAL. PROPOSAL.
THERE IS ENOUGH MONEY ON THE.
THERE IS ENOUGH MONEY ON THE
BOTTOM LINE FOR MNSCU. BOTTOM LINE FOR MNSCU.
IT'S KIND OF AN INTERESTING WAY. IT'S KIND OF AN INTERESTING WAY
FOR THE GOVERNOR TO MAKE A.
FOR THE GOVERNOR TO MAKE A
POINT. POINT.
THE LARGER POINT, WHICH IS THE. THE LARGER POINT, WHICH IS THE
CHANGING PACE OF HIGHER.
CHANGING PACE OF HIGHER
EDUCATION. EDUCATION.
HIGHER EDUCATION HAS CHANGED. HIGHER EDUCATION HAS CHANGED
DRAMATICALLY WITH OUR DIGITAL.
DRAMATICALLY WITH OUR DIGITAL
ECONOMY AND THE DIGITAL WORLD. ECONOMY AND THE DIGITAL WORLD
THAT WE LIVE IN TODAY. THAT WE LIVE IN TODAY.
YOU CAN'T HAVE A MODEL THAT IS A.
YOU CAN'T HAVE A MODEL THAT IS A
MODEL, AND HIGHER EDUCATION IS. MODEL, AND HIGHER EDUCATION IS
GOING TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY. GOING TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY
CHALLENGED AND HOW IS IT GOING. CHALLENGED AND HOW IS IT GOING
TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THAT? TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THAT?
HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION THAT OUR.
HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION THAT OUR
WORK FORCE DEPENDS UPON AND THE. WORK FORCE DEPENDS UPON AND THE
ECONOMY DEPENDS ON AND DO IT IN. ECONOMY DEPENDS ON AND DO IT IN
A WAY THAT'S SUSTAINABLE IN. A WAY THAT'S SUSTAINABLE IN
LIGHT OF THE FACT WE HAVE FREE.
LIGHT OF THE FACT WE HAVE FREE
ONLINE EDUCATION BEING OFFERED. ONLINE EDUCATION BEING OFFERED
FROM UNIVERSITIES ALL ACROSS THE. FROM UNIVERSITIES ALL ACROSS THE
NATION. NATION.
THEY ARE CALLED THE ONLINE OPEN. THEY ARE CALLED THE ONLINE OPEN
SOURCES COURSES. SOURCES COURSES.
HARVARD, STANFORD, YOU SAKE YOUR.
HARVARD, STANFORD, YOU SAKE YOUR
CHOICE. CHOICE.
YOU TAKE THE COURSES ONLINE FOR. YOU TAKE THE COURSES ONLINE FOR
FREE.
FREE.
HIGHER EDUCATION DOES HAVE TO. HIGHER EDUCATION DOES HAVE TO
CHANGE. CHANGE.
THAT'S THE POINT OF THAT. THAT'S THE POINT OF THAT.
WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE MODEL OF. WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE MODEL OF
HIGHER EDUCATION, AND I DON'T.
HIGHER EDUCATION, AND I DON'T
WANT WHAT ALL IS IN THE. WANT WHAT ALL IS IN THE
CHANCELLOR'S CHARTING THE. CHANCELLOR'S CHARTING THE
FUTURE, BUT IT IS TRUE. FUTURE, BUT IT IS TRUE.
HIGHER EDUCATION HAS TO CHANGE. HIGHER EDUCATION HAS TO CHANGE
ITS MODEL TO BE SUSTAINABLE. ITS MODEL TO BE SUSTAINABLE.
I KNOW CHANGE IS HARD.
I KNOW CHANGE IS HARD.
I KNOW DIFFERENCES ARE RESOLVED. I KNOW DIFFERENCES ARE RESOLVED.
I THINK THI DON'T THINK THE GOVR. I THINK THI DON'T THINK THE GOVR
HOLDING FUNDS IS THE BEST WAY TO.
HOLDING FUNDS IS THE BEST WAY TO
DO IT. DO IT.
BUT I THINK WE WILL FIND WAYS. BUT I THINK WE WILL FIND WAYS
WHERE MNSCU IS FUNDED BEFORE THE.
WHERE MNSCU IS FUNDED BEFORE THE
SESSION ENDS. SESSION ENDS.
>> I SIT ON THE COMMITTEE, >> I SIT ON THE COMMITTEE,
ALTHOUGH I'M BRAND-NEW TO IT. ALTHOUGH I'M BRAND-NEW TO IT.
MNSCU IS A BIG PART OF OUR. MNSCU IS A BIG PART OF OUR
HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM. HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM.
A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF IT AND.
A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF IT AND
TO SENATOR NELSON'S POINT, IT'S. TO SENATOR NELSON'S POINT, IT'S
GOING TO BE A VERY SIGNIFICANT. GOING TO BE A VERY SIGNIFICANT
PART OF THE SOLUTION GETTING OUR. PART OF THE SOLUTION GETTING OUR
WORK FORCE READY FOR THE JOBS WE.
WORK FORCE READY FOR THE JOBS WE
NEED AND SKILL SETS WE KNOW AS. NEED AND SKILL SETS WE KNOW AS
OF TODAY. OF TODAY.
MNSCU IS CRITICAL.
MNSCU IS CRITICAL.
IT'S GREAT TO HAVE A LEADER WITH. IT'S GREAT TO HAVE A LEADER WITH
A VISION. A VISION.
CHANGE IS HARD, AND I'M HOPEFUL. CHANGE IS HARD, AND I'M HOPEFUL
THIS WILL BE RESOLVED, AND ANY. THIS WILL BE RESOLVED, AND ANY
CONFLICTS WILL GET SETTLED. CONFLICTS WILL GET SETTLED.
I ADMIRE SOMEONE WHO HAS A BOLD. I ADMIRE SOMEONE WHO HAS A BOLD
VISION AND IS TRYING TO. VISION AND IS TRYING TO
IMPLEMENT CHANGE. IMPLEMENT CHANGE.
I'M HOPEFUL THEY WILL FIND A. I'M HOPEFUL THEY WILL FIND A
RESOLUTION, AND WE WILL CONTINUE. RESOLUTION, AND WE WILL CONTINUE
TO HAVE MACHIN MNSCU AS A PART E. TO HAVE MACHIN MNSCU AS A PART E
HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM.
HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM.
>> I WORK AT A UNIVERSITY THAT'S. >> I WORK AT A UNIVERSITY THAT'S
BEEN SUCCESSFUL AT SHARED. BEEN SUCCESSFUL AT SHARED
GOVERNANCE, AND IT WORKS IN.
GOVERNANCE, AND IT WORKS IN
UNIVERSITIES, BUT IT WORKS WELL. UNIVERSITIES, BUT IT WORKS WELL.
IT'S ALSO A PRINCIPLE THAT. IT'S ALSO A PRINCIPLE THAT
APPLIES TO STATE GOVERNMENT. APPLIES TO STATE GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES, AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO.
AGENCIES, AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO
TAKE A LOOK AT IT. TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
I THINK IT SERVED MINNESOTA. I THINK IT SERVED MINNESOTA
STATE WELL.
STATE WELL.
IF YOU LOOK AT MINNESOTA STATE. IF YOU LOOK AT MINNESOTA STATE
MANKATO, WE HAD A PRETTY GOOD. MANKATO, WE HAD A PRETTY GOOD
RUN FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS.
RUN FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS.
THE CONCEPT IS THAT YOU DRAW. THE CONCEPT IS THAT YOU DRAW
UPON THE WISDOM OF ALL, AND YOU. UPON THE WISDOM OF ALL, AND YOU
KNOW, I'M SITTING HERE WITH.
