POSSIBLE THE CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION FOR HELPING BEST PRACTICES 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.

MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION, STANDING FOR AGRICULTURE, WORKING FOR FARMERS AT MFU.ORG.

>> Barry: GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

MY NAME IS BARRY ANDERSON.

I WILL BE YOUR HOST THIS WEEK AND ALL THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE GOES HOME.

AS WE UNRAVEL THE MYSTERIES OF ST. PAUL, WE HAVE A DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS WHO ARE GOING TO HELP UNRAVEL THOSE MYSTERIES.

WE HAVE A VETERAN PANEL, AND I WILL GET TO THOSE INTRODUCTIONS IN JUST A MINUTE.

I DO WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT THIS IS YOUR PROGRAM, AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO OUR GUESTS AND TO ALL WHO'LL BE WATCHING US THAT YOU CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS OR SEND IN VIA VARIOUS ELECTRONIC MEANS THAT WILL APPEAR ON THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.

I ALSO WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT PIONEER PUBLIC TELEVISION THAT PRODUCES THIS PROGRAM ON A WEEKLY BASIS IS PART OF A LARGER GROUP OF PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS AND PUBLIC MEDIA.

YOU CAN WATCH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON A REGULAR BASIS ON THE GAVEL TO GAVEL BASIS ON THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

YOU CAN FIND THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL, AND IT APPEARS IN VARIOUS PLACES AT VARIOUS STATIONS.

WE INVITE YOU TO DO THAT.

WE WILL COME BACK AND TALK ABOUT THAT AT THE END OF THE PROGRAM.

WE BEGIN THIS EVENING, AS WE DO EACH WEEK, BY INTRODUCING OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS.

I OPENED THE PROGRAM THIS EVENING AND REMINDED YOU IT WAS A VETERAN PANEL.

WE BRING TO YOU TONIGHT REPRESENTATIVE GENE PELOWSKI WHOSE THE LONGEST CONTINUALLY SERVING MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE.

REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI HAS BEEN A FREQUENT GUEST ON THE PROGRAM AND ALWAYS BEEN WILLING TO ASSIST US BY PICKING UP THE BALL WHEN WE NEED SOMEBODY ON SHORT NOTICE.

TONIGHT HE'S A REGULAR GUEST.

REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI, CAN YOU TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT THE BACKGROUND YOU SERVE ON AND HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN SERVING ON THE LEGISLATURE.

>> THIS WILL BE MY 37th YEAR IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE.

I CHAIR THE HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE, AND WAYS AND MEANS CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND THE RULES COMMITTEE.

IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCE AND POLICY COMMITTEE WE HAVE SPENT ALMOST ALL OF OUR TIME DOING A STUDY OF THE SYSTEMS, AND WHAT WE HAVE NOW UNCOVERED IS A MASSIVE DECLINE IN ENROLLMENT ACROSS ALL OUR HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEMS.

I WILL GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES.

MIN 25.

THEY HAVE LOST ALONE 6,000 STUDENTS.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA HAS 3 CAMPUSES EXPERIENCING DECLINING ENROLLMENT.

MORRIS AT 44.5%.

WE ARE LOOKING AT A CRISIS IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

WE CAN EXPLORE THAT AS THE PROGRAM STARTS TO EVOLVE, BUT I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO SEE A DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT BUDGET IN HIGHER EDUCATION COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE THIS YEAR.

>> Barry: WE ARE GOING TO COME BACK TO HIGHER EDUCATION, REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI, BECAUSE I THINK THAT IS A CRITICAL ISSUE.

WE HAVE NOT HAD A LOT OF DECISION ABOUT IT IN A PROCEEDING WEEKS.

BUT I'M GOING TO INTRODUCE MY OTHER GUESTS.

I DID WANT TO REMIND OUR VIEWERS, THOUGH, THAT YOU HAVE AN ACADEMIC BACKGROUND.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR DAY JOB AS AN ACADEMIC.

>> I TAUGHT AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AT WINONA SENIOR HIGH FOR 37 YEARS.

I TAUGHT ADVANCED AMERICAN GOVERNMENT.

I WAS THE DEBATE COACH.

SINCE 1975, I HAVE BEEN THE ADVISOR TO THE WINONA MODEL LEGISLATURE, WHICH THIS PASSED NOVEMBER HAD A RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENTS, GRADE 7 THROUGH 12 AND COLLEGE STUDENTS.

WE HAD 176 STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN A TWO-DAY MODEL LEGISLATURE WITH THEIR OWN HOUSE AND SENATE, GOVERNOR AND THEY HAD STANDING COMMITTEES IN THE MORNING.

SO MY OTHER JOB IS ADJUNCT FACULTY IN WINONA STATE COORDINATING FOR GRADES 7 THROUGH 12, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, CHARTER SCHOOLS, PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI, YOU AND I COULD DISCUSS VALUES AT SUCH LENGTH THAT REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL AND SENATOR HOWE, OTHER TWO GUESTS WOULD SIMPLY HAVE TO GO HOME.

WE ARE BOTH PROPONENTS OF SKILLS AND TALENT THAT YOU DEVELOP IN TERMS OF HIGH SCHOOL DEBATE.

BUT WE WILL SAVE THAT TOPIC FOR ANOTHER DISCUSSION.

LET'S MOVE ONTO THE INTRODUCTION OF OUR OTHER GUESTS.

REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL FROM DISTRICT 16A, GROVE CITY.

REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL IS A -- WE WERE DISCUSSING BEFORE THE PROGRAM BEGAN, THE THIRD MOST SENIOR LEGISLATOR CURRENTLY SERVING IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S REGRET TO REPORT BUT CAN SAY WE DISCUSSED THIS.

I THINK I FIRST MET REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL IN 1983.

THAT MAY SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE RESPECTIVE AGES ABOUT THE QUESTIONER AND QUESTIONEE.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACK GRUND.

IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, I THINK YOU ALSO HAVE A BACKGROUND IN CIVIL AND GOVERNMENT EDUCATION, AND THAT'S ALSO A PASSION OF YOURS.

>> THANK YOU.

ALWAYS GOOD TO BE ON WITH YOU GUYS.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT DEBATE, ADVICE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

MAYBE YOU COULD GIVE TIPS ON HOW TO DEBATE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

THE QUALITY SOMETIMES SEEMS LACKING.

I DON'T KNOW.

>> Barry: IT'S OFTEN IGNORED.

>> YES.

I'M IN MY 11th TERM IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE.

PRIOR TO THAT I WAS A TEACHER AT NEWLAND AND SPICER FOR 35 YEARS, AMERICAN HISTORY, CROSS COUNTRY COACH AS WELL, 3 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

I HAVE TO MENTION THAT EACH TIME.

IN THE LEGISLATURE, IN THE HOUSE, I HAD SERVED AS CHAIR OF THE MEDICINE COMMITTEE, LEGACY COMMITTEE MANY TERMS AND CURRENTLY THE REPUBLICAN LEAD ON CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND ALSO SERVE ON EDUCATION POLICY.

I'M GUESSING WE MAY TALK ABOUT CAPITAL INVESTMENT AS WE GO ALONG.

I WILL ELM IF A SAYS EDUCATION POLICY, AND I'M VERY COMMITTED TO MAKING CIVICS EDUCATION A LITTLE MORE RELEVANT IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THE LAST 6 YEARS I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON CIVICS EDUCATION BILL.

I'M OPTIMISTIC THAT THIS YEAR WE MAYBE HAVE OUR BEST CHANCE OF GETTING IT PASSED.

