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

>> LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING LATE AND SO ARE WE AS SESSION NEARS THE END.

WE'LL DISCUSS SOME THINGS THAT MAY ACTUALLY GET DONE, DEALING WITH HOSPITALS AND FRAUD.

THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

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

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... MANITOBA HYDRO, PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES, A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY, SUPPORTING PROJECTS THAT PROTECT MINNESOTA'S ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY, PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY, A SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATION IN SCOTT COUNTY.

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

AND THE IRON MINING ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA, EDUCATING MINNESOTANS ON THE IRON ORE INDUSTRY AND ITS ROLE FOR AMERICAN STEEL.

>> WELCOME TO "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL," I'M MARY LAHAMMER, COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY WHERE LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING BEHIND US TONIGHT.

IT'S BEEN YEARS SINCE THAT'S BEEN TRUE, BUT THERE IS JUST TEN DAYS LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE AWMAKERS, HOUSE MEMBERS WHO RAN UP HERE TO JOIN US AND TALK ABOUT BIPARTISAN BILLS TO SAVE AN IMPORTANT HOSPITAL AND THE ISSUE OF FRAUD.

WE HAVE THE RETIRING LAWMAKER LEADING THAT ISSUE, BUT FIRST, WE BEGIN BY LOOKING AT BUSY WEEK WITH HISTORY MADE IN THE SENATE ON THE ISSUE OF GUNS THAT PROVED INCREDIBLY EMOTIONAL.

>> PLEASE JOIN US IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE TO REMEMBER HARPER AND FLETCHER.

>> THE MINNESOTA SENATE VOTED FOR BANNING HIGH CAPACITY ASSAULT WEAPONS AFTER A DEADLY SCHOOL SHOOTING.

>> WHAT THEY WERE GOING THROUGH AS PARENTS, IT'S UNSPEAKABLE.

AND WE CAN PREVENT THAT.

>> I REFUSE TO HAVE ANOTHER CONVERSATION WITH MY KIDS IF I DON'T DO SOMETHING MORE.

I REFUSE IT.

BECAUSE I CAN'T LOOK THEM IN THE EYE AND NOT DO SOMETHING.

>> AT BEST, THESE ARE FEEL-GOOD MEASURES THAT DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO PROTECT OUR SCHOOLS OR INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY.

IT DOES THE EXACT OPPOSITE BY PUNISHING TWO AND A HALF MILLION LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS BY MAKING THE LAW COMPLICATED AND POTENTIALLY EXPENSIVE TO OWN A FIREARM.

>> IT IS WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING THAT I WISH WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE TODAY WAS THE ANSWER.

>> SEEMS AS IF BIPARTISANSHIP HAS DIED IN THIS CHAMBER.

I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY FORWARD HERE, MAKE SURE THAT MINNESOTANS AND THE STUDENTS THAT GO TO OUR SCHOOLS ARE SAFE AND SECURE EACH DAY.

>> WE ARE A GENTLE, LOVING PEOPLE.

WE ARE A JUSTICE SEEKING PEOPLE.

WE ARE AN ANGRY AND GENTLE PEOPLE.

>> MY MIME IS MIKE MOYSKI, THANKS FOR HAVING ME IN TODAY.

I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD OF THE SENATE FLOOR AND IT WAS HISTORIC.

>> THE QUESTION IS SIMPLE, WHO IS CHOOSING TO SAVE LIVES AND WHO'S CHOOSING TO PERPETUATE AN EPIDEMIC AGAINST OUR EIGHBORS ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> FOLLOWING DEADLY IMMIGRATION ACTION ACROSS THE STATE.

>> LEGITIMATE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, FULFILLING THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION, ONE OF THEIR ENUMERATED POWERS TO ENFORCE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW.

>> NONE OF US, NOT ONE SINGLE INDIVIDUAL IN THIS CHAMBER SHOULD BE PROUD HALF OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DID TO OUR STATE.

NO ONE.

>> RECORD OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO THE STATE.

>> THE GOVERNOR AND PARDON BOARD GRANTED EMERGENCY CLEMENCY FOR AN IMMIGRANT FACING DEPORTATION.

>> AS FAR AS I KNOW, REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IS SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH WHAT HAPPENED.

