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

>> ERIC: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," VICE PRESIDENT VANCE IS HEADING TO PEACE TALKS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, POSSIBLE IMPACT OF EXECUTIVE ORDER AND SAVE ACT ON MINNESOTA VOTING, A SPRINGTIME VISIT FROM BIRDCHICK.

AND MARY LAHAMMER'S BEEN FOLLOWING ONE OF THE BIG STORIES UP AT THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK.

>> Mary: ETHICS COMPLAINTS FOLLOWED A DAY AND NIGHT OF DRINKING THAT INCLUDED ONE LAWMAKER WITH A PERMIT TO CARRY A WEAPON.

WE'LL EXPLORE A BIPARTISAN RESPONSE TO THAT.

>> IF IT WAS ME, I WOULD SURRENDER MY PERMIT TO CARRY.

>> I DID CHOOSE TO REMOVE THEM FROM THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES.

>> 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 DAYTON, THROUGH THE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL MINNESOTANS FUND, SUPPORTING ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE STATEWIDE.

>> ERIC: COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL TALK ABOUT EFFORTS TO SAVE HENNEPIN COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER, SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON IS HERE TO TALK VOTING LAWS, SHARON STITELER, AKA BIRDCHICK, ON SPRING BIRD MIGRATION.

AND, OF COURSE, PLENTY OF POLITICS.

>> CATHY: WE START WITH INTERNATIONAL NEWS AND THE WAR IN IRAN.

VICE PRESIDENT VANCE HEADED TO PEACE TALKS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AT THE END OF A WEEK THAT INCLUDED A THREAT FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT "A WHOLE CIVILIZATION WILL DIE TONIGHT" IF IRAN DID NOT COMPLY TO HIS DEMANDS BY TUESDAY NIGHT.

A FRAGILE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT FOLLOWED, BUT AN END TO THE WAR DOES NOT SEEM IMMINENT.

UNIVERSITY OF ST.

THOMAS PROFESSOR SHAHERZAD AHMADI SPECIALIZES IN RECENT POLITICAL HISTORIES OF IRAN AND IRAQ.

IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> Cathy: WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR PEACE TALKS?

>> THE HOPE FOR PEACE TALKS WOULD BE AN END TO THE WAR.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A CEASE-FIRE, WHICH MEANS A BREAK IN THE CONFLICT, AND HOPEFULLY A PATH TOWARD PEACE.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Eric: WHAT IS THE COMPLICATING FACTOR, HOW MUCH OF A COMPLICATING FACTOR IS ISRAEL, OTHER NATIONS IN THE REGION?

IT SEEMS KIND OF A MESSY FROM THAT STANDPOINT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE BIGGEST QUESTION RIGHT NOW IN PRESIDENT TRUMP'S KIND OF SIDE OF THE EQUATION WOULD BE HOW MUCH INFLUENCE HE CAN EXERT OVER PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU IN ISRAEL.

THE POINT OF CONTENTION FOR IRANIAN NEGOTIATORS WOULD BE THE CONFLICT IN LEBANON.

SO FROM ISRAEL'S PERSPECTIVE, THEY WOULD LIKE IRAN TO PUT PRESSURE ON HEZBOLLAH TO COMPLETELY SURRENDER FROM IRAN'S PERSPECTIVE, THEY DO NOT WANT TO ABANDON THEIR SATELLITE MILITIA IN LEBANON, WHICH HAS BEEN SUPPORTING THEM.

SO THIS WILL BE THE MAJOR ISSUE HAT THEY HAVE TO DETERMINE BEFORE THE CEASE TALKS REALLY -- OR THE CEASE-FIRE REALLY GOES THROUGH.

>> Cathy: AND EVEN BEFORE MUCH OF THE OLD REGIME WAS LITERALLY KILLED OFF, IT WAS A COMPLICATED GOVERNANCE SITUATION IN IRAN ANYWAY, RIGHT?

SO I WONDER HOW MUCH THAT COLORS THESE TALKS GOING IN.

THESE ARE EVIDENTLY, I GUESS, NEW PEOPLE.

>> IT DOES INDEED.

THE OLD GUARD WAS DEEPLY INFORMED BY CONVENTIONAL WARFARE IN THE IRAN/IRAQ WAR, BETWEEN 1980 AND '88.

THE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW IN CHARGE OF LEADERSHIP WERE MUCH MORE SHAPED BY THE KIND F PERIPHERAL CONFLICTS IN IRAQ, SYRIA, LEBANON.

THEY SEE HESSE THEY SEE HESS HEZBOLLAH HAS INTEGRAL IN THEIR DETERRENCE OF FURTHER CONFLICT WITHIN IRAN.

SO FOR THEM ABANDONING HEZBOLLAH IS REALLY NOT ON THE TABLE.

THERE'S TREMENDOUS PRESSURE IN THE ICE LAMBIC -- ISLAMIC REPUBLIC.

>> Eric: IS THERE PRESSURE TO GET THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ OPEN?

>> I THINK THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

AND IRAN WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE FROM THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ WHILE THEY HAVE THAT LEVERAGE.

SO THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE EAGER TO OPEN THAT UP NY TIME SOON.

>> Cathy: DO YOU REALLY THINK THERE WAS TRUTH TO THE PRESIDENT'S COMMENT THAT THE U.S.

WOULD JOIN WITH IRAN AND MAKE MONEY OFF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ?

>> THIS INDICATES HOW TRANSACTIONAL PRESIDENT TRUMP IS, THAT HE SEES IRAN AS MAKING MONEY FROM THE STRAIT AND WHY CAN'T AMERICA HAVE A CUT OF IT.

THE PURPOSE OF AMERICA'S INFLUENCE ABROAD IS TO ENSURE FREE TRADE FOR A GLOBAL ECONOMY TO FUNCTION.

THIS IS PART OF WHY AMERICAN INFLUENCE HAS BEEN SO ERALDED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

BUT NOW WE SEE IRAN EXERTING THIS INFLUENCE, PRESIDENT SEEING THAT THIS IS LEVERAGE THAT CAN BE USEFUL.