SO I THINK THAT KIND OF COVERS THE BACKGROUND.

>> Barry: I CAN'T WALK AWAY WITHOUT FIRST MENTIONING YOU ARE ALSO AN AUTHOR OF SEVERAL BOOKS, AS I RECALL, FOCUSING ON THE EARLY YEARS OF MINNESOTA STATE, AND I THINK PRECEDING THAT, IF I RECALL CORRECTLY.

WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU 30 SECONDS TO PLUG YOUR BACKS AND GIVE THE FLOOR TO SENATOR HOWE.

>> OKAY.

WELL, I HAVE GOT 9 PUBLISHED BOOKS.

4 OF THEM DEAL IN SOME RESPECTS WITH 1862, AND I ALSO HAVE A COUPLE OF BOOKS ON THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR AND MINNESOTA REGIMENT IN IT.

A BOOK ON MINNESOTA PRIEST IN KENYA AT A MISSIONARY, WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM AND A BOOK ON THE MINNESOTA TWINS.

ALSO I SHOULD JUST SAY THAT MY BOOK "UPRISING" HAD A RELEASE DATE PROBABLY MID-MAY.

NO STAYED MONEY USED IN THE FILMING OF THIS MOVIE.

>> Barry: WE WILL DO A PROGRAM ON THAT.

WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT.

ANYWAY, SENATOR HOWE, TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

>> WELL, I SERVE DISTRICT 13.

I SERVED 3 TERMS IN THE HOUSE.

I'M IN MY THIRD TERM IN THE SENATE.

27 YEARS IN THE FIRE SERVICE BEFORE RETIRING.

I SPENT 38 YEARS IN THE MILITARY BEFORE RETIRING.

I CURRENTLY OPERATE A CONTRACT, BUILDING OFFICIAL SERVICE.

I SERVE ON JUDICIARY PUBLIC SAFETY.

I ALWAYS SERVED ON TRANSPORTATION, 11 YEARS HERE, AND I ALSO SERVE ON COMMERCE AND ON PENSIONS.

I DO A LOT OF WORK IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND IN THE TRANSPORTATION FIELD.

>> Barry: WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THOSE ISSUES AS WELL.

LET'S GO BACK, REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI, AND LET'S START WITH THE HIGHER EDUCATION ISSUES AMONG INSTITUTIONS THAT YOU DID NOT MENTION, SOUTHWEST STATE, I UNDERSTAND ALSO HAS A DECLINE IN A NUMBER OF STUDENTS AND IS ALSO STARTING WITH THIS ISSUE.

LET'S KICK THIS OFF, AND YOU TALKED TO REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI ABOUT A BILL COMING OUT OF THE HOUSE THAT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

LET'S GO AROUND OUR HYPOTHETICAL TABLE HERE.

>> OKAY.

SO WHAT THE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE SPENT ALL BUT ONE OF ITS HEARINGS ON ARE THE BUDGETS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, MIN STATE SYSTEM AND THE OFFICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION SO WE WOULD GET A BETTER HANDLE ON EXACTLY THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM.

I ASKED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AND THE MIN STATE SYSTEM, A 10 YEAR REVIEW STARTING IN 2013 OF THE ENROLLMENT.

WE WILL GET AN UPDATE SOON ON 2022.

THE RESULTS WERE NOT GOOD.

ACROSS ALL OF THE SYSTEMS WE HAVE CHRONIC AND IN SOME CASES CRISIS IN DECLINING ENROLLMENT.

HOW THAT HAPPENED, IT'S A NATIONAL ISSUE.

BUT WE ARE NOT DEALING NATIONALLY.

WE ARE JUST DEALING WITH MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE RAISED TUITION TO A POINT WHERE IT'S SIMPLY UNAFFORDABLE FOR PEOPLE TO GO TO COLLEGE.

PLUS, YOU CAN GET A GOOD JOB NOW.

JOBS ARE OPENING ALL OVER THE PLACE.

ALSO OUR HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS HAVE BEEN SLOWING THE JOB CRISIS.

WHAT WE HAVE IN FINANCE, WHICH WE HAD A HEARING ON A WEEK AGO TUESDAY, EVERY HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR IN MINNESOTA SHOULD HAVE THE OPTION OF GRADUATING NOT JUST WITH A DIPLOMA WITH BUT AN EMPLOYABLE SKILL SET.

LOOKING HOW TO RELINK TECHNICAL COLLEGES AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO THE K-12 SYSTEM SO THAT THOSE STUDENTS WOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO ACQUIRE A SKILL SET.

AT ONE TIME A NUMBER OF THESE INSTITUTIONS WERE VOCATIONAL, AND THEY WERE INSIDE THE SYSTEM.

WE MADE THEM TECHNICAL COLLEGES, AND WHEN WE MADE THAT MOVE THEY MIGRATED, TEACHERS, EQUIPMENT, ALL OF IT, AND SIMPLY WAS NOT RETURNED.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE IN EVERY AREA, BUT IN THE VAST MAJORITY IT IS.

SO OUR GOAL IN THE COMMITTEE IS TO TAKE A LOOK AT HOW WE CAN HELP THE SYSTEMS.

THIS WOULD INCLUDE, ALSO, THE PRIVATE COLLEGES IN RESTORING ENROLLMENT AND MAKING COLLEGE AFFORDABLE AND HOW WOULD WE RELINK THE TWO-YEAR INSTITUTIONS TO THE K-12 SYSTEM SO THAT THOSE STUDENTS WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GRADUATE.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL, YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI HAS CORRECTLY IDENTIFIED AS A CRISIS SITUATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN MINNESOTA.

>> WELL, CERTAINLY IT IS A CRISIS OF THE DECLINING ENROLLMENT.

I'M GLAD TO SEE REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI IS WORKING IN THIS AREA.

I THINK HE IDENTIFIED A LOT OF THE NEEDS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IN HIGHER EDUCATION, AND I APPLAUD HIM FOR THAT.

ONE THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ADDRESSED AS WELL IS HOW WE PREPARE OUR TEACHERS, WHAT IS THE PIPELINE LIKE FOR THE FUTURE.

ONE BILL THAT I'M INTRODUCING PROBABLY NEXT WEEK ALONG THOSE LINES IS TO PAY SOME SORT OF STIPEND TO WHERE STUDENT TEACHERS, AND IT'S, I THINK, PROBLEMATIC, A LOT OF THEM, THAT IF YOU HAVE GOT TO GO OUT AND STUDENT TEACH.

YOU ARE LEAVING THE JOB THAT YOU MAYBE HAD, CAN'T GET ANOTHER ONE WHEN YOU ARE STUDENT TEACHING, AND IT'S A DIFFICULT SITUATION.

SO MAYBE WE CAN STIMULATE WHO WANTS TO BE A TEACHER AND HELP THEM OUT WITH THE STIPEND.

LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT.

>> Barry: SENATOR HOWE, AND I HAVE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION FOR REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI.

SENATOR HOWE.

>> THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT THING TO TRACK, BECAUSE I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS NOW ARE STARTING TO MIGRATE INTO THE TRADES.

THEY SEE THAT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.

I LIKE THE IDEA -- I WAS WORKING, TALKING TO A SUPERINTENDENT.

WE WERE TRYING TO FOCUS ON GETTING 16, 17 YEAR-OLDS IN THE CONSTRUCTION FIELD IN THE SUMMER BECAUSE THEY WORK ON BUILDING HOMES DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND THEY GET SOME OF THAT OSHA STUFF.

THEY GET SOME OF THAT TRADE MATERIAL AND EXCITEMENT.