THEY HAVE NOT APOLOGIZED, THEY HAVE NOT SAID THAT THE KILLING OF ALEX PRETTI AND RENEE GOOD WAS A BAD THING.

THEY HAVE NOT QUESTIONED KRISTI NOEM AND HER LEADERSHIP AT THE TIME NOR HAVE THEY QUESTIONED THE MOVES RIGHT NOW.

SO VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THE REPUBLICANS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE TO US WHEN THEY WERE ACTUALLY FOR IT.

AND I THINK THAT'S A REAL PROBLEM.

>> SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR ANNOUNCED HER PLAN AS THE LEADING CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

>> I'M LAYING OUT MY PLAN TO TRANSFORM OUR STATE GOVERNMENT INTO A GOVERNMENT THAT IS INNOVATIVE, EFFECTIVE, AND ACCOUNTABLE.

THESE IDEAS AREN'T PARTISAN.

GOOD IDEAS CAN COME FROM DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

SOME OF THEM ARE PENDING RIGHT NOW BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE.

>> THE FRAUD COMMITTEE CONCLUDED FOR SESSION.

>> IT HAS EYE OPENING FOR ME AND I THINK FOR ALL OF UR MEMBERS AND ALSO FOR THE PUBLIC.

SO I THINK THE ROLE OF HAVING A BROAD OVERSIGHT OMMITTEE HAS SERVED THE INSTITUTION WELL AND I HOPE THAT A FUTURE LEGISLATORS WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE AN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, BECAUSE I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THIS BODY.

>> AND A BIPARTISAN PLAN TO RESCUE HCMC HAS MOMENTUM.

>> THIS IS OUR STATEWIDE HOSPITAL, FOR A LACK OF A BETTER TERM, WE HAVE PATIENTS NOT ONLY IN HENNEPIN COUNTY BUT ACROSS THE STATE WHO ARE COMING HERE.

>> AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS IS A STATEWIDE RESOURCE, WELL, THOSE OF US WHO LIVE IN HENNEPIN COUNTY ARE REALLY FOOTING THE BILL TO KIND OF HELP THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT CASHFLOW HAPPEN WEEK TO WEEK AND SO THAT'S SORT OF PART OF THE REASON FOR THE NEED FOR INTERVENTION.

>> I'LL JUST LEAVE IT AT THIS.

IT'S A COMPLEX ISSUE AND SO I HOPE WE CAN CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH IT AND LOOK AT ALL THE DIFFERENT ANGLES AND KIND OF COME TOGETHER ON IT.

>> IT'S MY GOAL NOT TO HAVE A SITUATION WHERE WE'RE PUTTING BAND-AIDS ON SO WE CAN LIMP ALONG FOR A COUPLE MORE YEARS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M LOOKING AT.

WHAT I'M LOOKING AT IS TO MAKE IT SO THAT HENNEPIN, HCMC, NORTH EMORIAL CAN NOT SURVIVE BUT THRIVE.

♪ ♪ >> Mary: WITH US NOW A COUPLE OF THE HOUSE MEMBERS WORKING TO SAVE HCMC.

WE HAVE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE DANNY NADEAU AND D.F.L.

REPRESENTATIVE ESTHER AGBAJE.

FIRST OF ALL, REPRESENTATIVE, WE JUST SAW YOUR BILL THERE IN TAX COMMITTEE.

EXPLAIN WHAT IT DOES.

>> SO THE BILL THAT I'M CARRYING IS ESSENTIALLY HENNEPIN COUNTY'S POSITION THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM THE AUTHORITY TO EXTEND THE BALLPARK TAX TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR HOSPITAL NEEDS AND SERVICES.

SO THAT IS ESSENTIALLY WHAT WE'RE CARRYING.

I THINK IT HELPS PULL THE PRESSURE OFF US TRYING TO FIND A CASH ALTERNATIVE TO IT, RIGHT?

BUT ALSO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE FUNDING FOR HENNEPIN HEALTH CARE IN THE LONG-TERM.

>> REPRESENTATIVE NADEAU, WHAT ABOUT THAT SOURCE?

TAXES AND REPUBLICANS, THOSE TWO ISSUES MAYBE GET A LITTLE DICEY.

