POSSIBLE BY THE MINNESOTA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION FROM DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES THAT HELP FARMERS BETTER PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES TO THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN CORN BASED PLASTICS, MINNESOTA CORN FARMERS ARE PROUD TO INVEST IN THIRD PARTY RESEARCH LEADING TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT BY MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION WORKING FOR FARMERS ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.

WE WELCOME YOU TO ANOTHER SESSION OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS", A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION FEATURING STATE LAWMAKERS ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSING IMPORTANT ISSUES AFFECTING THE CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ONLINE, ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK.

NOW HERE IS YOUR MODERATOR FOR TONIGHT'S PROGRAM.

BARRY ANDERSON.

>> Barry: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

MY NAME IS BARRY ANDERSON, AND I WILL BE YOUR HOST FOR THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM.

WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU HAVE JOINED US FOR THIS HOUR LONG CONVERSATION IN ADDITION TO CONCERNS WITH PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA HERE AT THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE.

I HOPE YOU ALL HAD A PLEASANT PASS OVER AND EASTER HOLIDAY, AND WE ARE ALL BACK AT WORK, AND THE LEGISLATURE IS BACK AT WORK AS WELL.

I WANT TO REMIND YOU THIS IS YOUR PROGRAM, AND THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO PASS ALONG QUESTIONS TO YOUR LEGISLATORS.

THE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO DO THAT WILL APPEAR ON YOUR TELEVISION SCREEN, ALL THE TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE THESE DAYS, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, UNITED STATES MAIL.

IT ALL WORKS, AND WE ARE GOING TO SEE THESE QUESTIONS GET TO THE PANEL THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE FOR US THIS EVENING.

LET'S GET TO THE INTRODUCTIONS OF THAT PANEL THAT'S GOING TO HELP US UNRAVEL THE MYSTERIES OF ST. PAUL.

WE HAVE THREE LEGISLATORS WITH US THIS EVENING, AND WE WILL START WITH ONE SENATOR THAT'S GOING TO CARRY THE HONOR OF THE SENATE ALL BY YOURSELF.

LINDSEY PORT FROM DISTRICT 56 IN BURNSVILLE.

SENATOR PORT.

WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU HAVE JOINED US THIS EVENING.

I'M SURE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO CARRY THE BALL TO THE SENATE.

TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND, HISTORY, COMMITTEES YOU HAVE SERVED ON.

I THINK THIS MIGHT BE YOUR FIRST TERM IF I RECALL CORRECTLY.

TELL US ABOUT ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

IT'S NICE TO BE HERE WITH YOU.

HOPEFULLY I WILL BE BACK MANY TIMES.

THIS IS MY FIRST TERM.

I AM LINDSEY PORT, DISTRICT 56, BURNSVILLE, SAVAGE AND NORTHWEST LAKEVILLE.

I CURRENTLY SIT ON THE HOUSING COMMITTEE, COMMERCE, AND METRO GOVERNMENT COMMITTEES.

PREVIOUS TO BEING IN THE LEGISLATURE, I HAVE A BACKGROUND IN NONPROFITS, AND I'M THE FOUNDER, BOARD AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SENIOR ADVISOR, AND WORKING IN THE NONPROFIT WORLD PARTICULARLY AROUND EXPANDING DIVERSITY IN THE LEGISLATURE AND CAMPAIGN STAFF, AND I HAVE BEEN AROUND MINNESOTA POLITICS FOR MANY YEARS, AND I HAVE DONE A LOT OF ADVOCACY WORK ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND SEXUAL ASSAULT WHICH IS BEEN A BIG WEEK IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS WEEK.

I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY I'M THE MOM OF DAUGHTERS, 7-YEAR-OLD AND 10-YEAR-OLD.

>> Barry: THAT WILL KEEP YOU BUSY.

WE ARE DELIGHTED YOU COULD TAKE SOME TIME TO BE WITH US THIS EVENING.

ALSO JOINING US FROM DISTRICT 24A FROM WASECA, REPRESENTATIVE JOHN PETERSBURG.

I DON'T KNOW IF I PRONOUNCED YOUR DAY CORRECTLY.

WE WERE VISITING A LITTLE BIT BEFORE THE PROGRAM STARTED.

I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF VISITING SOMEONE IN WASECA.

A BROTHER AND SISTER THAT LIVED THERE FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

A GREAT COMMUNITY.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE WITH YOU TONIGHT.

YES, I AM FROM WASECA.

I AM MY FIFTH TERM, STARTING MY9TH YEAR.

I REPRESENT WASECA SOUTH OF HERE, AND I WAS CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR FOR A LARGE LUTHERAN CHURCH FOR 21 YEARS BEFORE I DECIDED TO RETIRE.

I GREW UP ON A FARM IN A TOWN WALLED CLAREMONT.

THAT'S WHERE I GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

BIG CLASS OF 24 IN THAT.

16 BOYS AND 8 GIRLS, AND TEACHERS THOUGHT WE WERE A LITTLE RAMBUNCTIOUS AT TIMES.

IT WAS A GREAT TIME.

I HAVE LIVED IN WASECA NOW FOR ALMOST 25 YEARS.

IT'S A GREAT COMMUNITY.

I AM CURRENTLY THE MINORITY LEAD IN TRANSPORTATION.

I HAVE BEEN ON TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEES ALL AROUND THE TIME I HAVE BEEN THT LEGISLATURE.

I HAD A PRIORITY, FOUR-LANE ALL THE WAY, AND WE JUST RECEIVED THE FUNDING FOR IT, AND IT SHOULD BE FINISHED BY THE END OF THIS FALL, AND SO THAT WILL BE NICE TO HAVE THAT.

IT'S A LARGE CORRIDOR, AND IT'S A VERY ECONOMIC CORRIDOR THAT REALLY WILL HELP SOUTHERN MINNESOTA, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF GROWTH BECAUSE OF IT.

ALSO ON THE PREVENTION OF HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE AS WELL AS THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE TODAY, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CHATTING WITH THE REST OF MY COLLEAGUES.

>> Barry: I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY I GREW UP IN MAN MAN, AND I REMEMBER AS WHAT WE THEN CALLED A JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, AND IT'S GOING TO BE A FOUR-LANE, NEEDED TO BE A FOUR-LANE, AND I REMEMBER VISITING WITH THE GOVERNOR SHORTLY BEFORE THE INAUGURATION AND HOW THAT WAS A PRIORITY FOR YOU FOR VERY PERSONAL AND TRAGIC REASONS, BECAUSE OF COURSE OF THE FATALITIES ON THAT HIGHWAY.

HERE WE ARE, 2021, AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR.

THIS IS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT.

>> IT IS.

>> Barry: ALSO JOINING US FROM GOLDEN VALLEY, REPRESENTATIVE MIKE FREIBERG.

REPRESENTATIVE FREIBERG REPRESENTS DISTRICT 45B.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANKS, BARRY.

IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

I'M A CLASSMATE OF REPRESENTATIVE PETERSBURG.

I REPRESENT NEW HOPE, TO THE WEST OF MINNEAPOLIS.

I HAVE GOT TWO KIDS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, ONE YEAR OLDER THAN SENATOR PORTS.

MINE ARE 8 AND 11.

IT'S A GOOD AGE RANGE, I THINK, TO HAVE WITH YOUR KIDS.

THIS YEAR I'M CHAIRING A NEW COMMITTEE CALLED THE PREVENTATIVE HEALTH POLICY DIVISION, AND SINCE WE FIND OURSELVES IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC, HOPEFULLY TOWARDS THE END OF IT WE DECIDED IN THE HOUSE TO PLACE THE FOCUS ON PREVENTIVE HEALTH.