BUT WHEN IT COMES IN THE SUMMERTIME, THEY CAN'T GET HIRED ON THE CONSTRUCTION SITE TO CONTINUE THAT EDUCATION OUT IN THE FIELD.

I TRULY BELIEVE THAT'S A MISTAKE.

I MEAN, I'M A BUILDING OFFICIAL.

THE REASON I GOT TO BE A BUILDING OFFICIAL IS BECAUSE I POUNDED NAILS WHEN I WAS 16, 17 YEARS OLD.

THAT SUPERINTENDENT TOLD ME, YOU KNOW, HIS TEACHERS ARE REALLY ILL EQUIPPED TO TALK ABOUT THOSE AND GUIDE THOSE KIDS, SCHOOL KIDS, INTO THE TRADES BECAUSE THEIR EXPERTISE IS THEY WANT TO -- THEY GOT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.

THEY WENT TO COLLEGE, AND THEY CAME BACK AND TAUGHT.

THEIR FIELD ISN'T IN THE TRADES.

THEY GUIDE THEM INTO AND TALK THEM INTO GOING TO COLLEGE BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY KNOW.

THAT WAS HIS INPUT.

HE WAS STRUGGLING TRYING TO GET HIS TEACHERS TO IDENTIFY WITH THAT TRADE MENTALITY AND HOW TO GET THESE FOLKS AS REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI WAS TALKING ABOUT, JOB QUALIFIED FOLKS TO GO OUT AND ACTUALLY FIND A JOB OUT THERE.

SO I THINK THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED AN ISSUE THAT DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI, FURTHER COMMENT ON THIS.

THE THIRD RAIL OF HIGHER EDUCATION IS ALWAYS THE ISSUE OF WHETHER OR NOT WE HAVE TOO MANY INSIDE STATIONS.

THIS OF COURSE IS A MAJOR POLITICAL ISSUE.

IT'S A VERY SENSITIVE QUESTION FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, BUT YOU CAN'T LOOK AT THE NUMBERS THAT YOU OPENED THE PROGRAM WITH AND NOT SAY THAT THERE MIGHT BE A CAPACITY ISSUE HERE AS WELL.

I AM JUST WONDERING IF YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT AS WELL AS COMMENTS THAT YOUR COLLEAGUES MADE AS WELL.

>> I THINK A CAPACITY ISSUE IS ONE THAT THIS SESSION ISN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY YET.

I WANT TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP THESE SYSTEMS, AND THE PRIVATE SYSTEM IS EQUALLY IN TROUBLE.

YOU HAVE SEEN AT SOME OF OUR PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS MAJOR PROGRAMS BEING DROPPED AND A DOZEN FACULTY LAID OFF.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT I WANT TO EXPLORE HOW TO HELP AND RESURRECT.

I THINK WE NEED TO DO RELINKING OF OUR K-12 SYSTEM AND HIGHER ED SYSTEM.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER 30 YEARS, WE WILL HAVE A 2 PLUS 2 SYSTEM IN WINONA AND MINNESOTA STATE SOUTHEAST TECH WHERE WE EDUCATE WHAT YAD TO BE VOCATIONAL ED TEACHERS.

YOU WILL HAVE A TWO YEAR TEACHER EDUCATION SYSTEM AT WINONA STATE.

THAT'S STEP 1.

STEP 2 IS NOW TO GET THOSE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE.

WHICH MEANS WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A COOL DAY FOR THOSE STUDENTS TO TAKE THOSE SKILL SETS.

IT MIGHT MEAN THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO TO A TWO-YEAR INSTITUTION OR BRING TWO-YEAR FACULTY OVER TO THESE HIGH SCHOOLS.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE SOLVED IN ONE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE MADE MISTAKES, I THINK, OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS.

IT'S TIME TO CORRECT THEM.

I THINK THE FIRST THING I WANT TO DO IS SEE HOW WE CAN CORRECT THEM.

>> Barry: WE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER PURSUE THESE ISSUES BECAUSE I KNOW THIS IS AN AREA OF CONCERN FOR THE RESIDENTS OF MINNESOTA.

WE FREQUENTLY GET QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STATUS OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE BUDGETS FOR RESPECTIVE INSTITUTIONS.

BUT LET'S MOVE ON TO SOME OTHER TOPICS.

I'M GOING TO START WITH SENATOR HOWE.

WE HAVE A FEWER FROM GRAND FALLS.

WE OFTEN GET THE QUESTION AND GET IT FROM A VARIETY OF PLACES THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA.

IT DOESN'T COME FROM ANY PARTICULAR PLACE, BUT IT'S ONE OF OUR FREQUENT FLYERS.

THIS VIEWER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT DOES THE PANEL THINK ABOUT RIGHT TO REPAIR.

IN THIS VIEWER'S MIND THE MOST IMPORTANT IS THE RIGHT OF FARMERS TO REPAIR THEIR MACHINERY.

I WANT TO START WITH YOU, SENATOR HOWE, TO SEE IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO OFFER ON THAT QUESTION, AND WE WILL MOVE ON FROM THERE.

>> THANK YOU.

I TRULY BELIEVE THAT AS LONG AS THEY -- I TALKED TO SOME OF THE IMPLEMENT DEALERS.

I THINK YOU ABSOLUTELY SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO REPAIR YOUR IMPLEMENT.

I THINK THAT WHEN YOU -- AS FAR AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE IMPLEMENT DEALER, THEY WILL SELL YOU THE TOILS.

THEY WILL SELL YOU THE DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT.

THEY WILL SELL YOU THE PARTS AND HELP YOU, IN FACT, BE A GUIDE TO HELP YOU FIX IT YOURSELF, BUT WHAT THEY DON'T LIKE TO SEE IS WHEN SOMEONE, FOR LACK OF BETTER TERMS JERRY RIGS THE OUTFIT OR PUTS A CHIP IN IT THAT'S NOT THE RIGHT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.

I HAVE NOT HEARD OF, AND NOBODY HAS GIVEN ME A GOOD EXAMPLE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO BUY THE PART, NOT BEING ABLE TO BUY THE TOOLS TO PUT THE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT IN.

ALL OF THAT STUFF IS AVAILABLE TO FOLKS.

THE PIECE THAT I DON'T THINK IS AVAILABLE TO FOLKS IS WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR ELECTRONICS AND APPLE AND THAT TYPE OF THING.

I THINK THAT IS WHERE THE BIG CONCERN IS IS THOSE FOLKS AREN'T ALLOWED TO FIX THEIR OWN PHONE OR THEIR OWN COMPUTER.

THAT'S A BIGGER ISSUE, BECAUSE THEY DON'T GIVE THEM THE TOOLS.

THEY DON'T GIVE THEM THE GUIDE.

ALL THE IMPLEMENT DEALERS I HAVE TALKED TO ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND I HAVE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT ASK ME ABOUT IT, SO I HAVE GONE TO THE IMPLEMENT DEALERS AND SAID HEY, WHAT'S UP, AND THEY ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO SELL YOU THE DECREASE STICK EQUIPMENT, THE TOOLS TO FIX IT AND THE PART TO FIX IT.

IF YOU WANT TO PUT THE LABOR IN TO FIX IT YOURSELF, THEY ARE MORE THAN WILL TO DO THAT.

