>>> "YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE GENEROUS. FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF MAPE
MEMBERS, MAKING MINNESOTA CLEAN. WATERS, SAFE COMMUNITIES,
QUALITY EDUCATION AND VETERANS. CARE HAPPEN.
WE WORK HARD FOR MINNESOTANS. MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION,
COMMITTED TO HELPING DEVELOP AND. STRENGTHEN MINNESOTA RURAL
COMMUNITIES SINCE 1929. ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.
>>> LIVE FROM ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, WE WELCOME YOU TO
ANOTHER SEASON OF "YOUR. LEGISLATORS", A ROUND TABLE
DISCUSSION FEATURING STATE. LAWMAKERS WHO ARE PREPARED TO
ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AND.
DISCUSS IMPORTANT ISSUES
AFFECTING CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA. >>> NOW, HERE IS YOUR MODERATOR
FOR TONIGHT'S PROGRAM, BARRY. ANDERSON.
>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO.
THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF "YOUR
LEGISLATORS", AND AS IT HAPPENS, IT WILL BE OUR LAST PROGRAM OF
THE YEAR, AND WE WANT TO THANK. YOU NOT ONLY FOR GIVING US A
SHARE OF YOUR TIME THIS EVENING. BUT IN ALL THE WEEKS THAT
PRECEDED OUR PROGRAM THIS. EVENING AS THE LEGISLATURE HAS
GONE ABOUT THE PEOPLE'S.
BUSINESS, AND TONIGHT WE HAVE A
DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS TO. HELP NOT ONLY UNRAVEL THE
MYSTERIES OF ST. PAUL AS WE DO. EACH WEEK, BUT ALSO HELP US
UNRAVEL EVERYTHING THAT THE.
LEGISLATURE HAS DONE.
I WANT TO REMIND YOU THIS IS. YOUR PROGRAM.
WE WANT YOU TO CALL IN WITH YOUR.
QUESTIONS OR SEND US
ELECTRONICALLY, AND THE. INSTRUCTIONS WILL APPEAR ON YOUR
SCREEN, AND WE WILL SEE THEY GET. TO THE PANEL AS WE GO THROUGH
THE ISSUES OF THE DAY. WE BEGIN BY INTRODUCING THAT
PANEL, AND I TURN TO MY.
IMMEDIATE LEFT, AND WE DISCUSSED
EARLIER YOU WERE WITH US AT THE. BEGINNING OF THE YEAR TO TALK
ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED, THE. MAJORITY LEADER DISTRICT 64A,
ERIN MURPHY. TELL US A LITTLE BIT YOURSELF.
>> I LIVED IN ST. PAUL SINCE. 1988, CAME FROM WISCONSIN AND A
PROUD MINNESOTAN. I HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS IN COLLEGE,
AND I'M IN THE FOURTH TERM OF.
THE LEGISLATURE.
>> ALSO JOINING US -- I ACCUSED. YOU OF BEING A FAIRLY FREQUENT
GUEST AND YOU REMINDED ME IT'S. BEEN A NUMBER OF YEARS.
KATY SIEBEN. TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOURSELF
AND SINCE YOU HAVEN'T BEEN WITH. US THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS,
GIVE OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE. BACKGROUND, TOO.
>> THIS IS MY 11th YEAR IN THE. STATE LEGISLATURE AND SERVED
FOUR YEARS IN THE HOUSE AND. SWITCHED OVER TO THE SENATE, AND
MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE THREE. KIDS, AND I HAVE MY DAUGHTER,
GRETA ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO ON.
EASTER SUNDAY, AND IT ALSO
HAPPENED TO BE THE DAY BEFORE WE. WENT BACK.
WE HAD OUR EASTER RECESS RIGHT. AT THAT TIME, SO IT WAS KIND OF
GOOD TIMING IN THAT REGARD.
HAPPY TO BE HERE, THOUGH.
>> WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU. WITH US, AND WE WILL ASK YOUR
DAUGHTER WHAT SHE THINKS OF THE. LEGISLATURE, BUT IT WILL BE A
WHILE BEFORE SHE HAS AN OPINION.
ALSO JOINING US, REGULAR GUEST
AND HERE EARLY IN THE YEAR FOR. THE FIRST PROGRAM EDEN PRAIRIE
SENATOR HANN. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELVES.
>> I'M FROM EDEN PRAIRIE BEFORE.
COMING TO THE SENATE.
THIS IS MY 11th YEAR AS WELL. SERVED ON THE SCHOOL BOARD IN
EDEN PRAIRIE FOR 8 YEARS, AND. HAD A LONG CAREER IN FOOD
MANUFACTURING BUSINESS, AND BOTH.
CHILDREN, OUR YOUNGEST IS STILL
AT HOME. HE'S IN HIGH SCHOOL, BUT JUST
GLAD TO BE HERE AGAIN. I HOPE THIS GOES WELL.
>> YOU ARE HERE TO MAKE SURE.
THAT IT DOES GO WELL.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. FINALLY, ALSO, YOU WERE WITH US
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SESSION. AS WELL FROM DISTRICT 31A CROWN,
I REMEMBER BECAUSE I ASKED YOU.
WHERE CROWN WAS.
KURT DAUDT. TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOU.
>> I AM FROM CROWN, AND USUALLY.
NOBODY KNOWS WHERE THAT IS.
>> OUR VIEWERS ARE PAYING. ATTENTION, THOUGH, SO THEY WILL
REMEMBER. >> GOOD, GOOD.
I'M IN MY SECOND TERM IN THE. MINNESOTA HOUSE AND CURRENTLY
SERVE AS MINORITY LEADER, AND. JUST SO PEOPLE KNOW A LITTLE BIT
WHERE MY DISTRICT IS, IT'S ABOUT. 50 MILES STRAIGHT NORTH OF
MINNEAPOLIS, COMMUNITIES OF.
ST. FRANCIS, ZIMMERMAN, AND OAK
GROVE, THAT AREA. >> WE HAVE GOT A LOT OF SPECIFIC
QUESTIONS FROM VIEWERS, BUT IN. FAIRNESS TO OUR PANEL, AND IT'S
A LONG SESSION, MAYBE YOU COULD.
TAKE A MINUTE OR TWO AND
SUMMARIZE WHAT YOU THINK WAS. MOST SIGNIFICANT ABOUT WHAT
HAPPENED HERE, COMMENTS ABOUT. SPECIFIC MATTERS THAT YOU THINK
ARE -- THAT THE VIEWERS WOULD BE. CONCERNED ABOUT, AND WE WILL
DIVE INTO THE SPECIFIC DETAILS.
THAT VOTERS AND VIEWERS ARE
CONCERNED ABOUT. REPRESENTATIVE MURPHY, LET'S
START WITH YOU. WHY DON'T YOU TELL US A LITTLE
BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK IS MOST. SIGNIFICANT.
>> I'M PLEASED WITH THE WORK. THAT WE DID TOGETHER IN THE
LEGISLATURE, AND WE LISTENED. CAREFULLY TO MINNESOTANS AS THEY
CAME TO THE ELECTION CYCLE. THEY WERE CLEAR WHAT THEIR
FRUSTRATIONS WERE ABOUT WHAT.
HAPPENED IN MINNESOTA,
FRUSTRATED WITH DEFICIT AFTER. DEFICIT, AND WE WERE CLEAR WITH
THEM THAT WE ARE GOING TO WORK. TO TRY AND BRING SOLUTIONS THAT
WERE REAL, AND I'M HAPPY TO SAY. WE FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH OUR
COMMITMENT.
WEES PASSED A BUDGET WITHOUT
GIMMICKS, AND MADE A HISTORIC. INVESTMENT, BEGINNING IN 2014,
THE FALL OF 2014. HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, AND THERE'S. LOTS OF DATA AND SUPPORT FOR.
IF WE ARE CERPD ABOUT THE FUTURE. OF MINNESOTA AND PROSPERITY, WE
KNOW IT'S A IN INVESTING IN. EDUCATION.
WE REDUCED PROPERTY TAXES AND WE.
ALSO RAISED TAXES AND WE DID IT
FAIRLY BY RAISING INCOME TAXES. ON THE HIGHEST EARNERS, AND
CLOSING CORPORATE LOOPHOLES, AND. RAISED THE CIGARETTE TAX.
IT WAS A FAIR WAY.
BUT MOSTLY I'M PLEASED WITH THE
TONE AND THE TENOR OF THE. LEGISLATURE.
I'M GLAD WE GOT THE WORK DONE, AND I'M HEARING GREAT THINGS
FROM THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA AS. I'M STARTING TO TALK WITH THEM
IN DIFT PARTS OF THE STATE.
>> SENATOR HANN?
>> WE MIGHT HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF. A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.
IT WAS A SIGNIFICANT SESSION, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MANY
YEARS WE SAW THE DEMOCRAT PARTY. IN THE HOUSE, SENATE AND
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, AND THEY WERE.
CERTAINLY IN A POSITION TO ENACT
THE LEGISLATION THAT THEY. DESIRED.
I THINK THAT THE TAXES THAT WE. ENACTED WERE EXCESSIVE, NOT
NEEDED TO SOLVE THE BUDGET.