THE QUESTION IS, COULD AMERICA EVEN ACCOMPLISH THIS?

ACCORDING TO IRAN IT CANNOT.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ, BUT, AT THE MOMENT, I DON'T SEE IT OPENING UP.

>> Eric: COULD NATO AND THE PRESIDENT GET BACK ON THE SAME PAGE IF NATO WERE TO HELP OUT DOING SOMETHING TO OPEN UP HE STRAIT?

>> WE WILL SEE IF NATO CAN DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

RIGHT NOW THERE'S CONVERSATION ABOUT A COALITION OF COUNTRIES THAT WOULD INTERVENE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ.

THIS REALLY COMES FROM THE ARAB GULF COUNTRIES THAT ARE APOPLECTIC ABOUT THIS AR.

IT'S NOT ONLY AFFECTED THE WAY THAT THEIR TOURIST ECONOMY FUNCTIONS, THE OIL ECONOMY FUNCTIONS BUT IT ALSO AFFECTED THEIR CALCULUS ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL, WITH THE UNITED STATES.

THEY NEED TO SEE THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY DO SOMETHING FOR THEM TO MERIT THE CONTINUATION OF THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.

>> Cathy: HOW HARD IS THIS AS AN IRANIAN AMERICAN, THE OLD GUARD WAS NOT GREAT, OBVIOUSLY, AND YET, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T WANT THE COUNTRY O BE OBLITERATED.

I MEAN, IT MUST BE VERY DIFFICULT TO WATCH THIS.

>> THE AMOUNT OF DISDAIN THAT IRANIAN AMERICANS FEEL FOR THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC IS GREAT.

I'M TALKING ABOUT IT'S DEEP, IT'S PROFOUND, NOBODY LIKES THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC.

AND THE THREAT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP MADE, WHICH WAS CIVILIZATIONAL, I MEAN, THAT WAS SOMETHING CATEGORICALLY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT I THINK MOST IRANIAN AMERICANS, EVEN THOSE WHO MIGHT SUPPORT THE WAR, EXPECTED TO HEAR.

I THINK IT HAS CHANGED THE LANDSCAPE AMONG IRANIAN AMERICANS WITH RESPECT TO THE WAR.

BUT WE'LL SEE.

YOU KNOW, I THINK FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PERSPECTIVE, YOU KEEP HEARING HIM SAY, I'VE HEARD IRANIAN AMERICANS SUPPORT THIS WAR, SO IT MUST BE A GOOD DEA.

THERE'S OBVIOUSLY DIVISION, BUT THAT TRUTH SOCIAL THAT HE PUT OUT WAS GENOCIDAL, I MEAN, IT WAS REALLY REALLY PROFOUND.

>> Eric: AND WHAT ABOUT THE NUCLEAR MATERIAL?

I HAVEN'T HEARD MUCH ABOUT IT IN THE LAST FEW DAYS.

>> SO PART OF IRAN'S TEN-POINT PLAN WHICH TRUMP SAID WOULD BE THE BASIS OF A REASONABLE NEGOTIATION, INCLUDED THE PRESERVATION OF NUCLEAR ENRICHMENT.

SO, IF THAT ENDS UP BEING THE BASIS OF A NEGOTIATION, IRAN IS ACTUALLY GETTING MORE THAN IT WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IF THE UNITED STATES HAD NOT INITIATED THIS WAR.

>> Eric: YOU'RE EXPLAINING IT VERY WELL TO US.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

♪ >> ERIC: THE FALL MIDTERM ELECTIONS ARE LESS THAN SEVEN MONTHS AWAY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS DEMANDING VOTING CHANGES NATIONWIDE.

TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER LAST TO WEEK TO CREATE A NATIONAL LIST OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS.

HIS RESPONSE TO LEGISLATION CURRENTLY STUCK IN THE U.S.

SENATE.

THAT FEDERAL BILL, KNOWN AS THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, ADDS REQUIREMENTS FOR VOTERS, INCLUDING SPECIFIC IDENTIFICATION.

MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON JOINS US.

A LOT OF HAND RINGING ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN.

YOU'VE ALWAYS STRUCK ME AS VERY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT MINNESOTA'S ABILITY TO PULL THIS OFF.

>> I AM OPTIMISTIC.

TODAY, IN CASE YOU WERE COUNTING, WE ARE 207 DAYS AWAY FROM THE GENERAL ELECTION.

AND, LOOK, I WANT TWO THINGS FOR THE COMING ELECTION.

HERE THEY ARE.

HIGH TURNOUT AND LOW DRAMA.

THAT'S WHAT I'M SHOOTING FOR.

HIGH TURNOUT I'M VERY CONFIDENT ABOUT.

MINNESOTA, WE ROCK IT ALMOST EVERY TIME, WE'RE ALMOST ALWAYS ONE, TWO, OR THREE IN THE COUNTRY IN VOTER TURNOUT.

LOW DRAMA, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT DEPENDS ON A LOFT PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER TO ENSURE.

AND I THINK WE CAN DO IT.

WE HAVE THE TOOLS, WE HAVE THE LAWS, WE HAVE THE PARTNERSHIPS, WE CAN DO IT, BUT WE'VE GOT TO BE WATCHFUL FOR THINGS THAT MIGHT BE THROWN IN OUR PATH.

>> Eric: THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOESN'T HAVE A LOT TO SAY ABOUT LOCAL STATE ELECTIONS, IS THAT FAIR TO SAY?

>> THAT'S FAIR TO SAY.

THE CONSTITUTION'S REALLY CLEAR.

ARTICLE I, SECTION 4, SAYS THAT STATES ARE IN CHARGE OF THE TIME, PLACE AND MANNER OF ELECTIONS, EXCEPT CONGRESS CAN STEP IN FROM TIME TO TIME.