>> YEAH, IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR, IT'S COMING, WE'RE COMING OFF OF A LOT OF TAX INCREASES IN THE PAST, AND SO REPUBLICANS ARE A LITTLE BIT RETICENT TO LOOK AT THIS AS AN INITIAL, AS AN INITIAL OPTION.

THAT'S WHY A LOT OF US ARE ALSO, ESTHER AND I ARE WORKING ON OTHER OPTIONS.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO HAVE EVERYTHING AT THE TABLE BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT ASSET THAT THE STATE HAS.

IT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT TO OUR HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM.

>> Mary: YOU NEED HIS VOTE SO WHAT ELSE IS ON THE TABLE TO TRY AND GET REPUBLICAN VOTES?

>> RIGHT, WELL, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF OPTIONS AS DANNY TALKED ABOUT.

WE HAVE SOME CASH OPTIONS THAT ARE SORT OF A HOSPITAL STABILIZATION FUND.

THERE'S ACTUALLY A SPECIFIC FUND TO HCMC TO HELP THEM STABILIZE.

WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT WAYS THAT MAYBE WE CAN USE MEDICARE ACCOUNTING INSTEAD TO BE THE FORMULA FOR CASH FUND.

BUT REALLY WE JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO FIND ANY RESOURCE THAT WE CAN TO SHOW THAT NOT ONLY ARE WE IN THIS TO LIKE HELP HCMC BUT THAT WE'RE IN IT FOR THE LONG-TERM.

WE DON'T WANT WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW, PEOPLE ARE LEAVING AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE HEALTH CARE IS TOP NOTCH FOR A LONG TIME.

>> WE ARE HEARING FROM A LOT OF LAWMAKERS OUTSIDE OF HENNEPIN COUNTY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THIS HOSPITAL SERVES THE REGION AND THE STATE, BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

HOW ARE YOU BEEN TALKING TO YOUR COLLEAGUES WHO ARE FROM RURAL MINNESOTA OR OUTSIDE THE METRO?

>> YEAH, AND THEY TRULY DO UNDERSTAND AND RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT, OF THAT TRAUMA ONE CENTER AND THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY -- THE MEDICAL TRAINING COMPONENT OF IT AS WELL.

YOU KNOW, 40% OF THOSE PATIENTS HCMC SEES ON AN ANNUAL BASIS ARE COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF HENNEPIN COUNTY AND JUST THE CAPACITY ALONE, IT'S 130,000 ENCOUNTERS PER YEAR THAT COME INTO HCMC USING THE HYPERBARIC CHAMBER, USING THE BURN CENTER, THE POISON CONTROL CENTER.

IT'S A REAL HUB AND IT'S ABSOLUTELY VITAL TO HENNEPIN, OR TO THE STATE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

>> AND I THINK PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE METRO FOUND THEY GET AIRLIFTED, THEY GET TRANSFERRED, EVEN IF YOU DON'T START AT HCMC THERE'S A LOT OF SPECIALTIES THAT YOU HAVE TO END UP THERE.

ARE PEOPLE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT?

EVERYBODY KNOWS SOMEONE.

>> OH, DEFINITELY, YEAH.

WE'VE HEARD MULTIPLE STORIES FROM MEMBERS, FROM PHYSICIANS, FROM COUNTY OFFICIALS THAT EVERYONE COMES TO CMC PARTICULARLY IF YOU NEED SPECIALIZED CARE OR IF YOU NEED CARE THAT YOU JUST CAN'T GET AT THE LOCAL HOSPITAL WHERE YOU LIVE.

>> HENNEPIN COUNTY IS A LARGE GEOGRAPHIC COUNTRY.

THERE'S CONCERN ABOUT AXPAYERS WHO HAVE BEEN KEEPING THIS AFLOAT.

TALK TO US ABOUT KEEPING TAXPAYERS HAPPY AND CREATING A STATE SOLUTION INSTEAD OF JUST A HENNEPIN COUNTY SOLUTION.

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, AND HENNEPIN IS, 20% OF THE POPULATION F THE STATE LIVES IN HENNEPIN COUNTY.

AND THEY JUST HAD A, I THINK IT WAS A SIX OR 7% PROPERTY TAX INCREASE LAST YEAR AND REMEMBER ONE LEVY POINT S ABOUT $10 MILLION IN HENNEPIN COUNTY.