PROBLEM THAT WE FACED, AND WE
THINK THE TWO AND A HALF BILLION. OR SO OF TAXES AND FEES ARE IN
EFFECT OF THE CITIZENS IN THE. STATE.
WE DON'T THINK RAISING TAXES.
HELPS GROW THE ECONOMY, AND LOOK
AT THE SPENDING SIDE, WHAT WE. REALLY SAW WAS A COMMITMENT TO
FUND EXISTING PROGRAMS, AND WHAT. WE NEED TO DO IS FOCUS ON THE
FORM, AND MAKING SURE WE ARE. SPENDING THE MONEY WE TAKE IN IN
AN EFFICIENT WAY.
I THINK WE MISSED THOSE
OPPORTUNITIES. IT WAS A SESSION THAT WAS
OVERREACH AND MISSED. OPPORTUNITIES TO DO BETTER.
>> REPRESENTATIVE DAUDT, YOUR.
THOUGHTS.
>> YEAH, I THINK -- OBVIOUSLY I. THINK THE SESSION WILL BE
REMEMBERED FOR THE TAX INCREASES. MORE THAN ANYTHING, AND AT A
TIME WHEN MINNESOTA'S ECONOMY IS.
RECOVERING AND HAS BEEN
RECOVERING, I KNOW WE WENT FROM. UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF 7% TWO
YEARS AGO TO 5.3% TODAY, AND. MINNESOTANS FEEL THAT THE
ECONOMY IS GETTING BETTER, AND. UNFORTUNATELY THE DEMOCRATS HAVE
DECIDED TO TAKE THIS IN A.
DIFFERENT DIRECTION AND TAKE
MONEY OUT OF THE ECONOMY BY. INCREASING TAXES AND I THINK
ULTIMATELY IT'S GOING TO BE. HARMFUL TO MINNESOTA'S ECONOMY,
AND I WOULD SAY IT'S INTERESTING. TO ME THAT THE BUDGET THE
REPUBLICANS PUT IN PLACE OVER.
THE LAST TWO YEARS BASICALLY GOT
GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY AND. LET MINNESOTA'S ECONOMY GROW AND
CREATE JOBS, AND AS A RESULT OF. THAT, MINNESOTA'S BUDGET SAW
ABOUT A $3 BILLION SURPLUS, ACTUALLY A LITTLE MORE THAN
THAT, IN THE CURRENT BIENNIUM. BECAUSE THE STATE SAW EXTRA
REVENUE AS A RESULT OF MORE.
PEOPLE WORKING, AND THAT'S A
SOLUTION THAT REALLY BENEFITS. ALL MINNESOTANS AND TO TAKE A
DIFFERENT DIRECTION, I THINK, IS. CONFUSING TO SOME AND WILL BE
CONFUSING TO SOME, AND AT THE. SAME TIME OVER THE LAST TWO
YEARS, THE DEMOCRATS TALKED.
ABOUT COMPROMISE AND BALANCE,
AND WE DIDN'T SEE A LOT OF. COMPROMISE AND BALANCE THIS
SESSION, AND I PERSONALLY. BELIEVE THAT MINNESOTA IS BETTER
SERVED WHEN REPUBLICANS AND. DEMOCRATS HAVE TO COME TO THE
TABLE AND WORK TOGETHER.
WE DIDN'T UNFORTUNATELY HAVE A
LOT OF THAT THIS SESSION. THAT'S MY TWO CENTS.
>> REPRESENTATIVE SIEBEN. >> THANK YOU.
I WOULD SAY WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE. LEGISLATORS ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO
THE VOTERS, AND WE HAVE SEEN. REAL TANGIBLE RESULTS FROM THE
LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND THE. NEXT ELECTION VOTERS WILL REWARD
US LEGISLATORS WHO GOT THE WORK.
DONE ON TIME, BALANCE THE BUDGET
AND INVEST IN PRIORITIES THAT WE. CARE ABOUT.
FOR INSTANCE, WHAT DOES THIS. MEAN FOR THE AVERAGE MINNESOTA
ON THE STREET? FOR MY NEIGHBORS, THE FOLKS IN
MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHO HAVE A LOT.
OF YOUNG CHILDREN, THEY WON'T
HAVE TO PAY 3400 TO SEND THEIR. KINDERGARTENER TO ALL-DAY
KINDERGARTEN IF THEY HAVE A NOW. THREE-YEAR-OLD.
IT MEANS FOR MY BABY-SITTER THAT.
HER TUITION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
MINNESOTA WHEN SHE STARTS THERE. AS A FRESHMAN THIS FALL WILL BE
FROZEN BECAUSE OF THE. SIGNIFICANT EDUCATION -- HIGHER
EDUCATION INVESTMENTS WE MADE AS. PART OF OUR BUDGET.
PROPERTY TAX, THERE WILL BE. SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF,
WHETHER IT'S THROUGH THE RENTERS. CREDIT OR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF,
BECAUSE CITIES AND TOWNS ACROSS. MINNESOTA, FOR EXAMPLE WILL NO
LONGER HAVE TO PAY SALES TAX ON.
THEIR PURCHASES.
AGAIN TO GO BACK TO WHAT I SAID. EARLIER, IF YOU LOOK AT THE
TANGIBLE RESULTS FROM WHAT. MINNESOTANS ARE GOING TO SEE
FROM THIS SESSION, I THINK THEY.
WILL BE PLEASED AND WE WILL SEE
THAT REFLECTED IN THE NEXT. ELECTION.
>> VERY GOOD. LET'S DIVE INTO SOME OF THE
SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.
A VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT'S
GOING ON WITH THE NEWLY ENACTED. MINNESOTA GIFT TAX?
WAS THERE A NEWLY ENACTED. MINNESOTA GIFT TAX?
ANYBODY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT? >> GIFT TAX?
NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT ONE. >> WE WILL MOVE ON.
HOW ABOUT LOBBYISTS AND. LOBBYING?
WE HAVE A VIEWER WHO WANTS TO. KNOW HOW THAT WORKS WITH THE
LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, AND THIS. VIEWER IS CONCERNED ABOUT HOW
MANY ARE THERE LOBBYING FOR ANY.
PARTICULAR ENTITIES.
YOU MENTIONED TEACHERS UNIONS, AND THERE ARE OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS THAT ALSO HIRE. LOBBYISTS, AND WHAT ROLE WILL
THEY PLAY IN THE PROCESS? LET'S START WITH YOU, SENATOR,
WHAT DO YOU THINK? >> I WANT TO SAY I'M A
REGISTERED NURSE AND I LOBBIED. FOR THE NURSES ASSOCIATION.
LOBBYIST BRING INFORMATION AND. EXPERTISE TO THE LEGISLATIVE
PROCESS, AND LEGISLATORS ARE. CITIZENS FIRST, AND PART-TIME
LEGISLATORS, AND WE ARE NOT. EXPERTS ON EVERYTHING.
WE ARE LUCKY IF WE HAVE. EXPERTISE ON ONE OR TWO AREAS,
AND WE LOOK TO EACH OTHER AS. LEGISLATORS, AND RESEARCHERS AND
ANALYSTS, BUT LOBBYISTS ALSO. BRING REAL LIVE INFORMATION, AND
INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT IN THE.
LEGISLATURE AND SO IS INTEGRITY.
LOBBYISTS DO WELL IF THEY REMAIN. ON THE SIDE OF THE TRUTH AND
WORK WITH INTEGRITY AND IF THEY. DON'T, THEIR REPUTATION BECOMES
THAT OF LESS THAN TRUSTWORTHY, AND THERE AREN'T A LOT OF PEOPLE
THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THE. LEGISLATURE.
IT'S A PRETTY SMALL COMMUNITY, AND SOMETIMES LIKE COLLEGE, AND
SOMETIMES LIKE HIGH SCHOOL. BUT WE KNOW EACH OTHER, AND WE
LOOK TO EACH OTHER, AND YOU. LEARN THAT YOU CAN TRUST THE
INFORMATION FROM SOME, IF NOT. FROM ALL.
BUT THEY DO PLAY AN IMPORTANT. ROLE.
>> I HAVE BEEN A LOBBYIST FOR. FULL DISCLOSURE, BUT THE 8 YEARS
I HAVE BEEN THERE, REPRESENTATIVE MURPHY IS
CORRECT.
LIKE A LOT OF OTHER PROFESSIONS,
THERE ARE GOOD ONES AND NOT SO. GOOD ONES, AND YOU CAN QUICKLY
FIND OUT WHO YOU CAN TRUST, AND. IN THIS BUSINESS, IT IS
IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHO YOU CAN. TRUST AND THAT YOU HAVE TO RELY
ON THEIR INFORMATIONr AND THEIR.
WORD, AND THEY DO BRING VALUABLE
INFORMATION TO THE PROCESS, AND. WE RELY ON THEM A GREAT DEAL BUT
WE DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING, AND. THEY CAN BE HELPFUL.
>> LET ME GIVE AN EXAMPLE HOW.
LOBBYISTS WERE HELPFUL THIS
SESSION. I CARRIED LEGISLATION THAT THE
ATTORNEY GENERAL, LORI SWANSON. FIRST BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION,
WHICH THE GOVERNOR WILL SIGN. INTO LAW, AND WILL REGULATE
BOULION COIN DEALERS.
