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

>> ERIC: WELCOME BACK TO "ALMANAC."

TONIGHT WE'LL TALK ABOUT BIG CHANGES THAT COULD BE COMING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE ECONOMY AND SUPPLY CHAINS.

AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN KEEPING AN EYE ON THE LEGISLATURE FOR US.

>> Mary: BIPARTISAN BILLS FINALLY FOUND TRACTION THIS WEEK AT THE CAPITOL.

WE'LL EXPLAIN HOW IT HAPPENED.

>> BUT IN THE END, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT.

>> Mary: THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH AND HELPING COMMUNITIES THRIVE.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND VANESSA DAUDT, THROUGH THE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL MINNESOTANS FUND.

SUPPORTING HEALTHCARE FOR MINNESOTANS STATEWIDE.

>> ERIC: LARRY FITZGERALD IS HERE TO TALK WNBA LABOR NEGOTIATIONS AND VIKES' FREE AGENCY TRADES, AND OUR POLITICAL PANEL WILL HELP US BREAK DOWN THE WEEK IN POLITICS.

>> CATHY: BUT FIRST, THIS WEEK GOVERNOR WALZ PROPOSED MAJOR CHANGES FOR THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO DEAL WITH FRAUD, SHIFTING MEDICAID WORK FROM PRIVATE HEALTH CARE COMPANIES AND COUNTIES TO THE STATE, CREATING HUNDREDS OF NEW POSITIONS AT DHS.

THE PROPOSAL ROLL-OUT RECEIVED CRITICISM, INCLUDING FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OWN PARTY.

HERE TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE PLAN, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES DEPUTY COMMISSIONER JOHN CONNOLLY, WHO IS ALSO THE STATE MEDICAID DIRECTOR.

THANKS FOR SPENDING FRIDAY ?IGHT WITH US.

>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> Cathy: APPRECIATED IT.

TO MORE OF A CENTRALIZED CONCEPT, RIGHT?

AND I CAN HEAR SOME OF OUR VIEWERS SAYING, DOESN'T THIS ADD TO A BLOATED BUREAUCRACY ON THE STATED LEVEL?

HOW DOES THIS ACHIEVE YOUR GOAL OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION AND I THINK IT DOES IN FACT ACHIEVE THOSE AIMS.

SO RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A HIGHLY DELEGATED AND A HIGHLY FRAGMENTED SYSTEM AND IT'S REALLY ABOUT TRANSFORMING THAT SYSTEM.

THROUGH A CONTRACTED SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND BRING ELIGIBILITY AND ENROLLMENT FUNCTIONST FOR THE MEDICAID PROGRAM INTO THE STATE.

SO IT'S A MORE CONSISTENT, TRANSPARENT, AND EFFICIENT SYSTEM AS A WHOLE.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT D.H.S.

IT'S ABOUT ALL THE ACTORS IN THE SYSTEM.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU DO TO PREVENT FRAUDSTERS FROM SIGNING UP PEOPLE AT WILL AND THEN NOT PROVIDING ANY SERVICES?

>> SO I THINK THAT REQUIRES A VARIETY OF ACTIONS.

IT STARTS WITH THE DESIGN OF LEGISLATION, BENEFITS AND PROGRAMS.

IT'S ABOUT ENHANCED PREPAYMENT REVIEW WHICH THE DEPARTMENT HAS INITIATED.

IT'S ABOUT ENHANCED POST-PAYMENT ACTIVITY, OING AUDITING, REFERRING CREDIBLE ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR INVESTIGATION.

AND IT'S REALLY ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WITH THIS PROPOSAL, I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS AGAIN ROOKING AT STANDARDSZATION, SO THE DEPARTMENT CAN HAVE BETTER OVERSIGHT AND VISIBILITY INTO THE OPERATIONS STATEWIDE F WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.

>> Cathy: THE DEPARTMENT'S BEEN UNDER FIRE, OBVIOUSLY.

AND I'M WONDERING WHY ADD THIS RESPONSIBILITY TO AN AGENCY THAT'S ALREADY KIND OF STRUGGLING?

>> WELL, AGAIN, I THINK IT'S ABOUT THE SYSTEM.

AND SO WE LOOK AT HOW THE DIFFERENT ACTORS ARE DOING THEIR WORK.

THIS IS A SERIES OF BOLD PROPOSALS TO RELOOK AT THE ENTIRE SYSTEM OF ACTORS AND LOOK AT HOW WE CAN DO THE WORK AS A COMMUNITY, AS A GROUP OF ACTORS IN THE MEDICAID PROGRAM MORE EFFICIENTLY.

SO IT'S ABOUT THOSE LINES OF VISIBILITY.

A STANDARDIZED EXPERIENCE FOR THE MEMBER AND HOPEFULLY WITH BETTER SERVICE QUALITY.

AND AGAIN, MORE CENTRALIZED OPERATIONS.

>> Cathy: SO WITH THE MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE DONE THE WORK TO THIS POINT, RIGHT, THE GOAL WITH THEM WAS TO SAVE MONEY.

SO HOW MIGHT THIS SAVE MONEY?

>> SO I THINK, AGAIN, WE HAVE EIGHT MANAGED CARE PLANS UNDER CONTRACT IN THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.

WE'VE GOT 87 COUNTIES DOING THE WORK.

AND SO WE CAN BE MORE EFFICIENT IF WE STANDARDIZED UNDER ONE CONTRACTOR, THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE ORGANIZATION, HOW WE SET PAYMENT RATES, HOW WE PROCESS PAYMENT, HOW WE SET UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT POLICY AND HOW WE SERVE PEOPLE.

>> Cathy: AND DO THESE ORGANIZATIONS THEN LOSE THEY, IF THEIR CONTRACTS ARE GONE, THEY'LL MONEY ON THIS DEAL; IS THAT CORRECT?

>> SO CERTAINLY WE WOULD NOT BE FUMING CONTRACTS WITH THE MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATION.

>> Eric: HOW IMPORTANT IS AN UPGRADE IN COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY?

>> O MODERNIZATION IS A KEY PIECE OF THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL AND IT'S A HUGE NEED.

WE CERTAINLY HEARD ROM COUNTIES AND TRIBAL NATIONS THAT USE OUR SYSTEMS AND WE CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THEY NEED MODERNIZATION.

SO WE AREN'T SATISFIED WITH THE STATE OF OUR INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND WANT TO WORK WITH COUNTIES, EXTERNAL PARTNERS AND HAVE VENDORS TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS.

>> Eric: SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S AN AMBITIOUS PLAN TO HAVE A STUDY THAT'S MORE COMPREHENSIVE THAN THE WHOLE SITUATION, THE WHOLE EPISODE OF WHAT'S GOING ON?

OR TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO IN ADDITION TO THE MANAGED CARE PIECE AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE ORGANIZATION TRANSITION, THERE'S A LOOK ALSO AT ELIGIBILITY FOR THE PROGRAM AS A WHOLE.

SO PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY, ELIGIBILITY FOR LONG-TERM SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

LOOKING AT WAIVER CASE MANAGEMENT, CASE MANAGEMENT FOR AGAIN PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

AND THEN LOOKING AT THE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE AND LOOKING, AGAIN, AT HOW COUNTIES, TRIBAL NATIONS, AND THE STATE CAN WORK TOGETHER IN A BETTER WAY THAT'S MORE STREAMLINED AND REALLY ELEVATES THE QUALITY OF SERVICE THAT PEOPLE GET.

>> Cathy: PLENTY OF PUSHBACK TO THIS.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO ROLL THIS BOULDER UP THE HILL IN A SENSE.

SO WHAT'S YOUR ARGUMENT TO LAWMAKERS WHO ARE SKEPTICAL?

>> WELL, AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS A SERIES OF BOLD PROPOSALS.

WE'RE ACKNOWLEDGING I THINK AS YOU'VE SAID, WE'VE HAD CHALLENGES.

WE'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, A LOT OF NEW PROCESSES, A LOT OF I THINK STRENGTHENED FUNCTIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT.

AND THIS REALLY TAKES THAT JOURNEY A STEP FORTH AND LOOKS MORE BROADLY JUST BEYOND INTEGRITY AND REALLY REIMAGINES THE SYSTEM.

AND SO THIS IS AN INITIAL SET OF BOLD PROPOSALS, BUT CERTAINLY LEGISLATORS WILL HAVE THEIR OWN IDEAS.

THE GOVERNOR ALWAYS HAS A PROPOSED BUDGET AND IT'S THE START OF A CONVERSATION.

>> Cathy: DO WE KNOW HOW LONG, IF INDEED YOU'RE SUCCESSFUL, I MEAN, HOW LONG WOULD THIS TAKE TO ROLL THIS OUT?

>> SO SEVERAL YEARS.

SOME OF THESE PROPOSALS WILL TAKE AFFECT AS THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED THEM IN 2028, SOME IN 2029, SOME AS LATE AS 2032.