ALSO I WORK AS AN ATTORNEY FOR NONPROFIT FOCUSED ON PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY.

I'M ALSO SERVING ON THE HEALTH FINANCE COMMITTEE AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE AND SUBCOMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE PROCESS REFORM.

IT'S BEEN A BUSY SESSION, AND THEY ARE ALL GENERALLY BUSY.

IT'S BEEN DIFFERENT.

ALMOST EVERYTHING HAS BEEN HAPPENING REMOTELY LIKE THIS.

I HAVE BEEN ON THIS PROGRAM BEFORE BUT NEVER THROUGH ZOOM.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HOW THIS IS GOING TO GO TODAY.

>> Barry: WE LOOK FORWARD EVERY WEEK TO SEE HOW THIS IS GOING TO GO.

YOU ARE IN GOOD COMPANY HERE.

LET'S BEGIN WITH A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER, AND YOU ACTUALLY HAD SEVERAL QUESTIONS ALONG THIS GENERAL THEME.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD QUESTION FOR THE PROGRAM THIS EVENING.

NOTES THAT WE 67% OF OUR WATER BODIES IN THE AGRICULTURE AREAS THAT DON'T MEET WATER QUALITY STANDARDS.

WHAT'S THE INFORMATION ON THE WATERSHED, PLAN PROCESS AND STEADY FUNDING FOR SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.

OF COURSE MORE GENERALLY WATER QUALITY ISSUES ARE OF CONCERN, AND FEEL FREE TO EXPAND BEYOND THAT SPECIFIC QUESTION, BUT LET'S SEE IF WE CAN ADDRESS THE VIEWER'S QUESTION DIRECTLY.

START WITH SENATOR PORT.

WHAT IS YOUR VIEW ON THAT ISSUE?

>> IT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

WATER QUALITY IS A BIG CONCERN HERE.

OBVIOUSLY WE ARE A STATE KNOWN FOR OUR WATER.

REALLY INVESTING AND MAKING SURE WE KEEP IT CLEAN THROUGH THE WATERSHED PLAN, AND IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT.

IT'S AN ISSUE ALL ACROSS THE STATES BECAUSE OF AGRICULTURE, BECAUSE OF POLLUTION.

THE PCA RELEASED A REPORT NOT TOO LONG AGO GOOD CHEMICALS SWEEPING INTO THE WATER IN VARIOUS PLACES.

IT REALLY IS A CONCERNING CRISIS, I THINK, REACHING CRISIS POINT.

WE NEED TO MAKE THE INVESTMENTS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CLEANING IT UP AND PROTECTING OUR WATER.

IT HAS TO BE A TOP PRIORITY IN MINNESOTA, AND I HOPEWELL SEE PROGRESS ON THAT THIS YEAR.

LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE, WE WILL SEE HOW THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AGO.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE PETERSBURG YOU REPRESENT AREAS WHERE WATER QUALITY IS OF CONCERN, ALSO THE INTERSECTION OF AGO CLT YOU RECALL ISSUES AS WELL.

>> I'M NOT ON ANY AGRICULTURAL COMMITTEES.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT THERE'S DIFFERENT ISSUES DEPENDING ON WHAT BODY OF WATER YOU ARE DEALING WITH.

SO WE HAVE LAKES, AND WE ALSO HAVE RIVERS AND STREAMS.

BOTH OF THOSE HAVE DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE DEALT WITH.

BUT FIRST LET ME TALK ABOUT WATER KRI CONSERVATION DISTRICT.

IF YOU REMEMBER A FEW YEARS AGO, WE HAD THE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS ARE REALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING THAT, AND IT LOOKS LIKE APPLIANCE IS REALLY PRETTY HIGH, AND EVERY COUNTY IS DEALING WITH THE LAST INDIVIDUALS THAT NEED TO COMPLY, YET IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GETTING CLOSE TO 100% COMPLIANCE, AND THAT REALLY DEALT WITH A WATER RUNOFF INTO STREAMS THAT SOMETIMES FLOW THROUGH LAKES AND SOMETIMES DON'T.

TO TRY TO ELIMINATE SOME OF THE NITROGEN AND OTHERS THAT CAN RUN OFF.

WE WILL SEE HOW THAT HAS IMPACTED QUALITY.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT RIVERS AND STREAMS ALSO HAVE A TENDENCY TO INCREASE SOME OF THE PARTICULATES IN THE WATER DUE FROM THE EROSION OF THE STREAM BEDS AND SO FORTH.

SO THAT'S A CONCERN.

LAKES HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE CONCERN BECAUSE IT TENDS TO BE MORE OF THE RUNOFF AROUND THE COMMUNITIES.

ALTHOUGH I THINK WE ARE STILL DEALING A LITTLE BIT WITH -- IT'S GETTING MUCH BETTER NOW, BUT YEARS AGO WE USED TO HAVE WHAT WAS CALLED ACID RAIN, WHICH IS FROM THE HIGHER SULPHUR COAL POWERED ELECTRICAL PLANTS AND SO FORTH WITH THE PREVAILING WIND COMING FROM THE WEST AND FILTERING OUT THAT SULPHUR AND DROPPING IT INTO LAKES.

THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT'S BEING CLEANED UP OR GETTING BETTER AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

BUT ALL THE INDUSTRIES THAT -- THROUGH AGRICULTURE AND OTHERS ALL WANT CLEAN WATER.

WE ALL WANT TO HAVE PRISTINE WATER, AND I THINK WE ARE ALL DOING WHAT WE CAN, BUT SOMETIMES WE JUST DON'T KNOW.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT AS A PREVIOUS FARMER, BECAUSE I DID FARM, THE CHEMICALS AND STUFF THAT I USED, WE WERE ALWAYS TRYING TO FOLLOW WHATEVER THE GUIDELINES WERE ACCORDING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AND OTHERS, AND SOMETIMES WE LEARN MORE ABOUT IT AS THE YEARS PROGRESSED, AND FARMERS ARE WANTING TO DO THE BEST THAT THEY CAN AS WELL.

SO RIGHT NOW WE NEED TO REALLY KIND OF FOLLOW THE SCIENCE AND FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON AND HOW WE CAN IMPROVE.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE VERY MUCH AWARE OF IT AND DOING THE BEST THAT WE CAN.

>> REPRESENTATIVE FREIBERG, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> IT'S NOT JUST AN ISSUE RELATED TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE AS WELL.

THERE'S LOTS OF ASPECTS OF WATER QUALITY THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IT AT THE LEGISLATURE.

I'M GLAD SENATOR PORT MENTIONED SOME OF THE LEGISLATION WE ARE LOOKING AT.

FOOD PACKAGING, LEAD CONTAMINATION IS AN ISSUE FROM AMMUNITION AND FISHING LURES, AND LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THAT, AND THERE ARE OTHER FORMS OF AMMUNITION THAT DON'T FORM THOSE RISKS.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT MINING AROUND THE BOUNDARY WATERS, AND IT'S A NATIONAL TREASURE WE CAN'T AFFORD TO RISK.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT CONTROLLING SEDIMENT RUN OFF.

I'M NOT ON THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, IT IS AN ISSUE I TRY TO KEEP TRACK OF.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT ASPECTS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT THE LEGISLATURE AND NEED TO CONTINUE DOING.

>> WE WILL HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO DISCUSS THAT, BECAUSE OF COURSE WE ARE GOING TO BE HAVING DISCUSSION THIS EVENING ABOUT THE BONDING BILL AND WATER QUALITY PROJECTS THAT ARE IN THERE AS WELL.

WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION, AND THIS IS A VERY SPECIFIC QUESTION.