LIKE WITH THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

BUT IT SAYS NOTHING WHATSOEVER ABOUT A PRESIDENT, THIS ONE OR ANYONE, JUST KIND OF WAVING A MAGIC WAND IN THE OVAL OFFICE AND DECREEING THINGS, WHICH IS WHY THE RECENT EXECUTIVE ORDER ACTIVITY IS REALLY CONCERNING AND WHY MINNESOTA HAS LINED UP ALONG WITH 20 PLUS STATES TO SUE TO GET THAT THING STRUCK DOWN.

>> Cathy: BECAUSE IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> RIGHT.

>> Cathy: WOULD BE THE EXECUTIVE ORDER, DO YOU THINK, JUST LOOKING AT PURE POLITICS NOW, DO YOU THINK THE EXECUTIVE ORDER IS HIS -- THE PRESIDENT'S ATTEMPT TO MAYBE EKE OUT SOME LEVERAGE OR PUSH THE SENATE TO DO OMETHING ON THE SAVE ACT?

>> IT MIGHT BE.

THE SAVE ACT SEEMS TO BE REALLY BOTTLED UP IN THE U.S.

SENATE RIGHT NOW, NOTHING'S TRULY EVER DEAD IN WASHINGTON OR IN St.

PAUL, RIGHT, IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

BUT RIGHT NOW IT SEEMS TO BE PRETTY MUCH BOTTLED UP AND MAYBE THAT'S RIGHT, MAYBE THIS IS A FACE-SAVING MEASURE OF SOME KIND.

I DO EXPECT IT WILL BE STRUCK DOWN.

PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES CAN'T JUST WAVE A MAGIC WAND AND START DECREEING STUFF FROM THE FEDERAL OFFICE -- FROM THE OVAL OFFICE WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTIONS.

>> Cathy: WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SAVE ACT, HOW MANY PEOPLE COULD BE DISENFRANCHISED BY IT, IF IT WERE TO, SAY, PASS?

>> SO WE HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE IN THE STATE OF KANSAS.

ABOUT 10, 15 YEARS AGO, KANSAS HAD AN ELECTION UNDER THEIR STATE VERSION, KIND OF A MINI VERSION OF HE SAVE ACT.

AND BEFORE A FEDERAL JUDGE STRUCK THAT LAW DOWN IN KANSAS, THEY HAD THAT ELECTION AND 31,000 ELIGIBLE KANSASANS, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THIS, ELIGIBLE AMERICAN CITIZENS WHO WERE KANSASANS, WHO HAD BEEN VOTING IN SOME CASES FOR YEARS OR DECADES, THEY WERE TURNED AWAY AND THEY WERE SHUT DOWN IN THEIR EFFORTS TO VOTE.

NOW, WE ARE ROUGHLY TWO TIMES THE SIZE OF KANSAS, YOU CAN DO THE MATH.

THERE'S A REAL THREAT, I THINK, THAT IF WE HAD SOMETHING LIKE THIS COVERING MINNESOTA THAT YOU'D HAVE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ELIGIBLE MINNESOTANS NOT ABLE TO VOTE.

>> Eric: YOU'RE ON THE ROAD A LOT TALKING TO GROUPS ABOUT ELECTION STUFF.

AND I WONDER, DO YOU PERCEIVE THAT THERE'S SOME SKEPTICISM THAT IT'S ON THE UP AND UP, THAT IT'S NOT RIGGED, THAT IT'S RIGGED, AND WHAT'S YOUR ANSWER TO THAT?

>> WELL, THERE ARE ALWAYS PEOPLE WHO RE GOING TO BE SKEPTICAL, AND SKEPTICISM'S OKAY.

WE'RE A DEMOCRACY, IT'S GOING TO BE SKEPTICAL OF YOUR GOVERNMENT AND ASK THEM REALLY HARD QUESTIONS.

ABOUT ANY SUBJECT.

BUT I THINK THERE ARE A COUPLE REASONS WE KNOW THAT CONFIDENCE IN MINNESOTA ELECTIONS IS VERY HIGH.

NUMBER ONE, PUBLIC OPINION TELLS US SO.

THE LATEST "STAR TRIBUNE" POLL HAD IT I THINK AT 79% HAVE CONFIDENCE.

THAT'S REALLY HARD.

HARD O GET 79 -- THAT'S REALLY HIGH.

HARD TO GET 79% OF PEOPLE TO AGREE ON ANYTHING IN A POLL.

WE DO HAVE TURNOUT, WE VOTE AT SKY HIGH REASONS, BUT SURELY ONE OF THE REASONS, IN THEIR HEARTS, IN THEIR GUTS, MINNESOTANS KNOW IT'S FUNDAMENTALLY CLEAN AND HONEST THAT DOESN'T MEAN EVERYONE WHO VOTES LOVES EVERYTHING ABOUT THE SYSTEM, I'M NOT SAYING THAT, THERE ARE SOME WHO VOTE WOULD WOULD LIKE TO ADD SOMETHING OR SUBTRACT SOMETHING.

BUT AT A BASE LEVEL, WE VOTE IN SKY-HIGH NUMBERS BECAUSE PEOPLE FUNDAMENTALLY KNOW IT'S CLEAN AND HONEST.

>> Cathy: I WONDER, GIVEN ALL OF THE CHURN AROUND AND RHETORIC AROUND ELECTIONS, HOW MUCH PRESSURE DOES THIS PUT ON ELECTION JUDGES AND STAFF?

>> IT DOES PUT SOME PRESSURE ON THEM.

AND WE'VE HAD, THANK GOODNESS, LIMITED EPISODES AND INCIDENTS, IN THE LAST FEW YEARS OF PEOPLE FEELING REALLY THREATENED.

THE GOOD NEWS THERE IS, WE HAVE REALLY GOOD AND REALLY CLEAR LAWS IN MINNESOTA ABOUT POLLING PLACES, WHAT CAN BE THERE, WHO CAN DO WHAT WHEN THEY'RE IN THE POLLING PLACE.

AND THOSE WILL BE A REALLY GOOD SHIELD FOR ANY ELECTION JUDGE OR WOULD-BE ELECTION JUDGE WHO FEELS ANY SENSE OF ANXIETY.