SO HENNEPIN RESIDENTS ARE FEELING, JUST LIKE PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE, ARE FEELING THE SQUEEZE OF INFLATION AND HEALTH CARE COSTS RISING, AND SO I THINK THEY'RE LOOKING FOR THE LEGISLATURE, NUMBER ONE TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN THIS ISSUE, NUMBER TWO, TO PROVIDE STABILITY, DEAL WITH THE CRITICAL COMPONENT THAT CMC IS DEALING WITH RIGHT NOW BUT ALSO AT THE SAME TIME ADDRESS THE LONG-TERM IMPACTS THAT OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS FACING RIGHT NOW NOT JUST BECAUSE OF INFLATION AND SOME OF THOSE OTHER, THE REAL THINGS, BUT WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT IMPACTS FROM HR1 COMING DOWN THE LINE AND THOSE ARE IMPORTANT COMPONENTS FOR THE STATE TO DEAL WITH.

>> YEAH, THE GOVERNOR BLAMED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE SITUATION.

IS THAT FAIR?

>> I MEAN, I THINK THEY DEFINITELY TAKE PART OF THE BLAME BUT AT THE SAME TIME THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES IS IN DIRE STRAITS.

AND SO WHEREVER YOU WANT TO TRY TO PINPOINT HAT, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE OMETHING THAT WE NEED TO TAKE CARE F ACROSS THIS COUNTRY OTHERWISE MORE HOSPITALS LIKE HCMC ARE LIKELY TO FACE POTENTIAL CLOSINGINGS.

>> Mary: AND WHAT DO YOU SEE BETWEEN THE FEDERAL RESPONSIBILITY AND STATE ON THIS?

WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT CREATED THIS CRISIS?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK I MEAN WITH THE FEDS WHAT THEY'RE DOING NOW IS THEY'RE BASICALLY PUTTING WORKFORCE RESTRICTIONS ON, THEY'RE TRIMMING BACK THE LOOKBACK REQUIREMENTS BUT ONCE AGAIN IT'S THE MEDICAID RATES, I MEAN, WE'RE PAYING, OUR MEDICAID RATE, PEOPLE THAT ARE ON OUR PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS, MEDICAID, MINNESOTACARE, OUR HOSPITALS AND PROVIDERS ARE BEING PAID LESS THAN THE COST OF CARE AND SO THAT'S A STATE AND A FEDERAL SHARED, YOU KNOW, ISSUE.

SO THESE ARE BIG LONG-TERM ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS.

HCMC IS LITERALLY THE ACUTE THING RIGHT NOW, BUT REPRESENTATIVE AGBAJE IS RIGHT, EVERY HOSPITAL IS GOING TO BE FACING A LOT OF THESE SIMILAR ISSUES, AND THIS I THINK WILL HOPEFULLY BE AN XAMPLE OF A WAY THAT WE CAN SHOW HOW TO FIX THIS.

>> Mary: THIS WAS NOT ON ANYONE'S BINGO CARD OR TOP THREE HEADING INTO SESSION.

IT SEEMS LIKE NOW IN THE FINAL TEN DAYS THIS IS ALMOST TOP OF THE LIST TO GET DONE?

>> YES, IT IS DEFINITELY TOP OF THE LIST TO GET DONE.

I THINK WE CANNOT WALK OUT OF HERE WITHOUT A SOLUTION FOR HCMC.

>> Mary: BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, DO YOU THINK THIS HAS RISEN TO THE TOP?

>> I DO, THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT.

IT'S NOT IF, IT'S HOW.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO WORK THROUGH AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO BUT, NO, IT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO I THINK, I THINK IT'S VERY BIPARTISANLY SUPER IMPORTANT.

>> Mary: AND IN THIS CHAMBER IT HAS TO BE BIPARTISAN.

HOW IS IT GOING WORKING TOGETHER, WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE?

>> I THINK WE'VE BEEN WORKING WELL TOGETHER.

WE'VE BEEN IN A TON OF MEETINGS, WE'VE BEEN SHARING DRAFTS BACK AND FORTH AND WE TALK TO EACH OTHER ALL THE TIME SO I'M HAPPY THAT WE HAVE THIS PARTNERSHIP AND WE'RE KIND OF LEADING THE WAY FOR THE REST OF OUR COLLEAGUES.

>> Mary: COULD THIS BE A TEMPLATE FOR OTHER ISSUES?