I DON'T EXACTLY KNOW WHERE THE DISCONNECT IS THERE.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL, THERE HAVE BEEN BILLS OFFERED IN VARIOUS OTHER STATES, NOT WHERE ONE THAT HAS PASSED, BUT I KNOW A NUMBER OF THEM HAVE FOUNDERED AND THE ISSUE OFTEN SEEMS TO BE, AS SENATOR HOWE SUGGESTED, ALONG THE ELECTRONICS SITE OF THINGS AND UNWILLINGNESS TO PROVIDE CODE AND THE DATA FRAMEWORK TO ALLOW SO-CALLED NONCERTIFIED REPAIR OPERATIONS.

TELL OUR VIEWERS, THOUGH, YOUR OBSERVATIONS ON THIS ISSUE.

>> FIRST I THINK SENATOR HOWE DID A GOOD JOB OF RUNNING THROUGH THE CIRCUMSTANCES WITH THIS.

I THINK THAT FARMERS AND OTHERS CERTAINLY SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO REPAIR.

THERE MAY BE, AS YOU WERE SAYING, ELECTRONIC SITUATIONS WHERE IT DOESN'T QUITE WORK OUT.

BUT IN A GENERAL SENSE, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO REPAIR THEIR EQUIPMENT IF THEY HAVE THE TOOLS AND THE KNOW HOW TO DO SO.

OBVIOUSLY THINGS HAVE CHANGED SINCE PAST GENERATIONS.

MY DAD WAS A FARMER.

I CAN'T IMAGINE IT EVER EVEN BEING A QUESTION THEN ABOUT SHOULD YOU BE ABLE TO REPAIR YOUR EQUIPMENT IF YOU WANTED TO.

BUT TIMES HAVE CHANGED, EQUIPMENT HAS CHANGED, BUT AGAIN, IN A GENERAL SENSE, I THINK OUR FARMERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO REPAIR THEIR EQUIPMENT.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI, QUICKLY YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS.

>> I WOULD SUPPORT BEING ABLE TO REPAIR BUT I UNDERSTAND WHEN YOU HAVE PROPRIETARY KNOWLEDGE, WHETHER IT'S SOFTWARE OR HARDWARE, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO RELEASE THAT EASILY, IF THEY EVER RELEASE IT AT ALL.

GOING BACK TO THE IDEA OF A SKILL SET, THE MOST INTERESTING THING I DISCOVERED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS WITH THE TWO-YEAR TECHNICAL COLLEGE IS ONCE THE INDIVIDUAL GETS THE SKILL SET, IT'S THE COMPANY OR THE BUSINESS THAT GIVES THEM THE PROPRIETARY SKILLS IN ORDER TO DO THE WORK.

YOU ARE REALLY DOING TWO DIFFERENT LEVELS HERE.

YOU ARE GIVING SOMEONE A GENERIC SKILL SET AND PROPRIETARY IS THE BUSINESS.

IT'S PART OF HOW THEY MAKE THEIR PROFITS.

>> Barry: WE WILL PROBABLY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THIS AS THE WEEKS GO BY.

SPEAKING OF AN ISSUE THAT IS ANOTHER FREQUENT FLYER FOR OUR GUESTS OVER MANY WEEKS, WE HAVE VIEWERS IN SMITH COUNTY WHO ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ISSUE OF THE TAXATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AND WONDER WHAT THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO DO ABOUT THAT.

LET'S START WITH YOU REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL.

TAXATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS, AND WHAT'S THE STATUS OF THAT IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> WELL, THIS IS A BIG ISSUE.

A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT IT.

WE CAME VERY CLOSE, I THINK, LAST SESSION TO PASSING AN EXEMPTION FOR -- TOTAL EXEMPTION FOR SOCIAL SECURITY.

BUT IT FELL BY THE WAYSIDE AS PRETTY MUCH EVERY OTHER BILL DID LAST SESSION.

AS TO WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW, IN THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE CAUCUS WOULD LIKE TO SEE A TOTAL EXEMPTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY AND BASICALLY YOU COULD MAKE THE ARGUMENT THAT PEOPLE ARE BEING TAXED TWICE ON THE SAME MONEY.

SO WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A TOTAL EXEMPTION.

I BELIEVE THERE IS SOME OBJECTION TO THAT THROUGH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TAX COMMITTEE AND THE MINNESOTA HOUSE AND MAYBE REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI WOULD LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT THE MOOD IS WITH THE DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE.

I KNOW THAT THE SENATE REPUBLICANS, SENATOR HOWE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE A TOTAL EXEMPTION.

THERE MAY BE SOME HOPE.

I HEARD THE CHAIR OF THE TAX COMMITTEE THERE, SENATOR REST, IS IN LINE TO AT LEAST BE DOING SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES.

REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

THERE IS A STRONG MOVE TO GET THAT TOTAL EXEMPTION IF WE CAN OR MAYBE A PARTIAL EXEMPTION OR AGAIN MAYBE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

LET'S GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND SEE HOW IT WORKS OUT.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI, TAXATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

>> I WOULD SUPPORT A FULL REPEAL OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY TAX.

BUT THERE HAD BEEN AN ELECTION, AND THE ELECTION CHANGED THINGS, ONE THE SENATE AS A BRAND-NEW MAJORITY.

THE NEW TAX CHAIR, BUT A VERY SEASONED TAX CHAIR IN SENATOR REST.

WE HAVE A BRAND-NEW TAX CHAIR IN THE HOUSE.

THIS IS NOT PAUL MARQUART BUT SENATOR GOMEZ, AND THE WHOLE VIEW OF HOW IT'S DONE NOW IN THE DFL HAS CHANGED.

I WOULD HOPE IF WE CAN'T GET A FULL REPEAL THAT WE WOULD AT LEAST GET SOME TYPE OF PARTIAL REPEAL OF SOCIAL SECURITY TAX.

I THINK THAT'S MORE LIKELY TO HAPPEN THAN A FULL REPEAL.

>> Barry: SENATOR HOWE, SOCIAL SECURITY TAX AND ITS STATUS IN UPCOMING YEARS.

>> WELL, I KNOW THAT THERE'S A BIG PUSH FOR IT.

A LOT OF ACCEPTANCE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE IN THE SENATE TO DO THAT, TO REPEAL THE WHOLE THING.

WE TRIED TWICE TO BRING IT OUT OF COMMITTEE AND TO THE SENATE FLOOR, TWICE THIS SESSION AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT DONE.

THAT ONE VOTE REALLY PARTICULARS IN OUR CRAWL, I GUESS.

EVEN THE DEMOCRAT AUTHOR THAT WANTS A FULL TOTAL REPEAL WILL NOT VOTE TO BRING IT TO THE FLOOR.

I DO BELIEVE THE GOVERNOR IS -- HE DOESN'T WANT A FULL REPEAL, AND I THINK THAT, I HATE TO SAY IT, HE WILL PROBABLY GET HIS WAY.

I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD DO A FULL REPEAL AND NOT BE ONE OF THE 11.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, I GOT A FEELING THEY ARE GOING TO MARCH TO THE GOVERNOR'S DRUM, AND WE ARE GOING TO GET A PARTIAL REPEAL PROBABLY ADJUST IT FOR INFLATION, AND THAT'S PROBABLY WHERE WE WILL SIT.

>> WHAT THE SENATOR SAID, HE MEANT 11 STATES.

THERE ARE ONLY 12 STATES IN THE UNION THAT TAX SOCIAL SECURITY AND THAT'S WHAT THE SENATOR WAS REFERRING TO.

>> Barry: SENATOR HOWE, LET'S GO TO A NEW QUESTION THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD IN PREVIOUS WEEKS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I LEARNED IN PRESIDING OVER THIS PROGRAM OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 3 DECADES IS HOW INVOLVED OUR VIEWERS ARE IN WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE DETAIL THAT THEY OFTEN BRING TO OUR PROGRAM.