KNOW, I'M SITTING HERE WITH
THREE FEMALE LEGISLATORS, AND. THREE FEMALE LEGISLATORS, AND
ALL THE LEGISLATORS ARE MALE, ALL THE LEGISLATORS ARE MALE,
AND RECENTLY WE WORKED WITHOUT. AND RECENTLY WE WORKED WITHOUT
THE WISDOM OF THE BROAD POP. THE WISDOM OF THE BROAD POP
POPULATION, AND THAT'S KIND OF.
POPULATION, AND THAT'S KIND OF
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF IT. ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF IT.
I THINK THE CHANCELLOR STUMBLED, I THINK THE CHANCELLOR STUMBLED,
AND IN TWO WAYS: ONE, THE. AND IN TWO WAYS: ONE, THE
CONTRACT THAT WAS UNKNOWN AND.
CONTRACT THAT WAS UNKNOWN AND
SECRET AND $2 MILLION CONTRACT. SECRET AND $2 MILLION CONTRACT
THAT GOT THAT SET UP, THAT'S NOT. THAT GOT THAT SET UP, THAT'S NOT
SHARED GOVERNANCE, AND AS THE. SHARED GOVERNANCE, AND AS THE
COMMITTEES WERE STRUCTURED TO.
COMMITTEES WERE STRUCTURED TO
INVESTIGATE THE VARIOUS AREAS. INVESTIGATE THE VARIOUS AREAS
THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT, THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT,
WHETHER IT BE ADVERSITY I HAVE. WHETHER IT BE ADVERSITY I HAVE
SEEP THE VIEWING ONLY INVOLVING. SEEP THE VIEWING ONLY INVOLVING
ONE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FACULTY.
ONE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FACULTY
AND ONE FROM THE UNIVERSITY. AND ONE FROM THE UNIVERSITY
SYSTEM, FROM 18 PEOPLE. SYSTEM, FROM 18 PEOPLE.
THERE'S ONE THING WE KNOW ABOUT.
THERE'S ONE THING WE KNOW ABOUT
UNIVERSITIES IS THE PROFESSORS. UNIVERSITIES IS THE PROFESSORS
WHO STAY AROUND. WHO STAY AROUND.
STUDENTS COME AND GO, AND.
STUDENTS COME AND GO, AND
ADMINISTRATORS COME AND GO. ADMINISTRATORS COME AND GO.
IT'S A LOPPING-TERM COMMITTEE. IT'S A LOPPING-TERM COMMITTEE
FOR THE UNIVERSITY AND THE.
FOR THE UNIVERSITY AND THE
PROFESSORS THEMSELVES. PROFESSORS THEMSELVES.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THAT. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THAT
VOICE BE HELD BECAUSE THAT'S.
VOICE BE HELD BECAUSE THAT'S
WHERE THE EDUCATION IS. WHERE THE EDUCATION IS
DELIVERED. DELIVERED.
IF WE ARE GOING TO CHART THE.
IF WE ARE GOING TO CHART THE
FUTURE, IT WILL BE ON THE BACKS. FUTURE, IT WILL BE ON THE BACKS
OR BE IMPLEMENTED IN LANGER. OR BE IMPLEMENTED IN LANGER
MEASURE BY THOSE TEACHING THE. MEASURE BY THOSE TEACHING THE
CLASSES, TEACHING THE STUDENTS.
CLASSES, TEACHING THE STUDENTS.
IT STARTED SLOWLY AND. IT STARTED SLOWLY AND
INAPPROPRIATELY IN MY OPINION. INAPPROPRIATELY IN MY OPINION.
THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT CAN'T BE. THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT CAN'T BE
FIXED. FIXED.
I KNOW PEOPLE ARE TALKING AND.
I KNOW PEOPLE ARE TALKING AND
WORKING AND NEGOTIATING TO TRY. WORKING AND NEGOTIATING TO TRY
AND WORK THROUGH THE. AND WORK THROUGH THE
DIFFERENCES, AND I THINK THE. DIFFERENCES, AND I THINK THE
DIFFERENCES CAN BE HE RESOLVED.
DIFFERENCES CAN BE HE RESOLVED.
A LOT OF THE IDEAS MAKE VERY. A LOT OF THE IDEAS MAKE VERY
GOOD SENSE BUT I THINK IT'S. GOOD SENSE BUT I THINK IT'S
INCUMBENT ON MNSCU TO DEVELOP A.
INCUMBENT ON MNSCU TO DEVELOP A
BETTER SYSTEM. BETTER SYSTEM.
THE SYSTEM WILL BE STRONGER AND. THE SYSTEM WILL BE STRONGER AND
THE STUDENTS WILL BENEFIT FROM.
THE STUDENTS WILL BENEFIT FROM
THAT. THAT.
I'M CONFIDENT THEY CAN DO THAT, I'M CONFIDENT THEY CAN DO THAT,
BUT THEY HAVE GOT TO GET GOING, BUT THEY HAVE GOT TO GET GOING,
AND DEMONSTRATE IT. AND DEMONSTRATE IT.
THE GOVERNOR MADE A GOOD POINT. THE GOVERNOR MADE A GOOD POINT.
IT NEEDS TO BE DEMONSTRATED. IT NEEDS TO BE DEMONSTRATED.
I UNDERSTAND THAT REALLY WELL. I UNDERSTAND THAT REALLY WELL.
>> IF I COULD DIGRESS I HAD FOUR. >> IF I COULD DIGRESS I HAD FOUR
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA STUDENTS.
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA STUDENTS
IN MY OFFICE TODAY, AND SEPARATE. IN MY OFFICE TODAY, AND SEPARATE
FROM THE MNSCU ISSUE, WHAT WAS. FROM THE MNSCU ISSUE, WHAT WAS
INTERESTING TO ME THEY CAME TO. INTERESTING TO ME THEY CAME TO
THE LEGISLATURE, AND I ASKED.
THE LEGISLATURE, AND I ASKED
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR COSTS, AND. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR COSTS, AND
I REMEMBER IT'S LIKE GOING TO. I REMEMBER IT'S LIKE GOING TO
COLLEGE. COLLEGE.
BUT THEY SPEND ALMOST $1,000 ON. BUT THEY SPEND ALMOST $1,000 ON
BOOKS ALONE, AND YOU CAN'T. BOOKS ALONE, AND YOU CAN'T
IMAGINE THAT CIEP OF COSTS, AND. IMAGINE THAT CIEP OF COSTS, AND
THINK MOST STUDENTS, THEY.
THINK MOST STUDENTS, THEY
HAVEN'T HAD SOMEBODY THAT HAD. HAVEN'T HAD SOMEBODY THAT HAD
GONE TO COLLEGE PRIOR TO THEM, GONE TO COLLEGE PRIOR TO THEM,
THEY DON'T KNOW THE HIDDEN. THEY DON'T KNOW THE HIDDEN
COSTS, AND I ASKED ABOUT THE. COSTS, AND I ASKED ABOUT THE
RENT AND FOOD 6789 AND THERE WAS.
RENT AND FOOD 6789 AND THERE WAS
A STUDENT FROM MORRIS, AND SHE. A STUDENT FROM MORRIS, AND SHE
SAID IT'S SENSE EXTENSIVE TO BUY. SAID IT'S SENSE EXTENSIVE TO BUY
FOOD IN MORRIS, AND OVERALL IN. FOOD IN MORRIS, AND OVERALL IN
THE HIGHER ED SYSTEM, ALTHOUGH.