IT TAKES 30,000 PEOPLE, THAT'S A SMALL ARMY TO STEP UP EVERY NOVEMBER AND BE AN ELECTION JUDGE AND WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT THAT EXPERIENCE IS SMOOTH AND SOOTHING AND UNEVENTFUL ', LIKE I SAID, HIGH URNOUT, LOW DRAMA.

>> Cathy: I UNDERSTAND TO UNDERSCORE THIS, YOU AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE PAST ON MPR, ARE THERE CONTINGENCY PLANS IN PLACE IN CASE SOMETHING STRANGE HAPPENS AROUND THE ELECTION?

>> YES, WE HAVE AN ALL HAZARDS APPROACH IN OUR OFFICE, WHICH MEANS WE HAVE TO PLAN FOR A LOT OF STUFF THAT MIGHT NEVER HAPPEN.

SO WE HAVE TO PLAN FOR THE BOMB THREAT, WE HAVE TO PLAN FOR THE POWER OUTAGE, WE HAVE TO PLAN FOR THE TORNADO.

WE HAVE TO PLAN FOR THE POSSIBILITY THAT THERE MIGHT BE A LAST-MINUTE EXECUTIVE ORDER FROM WASHINGTON, D.C., OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT INTERFERES WITH OUR ELECTIONS.

SO WE'RE ACTIVELY DOING THAT, NOT ONLY WITH OTHER STATES, BUT INTERNALLY, WITH PARTNERS IN MINNESOTA.

YOU GOTTA PLAN FOR THAT STUFF, EVEN IF, AND MAYBE ESPECIALLY IF, THE ODDS ARE LOW THAT IT WILL HAPPEN.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

APPRECIATE SEEING YOU TONIGHT.

THANKS.

>> MY PLEASURE, THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ >> TANE: I JUST RECENTLY FINISHED THE STEAMY HBO SERIES "HEATED RIVALRY."

IT’S ABOUT TWO MEN WHO FALL IN LOVE IN ONE OF THE FEW SITUATIONS WHERE THAT’S NOT REALLY OKAY - ON RIVAL PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY TEAMS.

ALSO, ONE’S FROM RUSSIA.

IT GOT ME THINKING OF WHAT OTHER CONTENTIOUS SPACES WOULD MAKE FALLING IN LOVE COMPLICATED IN THE PUBLIC EYE.

THE FIRST THAT CAME TO MIND, POLITICAL RIVALS FROM DIFFERENT PARTIES.

WELCOME TO "ACROSS THE HEATED AISLE."

[ MAGICAL MUSIC PLAYING ] >> DUCK: YOU THINK I’M EVER GOING TO LET THAT APPROPRIATION BILL OF YOURS COME UP FOR A VOTE, YOU SOCIALIST SNOWFLAKE?

>> JIM: SNOWFLAKE?

YOU LOSE YOUR MIND WHEN SOMEONE HAS THEIR PRONOUNS IN THEIR EMAIL SIGNATURE, YOU REACTIONARY CONSERVATIVE BULLY.

>> DUCK: YOU’RE NOT PASSING ANYTHING WHILE I HOLD THE GAVEL.

>> I'M PASSING 50 ILLS THIS SESSION.

>> DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE?

>> WHAT?

>> HOLDING MY GAVEL.

>> JIM: NO.

>> DUCK: YOU’RE A BAD LIAR, FOR A DEMOCRAT.

>> JIM: OHHH, WE CAN’T KEEP DOING THIS.

BUT I CHECK THE SCHEDULE FOR EVERY TIME WE HAVE A JOINT COMMITTEE HEARING.

>> DUCK: HAVE YOU TOLD YOUR CAUCUS?

>> JIM: OF COURSE NOT.

>> DUCK: THEN WHO WILL KNOW?

>> JIM: I HAVE YOU PROGRAMMED IN MY PHONE AS HILLARY.

>> DUCK: WHAT IS THIS PIN?

>> JIM: THE REBEL LOON.

>> DUCK: STUPID MINNESOTA WOLF BIRD.

>> JIM: BETTER THAN YOUR STUPID RED HAT.

[ SIGHING ] >> DUCK: WHAT IS YOUR OFFICE NUMBER?

>> JIM: I’M IN THE SENATE BUILDING, 8702.

>> DUCK: AND IF I CAME BY, SAY ABOUT 9:00... >> JIM: MAYBE I’D OPEN• >> DUCK: MAYBE I’LL KNOCK• >> JIM: COME TO MY CABIN THIS SUMMER?

>> DUCK: OKEY.

CLEAR CLEA♪ CLEA♪ >> CATHY: ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF WAKING UP WITH THE BIRDS, LIKE I DO MOST DAYS, IS KNOWING THAT A CHANGE OF SEASONS IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER THIS TIME OF YEAR WITH SOUNDS RETURNING THAT I HAVEN'T HEARD SINCE LAST FALL.

IF I FIND IT FUN, JUST THINK ABOUT WHAT AN AVID BIRDER THINKS ABOUT IN THE SPRING!

WELL, WE'RE GOING TO ASK OUR FAVORITE ONE RIGHT NOW.

SHARON STITELER, KNOWN TO MANY AS BIRDCHICK, ONCE TOLD US THAT "BIRDERS CALL IN SICK A LOT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

>> WE ABSOLUTELY DO.

[ Laughter ] >> Cathy: EXCITEMENT, EXCITEMENT.

OKAY.

WHAT IS THE COOLEST THING YOU'VE SEEN IN THE PAST WEEK?

>> OH, MY GOSH.

FOX SPARROWS ARE SINGING.

THAT'S JUST ONE OF MY FAVORITE SPARROWS, THEY'RE VERY RED AND THEY'RE KICKERS, SO THEY KICK AROUND ON THE GROUND.

THEY'RE ALSO KIND OF BEEFY SO THEY'RE A LITTLE BIGGER AND EASY TO SEE.

YEAH, THAT'S JUST ONE OF MY FAVORITES.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW I'M GOING TO ASK YOU WHAT THEY SOUND LIKE.