ACTUALLY THIS IS THE SECOND WEEK IN A ROW WE HAVE GOT AN INQUIRY ABOUT IT.

CAN THE LEGISLATURE DO SOMETHING ABOUT FIXING DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME?

AND I THINK WHAT THE VIEWER WANTS -- I'M NOT CLEAR WHAT THE VIEWER WANTS, BUT I KNOW WHAT I WANT YEAR-ROUND DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME.

THERE IS AN OPTION FOR YEAR-ROUND STANDARD TIME.

HAS THIS DISCUSSION COME UP IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE THIS QUESTION.

I'M ACTUALLY KEY AUTHOR OF THE BILL THAT WOULD DO EXACTLY WHAT YOU SAY YOU SUPPORT, BARRY.

TO GO TO DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME DOES REQUIRE AN ACT OF CONGRESS, AND IT WOULD ALSO REQUIRE AN ACT OF THE LEGISLATURE TO DO THAT.

RIGHT NOW STATES DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO TO STANDARD TIME YEAR-ROUND, AND A COUPLE STATES HAVE DONE THAT, ARIZONA, FOR EXAMPLE.

IT'S AN ISSUE I KIND OF STARTED CARING ABOUT BECAUSE I HAVE KIDS -- THEY AREN'T QUITE AS YOUNG AT THIS POINT BUT I REMEMBER WHEN THEY WERE LITTLE, AND WE WOULD BE SLEEP TRAINING THEM AND SUDDENLY FOR NO REAL REASON THAT I KNOW, WE WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE THE CLOCKS.

INITIALLY-PERSONALLY I DON'T PARTICULARLY CARE WHETHER WE GO TO STANDARD TIME PERMANENTLY OR DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME PERMANENTLY, BUT THE MORE I HAVE HEARD FROM PEOPLE, MORE PEOPLE PREFER THE EXTRA HOUR OF EVENING SUNLIGHTS IN THE SUMMER.

THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS TO THAT, AND EARLY RISERS THAT LIKE EXTRA SUNLIGHT AS WELL.

FROM MY UNSCIENTIFIC POLL MORE PEOPLE PREFER THE POSITION, AND THERE'S A POTENTIAL IT COULD COME UP.

I THINK IT'S IN THE SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT BILL.

IT'S PASSED THROUGH COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE.

IT COULD BE TAKEN UP ON THE FLOOR AT SOME POINT AS WELL.

BUT IT'S BEEN A DEBATE FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS AND CERTAINLY SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN.

>> Barry: SENATOR PORT, DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME.

I DON'T TAKE A POSITION ON PARTISAN BILLS.

BUT I'M ALL IN FAVOR OF HIS BILL.

BUT TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SENATE, IF ANYTHING.

>> IT IS INCLUDED IN THE BILL.

I SUPPORT IT.

LIKE MIKE, I HAVE GONE THROUGH RAISING KIDS DURING DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME.

IT IS NOT PLEASANT TWO TIMES A YEAR WHEN YOU SWITCH THOSE CLOCKS, AND I THINK THERE'S A LOT, YOU KNOW -- IT HAD ITS USE, AND I'M NOT SURE THAT IT STILL DOES.

I WOULD SUPPORT THIS BILL.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE PETERSBURG.

>> STATES HAVE THE ABILITY TO OPT OUT AND NOT OPT IN 100% OF THE TIME.

ONE OF THE THINGS TO CONSIDER IN THE WINTERS TIME, YOU WOULD BE PUTTING YOUR KIDS ON THE BUS IN DARKNESS, AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SOME CONCERN ABOUT AND IN THE EVENING YOU WOULD HAVE LIGHT IF YOU WERE NOT AT DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME.

AT LEAST DURING THE WINTER MONTHS YOU WOULD HAVE DAYLIGHT OR BOTH GETTING ON THE BUS OR GETTING OFF THE BUS.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO SWITCH BACK AND FORTH.

IT'S KIND OF DIFFICULT IN THE FALL -- OR IN THE SPRING WHEN YOU LOSE THE HOUR BUT IT'S KIND OF NICE TO GET THE HOUR FOR THE WEEK OR SO IN THE FALL.

I'M NOT AWARE OF HOW IT'S MOVING THROUGH THE HOUSE.

REPRESENTATIVE FREIBERG WHO WAS IN THE LEADERSHIP AREA MIGHT KNOW MORE SO WHERE IT'S GOING.

>> Barry: LIKE I SAID, I DON'T THINK IT'S -- TO SOME EXTENT IT'S GOING TO BE DEPENDENT ON CONGRESS TAKING SOME ACTION.

I GUESS WE WILL HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

IN ANY EVENT, THERE IS SUPPORT FOR OUR VIEWERS TO PITCH FOR ABANDONING SWITCHING THE CLOCKS.

LET'S MOVE ONTO THE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION THAT WE ALWAYS HAVE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR WHICH IS OF COURSE THE BUDGET.

THE STATE HAS CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET.

I BELIEVE THE LAST LEGISLATIVE DAY IS MAY 17th, SOMEWHERE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

GOT ABOUT A MONTH LEFT.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHERE THE RESPECTIVE BODIES ARE AT IN TERMS OF THE BUDGETING PROCESS AND PRIORITIES THAT OUR PANELS SEE IN THE BUDGETING PROCESS.

REPRESENTATIVE FREIBERG, LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> SURE.

WE ARE STARTING TO RELEASE THE OMNIBUS BILLS, K-12 EDUCATION, HIGHER EDUCATION, TRANSPORTATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, STATE GOVERNMENT, FINANCE, AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND PROBABLY FORGETTING ONE OR TWO AND I SERVE ON TWO OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEES, HEALTH FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE, AND WE WILL BE PARKING UP THAT BILL, THE OMNIBUS BILL TOMORROW.

THERE WEREN'T A TON OF THEM AND CERTAINLY NOT TAKE SUPER LONG.

BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF REALLY GOOD POLICIES IN THERE.

THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE, AND THAT WILL BE HAPPENING NEXT WEEK, AND PROBABLY LATE NEXT WEEK WE WILL START CONSIDERING SOME OF THE BUDGET BILLS ON THE FLOOR.

JUST KIND OF SPEAKING ON THE BROAD LEVEL, I THINK SOME OF OUR BIG PRIORITIES AS A CAUCUS, THE HOUSE DFL CAUCUS, AND EDUCATION IS A HUGE ONE, AND K-12 EDUCATION, IT'S BEEN A TOUGH YEAR FOR A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND WE ARE INVESTING 2% ON THE FORMULA FOR EACH YEAR, AND WE HAVE ALSO DONE OTHER THINGS LIKE LOOKING AT THEM ALLOWING TO HAVE SUMMER SCHOOL, AND USING THE FEDERAL FUNDING THAT'S COME THROUGH THAT AND I THINK WE HAVE A GOOD TAX BILL THAT WILL GIVE US SUSTAINABLE FUNDING TO SUPPORT SOME OF THESE INITIATIVES.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS A HUGE PRIORITY OF OURS, INVESTING IN EARLY SCHOLARSHIPS, CHILD CARE HAS BEEN UNAFFORDABLE FOR SO MANY PEOPLE.

IT'S SUCH A HUGE EXPENSE AND HIGHER EDUCATION WE HAVE A TUITION FREEZE AT MINNESOTA STATE, AND LOTS OF DIFFERENT PIECES ARE COMING TOGETHER, AND I SHOULD PROBABLY GIVE OTHER PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK AS WELL.

BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A BUSY COUPLE WEEKS, ESPECIALLY ONCE WE START HEARING SOME OF THE BILLS ON THE FLOOR.