THIS VIEWER CITES -- IS ASKING A QUESTION ABOUT A STATUS OF A BILL THAT I CONFESS I HAD NOT HEARD ABOUT, AND THAT IS PROPOSED LEGISLATION RELATING TO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS.

SENATOR HOWE, I'M GOING TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT AND ASK YOU DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND WHAT CAN WE TELL OUR VIEWERS?

>> IT'S NOT ONLY SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS BUT IT'S ALL THE SEASONAL FOLKS, THE HOURLY WAGE FOLKS.

THERE'S A PUSH TO GIVE ALL THE HOURLY WAGE SCHOOL EMPLOYEES, HAVE THEM QUALIFIED FOR UNEMPLOYMENT.

THEY NEVER HAVE IN THE PAST, AND I'M NOT SURE WHY IT WAS NEVER DONE IN THE PAST.

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT I THINK THEY CAN TAKE YOUR WAGES OVER 12 MONTHS INSTEAD OF 9.

I KNOW TEACHERS CAN DO THAT OR SOME OF THEM COULD.

I'M NOT SURE WHY THE EARLY WAGE FOLKS WERE INCLUDED BUT THEY HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THAT SYSTEM.

THERE'S BILLS THAT HAVE COME FORWARD.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE MOOD OF THE SENATE IS ON THAT, AND I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY DISCUSSION ON IT.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT GOES FORWARD.

BUT THE HOURLY WAGE FOLKS, CAFETERIA FOLKS, ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT WORK DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR BUT ARE CONSIDERED HOURLY DON'T QUALIFY RIGHT NOW FOR UNEMPLOYMENT.

SO THEY ARE UNEMPLOYED IN THOSE 3 MONTHS AND HAVE TO GO FIND OTHER WORK TO KEEP THEIR INCOME GOING.

I HAVE GOT, I BELIEVE, 3 OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS THAT ACTUALLY FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI, YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> IT'S A THURSDAY.

WE ONLY HAVE 2,173 BILLS THAT ARE INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE, WHICH IS A RECORD OF RECORDS.

SO YOU CAN PROBABLY FIND THE BILL FOR WHATEVER ISSUE YOU WANTED TO BRING UP DURING ANY CONVERSATION.

THAT'S ONE OF OUR PROBLEMS.

WE ARE NOW LITERALLY SINKING UNDER AN AVALANCHE OR TSUNAMI UNDER BILL INTRODUCTIONS.

I WOULD SEE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET A BILL FOR UNEMPLOYMENT.

BUT WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT BILLS THAT ARE IN FRONT OF US, IT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY FAST, BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT THIS YET.

THIS SESSION IS MOVING VERY FAST.

>> Barry: YES, AND OF COURSE THE SPEED WILL PICK UP VERY SOON BECAUSE WE WILL GET THE FINANCE REPORT, THE BUDGET STATUS, I THINK, IN THIS NEXT WEEK, WEEK TO 10 DAYS ANYWAY AND THAT WILL ACCELERATE MATTERS SUBSTANTIALLY.

REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT BILL.

>> I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT CERTAINLY CAN BE LOOKED AT, BUT THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT IT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE COST IS.

I HAVEN'T SEEN A FISCAL NOTE.

THE COMMITTEE THAT I SERVE ON, EDUCATION POLICY, NOTHING HAS COME FORWARD THERE YET.

MAYBE IT WOULD BE EDUCATION FINANCE BEFORE US ANYWAY.

SO IT'S SOMETHING TO CONSIDER.

BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE VARIOUS FACTORS INVOLVED BEFORE A DECISION IS MADE.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI, I WANT TO GO BACK TO AN ISSUE YOU RAISED, AND THAT'S CAPITAL INVESTMENT, BONDING BILLS, FACILITIES, TYPICALLY THE BUDGET YEAR IS NOT A YEAR FOR MAJOR PONDING BILL, BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE ONE LAST YEAR FOR VARIOUS REASONS.

THAT MAY CHANGE THE DYNAMICS OF THIS SOME, AND OF COURSE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROJECTS THAT AWAIT FURTHER ACTION.

TELL OUR VIEWERS ABOUT WHAT THE STATUS MIGHT BE OF CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS BONDING.

>> FIRST OF ALL, REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL IS ON THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT, TOO, AND HE'S REPUBLICAN LEAD.

I WANT TO CONGRATULATE REPRESENTIVE URDAHL, BECAUSE HE MAKES SURE THERE'S MINORITY INPUT.

IN A TRADITIONAL BILL WE NEED REPUBLICAN VOTES.

WE NEED 11 REPUBLICAN VOTES TO PASS THE BILL.

THEY ARE IN WAYS AND MEANS AND WILL BE GOING TO THE FLOOR.

WE DON'T HAVE YET THE MINORITY PROJECTS IN THE BILL AND I KNOW REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL IS WORKING ON THAT.

THIS IS UNIQUE TO HAVE CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILLS THIS EARLY BUT I THINK IT'S ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US PASS -- BASICALLY THIS BILL IS FULL OF PROJECTS FROM PREVIOUS LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS.

SO THIS IS GOING TO BE A PICK ME UP BILL.

THERE'S LIKELY TO BE, PERHAPS, ANOTHER BILL LATER THIS SESSION THAT WILL BE FOR NEWER PROJECTS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US GET AT LEAST THIS BILL OUT OF THE WAY AND INCLUDE THE NEWER PROJECTS.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL, CAPITAL INVESTMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

AND WHEN HE SAYS WE ARE MOVING FAST, THIS BILL THAT WE ARE TRYING TO GET THROUGH RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR OVER A YEAR AND SOME OF THE PROJECTS IN THIS BILL WERE VETTED TWO YEARS AGO.

SO WE ARE TRYING TO CATCH UP.

WE DIDN'T DO A BILL LAST BIENNIUM AT ALL.

IT'S IMPORTANT.

WE DO THESE BILLS TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROPERTY OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THIS.

OUR LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGES, WATER PROJECTS, THE DNR, COLLEGES, UNIVERSITY, BUILDINGS, ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

SO IT'S AN IMPORTANT BILL TO DO.

WHERE WE ARE IS REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI SAID, LAST WEEK IN COMMITTEE, THE BILLS ARE SENT OUT AND ACTUALLY WE HAVE TWO BILLS.

THE IDEA IS TO HAVE A SEPARATION, ONE, OF CASH PROJECTS AND THE OTHER OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDING PROJECTS.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE FIRST WEEKEND IN MARCH THOSE WILL BE COMING FORWARD.

WE HAVE A 1.5 BILLION DOLLAR BONDING BILL THAT'S MADE UP OF THE AGENCY DEPARTMENT PROJECTS AND BUDGETS BUT ALSO WE HAVE 180 MILLION OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN THAT FOR 1.5 BILLION TOTAL.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING PRETTY WELL WITH EACH OTHER.

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, CHAIR LEE HAS BEEN VERY FAIR.

WE DIVIDED THE MONEY, THE GO BONDS 50/50, DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN.

THE CASH IS $380 MILLION.

THAT ALSO IS DIVIDED 50/50.

THESE ARE THE LOCAL PROJECTS THAT MOST LEGISLATORS ARE VERY ANXIOUS TO SEE PASSED.

SO THOSE ARE TWO BILLS, ONE WITH THE CASH, ONE WITH THE GO, AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL GET THEM BOTH ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, AND THEY WILL GO OFF TO THE SENATE.