YOU'RE MOVING QUICKLY, SESSION'S WINDING DOWN, T'S BIPARTISAN.

YOU'RE JUST KIND OF CUTTING THROUGH ALL OF THE, YOU KNOW, CROWD ON THIS.

>> I SURE HOPE IT IS.

THERE'S SO MANY THINGS THAT DIVIDE US BUT THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS WHEN WE DO COME TOGETHER AND WE HAVEN'T BURNED BRIDGES IN THE PAST IT MAKES IT SO MUCH EASIER TO WORK TOGETHER.

AND ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE THAT CARE ABOUT SOMETHING, YOU CAN FIND PATHS THROUGH.

YOU JUST HAVE TO ORK HARD AT IT.

>> Mary: IS THERE TIME IN THE LAST TEN DAYS FOR THIS TO GET DONE AND OTHER ISSUES?

>> THERE'S ALWAYS TIME, UNTIL THAT FINAL GAVEL BANGS THERE'S ALWAYS TIME.

>> Mary: SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

>> WE KEEP WORKING.

WE KEEP BUILDING SUPPORT, WE KEEP IDENTIFYING ALL THOSE BARRIERS THAT ARE KEEPING US FROM GETTING THIS DONE AND HOPEFULLY WE GET HERE.

>> Mary: AND COMMITTEE WORK, IN PUBLIC, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, DOES THIS GO UP TO LEADERSHIP, GET LINKED TO OTHER THINGS?

>> I THINK IT'S ALL HANDS ON DECK FOR THIS SO EVERYONE IS PUTTING THEIR INPUT ON THIS AND EVERYONE IS DOING THE WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A SOLUTION.

>> Mary: AND WHAT DO YOU SEE ON THAT?

>> ON WHAT?

>> Mary: ON IF THIS GETS DONE IN TIME.

>> OH, WE'LL GET DONE ON TIME.

I'M VERY, VERY, VERY OPTIMISTIC.

>> Mary: IT'S BECOME THE ISSUE TO WATCH.

THANKS, YOU TWO.

>> THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ ♪ >> Mary: WITH THE NUMBER OF LAWMAKERS THAT ARE LEAVING THE LEDGE SLAUGHTER TO RUN FOR OTHER OFFICE, WE HAVE NOT BEEN TALKING TO THOSE, BUT REPRESENTATIVE KRISTIN ROBBINS SUSS SUSPENDED ER CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR AFTER A LIFETIME OF CARING ABOUT GOVERNMENT.

♪ ♪ >> I'M NOT AN ATHLETE SO I WAS NEVER INVOLVED N SPORTS.

I PLAYED OBOE IN BAND, I WAS IN CHOIR, I DID DEBATE YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT, I LOVED CIVICS.

WE HAD A TEACHER NAMED MS.

HIGGINS WHO WAS NEAR RETIREMENT WHEN I HAD HER ND SHE'D BEEN TEACHING ABOUT 40 YEARS AND SHE WAS FANTASTIC AND THAT'S WHERE I REALLY THINK SOME OF MY LOVE OF GOVERNMENT STARTED.

[ Banging Gavel ] >> THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.

A QUORUM IS PRESENT.

[ Banging Gavel ] [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> Mary: WITH US NOW IN PERSON REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE KRISTIN ROBBINS, FIRST OF ALL REPRESENTATIVE, WHAT WAS THAT MOMENT LIKE HAVING THAT FAREWELL AT THE SPEAKER'S DESK?

>> OH, IT WAS JUST WONDERFUL.

LOOKING OUT AT ALL MY COLLEAGUES AND SWEET MEMORIES IT'S BEEN A WONDERFUL EIGHT YEARS, I AM VERY BLESSED TO HAVE SERVED.

IS IS >> >> Mary: HOW ABOUT YOUR FUTURE?

YOU'RE DONE WITH YOUR RUN FOR GOVERNOR, ARE YOU DONE WITH POLITICS?

>> YOU KNOW, I'LL NEVER SAY NEVER, BUT LIFE IS ONG AND THERE ARE MANY THINGS TO DO IN LIFE.

I HAVE LOVED THE EIGHT YEARS I'VE SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE, IT'S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE BLESSING BUT THERE'S A LOT TO DO SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO FINDING OUT WHAT ELSE I COULD PUT MY HAND TO.