>> Eric: WE'LL WATCH AND SEE HOW THE BILLS PROGRESS.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.

>> YES, IT IS.

♪ >> CATHY: THE LATEST REPORT FROM THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS SHOWED A STEADY INFLATION RATE FOR FEBRUARY.

THIS FOLLOWS LAST WEEK'S DATA SHOWING A LOSS OF 92,000 JOBS.

THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS SET TO ANNOUNCE ITS PLANS FOR INTEREST RATES.

ALL AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF A WIDENING CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

LOUIS JOHNSTON TEACHES ECONOMICS AT THE COLLEGE OF ST.

BENEDICT AND ST.

JOHN'S UNIVERSITY.

THANKS FOR MAKING THE DRIVE DOWN.

>> IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU GUYS.

>> Cathy: SO THE LAST TIME YOU WERE HERE, I BELIEVE YOU SAID THAT IF THERE HAPPENS TO BE A WAR, WE'LL SEE AS PRICES GO UP AND ALL BETS ARE OFF.

JUST EVERYTHING IS KIND OF TOSSED UP LIKE A DECK OF CARDS?

>> I LOOKED, TOO, TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTOOD WHAT I SAID.

SO GAS PRICES -- OR OIL SO GAS PRICES -- OR OI PRICES WOULD GO UP O $100 A BARREL OR SO.

IT WOULD TAKE A WHILE, BUT THE THING THAT I WASN'T THINKING ABOUT WAS MINING HE STRAITS OF HORMUZ AND BASICALLY CUTTING OFF 20% OF THE WORLD'S OIL SUPPLY.

>> Eric: THE NORM TIMES REPORTED -- THE "NEW YORK TIMES" REPORTED TODAY THAT THE COMMITTEE WAS ALREADY -- >> YEAH, THE BIG REPORT THAT CAME OUT TODAY WAS THE G.D.P.

REPORT.

AND SO THEY REVISE THAT EVERY MONTH UNTIL THEY GET A FINAL NUMBER.

THIS IS THE SECOND REVISION.

AND IT SHOWED THAT LAST YEAR, THE ECONOMY WAS ACTUALLY SLOWING.

IT WAS GROWING AT ONLY 2.1%, WHEREAS IT HAD BEEN GROWING AT 2.5 THE YEAR BEFORE.

AND IT SHOWED INFLATION, PRETTY STEADY.

BUT IT'S NOT ANY LOWER.

THERE'S NO TREND TOWARD PRICES FALLING OR ANYTHING LIKE.

>> Cathy: SO NONE OF THIS IS IN THE MIDDLE EAST IS GOING TO HELP ANYTHING.

>> NO, AND NOW THEY'VE GOT TWO COMPETING GOALS AT THE FEDERAL RESERVE.

SHOULD WE LOWER INTEREST RATES IN ORDER TO HELP THE JOB MARKET OR SHOULD WE KEEP THEM WHERE THEY'RE AT OR EACH RAISE TO FIGHT THE POTENTIAL INFLATION?

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WEIGH THAT.

>> Eric: ANY DATA ON HOW MUCH A WAR AFFECTS INFLATION?

>> IT'S NOT EASY, BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WE GET INTO A WAR, WHAT THE GOVERNMENT OFTEN WILL DO IS PUT PRICE CONTROLS ON OR DO SOMETHING.

AND SO IT'S REALLY HARD TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE.

BUT IT'S DEFINITELY GOING TO PUT UPWARD PRESSURE ON INFLATION.

NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

>> Eric: MORTGAGE RATES WERE UP UNDER 6%, NOW I GUESS THEY'VE GONE UP.

>> MM-HMM.

THERE'S KIND OF AN INTERPLAY HERE.

AN ECONOMIST HAS TO AY SUPPLY AND DEMAND SOMETIME DURING YOUR DISCUSSION.

SO THERE'S TWO THINGS GOING ON HERE.

WE'VE GOT THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS KEEPING INTEREST RATES FAIRLY HIGH, RELATIVELY, BUT THEN THE DEMAND FOR HOUSES IS STARTING TO GO DOWN, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE SAYING, I CAN'T AFFORD, I CAN'T GET INTO THE MARKET AND I MIGHT AS WELL BACK OFF.

SO THEY'RE GOING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS.

THE MARKETS ARE HAVING A TOUGH TIME BECAUSE THEY ALREADY HAD THE UNCERTAINTY OF TARIFFS AND NOW ADD A LITTLE SEASONING OF WAR ON TOP OF IT.

>> Eric: HERE'S WHAT I'M WONDERING.

THE TARIFFS WERE THROWN OUT BY THE SUPREME COURT, AND THEN SOME INTERNATIONAL TRADE GROUP SAID THERE'LL BE INTEREST PAID AND REFUNDS.

WHERE ARE THE REFUNDS?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT'S ALL IN LIMBO RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE SUPREME COURT THREW IT OUT BUT WHAT THAT REALLY MERNT WHAT THAT REALLY MERN MEANT WAS TAKE IT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL COURT AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THE REFUNDS.

>> Cathy: SORRY, I WAS CHOKING OVER HERE, I APOLOGIZE.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

SAY, DID WE TALK ABOUT JOB OPENINGS, THAT REPORT THAT WAS OUT, THAT JOB OPENINGS WERE UP MORE THAN 7 MILLION IN JANUARY?

>> THAT'S GOOD NEWS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SEEMED TO BE HAPPENING BEFORE THE WAR BROKE OUT WAS THE LABOR MARKET SEEMED TO BE THAT WILLING UT A LITTLE BIT.

OPENINGS WERE GETTING A LITTLE BIT BIGGER.

PEOPLE WERE QUITTING JOBS A LITTLE BIT MORE AND TRYING TO LOOK FOR JOBS, BUT AGAIN, ALL BETS ARE OFF NOW.

>> Eric: A.I.

CAUSING JOB LOSS?

>> NO, NOT YET.

ALTHOUGH COMPANIES ARE SAYING THAT.

I THINK THEY'RE USING THAT AS A WAY TO MAYBE DO SOME FIRST ROUND CUTS.

BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S REALLY EATING INTO THAT QUITE YET.

>> Cathy: HMM, OKAY.

WELL, IN TERMS OF STATE ECONOMY, THE AG ECONOMY, I'M KIND OF WORRIED ABOUT THAT TOO.

>> I'M VERY WORRIED ABOUT IT WITH THE TARIFFS, THE SOY BEAN FARMERS ESPECIALLY GOT HURT VERY BADLY.

AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS IN GENERAL ARE UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE BECAUSE THE LACK OF DEMAND FROM ABROAD.

AND PEOPLE NOT WANTING TO BUY AMERICAN PRODUCTS BECAUSE THEY'RE WORRIED WE MIGHT PUT TARIFFS ON THEM AGAIN.

SO I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

AND THEN THE FEEDBACK FROM THE AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY TO THE REST OF THE GREATER MINNESOTA ECONOMY.

THAT'S WHAT REALLY CONCERNS ME.

>> Cathy: AND GIVEN WHAT WE HAVE, WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING TO A PERSON HERE RIGHT AFTER THIS ABOUT SUPPLY CHAINS.

AS YOU SAY THE MINING OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ HAS REALLY THROWN A WRENCH INTO THIS BECAUSE SO MUCH OF OUR ECONOMY RUNS ON OIL.

>> WELL, AND THE ONE THING THAT'S A GOOD THING FOR THE UNITED STATES AT LEAST IS THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF OIL IN NORTH AMERICA.

SO A LOT OF THAT OIL IS GOING TO AFFECT THE ECONOMIES OF PLACES LIKE INDIA, SOUTH ASIA, SOUTHEAST ASIA, EAST ASIA, CHINA.

AND SOUTHERN EUROPE.

THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF THAT OIL IS GOING.

SO THE UNITED STATES IN TERMS OF THE SUPPLY OF OIL, IT'LL HAVE IT.

THE PRICE IS GOING TO GO UP.

BUT WE'LL STILL BE ABLE TO GET IT.

>> Eric: STAY BY YOUR PHONE.

WE GOT YOU ON SPEED DIAL.

>> THANKS, I'LL ANSWER.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> THESE GUYS LIVE IN THE RAIN FORESTS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA.

THEY'RE ACTUALLY PRIMATES, BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

THEY'RE REALLY SLOW SO THEY DON'T LOOK LIKE MONKEYS.

BUT THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE RELATED.

>> GRAPES AND BANANAS, THEY REALLY LIKE FRUIT.

>> THOSE EYES ARE GREAT.

>> YEAH, THEY'RE A NOCTURNAL ANIMAL.

SO -- >> Cathy: THAT'S WHY THE BIG EYES?

>> RIGHT, CORRECT.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: IRAN HAS A NEW SUPREME LEADER, AYATOLLAH MOJTABA KHAMENEI.

IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE NEW LEADER SAID HE WOULD KEEP THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ CLOSED, STOPPING AROUND 20% OF THE WORLD'S OIL SUPPLY FROM DISTRIBUTION.

YOU'VE LIKELY SEEN AN UPTICK AT THE GAS PUMP THIS WEEK AS A RESULT, AND MORE SUPPLY CHAIN INTERRUPTIONS COULD IMPACT MINNESOTANS IN THE WEEKS AHEAD.

JOINING US TO TALK SUPPLY CHAINS, KINGSHUK SINHA, DEPARTMENT CHAIR OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN AND OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT AT THE U OF M'S CARLSON SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT.

WELCOME.

WHY DOES THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ GET SUCH TOP BILLING AND IS SO IMPORTANT TO THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST?

>> WELL, IT'S A SIMPLE SUPPLY-DEMAND CONNECT OR DISCONNECT ISSUE.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF THESE COUNTRIES, THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ CONNECTS THE PERSIAN GULF WITH THE GULF OF OMAN THAT FLOWS INTO THE IS THAT FLOWS INTO THE I ARABIAN SEA.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE GEOGRAPHY AND LOOK AT THE COUNTRIES THAT ARE DOTTED AROUND THE PERSIAN GULF, YOU GO BACK TO ALL THE MAJOR OIL PRODUCING COUNTRIES ARE RIGHT THERE.

SO ON ONE SIDE, OF COURSE THERE IS IRAN, BUT THEN DOWN THE ROAD, YOU HAVE IRAQ, KUWAIT, AND QATAR, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, OMAN.

SO ALL THESE COUNTRIES WHICH PRODUCES OIL ARE RIGHT THERE.

AND SO A LOT OF THE OIL TRAFFIC, I THINK THE NUMBERS THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, 20%, 20 MILLION OF THE OIL CONSUMPTION, THE GLOBAL IL CONSUMPTION, WHICH IS ABOUT 20 MILLION BARRELS, PER DAY, IS FLOWING THROUGH THAT, ABOUT 100-MILE LONG STRAIT, WHICH IS REALLY IS ANYWHERE FROM 60 TO ABOUT 24 MILES.

THAT'S THE SORT OF THE GEOGRAPHY.

>> Cathy: AND THANK YOU FOR THAT.

THANK YOU FOR THAT -- FOR SKETCHING THAT OUT FOR US.

I'M WONDERING BECAUSE OF YOUR DEEP BACKGROUND IN THE OIL INDUSTRY THEN, WHEN THEY SAY THIS IS THE LARGEST OIL SUPPLY DISRUPTION IN HISTORY, CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE REVERBERATIONS TO OTHER ECONOMIES ACROSS THE WORLD?

>> YES, AND I THINK THE -- ONE OF THE KEY ELEMENTS OF WHERE DOES THIS OIL FLOW TO, RIGHT?

SO THIS OIL THAT GOES THROUGH THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ LARGELY CATERS TO THE DEMAND FROM SOME OF THE MAJOR CONOMIES AND GROWING ECONOMIES LIKE CHINA, INDIA, SOUTH KOREA, AND JAPAN.

AND SO -- AND T'S NOT JUST THE OIL.

I MEAN, THERE IS THE OIL THAT FLOWS, THERE IS LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS THAT FLOWS.

THERE IS ALSO THE FERTILIZERS THAT FLOW.

SO ALL OF WHICH ARE FLOWING IN, AND ALL OF THAT HAS IMPLICATIONS.

SO IN TERMS OF THE -- UNTIL THE SHORT RUN, I THINK THOSE ARE REALITIES THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO IMPACT THESE MAJOR ECONOMIES AND GROWING ECONOMIES WHICH ARE HUGE CONSUMERS OF THE MIDDLE EAST OIL.

>> Eric: WHAT HAVE THE SURROUNDING COUNTRIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST TO IRAN, HAVE THEY COME UP WITH A SUPPORTING IRAN, SUPPORTING THE U.S., NEUTRAL?

WHAT IS THEIR STANCE IN ALL THIS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THE ONE THING THAT I COULD TELL YOU, I MEAN, NOT LET ME NOT GET INTO THE POLITICS OF THE IDDLE EAST, BUT WHAT I COULD TELL YOU, IN PRINCIPLE, IS THAT THERE ARE AT LEAST SOME -- WHICH IS NOT 20 MILLION BARRELS OF OIL, BUT THERE S A PIPELINE THAT GOES FROM SAUDI ARABIA, FROM EAST TO WEST, SO WHERE, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY, YOU KNOW, IT'S CALLED EAST-WEST PIPELINES, AND THAT HAS CAPACITY OF SOMEWHERE IN THE TUNE OF ABOUT 7 MILLION BARRELS.

AND IT LANDS IN ONE OF THE PORT CITY OF JAKUB, WHICH IS ON THE RED SEA.

SO THAT IS ONE POTENTIAL AVENUE FOR CONTINUED SUPPLY OF THE -- THIS OIL THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

THERE IS ANOTHER ONE THAT, YOU KNOW, GOES FROM ABU DHABI AND GOES TO FUJARI, EVEN THOUGH IT'S A UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, TUS ACTUALLY ON THE GULF OF OMAN.

SO IN SOME SENSE, THE OIL THAT GOES THROUGH THERE CAN STILL BE TRANSPORTED.

>> Cathy: I SEE.

>> SO I'M TALKING ABOUT ROUGHLY 8 OR 10 MILLION.

SO I THINK THOSE THINGS ARE REALLY THERE.

BUT THE REALITY STILL IS THAT RIGHT NOW AS WE SPEAK, THERE ARE A BUNCH OF TANKERS THAT ARE ALL STACKED UP, LOADED, BUT STACKED UP IN -- IT'S STILL PART OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, WAITING TO GO THROUGH THAT STRAIT.

>> >> Eric: CAN THERE BE ESCORTS TO GET THE SHIPS THROUGH?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT QUESTION.

TO DATE, IT IS A NON-TRIVIAL ISSUE TO PROVIDE THE ESCORT FOR A WHOLE VARIETY OF DEFENSE REASONS, THE MINE REASONS.

THERE'S ALSO THE ISSUE OF WHO'S WILLING TO DO IT.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE INSURANCE IS GOING THROUGH THE OOF.

I WAS HEARING HE CEO OF MARSH, WHICH HAS A LOT OF OIL FLOWING THROUGH THAT STRAIT, AND THEIR BASIC ARGUMENT HERE IS, FIRST AND FOREMOST, WE CARE ABOUT OUR CREW.

WE CARE ABOUT OUR ASSETS, WHICH IS OUR SHIPS AND CARRIERS AND WE CARE ABOUT THE CARGO.

AND THE INSURANCE HAS TO BE SIGNIFICANT BEFORE HIS CAN HAPPEN.

SO IT IS NOT A SIMPLE MATTER OF ESCORTS.

THE QUESTION IS, THERE HAS TO BE EVEN -- OF THE ESCORTS.

SKOE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THIS BUSINESS, AND I'M USING MARSH AS AN EXAMPLE BECAUSE THEY ARE ONE OF THE PREMIERE CARRIERS, THEY'RE NOT WILLING TO PICK UP ON THIS IDEA OF ESCORTS RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: FINAL QUESTION FOR YOU, PROFESSOR, ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT.

WHAT IS THE WORST CASE SCENARIO IN THIS WHOLE SITUATION FOR YOU?

>> YOU KNOW, THE WORST CASE SCENARIO IS THE STATUS QUO IS GOING O CONTINUE.

THE OTHER WORST CASE SCENARIO IS THE MIDDLE EAST IS ENGULFED IN WAR, GOD FORBID, WHICH BASICALLY MEANS EVEN THE PRODUCTION, RIGHT NOW THE PRODUCTION IS HAPPENING, AND SOME OF IT IS BEING IMPACTED, YOU KNOW, REFINERIES BEING IMPACTED, SO PROCESSING AND SO ON.

EVERYTHING STOPS.

SO THAT'S REALLY THE WORST CASE SCENARIO.

AND WE KNOW THAT IS NOT, YOU KNOW, IMPOSSIBLE.

I MEAN, THE PRICE IS ALREADY HOVERING AROUND 100-PLUS.

I THINK THE PRICE COULD EASILY GO ABOVE 200, WHICH IS I THINK SOME STATED GOALS OF THE IRANIAN -- THE GOVERNMENT.

AND SO THERE ARE OTHER AVENUES.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, U.S.

MAYBE A LITTLE BIT MORE PROTECTED BECAUSE OUR SUPPLY, YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THE U.S.

GOVERNMENT HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE REALITIES FOR INDIA, FOR EXAMPLE, TO ALLOW FOR RUSSIAN OIL TO GET -- BEING USED.

SO THERE ARE OTHER SOURCES, BUT THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY SIGNIFICANT DISRUPTION AND HE PRICES CAN GO ABOVE 200.