>> OF COURSE WE WILL GET INTO SOME OF THE DETAILS OF SOME OF THOSE AREAS AS WELL IN THE REST OF OUR PROGRAM.

LET'S GO TO OUR OTHER HOUSE MEMBER, REPRESENTATIVE PETERSBURG, PRIORITIES IN THE HOUSE FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

WHERE YOU SEE THINGS GOING, AND WE WILL MOVE OVER TO THE SENATE.

>> SURE.

>> YEAH, WE ARE YOU KNOW RUNNING UP AGAINST THE THIRD DEADLINE, WHICH IS TOMORROW, AND IN THAT REGARD, MOST OF OUR OMNIBUS BILLS HAVE TO BE OUT OF COMMITTEE BY TOMORROW.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF COMMITTEES THAT DON'T HAVE DEADLINES.

TAXES IS ONE, CAPITAL INVESTMENT IS ANOTHER IN WHICH THAT CAN RUN UP MUCH LATER.

SO THIS WEEK HAS BEEN A REAL WHIRLWIND.

MAJOR FINANCE COMMITTEES GETTING ALL OF THEIR BILLS PUT TOGETHER AND OUT SO THEY CAN BE MOVED ON THE FLOOR TOMORROW.

TOMORROW WE HAVE OUR NOON SESSION, WHICH THEN BILLS IN THE HOUSE HAVE TO MOVE -- EVERY TIME THEY MOVE FROM ONE COMMITTEE TO THE OTHER THEY HAVE TO MOVE THROUGH THE FLOOR.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING PIECE.

I KNOW THE TRANSPORTATION BILL WE JUST GOT THROUGH COMMITTEE TODAY.

IT'S GOING TO -- MY UNDERSTANDING IT'S GOING TO BE HEARD IN TAX COMMITTEE TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND MAYBE WAYS AND MEANS ON THE FIRST COUPLE DAYS OF NEXT WEEK.

SOME OF THEM ARE MOVING ALONG FAIRLY FAST, BECAUSE THEN AFTER THAT, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GET THEM ONTO THE FLOOR, AND THEY DO TAKE SOME TIME TO GO THROUGH.

USUALLY TWO, MAYBE THREE YOU CAN GET DONE ON A PARTICULAR FLOOR SESSION.

IT'S UNLIKELY WE ARE GOING TO GET MUCH BILLS THAT ARE GOING TO BE THE SAME AND SIMILAR TO THE SENATE, BEING THAT THE DFL CONTROLS AND GOP IS IN CHARGE OF THE SENATE.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN PERSPECTIVE THERE.

IT'S GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THEY COME UP.

I HAVE BEEN ON QUITE A FEW CONFERENCE COMMITTEES, AND I SEE A REAL CHALLENGE IN TRYING TO GET SOME SORT OF MIDDLE GROUND HERE.

I THINK REPRESENTATIVE FREIBERG DOES REPRESENT KIND OF THE DIRECTION THAT THE DFL LEADERSHIP H HAS AND ON OUR SID, GOP SIDE, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT JUST THE ECONOMY IN GENERAL.

WE ENDED UP WITH A SURPLUS THAT WE WEREN'T REALLY EXPECTING SIX MONTHS AGO, AND WE HAVE A SURPLUS, BUT THAT SURPLUS HAS BEEN REALLY BOLSTERED BY SOME OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, MEANING IT'S A ONE-TIME EVENT, AND SO I THINK WE WANT TO BE REAL CAREFUL ABOUT SPENDING IT ON ON GOING EXPENSE ITEMS.

THE TRANSPORTATION BILL COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE RIGHT NOW IS A 1.5, 1.6 BILLION OF REVENUE AND SPENDING IS ON BEHALF OF THE 1.6 BILLION IN SURPLUS, WE ARE SPENDING A LOT OF EXTRA MONEY FROM THE POCKETS.

IF WE ARE GOING TO GET INTO THAT LATER, I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT, AND WE HAVE SPECIFICS TO FIGURE OUT.

>> Barry: SENATOR PORT ON THE SENATE SIDE.

>> YEAH, I THINK REPRESENTATIVE PETERSBURG IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

HOUSE AND SENATE ARE IN DIFFERENT PLACES AND AT THE END OF THE OMNIBUS BILLS PASS OUT OF COMMITTEE, THE SENATE HAS NOT RAISED ANY NEW REVENUE.

IT IS ALL ONE-TIME SORT OF SPENDING MONEY.

A LOT OF THE MONEY COMING IN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND THAT SURPLUS, MOST OF WHICH IS ALSO ONE-TIME MONEY.

VERY LITTLE OF IT IS ACTUALLY CONTINUING ON, SO WE HAVE INVESTMENTS REALLY IN THE NEXT 2 TO 3, A LITTLE BIT INTO FOUR YEARS, BUT THEY ARE NOT LONG-TERM SUSTAINED INVESTMENTS.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE ARE REALLY GOING TO RUN INTO DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE PRIORITIES AND WHETHER WE ARE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, REALLY RAISE THE REVENUE THAT'S NEEDED FOR HOUSING, FOR EDUCATION, AND THOSE SORT OF LONG-TERM ON GOING HEALTHCARE THINGS THAT MINNESOTANS NEED EVERY DAY, AND NOT JUST FOR THE NEXT 18 MONTHS OR SO, AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE ARE GOING TO -- IT FEELS FAR APART AT THIS POINT, AND AS A FIRST TERMER, I AM VERY ANXIOUS TO SEE HOW THIS ENDS UPCOMING TOGETHER, BECAUSE WE DID FEEL PRETTY FAR APART FROM EACH OTHER AT THIS POINT.

>> Barry: LET'S START WITH TRANSPORTATION.

THERE'S BEEN ON GOING DISCUSSION ABOUT TRANSPORTATION ISSUES THROUGHOUT OUR PROGRAM THE LAST TWO, THREE MONTHS.

SOME IS CONCERNING ENERGY RELATED QUESTIONS, HAVING TO DO WITH ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND THE EFFECT THAT MAY HAVE ON TRANSPORTATION BUDGETS AS WELL AS ROADS AND BRIDGES, SORT OF BASIC BREAD AND BUTTER KIND OF ISSUES.

SENATOR PORT WE FINISHED UP WITH YOU TALKING ABOUT THESE AREAS, AND LET'S START WITH YOU HERE.

TRANSPORTATION ISSUES.

>> I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE WE HAVE KNOWN FOR YEARS THAT IT'S BEEN A STICKING POINT AT THE END OF MANY SESSIONS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS THAT WE NEED TO MAKE A LARGE SCALE INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE IN MINNESOTA.

ROADS AND BRIDGES, BUT ALSO INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE PIPES AND WATERS AND SEWAGE AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS WHICH OFTEN GET PUT INTO THAT SAME BUCKET.

THOSE INVESTMENTS AREN'T IN THE SENATE BILLS.

THERE'S SOME ROAD PROJECTS ALL ACROSS MINNESOTA.

ONE INVESTMENT DOWN IN MY AREA, DOWN IN LAKEVILLE, WHICH IS GREAT, WILL HELP WITH THE GROWING TRAFFIC IN THE AREA, WHICH IS BEGINNING TO BE A PROBLEM YOU DOWN HERE.

BUT I DO THINK IT'S ALL ONE-TIME MONEY, AND WE DO NEED SUSTAINED INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT, AND THAT'S A KEARNEY DEFINITELY HAVE MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE PETERSBURG, TRANSPORTATION ISSUES.

>> THANK YOU.

AS I HAVE BEEN REVIEWING THIS FOR THE LAST 9 YEARS, ONE THING THAT HAS BECOME EVIDENT TO ME, THE CHALLENGES WE ARE FACING NOW TODAY ARE BECAUSE WE HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED WE HAVE THIS CONSTITUTIONALLY DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE FOR TRANSPORTATION.