>> I CAN'T DO THAT BUT MY PHONE SURE CAN.

>> Cathy: NOT GOING TO PUT ON THE SPOT.

>> IT'S TOO COMPLICATED OF A SONG.

>> Cathy: IT'S OKAY.

>> Eric: WE WANT YOU TO NARRATE SOME PHOTOS FOR US.

>> Cathy: THEY'RE NESTING ALREADY.

>> I'M PRETTY SURE THEY HAVE CHICKS JUST BASED ON THEIR ACTIVITY.

MY FRIEND CLIFF THE OTHER NIGHT SENT ME PHOTOS OF YOUNG BARD OWLS OVER BY THE CHAIN OF LAKES.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO START SEEING BIRDS OUT AND BOUT, BABY BIRDS, AND BIRDS ARE BUILDING NESTS.

THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR WHERE, I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE YOU HAVE A WREATH THAT YOU HAVEN'T TAKEN IN, HOUSE FINCHES AND ROBINS ARE LOOKING AT THOSE WREATHS RIGHT NOW.

SO UNLESS YOU REALLY WANT TO HAVE A DRIED-UP WREATH OUT ON YOUR DOOR FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, MAYBE TAKE THAT IN BEFORE A BIRD DECIDES TO NEST IN IT.

>> Cathy: IS IT OKAY TO HAVE A IRD NEST IN IT?

>> IT'S FINE, YEAH.

BUT MAYBE YOU DON'T WANT YOUR DRIED-OUT HOLIDAY WREATH HANGING OUT THERE IN MAY AND JUNE.

WE IGNORE OUR PORCHES A LITTLE BIT.

BUT START CHECKING YOUR PORCHES, IF YOU SEE BIRD START TO BUILD A NEST WHERE YOU DON'T WANT IT, IT'S OKAY TO TAKE IT DOWN AS LONG AS THERE ARE NO EGGS IN IT.

>> Cathy: I'M A LITTLE SURPRISED TO SEE THAT BIRDS ARE ALREADY STARTING TO HATCH.

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: I MEAN, ISN'T THAT EARLY?

>> NOT FOR CROWS AND NOT FOR OWLS.

THIS IS A HOUSE FINCH.

THIS IS A COMMON FEEDER BIRD.

THIS IS A HOUSE FINCH NEST IN AN EMPTY BIRD FEEDER.

SO, I MEAN, HOUSE FINCHES WILL NEST IN JUST ABOUT ANYTHING, A LOT OF PEOPLE GET THEM NESTING IN THEIR HANGING PLANT BASKETS.

THIS IS A YOUNG GRAY-HORNED OWLET, I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT OWLS BECAUSE THEY GO HROUGH THIS BRANCHER PHASE WHERE THEY CAN'T REALLY FLY BUT THEY CAN CLIMB REALLY WELL.

SO YOU MIGHT SEE THEM ON WANT GROUND.

THE ADULTS ARE STILL TAKING CARE OF THEM.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE, LIKE, OH, DO I NEED TO TAKE THIS BIRD TO THE RAPTOR CENTER, CHECK WITH THEM FIRST, BUT LEAVE THEM BE, THEY'RE LEARNING HOW TO FLY AND HUNT.

AND MAKING A LOT OF SCREECHY NOISES.

>> Eric: THE ADULTS ARE PROTECTING?

>> OH, YEAH, THEY'LL SWOOP AT YOU SOMETIMES.

>> Eric: GOOD TALONS.

>> Cathy: SO I LOVE WARBLERS, ARE THEY COMING?

>> BUTTER BUTTS ARE JUST COMING.

YELLOW RAMPED WASH ALREADY, THAT'S THE FIRST ONE TO ARRIVE.

WARBLER.

SOON WE'LL GET THE PALM WARBLERS, BUT EARLY MAY, THAT'S WHEN WE'LL START SEEING THE BLACK-THROATED GREEN, ND MAYBE HER LUCKIEST AND THE GOLDEN WARBLERS, BUT THE YELLOW RUMPS ARE SHOWING UP NOW.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT THE BIG FIGHT BETWEEN THE PER BEGIN AND THE EAGLE?

>> THE WHOLE SITUATION HAS ME GOB SMACKED.

SO THE NORTH MINNEAPOLIS HERON RECRY, HAS SO MUCH DRAMA, IT'S AN AMAZING REALITY SHOW RIGHT NOW.

TYPICALLY THE HERONS AND THE CORMORANTS CORMORANCORMORANTS ARRIVE, I WEO DO A SERVICE, TO WELCOME THEM BACK, NO BIRDS WERE IN THE WATER.

AND BALD EAGLES HAVE BEEN HANGING OUT ON THE ISLAND AND THEY HAVE STARTED BUILDING A NEST.

>> Cathy: OH, NO.

>> SO THE HERONS, THEY'RE NOT THRILLED WITH IT BECAUSE EAGLES WILL EAT THEIR CHICKS.

SO, THEY'RE NOT SURE ABOUT COMING IN.

BUT THERE'S A NEARBY PEREGRINE FALCON NEST AND THE PEREGRINE ARE CHASING THE BALD EAGLES OUT.

MY FRIEND GOT AN AMAZING PHOTO.

>> Eric: SIZE WISE, THEY MATCH.

>> SO THAT IS A PEREGRINE ESCORTING A BALD EAGLE OUT.

ONE OF THEM WAS TRYING TO BRING IN A STICK AND THAT PEREGRINE SAID ABSOLUTELY NOT, METHAMPHETAMINE.

AND CHASED THE -- MA'AM.

AND CHASED THE EAGLES OUT.

THE EAGLES ARE STILL PERSISTING, WHEN THE EAGLES ARE AWAY, THE HERONS AND THE CORMORANTS COME BACK, BUT AS SOON AS THEY SEE THE EAGLE, IT CHASES THEM OFF.

SO IF YOU GO TO THE MARSHALL TERRACE PARK IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS AND WATCH THE REDUCTIONRY ON THE TWO ISLANDS, YOU'LL GET QUITE A SHOW.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

ARE THE EAGLES GO TO STAY?