THE HIGHER ED SYSTEM, ALTHOUGH
IT'S NOT PERTINENT TO THE. IT'S NOT PERTINENT TO THE
CALLER'S QUESTION, I THINK WE. CALLER'S QUESTION, I THINK WE
NEED TO BE MINDFUL WHAT WE ARE. NEED TO BE MINDFUL WHAT WE ARE
PUTTING ON THE BACKS OF OUR.
PUTTING ON THE BACKS OF OUR
STUDENTS AND TRY TO REIGN THAT. STUDENTS AND TRY TO REIGN THAT
IN. IN.
>> AND THEY ARE ASKING FOR A.
>> AND THEY ARE ASKING FOR A
TUITION FREEZE AS WELL. TUITION FREEZE AS WELL.
>> WE NEED TO JUST SAY, THOUGH, >> WE NEED TO JUST SAY, THOUGH,
A TUITION FREEZE IS MAYBE A. A TUITION FREEZE IS MAYBE A
MISNOMER, AND A TUITION FREES IS.
MISNOMER, AND A TUITION FREES IS
A TUITION FREES, BUT THE. A TUITION FREES, BUT THE
TAXPAYERS ARE ASKING TO PAY MORE. TAXPAYERS ARE ASKING TO PAY MORE
TO HOLD IT DOWN. TO HOLD IT DOWN.
>> THE HIGHER COST OF EDUCATION. >> THE HIGHER COST OF EDUCATION
IS A PROBLEM, AND WE ARE FOURTH. IS A PROBLEM, AND WE ARE FOURTH
OR FIFTH IN THE NATION, AND THAT. OR FIFTH IN THE NATION, AND THAT
IS A LIST WE SHOULD NOT BE.
IS A LIST WE SHOULD NOT BE
LEADING, AND THERE IS A LOT OF. LEADING, AND THERE IS A LOT OF
WORK TO DO THERE, AND I WOULD. WORK TO DO THERE, AND I WOULD
SAY NO FREE LUNCH. SAY NO FREE LUNCH.
THERE'S NO FREE TUITION EITHER. THERE'S NO FREE TUITION EITHER.
>> HISTORICALLY, 10, 20 YEARS. >> HISTORICALLY, 10, 20 YEARS
AGO, THEY HAD A MUCH BIGGER.
AGO, THEY HAD A MUCH BIGGER
STAKE IN HIGHER EDUCATION. STAKE IN HIGHER EDUCATION.
>> Z A U OF M STUDENT IN MY. >> Z A U OF M STUDENT IN MY
OFFICE.
OFFICE.
>> WE MET THIS SUMMER ON A FARM, >> WE MET THIS SUMMER ON A FARM,
AND SHE HAD SECURED A GRANT TO. AND SHE HAD SECURED A GRANT TO
ADD A ROBOT TO THE ROBOT. ADD A ROBOT TO THE ROBOT
OPERATION, AND THEY COULD BECOME.
OPERATION, AND THEY COULD BECOME
PART OF THE FUNDING OPERATION. PART OF THE FUNDING OPERATION.
BUT THE POINT I'M TRYING TO MAKE. BUT THE POINT I'M TRYING TO MAKE
IS OVER TIME WE LET THE STATE.
IS OVER TIME WE LET THE STATE
INVESTMENT ERODE AND THE. INVESTMENT ERODE AND THE
EDUCATION IS FOR THE STUDENT, EDUCATION IS FOR THE STUDENT,
BUT WE EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS TO. BUT WE EDUCATE OUR STUDENTS TO
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND WE. THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND WE
ARE BUILDING CAPACITY FOR THE.
ARE BUILDING CAPACITY FOR THE
FUTURE OF MINNESOTA, AND. FUTURE OF MINNESOTA, AND
EVERYBODY IN MINNESOTA CAN. EVERYBODY IN MINNESOTA CAN
BENEFIT FROM THAT. BENEFIT FROM THAT.
GOT TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT, AND I. GOT TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT, AND I
WAS GLAD WE ACCOMPLISHED THE. WAS GLAD WE ACCOMPLISHED THE
TUITION FREES IN THE LAST. TUITION FREES IN THE LAST
SESSION, AND I BO, I TELL YOU, SESSION, AND I BO, I TELL YOU,
THAT HELPED A LOT OF STUDENTS.
THAT HELPED A LOT OF STUDENTS.
I HAVE WORKED WITH STUDENTS A. I HAVE WORKED WITH STUDENTS A
LONG TIME, AND THE ECONOMIC. LONG TIME, AND THE ECONOMIC
REALITY OF THE STUDENT IS IT IS.
REALITY OF THE STUDENT IS IT IS
REAL, AND IT'S TOUGH AND WHAT I. REAL, AND IT'S TOUGH AND WHAT I
SEE IS SO MANY STUDENTS THAT. SEE IS SO MANY STUDENTS THAT
STRUGGLE TO PAY FOR COLLEGE END. STRUGGLE TO PAY FOR COLLEGE END
UP WORKING MORE AND PUTS.
UP WORKING MORE AND PUTS
PRESSURE ON HOW MUCH TIME THEY. PRESSURE ON HOW MUCH TIME THEY
CAN FOCUS ON THEIR STUDIES. CAN FOCUS ON THEIR STUDIES.
>> ONE THING TO ADD TO THAT, I.
>> ONE THING TO ADD TO THAT, I
SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL. SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL
AND HAVE COSPONSORED THE. AND HAVE COSPONSORED THE
GOVERNOR'S HIGH ED PROPOSAL. GOVERNOR'S HIGH ED PROPOSAL.
I SUPPORT THAT. I SUPPORT THAT.
THE BEST WAY WE CAN HELP. THE BEST WAY WE CAN HELP
STUDENTS IS MAKE SURE WHEN THEY.
STUDENTS IS MAKE SURE WHEN THEY
GET TO COLLEGE THAT THEY ARE. GET TO COLLEGE THAT THEY ARE
COLLEGE READY, RIGHT NOW ONLY. COLLEGE READY, RIGHT NOW ONLY
39% OF THE KIDS WHO TAKE THE ACT. 39% OF THE KIDS WHO TAKE THE ACT
ARE COLLEGE READY.
ARE COLLEGE READY.
THAT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WHEN IT. THAT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WHEN IT
COMES TO GETTING KIDS THROUGH. COMES TO GETTING KIDS THROUGH
COLLEGE.
COLLEGE.
I THINK WE HAVE WORK TO DO ON. I THINK WE HAVE WORK TO DO ON
THE K-12 SYSTEM AS WELL. THE K-12 SYSTEM AS WELL.
>> I'M NOT GOING TO SAY ANYTHING. >> I'M NOT GOING TO SAY ANYTHING
ABOUT THE MNSCU QUESTION, BUT. ABOUT THE MNSCU QUESTION, BUT
I'M GOING TO SAY STATISTICS. I'M GOING TO SAY STATISTICS
CROSS MY DESK BECAUSE I SERVE AS.
CROSS MY DESK BECAUSE I SERVE AS
LASLIAISON. LASLIAISON.
THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ATTENDING. THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS ATTENDING
LAW SCHOOL IS 1970 LEVELS.
LAW SCHOOL IS 1970 LEVELS.
FOR SOME PEOPLE THE THOUGHT. FOR SOME PEOPLE THE THOUGHT
THERE ARE GOING TO BE FEWER. THERE ARE GOING TO BE FEWER
LAWYERS ENTERING THE PIPELINE IS.
LAWYERS ENTERING THE PIPELINE IS
NOT VIEWED AS A NEGATIVE. NOT VIEWED AS A NEGATIVE.