AND PURELY IN TERMS F OIL AND GAS, THIS IS -- THIS COULD BE A DOOMS DAY IN THAT REALITY.

AND THEN THERE ARE ALL THESE CASCADING EFFECTS.

>> Eric: WISH WE HAD MORE TIME.

APPRECIATE YOUR SHARING YOUR EXPERTISE.

THANKS, PROFESSOR.

>> THANK YOU.

♪ >> ERIC: A LITTLE OVER A MONTH ACTIVISTS SET UP A PRAYER CAMP JUST ACROSS THE HIGHWAY FROM THE FEDERAL WHIPPLE BUILDING AT FORT SNELLING.

THE CAMP SITS ON A SACRED SITE FOR DAKOTA PEOPLE, BOTH IN PROTEST OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ACTIONS AND CALLING FOR RETURNING THE LAND AND OTHER SACRED SITES BACK TO DAKOTA PEOPLES.

HOWEVER, THE CAMP HAS RECEIVED PUSHBACK FROM TRIBAL LEADERS ACROSS THE MIDWEST, INCLUDING FROM THE FOUR DAKOTA TRIBES HERE IN MINNESOTA.

HERE WITH INSIGHT ON THE SITUATION IS MPR REPORTER MELISSA OLSON.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Eric: WHY IS THIS SO CONTROVERSIAL?

>> OH, MANY REASONST, COMPLICATED STORY, BUT AT THE HEART OF IT IS, IT'S REALLY ABOUT THIS SITE, WHICH DICAMILLO DICAMILIDEACOAT DICAMILIDEACODAKOTAPEOPLE CALL S A PLACE THEY WANT TO PROTECT.

SO THE FOUR DAKOTA NATIONS IN MINNESOTA HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR THE PAST TWO DECADES TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO COMANAGE THE SITE WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.

NOW WHAT YOU HAVE IN THE PARK, AND THAT MNI OASNI IS A GROUP OF YOUNGER ACTIVISTS WHO KIND OF INHERITED THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS CAMP, AND THEY ARE REALLY THERE ASKING IF THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS LAND.

AND CHALLENGING IN SOME WAYS WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE ACCESS.

TO THE LAND.

AS PEOPLE WHO ARE A PART OF THIS LARGER DAKOTA COMMUNITY.

>> Cathy: HUH.

SO WHAT'S WITH THE PUSHBACK FROM THE TRIBAL LEADERS?

IS IT A GENERATIONAL THING?

>> IN SOME WAYS, BUT IT REALLY HINGES ON, I MEAN, I THINK IN MANY WAYS, IT'S ABOUT CULTURAL PROTOCOL.

SO WHAT YOU'LL HEAR TRIBAL LEADERS SAY IS THAT THE ACTIVISTS AND NOW THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE INHERITED THE CAMP DIDN'T NECESSARILY ASK PERMISSION TO SET UP THERE.

THEY WORKED WITH THE TRIBAL NATIONS THROUGH AN ADVISORY GROUP HAVE, YOU KNOW, SET UP A PROCESS THROUGH WHICH PEOPLE COULD GO THERE, COULD PRAY, BUT IT WOULD BE PERMITTED.

SO THE CAMP REALLY GOT STARTED SORT OF IN THE MIDST OF ALL OF EVERYTHING THAT WAS HAPPENING IN MINNEAPOLIS DURING OPERATION METRO SURGE.

>> Eric: SO THE TIMING WASN'T COINCIDENTAL?

>> O, IT WAS NOT COINCIDENTAL.

>> Eric: AND THE OCATION RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE WHIPPLE BUILDING?

>> CORRECT.

THE CAMP'S FOUNDERS, AND THESE ARE OLDER ACTIVISTS, SAID, AND ONE IN PARTICULAR TOLD ME AT THE TIME THAT THEY SET UP THE CAMP IN SOLIDARITY WITH IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES WHO WERE FACING OR WHO WERE TARGETED FOR DEPORTATION BY D.H.S.

AND I.C.E.

BUT THEY -- AND THE REASON THEY FELT THAT SOLIDARITY IS BECAUSE THEY THEMSELVES HAD MET, YOU KNOW, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, YOU KNOW, MORE THAN 160 YEARS AGO, IN AND AROUND FORT SNELLING -- >> Eric: WHICH IS A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE WHOLE EPISODE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE SITE ITSELF BECOMES SO MUCH A PART OF THE STORY.

>> Cathy: AND THIS IS NOT -- THIS IS -- THIS WHOLE AREA F COURSE HAS BEEN FOR DECADES, YOU KNOW, UNDER A MICROSCOPE WITH THE IMPORTANCE TO THE NATIVE FOLKS, BUT ALSO JUST -- THERE'S DEVELOPMENT IN THAT AREA.

SO THERE'S THAT.

BUT I'M WONDERING, THE CAMP HAS HAD ITS ISSUES, RIGHT?

I MEAN, HASN'T THERE BEEN SOME E IN A SENSE, DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> YEAH, IT DOES, AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF THE CONTROVERSY STEMS FROM.

SO THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE INHERITED THE CAMP ARE SAYING THEY ARE DOING THEIR BEST.

FOR EXAMPLE, NOT TO ALLOW DRUGS AND ALCOHOL INTO THE CAMP.

BUT IT'S ALSO A PLACE -- IT'S A PLACE WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE COME, LET'S SAY, TO ISIT FOR A DAY OR TWO.

AND THE CAMP'S ORGANIZERS CAN'T -- THEY SAY, CAN'T NECESSARILY CONTROL EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN THE CAMP.

SO THEY WILL SAY, YES, THERE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTANCES IN WHICH PEOPLE WERE DOING THINGS THAT WERE PROHIBITED, BUT THEY'RE TRYING TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT THAT THEY WERE THERE AND THAT THEY ARE THERE TO PRAY AND TO EXERCISE THEIR ABILITY TO BE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND ACCESS THIS SITE, AND SO ON, SO FORTH.

AND THAT IS WHERE THEY'RE REALLY FACED OFF AT THIS POINT.

>> Cathy: WHAT'S THE FUTURE OF THIS SITE?

DO WE KNOW?

>> WELL, AS OF RIGHT NOW, THIS CAMP IS IN THE PROCESS FROM ALL THAT I UNDERSTAND OF COMING DOWN.

SO IT MAY COME DOWN IN THE NEXT SHORT HILE.

THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

YOU KNOW, THE DAKOTA COMMUNITIES IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PARK SERVICE, I THINK THAT WILL BE ONGOING.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S A QUESTION THERE.

THE PARK SERVICE REALLY HASN'T SAID ANYTHING IN RESPONSE TO MY QUESTIONS OR REALLY TO ANYONE AT ALL.

SO IT'S HARD TO SAY IF THEY'LL GET INVOLVED.

BUT I THINK THE CAMP WILL COME DOWN.

THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE THERE ARE SAYING THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO BE THERE PERMANENTLY.

YOU KNOW, SO I THINK THE TRIBAL COMMUNITIES WILL CONTINUE TO MANAGE THE PARK IN THE WAYS THAT THEY HAVE, WHICH IS REALLY ABOUT MANAGING THE SITE ITSELF, PROTECTING THE WATER, ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT, THAT KIND OF THING.

>> Eric: THERE'S A WONDERFUL STORY THAT YOU DID ON MPR.ORG ABOUT THE VERY COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON THIS SITUATION THAT'S AVAILABLE FOR FOLKS.

>> MELISSA OLSON FROM OUR NATIVE NEWS TEAM.

>> YES.

>> Eric: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING OVER.

♪ >> MARK: SPRING AGAIN.

TIME FOR ME TO GO TO THE DOCTOR.

THIS SHOULDN'T BE A SURPRISE.

BARBERS NEED HAIRCUTS.

POLITICIANS VOTE.

LAWYERS CAN GET SUED.

AND DOCTORS HAVE TO GO TO THE DOCTOR.

I USUALLY THINK ABOUT MAKING AN APPOINTMENT EVERY JANUARY, THEN PUT OFF DOING ANYTHING UNTIL APRIL.

BY THEN I MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET AN APPOINTMENT IN SEPTEMBER, BUT I HAVE TO TELL THEM IT'S A BACK-TO-SCHOOL PHYSICAL.

LOTS OF PEOPLE HATE GOING TO THE DOCTOR, BUT I LOVE IT.

OF COURSE, I WORKED IN THAT SAME BUILDING FOR 35 YEARS.

I GET FREE PARKING.

WELL, EVERYONE GETS FREE PARKING.

BUT I KNOW WHERE ALL THE SNACKS ARE, WHICH WAS GREAT BECAUSE I USUALLY GOT HOME WAY AFTER DARK.

MY DOCTOR IS GREAT.

WE WORKED TOGETHER FOR DECADES.

I ALWAYS CALLED HIM "TOM," BUT NOW THAT I'M RETIRED, I'M ALWAYS CAREFUL TO CALL HIM, "TOM."