ARE THE HERONS GOING TO STAY?

OR WILL THE EAGLES SAY, PEREGRINES ARE TERRIBLE NEIGHBORS I'M OUT.

>> Eric: WHAT KIND OF COMEBACK HAVE THEY MADE IN MINNESOTA WHEN THEY WERE THREATENED?

>> WE NOW HAVE THE LARGEST POPULATION OUTSIDE OF ALASKA, LARGEST BREEDING POPULATION.

AND THERE ARE SOME POPULATIONS THAT WE HAVE MORE EAGLES NOW THAN IN THE HISTORICAL RECORD THAT EUROPEANS HAVE BEEN KEEPING.

BUT, YEAH, WE'VE GOT -- THEY'RE EVER WHERE.

>> Eric: HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?

>> Cathy: OBVIOUSLY THROUGH CONSERVATION EFFORTS.

I WANT TO KNOW A LITTLE BIT BEFORE WE GO, ABOUT WHAT FOOD SHOULD WE BE PUTTING OUT TO WELCOME UR FEATHERED FRIENDS?

>> SO, IF YOU'RE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A LOT OF BLACK BIRDS TAKING OVER YOUR FEEDER, HAVE ONE FEEDER THAT'S STRAIGHT STAFF FLOWER, CARDINALS, HOUSE FINCHES, THEY'LL STILL EAT IT, GROSS BEAKS WILL EAT IT, CHICKADEES WILL EAT T BUT THE BLACK BIRDS DON'T CARE FOR IT.

SUNFLOWER SEED IS ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE OUT THERE.

HOLD OFF ON YOUR NECTAR AND YOUR ORANGES UNTIL THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY.

THAT'S WHEN HUMMING BIRDS AND ORIOLES WILL COME BACK.

>> Cathy: OH, EXCELLENT.

>> Eric: THANKS BC.

>> BC.

B DOG.

BIZ BIRD CHICK, GOTTA GO.

>> Cathy: SEE YOU LATER.

THANK YOU.

>> SO THESE YOUNG WOMEN ARE HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO EARN THEIR MEDIA BADGES.

WHICH IS A COMMENDABLE THING, BUT THE MEDIA BADGES FROM "ALMANAC" DON'T COME EASY.

DO THEY?

>> NO.

>> TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR TROOP TONIGHT.

YOU'RE KIND OF REPRESENTING, YOU'RE THE SPOKESPERSON TONIGHT.

>> SO WE ARE TROOP 54206 AND ALL OF OUR GIRLS ARE FROM PARK TREE CENTER SCHOOL N ROSEVILLE.

AND LIKE HE SAID, WE'RE TRYING TO EARN OUR MEDIA BADGE AND EACH OF THE GIRLS LEARNED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT DIFFERENT JOBS THAT PEOPLE DO HERE IN THE STUDIO.

>> LITERALLY EMBEDDED WITH OUR STUDIO CREW THROUGHOUT.

AND THESE AREN'T JUST ANY MEDIA BADGES, THESE ARE CUSTOM-MADE "ALMANAC" MEDIA BADGES THAT YOU'RE DISPLAYING TONIGHT.

SHOULD WE HAND OUT SOME HARDWARE?

>> OKAY.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: HENNEPIN COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER IS MINNESOTA'S BUSIEST LEVEL ONE ADULT AND PEDIATRIC TRAUMA CENTER.

ONE OF THE STATE'S "SAFETY NET" HOSPITALS.

A TRAINING GROUND FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.

HCMC IS ALSO FACING A FINANCIAL CRISIS THAT HAS ITS FUTURE IN DOUBT.

CAN A CLOSURE BE STAVED OFF BY HELP FROM THE LEGISLATURE?

ONE OF MANY QUESITONS FOR OUR NEXT THREE GUESTS.

HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMISSIONER JEFFREY LUNDE CHAIRS THE HENNEPIN HEALTH BOARD, THE GOVERNING AGENCY FOR THE HOSPITAL.

DR.

RAHUL KORANNE HEADS UP THE MINNESOTA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.

AND DR.

LISA MATTSON IS HEAD OF THE MINNESOTA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

IT'S A REAL PLEASURE TO HAVE EVERYONE HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

COMMISSIONER, PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHY THE STRUGGLE.

AND FOR FOLKS WHO MIGHT NOT KNOW, HCMC TAKES EVERYONE, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: YOU HAVE TO TAKE EVERYONE.

BUT SO MANY PATIENTS THAT YOU SEE ARE POOR.

THEY CAN'T PAY.

AND MEDICARE, MEDICAID DON'T PAY ENOUGH.

IS THAT JUST KIND OF THE ISSUE IN A NUTSHELL?

>> IT IS.

AND I THINK AS WE LEFT THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY FROM COVID, YOU TARTED TO SEE A LAGGING TAIL, AND AS PEOPLE START TO MOVE FROM COVERED TO MEDICAID EXAMINE THEN PEOPLE ARE FALLING INTO SELF-PAY, YOU'VE REALLY SEEN OUR CLIENTELE, OUR PATIENTS CHANGE.

ABOUT 80% OF OUR PATIENTS ARE MEDICAID/MEDICARE AND SELF-PAY.

AND THAT MEANS THAT THEY COME WITH, YOU KNOW, CHALLENGES FINANCIALLY.

>> Eric: PART OF THE STORY IS THAT 25% OF THE CLIENTELE, THE PATIENTS, ARE FROM ANOTHER COUNTY OTHER THAN HENNEPIN.

>> YUP.

>> Eric: AND WONDER, CAN'T THE OTHER COUNTIES THAT BENEFIT FROM THIS BE PREVAILED ON TO COME ACROSS WITH SOME MONEY?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT'S ONE OF OUR PLANS ON THE REPURPOSING THE BALLPARK SALES TAX IS TO CAPTURE THAT.

WE KNOW WE CAN GET ABOUT 25% OF THAT SALES TAX WILL COME FROM OUTSIDE HENNEPIN.