BUT IT IS A SIGN, PERHAPS, THAT. BUT IT IS A SIGN, PERHAPS, THAT
WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.
WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT
HERE IS THAT THERE'S CHANGE OUT. HERE IS THAT THERE'S CHANGE OUT
THERE. THERE.
A QUESTION FROM ANOTHER.
A QUESTION FROM ANOTHER
VIEWER -- THIS IS INTERESTING. VIEWER -- THIS IS INTERESTING.
THIS IS THE REVERSE OF A. THIS IS THE REVERSE OF A
DISCUSSION THE PANEL HAD A.
DISCUSSION THE PANEL HAD A
COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO ABOUT WHY. COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO ABOUT WHY
THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA. THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA.
THIS VIEWER IS NOT SURE THERE'S.
THIS VIEWER IS NOT SURE THERE'S
A GOOD IDEA. A GOOD IDEA.
OUR PANEL A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. OUR PANEL A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO
WAS POINTING OUT PROBLEMS THAT.
WAS POINTING OUT PROBLEMS THAT
CREATES FARMERS AND THIS VIEWER. CREATES FARMERS AND THIS VIEWER
NOTES IT WOULD HAVE TO FILL THE. NOTES IT WOULD HAVE TO FILL THE
GAP. GAP.
WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THAT. WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THAT
PROPOSAL. PROPOSAL.
ANYBODY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT, ANYBODY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT,
WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT? WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT?
>> I KNOW ABOUT THIS A LOT OF.
>> I KNOW ABOUT THIS A LOT OF
THE STUDENTS HAD A REFERENDUM. THE STUDENTS HAD A REFERENDUM.
THE FARMERS OUT THERE ARE PAYING. THE FARMERS OUT THERE ARE PAYING
A LOT OF MONEY TO BUILD THAT.
A LOT OF MONEY TO BUILD THAT
SCHOOL. SCHOOL.
IT'S REFLECTIVE OF THE STEEP. IT'S REFLECTIVE OF THE STEEP
INCREASE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL.
INCREASE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL
YEARS, THE HIGH PRICE OF CORN. YEARS, THE HIGH PRICE OF CORN.
CERTAINLY THAT HAS VALUE. CERTAINLY THAT HAS VALUE.
WE ARE TALKING SOME FARMERS 10 WE ARE TALKING SOME FARMERS 10
THOWRD. THOWRD.
IT'S A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF. IT'S A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF
MONEY RELATED TO THE OPERATION.
MONEY RELATED TO THE OPERATION.
CORN AND BEAN PRICES ARE LOWER. CORN AND BEAN PRICES ARE LOWER.
THERE'S A LOT OF PRESSURE THERE, THERE'S A LOT OF PRESSURE THERE,
AND IT SEEMS TO ME AG LAND, YOU.
AND IT SEEMS TO ME AG LAND, YOU
MADE MONEY OFF AG LAND. MADE MONEY OFF AG LAND.
IT'S A SOURCE OF INCOME. IT'S A SOURCE OF INCOME.
HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO. HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO
COMMERCIAL LAND? COMMERCIAL LAND?
AND I LOOKED AT ST. PETER. AND I LOOKED AT ST.
PETER
DISTRICT AND COMPARED A 500-ACRE. DISTRICT AND COMPARED A 500-ACRE
FARM TO MCDONALD'S AND THOUGHT I. FARM TO MCDONALD'S AND THOUGHT I
DIDN'T KNOW IF THAT'S A FAIR. DIDN'T KNOW IF THAT'S A FAIR
COMPARISON, BUT I WANTED TO SEE.
COMPARISON, BUT I WANTED TO SEE
WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE. WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE.
SO IT MAKES ME THINK IT'S TIME. SO IT MAKES ME THINK IT'S TIME
TO MAKE SOME SORT OF ADJUSTMENT.
TO MAKE SOME SORT OF ADJUSTMENT.
TO COMPLETELY TAKE IT OFF THE AG. TO COMPLETELY TAKE IT OFF THE AG
LAND WOULD PUT A LOT OF PRESSURE. LAND WOULD PUT A LOT OF PRESSURE
ON BUSINESSES AND THE. ON BUSINESSES AND THE
HOMEOWNERS.
HOMEOWNERS.
THS A LOT OF FARMERS THAT ARE. THS A LOT OF FARMERS THAT ARE
SUPPORTING THAT, BUT I'M HOPING. SUPPORTING THAT, BUT I'M HOPING
WE CAN COME UP WITH A RACIAL.
WE CAN COME UP WITH A RACIAL
APPROACH TO IT. APPROACH TO IT.
I GOT A TAX YESTERDAY FROM. I GOT A TAX YESTERDAY FROM
SOMEONE WHO IS ASSOCIATED WITH.
SOMEONE WHO IS ASSOCIATED WITH
SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT NEAR MY. SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT NEAR MY
DISTRICT. DISTRICT.
HE WAS SUGGESTING CUTTING IN.
HE WAS SUGGESTING CUTTING IN
HALF THE AG TAX FOR BUILDING. HALF THE AG TAX FOR BUILDING
SCHOOLS. SCHOOLS.
THE SECOND PROBLEM ASSOCIATED.
THE SECOND PROBLEM ASSOCIATED
WITH IT IT'S HARD TO GO BACK ON. WITH IT IT'S HARD TO GO BACK ON
IT. IT.
YOU CAN'T ADJUST IT AFTER THE.
YOU CAN'T ADJUST IT AFTER THE
VOTE. VOTE.
SO THERE'S THAT ISSUE AS WELL. SO THERE'S THAT ISSUE AS WELL.
AND I THINK POSSIBLY THE MOST. AND I THINK POSSIBLY THE MOST
RATIONAL ANSWERS ARE INVOLVING. RATIONAL ANSWERS ARE INVOLVING
SOME STATE INVESTMENT TO. SOME STATE INVESTMENT TO
EQUALIZE, AND ALSO THERE'S A.
EQUALIZE, AND ALSO THERE'S A
PROPOSAL TO ALLOW SCHOOL. PROPOSAL TO ALLOW SCHOOL
DISTRICTS TO DETERMINE HOW THAT. DISTRICTS TO DETERMINE HOW THAT
MIX WOULD PLAY IN TERMS OF. MIX WOULD PLAY IN TERMS OF
BUSINESS HOMES AND AG LAND.
BUSINESS HOMES AND AG LAND.
ANOTHER THOUGHT I HAD WAS TO. ANOTHER THOUGHT I HAD WAS TO
PULL OFF A NONPRODUCTIVE AG. PULL OFF A NONPRODUCTIVE AG
LAND, BUT THIS IS A REAL.
LAND, BUT THIS IS A REAL
PROBLEM. PROBLEM.
IT'S NOT ONLY A FINANCIAL. IT'S NOT ONLY A FINANCIAL
PROBLEM, BUT IT ALSO CREATES.
PROBLEM, BUT IT ALSO CREATES
COMMUNITY UNREST, BECAUSE. COMMUNITY UNREST, BECAUSE
THERE'S A SENSE OF UNFAIRNESS, THERE'S A SENSE OF UNFAIRNESS,
AND IT PITS ONE PART OF THE. AND IT PITS ONE PART OF THE
COMMUNITY AGAINST THE OTHER PART. COMMUNITY AGAINST THE OTHER PART
OF THE COMMUNITY, AND THAT'S.
OF THE COMMUNITY, AND THAT'S
NEVER HEALTHY. NEVER HEALTHY.
>> LET ME ADD AS MEMBER OF THE. >> LET ME ADD AS MEMBER OF THE
TAX COMMITTEE, YOU ACCURATELY.