>> Mary: IT SOUNDS LIKE WE TALKED LAST WEEK, YOU ARE NOT RUNNING FOR THE SENATE SEAT THAT OPENED UP FOR SENATOR LIMMER, NOT RUNNING FOR AUDITOR.

STILL IN THOSE POSITIONS?

>> YES, NO, I'M NOT SEEKING ANY OTHER OFFICE, THAT WAS THE PLAN AND I'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT THAT BUT, YEAH, I AM NOT LOOKING FOR ANYTHING ELSE IN THIS CYCLE.

>> Mary: WE SAW YOU AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SHOW CHAIRING THE FRAUD COMMITTEE.

THAT HAS BEEN A VERY HIGH PROFILE PLACE FOR YOU AND ISSUE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN IN THESE FINAL DAYS ON FRAUD IN THIS SESSION?

>> WELL, I'M HOPING WE GET THE OIG BILL PASSED TOMORROW.

I BELIEVE IT'S ON THE FLOOR TOMORROW.

AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT HAT WE HAVE THIS INDEPENDENT EXECUTIVE BRANCH INSPECTOR GENERAL, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE AS THE LEGISLATURE, WE CAN'T GO IN THERE AND FIRE PEOPLE AND CLEAN THINGS UP BECAUSE IT'S A SEPARATE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT SO WE NEEDED THAT EMBEDDED IN THE OIG.

WE NEED TO EXTEND THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS, THERE'S OTHER BILLS ORKING ON INTERNAL CONTROLS.

SO THERE ARE MANY THINGS I WANT TO GET OVER THE FINISH LINE >> Mary: INSPECTOR GENERAL STAY SEPARATE OSO IT IT CAN MOVE ALONG TO THE SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR >> YES, THAT'S OUR HOPE.

>> Mary: OTHER ISSUES, WILL THEY GET BUNDLED?

I KNOW I RAN INTO THE HEAD OF THE BCA, PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER AND I SAID WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING OVER HERE AND THEY SAID WE'RE WORKING ON FRAUD.

THERE IS A LAW ENFORCEMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY ASPECT TO SOME OF THESE ILLS.

>> ABSOLUTELY, NO, AND THERE ARE FRAUD BILLS MOVING IN ALL THESE DIFFERENT COMMITTEE BILLS, SORT OF COMMITTEES OF JURISDICTION, SO I EXPECT THAT WE WILL GET SEVERAL THINGS OVER THE FINISH LINE, SO.

>> Mary: HOW DIFFERENT DOES SESSION LOOK NOW THAT YOU ARE NO LONGER RUNNING FOR STATEWIDE OFFICE AND RUNNING AGAINST TWO OF YOUR COLLEAGUES, THAT ARE TWO CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR IN THIS CHAMBER.

DOES IT FEEL DIFFERENT NOW?

>> IT REALLY DOESN'T.

WE ALL DID A REALLY GOOD JOB OF KEEPING THE POLITICS OUT OF THE SESSION.

AND SO WE DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO FOR THE TEAM AND WE'RE FULLY FUNCTIONING FOR OUR COMMITTEES AND FOR OUR TEAM AND POLITICS WAS AT THE DOOR SO IT'S NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM AND IT REALLY HASN'T HANGED, SO.

>> Mary: I'VE BEEN TALKING TO ALL THE RETIRING LAWMAKERS AS I CAN SEE MELISSA HORTMAN'S FLOWERS DOWN THERE AND HER MEMORIAL AND EVERYBODY HAS ADMITTED IT HAD A REAL IMPACT ON SESSION.

TELL ME HOW IT'S AFFECTED YOU.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, IT'S HEARTBREAKING TO ALK IN THE CHAMBER EVERY DAY BUT ALSO SO HONORING, I LOVE THEY'RE DOING THE FRESH ROSES AND HER PHOTO IS THERE, HER CHAIR IS ROPED OFF.

I THINK IT'S EXACTLY APPROPRIATE, AND WE'VE DONE A COUPLE BILLS TO HONOR MELISSA AND MARK THAT WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME AND HONOR HER LEGACY.

I THINK HAT'S REALLY GOOD AND HEALING FOR THE MEMBERS.

BUT CERTAINLY IT'S DIFFERENT.