HE'S A GREAT DOCTOR, MUCH SMARTER THAN ME.

ALTHOUGH IN OUR CLINIC, I ALWAYS FIGURED YOU COULD THROW A BEDPAN BLINDFOLDED AND HIT A DOCTOR SMARTER THAN ME.

SO I TELL HIM HOW I'M FEELING -- FINE -- AND HE CHECKS ME OVER.

AFTERWARDS WE HAVE A PROFESSIONAL DOCTOR-TO-DOCTOR CONSULTATION, WHERE HE TELLS ME WHAT TESTS AND MEDICINES I NEED, AND I TELL HIM "OKAY."

IT'S A LOT LIKE HAVING MY TAXES DONE.

BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH I KNOW STUFF ABOUT MEDICINE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR MYSELF.

ONLY TOM -- AND MY WIFE -- KNOW THAT.

AFTERWARD I WALK AROUND THE CLINIC, SEE IF ANY OF MY PARTNERS STILL WORK THERE.

LOTS OF THEM HAVE MOVED ON, AND APPARENTLY HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY A BUNCH OF GRADE-SCHOOL KIDS.

THE DOCTORS I HELPED TRAIN ARE NOW TRAINING FRESH ONES.

EVENTUALLY THEY WILL REPLACE ALL THE PEOPLE I EVER WORKED WITH, AND I SUPPOSE ALL THE PEOPLE I EVER TOOK CARE OF.

THAT'S ACTUALLY THE BEST-CASE SCENARIO: PATIENTS AND DOCTORS ALL GETTING OLD TOGETHER.

SO BY THEN I'M GOOD FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

I GET IN MY CAR AND HEAD BACK HOME, JUST LIKE I DID FOR DECADES.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE NOW IS THAT WHEN I LEAVE THE OFFICE, IT'S STILL LIGHT OUT.

♪ >> CATHY: ALMOST A MONTH INTO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND SIGNS OF BIPARTISANSHIP ARE BREAKING OUT ON SOME BILLS.

POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER HAS THE STORY AND A CANDID INTERVIEW WITH ONE SENATOR WHO'S BOLDLY BREAKING WITH HIS PARTY TO CREATE BIPARTISANSHIP ON A MAJOR ISSUE.

[ Gavel banging ] >> Mary: THE FIRST BILL TO MEMORIALIZE FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MELISSA HORTMAN HAS PASSED.

>> IT IS FITTING TODAY THAT WE ARE RECOGNIZING THIS INCREDIBLE LEGACY BY RENAMING ONE OF HER PROUDEST LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN HER HONOR.

SHINE BRIGHT, SPEAKER HORTMAN.

>> I URGE EVERYONE TO JOIN ME IN VOTING GREEN AND LET'S LIGHT UP THAT BOARD FOR MELISSA.

>> THERE BEING 133 AYES AND ZERO NAYS, THE BILL IS PASSED AND ITS TITLE AGREED TO.

>> Mary: NAMING SOLAR GARDENS IN HORTMAN'S HONOR SAILED UNANIMOUSLY THROUGH A SENATE COMMITTEE.

>> IT'S SAD.

BECAUSE I REALLY DO MISS HER.

>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF PASSING SENATE FILE 3800 AND RECOMMENDING THAT IT BE SENT TO THE FLOOR, SAY AYE.

ALL OPPOSED SAY NAY.

THE MOTION PREVAILS.

AND YOU'RE ON YOUR WAY TO THE FLOOR, SENATOR HARD OF HEARING MANNING.

>> Mary: THE SENATE ALSO MANAGED TO PASS A BIPARTISAN BILL WITH ONE REPUBLICAN VOTE ON EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHY IT'S CONTROVERSIAL.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IN GREAT CHALLENGE THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.

THEY DIDN'T GO RIOT.

THEY SAT IN THEIR HOUSE TERRIFIED.

THEY DIDN'T GO TO WORK BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID.

AND THEY SAT THERE AND SOME COULDN'T EVEN GET FOOD SO NEIGHBORED HAD TO BRING IT IN UNDER COVER THE DARKNESS.

AND SO NOW THEY CAN'T MAKE THEIR RENT.

AND SO IT'S TIME FOR A LITTLE HUMANITY TO KIND OF UNWIND THE WHOLE THING.

>> Mary: WAS IT A HARD VOTE FOR YOU?

>> NO, NOT AT ALL.

>> Mary: HAVE YOU GOTTEN SOME GRIEF FOR IT?

>> A LITTLE BIT.

AND SOME ACCOLADES.

BUT IN THE END, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT.

IN MY 27 YEARS, BELIEVE THAT, I TRY TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT.

>> Mary: AND YOU SPOKE OUT DURING THE IMMIGRATION ACTION.

YOU AW SOME I.C.E.

MOVEMENT IN YOUR DISTRICT THAT AFFECTED YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

>> RIGHT, AND I WROTE A LETTER TO SECRETARY NOEM AND SECRETARY HOMAN AND SAID CAN YOU HAVE YOUR OFFICERS BEHAVE A LITTLE BETTER?

I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I WROTE IT VERY POLITELY.

AND IT WAS -- I GOT PUSHBACK ON BOTH SIDES.

>> THE SENATE DID ITS PART.

NOW IT'S TIME FOR THE HOUSE TO STEP UP AND DO THEIRS.

>> Mary: THE TIED HOUSE NEEDS BIPARTISAN VOTES TO PASS IT.

>> WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REPEATEDLY TO WORK WITH HOUSE REPUBLICANS NOT JUST ON THIS BILL BUT ON MANY FRONTS AND HAVE FOUND THEM TO BE LARGELY UNWILLING TO WORK WITH US.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS SAY DEMOCRATS NEED TO WORK WITH THEM.

>> WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO MAY BUT NOW IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR DEMOCRATS TO SHOW THAT SAME COMMITMENT TO MINNESOTA FAMILIES.

>> TIME IS RUNNING OUT BEFORE DEADLINES AND IN A TIDE HOUSE, GETTING BILLS MOVING AFTER DEADLINE WILL BE INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT.

>> LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATORS.

I THINK WE HAVE QUITE A GOOD BACKGROUND OF INFORMATION.

>> Mary: THE BIPARTISAN BILL THAT'S PERHAPS GAINING THE MOST ATTENTION IS NICKNAMED THE NURSING HOME HAPPY HOUR BILL.

IT LOWMPLES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS TO HAVE ADULT BEVERAGES WITHOUT A LIQUOR LICENSE, AND IT'S SPONSORED BY THE SENATE'S MOST POPULAR SURVIVOR.

>> CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL IS FOR RESIDENT ACTIVITIES, BASICALLY, HAPPY HOUR FOR GRANDPA AND GRANDMA.

>> IT'S TO BE EXPECTED THAT SENATOR HOFFMAN WOULD BRING FORWARD THE HAPPY HOUR BILL OF RIGHTS.

WELL PLAYED.

>> THIS BILL'S GOING TO GO TO YOUR COMMITTEE.

AND YOUR STATEMENT WAS EXACTLY CORRECT THAT THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF GOVERNMENT OVERREACH AND I AM GLAD TO HAVE HAD A HAND IN SORT OF BRINGING IT BACK SO THAT PEOPLE CAN LIVE THEIR LIVES AND HAVE A HAPPY HOUR.

>> Mary: A BAN ON AN HERBICIDE LINKED TO PARKINSON'S, ALSO GAINED BIPARTISAN BACKING.

>> WHAT WE HAVE TODAY ARE A SUITE OF BILLS THAT ARE REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE HEALTH AND FOR THE FUTURE OF MINNESOTANS.

>> MANY HAVE PASSED UNNECESSARILY.

TODAY'S THE TODAY'S TH THE AY, NOW'S THE TIME.

>> Mary: HE HOUSE CONSIDERED A BIPARTISAN BAN FOR WEAPONS.

>> TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE FIREARMS ARE TAKEN OUT OF HANDS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH TO CHAIR SCOTT WHO FOR YEARS HAS BEEN RAISING THIS ISSUE OF REMOVING GUNS FROM ABUSERS AND HERE WE ARE TOGETHER PRESENTING GUN BILL, REALLY?

>> YEAH >> AND REALLY WITH THE GOAL OF MAKING SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO SHOULD NOT HAVE FIREARMS DON'T HAVE THEM.

>> Mary: AND A BIPARTISAN BILL CRACKS DOWN ON THE USE OF ART OFFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

>> THIS REALLY DOES SPAN THE POLITICAL SUSPECT RUM BECAUSE THE LAW DOESN'T KNOW IDEE LOLLING.

>> A LONG TIME LAWMAKER LIKE ABELER HOPES THERE'S A REAL RETURN TO BIPARTISANSHIP.

>> I RETURN AROUND TOWN AND I HEAR EVERYBODY, I COULD WORK ON THAT AND I THINK TOTALLY KNOW I'M TRYING TO REPRESENT THE WHOLE PLACE.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT DEEP DOWN PEOPLE WANT.