SO AT LEAST HERE WILL BE SOME RECOUPING OF THE MONEY.

BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, THE HENNEPIN COUNTY PROPERTY TAX OWNERS ARE PAYING FOR HEALTHCARE FOR MANY PEOPLE.

AND I THINK WE'VE KIND OF HIT THAT LIMIT.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OTHER HOSPITALS.

YOU KIND OF ALLUDED TO THIS, ERIC, AND I WONDER IF A PATIENT, SAY, IS N DULUTH AT A ESSENTIA AND THEY NEED TO COME DOWN TO THE TWIN CITIES AND MAYBE GO TO CMC'S BURN UNIT, WOULD A HOSPITAL SYSTEM LIKE ESSENTIA PAY HCMC OR NOT?

>> SO, YOU KNOW, THIS IS WHAT'S SO COMPLICATED ABOUT HEALTHCARE.

INSURANCE COMPANIES PAY, THESE ARE THE HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES, AND TO COMMISSIONER LUNDE'S POINT, YOU KNOW, WHEN MEDICAID AND MEDICARE DO NOT PAY UP TO THE COST OF CARE, AND MEDICAID RIGHT NOW, THIS IS A STATE AND FEDERAL PROGRAM, IT'S ONLY PAYING 68 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR OF COST, MEDICARE IS PAYING 80 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR OF COST, HCMC HAS 75% OF THEIR PATIENTS ON THESE GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAMS, SOME OF OUR RURAL HOSPITALS HAVE 75, 80% OF THEIR PATIENTS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE ON THESE PROGRAMS, WELL, WHEN THESE WO GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAMS DO NOT PAY UP TO THE COST, THE ONLY WAY THE HOSPITAL CAN STAY ALIVE IS FOR THE OTHER INSURANCES TO PAY MORE, AND THEY'RE NOT.

BUT THAT'S THE REASON WHY YOUR INSURANCE, MY INSURANCE, YOU KNOW, ERIC'S INSURANCE, THEY'RE GOING UP.

AND, SO, IT'S ALL CONNECTED.

AND THE QUESTION I'M ANSWERING THE MOST RIGHT NOW IS, I HAVE GOOD INSURANCE.

YOU KNOW?

WHY DO I CARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE OF HOSPITAL FINANCIALS?

WELL, MY MESSAGE IS CLEAR TO THOSE MINNESOTANS, BUT ALSO TO OUR LAWMAKERS, IF THAT HOSPITAL GOES AWAY, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT CADILLAC INSURANCE YOU'VE GOT, YOUR CARE ACCESS JUST WENT AWAY.

A RECENT NATIONAL POLL SHOWED 61% OF AMERICANS ARE PRIORITIZING AND THINKING ABOUT CARE AFFORDABILITY, WHICH IS WHAT I JUST TALKED ABOUT, AND CARE ACCESS.

THESE ARE THE TWO ISSUES AT HAND.

>> Cathy: Dr.

MATTSON, BEING THE PRESIDENT OF THE MINNESOTA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, YOU REPRESENT A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE.

>> YES.

>> Cathy: SO IF HCMC WERE TO GO DOWN, HOW WOULD THAT AFFECT YOUR CONSTITUENCY AND SOME OF THE RURAL HOSPITALS?

>> WELL, SOME OF THE RURAL HOSPITALS MAY WANT TO TRANSFER PATIENTS TO HCMC, ESPECIALLY WITH THEIR RENOWNED TRAUMA UNIT AND THEIR BURN CENTER.

THAT WON'T BE ABLE TO HAPPEN ANYMORE.

WE'LL ALSO SEE THAT PATIENTS THAT USED TO GO TO HCMC WILL HAVE TO GO TO OTHER HOSPITALS.

SO SOME OF THE SUBURBAN-RING HOSPITALS WILL BE GREATLY AFFECTED BY PATIENTS WHO USED TO GO TO HCMC THAT WILL NOW NEED TO GO TO SOME OF THE THESE OTHER HOSPITALS.

AND SOME OF THE OTHER HOSPITALS ARE ALSO ALREADY FACING SOME FINANCIAL STRAINS BECAUSE THEY ALSO HAVE SIMILAR MIXES IN TERMS OF MEDICAID AND MEDICARE PATIENTS AND UNINSURED PATIENTS.

AND WITH THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT, WE SAW SOME MAJOR CUTS TO MEDICAID THAT ARE GOING TO AFFECT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON MEDICAID AND PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO PAY.

SO IT'S OING TO HAVE RIPPLE-DOWN EFFECT THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND INTO RURAL MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: COMMISSIONER, THE COUNTY BOARD, HENNEPIN COUNTY BOARD, OW OVERSEES THE -- >> YUP.

>> Eric: USED TO HAVE AN INDEPENDENT BOARD.

IS THAT CORRECT?

>> IT USED TO, YES.

>> Eric: YOU NEED TO GO BACK TO THAT?

>> WE ACTUALLY HAVE STEPPED IN AND WE HAVE STEPPED IN WITH COUNTY MONEY TO SAVE THE HOSPITAL.

SO LAST AUGUST, WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY MIGHT CLOSE IN DECEMBER.

COUNTY BOARD TOOK DIRECT CONTROL BECAUSE WE NEEDED TO GET CLEAR VIEW OF THAT FINANCIALS.

WE ARE MAKING PAYROLL RIGHT NOW.

EVERY TWO WEEKS -- >> Cathy: THE COUNTY IS MAKING PAYROLL.

>> YUP.

WHEN I TALK ABOUT OUR COMMITMENT TO KEEPING THE HOSPITAL OPEN, WE ARE MAKING A FINANCIAL COMMITMENT, WE BELIEVE IN THE HOSPITAL, WE BELIEVE IN ITS ROLE, WE KNOW IT'S ECOSYSTEM IS THE ENTIRE STATE.

BUT AT A CERTAIN POINT THERE'S A LIMIT TO HOW MUCH HENNEPIN COUNTY PROPERTY TAX OWNERS CAN PAY.