WHY DO I SAY THAT'S A CHALLENGE?

IT'S BECAUSE WHENEVER YOU PUT THINGS ON AUTO PILOT OR PUT THINGS IN WHICH CONSTITUTIONALLY DEDICATED, KIND OF ASSUME IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO KEEP UP WITH THE NEEDS OF THE INDUSTRY OR WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING.

SO IF WE COULD GO BACK TO THE 50s -- WELL LATE 50s, INTO THE 60s AND 70s, INTERSTATE SYSTEMS, AND OUR TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE WAS BEING BUILT BECAUSE OUR GASOLINE TAXES WERE FARLEY SUFFICIENT AND ON TOP OF IT THE CONSUMER WAS BUYING MORE AND MORE GAS.

SO EACH YEAR THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT INCREASE.

WE HAD THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY BUILD OUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THEN AS WE STARTED GETTING INTO THE 70s AND WE HAD THE EMBARGO AND EVERYBODY STARTED BACK ON FUEL, OUR INCREASE IN CONSUMPTION STARTED TO DECLINE UNTIL TODAY, AND WE ARE FAIRLY PLATEAUING IN REGARDS TO ENERGY OR AT LEAST GASOLINE USAGE, AND IT MEANS THE REVENUE COMING FROM OUR GASOLINE TAX WAS NO LONGER KEEPING UP, AND EVEN IF WE INCREASE GASOLINE TAX, IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH.

WE ARE DEALING 50 YEARS LATER WITH ROADS AND BRIDGES AT THE END OF THE LIFE CYCLE AND WE NEVER REALLY PUT ANY DOLLARS INTO THAT INFRASTRUCTURE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CONSTITUTION, THERE ARE THREE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN GIVEN IN THE MAIN CONSTITUTION, AND ONE IS K-12 FUNDING, AND THE OTHER IS PUBLIC SAFETY, AND THE THIRD IS INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH MEANS LOADS AND BRIDGES AND ALSO THE BUILDINGS, ET CETERA, AND THE ASSETS THAT THE PUBLIC OWNS.

SO WHEN WE HAVE GOTTEN INTO ROADS AND BRIDGES AND THINKING THAT EVERYBODY WHO IS DRIVING A CAR IS NOW GOING TO PAY FOR THE ENTIRE COST OF ROADS AND BRIDGES, AT LEAST ON THE HIGHWAY SYSTEM AND STATE OWNED PROPERTY SYSTEM, WE FIND THAT WE KEEP RUNNING A LITTLE BIT SHORT.

SO WE KEEP TINKERING WITH THAT, THINKING THAT PEOPLE THAT ARE DRIVING THE CARS OUGHT TO PAY FOR THE ENTIRE COST, AND WE STARTED EVEN MORE DOLLARS FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT AND OTHER THINGS, AND WE STARTED USING A LOT OF SUBSIDIES FOR SALES TAX VEHICLES IN WHICH ALL GOES TOWARDS TRANSIT TO HELP WITH THAT.

WE CERTAINLY NEED TO DO THE TRANSIT.

WE NEED TO HAVE PUBLIC TRANSIT AND HAVE PEOPLE MOVE AROUND, BUT WE DEAL WITH THE FUNDING SOURCE THERE MUCH DIFFERENTLY THAN WE DO WITH ROADS AND BRIDGES, AND NOW WE ARE STUCK BETWEEN THIS ROCK AND A HARD PLACE ABOUT WHAT WE DO.

IF WE KEEP SAYING THAT THE GENERAL FUND DOESN'T HAVE ANY ROLE IN MAINTAINING THIS LARGE INFRASTRUCTURE, AND BY THE WAY BONDING, TRUMP HIGHWAY BONDS, WHICH ARE ONLY PAID FOR BY HIGHWAY BONDS, AND WE DO LOSE BONDING THERE, AND GENERAL OBLIGATION FUNDS HELP WITH LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGE FUND.

IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM FUND.

BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING, THAT LARGE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HAS A DIRECT IMPACT, EVERY INDUSTRY, WHETHER IT'S HEALTH, WHETHER IT'S FOOD, WHETHER IT'S RELATED IS CHALLENGED, BECAUSE WE AREN'T HAVING TO COMPETE FOR THE DOLLARS THAT IS THE GENERAL FUND ISSUE.

WE ARE GOING TO BE REALLY IN A WORLD OF HURT DOWN HERE IN ANOTHER 10 YEARS IF WE ASSUME THAT GASOLINE TAX IS STILL GOING TO MAINTAIN THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF FUNDING.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ELECTRIC CARS INCREASE, REDUCTIONS IN VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED.

WE ARE GOING TO GO TO AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES, AND CHANGES THAT OCCUR IN THE LAST 10, 25 YEARS, AND I WOULD EQUATE IT MUCH LIKE THE CHANGES IN WHAT OUR CELL PHONES HAVE DONE IN THE LAST 10, 15 YEARS.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE FLEXIBLE IN HOW WE FUND THIS PARTICULAR INFRASTRUCTURE.

WHETHER OR NOT AS OUR DRIVERS WE ARE GOING TO USE THE ROAD OR NOT, WE STILL NEED TO GET FREIGHT BACK AND FORTH.

ALL THE THINGS WE BUY FROM AMAZON, EBAY, ET CETERA, ARE ALMOST ALWAYS COMING THROUGH THE ROADS ON THE TRUCKS, AND THEY ACTUALLY TAKE MORE WEAR AND TEAR THAN CARS DO.

A TRUCK HAS ENOUGH SAME DAMAGE AS CAR VEHICLES, AND WE KNOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THESE ROADS FOR ANY TIME IN THE FUTURE.

I DON'T THINK WE ARE GOING TO GET THE ROADS TO DELIVER EVERYTHING.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO KEEP THE ROADS UP AND RUNNING AND THAT MEANS WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO START THINKING ABOUT HOW WE FUND IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

WE CAN'T JUST CONTINUE USING THE SAME PROCESS BECAUSE THE TRANSPORTATION ISN'T THE SAME AS IT WAS BACK IN THE 50s AND 60s.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE FREIBERG, YOUR THOUGHTS, TRANSPORTATION.

>> I AGREE WITH PETERSBURG AND MINNESOTANS EXPECT OUR ROADS TO BE SAFE.

TOO MANY ROADS UNREPAIRED, AND BRIDGES NEAR COLLAPSE.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS HONESTLY IN LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THE LONG-TERM SAFETY RISK POSED BY AGING ROADS, BRIDGES AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE NEED A MODERN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

THE BUDGET, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, WILL IMPROVE OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM, HELPING MINNESOTA'S GET ACROSS THE STATE, TO SCHOOL OR THE DOCTOR.

AND THAT INCLUDES THE PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM IN THE METRO AREA, WHICH I REPRESENT.

WE HAVE AN APPROACH OUTSIDE THE GAS TAX.

I'M A FAN OF THE BLUE LINE LIGHT RAIL LINE THAT'S SUPPOSED TO GO THROUGH THE AREA.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT BUS RAPID TRANSIT, AS WELL AS BICYCLE SAFETY.

WE NEED A LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION THAT WILL BENEFIT THE WHOLE STATE.

WE SHOULDN'T BE PITTING REGIONS AGAINST EACH OTHER LIKE HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION.

GENERALLY I'M PLEASED WITH THE DIRECTION WE ARE MOVING.

>> WE HAD A QUESTION A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

IT POPPED UP AGAIN IN THE PRESS HERE IN THE LAST COUPLE DAYS.

IT CONCERNS EDUCATION.