THEY WERE SELLING PEOPLE COINS
AND NOT DELIVERING THEM OR THEY. WERE NOT WORTH NEARLY WHAT THEIR
VALUE WAS, AND CERTAINLY I'M NOT. AN EXPERT IN GOLD COINS OR THAT
INDUSTRY. WE INTRODUCED LEGISLATION, AND
THERE WERE LOBBYISTS THAT.
REPRESENTED SOME OF THE LARGEST
COIN DEAL ERTS I DEALERS IN MINT. GAVE INPUT AS THE BILL WENT FRZ
COMMITTEE TO COMMITTEE, AND IN. THE END MOST OF THEM WERE
OPPOSED TO IT AT THE BEGINNING. OF THE PROCESS, BUT BECAUSE THEY
GAVE US INPUT AND TALKED ABOUT.
THE NUANCES OF THE LEGISLATION
WE PROPOSED, BY THE END, WE. PASSED IT IN A BIPARTISAN WAY,
OVERWHELMINGLY BIPARTISAN, AND. IT WAS BECAUSE OF THAT LOBBYIST
INPUT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET. TO THAT POINT AND GET TO A GOOD
END PRODUCT.
>> I WOULD AGREE THE LOBBYISTS
CAN BE IMPORTANT. I KNOW WHEN I CAME IN TWO YEARS
AGO, WE HAD A VERY LARGE. FRESHMAN CLASS, AND FOR A LOT OF
PEOPLE WHO COME IN THE. LEGISLATURE, YOU THINK THAT
LOBBYISTS ARE BAD, BUT YOU LEARN.
QUICKLY YOU CAN'T KNOW
EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERY ISSUE, AND YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THESE
PEOPLE ARE EXPERTS A LOT OF. TIMES IN THE FIELDS THAT THEY
ARE TALKING TO YOU ABOUT, AND SO. YOU DO NEED TO KIND OF RELY ON
THEM TO GIVE YOU INFORMATION, AND YOU DO HAVE TO BE CAREFUL,
TOO, BECAUSE THERE ARE LOBBYISTS. ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE, AND
THEY HAVE AN AGENDA AS WELL, AND.
THEY WANT TO CONVINCE YOU YOU
SHOULD SIDE WITH THEM, BUT I. THINK MOST LEGISLATORS
UNDERSTAND THAT, AND LOBBYISTS. REALLY DO TAKE SERIOUSLY THAT WE
ARE IN A RELATIONSHIP BUSINESS. AND YOUR WORD IS PROBABLY THE
MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU HAVE IN.
ST. PAUL.
I THINK LOBBYISTS TAKE THAT VERY. SERIOUSLY, AND WE DON'T HAVE A
LOT OF PROBLEMS WHERE LOBBYISTS.
ARE GIVING MISINFORMATION OR
TRYING TO MISLEAD. THEY ARE HONEST ABOUT WHAT THEY
ARE TRYING TO TALK ABOUT. >> WE HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS
FROM VIEWERS WHO WERE CONCERNED. ABOUT THE PENSION BILL, THE
DULUTH PENSION WAS REFERENCED IN.
ONE OF THESE QUESTIONS, AND
ANOTHER VIEWER WAS CONCERNED. WHETHER OR NOT THERE SHOULD BE
ANY BOOST TO PUBLIC SECTOR. PENSIONS, AND ANOTHER VIEWER WAS
SUGGESTING THAT, YOU KNOW, PRIVATE SECTOR DOESN'T HAVE THE
BENEFIT OF PUBLIC SECTOR. PENSIONS, AND IN GENERAL, I'M
GOING TO LUMP THESE ALL.
TOGETHER, AND LET'S TALK ABOUT
THE LEGISLATIVE ACTION THAT. HAPPENED WITH RESPECT TO
PENSIONS IN THIS SESSION, AND. MAYBE ALSO TALK ABOUT HOW
MINNESOTA MAY BE DIFFERENT THAN. OTHER STATES IN TERMS OF HOW
THEY APPROACH PENSION.
WHO WANTS TO TAKE A RUN AT THAT?
>> I WILL TAKE A SHOT. GENERALLY, I THINK -- COMPARED
TO OTHER STATES, I THINK IT'S. FAIR TO SAY MINNESOTA DOESN'T
HAVE A SEVERE PROBLEM AS OTHER. STATES DO, AND HOWEVER, THAT
BEING SAID, I THINK WE HAVE.
DIFFICULTIES, AND TO ME THE
HEART OF THE DIFFICULTY LIES IN. THE STRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE,
WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY DEFINED BY. WHICH WE MAKE A COMMITMENT AND
BENEFITS OVER TIME, AND THOSE. BENEFITS GET INCREASED OVER
TIME, AND THE INVESTMENT, IF YOU.
WILL, DOESN'T TYPICALLY SUPPORT
THAT LEVEL OF BENEFIT, AND. PERIODICALLY, WE WOULD COME BACK
TO THE LEGISLATURE AND ASK THE. LEGISLATURE TO PUT MORE TAXPAYER
DOLLARS IN THE PENSIONS AND I. HAVE SEEN THAT HAPPEN A NUMBER
OF TIMES, AND IS THAT'S WHAT WE.
DID THIS YEAR IN WHICH WE DID
OFFER RESOURCES TO. I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE REFORM
BROUGHT TO THE PROCESS, AND WE. NEED TO AT SOME POINT SAY PEOPLE
THAT ARE IN THE PENSIONS ARE. GOING TO KEEP THE COMMITMENTS WE
MADE.
A CONTRIBUTION PLAN IS MORE
COMMON IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. OTHERWISE I DON'T THINK WE CAN
SUSTAIN THESE GOING FORWARD. WE NEED TO GET A POLITICAL
CONSENSUS HOW TO DO THAT. IN THE YEARS I HAVE BEEN HERE WE
HAVEN'T COME TO GRIPS WITH THAT.
>> SENATOR MURPHY YOUR THOUGHT?
>> WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO THE. STATE AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEES IN
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS THAT. HAVE WORKED FOR MANY, MANY
YEARS, AND COMPENSATION PACKAGE, AND WE HAVE MADE THAT COMMITMENT
AND PENSION FUNDS BECAUSE OF UPS. AND DOWNS IN THE ECONOMY, AND
BECAUSE OF THE SHIFTING IN AGING.
POPULATION, AND THEY DO
SOMETIMES NEED OUR ATTENTION. OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE WE MADE THE
COMMITMENT, WE WILL FULFILL THAT. FOR PEOPLE THAT WORKED IN THE
STATE OF MINNESOTA FOR A LONG. TIME.
I KNOW AS A REGISTERED NURSE, A. LOT OF NURSES WORK IN MINNESOTA
HOSPITALS, AND THEY HAVE A. PENSION THEY FUND ALONG WITH
THEIR EMPLOYERS. IT'S NOT UNUSUAL TO SEE IT IN
THE PRIVATE SECTOR AS WELL AS.
THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
WE CAN HAVE A DEBATE ABOUT IT. BUT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US AS
POLICY MAKERS TO CONSIDER THE. ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR THEIR
ABILITY TO RETIRE AND I THINK.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE PAY
ATTENTION TO THE PENSIONS. >> I DON'T HAVE A LOT TO ADD
EXCEPT TO ECHO WHAT WE SAID THAT. WE AS LEGISLATORS NEED TO KEEP
AN EYE ON THE DEGREE TO WHICH. THE PENSION PLANS ARE FULLY
FUNDED AND THERE'S TALK ABOUT.
ROLLING THE UNDERFUNDED PLANS
INTO PARA PERA, PUBLIC EMPLOYMET. RETIREMENT FUND.
I BELIEVE WE NEED TO HAVE. DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HOW WE FUND
THESE OBLIGATIONS IN THE FUTURE.
AND LOOK FOR REFORMS THAT WILL
MAKE THEM MORE SUSTAINABLE IN. THE LONG-TERM.
>> YEAH, I THINK I PRETTY MUCH. AGREE WITH WHAT EVERYBODY SAID.
I THINK WE NEED TO KEEP AN EYE. ON THE PENSION PLANS AND MAKE
SURE WE ARE BEING GOOD STEWARDS. OF THE TAX DOLLARS, AND WE NEED
TO ALSO AT THE SAME TIME UPHOLD. THE OBLIGATION WE MADE TO THESE
EMPLOYEES, BUT WE NEED TO DO.
THAT RESPONSIBLY.
>> A VIEWER WANTS TO TALK ABOUT. THE HERITAGE LAW, AND THE STATUS
OR AMENDMENT TO IT AND THERE WAS. DISCUSSION ABOUT CHANGING FROM
ONE YEAR TO TWO YEARS, IF I'M.
RECALLING CORRECTLY, AND THE
WORK OF THE COMMISSION, I THINK. PHYLLIS KAHN LED THE CHARGE ON
THAT. WHAT HAPPENED WITH THAT
PARTICULAR PROPOSED CHANGE? DOES ANYBODY KNOW?
>> I THINK THE VIEWERS. REFERENCING THE LEGACY BILL, AND
SPECIFICALLY TODAY, GOVERNOR.
DAYTON LINE ITEM VETOED FUNDING
PROVISIONS THAT WERE INCLUDED IN. THE OUTDOOR HERITAGE COUNCIL
PORTION OF THE LEGACY BILL. SO THEY MADE THEIR
RECOMMENDATIONS AND THOSE. RECOMMENDATIONS WERE INCLUDED IN
THE SENATE BILL, AND NOT ALL OF.