NOW, IN THE SPRING, AS REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI MENTIONED, WE VERY WELL MAY BE DOING ANOTHER BILL.

IT WOULD BE HIGHLY UNUSUAL TO DO TWO BONDING BILLS THE FIRST YEAR OF THE BIENNIUM, WHICH IS TRADITIONALLY THE BUDGET BIENNIUM.

NEXT YEAR IS THE SECOND YEAR, AND THAT'S TRADITIONALLY THE BONDING, AND WE PROBABLY WILL BE DOING ANOTHER BONDING BILL NEXT YEAR.

VERY UNUSUAL IN THE SITUATION THAT WE ARE IN TO DO POTENTIALLY 3 BONDING BILLS.

IT'S UNUSUAL IN THAT WE DID NOT DO ONE LAST BIENNIUM AND ALSO THAT WE HAVE SO MUCH MORE MONEY THAN USUAL IN THIS BIENNIUM.

THE NEED IS THERE.

THE REQUESTS ARE MUCH GREATER THAN THE MONEY THAT WE WILL BE DISBURSING.

I THINK WE HAD $5 BILLION IN REQUESTS FROM VARIOUS AGENCIES AND LOCAL PROJECTS.

SO THE NEED IS THERE.

THE DESIRE IS THERE TO DO THESE PROJECTS, AND SENATOR HOWE AND THE SENATE ARE KEY PLAYERS IN THIS.

>> SENATOR HOWE, BONDING BILLS, CAPITAL INVESTMENT.

>> WELL, I WILL TELL YOU THAT I'M ANXIOUS TO GET A BONDING BILL, TOO.

BUT I AM STILL GETTING REQUESTS FROM MY LOCAL AREA FOR BONDING REQUESTS, FOR ROAD PROJECTS.

WE JUSTIFIED THAT THE ROAD BETWEEN AVON AND ALBANY IS FALLING APART, AND WE NEED BONDING FOR THAT.

WE NEED MONEY FOR THE TRANSPORTATION PIECE.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE GOT THOSE IN THE PIPELINE AT THE REVISORS OFFICE, AND AS REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL SAID, VERY UNUSUAL TO DO TWO BONDING BILLS IN ONE YEAR.

AS TOUGH AS THEY ARE TO GET DONE, REMEMBER WE WORKED ON THIS LAST YEAR THE ENTIRE YEAR, COOPERATE BRING IT TO THE PLATE.

SO WHEN YOU TELL ME I'M GOING TO GET ANOTHER BITE AT THE APPLE, AT THE BONDING APPLE THIS YEAR, SORRY THAT I'M NOT THAT FAITHFUL THAT THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

MY VIEW IS I WANT TO GET AS MUCH INTO THE THIS BONDING BILL AS I POSSIBLY CAN, BECAUSE THERE'S NO GUARANTEES I'M GOING TO GET ANOTHER BONDING PROJECT, BONDING BILL.

I HAVE GOT AIRPORT PROJECTS, ROAD PROJECTS.

I HAVE GOT A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROJECTS THAT NEED, YOU KNOW -- SEWER PROJECTS THAT NEED MONEY TO GET DONE.

UNLESS WE GET THEM INTO THIS BONDING BILL, I DON'T HAVE HIGH HOPES WE ARE GOING TO GET ANOTHER BONDING BILL.

SO I WANT TO GET AS MUCH INTO THIS BONDING BILL AS I POSSIBLY CAN.

I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE SIZE OF IT.

I KNOW THE NEED IS THERE.

WE NEED TO GET IT DONE.

THIS IS GOING AT A RAPID PACE.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TOO FAST.

I THINK WE NEED TO SLOW THE BUS DOWN AND FILL THE BUS UP COMPLETELY BEFORE WE SEND IT DOWN THE ROAD.

THAT'S MY OPINION.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT THAT IS WHERE THE REPRESENTATIVE CAUCUS IS.

I HAVE GOT A LOT OF PROJECTS IN THE DEAL, AND I WOULD LOVE TO GET FUNDED THIS YEAR BEFORE WE SEND THAT BILL DOWN THE ROAD.

>> I MARKED DOWN ALL THE PROJECTS HERE.

WE WILL TAKE CARE OF IT.

>> Barry: ALL RIGHT.

LET'S MOVE ON TO A CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC.

WE HAVE VIEWERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS QUESTION.

I'M NOT GOING TO TRY TO -- THE QUESTIONS ARE FAIRLY DETAILED.

I'M GOING TO ASK IT IN A MORE GENERIC OR GENERAL SENSE, BECAUSE THERE ARE LOTS OF MOVING PIECES HERE.

WE HAVE VIEWERS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION, THINGS SUCH AS RED FLAG LAWS, OTHER PROVISIONS THAT ONE MIGHT REGARD AS GUN CONTROL PROVISIONS AND OTHERS WHO ARE OPPOSED FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, INCLUDING CONSTITUTIONAL REASONS.

I'M JUST GOING TO GIVE THE PANEL AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THIS TOPIC.

LET'S START WITH YOU REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE HOUSE ON THIS SUBJECT?

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THIS?

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN?

THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> FIRST OF ALL, LAST WEEK RECEIVED COMMUNICATION FROM MY COUNTY SHERIFF IN MEEKER COUNTY AND THE COUNTY SHERIFFS IN THIS REGION, AND THERE ARE 12 OF THEM THAT SIGNED A LETTER.

THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE BILLS.

THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THIS ENDEAVOR.

THEY ARE CONCERNED WITH THE RED FLAG LAWS, BUT PEOPLE BASICALLY BEING CHARGED WITH CRIME BEFORE THE FACT, BEFORE VIOLENCE OCCURS WITH THE GUN.

THEY ARE HAVING THEIR PROPERTY CONFISCATED FROM THEM.

NORMALLY IT'S AFTER SOMETHING HAPPENS.

OF COURSE WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE SAFE.

BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER LAWS IN TERMS OF WHAT WE DO TO OUR CRIMINALS RIGHT NOW.

WE NEED TO TOUGHEN UP OUR SENTENCING, TOUGHEN UP THE ENFORCEMENT CATEGORIES AND BASICALLY SHERIFFS ARE SAYING THAT TYPE OF THING TO ME.

THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE BEING PENALIZED BEFORE THE CRIME IS COMMITTED.

THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT IN DEALING WITH THESE PEOPLE.

IN TERMS OF WHAT'S HAPPENING, THERE ARE BILLS BEING PRESENTED, RED FLAG AND OTHERS.

I THINK MOST OF THE BILLS THAT ARE CONCERNING TO PEOPLE ARE BEING INTRODUCED.

IN THE HOUSE THEY HAVE A CHANCE OF PASSING.

I CAN SEE THE MAJORITY BEING ABLE TO CARRY THE DAY ON ALL OF THESE JUST AS THEY HAVE BEEN IN ALMOST EVERY OTHER BILL THEY WANT TO DO.

>> Barry: SENATOR HOWE, WHAT'S THE PERSPECTIVE IN THE SENATE ON GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION GENERALLY?

>> WELL, THERE'S BEEN 5 BILLS INTRODUCED.

I THINK THEY ARE ILL ADVISED, ALL 5 OF THEM.

LIKE REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL SAID, THE RED FLAG LAW, THE UNIVERSAL REGISTRATION, THE -- THERE'S A FIREARM AND AMMO STORAGE BILL THAT SAYS THAT YOU HAVE GOT TO HAVE YOUR FIREARM UNDER -- UNLOADED AND UNDER LOCK AND KEY AT ALL TIMES, AND YOUR AMMO STORAGE SEPARATELY.