LET'S TAKE A RUN AT THIS.

WE WILL GO WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE PETERSBURG FIRST.

MY FORMER COLLEAGUE, AND RETIRED SUPREME COURT JUSTICE ALLEN PAGE AND PRESIDENT OF THE MINNEAPOLIS FEDERAL RESERVE BANK HAS BEEN PROMOTING A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT DEALING WITH EDUCATIONAL ISSUES.

IT'S SUGGESTING WE ADOPT AN EDUCATION -- OR A AMEND THE EDUCATION CLAUSE OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO PROVIDE FOR ADVADEQUACY REQUIREMENT.

ANY THOUGHTS ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT?

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS A PROSPECT BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE, PLACED ON THE BALLOT.

IT COULD PASS NEXT YEAR AS WELL, OUR NEXT GENERAL ELECTION WILL BEGIN IN NOVEMBER OF 2022.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

>> CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ACTUALLY CAME UP EITHER LAST YEAR OR THE YEAR BEFORE.

I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO GIVE SOME STRENGTH AT THAT TIME, BUT IT DID GET PAST THE GOAL LINE, AND IT SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE BIT WEAKER IN STRENGTH.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE CONCERNS HOW IT WOULD WORK, WHAT WOULD BE THE ENFORCEMENT PROCESS.

AS A CHAIRMAN, WHAT IS EQUITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY OR ACCESS TO IT, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK ANYBODY DISAGREES WITH THE CONCEPT THAT WE NEED TO PROVIDE THIS WAS -- MY UNDERSTANDING IS THIS WAS AN ATTEMPT TO GIVE SOME TEETH TO THE FACT THAT EVERYBODY CAN EXPECT AND HAVE ABILITY TO HOLD OTHERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE QUALITY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT YOU HAVE.

THE CHALLENGE THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IN EDUCATION, I THINK, IS THAT THE LEGISLATURE TENDS TO DEAL PRIMARILY WITH FUNDING, BECAUSE THAT'S PART OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT, AND QUICK LUM HAS BEEN A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT TO DO BECAUSE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT CURRICULUM.

YET WE HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF ACHIEVEMENT.

IT DOESN'T ALWAYS BASED UPON LOW INCOME OR HIGH INCOME OR HIGH DEBT VALUES OF REIMBURSEMENTS AND STUDENT FUNDING.

THEY DON'T ALWAYS MATCH.

HOW DO WE GO ABOUT ALLOWING EVERY CHILD TO HAVE THE SAME QUALITY EDUCATION?

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS IN REGARDS TO THAT.

BUT I KNOW THIS ATTEMPT IS ONE OF THOSE ATTEMPTS TO HELP GIVE A LITTLE MORE TEETH IN WHAT PARENTS CAN EXPECT OUT OF THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

RIGHT NOW I HAVEN'T SEEN IT MOVING VERY FAR IN THE HOUSE.

I CAN'T SAY MUCH ABOUT THE SENATE.

THE SENATOR CAN MAYBE DO THAT.

>> BARRY, YOU ARE ON MUTE.

>> Barry: I MANAGED TO GET THROUGH MOST OF THE YEAR AND NOT DO THAT.

ANYWAY, THERE'S GOING TO BE A STAND-UP COMIC ROUTINE ABOUT THAT.

TO THE SUBJECT MATTER AT HAND.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE USEFUL, AND I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS WITH REPRESENTATIVE PETERSBURG, AND SHALL THE MINNESOTA CONSTITUTION BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO HAVE A PUBLIC HE WOULD INDICATION.

THAT'S THE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE.

SENATOR PORT, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT AND ITS PROSPECTS AND SO FORTH.

>> YEAH, I HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE AMENDMENTS.

I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT LIKE REPRESENTATIVE PETERSBURG IS, HOW DO YOU JUDGE THAT?

WHAT DOES THE LANGUAGE ACTUALLY MEAN.

EQUITY ALSO PUTTING IT IN THE HANDS OF THE STATES INSTEAD OF THE LEGISLATURE, WH WHICH IT IS RIGHT NOW, AND POTENTIALLY SHIFTS THAT -- MAKES THAT A LITTLE LESS OF A SPECIFIC FOCUS THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO GET DONE EVERY YEAR.

SO I DO HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT IT.

BUT I AGREE THAT CLOSING THE OPPORTUNITY GAPS AND DISPARITY GAPS IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEMS IN MINNESOTA IS ABSOLUTELY HAS TO BE A HUGE PRIORITY.

THERE ARE OTHER PATHS THAT MIGHT BE MORE EFFECTIVE AT THAT, PARTICULARLY ONE OF THE ONES WE ARE FOCUSING ON IS MOVING IN THE SENATE AND MOVING IN THE HOUSE AS WELL AND THE INCREASING TEACHERS OF COLOR ACT.

IT REALLY DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

IF STUDENTS OF COLOR HAVE MENTORS, HAVE TEACHERS WHO LOOK LIKE THEM, WHO HAVE THE SAME LIKE EXPERIENCES AS THEM, THAT'S A VITAL PIECE AND HAS BEEN SHOWN BY STUDY AFTER STUDY TO REALLY INCREASE STUDENTS PERFORMANCES.

I THINK REALLY INVESTING IN THAT, MAKING SURE WE ARE RECRUITING THOSE TEACHERS OF COLOR IN ANYONE MINNESOTA WOULD BE A BIG STEP IN THAT DIRECTION.

THE OTHER THING I WILL SAY WE ARE ABOUT A DECADE BEHIND NOW BASED ON INFLATION AND WHERE WE WERE BEFORE THE 2000'S IN SCHOOL FUNDING.

WE HAVE A LOT TO MAKE UP IN THE YEARS WE CUT FUNDING TO K-12 EDUCATION.

MAKING THOSE BIG INVESTMENTS IS CRUCIAL RIGHT NOW AND COMING OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC WHEN THE RECOVERY IS REALLY K SHAPED, AND SOME PEOPLE ARE DOING WELL, AND THOSE WHO ARE HAVING A HARD TIME BEFORE ARE HAVING A HARDER TIME, AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO REALLY INCREASE THIS DISPARITY GAP, AND I THINK WE NEED TO BE REALLY THOUGHTFUL ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE MAKING THE MOST CRITICAL INVESTMENTS RIGHT NOW, AND WE ARE GOING TO GET SOME HELP FROM FEDERAL MONEY.

HELP WITH SUMMER SCHOOL AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THIS IS AN INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION, BEING FOCUSED ON CLOSING THOSE OPPORTUNITY GAPS, AND MAKING INVESTMENTS IN TEACHERS OF COLOR.

I THINK THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS ON.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

REPRESENTATIVE FREIBERG, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> AT THE OUTSET, IT'S IMPORTANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT ALL OF OUR CHERNE DESERVE A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE IN OUR STATE.

THE PANDEMIC HAS VAST INIQUITIES, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, BLACK, AND STUDENTS OF COLOR RECEIVING EDUCATION AND STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES.

TO YOUR QUESTION, I'M NOT CONVINCED THE PAGE KASHKARI AMENDMENT IS THE BEST WAY TO MOVE FORWARD.

I'M NOT SURE THAT CHANGING THE WORD UNIFORM IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO A WORD THAT'S MARGINALLY SYNONOMOUS IS MERELY A BAND-AID.

I THINK THE E12 BUDGETS TAKES CRITICAL STEPS IN RESPONDING TO THE PANDEMIC AND YOU KNOW, IT WILL STABILIZE SCHOOL FUNDING WITH 2% FUNDING, TO INCREASE EACH OF THE NEXT TWO YEARS, AND IT WILL INVEST IN FULL SERVICE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, AND YOU KNOW, I THINK SENIORITY PORT IS EXACTLY RIGHT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A DIVERSE GROUP OF TEACHERS AND HAVING THE TEACHERS REFLECT THE STUDENTS THAT THEY ARE TEACHING AS WELL.