THEM WERE INCLUDED IN THE HOUSE
BILL, AND THE COMPROMISE THAT. WAS REACHED WITH GOVERNOR DAYTON
AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS WAS TO. ADOPT THE LESARD SAMES
RECOMMENDATIONS AND INCLUDE TWO. PROJECTS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED.
THOSE WERE THE TWO THE GOVERNOR.
LINE ITEM VETOED TODAY.
ONE WAS RELATED TO HABITAT FOR. METROPOLITAN PARKS, AND
STATEWIDE FOR CHECKING BOATS AND. THINGS LIKE THAT, AND I READ THE
GOVERNOR'S VETO LETTER AND IT.
SOUNDED LIKE HE WAS CONFLICTED
WHETHER OR NOT TO REMOVE THIS. FUNDING, BUT ULTIMATELY DECIDING
TO BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT. INCLUDED IN THE LESARD SAMS
RECOMMENDS. >> ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT?
WAS LEGISLATIVE ACTION REQUIRED.
TO CHANGE THE WAY THE LESARD
SAMS COMMISSION WORK WAS TO BE. DONE?
THAT DID NOT PASS, I GATHER? >> IT DID NOT PASS.
>> IT REMAINS THE SAME AS IT HAS. BEEN IN THE PAST.
>> YES. >> LET'S TALK ABOUT SYNTAXES.
WE HAVE VIEWERS CONCERNED ABOUT. CIGARETTE TAXES, AND ALCOHOL
TACKS AND SOME THEY ARE TAXES ON.
THE POOR, AND OTHERS FEEL TAXING
CIGARETTES MAY REDUCE THE RATE. OF CONSUMPTION, AND OTHERS DON'T
LIKE IT AT ALL. WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE SYNTAXES
IN THIS SESSION? >> SURE.
I CAN JUMP IN ON THAT ONE.
OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS A LOT OF
TAXES ON THE TABLE, AND INCLUDED. IN THAT WAS THE ALCOHOL TAX AND
SEG RIT TAX, AND THE ALCOHOL TAX. IN NOT MAKING IT THROUGH THE
SESSION, WHICH I THINK IT'S. INTERESTING, IN THAT I RECALL
BACK TO THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.
A COUPLE YEARS AGO, AND IT WAS
ACTUALLY THE THREAT OF BEER. COMING OFF THE STORE SHELVES
THAT I CREDIT WITH ENDED THE. SHUTDOWN.
PEOPLE TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY, AND IF YOU START TAXING THEIR
SIX-PACK, THEY GET UPSET AND.
WILL COME TO THE CAPITOL WITH
TORCHES AND PITCHFORKS. BUT NONETHELESS THE CIGARETTE
TAX DID MAKE IT THROUGH. OBVIOUSLY, AND UNFORTUNATELY MY
PERSONAL FEELING IS I THINK IT. WAS UNNECESSARY, BUT A DOLLAR 60
A PACK, PRETTY HIGH SPIKE IN THE.
CIGARETTE TAX.
A SIDE BENEFIT OF THAT IS IT. WILL REDUCE THE USAGE, WHICH I
THINK IS INTERESTING, BECAUSE. WHEN WE SAY WITH CIGARETTE TAXES
THAT WILL ACTUALLY AFFECT.
BEHAVIOR, AND WE ACCEPT THE
NOTION THAT A CIGARETTE TAX WILL. AFFECT BEHAVIOR BUT WE DON'T
ACCEPT THE NOTION THAT TAXING A. BUSINESS OR INDIVIDUAL WILL
AFFECT THEIR BEHAVIOR, AND WE. ALL KNOW THE REAL ANSWER IS WHEN
WE TAX BUSINESSES AND JOB.
CREATORS IN MINNESOTA AND MAKE
THAT LESS COMPETITIVE FOR JOB. CREATORS, WE ARE NOT GOING TO
SEE COMPANIES COMING TO. MINNESOTA AND BRINGING JOBS TO
MINNESOTA, AND SO ALL OF THIS, I. THINK, IS SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT
NECESSARY THIS SESSION, BUT WE.
DID SEE A PRETTY BIG SPIKE IN
THE CIGARETTE TAX. >> AND I MENTIONED THAT I'M A
REGISTERED NURSE, AND CERTAINLY. HAVE TAKEN A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH
CHRONIC CONDITIONS AND TAKEN. CARE OF PEOPLE WITH LUNG
CONDITIONS, AND ALL SORTS OF.
CHRONIC CONDITIONS RELATED TO
BEHAVIOR IN LARGE PART, AND WHEN. I THINK ABOUT THE RELATE CARE
SYSTEM OF TODAY VERSUS THE. HEALTHCARE SYSTEM OF 50 YEARS
AGO, IT'S TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE. WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS, AND
THAT'S WHERE OUR COSTS ARE, AND.
WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT, AND
TOBACCO TAX IS A WAY TO RAISE. REVENUE TO PAY FOR SOME OF THOSE
COSTS AND THEY ARE RELATED TO. ONE ANOTHER.
THE VIEWER HAD SUGGESTED THAT.
THE TOBACCO TAX IS A REGRESSIVE
TAX, AND I WOULD SAY SO IS THE. DISEASE RELATED TO THE USE OF
TOBACCO, AND IT IS ALSO. REGRESSIVE AND AFFECTS LOWER
INCOME PEOPLE. THEY ARE GOING TO RELY ON A
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND PUBLIC.
PROGRAM.
THIS IS A WAY TO FUND THAT. RELATED TO THE USE OF TOBACCO,
IT'S A USER FEE FOR PEOPLE WHO. CHOOSE TO SMOKE, AND IT DOES
RAISE REVENUE FOR OUR GENERAL.
FUND.
THAT'S WHAT WE USED TO PAY FOR. OUR PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM.
>> I WOULD SAY THAT'S A GOOD.
ARGUMENT, AND I THINK THERE'S
MER IT TO IT, BUT THE SAME. ARGUMENT CAN BE MADE TO RAISE
TAXES. >> ANHE SAID THAT IN SUPERIOR,
WISCONSIN, WHICH IS RIGHT ACROSS. FROM DULUTH, THEY PUT ON THE
RECEIPTS HOW MUCH MONEY YOU SAVE.
WHEN YOU BUY YOUR BEER IN
SUPERIOR VERSUS DULUTH, AND THEY. ACTUALLY PRINT THAT ON THE
BOTTOM OF THE RECEIPT, AND HIS. POINT TO ME THAT WE SHOULDN'T DO
THAT, BECAUSE IT WOULD BE. DETRIMENTAL TO THE BUSINESSES IN
THE BORDER CITIES, AND I THINK.
HE HAS A GOOD POINT.
I THINK THE SAME THING IS TRUE. WITH THE TOBACCO TAXES AND YOU
WILL SEE THE BORDER COMMUNITIES. THAT THE TOBACCO SALES WILL DROP
AS PEOPLE GO ACROSS THE BORDER.
AND LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS NOT IN
FAVOR OF THE TAX BECAUSE THEY. ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE GOING
AND GETTING CARTON OF. CIGARETTES, AND SELLING THEM ON
THE BLACK MARKET. IF WE ARE GOING TO USE TAX
CONTROL, YOU CAN CONTROL.
BEHAVIOR, WHICH I'M NOT SURE IS
A GOOD IDEA. WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH INCOME
TAXES, BUSINESS TAXES? DO THEY NOT ALSO AFFECT
BEHAVIOR. IF WE ARE DOING THEM TO RAISE
REVENUE AND AT THE SAME TIME. WANT PEOPLE TO STOP USING THEM,
WHAT ARE WE DOING? TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO STOP OR
DO MORE OF IT SO WE CAN GET THE.
REVENUE?
WE DON'T REALLY NEED TO RAISE. THE REVENUE THAT THIS BUDGET
PROPOSES. >> THE INCREASE IN THE TOBACCO
TAX, I THINK, WILL BE MOST STARK. OR WHO'LL SEE IT THE MOST ARE
TEENAGERS WHO ARE BEGINNING TO.
SMOKE AT RATES THAT I THINK MOST
PEOPLE WOULD FIND ALARMING, AND. I THINK THIS INCREASE, ALTHOUGH
IT DOES RAISE SOME REVENUE, AND. CERTAINLY THAT IS HELPFUL, AS
REPRESENTATIVE MURPHY SAID FOR. TREATING THE LONG-TERM HEALTH
CONSEQUENCES THAT SMOKING DOES.
HAVE, I THINK SO WE WILL SEE
DECREASE IN SMOKING RATES AMONG. YOUNG PEOPLE, AND THAT WILL BE
SOMETHING THAT WILL BENEFIT ALL. OF MINNESOTA.
>> VIEWER FROM BROOKLYN PARK.
WANTS TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED WITH
NOT PASSING THE MINIMUM WAGE. INCREASE?
DOESN'T THE LEGISLATURE REALIZE. THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THAT
DECISION, AND I THINK MY. INTERPRETATION OF THIS IS THE
VIEWER FAVORED THE INCREASE IN.
THE PASSING THE MINIMUM WAGE.