AND I THINK SHE WOULD WANT US TO MOVE FORWARD AND GET THE WORK DONE.

SHE WAS A WORKER BEE, SO.

>> Mary: THAT NEW HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING ACROSS THE STREET BE NAMED AFTER HER?

DO YOU THINK THAT'S LIKELY TO HAPPEN?

>> I DON'T KNOW HONESTLY, I'M NOT ON THE COMMITTEE THAT DEALS WITH THAT.

THERE'S TALK ABOUT THAT, THERE'S TALK ABOUT A PARK.

SEVERAL THINGS.

>> Mary: MEMORIAL, STATUE, BUT YOU THINK MORE IS COMING TO HONOR HER.

>> I DO THINK SO, YES.

>> Mary: HOW ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND HISTORY, WE WERE ENJOYING THE PIECE OF YOU GOING THROUGH YOUR YEARBOOK AND I KNOW YOU'VE CONTINUED OUR WHOLE LIFE TO BE INVOLVED IN YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT AND REALLY WANTING YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE HERE.

TELL ME THE IMPACT THAT HAD ALL THE WAY BACK TO YOUR TEENAGE YEARS TO THE PRESENT.

>> OH, I LOVED IT.

I TOLD PATRICK MURPHY WHEN I WAS ON THE DAIS YESTERDAY, LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN HELP.

I WANT TO STAY INVOLVED IN ENCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE, I TRY TOCAP IN TOUCH WITH THEM AND ENCOURAGE HEM SO ANYTHING I CAN DO TO PROMOTE YOUNG PEOPLE'S INTEREST IN PUBLIC SERVICE I WILL CONTINUE TO DO.

>> Mary: DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD AB BE ELECTED OFFICIAL TODAY WITHOUT YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT?

>> OH IT, REALLY IGNITED ME, I'M SO THANKFUL.

AND THERE'S OTS OF WAYS TO SERVE EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT ELECTED I WORKED AS A STAFFER IN CONGRESS 30-SOME YEARS AGO, WORKED AT THE LEGISLATURE UNDER GOVERNOR CARLSON, AND GOVERNOR PAWLENTY, I WAS ON HIS CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS COMMISSION.

AIF YOU HAVE THAT SPARK TO DO PUBLIC SERVICE THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO BE INVOLVED.

>> Mary: LAST WEEK WE HAD THE D.F.L.

COCHAIR OF THE CIVILITY CAUCUS.

TALK TO ME ABOUT CIVILITY, DO YOU THINK THERE'S HOPE FOR THAT STILL?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FUN TO DO IT WITH SAPPED AREA, SHE AND I HAVE BECOME GOOD FRIENDS.

I THINK THE WORK OF THE CIVILITY CAUCUS IS IMPORTANT, IT'S IMPORTANT WE AS LEGISLATORS KNOW EACH OTHER AS PEOPLE SO WE CAN BUILD TRUST TO DO THE HARD NEGOTIATIONS AND THAT IS THE MISSION OF THE CIVILITY CAUCUS AND I THINK IT'S BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND I HOPE IT CONTINUES NEXT SESSION.

>> Mary: I NOTICED YOU STUDIED ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE.

WHICH BETTER PREPARED YOU FOR THIS JOB HERE IN THE HOUSE?

[ LAUGHTER ] WHAT DO YOU CALL ON MOST?

>> YOU KNOW, I DO THINK THE ECONOMICS.

AND THAT'S WHY I GOT THE MASTERS BECAUSE AT ROOT, MOST PUBLIC POLICY DECISIONS HAVE SOME ECONOMIC DRIVER WHETHER IT'S MEETING A NEED FOR CITIZENS OR WHETHER IT'S A BUDGET ISSUE, AND SO I THINK HAVING THAT UNDERSTANDING AND HERE IN THIS SESSION REALLY BEING A SPOKESPERSON IN SOME WAYS AGAINST THE RISE OF SOCIALISM AND PROMOTING FREE MARKETS AND CAPITALISM AND LOW TAXES, THE THINGS THAT REALLY DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH, I FEEL LIKE THAT'S BEEN ONE OF THE WAYS I'VE CONTRIBUTED.

>> Mary: YEAH, AND WHAT ABOUT A UNIQUE PLATFORM, IN THIS TIED HOUSE EVERY COMMITTEE HAS COCHAIRS, YOU HAVE THE ONE AND ONLY COMMITTEE WHERE YOU YIELD THAT GAVEL.