WE ALSO NEED TO SEE THAZ BOTH IN TERMS OF THE DIVERSITY BUT ALSO IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL COUNSELORS, NURSES, PSYCHOLOGISTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE BILL WE ARE PUTTING FORWARD IN THE HOUSE WILL DO THAT.

>> Barry: AS LONG AS WE ARE AROUND THE TOPIC OF EDUCATION, WE HAVE CONCERNS WHERE THE HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET WILL GO.

THE REAL CONCERN ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION IS WE HAVE 40 MINNESOTA SCHOOLS IN THE FROZER FOUR, AND THERE'S A HOCKEY TOURNAMENT THIS WEEKEND.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WHAT ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING AND WHERE THAT MIGHT GO FOR US.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE PETERSBURG.

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

I KNOW WE SPENT SOME TIME TALKING ABOUT ELECTING THE REGENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

YOU KNOW, THE FUNDING FOR K-12 IS IMPORTANT, BUT POST SECONDARY, THE COLLEGES AND STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEMS AND SO FORTH, THEY ARE REALLY LOOKING FOR SOME HELP, TOO, ESPECIALLY IN BONDING AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT DOLLARS AS WELL.

I SHOULD HAVE TALKED TO BARRY O'NEILL, WHOSE THE LEAD ON THAT, BEFORE I CAME, AND MY UNDERSTANDING THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A GREAT DEAL OF CHANGE IN THAT AREA.

BUT WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN CONTROL THE TUITION COSTS.

I THINK EVEN THE TEXTBOOK COSTS THAT TEND TO BE GROWING FASTER AND FASTER EACH PARTICULAR YEAR.

IT'S A CHALLENGE THAT WE HAVE, WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE THE LAND GRANT INSTITUTION FOR EVERYBODY TO BE ABLE TO GO TO COLLEGE.

BUT WE ARE PRICING IT OUT OF THE AVERAGE PERSON'S ABILITY.

IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE DOING MORE AND MORE REGIONAL RESEARCH AND SO FORTH.

I'M ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, ADVISOR COMMITTEE FOR THE SOUTHERN RESEARCH OUTREACH CENTER, WHICH IS AN ARM OF ST. PAUL CAMPUS DOWN IN WASECA WHICH DOES A GREAT PROGRAM, AND THEY ARE REALLY DOING A LOT OF WORK THERE BUT OFTEN TIMES THE STUDENT'S ABILITY TO MOVE AROUND AND DO SOME OF THE WORK THERE IS CHALLENGING BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRAINTS OF BOTH DISTANCE AS WELL AS THE COST OF GRADUATE WORK.

I THINK IT'S A CONTINUAL PROCESS THAT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON AND DO THE BEST THAT WE CAN.

BUT I'M NOT AWARE OF WHERE THE FINAL NUMBERS ARE GOING TO END.

>> Barry: SENATOR PORT, HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> IN THE SENATE, I WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED.

TARGETS IN THE SENATE WERE REQUESTS FROM THE GOVERNOR AND REQUESTS FROM THE UNIVERSITIES ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

I THINK THERE WILL BE -- YOU KNOW, BASE ON THE SENATE NUMBERS, THEY WILL BE LOOKING AT PRETTY SIGNIFICANT BUDGET CUTS.

IT'S NOT JUST THE CORE INVESTMENTS AND UNIVERSITIES THAT HAVE ME CONCERNED.

LIKE REPRESENTATIVE PETERSBURG WAS TALKING ABOUT, IT'S TEXTBOOKS, AND IT'S ROOM AND BOARD, AND IT'S HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS, AND IT'S ALSO PROGRAMS LIKE HUNGER FOR CAMPUS THAT REALLY DO IMPORTANT WORK IN MAKING SURE STUDENTS HAVE FOOD AND ARE ABLE TO LEARN BECAUSE THEY CAN AFFORD TO EAT AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THOSE PROGRAMS, I THINK, ARE THINGS WE SHOULD REALLY BE THINKING ABOUT, ESPECIALLY COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, MAKING STRONG INVESTMENTS IN.

I HAVE BIG HOPES FOR THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON THIS ONE AND HOPING WE CAN PULL A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE HOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS AND WHAT THE SCHOOL SAID THEY NEED IN THOSE AREAS.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE FREIBERG.

>> SURE.

ALL STUDENTS A DESERVE TO HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HIGHER EDUCATION AND ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS AND ATTAIN ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE A QUICK ECONOMIC RECOVERY IS MAKING CRITICAL INVESTMENTS IN OUR HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM AND THE STUDENTS NOW, AND THE BILL THAT CHAIR PUT IN THE HOUSE WILL DO THAT, AND IT WILL INCREASE FUNDING IN THE STATE GRANT PROGRAM WHICH WILL IMPACT MORE THAN 75,000 STUDENTS, AND IT WILL PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR AND AMERICAN INDIANS STUDYING TO BECOME TEACHERS, WHICH IS WHAT SENATOR PORT WAS TALKING ABOUT EARLIER BEFORE.

WE HAVE GREAT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN MINNESOTA, AND THE LEGISLATURE HASN'T ALWAYS TREATED IT AS SUCH BUT I'M CONFIDENT WE CAN KEEP THEM GREAT.

>> Barry: SENATOR PORT, YOU OPENED PROGRAM TALKING ABOUT ONE OF YOUR AREAS OF CONCERN, WHICH WAS HOUSING, AND LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

CERTAINLY FROM THE ASPECT THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT ARE OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, IF YOU COULD ALSO TOUCH ON THE QUESTION OF THE LANDLORD TENANT SITUATION WITH OF COURSE THE MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS BEING IN PLACE AND PRESSURE IT PLACES ON LANDLORDS AND TENANTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN GAINING HOUSING, VERY COMPLEX TOPIC, LOTS OF ISSUES AND LEGAL ISSUES LURKING IN SOME OF THAT.

AND IF YOU COULD TALK ABOUT HOUSING FOR A MOMENT AND HOW YOU SEE THAT UNFOLDING IN THE SESSION AND WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

>> I WILL START BY SAYING HOUSING IS FAR AND AWAY MY FAVORITE COMMITTEE TO BE ON.

I HAD JUST AN INCREDIBLE REALLY GROUP OF BIPARTISAN LEGISLATORS ON OUR HOUSING COMMITTEE THAT ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE MAKING AS MUCH PROGRESS AS WE CAN THROUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND IT'S AN ISSUE ALL ACROSS MINNESOTA, AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR DISTRICTS, WHICH MEANS IT'S SOMETHING WE CAN ALL COME TOGETHER TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS ON.

THE CHAIR HAS RUN A GREAT COMMITTEE.

WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF THOUGHTFUL CONVERSATION AND ONE OF THE AREAS WE HAVE DONE THE MOST WORK IS AROUND THIS EVICTION MORATORIUM OFF RAMP.

WE HAVE HAD A SMALL GROUP OF SOME OF US ON COMMITTEE, BIPARTISAN GROUP OF US THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS, KNOWING THAT IT'S GOING TO COME TO A CLOSE AT SOME POINT, AND WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT IF IT'S JUST AND SUSTAINABLE FOR BOTH LANDLORDS AND TENANTS.