WHO WANTS TO TAKE A RUN AT MIN. YUM WAGE ISSUES.
SENATOR SIEBEN, SHOULD WE START.
WITH YOU?
>> A NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE ARE. ALSO IMPACTED, BUT TO HAVE A
MINIMUM WAGE THAT IS NOT EVEN. CLOSE TO WHAT IT TAKES TO RAISE
A FAMILY OR TO LIVE OFF OF, I. THINK IS PROBLEMATIC.
IN THE SENATE WE PROPOSE TO. RAISE IT TO 7.75, AND THE HOUSE
WAS AT 9.50. ULTIMATELY I THINK IT DIDN'T
PASS BECAUSE WE COULDN'T AGREE. TO A NUMBER THAT WAS SOMEWHERE
IN BETWEEN 7.75 AND 9.50.
AS WE WORK TO THE FUTURE, I
THINK IT'S -- WE HAVE A. COMMITMENT AS LEADERS OF THE DFL
TO WORK HARD TO TRY TO COME TO A. DOLLAR AMOUNT WHERE WE CAN
GARNER THE SUPPORT WITHIN BOTH. BODIES TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM
WAGE.
IT CERTAINLY IS SOMETHING WE ARE
FAR BEHIND IN TERMS OF OTHER. STATES, AND I THINK THE TIME TO
DO IT IS NOW, AND UNFORTUNATELY. IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT
JUST DIDN'T GET DONE THIS. SESSION.
>> I WOULD ADD THAT I THINK IT. IS THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF
THE SESSION, AND THE ISSUE IS IN. A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE BETWEEN
THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE RIGHT. NOW, AND BETWEEN THE TWO BODIES,
WE CAN FIND A COMPROMISE THAT IS.
WORKABLE AND THE MINNESOTA
MINIMUM WAGE IS BELOW THE. FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE.
I THINK WE ARE THE FOURTH LOWEST. IN THE NATION.
WE SHOULD TEND TO THAT, AND I. THINK WE WILL EARLY IN THE
SESSION. >> WE CERTAINLY HAD PEOPLE ON
BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE. THAT WANTED AN INCREASE IN THE
MINIMUM WAGE.
I THINK IT WAS BECAUSE THERE WAS
AN EXTRAORDINARILY AMOUNT OF. EFFORT THAT TOOK PRECEDENCE OVER
THAT, AND I THINK COULDN'T DO. BOTH AND THERE WASN'T ENOUGH
TIME TO GET THEM DONE. I THINK THE ISSUE ITSELF, I
THINK IT'S PRETTY CLEAR WHEN YOU.
RAISE MINIMUM WAGES, THE PEOPLE
THAT ARE MOST DRAMATICALLY HURT. ARE PEOPLE YOUNG, STARTING OUT,
MAY NOT HAVE ALL THE. QUALIFICATIONS AND LOOKING FOR A
WAY TO GET INTO THE JOB MARKET, AND IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY,
ESTABLISH A WORD. WHEN YOU RAISE MINIMUM WAGES
WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE THE.
CHANCE, WHEN YOU LOOK ACROSS THE
COUNTRY WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED. AND LOOK AT EMPLOYMENT RATES
WHERE PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE THE. HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR HIGHER
EDUCATION SKILL SET, THAT'S. WHERE PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO GET IN THE JOB.
MARKET.
WE SHOULDN'T RAISE IT TO WHERE. THEY ARE OUTSIDE THE MARKET.
>> YOU KNOW, I WOULD AGREE WITH.
SENATOR HANN, AND I ALSO THINK
THERE'S AN ISSUE, TOO, WITH THE. METRO AND RURAL, AND SOME OF THE
BUSINESSES IN THE METRO AREA. PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM
ABSORBING THAT MINIMUM WAGE. INCREASE WHERE RURAL BUSINESSES
MIGHT BE MORE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
JUST BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF
THE TWO DIFFERENT ECONOMIES, AND. THERE'S ALSO BEEN STATISTICS
THAT SHOW THAT INCREASING. MINIMUM WAGE WILL ACTUALLY MEAN
LESS JOBS, AND SO THERE'S A. LITTLE BIT OF A DOUBLE EDGED
SWORD, AND WHILE WE ARE WANTING.
TO PROVIDE A WAGE THAT PEOPLE
CAN LIVE ON, WE DON'T WANT TO. INCREASE JOB OPPORTUNITIES.
>> CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO PAY. PEOPLE IN GREATER MINNESOTA, AND
WE WOULD HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, MAKE.
SURE WE ARE BEING FAIR AND
EQUITABLE ACROSS THE STATE. >> VIEWER FROM SWIFT COUNTY HAS
THREE QUESTIONS, AND UNRELATED. AND WE ARE GOING TO REFER THEM
OUT THERE, AND OUR PANEL CAN. TAKE THEM IN WHATEVER ORDER OR
NOT, AND THEY WANT TO.
CONGRATULATE THE LEGISLATURE ON
INCREASING STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL. AID AND MAKING LOCAL GOVERNMENT
AID FAIR, AND THE VIEWER THINKS. THE FARM EQUIPMENT REPAIR NEEDS
TO BE EXEMPT FROM PAYING TAX, AND I THINK THERE'S BEEN
DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT, AND. FINALLY SOMEWHAT CONTROVERSIAL
ISSUE EARLY IN THE SESSION, AND.
THIS VIEWER THINKS THE
LEGISLATURE SHOULD REVISIT THE. ISSUE OF BANNING SO-CALLED
ASSAULT WEAPONS AND LARGE. CAPACITY AMMUNITION MAGAZINES.
I SAID THEY WERE UNRELATED.
THEY ARE.
LET'S TAKE A RUN AT THEM. SENATOR HANN, YOUR THOUGHTS?
>> I TRIED TO JOT THEM DOWN. I HOPE THEY GOT THEM IN ORDER OR
AT LEAST THE GIST OF THEM.
I THINK THE EDUCATION BILL THAT
WAS PASSED CERTAINLY AN INCREASE. IN THE AID FORMULA, AND I THINK
MOST LEGISLATORS SUPPORTED THAT, AND I THINK THAT SOME OF US FELT
THAT WE COULD PROBABLY GET A. LITTLE BIT MORE AND SOME OF THE
THINGS ON THE EDUCATION BILL, AND AT LEAST SOME OF US THINK
ARE MORE DIRECTIVE, AND I'M ONE. OF THEM.
WE HAVE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS, AND. WE HAVE GOT TO BE EMPOWERING
THEM TO MAKE DECISIONS AND THE. MORE WE DO THAT, GIVING THEM THE
POWER AND THE AUTHORITY TO DO THAT, INSTEAD OF MAKING
DECISIONS FOR THEM, THAT COULD. BE BETTER, AND WE COULD PUT MORE
RESOURCES IN THEIR HANDS AND.
GIVE THEM MORE DIRECTION HOW
THEY SHOULD SPEND THE RESOURCES. I THINK OVERALL, THERE'S SUPPORT
FOR DOING THAT, AND MAYBE WE. COULD HAVE DONE A LITTLE BIT
MORE ON THAT. LGM, I REPRESENT THEM, AND I
KNOW THE ARGUMENT IS THIS.
REDUCES PROPERTY TAXES, AND I
DON'T THINK THAT'S EVER BEEN. SHOWN TO BE THE CASE.
I HAVE URGED PEOPLE TO SAY WELL, THE NEXT TIME YOU GO TO THE
TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARINGS, AND. THE LOCAL COUNCIL IS GOING TO
RAISE THE TAXES, REMIND THEM THE.
LJ IS SUPPOSED TO RAISE PROPERTY
TAXES AND HOLD THEIR LOCAL. OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE AND THEY
SHOULD SEE IT GO DOWN. THERE'S NOT BEEN ANY
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INCREASING. LGA AND PROPERTY TAXES AT THE
LOCAL LEVEL.
THE FARM EQUIPMENT REPAIR, I'M
NOT SURE THERE'S ISSUES THAT HAD. AN EFFECT ON AGO RESULT YO AGRII
HEARD ABOUT THAT TODAY, AND. FARMERS IN PARTICULAR WERE
CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF. THOSE TAXES AND THEY PROBABLY DO
NEED TO BE ADJUSTED, AND I THINK.
THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE
CONCERNED TO THE AGRICULTURE. FOLKS.
ASSAULT WEAPONS, PERSONALLY. HAPPY THAT WE DIDN'T GO DOWN
THAT PATH AND I THINK IT'S A.
CONTROVERSIAL AREA, AND I THINK
THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE, AND I. THINK WE DID END UP WITH A
POSITION THAT WAS FAIRLY. RESPONSIBLE IN TRYING TO LOOK AT
HOW WE CAN ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS. MORE EFFECTIVELY.
>> SENATOR SIEBEN. >> FOR EDUCATION THERE WAS
SIGNIFICANT EDUCATION INCREASES. THAT WERE A RESULT OF THIS
LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND WE. TALKED ALREADY ABOUT ALL-DAY
KINDERGARTEN.
THAT CERTAINLY COST SOME
RESOURCES BUT ALSO THERE'S A ONE. AND A HALF PERCENT PER YEAR
INCREASE TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS. ACROSS THE STATE.