HOW IMPORTANT WAS THAT ON THE ISSUE OF FRAUD FOR YOU?

>> I THINK IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAD THE COMMITTEE MAJORITY SO THAT WE COULD PURSUE THE OVERSIGHT QUESTIONS WE WANTED TO BRING.

AND I THINK WE DID A REAT SERVICE TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND NATIONALLY O UNCOVER THE VECTORS OF FRAUD, THE BUSINESS MODEL OF FRAUD, AND TO KIND OF CRACK THE DOOR OPEN SO THAT OTHER STATES CAN SEE WHAT THESE RED FLAGS ARE AND HOPEFULLY CRACK DOWN ON FRAUD IN THEIR OWN STATES.

MINNESOTA IS THE CANARY IN THE COAL MINE BUT IT IS GOING ON OTHER PLACES.

>> Mary: FINAL ADVICE WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THE PERSON WHO REPLACES YOU OR OTHER LAWMAKERS WHO COME UP HERE?

>> TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERYTHING, MEET EVERYONE, ATTEND ALL YOUR COMMITTEE HEARINGS, READ ALL YOUR BILLS LIKE REALLY DIVE IN AND TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.

IT'S SUCH A --S IT'S SUCH AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AND ALWAYS PUT YOUR CONSTITUENTS IRST, ALWAYS DO CONSTITUENT SERVICE.

THAT'S BEEN THE MOST REWARDING, MOST OF MY SERVICE HAS BEEN IN THE MINORITY SO ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING PARTS HAS BEEN MOVING THE NEEDLE FOR MY CONSTITUENTS AND THAT'S A GREAT JOY.

>> Mary: WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF REAL QUICK?

>> OH, GOODNESS!

I GUESS THE WORK ON THE FRAUD GENERALLY, BUT, YEAH, SO MANY THINGS.

SO MANY THINGS THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVEN'T SEEN WHERE YOU HELP SOMEONE GET THEIR PENSION OR YOU ELP, YOU KNOW, IN SMALL WAYS FOR DIFFERENT FAMILIES, THAT'S A HUGE BLESSING.

>> Mary: THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE, REPRESENTATIVE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Mary: WELL, WE HAVE ANOTHER RETIRING LAWMAKER ON NEXT WEEK AS WE HEAD INTO THE END OF SESSION.

YOU CAN CONTINUE TO WATCH THE HOUSE, SENATE FLOOR SESSIONS, THERE WILL BE A LOT OF LATE ONES LIKE THIS, COMMITTEES, CONFERENCE COMMITTEES, PRESS CONFERENCES AND MUCH MORE ON THE STATEWIDE PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION YOU ARE WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

ALSO YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE THAT'S T OF PT.ORG/AATC AND WATCH OUR PROGRAM THERE.

SPEAKING OF OUR PROGRAMS, FRIDAY NIGHT ON "ALMANAC" ERIC AND CATHY WILL TALK TO SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE STAR TRIBUNE PULITZER PRIZE WINNING TEAM, THEY WON FOR THEIR COVERAGE OF THE ANNUNCIATION SCHOOL SHOOTING.

THEY'LL BE TALKING TO THEM, AND I WILL TAKE A DEEPER DIVE INTO THE TWO ISSUES GAINING A LOT OF MOMENTUM IN THE FINAL DAYS THAT, OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL AND FRAUD AND THEN HCMC'S, SOLVING THAT HOSPITAL SITUATION THAT'S IN CRISIS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING TONIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

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

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... MANITOBA HYDRO, PROVIDING CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MINNESOTA UTILITIES FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

MANITOBAHYDROPOWER.COM.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES, A LEADING PRODUCER OF THE FUELS MINNESOTANS RELY ON EVERY DAY.

MINNESOTA LOTTERY, SUPPORTING PROJECTS THAT PROTECT MINNESOTA'S ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY, PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY, A SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATION IN SCOTT COUNTY.

MORE AT SHAKOPEEDAKOTA.ORG.

AND THE IRON MINING ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA, EDUCATING MINNESOTANS ON THE IRON ORE INDUSTRY AND ITS ROLE FOR AMERICAN STEEL.

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