I WAKE UP THINKING ABOUT IT AND I JUST TOLD MY WIFE THIS MORNING, I HAVE TO QUIT CARING SO MUCH.

♪ >> ERIC: YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD PLAN TO RESTRUCTURE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND THE WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST'S EFFECT ON GAS PRICES AT HOME, AND THIS WEEK ALSO SAW DEBATES AT THE LEGISLATURE OVER RENTAL ASSISTANCE, FRAUD, AND GUNS, AND INCREASING QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THIS ALL MEANS FOR THE MIDTERMS.

HERE WITH US NOW, A PANEL OF FOLKS TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS SO I DON'T HAVE TO.

REPUBLICANS UP FIRST TONIGHT.

FRITZ KNAAK IS A FORMER STATE SENATOR, NOW AN ATTORNEY IN PRIVATE PRACTICE.

WITH HIM IS BRIAN MCCLUNG, A FORMER GOVERNOR PAWLENTY SPOKESPERSON AND A LONGTIME CAPITOL OBSERVER.

DEMOCRATS ON THE COUCH: JEFF HAYDEN IS A FORMER DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER IN THE STATE SENATE, NOW A LOBBYIST.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, TARA ERICKSON IS A FORMER JOURNALIST AND LONGTIME LOBBYIST UP AT THE CAPITOL WHO NOW WORKS AS A CONSULTANT.

WELCOME, ONE AND ALL.

GUN DAY TODAY IN THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

AND THE BILL TO BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE ON A 6-3 VOTE.

>> OH?

>> Eric: IS THAT -- THERE WERE FOUR OR FIVE OTHER BILLS IN ONE PERMUTATION OR ANOTHER ABOUT GUNS.

WHAT'S THE FUTURE OF THESE THINGS?

>> I THOUGHT THE SENATE ALWAYS HAD THE VOTES AND IT WAS GOOD TO SEE THAT THERE WAS SOME BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THAT.

>> Eric: I'M NOT SURE THERE WAS.

IT WAS 6-3.

>> SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS.

>> Eric: SENATOR WESTROM WAS MISSING.

>> I THINK IT WAS GOOD TO GET THAT ON THE TABLE.

THE TESTIMONY WAS HEART BREAKING, AND SO I THINK IT SECONDS A REAL SIGN AND PUTS SOME REAL PRESSURE O GET SOMETHING DONE.

>> Eric: A POPULAR VOTE TO BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS?

>> WELL, FOR ONE THING, IT'S NOT HAPPENING.

IN ONE WAY OR OTHER, WE'VE HAD THIS DISCUSSION.

WHAT YOU'RE SEEING NOW IS MORE PUSH BACK COMING FROM THE REPUBLICAN SIDE PRIMARILY, BUT OTHERS SAYING, HEY, WAIT A MINUTE, MORE THAN HALF THE PEOPLE IN THIS STATE OWN GUNS.

THEY'RE A VOICE NOT BEING HEARD HERE.

HOW IS THIS REGULATION GOING TO IMPACT NORMAL PEOPLE?

I MEAN, IF YOU START TALKING ABOUT THE BANNING MAGAZINES AND GUNS, JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY THAT HAS ONE IN THEIR HOUSE HAS, IT'S GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT.

SO IT'S HEART BREAKING, YOU'RE RIGHT.

THERE WAS INCREDIBLE TRAGEDY THAT WAS INVOLVED IN THIS.

BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S MOVING THE NEEDLE ONE BIT.

>> WELL, I'LL JUST SAY THAT AS A PARENT OF TWO SCHOOL AGE KIDS, I REALLY WISH THAT WE WERE ABLE TO SET ASIDE POLITICS ENTIRELY AND JUST TALK ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION FROM A COMMON SENSE PERSPECTIVE.

SO LET'S NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT ANY ADVOCACY GROUP SAYS.

LET'S THINK ABOUT THINGS LIKE SAFE STORAGE, RIGHT?

DON'T WE ALL WANT TO MAKE SURE THE KIDS DON'T ACCIDENTALLY GET ACCESS TO A GUN AND HARM THEMSELVES OR SOMEBODY ELSE?

LET'S THINK ABOUT, DO WE REALLY NEED THESE KINDS OF WEAPONS OF WAR.

TO KEEP OUR KIDS ESPECIALLY SAFE RIGHT NOW.

SO THAT'S MY HOPE FOR THIS SESSION.

I KNOW IT'S HARD.

AND I KNOW THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO BALANCE.

BUT WE SHOULD MAKE PROGRESS.

WE CAN MAKE PROGRESS.

LET'S JUST SET ASIDE THE OLD FIGHTS AND FIND A WAY.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, TARA?

>> I THINK THAT WE HAVE MORE GUN VIOLENCE THAN ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

AND THE FACT THAT E CAN'T ELECT PEOPLE WHO CAN COME TOGETHER TO TRY AND PUT A STOP TO THAT, I HAVE TWO BOYS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

AND, YOU KNOW, I -- ONE OF THEM WAS -- AS BEEN SO NERVOUS THAT HE ACTUALLY ASKED ME, THIS WAS A NUMBER OF MONTHS AGO, MOM, COULD I HAVE A BOTTLE OF FAKE BLOOD FOR MY BACKPACK?

AND IF THAT DOESN'T AFFECT YOU, AND MAKE YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR KIDS ARE GOING THROUGH, I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO FIND SOMETHING HERE.

>> Cathy: CAN I ASK YOU TO EXPAND ON THAT FOR JUST A LITTLE BIT?

HE WANTS A BOTTLE OF FAKE BLOOD?

>> BECAUSE HE SAID IF THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED, THAT HE WOULD HAVE A BOTTLE OF FAKE BLOOD THAT HE COULD PRETEND THAT HE HAD ALREADY BEEN SHOT AND HE COULD POTENTIALLY SURVIVE SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THAT'S WHAT A SIXTH GRADER IS SAYING.

>> Eric: LET'S MOVE ON TO THE FRAUD STUFF AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

EARLY DAYS, I GRANT YOU, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THE BEST THEY MIGHT GET IS A STUDY AND THE MONEY FOR THE COMPUTER UPGRADERS?

>> SYSTEM MODERNIZATION IS NOT A SMALL THING SO TO START THAT PROCESS.

I SAID TO THE COMMISSIONER AS HE LEFT HERE.

THEY HAVE TO TALK TO LEGISLATORS.

WE ALL WORKED, YOU KNOW, EITHER BEEN A MEMBER OR BEEN ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF.

THEY HAVE TO TALK TO THEM.

THEY HAVE TO BRING THEM ALONG.

I THOUGHT IT WAS PARTICULARLY.

IT WEADGES JUST THE REPUBLICANS, SENATOR HOFFMAN WHO'S THE COMMITTEE CHAIR, SAID THAT THE GOVERNOR'S STAFF HADN'T TALKED TO THEM.

SENATOR CHAMPION, THE WEEK BEFORE, HAD A PROBLEM WITH ONE OF THE FRAUD PROPOSALS THAT THEY HAD IN HIS DIVISION.

SO THESE ARE DEMOCRATIC SENATORS WHO ARE SAYING THAT THEY HAVEN'T -- THEY DON'T HAVE THE RELATIONSHIP OR HAVING THE CONVERSATION WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

>> Eric: AND THEN PAUL PORTIA WHO CO-CHAIRS WAYS AND MEANS, LEAVING THE LEGISLATURE, HE SAID IT WAS DEAD ON ARRIVAL, I THINK WAS HIS WORDS.

>> PRETTY MUCH.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S A MISTAKE IN A WAY, BUT THE GOVERNOR IS ON THE BACK OF HIS FEET BASICALLY FROM THE GET-GO FOR ANY NUMBER OF REASONS.

HE'S GOT NO CREDIBILITY IN THE ARGUMENT.

THE ONE PROPOSAL THAT WAS BIPARTISAN THAT PASSED IN THE SENATE THAT HAD TO DO WITH -- THAT FAILED AND THAT FAILED FAIS A RESULT OF RESISTANCE FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

>> I JUST WANT TO -- LIKE, SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE WITHIN HUMAN SERVICES.

WE HAVE ONE OF THE MOST ANTIQUATED SYSTEMS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

WE'RE ONE OF EIGHT STATES THAT STILL HAVE A COUNTY-BASED SYSTEM AND THE FACT THAT THE REPUBLICANS BROKE AND ARE DESTROYING MEDICAID AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE BEING REASSESSED AND REEVALUATED TWICE A YEAR.

THIS IS ALL GOING TO THE COUNTIES WHO ALL DO IT DIFFERENTLY.

SO, YES, MAYBE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING VERY MUCH A LOT SOONER.

BUT I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD JUST THROW AWAY ALL OF THIS AND NOT THINK ABOUT HOW TO CENTRALIZE THIS.

THIS HAS TO BE CENTRALIZED.