THERE'S NEW FUNDING FOR SPECIAL.
EDUCATION, AND ADDITIONAL
FUNDING FOR EARLYi CHILDHOOD AD. ALSO FOR MNSCU AND SO OVER ALL
ONE LEGISLATURE CALLED THIS THE. EDUCATION SESSION, AND I THINK
THAT THE RESOURCES THAT WERE -- WHILE WE ARE ASKING THE TOP 2%
OF WEALTHIEST MINNESOTANS TO PAY. MORE IN INCOME TAXES, WE WILL
SEE THE BENEFIT OF THOSE.
INVESTMENTS FOR DECADES TO COME
AS YOUNG MINNESOTANS ARE. EDUCATED BETTER AND GET BETTER
JOBS AS A RESULT OF REGARDING. LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID, THERE WAS
AN INCREASE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT. AID AND TWEAKING OF THE ACTUAL
FORMULA, AND THERE'S ALSO AN.
INCREASE IN COUNTY PROGRAM AID,
AND THE RENTERS CREDIT, AND AS I. MENTIONED EARLIER, THE SALES TAX
EXEMPTION FOR CITY AND COUNTY. PURCHASES.
PROPERTY TAXES WENT UP OVER 85% IN THE LAST DECADE.
BECAUSE OF THIS INVESTMENT THAT. WE WILL SEE, PARTICULARLY IN
PROPERTY TAXES, PEOPLE WILL BE. ABLE TO ANTICIPATE THAT THEIR
PROPERTY TAXES WON'T GO UP, CERTAINLY NOT ANYWHERE NEAR THAT
RATE THAT HASN'T OCCURRED. PREVIOUSLY.
REGARDING THE FARM EQUIPMENT. REPAIR, I THINK IT WAS ONE OF
THOSE THINGS IN THE LAST CRAZY. HOURS OF SESSION, IT JUST DIDN'T
HAPPEN QUITE THE WAY EVERYONE. THOUGHT THAT IT DID IN THE
ACTUAL LANGUAGE OF THE BILL.
WE WILL WORK ON THAT AND I
ANTICIPATE WE WILL CORRECT THAT. >> ANY THOUGHTS ON THE GUN
CONTROL PIECE? >> I WOULD SAY GUN CONTROL IS
ONE OF THOSE ISSUES, DEPENDING. ON YOUR PERSPECTIVE, DEPENDING
ON YOUR LIFE EXPERIENCE. PEOPLE HAVE VERY STRONG FEELINGS
ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, AND I THINK.
HERE IS A GOOD EXAMPLE WHERE IT
WASN'T NECESSARILY A PARTISAN. ISSUE.
IT WAS MORE RURAL AND METRO. DIVISION IN TERMS OF LEGISLATORS
THAT WANTED TO SEE MORE ACTION.
TAKEN, PARTICULARLY FROM THE MET
METROPOLITAN AREA, NOT IN ALL. CASES, AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT
TALKS WILL CONTINUE AND CONTINUE. TO LOOK AT THE LEGISLATION THAT
WE DID PASS THAT GORNERRED. BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND BUILD ON
IT.
>> A LOT OF ISSUES THERE.
I OBVIOUSLY HAVE BACKGROUND IN. COUNTY GOVERNMENT, SO I FOLLOWED
THOSE ISSUES MAYBE A LITTLE MORE. CLOSELY AND HOW SOME OF THE
DECISIONS WE MAKE AFFECT.
PEOPLE'S PROPERTY TAXES.
I'M NOT SURE THAT I WOULD CALL. ANYTHING THAT WAS DONE THIS
SESSION AS REAL PROPERTY TAX. REFORM.
I KNOW I HAVE SAID NUMEROUS. TIMES ON THE HOUSE FLOOR THAT I
SCRATCH MY HEAD ONCE IN A WHILE. HOW WE CAN AFFECT BUSINESSES IN
ST. PAUL.
I HAVE A PROBLEM SOLVING MY END,
AND I THINK IF YOU ARE GOING TO. ACTUALLY TRY TO TACKLE PROPERTY
TAX REFORM THAT WE SHOULD. ACTUALLY IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM,
AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS THAT'S. CAUSING PROPERTY TAXES TO
INCREASE, IF THEY ARE, AND THEN.
ACTUALLY PUT A SOLUTION IN PLACE
THAT MAKES SENSE. UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T DO THAT.
WHAT WE DO IS INTRODUCE. SOLUTIONS AND TRY TO CONVINCE
EVERYBODY THAT THIS IS A GOOD. SOLUTION FOR OUR PROBLEM, AND
THAT ALMOST ALWAYS ISN'T THE.
CASE.
THE THINGS THAT WERE PUT IN. PLACE UNFORTUNATELY ARE NOT REAL
PROPERTY TAX REFORM. ACTUALLY YOU COULD CALL MOST OF
THEM A SHIFT, BECAUSE YOU HAVE.
TO RAISE ONE GROUP OF TAXES OVER
HERE TO SEND A REBATE BACK TO. ANOTHER GROUP OF TAXPAYERS OVER
THERE. UNFORTUNATELY THERE'S ZERO REAL
PROPERTY TAX REFORM IN THE. BUDGET THAT WAS PASSED, AND AS
FAR AS THE EDUCATION PIECE THE.
MOST UNFORC UNFORTUNATE PART OFE
SESSION THE NO. ONE PRIORITY WAS. TO PAY BACK THE SCHOOL SHIFT.
THEY MADE IT HOUSE BILL NO.
1, AND IN THE DAYS OF SESSION, THEY
BROKE THAT PROMISE TO TAXPAYERS. AND UNFORTUNATELY WILL NOT BE
PAYING BACK THE SCHOOL SHIFT OR. NOT PUT A PLAN IN PLACE TO PAY
THE SCHOOL SHIFT. REPUBLICANS DID MAKE IT A
PRIORITY.
WHEN WE TALK THE MAJORITY TWO
YEARS AGO, THE SHIFT WAS. $1.27 MILLION AND IT'S
800 MILLION. I THINK BY THE TIME THIS
PARTICULAR BIENNIUM IS OVER, REPUBLICANS WILL HAVE PAID THE
SHIFT DOWN TO PROBABLY ABOUT. $400 MILLION, SOMETHING LIKE
THAT.
BUT DEMOCRATS DID SAY IT WAS
THEIR NO. 1 PRIORITY, AND. UNFORTUNATELY THEY DIDN'T KEEP
THAT PROMISE TO TAXPAYERS. >> WE HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT
PERSPECTIVE ON THE LAST COUPLE.
OF YEARS OF BUDGETING, AND YOU
KNOW, WE CAME INTO THE SESSION. WITH $650 MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT
THAT WE HAD TO REPAIR. >> DOWN FROM 4.4 BILLION TWO
YEARS AGO AS A RESULT OF WHAT. THE REPUBLICANS DID.
>> AND BECAUSE THE ECONOMY HAS. GOTTEN STRONGER, WHICH IS GOOD
NEWS. IN THE BUDGET THAT WAS PASSED,
THE SCHOOL SHIFT GOT BIGGER AND. A NEW TOOL, TOBACCO
APPROPRIATION BONDS, AND VOWING.
TO BALANCE THE BUDGET IN TODAY'S
OPERATIONS AND THEY ARE NOT. PHYSICALLY PRUDENT, AND
MINNESOTANS WERE CLEAR ABOUT. THAT WHEN WE WERE OUT
CAMPAIGNING, THEY WERE TIRED AS. WHAT THEY SAW AS SHIFTS AND
GIMMICKS AND WANTED US TO.
BALANCE THE BUDGET FOR REAL, AND
WE TOOK THAT SERIOUSLY, AND WE. DID KEEP OUR COMMITMENT ON THE
SHIFT AND THERE IS A PLAN IN. PLACE, AND IT WILL BE PAID BACK,
AND AS WE COMMITTED TO THE. PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA, THAT WILL
HAPPEN.
AND ON THE ISSUE OF GUNS, THIS
ONE IS IMPORTANT, AND I HAVE. TALKED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE
DISTRICT THAT I REPRESENT, BUT. ALSO PEOPLE, AND WOMEN IN
PARTICULAR IN SUBURBAN DISTRICTS. THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE
ISSUE, AND WE CAME INTO THE.
LEGISLATURE SHORTLY AFTER THE
NEWTOWN SHOOTING WHERE ALL THE. STUDENTS AND TEACHERS WERE
KILLED, AND I THINK WE HAVE WORK. TO DO ON THIS ISSUE AND
UNFORTUNATELY VERY EARLY IN THE. SESSION, THE VOICES ON EITHER
SIDE OF THE ISSUE WERE POLARIZED.
AND POLARIZED IN AN ENTRENCHED
WAY. AND BECAUSE OF THAT AND BECAUSE
OF THE POLIC POLARIZATION WE DIT. GET TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER
TO TALK ABOUT THE RESOLUTIONS. THAT WOULD HELP US MAKE SURE OUR
KIDS ARE SAFE AND COMMUNITIES.
ARE SAFE THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY
ABOUT ASSAULT WEAPON BANS OR HOW. GUNS ARE STORED BUT HOW ARE WE
MAKING SURE OUR KIDS ARE SAFE IN. SCHOOL, AND HOW ARE WE MAKING
SURE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ACCESS TO. GUNS AREN'T GETTING ACCESS TO
GUNS, AND BECAUSE IT GOT SO.