TAX COMMITTEE, YOU ACCURATELY
DESCRIBED WELL, WITH INCREASING. DESCRIBED WELL, WITH INCREASING
PROPERTY TAXES AND DECREASING. PROPERTY TAXES AND DECREASING
COMMODITY PRICES AND WHEN THE AG. COMMODITY PRICES AND WHEN THE AG
LAND WAS HIGH, THAT'S WHAT IT'S.
LAND WAS HIGH, THAT'S WHAT IT'S
BASED ON. BASED ON.
AND FARMERS ARE GETTING DOUBLE. AND FARMERS ARE GETTING DOUBLE
HIT.
HIT.
THIS IDEA ABOUT AG LAND AND. THIS IDEA ABOUT AG LAND AND
REFERENDUMS FOR SCHOOL IS. REFERENDUMS FOR SCHOOL IS
TROUBLING.
TROUBLING.
THAT'S THE ISSUE WITH PROPERTY. THAT'S THE ISSUE WITH PROPERTY
TAXES. TAXES.
WHEN YOU GIVE AN EXEMPTION OR. WHEN YOU GIVE AN EXEMPTION OR
LOWER SOMEBODY'S PROPERTY TAXES, LOWER SOMEBODY'S PROPERTY TAXES,
THAT DOESN'T LOWER TAXES BECAUSE. THAT DOESN'T LOWER TAXES BECAUSE
THE CITY OR THE STATE OR THE. THE CITY OR THE STATE OR THE
COUNTY ARE STILL RAISING THE.
COUNTY ARE STILL RAISING THE
SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY. SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY.
IT SPREADS IT ON TO OTHER. IT SPREADS IT ON TO OTHER
PEOPLE.
PEOPLE.
>> AND THE OTHER THING ABOUT. >> AND THE OTHER THING ABOUT
PROPERTY TAXES, THEY ARE THE. PROPERTY TAXES, THEY ARE THE
VERY BEST TYPE OF TAX, BECAUSE.
VERY BEST TYPE OF TAX, BECAUSE
THEY ARE VISIBLE, AND PEOPLE SEE. THEY ARE VISIBLE, AND PEOPLE SEE
THEM. THEM.
THEY LITERALLY HAVE TO WRITE OUT.
THEY LITERALLY HAVE TO WRITE OUT
THAT CHECK, AND IT MAKES PEOPLE. THAT CHECK, AND IT MAKES PEOPLE
WHO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES A LOT. WHO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES A LOT
MORE ACCOUNTABLE, I THINK. MORE ACCOUNTABLE, I THINK.
>> I'M NOT THE TAX EXPERT, AND. >> I'M NOT THE TAX EXPERT, AND
MY HISTORY WOULD BE HAVING THE. MY HISTORY WOULD BE HAVING THE
STATE INVESTMENT TO EQUALIZE THE. STATE INVESTMENT TO EQUALIZE THE
PLAYING FIELD FOR SCHOOLS, BUT.
PLAYING FIELD FOR SCHOOLS, BUT
WE ARE ALREADY DEALING WITH THAT. WE ARE ALREADY DEALING WITH THAT
ISSUE. ISSUE.
WOULD THAT EXACERBATE THE ISSUE.
WOULD THAT EXACERBATE THE ISSUE
THAT WE ALREADY HAVE WHERE THE. THAT WE ALREADY HAVE WHERE THE
METRO OR THE COUNTIES ARE ABLE. METRO OR THE COUNTIES ARE ABLE
TO RAISE MORE FUNDS AND HAVE. TO RAISE MORE FUNDS AND HAVE
MORE MONEY, AND WHERE IS THE.
MORE MONEY, AND WHERE IS THE
MONEY RAISED AND WHEN WE GET IT. MONEY RAISED AND WHEN WE GET IT
TO THE STATES HOW DO WE SPREAD. TO THE STATES HOW DO WE SPREAD
IT OUT. IT OUT.
I WOULD MAKE SURE THIS IS ADDING. I WOULD MAKE SURE THIS IS ADDING
TO THE ISSUE OF EQUALIZING, TO THE ISSUE OF EQUALIZING,
BECAUSE WE WANT ALL SCHOOLS TO. BECAUSE WE WANT ALL SCHOOLS TO
BE GREAT. BE GREAT.
>> I THINK A DIFFERENT APPROACH. >> I THINK A DIFFERENT APPROACH
TO TAKE IS IF YOU HAVE PROPERTY. TO TAKE IS IF YOU HAVE PROPERTY
OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, YOU. OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, YOU
ACTUALLY GET TO VOTE ON THE.
ACTUALLY GET TO VOTE ON THE
SCHOOL REFERENDUM AND IT WOULD. SCHOOL REFERENDUM AND IT WOULD
MAYBE EASE SOME OF THE COMMUNITY. MAYBE EASE SOME OF THE COMMUNITY
TENSIONS, AND RIGHT NOW IF A. TENSIONS, AND RIGHT NOW IF A
FARMER HAS PROPERTY OUTSIDE OF.
FARMER HAS PROPERTY OUTSIDE OF
THE DISTRICT HE RESIDES IN, HE. THE DISTRICT HE RESIDES IN, HE
DOESN'T GET TO VOTE ON THE. DOESN'T GET TO VOTE ON THE
REFERENDUM OR HE, SHE. REFERENDUM OR HE, SHE.
>> MY DISTRICT EDINA, IN. >> MY DISTRICT EDINA, IN
PARTICULAR, AND I HAVE A LOT OF. PARTICULAR, AND I HAVE A LOT OF
SENIORS, AND THEY ARE PROUD OF. SENIORS, AND THEY ARE PROUD OF
PAYING THE PROPERTY TAXES AND.
PAYING THE PROPERTY TAXES AND
KNOWING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS. KNOWING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS
REAPING BENEFITS FOR THE. REAPING BENEFITS FOR THE
COMMUNITY, AND THERE'S ALSO THAT. COMMUNITY, AND THERE'S ALSO THAT
WITH A SENSE OF FRIDAY.
WITH A SENSE OF FRIDAY.
WE ARE WILLING TO INVEST IN OUR. WE ARE WILLING TO INVEST IN OUR
SCHOOL, AND IT'S ANOTHER EVENT. SCHOOL, AND IT'S ANOTHER EVENT
THAT MAYBE WE SHOULD ALL MAKE.
THAT MAYBE WE SHOULD ALL MAKE
SURE IT HELPS ALL TO HAVE GREAT. SURE IT HELPS ALL TO HAVE GREAT
SCHOOLS, AND WE SHOULD BE PART. SCHOOLS, AND WE SHOULD BE PART
OF IT, TOO. OF IT, TOO.
>> QUESTION FROM RAND IN STAPLES. >> QUESTION FROM RAND IN STAPLES
ABOUT WOLVES. ABOUT WOLVES.
AS A WOLF, THE DEER POPULATION.
AS A WOLF, THE DEER POPULATION
DECREASES, AND THE MOOSE ARE. DECREASES, AND THE MOOSE ARE
NEARLY GONE, AND IS IT. NEARLY GONE, AND IS IT
MINNESOTA'S FAULT THE WOLF HAS. MINNESOTA'S FAULT THE WOLF HAS
BEEN PUT ON THE ENDANGERED.
BEEN PUT ON THE ENDANGERED
SPECIES LIST? SPECIES LIST?
JUST SO THE VIEWERS UNDERSTAND. JUST SO THE VIEWERS UNDERSTAND
THAT DECISION IS AS A RESULT OF. THAT DECISION IS AS A RESULT OF
A FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT. A FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT
DECISION, AND NOBODY AT THIS.