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW IF IT SHOULD BE CENTRALIZED OR NOT.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CENTRALIZING IT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES WHEN THEY'VE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF SO MUCH OF THIS FRAUD DISCUSSION.

AND SO THE IDEA THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE MORE MONEY AND MORE RESPONSIBILITY TO AN AGENCY THAT AS FAILED SEEMS KIND OF STRANGE.

BUT ALSO, I WANT TO TAKE A STEP BACK TOO AND GO BACK TO, YOU KNOW, THE FRAUD CZAR, TIM O'MALLEY WAS ANNOUNCED WITH GREAT FANFARE LAST YEAR.

HE WAS GOING TO BE THE FRAUD CZAR.

AND NOW WE COME TO FIND OUT, HE IS NOT A DPRAWD CZAR, HE IS THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND HIS JOB IS DONE.

AND SOMEHOW NOW TIM O'MALLEY WHO I THINK ALL OF US THOUGHT WHEN HE WAS HIRED BY THE WALZ ADMINISTRATION WAS GOING TO SEE THIS THROUGH TO THE END OF THE WALZ TIME IN OFFICE AND GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS, PUTS OUT A 70-PAGE REPORT THAT NO ONE'S GOING TO READ, BARELY ADOPT ANY OF THE REGISTRATIONS, WHAT AN ABSOLUTE MESS.

THAT'S NOT ON TIM O'MALLEY.

WE WORKED WITH HIM IN THE PAWLENTY ADMINISTRATION, THE FACT THAT WAS ALL THEY HAD TO DO WHEN THEY BROUGHT SOMEBODY IN, THEY EVEN GIVE UP ON THAT, AND THAT'S A SHAME.

>> HERE'S A LITTLE BIPARTISAN PIECE WE CAN PUT IN THIS.

THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS ANTIQUATED 30 YEARS AGO.

AND THEY'VE BEEN PROMISING TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR THIS ENTIRE TIME, OFF AND ON DEPENDING ON WHO THE LATEST ADMINISTRATIVE OR COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATION IS.

AND THEY'VE FAILED.

I MEAN, THIS MAY BE THE ONE LAST AND ONLY OPPORTUNITY THEY'VE GOT.

OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT AS WELL JUST START USING PAPER AGAIN.

>> Cathy: SO WHAT IS LIKELY TO PASS?

WHAT ACTUALLY HAS THE VOTES TO PASS?

>> LIKE, THIS SESSION IN TOTAL.

>> I THINK SOME VERSION OF THE O.I.G.

WILL PASS.

>> Cathy: THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL.

>> REPRESENTATIVE NOOR AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR THIS, ALONG WITH REPRESENTATIVE NASH.

I THINK SOME VERSION OF THOSE WILL PASS.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO HAVE THE TEETH THAT EVERYBODY WANTS, BUT I DO THINK THAT BOTH GROUPS, I THINK REPUBLICANS HAVE TO GO ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL SAYING THIS IS THEIR SOLUTION.

DEMOCRATS CANNOT LEAVE THERE WITHOUT SAYING THEY HAVE DONE SOMETHING ON FRAUD.

>> Eric: REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN VERY STERN ABOUT REJECTING ANY KIND OF BAILOUT PACKAGE FOR I.C.E.

RELATED LOSSES.

IS THAT GOING TO DIE IN THE HOUSE?

>> I CAN'T SEE IT GOING ANYWHERE.

I REALLY CAN'T, NO.

>> WELL, FRITZ IS ALWAYS IN THE MINORITY, EVEN WHEN HE'S IN THE SENATE, SO HE'S ALWAYS LIKE, NO, NO, NO.

>> DR.

NO.

[ Laughter ] >> I THINK IT WOULD BE A SHAME.

I DO THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS WAS, AS I SAID EARLIER, THIS WASN'T A NATURAL DISASTER.

THE FEDS MADE THIS DISASTER AND I THINK THAT'S WHY REPUBLICANS DON'T WANT TO OWN IT BECAUSE IF THEY DO WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO, THEN THEY'RE KIND OF ADMITTING THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION.

SOMETHING NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

WE HAVE A RESTAURANT DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS, DARIO, WHO MADE A CLARION CALL FOR PEOPLE TO COME DOWN BECAUSE NOBODY WAS COMING DOWNTOWN TO EAT.

THESE ARE LOCAL, SMART, GREAT RESTAURANTS AND IN THE TWIN CITIES THAT ARE SAYING, OR OTHER BUSINESSES THAT ARE SAYING THAT WE NEED HELP.

>> Cathy: TARA?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK THAT WE HAD PEOPLE WHO WERE TERRIFIED IN THEIR HOMES FOR TWO MONTHS BECAUSE OF MASKED MEN ROAMING OUR STREETS AND TERRORIZING PEOPLE.

DO WE WANT TO HAVE TO SPEND MONEY ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

ABSOLUTELY NOT, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ALTERNATIVE IS GOING TO BE.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO STAY IN THEIR OMES.

>> I DON'T THINK REPUBLICANS ARE BUYING THAT NARRATIVE AND THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

>> THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

>> IT IS, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK THAT YOU'RE SEEING THAT REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING, YEAH, THAT'S THE REASON PEOPLE AREN'T COMING TO DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS ANYMORE.

THERE ARE -- IT'S A NICE EXPLANATION FROM YOUR SIDE AND HOPEFULLY SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN, YOU KNOW, BRING AND CAN PERSUADE THE ELECTORATE OF.

BUT REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING THAT'S NOT THE REASON.

>> BACK TO CATHY'S ORIGINAL QUESTION, ON WHAT MIGHT PASS, I'LL GIVE YOU A COUPLE MORE.

SO WE'VE GOT SENATOR HOFFMAN'S BILL ON THE HAPPY HOUR IN NURSING HOMES.

LIKE, THAT IS VIRAL.

[Overlapping conversations] >> Cathy: THERE'S ALWAYS ONE OF THOSE BILLS.

>> THAT'S A DREAM BILL.

THAT'S IN COMMERCE.

I'LL TELL YOU ANOTHER ONE IN COMMERCE IS THE MEAT RAFFLE BILL.

MINNESOTA OPERATES RIGHT NOW UNDER MEAT RAFFLE LAWS THAT WERE PASSED ABOUT 40 YEARS AGO.

SO IF YOU HAVE TO LIMIT IT TO 1 OR $2 PER TICKET.

YOU CAN ONLY HAVE 30 SPOTS ON THE WHEEL.

THE TOP PRIZE IS LIMITED TO $70.

WHO KNEW WE WERE REGULATED THIS, RIGHT?

SO THERE'S A BILL THAT REPRESENTATIVE NASH IS CARRYING IT IN THE HOUSE.

IT WOULD -- YOU COULD TAKE THE PRICE UP TO $5 PER TICKET AND A PRIZE OF $200.

SO YOU COULD GET A REALLY NICE COUPLE POT ROASTS THEN.

[ Laughter ] SO THAT'S THE KIND OF MINNESOTA LEGISLATION THAT OUGHT TO HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

SO EMAIL YOUR LEGISLATOR ABOUT THE MEAT RAFFLE BILL.

>> END TIMES, END TIMES.

>> Cathy: IT'S GRANDPA AND GRANDMA HAVING SOCIAL HOUR.

>> MAYBE MAKE THEIR WAY OUT TO THE MEAT RAFFLE, BRING IT ALL TOGETHER.

>> Eric: I WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DAYS OF JESSE VENTURA AND PAWLENTY WITH THE REPUBLICANS CALLING FOR A -- AND TAB FEES.

>> HEY, AXE THE CAR TAX.

REMEMBER, VENTURA, HE HAD HIS PORSCHE, THAT WAS POPULAR.

YOU KNOW, IDENTIFICATION WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE AS A POSSIBLE IDEA COME OUT OF THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING LIKE A GAS TAX HOLIDAY, WITH GAS PRICES GOING UP THE WAY THEY ARE RIGHT NOW.

I THINK YOU COULD SEE -- AND THIS IS A WAY TO PUT MORE MONEY DIRECTLY INTO THE POCKETS OF PEOPLE WHO WILL HOPEFULLY GO OUT AND SPEND IT AT SOME OF THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED.

SO THAT MIGHT BE A WAY TO BRING REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS TOGETHER.

IT'S A TAX CUT BUT IT ALSO HELPS ESPECIALLY LOWER AND MIDDLE INCOME FOLKS.

>> MAYBE DEMOCRATS WILL HAVE TO FIX THIS AGAIN SINCE THE REPUBLICANS ARE THE REASON THE GAS PRICES ARE GOING UP FROM A WAR THAT NOBODY WANTED.

>> Eric: THE REPUBLICANS MADE SOME HAY OUT OF A STATE LEGISLATOR WHO SAID SHE'D BE WILLING TO QUINTUPLE TAB FEES TO PAY FOR PROGRAMS.