DIVIDED SO QUICKLY, THE ISSUE
GOT STUCK, AND I HOPE THE. LEGISLATURE COMING UP IN THE
NEXT BIENNIUM HAVE A LITTLE MORE. COURAGE TO DIVE INTO THE MIDDLE
OF THAT ISSUE TO SET THE POLLS. ASIDE AND SEE IF WE CAN COME UP
WITH A SOLUTION THAT ISN'T.
NECESSARILY ABOUT THE GUN, BUT
IT'S ABOUT WHAT IS DRIVING THAT. KIND OF VIOLENCE IN OUR
COMMUNITIES SO THAT EVERYBODY IS. SAFE.
I THINK THAT'S A WORTHWHILE.
DISCUSSION.
>> A VIEWER FROM NORTHEAST. MINNESOTA WANTS TO GO BACK TO
ALCOHOL. WHAT DO THE LEGISLATURE DO ABOUT
SUNDAY LIQUOR SALES, AND WHAT.
DOES THE PANEL THINK ABOUT THAT?
>> THAT'S AN INTERESTING ISSUE, AND FOR SOME REASON IT ALWAYS
COMES UP, AT LEAST IN -- THIS IS. MY SECOND TERM NOW, I GUESS,
WHERE WE HAVE DEALT WITH THIS, BUT IN THE TWO SESSIONS WE HAVE
DEALT WITH THIS, IT'S AN. INTERESTING DAY OF SESSION ON
THE FLOOR, AND FOR SOME REASON I. THINK IT HAPPENED IN BOTH
SESSIONS, THE DAY WHEN THE.
TRANSPORTATION POLICY BILL IS UP
AND THEN WE ALSO SOMEHOW END UP. DEALING WITH THE SUNDAY LIQUOR
SALES, AND WE END UP WITH ALL OF. THESE CRAZY AMENDMENTS THAT KIND
OF EVERYBODY SHOOTING FROM THE. HIP AND NOBODY REALLY KNOWS
WHERE IT'S GOING, BUT IT'S AN.
ISSUE THAT HAS NOT BEEN POPULAR
AND GARNERED A LOT OF VOTES IN. THE LEGISLATURE, AT LEAST IN THE
TWO YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN THERE. TO CHANGE IT, AND AGAIN, IT CAME
UP AS AN AMENDMENT, AND WE DID. NOT MAKE A CHANGE, AND THERE
WILL NOT BE SUNDAY LIQUOR SALES.
AGAIN, AND I THINK THE REASON IS
PROBABLY THE LIQUOR STORE OWNERS. DON'T REALLY WANT TO CHANGE, I
THINK THEY SEE IT AS INCREASED. OVERHEAD, AND BY ADDING ANOTHER
DAY OF WAGES WITHOUT REALLY. INCREASING SALES, BECAUSE ALL
THEY ARE GOING TO DO IS SPREAD.
SIX DAYS OF SALES OVER A SEVENTH
DAY. THE STORE OWNERS THEMSELVES
DON'T WANT THAT, AND PERSONALLY. I DON'T THINK I WOULD HAVE EVER
VOTED TO PUT IT INTO PLACE, BUT. SHORT OF SOMEBODY STEPPING UP
AND KIND OF ASKING FOR IT TO BE.
CHANGED I ALSO HAVEN'T SUPPORTED
CHANGING IT EITHER. >> ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON THAT
TOPIC? ALL RIGHT.
LET'S MOVE ON. A VIEWER WANTS TO TALK ABOUT
TRANSPORTATION POLICY.
WHAT HAPPENED WITH
TRANSPORTATION THIS SESSION. THIS VIEWER IS ALSO CONCERNED
ABOUT CLOSING SMALL AIRPORTS AND. THINKS MONEY CAN BE SAVED THAT
WAY, AND I THINK THAT'S MORE OF. A FEDERAL QUESTION, AS I
UNDERSTAND IT, BUT LET'S TALK.
ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION ISSUE.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS SESSION? REPRESENTATIVE MURPHY, LET'S
START WITH YOU. >> THERE ARE MANY ISSUES, AND WE
TOLD MINNESOTANS, AND I. CERTAINLY TALKED WITH PEOPLE IN
THE CAUCUS AT THE START OF THE.
SESSION THERE ARE MANY NEEDS IN
THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND WE. ARE NOT GOING TO ANSWER EVERYONE
IN ONE SESSION, ONE BUDGET. TRANSPORTATION IS ONE OF THOSE.
THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF MINNESOTA, ROADS, HIGHER EDUCATION, ET
CETERA, THOSE INFRASTRUCTURE.
NEEDS, AND WE DIDN'T ADDRESS
THAT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE. TRANSPORTATION BILL OR BONDING
BILL, TWO THINGS I THINK WE NEED. TO CONTINUE TO PAY ATTENTION TO.
TRANSPORTATION POLICY IS. CHALLENGING, AND IT'S ONE OF
THOSE FUNDING PACKAGES THAT.
REALLY NEEDS TO BE BALANCED.
GREATER MINNESOTA TRANSIT BOTH. IN GREATER MINNESOTA AND URBAN
MINNESOTA, AND PAYING ATTENTION. TO ROADS AND BRIDGES BRIDGES.
>> REPRESENTATIVE DAUDT? >> I DON'T KNOW THAT I HAVE A
LOT NECESSARILY TO ADD. YOU KNOW, PERSONALLY I'M AN
ADVOCATE BEING THE ONLY RURAL. LEGISLATOR HERE, I'M AN AD ADVOE
FOR THE ROADS AND BRIDGES. FUNDING MORE THAN ANYTHING.
IN RECENT YEARS THERE'S BEEN A. STRONG MOVE TOWARDS PUTTING MORE
OF AN EMPHASIS ON THE TRANSIT. AND I KNOW IT DOES BENEFIT THE
METRO AREA, BUT FRANKLY, HOPEFULLY NOT AT THE COST OF THE
ROADS AND BRIDGES IN THE RURAL. AREA, BECAUSE I THINK WE DO NEED
TO MAKE THAT A PRIORITY WE ARE.
PROPERLY FUNDING THE ROADS AND
BRIDGES, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE. MOST BASIC CORE FUNCTIONS OF
STATE GOVERNMENT. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE
TAKING CARE OF THAT ALL OVER THE. STATE, NOT JUST IN THE METRO
AREA.
>> I WOULD AGREE WITH
REPRESENTATIVE DAUDT TO THE. EXTENT ROADS AND BRIDGES ARE
CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THROUGHOUT. MINNESOTA, NOT JUST RURAL
MINNESOTA. A GOOD EXAMPLES WHERE WE NEED TO
GET TO IS THE HASTINGS BRIDGE IS.
CLOSE TO BEING CONSTRUCTED RIGHT
NOW AND THE NEW BRIDGE IS. GETTING CLOSE TO BEING OPENED.
THAT WAS SCHEDULED TO BE IN. 2025, AND IT WAS WHEN MY
YOUNGEST WAS ENTERING.
KINDERGARTEN AND GOING TO
GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL. 15 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, AND IT
WAS ONLY BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE. BACK IN 2007, I BELIEVE IT WAS,
OVER RODE GOVERNOR PAWLENTY'S. VETO AND INCREASED THE GAS TAX,
AND THAT MONEY WENT DIRECTLY TO.
HELP BUILD NEW BRIDGES ACROSS
MINNESOTA, AND IT CERTAINLY. OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE
TRAGIC BRIDGE COLLAPSE, AND THEY. THINK SOME OF THE DISCUSSION
TOOK PLACE MORE QUICKLY, BUT. THERE ARE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS
ALL ACROSS MINNESOTA, AND SO.
THERE'S AN URGENT NEED, I THINK,
TO ADDRESS IT IN TERMS OF. FINDING A WAY TO GET MORE MONEY
INTO OUR ROADS AND HIGHWAYS, AND. OUR BRIDGES, BUT ALSO TO LOOK AT
THE TRANSIT SIDE AND WHAT CAN WE. DO, ESPECIALLY, I THINK WITHIN
THE METROPOLITAN AREA TO HELP.
SPUR SOME OF THE ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT THAT CAN RESULT AS A. RESULT OF INCREASED TRANSIT
OPPORTUNITIES. >> I WOULD AGREE WITH DAUDT, BUT
I THINK THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE. OUGHT TO BE TO BUILD
INFRASTRUCTURE AND I THINK IT'S.
BEEN AN OVER EMPHASIS ON DO
THINGS LIKE FUND LIGHT RAIL. I THINK THERE DOES NEED TO BE A
GOOD TRANSIT SYSTEM, BUT IT. SHOULD BE BUS TRANSIT THAT TAKES
ADVANTAGES OF THE ROADS AND. BRIDGES AND SERVES THE
NONTRANSIT AND I THINK WE HAVE.
KIND OF GOTTEN OFF TRACK.
I SAW AN ARTICLE IN THE. MINNEAPOLIS PAPER THAT CALLED
THE HIAWATHA QUARTER THE WORST. IN THE COUNTRY.
THIS IS A RESULT OF PUT AGO. LIGHT RAIL LINE DOWN THAT ROAD.