DECISION, AND NOBODY AT THIS
TABLE, MYSELF INCLUDED, CAN DO. TABLE, MYSELF INCLUDED, CAN DO
ANYTHING ABOUT THAT. ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.
THE QUESTION IS WHAT HAPPENS IF.
THE QUESTION IS WHAT HAPPENS IF
THERE'S GOING TO BE A. THERE'S GOING TO BE A
LEGISLATIVE ACTION HERE? LEGISLATIVE ACTION HERE?
I WILL THROW THAT OUT THERE. I WILL THROW THAT OUT THERE.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THE.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THE
WOLVES AND WHAT WE DO ABOUT THIS. WOLVES AND WHAT WE DO ABOUT THIS
IF ANYTHING? IF ANYTHING?
>> THE FIRST ISSUE IS THE. >> THE FIRST ISSUE IS THE
FARMERS, AND IN THE AG COMMITTEE. FARMERS, AND IN THE AG COMMITTEE
THEY PASSED AROUND A DOCUMENT.
THEY PASSED AROUND A DOCUMENT
SHOWING GRAPHICALLY, THE IMPACT. SHOWING GRAPHICALLY, THE IMPACT
OF THE WOLVES, AND WE SAW THE. OF THE WOLVES, AND WE SAW THE
APPLICATION -- WHAT HAPPENS IF A. APPLICATION -- WHAT HAPPENS IF A
WOLF ATTACKS A COW OR CALF AND.
WOLF ATTACKS A COW OR CALF AND
KILLS THE CALF IT'S CALLED DEPP. KILLS THE CALF IT'S CALLED DEPP
DEPRIVATATION. DEPRIVATATION.
THIS PARM FARMER WAS UNABLE TO E.
THIS PARM FARMER WAS UNABLE TO E
IT WAS ACTUALLY A WOLF. IT WAS ACTUALLY A WOLF.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ALSO HAS. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ALSO HAS
A PROGRAM BUT THEY PAY FAR LESS.
A PROGRAM BUT THEY PAY FAR LESS.
THEY DON'T PAY MARKET VALUE BUT. THEY DON'T PAY MARKET VALUE BUT
THE VALUE OF THE CALF AT THE. THE VALUE OF THE CALF AT THE
TIME. TIME.
THERE'S POTENTIAL VALUE IN A. THERE'S POTENTIAL VALUE IN A
CALF OR COW. CALF OR COW.
THE POTENTIAL VALUE IS WHEN IT.
THE POTENTIAL VALUE IS WHEN IT
COMES TO MARKET. COMES TO MARKET.
THE STATE DEFINITELY IN MY MIND. THE STATE DEFINITELY IN MY MIND
IS A FAIR SYSTEM.
IS A FAIR SYSTEM.
WE RAN OUT OF MONEY FOR DEPRIVE. WE RAN OUT OF MONEY FOR DEPRIVE
DEPRIVATION FUNDS. DEPRIVATION FUNDS.
THIS ISSUE COMES BEFORE US, AND. THIS ISSUE COMES BEFORE US, AND
HE HAD TO WAIT UNTIL 11:00 IN. HE HAD TO WAIT UNTIL 11:00 IN
THE MORNING. THE MORNING.
THAT'S A VERY PRACTICAL ISSUE. THAT'S A VERY PRACTICAL ISSUE.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, AND IT'S. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, AND IT'S
IMPORTANT WE MOVE ON THAT.
IMPORTANT WE MOVE ON THAT.
>> ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON WHICH. >> ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON WHICH
?P WE WILL MOVE ON. ?P WE WILL MOVE ON.
A VIEWER FROM BEMIDJI WANTS TO. A VIEWER FROM BEMIDJI WANTS TO
TALK ABOUT LGA. TALK ABOUT LGA.
THERE'S NO TRANSPORTATION.
THERE'S NO TRANSPORTATION
INCREASE, AND LEGISLATURE. INCREASE, AND LEGISLATURE
INCREASE IN LGA THIS YEAR AND. INCREASE IN LGA THIS YEAR AND
WANTS TO MOVE IT TO 2003 LEVELS. WANTS TO MOVE IT TO 2003 LEVELS.
>> AND LET'S START WITH YOU.
>> AND LET'S START WITH YOU.
>> LGA WAS SUPPOSED TO REDUCE. >> LGA WAS SUPPOSED TO REDUCE
PROPERTY TAXES AND WE SAW HERE. PROPERTY TAXES AND WE SAW HERE
IN THE LAST TWO YEARS THAT.
IN THE LAST TWO YEARS THAT
DIDN'T HAPPEN. DIDN'T HAPPEN.
IF THAT'S WHAT THE INDIVIDUAL. IF THAT'S WHAT THE INDIVIDUAL
HAS IN MIND THAT THIS IS SOMEHOW.
HAS IN MIND THAT THIS IS SOMEHOW
GOING TO BE THE MAGIC BULLET TO. GOING TO BE THE MAGIC BULLET TO
DECREASE THE PROPERTY TAXES I'M. DECREASE THE PROPERTY TAXES I'M
GOING TO TELL THEM RIGHT NOW. GOING TO TELL THEM RIGHT NOW
IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO A. I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO A
BETTER JOB OF IS MAKING SURE. BETTER JOB OF IS MAKING SURE
THAT WE ARE MINDFUL THAT THESE.
THAT WE ARE MINDFUL THAT THESE
ARE TAX DOLLARS OR THE CITIZENS. ARE TAX DOLLARS OR THE CITIZENS
OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, AND. OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, AND
MAYBE DO A LITTLE BIT MORE. MAYBE DO A LITTLE BIT MORE
EXPLORATION INTO HOW THESE.
EXPLORATION INTO HOW THESE
DOLLARS ARE SPENT AND USED, AND. DOLLARS ARE SPENT AND USED, AND
GET SOME PARAMETERS IN PLACE. GET SOME PARAMETERS IN PLACE
THAT MAYBE WILL GIVE US GREATER. THAT MAYBE WILL GIVE US GREATER
CONFIDENCE THAT WE WILL BE.
CONFIDENCE THAT WE WILL BE
GIVING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF TO. GIVING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF TO
CITIZENS WITH FUNDS THAT GET. CITIZENS WITH FUNDS THAT GET
SENT AWAY. SENT AWAY.
>> LGA? >> LGA?
>> MOST DON'T RECEIVE IT, AND IF. >> MOST DON'T RECEIVE IT, AND IF
THEY DO, THEY DON'T WANT IT. THEY DO, THEY DON'T WANT IT.
THEY PAY MORE IN THAN THEY GET.
THEY PAY MORE IN THAN THEY GET
OUT OF THE POT. OUT OF THE POT.
>> YOUR THOUGHTS? >> YOUR THOUGHTS?
>> COMMUNITIES ARE VERY. >> COMMUNITIES ARE VERY
DIFFERENT.
DIFFERENT.
SOME COMMUNITIES DEPEND ON LGA. SOME COMMUNITIES DEPEND ON LGA
TO PROVIDE THE ESSENTIAL. TO PROVIDE THE ESSENTIAL
SERVICES IN WHICH LGA WAS.
SERVICES IN WHICH LGA WAS
ORIGINALLY DESIGNED. ORIGINALLY DESIGNED.
OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE PROPERTY. OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE PROPERTY
RICH COMMUNITIES, AND YET THEY.
RICH COMMUNITIES, AND YET THEY
STILL GET LGA. STILL GET LGA.