IT REALLY HAS BEEN A YEAR THAT NONE OF US COULD HAVE PREDICTED AND HOUSING HAS BEEN REAL PRESSURE POINTS THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

I'M REALLY HOPEFUL THAT WE ARE GOING TO PASS OUT OF THE SENATE AND AN OFF RAMP THAT'S GOING TO GET BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND WE ARE GOING TO REALLY GET TO A PLACE WHERE BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE ARE READY TO REPORT ON THIS.

WE GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE CAN'T WAIT BEFORE THE END OF THE SESSION, WE NEED TO PUT THIS IN PLACE, ESPECIALLY AS THIS NEXT ROUND OF FEDERAL MONEY IS COMING AND BEING STOOD UP RIGHT NOW, AND MINNESOTA HOUSING AGENCY HAS INFORMATION ON THEIR WEBSITE ABOUT HOW FOLKS CAN START GETTING READY SO THEY NEED TO APPLY FOR THE FUNDING.

THERE IS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS COMING TO HELP LANDLORDS AND TENANTS, AND OUR REAL GOAL IN THE LEGISLATURE AT THIS POINT NEEDS TO BE GETTING THAT INTO THE HANDS OF FOLKS WHO NEED IT.

IT IS HERE TO HELP THROUGH THIS CRISIS.

WE NEED TO GET THAT IN THEIR HAND AND NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROVIDING A PATH FOR LANDLORDS WHO HAVE DEALT WITH TENANTS WHO ARE PUTTING OTHERS IN HARMS WAY WHO ARE MAKING THE ENVIRONMENT UNSAFE FOR OTHER PEOPLE, MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO GET THOSE FOLKS MOVED OUT AND FOLKS THAT NEED HOUSING MOVED IN.

BUT I DO THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE PLACES THAT I THINK THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO COME TOGETHER AND PASS A GREAT BILL.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING AND TALKING WITH THE HOUSE AND WITH THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

I THINK THIS IS A PLACE WE WILL FIND SOME AGREEMENT PROBABLY IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE FREIBERG.

>> THANK YOU.

HARD TO FOLLOW THAT.

I SHARE SENATOR PORT'S OPTIMISM, AND I KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT'S BEING PRIORITIZED BY THE HOUSE DFL CAUCUS.

WE HAVE A COUPLE DIFFERENT COMMITTEES, HOUSING COMMITTEE, HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE THAT ARE WORKING ON THIS ISSUE.

TENTS ARE NOT FOR DIGNIFIED HOUSING SOLUTIONS NEITHER IS UPPED PASSES FOR OR VACANT BUILDINGS.

WE DO NEED TO FIND A SAFE WAY TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE -- THAT THE HOUSING CRISIS DOESN'T BECOME EXACERBATED.

THERE'S LOTS OF BILLS FUNDING EMERGENCY SERVICES GRANTS, AND ISOLATION FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC, INCREASING THE HOUSING BOARD RATES, AND THESE ARE ALL THINGS WE NEED TO LOOK AT.

CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE HAS SERVED AS A SOURCE FOR PROVIDING HOUSING OPTIONS AS WELL THROUGH HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE BONDS AND IT'S SOMETHING I THINK IS GOING TO BE PRIORITIZED AS WELL.

Z.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE PETERSBURG.

>> HOUSING IS A THREE PRONGED ISSUE.

ONE IS IN REGARDS TO THE MORATORIUM THAT CREATES ALL SORTS OF PROBLEMS.

INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THEIR RENT NOW AND NOT BEING EVICTED, IF WE DON'T PROVIDE A WAY TO MAKE BOTH PARTIES WHOLE, THEY ARE GOING TO BE EVICTED.

NOT ONLY IS THE EVICTION LOSS OF REVENUE FOR THE LANDLORD BUT THE PERSON EVICTED ALSO HAS THAT ON THEIR RECORD OR BACKGROUND CHECK, AND THINKING IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET AN APARTMENT LATER ON.

IT'S A DUAL ISSUE THAT I DON'T THINK WAS REALLY CONSIDERED WHEN THE MORATORIUM WAS PUT IN.

INSTEAD I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE DONE SOME SUPPORT FOR THEM ALL DURING THE PANDEMIC RATHER THAN MAKING THE LANDLORDS HOLD THE COST OF IT.

THE OTHER TWO ISSUES ARE HOMELESSNESS FOR HOMES, AND I COULD TELL YOU BEING ON THE HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE, WE HEARD THAT THERE'S ON ANY GIVEN DAY ABOUT 7,000 YOUTH, AND THAT'S 19 AND UNDER THAT ARE HOMELESS, AND ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT DEALS WITH THAT SAYS THEIR SURVEY SAID 90% OF THEM SAID THE REASON FOR BEING HOMELESS WAS FAMILY DYSFUNCTION.

SO WE HAVE AN ISSUE HERE WHERE IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT HOMES, IT'S ALSO ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR FAMILY STRUCTURE AND WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT.

THOSE ARE THE TWO THAT SEEM LIKE THE MOST HIGHER.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT GREATER MINNESOTA, THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE FIRST TIME HOUSING IS OUT THERE, AND IT'S FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE JOBS AND WOULD LIKE TO GET A HOME BUT SENIOR CITIZENS ARE STAYING IN THEIR HOUSE LONGER, SO THOSE HOUSES ARE NO LONGER STARTER HOMES, AND THE COST OF BUILDING A HOME IS HIGH.

I WAS TOLD BY REAL STORES IF YOU HAVE A HOUSE UNDER $250,000, IT'S USUALLY SOLD WITHIN A FEW HOURS, AND USUALLY AT A PREMIUM ABOVE WHAT THE ASKING PRICE IS, AND SPEC HOMES CAN'T BE BUILT FOR UNDER 300,000 BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MATCH UP WITH COM COMPAE SALES.

A HOUSE COSTS $30,000 MORE IN MINNESOTA THAN WISCONSIN JUST BECAUSE OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR BUILDING IT.

I THINK WE NEED TO AT LEAST REVIEW THAT AND FIND OUT IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN DO THERE.

WE HAVE A REAL SHORTAGE OF HOMES FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO MOVE INTO COMMUNITIES AND NOT ALWAYS APARTMENTS.

IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE AND I BELIEVE IT'S A THREE PRONG APPROACH.

>> Barry: ONLY A MINUTE AND A HALF OR SO LEFT.

VERY QUICKLY, WHAT ARE OUR PROSPECTS FOR FINISHING THE LEGISLATURE SESSION ON TIME.

ARE WE GOING TO GET OUT ON MAY 17 OR THEREABOUTS?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK WE WILL.

I THINK GIVEN EVERYTHING ELSE GOING ON, SPECIAL SESSIONS WE HAD OVER THE PAST YEAR, I DON'T THINK THERE WILL BE MUCH DESIRE TO SPEND ADDITIONAL TIME TOGETHER AS MUCH AS I LOVE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES.

I MEAN, I DON'T HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL.

I KNOW IN THE PAST IT HASN'T GONE THAT WAY.

ALL I CAN SAY IS I'M OPTIMISTIC THIS YEAR.

>> Barry: GET OUT ON MAY 17th.

>> WE HTO ANSWER THE QUESTION, E WILL NOT HAVE A BUDGET BY MAY 17th.

>> Barry: SENATOR PORT, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> MAYBE BECAUSE I'M A FIRST TERMER, I'M OPTIMISTIC.

I THINK WE WILL GET IT DONE.

>> Barry: I WANT TO THANK OUR PANEL, GREAT PROGRAM THIS EVENING, AND I WANT OUR VIEWERS TO COME BACK WITH US NEXT WEEK AND ALL THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW.

YOU CAN SEND YOUR QUESTIONS FOR NOW NEXT WEEK UP TO AND INCLUDING MAY 17th AND MANY WEEKS BEYOND THAT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT WEEK.

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