>> SHE'S A FRESHMAN, RIGHT?

>> Eric: OKAY, AND THEN ANOTHER ONE SAID MAYBE WE SHOULD STUDY THE IMPACT OF SHOPLIFTING IN THE ECONOMY.

HE -- >> I THINK THE SERIOUS PROPOSAL IS ALSO TAN CONFORMITY, IT'S ABOUT $300 MILLION TO PUT YOURSELF IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE FEDS AND THERE'S A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT.

>> AND TAX ON TIPS IS PART OF THAT AND OVERTIME.

AND YOU'VE SEEN SOME EMOCRATS SAYING THEY DON'T WANT TO DO TAX CONFORMITY BUT A LOT THE FOLKS THAT BENEFIT ARE PART OF THE DEMOCRATIC BASE.

CAN WE AFFORD TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE GENERAL MOOD AT THE CAPITOL?

KIND OF FRUSTRATING?

>> YEAH, IT'S PRETTY TIGHT OVER THERE.

IT'S A OT OF, YOU KNOW, DISSENSION.

AND WE SAW THE GREAT TRIBUTE TO MELISSA HORTMAN, BUT THAT IS AROUND, THE IDEA OF GOING THROUGH THESE METAL DETECTORS AND A LOT OF STAFF, A LOT OF SECURITY, SO IT'S PRETTY TIGHT OVER THERE.

>> PEOPLE ARE PRETTY ENTRENCHED FROM WHAT I SAW.

>> Eric: BOTH SIDES CAN SAY TO THEMSELVES, WE'LL GO TO THE ELECTION, AND WE'LL WIN AND WE'LL DO IT BETTER IN 2027.

>> YEAH, THAT'S WHY, YOU KNOW, THE THEME OF THE SESSION IS, HOUSE COMMITTEE, SEVEN-SEVEN, THE BILL DOES NOT ADVANCE.

>> THE BILL DIES, SO FRIENDS OF MINE WHO ARE STILL LOBBYING ARE JUST LIKE THE PEOPLE ARE WORKING REALLY HARD TO TRY AND GET THEIR BILLS HEARINGS.

AND THEN OF COURSE IN THE HOUSE, EVERYTHING'S JUST KIND OF DYING ON A TIE VOTE.

>> THAT'S HOW IT FEELS FOR ME EVERY SINGLE AY.

>> Cathy: GOING BACK ON WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER ABOUT COMMUNICATION WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, IS THAT GOING TO BE AN ISSUE GOING FORWARD?

>> I THINK IT IS.

AND YOU CAN FIX THAT, BUT I DO THINK THAT THE GOVERNOR'S GOING TO HAVE TO GET TO CAUCUSES.

THE GOVERNOR'S GOT TO GET TO THE CAUCUSES.

HE'S GOT TO PICK UP THE HONE TO COMMITTEE CHAIRS.

WHEN YOU GET MEMBERS GOING PUBLIC, ON HIS SIDE OF THE AISLE, SAYING IN THEY HAVEN'T HEARD FROM HIM -- >> Cathy: ARE YOU SURPRISED BY THAT?

I EAN, WHAT'S HE DOING?

>> I MEAN, A LITTLE BIT.

I'VE ALWAYS HAD A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNOR, BUT MAYBE THAT'S I LIKE TO PICK UP THE PHONE ALL THE TIME AND CALL.

I DEFINITELY THINK THAT BEING A LAME DUCK GOVERNOR, YOU GOT A LOT F JUNIOR STAFF, A LOT OF THAT WORK GETS DONE AT THE STAFF LEVEL AND THEY'RE KIND OF FIGURING THAT OUT AND THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT PEOPLE KNOW ON THE STAFF ANYMORE.

>> THIS IS A GOVERNOR WHO GENERALLY HAS I THINK SET A TONE FOR WHAT HIS KEY PRIORITIES ARE.

HE IS TYPICALLY JUST KIND OF TAKEN WHAT THE LEGISLATURE SENT HIM.

SO THINKING BACK TO THE TRIFECTA, THAT WAS REALLY A LEGISLATIVE AGENDA THAT CAME TO HIM, NOT SOMETHING HE OUTLINED.

AND I THINK THAT'S PART OF COMMUNICATION IS YOU HAVE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT -- >> Eric: AND LAKE DUCKEDNESS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE TOO.

I THINK WE'RE DONE.

THANK YOU.

♪ >> ONE OF THE QUOTES I READ WAS HE SAID I'M DEVOTED TO MY RESTLESSNESS.

>> TO THE END.

I MEAN, LAST, WHAT?

INTO THE LAST YEAR, TWO ORE BOOKS OUT?

HIS FINAL MEMOIRS?

YOU KNOW, NEVER SLEPT.

HE NEVER SLEPT.

I MEAN, UNTIL THE END, HE JUST P PUMPING IT OUT.

HE FELT HE HAD MORE TO DO.

AND THE BEAUTY OF IT WAS THAT DEDICATION, MORE TO DO FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

TO BE THAT VISION OF POSSIBILITIES FOR THEM.

EVEN UNTIL HIS 90s.

THAT WAS SO IMPORTANT.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: GORDON PARKS AND ROBIN HICKMAN.

TWO LOCAL FILMMAKING LEGENDS IN ONE FAMILY.

WE'VE REACHED THE END OF OUR HOUR TOGETHER, BUT WE'VE ALWAYS GOT TIME FOR A LITTLE HISTORY ON "ALMANAC."

LAST WEEK, WE ASKED YOU ABOUT A NOTABLE MOMENT IN MINNESOTA'S ONLINE HISTORY.

THE YEAR WAS 2005.

YOUTUBE WAS BRAND-SPANKING NEW.

AND IT LED TO A CLAIM TO FAME FOR SOMEONE IN OUR ORBIT.

OUR QUESTION FOR YOU: WHAT FORMER "ALMANAC" GUEST -- AND FORMER TPT STAFFER -- CLAIMS TO BE THE FIRST PERSON TO SWEAR IN A YOUTUBE VIDEO?

WE GOT ANSWERS.

SOME RIGHT, SOME WRONG.

LET'S START WITH THE WRONG ANSWERS.

>> ERIC: BOTH GREAT GUESSES WITH MINNESOTA CONNECTIONS.

BUT NOT THE ANSWER WE WERE LOOKING FOR.

WE'LL TURN TO ANOTHER FORMER TPT STAFFER FOR THE RIGHT ANSWER ON THIS ONE.

SPENCER, IT'S ALL YOURS.

>> ERIC: WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE MONEY THING, BUT CHUCK OLSEN DOES CLAIM TO BE THE FIRST PERSON TO SWEAR ON YOUTUBE.

ACCORDING TO SPENCER, CHUCK'S WORK HERE AT TPT OCCASIONALLY NEEDED CENSORING TOO.

CHUCK IS STILL CREATING CONTENT UP NORTH.

CHECK HIM OUT.

THANKS TO ALL OUR CALLERS.

YOU, TOO, CAN CALL IN WITH COMMENTS.

651-229-1430 IS OUR NUMBER.

AND ALMANAC@TPT.ORG IS OUR EMAIL ADDRESS.

QUICK REMINDER TO TUNE IN WEDNESDAY FOR "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

MARY LAHAMMER WILL BE LIVE WITH RETIRING SENATOR SANDY PAPPAS AND MORE LEGISLATIVE UPDATES.

THAT'S EVERY WEDNESDAY DURING SESSION AT 7:00 P.M.

ON TPT'S MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

WE'VE GOT JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC.

IT WAS THIS WEEK BACK IN 2001 THAT MINNEAPOLIS ROCK BAND SEMISONIC PERFORMED ON "NEWSNIGHT."

BE CAREFUL.

♪ ♪ >> ♪ I REMEMBER WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT CHEMISTRY ♪ IT WAS A LONG, LONG WAY ♪ ♪ FROM HERE ♪ ♪ I WAS OLD ENOUGH TO WANT IT, ♪ BUT YOUNGER THAN ♪ I WANTED TO BE ♪ ♪ SUDDENLY, MY MISSION ♪ ♪ WAS CLEAR ♪ ♪ SO FOR A WHILE, ♪ ♪ I CONDUCTED EXPERIMENTS ♪ ♪ AND I WAS AMAZED ♪ ♪ BY THE THINGS I LEARNED ♪ ♪ FROM THE FINE, FINE GIRL ♪ ♪ WITH NOTHING ♪ ♪ BUT GOOD INTENTIONS ♪ ♪ AND A BAD TENDENCY ♪ ♪ TO GET BURNED ♪ ♪ OH-OH, ALL ABOUT CHEMISTRY ♪ ♪ WON'T YOU SHOW ME EVERYTHING ♪ YOU KNOW?

♪ I WONDER WHAT YOU DO TO ME ♪ ♪ OH-OH-OH, OH-OH-OH ♪ ♪ ♪ FOR SOMEBODY TO APPRECIATE ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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