IF YOU HAVE GOT A FIREARM FOR PERSONAL SAFETY OF YOUR HOME, I'M SURE YOU CAN HAVE THE PERPETRATOR THAT'S BREAKING INTO YOUR HOUSE TO WAIT A MINUTE WHILE YOU UNLOCK YOUR GUN, YOUR FIREARM, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE AND GET OUR AMMUNITION AND LOAD IT UP.

I'M SURE HE'S GOING TO GIVE YOU THE TIME TO GET ALL OF THAT DONE.

IN MY AREA IT'S GOING TO TAKE YOU 20 MINUTES TO GET A 911 RESPONSE.

I'M SURE THEY WILL WAIT FOR YOU TO GET THAT DONE.

I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND.

IT'S NICE MAYBE WHEN YOU LIVE DOWN IN MINNEAPOLIS OR ST. PAUL WHEN YOU HAVE GOT ALL THESE OFFICERS EVERYWHERE THAT WILL COME LICKITY-SPLIT, BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

THE LAST BILL THAT DROPPED WAS FROM SENATOR MARTY THAT IT BASICALLY -- AND IT SAYS IT RIGHT IN THE BILL, WANTS TO TREAT YOUR FIREARM LIKE YOUR CAR.

THEY WANT TO LICENSE IT, REGISTER IT AND HAVE LIABILITY INSURANCE ON IT.

THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, WHEN I TALKED TO THEM, SAID YOU CAN'T INSURE AN INTENTIONAL ACT.

SO IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT TRYING TO INSURE SOMETHING FOR SANDY HOOK OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, CAN'T BE DONE.

THERE ARE SOME OUTFITS OUT THERE THAT WILL INSURE YOUR GUN AND FOR A LEGAL PROCESS IF YOU DISCHARGE A FIREARM AND SOMEONE GETS HURT.

THEY WILL BACK YOU FOR THAT AND PROVIDE LIABILITY INSURANCE.

BUT THIS THING IS -- THESE BILLS ARE OVERREACHING.

I THINK REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL WAS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

WE NEED TO GO AFTER THE CRIMINALS AND ACTUALLY ENFORCE THE LAWS THAT WE HAVE ON THE BOOKS AND MAYBE PUT SOME MINIMUM SENTENCING ON THEM THAT IS STIFFER, MUCH, MUCH STIFFER WHEN YOU USE A FIREARM IN THE ACT OF A CRIME AND STOP TRYING TO MAKE CRIMINALS OUT OF LAW ABIDING GUN OWNERS.

THAT'S WHAT MOST OF THESE BILLS ARE GOING OUT TO DO.

THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE GUNS, THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE CRIMINALS OUT OF THIS WHOLE THING INSTEAD OF GOING AFTER THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE ILLEGAL GUNS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

I THINK WE ARE JUST MISGUIDED, AND OUR FOCUS IS WRONG.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI?

>> I DON'T THINK I CAN ADD ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT URDAHL AND SENATOR HOWE ALREADY EXPRESSED.

I THINK THEY PRETTY WELL COVERED IT.

>> Barry: VERY GOOD.

LET'S MOVE ON TO ANOTHER TOPIC THAT HAS BEEN OF CONCERN TO OUR VIEWERS.

THAT IS THE ISSUES THAT DEAL WITH POSSIBLE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.

ARE THERE ANY CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT ARE LIKELY TO SEE ACTION IN THIS SESSION?

I SHOULD REMIND OUR VIEWERS THAT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS OF COURSE HAVE TO BE PASSED BY THE ELECTORATE, SO MANY OF THOSE WOULD TYPICALLY OCCUR IN THE SO-CALLED EVEN NUMBERED OR SHORT SESSION.

BUT WE DO HAVE SOME THAT OCCUR EARLIER.

REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI, LET'S START WITH YOU.

ANY CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ON THE HORIZON?

>> I HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANY RIGHT NOW, SO I COULDN'T EXPRESS IT.

I'M NOT ON ANY COMMITTEES THAT WOULD LOOK AT THOSE.

I IMAGINE IN THE 2,173 BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED, THERE PROBABLY ARE SOME.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT.

>> I DON'T KNOW OF ANY RIGHT NOW THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP EITHER.

I WILL JUST POINT OUT THAT A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, IF THEY PASS THE HOUSE, PASS THE SENATE, THEY DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE THE SIGNATURE OF THE GOVERNOR.

SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT WITH CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.

SOMETHING COULD BE BROUGHT UP, BUT I'M NOT AWARE OF ANYTHING RIGHT NOW.

IF IT DID, I WOULD GUESS IT MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ELECTIONS.

>> Barry: SENATOR HOWE, ANY CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS?

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI.

I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT ALL 2,000 PLUS BILLS, BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN ONE AND I HAVEN'T HEARD ONE DISCUSSED.

>> Barry: ALL RIGHT.

WE ALSO HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER ABOUT THE LEGISLATION THAT HAS BEEN MOVING TO DEAL WITH SCHOOL LUNCHES AND A FAIR AMOUNT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS.

VIEWER IS WANTING TO KNOW WHAT THE STATUS IS.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL, WHAT'S THE STATUS OF THE LEGISLATION DEALING WITH -- I THINK I'M ACCURATELY REFERRING TO IT AT FREE SCHOOL LUNCH FOR ALL STUDENTS BUT ESSENTIALLY NOT HAVING -- NOT REQUIRING PARENTS TO PAY.

REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL, YOUR COMMENTS ON THAT?

>> IT PASSED ON THE COMMITTEE I SERVE ON AND PASSED THE HOUSE FLOOR.

THE CONCERN THERE IS FOR A SIZEABLE NUMBER OF STUDENTS, THIS IS THEIR MAIN MEAL OF THE DAY.

THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY PAYING FOR IT.

THERE ARE THOSE THAT HAVE RUN UP A TAB.

WE DID DO A BILL ABOUT THIS TO RECTIFY IT.

BUT THERE'S THE LUNCH SHAMING WHERE THEY ARE GIVEN A CHEAPER LUNCH, AND WE TRIED TO GET AWAY FROM THAT.

BUT THERE ARE CONCERNS.

WE HAVE CHILDREN WHO NEED THE MEAL WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO PAY FOR IT AND ARE FALLING BEHIND.

THAT SAID, WE HAD SOME CONCERNS CERTAINLY WITH OUR HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS THAT WE SHOULDN'T NECESSARILY BE GIVING FREE LUNCHES TO THE CHILDREN OF PARENTS WHO CAN AFFORD IT.

THIS IS EVERYONE, WHETHER YOU HAVE A LOT OF MONEY IN THE BANK OR NONE AT ALL.

YOU GET YOUR CHILDREN -- YOUR CHILDREN GET A FREE LUNCH.

SOME WERE KIND OF CONCERNED THAT OKAY WE HAVE THE SITUATION WHERE WE WANT TO DO THE TOTAL EXEMPTION SOCIAL SECURITY BUT WE ARE TOLD CAN'T DO THAT, BECAUSE THEN YOU ARE GIVING A TAX BREAK TO THE RICH.

APPARENTLY IT'S WRONG TO DO WITH SOCIAL SECURITY, BUT YOU CAN GIVE A TAX BREAK TO THE RICH REGARDING SCHOOL LUNCHES.

MIGHT BE KIND OF A MINOR POINT, BUT IT WAS CONCERNING TO SOME.

BUT IT'S PASSED.

I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S GOT TO THE SENATE YET.