PEOPLE ARE AVOIDING IT LIKE THE. PLAGUE.
THAT MONEY COULD BE BETTER. INVESTED IN DOING THINGS TO
FACILITATE BETTER BUS SYSTEMS, AND WE ARE DOING THAT IN THE
SOUTHWEST SYSTEM. IT FRANKLY FEELS LIKE THEY ARE
UNDER TRAP, BEING SHUT DOWN OR. CHANGED DRAMATICALLY AS THE
LIGHT RAIL COMES IN, AND I THINK.
IT'S A MATTER OF PRIORITIES, AND
I THINK THERE'S COMMON AGREEMENT. THAT ROADS AND BRIDGES ARE A TOP
PRIORITY, BUT SOMETIMES WE DON'T. ALWAYS ACT THAT WAY.
>> I WANT TO ADD TO THAT.
I THINK THERE'S EQUAL COMMITMENT
ON OUR SIDE OF THE AISLE TO. INVEST IN BUS TRANSPORTATION,
ESPECIALLY IN THE EAST METRO. WHERE I REPRESENT, WE ARE
STRUGGLING AND FIGHTING TO GET. INCREASED BUS SERVICE TO SERVE
PEOPLE IN HASTINGS AND GROVE AND.
GET THEM TO WORK IN MINNEAPOLIS
AND ST. PAUL. THE EMPHASIS IS TO SEE AN
INTEGRATED NETWORK OR SYSTEM TO. USE BUSES IF THAT'S THE MOST
ECONOMICAL WAY OR IN SOME CASES.
WHERE THERE'S HIGHER DENSITY,
LIGHT RAIL MAY BE THE MOST. ECONOMICAL OPTION, AND THIS IS
ALL BUILT UNDER THE. UNDERSTANDING AS SENATOR HANN
SAID THAT OUR COMMERCE AND. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN
MINNESOTA IS LARGELY DEPENDENT.
ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THAT'S
A COMMONALITY WE SHARE THAT WE. RECOGNIZE THAT, AND THE URGENCY,
I THINK, THOUGH, OF WHICH WE. ADDRESS IT IS SOMETHING WE MAY
DISAGREE ON. >> AND WHEN IT TAKES, AS IT DID
ME TODAY, TO GO AN HOUR COMING.
BACK FROM WESTERN MINNESOTA, YOU
CAN QUICKLY SEE HOW COMMERCE IS. CLOGGED, AND WE ARE NOT MANAGING
THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN AN. INTEGRATED WAY, AND THAT'S WHY I
THINK WE SHOULD BE PAYING. ATTENTION TO TRANSIT, BECAUSE
THE TRUCKS AND BUSES ARE UNABLE.
TO DO IT WHEN EVERYONE IS SO CAR
DEPENDENT, AND WHEN PEOPLE ARE. ABLE TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN A
CAR OR BUS OR LIGHT RAIL, IT. TAKES PRESSURE OFF OUR HIGHWAYS
AND FREEWAYS AND ALLOWS COMMERCE. TO MOVE FORWARD.
THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR I SAY. ABOUTS LIKE MY HUSBAND'S
BUSINESS, AND HE CAN HARDLY GET. TO THE METRO BUS AREA ANYMORE.
>> I WISH IT WERE TRUE THAT.
LIGHT RAIL WOULD SOLVE IT.
BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY EVIDENCE. OF IT.
FOR THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE.
SPEND, I THINK WE CAN DO A LOT
MORE INVESTMENT IN ROADS AND. BUSES AND IT WOULD BE FAR MORE
EFFECTIVE AND FLEXIBLE. >> MORE HIGHER DENSITY
POPULATION THAN WE DO. WE NEED TO BE REALISTIC ABOUT
THIS.
>> I WILL JUST GIVE A QUICK PLUG
TO OUR HEAVY RAIL SYSTEM. IT'S ABOUT 6 MILES SOUTH OF
YEAR, IT SEES 15% OF THE FREIGHT. RAIL TRAFFIC IN THE ENTIRE
COUNTRY. IT'S A HUGE BOTTLE NECK TO THE
FARMERS WHO ARE TRYING TO GET.
THEIR CROPS INTO CHICAGO AND
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND IT'S A. HUGE BOTTLE NECK FOR THE OIL
SEED FIELDS WHICH ARE NOW USING. OUR RAIL LINES TO SHIP OIL
THROUGH MINNESOTA BY RAIL, AND. THERE NEEDS TO BE INVESTMENT
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TRANSIT.
INVESTMENT, AND ALSO IN THE
HEAVY RAIL SYSTEM. THIS IS AN AREA THAT I THINK THE
BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN. SUPPORTIVE OF AND VERY
SUPPORTIVE OF, AND IT CAN BE A. JOINT BENEFIT OF WHEN YOU MAKE
THAT INVESTMENT IN THOSE LINES.
TO RELIEVE RAIL CONGESTION, AND
IT ALSO CAN HELP MOVE COMMUTERS. ALONG THE EXISTING RAIL TRACK.
>> COUPLE MINUTES LEFT. CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE IN THE LAST
SEVERAL DAYS OF THE SESSION THE.
QUESTION CAME IN FROM A VIEWER
IN HOFFMAN THAT WANTS TO TALK. ABOUT THE DAY CARE PROVIDER
UNIONIZATION BILL. SENATOR MURPHY, I THINK WE WERE
HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THAT, IF I'M. RECALLING CORRECTLY.
MAYBE YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY. ABOUT THAT.
WE WILL TAKE A COUPLE MINUTES TO. TALK ABOUT THAT.
>> I REPRESENT MIKE NELSON, AND. ESSENTIALLY AUTHORIZES OR GIVES
CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND. PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANCE THEIR
RIGHT TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TO. VOTE.
IT'S BEEN SOMEWHAT OF A MISNOMER. AND IT'S ESSENTIALLY GIVING
WORKERS TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TO. VOTE IF THEY WOULD LIKE
REPRESENTATION IN VOTING AND THE. DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY IT'S A STRONG
VALUE.
I'M SUPPORTIVE AND I GREW UP IN
A UNION FAMILY. WE SAW LARGE CUTS TO CHILD CARE
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. THERE'S A SUBSTANTIAL WAITING
LIST OF FAMILIES LOOKING FOR. HELP FOR CHILD CARE SO THEY CAN
GO TO WORK, AND WE MADE A CUT TO.
THAT BUDGET AND PROVIDERS
PROVIDING THAT CARE. AS A RESULT, I THINK THEY SAID
WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING, AND WE. NEED TO AMPLIFY OUR VOICES SO WE
ARE MAKING SURE THIS PART OF THE. BUDGET IS AMPLY FUNDED AND ONE
WAY TO DO THAT IS TO ORGANIZE, AND THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE ASKING
TO DO.
THE SAME THING IS TRUE FOR THE
PERSONAL CARE SYSTEM THAT ALSO. WAS CUT IN THE LAST CYCLE BY
REPUBLICANS. >> 30 SECONDS.
>> THE INTERESTING THING HERE IS.
IF SOMEBODY VOTES NO, AND THESE
ARE MOMS THAT OPERATE PRIVATELY. OWNED CELL PHONE KAY CARES AND
IF THEY VOTE NO, THEY DON'T HAVE. A CHOICE.
THAT'S NOT REAL CHOICE.
THIS IS GOING TO INCREASE THE
COST OF DAY CARE FOR MOMS AND. DADS WHO WORKOUTS THE HOME, AND
THEY ARE ALREADY ON STRUGGLING. BUDGETS IN MOST CASES AND REALLY
THIS IS GOING TO STRAP THEM EVEN. FURTHER, INCREASING THE COST OF
DAY CARE.
>> I DON'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT,
BUT THE FIRST QUESTION IS DO YOU. WANT TO ORGANIZE A UNION?
AND THAT'S THE FIRST VOTE. >> IT'S REALLY EGREGIOUS.
TALK ABOUT OVERREACH.
>> AND IF THEY VOTE NO.
>> TIME OUT. THANK YOU, EVERYBODY.
WE WILL SETTLE THIS WITH A.
DISCUSSION FROM THE PUBLIC.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT YEAR IN
2014 WITH "YOUR LEGISLATORS". THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.
>> THERE'S MUCH MORE ABOUT "YOUR. LEGISLATORS" ONLINE AT
PIONEER.ORG. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY
OF THE PROGRAM, WHO'S BEEN A. GUEST AND WATCH ALL OUR PAST
EPISODES.
THERE'S ALSO A PHOTO GALLERY,
INFORMATIVE LINKS AND MUCH MORE. YOU CAN ALSO GET INVOLVED AND
STAY IN TOUCH BY FOLLOWING US ON. TWITTER AND JOIN THE DISCUSSION
ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "YOUR
LEGISLATORS".
>>> "YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS MADE
POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE GENEROUS. FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF MAPE
MEMBERS, MAKING MINNESOTA CLEAN. WATERS, SAFE COMMUNITIES,
QUALITY EDUCATION AND VETERANS. CARE HAPPEN.
WE WORK HARD FOR MINNESOTANS. MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION,
COMMITTED TO HELPING DEVELOP AND. STRENGTHEN MINNESOTA RURAL
COMMUNITIES SINCE 1929. ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.
.
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