IT'S KIND OF THE CHALLENGE, THE. IT'S KIND OF THE CHALLENGE, THE
BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS IT'S USED.
BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS IT'S USED
AS A SHELL GAME. AS A SHELL GAME.
SOME WILL SAY THE PROPERTY TACKS. SOME WILL SAY THE PROPERTY TACKS
ARE RAISED BECAUSE THE LGA WAS.
ARE RAISED BECAUSE THE LGA WAS
CUT, AND I THINK -- I DON'T. CUT, AND I THINK -- I DON'T
THINK IT HELPS CITIZENS HOLD THE. THINK IT HELPS CITIZENS HOLD THE
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE.
BUT THERE ARE DEFINITE NEEDS FOR. BUT THERE ARE DEFINITE NEEDS FOR
LGA, BUT IT'S BEEN SO. LGA, BUT IT'S BEEN SO
POLITICIZED OVER THE LAST I. POLITICIZED OVER THE LAST I
DON'T KNOW HOW MANY YEARS, AND.
DON'T KNOW HOW MANY YEARS, AND
IT'S BEEN PROBABLY 10 OR 20 IT'S BEEN PROBABLY 10 OR 20
YEARS, AND I'M NOT SURE IT'S. YEARS, AND I'M NOT SURE IT'S
ACTUALLY GOING TO THOSE. ACTUALLY GOING TO THOSE
COMMUNITIES WHERE IT'S NEEDED. COMMUNITIES WHERE IT'S NEEDED
FOR THE BASIC SERVICES AND I.
FOR THE BASIC SERVICES AND I
THINK WE ARE LONG OVERDUE FOR. THINK WE ARE LONG OVERDUE FOR
LOOKING AT LGA AND MAKING SURE. LOOKING AT LGA AND MAKING SURE
IT'S ACCOMPLISHING THE PURPOSE. IT'S ACCOMPLISHING THE PURPOSE
WITH WHICH IT WAS DESIGNED.
WITH WHICH IT WAS DESIGNED.
>> THE BEMIDJI STATE BEAVERS. >> THE BEMIDJI STATE BEAVERS
BEAT MANKATO M MAVERICKS. BEAT MANKATO M MAVERICKS.
WE WANTED TO GET THAT IN. WE WANTED TO GET THAT IN.
>> LGA IS REALLY IMPORTANT, >> LGA IS REALLY IMPORTANT,
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID, AND IT IS. LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID, AND IT IS
MEETING ITS PURPOSE.
MEETING ITS PURPOSE.
THE IDEA OF LOCAL GA. AID IS TO. THE IDEA OF LOCAL GA.
AID IS TO
RECOGNIZE MANY OF OUR. RECOGNIZE MANY OF OUR
COMMUNITIES IN RURAL MINNESOTA. COMMUNITIES IN RURAL MINNESOTA
SIMPLY DO NOT HAVE THE PROPERTY. SIMPLY DO NOT HAVE THE PROPERTY
TAX BASE, AND THIS IS PART OF.
TAX BASE, AND THIS IS PART OF
THE ACTUAL DISPARITY OF PROPERTY. THE ACTUAL DISPARITY OF PROPERTY
VALUES IN OUR STATE. VALUES IN OUR STATE.
I MANAGERRED THAT MCDONALD'S IN.
I MANAGERRED THAT MCDONALD'S IN
ST. PETER AND SOMETIMES THE. ST. PETER AND SOMETIMES THE
FOLKS IN ST.
PETER JOKE IT'S ONE. FOLKS IN ST. PETER JOKE IT'S ONE
OF THE MOST VALUABLE PERSONAL. OF THE MOST VALUABLE PERSONAL
PROPERTIES IN ST.
PETER, AND IT. PROPERTIES IN ST. PETER, AND IT
IS, AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S A. IS, AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S A
LOT OF COMMUNITIES THAT WOULD.
LOT OF COMMUNITIES THAT WOULD
SAY THE LOCAL MCDONALD'S IS ONE. SAY THE LOCAL MCDONALD'S IS ONE
OF THE MOST VALUABLE PROPERTIES. OF THE MOST VALUABLE PROPERTIES.
SO CITIES LIKE ST. PETER'S THEY.
SO CITIES LIKE ST. PETER'S THEY
ARE GOING TO PROVIDE THE BASIC. ARE GOING TO PROVIDE THE BASIC
SERVICES THAT THEIR CITIZENS. SERVICES THAT THEIR CITIZENS
NEED AT THE SAME LEVEL, AND THEY.
NEED AT THE SAME LEVEL, AND THEY
NEED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID. NEED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID.
I WILL ARGUE TO MY DEATH AND I. I WILL ARGUE TO MY DEATH AND I
WILL ARGUE FOREVER, WE REALLY.
WILL ARGUE FOREVER, WE REALLY
HAVE A HEALTHY RURAL MINNESOTA, HAVE A HEALTHY RURAL MINNESOTA,
AND YOU CAN HAVE COMMUNITIES. AND YOU CAN HAVE COMMUNITIES
THAT ARE REASONABLY HEALTHY AND. THAT ARE REASONABLY HEALTHY AND
GOOD PLACES TO LOOK LOOK, AND WE. GOOD PLACES TO LOOK LOOK, AND WE
HAVE ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND.
HAVE ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID IS CENTRAL. LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID IS CENTRAL
TO THAT. TO THAT.
IT'S ALWAYS THE PROPERTY TAXES.
IT'S ALWAYS THE PROPERTY TAXES
GO, AND I LIVE IN NORTH MANKATO, GO, AND I LIVE IN NORTH MANKATO,
AND I WATCHED THE PROPERTY TAXES. AND I WATCHED THE PROPERTY TAXES
GO UP AND UP AND UP, AND IT'S A. GO UP AND UP AND UP, AND IT'S A
STEADY INCREASE, AND WE SAW THAT. STEADY INCREASE, AND WE SAW THAT
STATEWIDE.
STATEWIDE.
WE MAY NOT HAVE LOWERED PROPERTY. WE MAY NOT HAVE LOWERED PROPERTY
TAXES EVERYWHERE IN MINNESOTA IN. TAXES EVERYWHERE IN MINNESOTA IN
THE LAST GO AROUND BUT WE DID.
THE LAST GO AROUND BUT WE DID
BEND THE CURVE AND STABILIZE. BEND THE CURVE AND STABILIZE
THEM. THEM.
I AM PERSONALLY A SUPPORTER FOR.
I AM PERSONALLY A SUPPORTER FOR
CONTINUING TO INCREASE IT, AND. CONTINUING TO INCREASE IT, AND
AGAIN, WE TALK ABOUT -- YET, WE. AGAIN, WE TALK ABOUT -- YET, WE
HAVE TO FACE THE REALITY THAT. HAVE TO FACE THE REALITY THAT
THERE IS A DISPARITY IN PROPERTY.
THERE IS A DISPARITY IN PROPERTY
VALUES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID. VALUES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID
IS AN EXCELLENT SOLUTION. IS AN EXCELLENT SOLUTION.
>> LET ME CLARIFY, THOUGH, LOCAL.
>> LET ME CLARIFY, THOUGH, LOCAL
GOVERNMENT AID IS VERY IMPORTANT. GOVERNMENT AID IS VERY IMPORTANT
TO SOME COMMUNICATE, EXTREMELY. TO SOME COMMUNICATE, EXTREMELY
IMPORTANT. IMPORTANT.
THE THREE LARGEST LGA RECIPIENTS. THE THREE LARGEST LGA RECIPIENTS
ARE MINNEAPOLIS, ST. PAUL AND. ARE MINNEAPOLIS, ST.