BUT I WOULD SAY THIS IS A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT'S GOING TO BE COMING ALONG.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI ON THIS.

>> IT PASSED.

I VOTED FOR IT.

I HAD SAME CONCERNS.

PANDEMIC ILLUSTRATED THE NEED FOR CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE GOOD MEAL A DAY.

I SUPPORT IT.

>> Barry: SENATOR HOWE.

>> WELL, I AGREE THAT RIGHT NOW THE FORMULA LOOKS -- >> Barry: MAYBE YOU SHOULD TELL US IF YOU KNOW WHAT THE STATUS OF THE BILL IS IN THE SENATE AS WELL.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S AT IN THE PROGRESS.

I KNOW IT'S HAD SOME HEARINGS.

I TALKED TO THE AUTHOR ON THE LATE NIGHT WE HAD TUESDAY NIGHT ABOUT THE BILL.

MY CONCERN IS I THINK, LIKE REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL DISCUSSED, IS YOU HAVE GOT THE MINNETONKAS AND EDINAS OF THE WORLD GETTING MORE MONEY TO THEIR SCHOOL THAN THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE THE HIGHER FOLKS THAT QUALIFY FOR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH.

SO IT SEEMS KIND OF UPSIDE DOWN IN THAT FORMULA AS THEY DO THAT.

THE OTHER THING THAT I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IS WHEN THEY SAY THIS IS THE ONLY MEAL THEY GET, YOU KNOW, IF THEY QUALIFY FOR REDUCED LUNCH, IF THEY HAVE -- I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHERE ALL THE MONEY IS GOING.

BECAUSE YOU HAVE GOT FOLKS OUT THERE WITH SNAP BENEFITS.

YOU HAVE GOT ALL THESE PROGRAMS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE AREN'T GOING HUNGRY AND YET FOR SOMEHOW THE KIDS DON'T GET FED AT SCHOOL OR THEY ARE NOT PAYING THEIR SCHOOL LUNCH.

I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHY THAT HAPPENS.

I THINK THAT'S BAD PARENTING IF THAT'S THE CASE.

YOU DON'T GET A CHEAPER MEAL THAN WHAT YOU GET AT A SCHOOL LUNCH, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.

THEY ARE VERY INEXPENSIVE.

THE PARENTS SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR KIDS.

I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHY WE DO THIS.

IF WE WANT TO DO IT, FINE AND DANDY.

BUT IT'S A BIG PRICE TAG.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHERE THE SNAP BENEFITS AND ALL THE EBT CARDS ARE BEING PAID FOR IF THEY ARE NOT PAYING FOR THEIR KIDS SCHOOL LUNCH.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE PELOWSKI, LET'S MOVE ON TO A DIFFERENT TOPIC.

WE ONLY HAVE THREE MINUTES LEFT.

PROBABLY OUR LAST TOPIC OF THE EVENING, I SUSPECT.

WE HAVE VIEWERS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE GETTING MONEY BACK IN THE TAX REBATE PROCESS.

THERE'S A SURPLUS OBVIOUSLY.

HOW MUCH IS THAT GOING TO COME BACK IN TAXPAYERS.

AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, IT'S A CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE, SO THERE ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE ON DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE QUESTION, AS TO WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE INDIVIDUAL REBATES, TAX CUTS OR PERHAPS MONEY SHOULD BE INVESTED IN VARIOUS GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS.

CAN YOU TELL US, FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, HOW YOU THINK THAT ISSUE IS GOING AND WHAT YOU THINK THE RESULTS ARE.

>> WELL, I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO SEE SOME TYPE OF TAX CUTS.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE.

WE ALREADY DISCUSSED SOCIAL SECURITY.

I WOULD SUPPORT, IF WE ARE NOT GOING TO REPEAL SOCIAL SECURITY TAX, THAT WE AT LEAST DO SOME TYPE OF PRORATING OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY TAX.

WE COULD DO A MODIFIED VERSION OF IT.

I WOULD THINK YOU WILL SEE SOME TYPES OF TAX CUTS IN OTHER AREAS, TOO.

WE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT INVESTMENTS, FOR INSTANCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION, SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM.

YOU ARE GOING TO SEA A NUMBER OF INVESTMENTS IN ALL OTHER AREAS, BUT YOU ARE GOING TO SEE TAX CUTS, TAX REDUCTIONS OF SOME KIND.

>> Barry: REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I THINK THERE WILL BE SOME TYPE OF TAX CUTS.

BUT I LOOK AT THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT.

IF WE PUT MONEY INTO LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGES, PUT THEM INTO WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS, PUT THEM INTO WATER TOWERS, THAT REDUCES THE LOCAL TAX.

OTHERWISE SOMEBODY HAS GOT TO PAY FOR IT.

LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES GO UP TO PAY FOR THESE PROJECTS IF THE STATE DOESN'T HELP OUT.

CAPITAL INVESTMENT IS ONE WAY TO RETURN MONEY TO THE PEOPLE AND TO KEEP LOCAL TAXES DOWN.

>> Barry: DO YOU THINK THAT WE WILL SEE DIRECT REBATE PROGRAM OF SOME SORT TO TAXPAYERS OF 500 TO $1,000?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

IT'S BEEN DISMISSED WITH THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS, BUT THERE MIGHT BE SOFTENING ON THAT IF THAT'S THE BEST WE CAN DO TO GET MONEY BACK.

IT MIGHT BE ACCEPTABLE.

I WOULD THINK THOSE DIRECT CHECKS ARE PROBABLY, IN MY OPINION, LESS THAN 50/50.

>> Barry: SENATOR HOWE, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE SURPLUS AND HOW IT MIGHT EVENTUALLY FIND ITS WAY BACK TO THE TAXPAYERS.

>> I HAVEN'T SEEN -- IT COULD BE IN ONE OF THOSE 2,000 PLUS BILLS, BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN A DIRECT BILL THAT DISCUSSES A STRAIGHT REBATE THAT HAS ANY LEGS THAT I HAVE SEEN GONE THROUGH ANY COMMITTEE.

I THINK YOU HAVE GOT THE PROPOSAL FROM THE GOVERNOR THAT SAYS IF YOU ARE SINGLE AND MAKE LESS THAN 75,000 OR MARRIED COUPLE MAKING LESS THAN 150 IS GOING TO GET A COUPLE, THOUSAND DOLLARS CHECK, WHATEVER IT IS.

THAT'S THE ONLY PROPOSAL I HAVE SEEN OUT THERE.

I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY GIVING MONEY TO THE FOLKS THAT PROBABLY DIDN'T PAY IN THE MOST.

>> Barry: I'M GOING TO WRAP OUR PROGRAM UP THERE, SENATOR HOWE.

I WANT TO THANK OUR PANEL FOR BEING WITH US THIS EVENING.

I WANT TO REMIND YOU WE WILL BE BACK HERE AND ALL THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE COMES HOME.

GO LOOK FOR THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL AND DAY TO DAY COVERAGE OF THE LEGISLATURE GAVEL TO GAVEL.

THANK YOU ALL AND GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT TO REPRESENTATIVE URDAHL'S DOG AS WELL.

>> THAT'S BUSTER.

>> "YOUR LEGISLATORS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE MINNESOTA CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION FROM DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES THAT HELP FARMER BETTER PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES TO THE LATEST INNOVATION IN CORN BASED PLASTICS.

MINNESOTA CORN FARMERS ARE PROUD TO INVESTMENT IN THIRD PARTY RESEARCH LEADING TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION, STANDING FOR AGRICULTURE, WORKING FOR FARMERS ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.

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