PAUL AND
DULUTH. DULUTH.
I THINK IT MAY BE HARD PRESSED. I THINK IT MAY BE HARD PRESSED
TO SAY THEY ARE PROPERTY POOR.
TO SAY THEY ARE PROPERTY POOR
DISTRICTS, AND IT IS INCREDIBLY. DISTRICTS, AND IT IS INCREDIBLY
IMPORTANT, AND I AGREE WITH YOU. IMPORTANT, AND I AGREE WITH YOU
100%. 100%.
WE HAVE LONG PASSED THE TIME. WE HAVE LONG PASSED THE TIME
WHERE WE CAN JUST HAVE VIBRANT. WHERE WE CAN JUST HAVE VIBRANT
CITY CENTERS YOU BUT WE NEED TO. CITY CENTERS YOU BUT WE NEED TO
HAVE A VIBRANT MINNESOTA IN ALL.
HAVE A VIBRANT MINNESOTA IN ALL
OF OUR DISTRICTS. OF OUR DISTRICTS.
>> DEVIL'S ADVOCATE PART OF ME. >> DEVIL'S ADVOCATE PART OF ME
SAYS IF YOU LOOK AT ST.
PAUL, SAYS IF YOU LOOK AT ST. PAUL,
ONE OF THE ISSUES YOU HAVE AT. ONE OF THE ISSUES YOU HAVE AT
ST. PAUL IS THE LARGE PERCENTAGE.
ST. PAUL IS THE LARGE PERCENTAGE
OF STATE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY, OF STATE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY,
AND THAT MIGHT BE A FACTOR HERE. AND THAT MIGHT BE A FACTOR HERE
IN THIS CONVERSATION AS WELL. IN THIS CONVERSATION AS WELL.
>> GOVERNMENT DOES KEEP GOING, >> GOVERNMENT DOES KEEP GOING,
UNFORTUNATELY. UNFORTUNATELY.
>> SO WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM. >> SO WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM
THE VIEWER ABOUT ANOTHER TAX.
THE VIEWER ABOUT ANOTHER TAX.
CIGARETTE TAX INCREASE. CIGARETTE TAX INCREASE.
THE VIEWER IS NOT ENTHUSIASTIC.
THE VIEWER IS NOT ENTHUSIASTIC
ABOUT IT. ABOUT IT.
YOU CAN SEE IOWA FROM THERE. YOU CAN SEE IOWA FROM THERE.
THE VIEWER IS CONCERNED ABOUT. THE VIEWER IS CONCERNED ABOUT
LOSS OF JOBS, LOSS OF SALES, LOSS OF JOBS, LOSS OF SALES,
NOTING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT IN. NOTING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT IN
ST. LOUIS COUNTY.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY.
THERE WAS AN ARTICLE IN THE STAR. THERE WAS AN ARTICLE IN THE STAR
TRIBUNE ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S.
TRIBUNE ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S
REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL CIGARETTE. REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL CIGARETTE
TAX ENFORCEMENTS,, ENFORCEMENT. TAX ENFORCEMENTS,, ENFORCEMENT
EFFORTS. EFFORTS.
WHAT IS THE EFFECT FOR THE REST. WHAT IS THE EFFECT FOR THE REST
OF THE STATE, AND WHAT ARE WE. OF THE STATE, AND WHAT ARE WE
GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
>> WE ACTUALLY HEARD THE. >> WE ACTUALLY HEARD THE
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL, AND WHAT.
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL, AND WHAT
HE'S LOOKING TO DO IS HIRE MORE. HE'S LOOKING TO DO IS HIRE MORE
FOLKS TO TRACK DOWN THE. FOLKS TO TRACK DOWN THE
SMUGGLERS, BECAUSE WHAT WE HAVE. SMUGGLERS, BECAUSE WHAT WE HAVE
SEEN SINCE THE TAX WAS PUT IN.
SEEN SINCE THE TAX WAS PUT IN
PLACE IS A HUGE INFLUX OF. PLACE IS A HUGE INFLUX OF
SMUGGLERS IMPACTING THE. SMUGGLERS IMPACTING THE
CIGARETTES FROM NORTH DAKOTA, CIGARETTES FROM NORTH DAKOTA,
YOU NAME THE STATE, AND ALL THE. YOU NAME THE STATE, AND ALL THE
SURROUNDING BORDERS THAT THEY.
SURROUNDING BORDERS THAT THEY
ARE DOING WHAT THEY SAID THEY. ARE DOING WHAT THEY SAID THEY
ARE GOING TO DO. ARE GOING TO DO.
I DON'T SMOKE, BUT FOLKS ARE.
I DON'T SMOKE, BUT FOLKS ARE
BOUND AND DETERMINED TO GET. BOUND AND DETERMINED TO GET
THOSE, AND NOW WHAT WE ARE DOING. THOSE, AND NOW WHAT WE ARE DOING
IS ENCOURAGING MORE COSTS FOR. IS ENCOURAGING MORE COSTS FOR
THE STATE TO TRACK DOWN THESE.
THE STATE TO TRACK DOWN THESE
SMUGGLERS, AND IT'S ALSO HURTING. SMUGGLERS, AND IT'S ALSO HURTING
OUR RETAILERS THAT ARE NOT. OUR RETAILERS THAT ARE NOT
ABIETDING BY THE LAW. ABIETDING BY THE LAW.
IT'S A TAX THAT'S HITTING THE. IT'S A TAX THAT'S HITTING THE
RETAILERS, AND NOW WE ARE GOING. RETAILERS, AND NOW WE ARE GOING
TO HAVE TO PAY MORE MONEY IN TO. TO HAVE TO PAY MORE MONEY IN TO
ADDRESS THE ISSUE ON TOP OF IT.
ADDRESS THE ISSUE ON TOP OF IT.
WHEN THOSE FOLKS SAID THIS IS. WHEN THOSE FOLKS SAID THIS IS
GOING TO BE A GOOD THING, I. GOING TO BE A GOOD THING, I
THINK THAT'S PROBLEM ATTIC, AND.
THINK THAT'S PROBLEM ATTIC, AND
I THINK WHAT IS INTERESTING. I THINK WHAT IS INTERESTING
ABOUT THE CIGARETTE TAX, THEY. ABOUT THE CIGARETTE TAX, THEY
SAY THEY ARE NOT GOING TO. SAY THEY ARE NOT GOING TO
INFLUENCE SOMEBODY'S MOVE.
INFLUENCE SOMEBODY'S MOVE
EVERYWHERE ELSE, AND IT'S TO. EVERYWHERE ELSE, AND IT'S TO
CHANGE PEOPLE'S BEHAVIOR. CHANGE PEOPLE'S BEHAVIOR.
IF WE THINK TAXES MORE ON.
IF WE THINK TAXES MORE ON
CIGARETTES ARE GOING TO AFFECT. CIGARETTES ARE GOING TO AFFECT
BEHAVIOR, INCREASING TAXES AND. BEHAVIOR, INCREASING TAXES AND
SO FORTH. SO FORTH.
>> A FEW SECONDS. >> A FEW SECONDS.
VERY QUICKLY. VERY QUICKLY.
>> AWE INVITE YOU TO BE BACK WIH. >> AWE INVITE YOU TO BE BACK WIH
US NEXT WEEK AND ALL THE WEEKS. US NEXT WEEK AND ALL THE WEEKS
THAT FOLLOW UNTIL THE. THAT FOLLOW UNTIL THE
LEGISLATURE GOES HOME.
LEGISLATURE GOES HOME.
THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT. THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.
>> THANK YOU.
.
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