WE'RE MAKING THE PAYMENTS NOW.

WE'RE KEEPING THEM IN BUSINESS.

AND EVERYONE KNOWS, YOU CAN'T MAKE PAYROLL, YOU'RE NOT IN BUSINESS VERY LONG.

>> Cathy: 'M OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER COVERING THAT STORY IN 2007, WHEN THE MOVE WAS FOR GIVE HCMC MORE AUTONOMY.

TO ENSURE IT'S LONG-TERM VIABILITY.

AND I'M WONDERING, NOW THE COUNTY'S BACK TO OVERSEEING THE MEDICAL CENTER, IS THIS JUST A LOT OF CONFUSION OVER GOVERNANCE THAT DOESN'T HELP THE SITUATION TOO?

>> YEAH, I THINK PEOPLE CONFUSE THE TWO.

THEY THINK WE'RE IN IT BECAUSE OF ANY OTHER REASON THAN THE FACT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO SAVE IT.

AND WHAT PEOPLE IN 2007, WHEN IT GOT SPUN OUT LIKE A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY, WE WERE ALWAYS THE OVERDRAFT PROTECTION.

SO IF THE HOSPITAL COULDN'T MAKE THINGS, THE COUNTY WAS ALWAYS OBLIGATED TO COVER.

THAT HAS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM UNTIL THE LAST YEAR.

AND THAT PROBLEM IS INCREASING IN THE STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE GOING FORWARD ARE NOT BETTER, THEY ARE NOT LOOKING WELL.

>> Cathy: WHAT OTHER HOSPITALS ARE IN A SIMILAR SITUATION, MAYBE?

IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT GIVEN IT'S A COUNTY.

>> RIGHT.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS A SYSTEMIC CRISIS BECAUSE, LIKE COVID, SOME OF MY HOSPITAL LEADERS ARE TALKING ABOUT, THIS IS WORSE THAN COVID.

AND WHY IS THAT?

THERE ARE 31 HOSPITALS IN MINNESOTA RIGHT NOW THAT ARE FINANCIALLY DISTRESSED.

AND THIS IS ATIONAL DATA.

THERE ARE 18 RURAL HOSPITALS THAT MIGHT BE ON THE VERGE OF CLOSING.

I CAN TELL YOU THERE ARE SEVERAL HOSPITALS 'IN RURAL MINNESOTA RIGHT NOW WHOSE CEOs ARE SPENDING THEIR DAYS GOING FROM LOCAL BANK TO BANK TO BANK BEGGING FOR A COUPLE OF MILLION DOLLARS SO THAT THEY CAN KEEP GETTING THOSE AMBULANCES IN EXAMINE THOSE PATIENTS SERVED.

SO, THIS IS A SYSTEMIC CRISIS.

IT'S NOT JUST HCMC, IT'S NOT JUST NORTH, IT'S 31 OTHER HOSPITALS ACROSS MINNESOTA AND THE OTHER PIECE, TO Dr.

MATTSON'S POINT, WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH RIGHT NOW IS JUST THE EARTHQUAKE.

>> YUP.

>> THIS IS NOT EVEN THE FULL STORY.

THE TSUNAMI, THE HR1 SUNAMI BEGINS IN OCTOBER OF 2026.

SO, IF WE MAKE IT THROUGH THE EARTHQUAKE, THEN WE'VE GOT TO BRACE FOR THE TSUNAMI.

AND I'M REALLY WORRIED.

>> IF I CAN ADD TO THAT.

>> Cathy: GO AHEAD.

>> FOR HCMC, US ALONE, TO YOUR POINT, WE ARE FORECASTING A $1.7 BILLION HIT TO HCMC OVER TEN YEARS.

IT STARTS LOWER, BUT IT ESCALATES.

SO $1.1 BILLION FROM MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT CUTS, $600 MILLION FOR PEOPLE FALLING OFF MEDICAID AND BECOMING UNCOMPENSATED.

AND WE ARE SEEING THAT CATEGORY EXPAND.

AND THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO JUST CAN'T AFFORD THEIR CARE.

>> Cathy: SO WILL A SALES TAX INCREASE HELP REALLY?

I MEAN, THERE'S GOT TO BE SOMETHING ELSE HERE.

>> SO I THINK WHAT IT DOES, IT ALLOWS US TO GET OUR SHIP READY FOR THE STORMY WEATHER AHEAD.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE NOT AT ALL PREPARED TO TACKLE THAT.

>> IN FACT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE MOVING TOWARDS SOLUTIONS.

WE DO HAVE POLICIES IN HAND RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, OUR TOP PRIORITY RIGHT NOW IS TO HAVE THE LAWMAKERS ON A BIPARTISAN BASIS STAND WITH THE NONPROFIT HOSPITALS.

SO BEYOND HCMC, WE NEED AN EMERGENCY UNCOMPENSATED CARE FUND THIS SESSION SO THAT THESE HOSPITALS I'M TALKING ABOUT THAT ARE ACTUALLY BEGINNING CLOSURE PROCEEDINGS RIGHT NOW, THEY CAN GET A CHECK RIGHT NOW SO THAT THEY CAN STAY IN BUSINESS FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THEIR PATIENTS.

THE OTHER BIG PRIORITY WE HAVE, AND I'M REALLY -- YOU KNOW, THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO TELL MINNESOTANS -- BIG PHARMA IS OUT THERE RUNNING AD CAMPAIGNS AGAINST OUR COMMUNITIES' NONPROFIT HOSPITALS, YOU KNOW, AND WE CAN'T HAVE OUR LAWMAKERS AND OUR COMMUNITIES STAND WITH THESE TRILLION DOLLARS FOR-PROFIT BIG PHARMA COMPANIES STAND WITH THE NONPROFIT HOSPITALS.

>> Eric: IS COST CONTAINMENT POSSIBLE, REDUCE THE COST OF THE TREATMENT?

>> I MAY NEED SOME HELP ON THIS ONE.

I'M 0 NOT SURE THAT COST CONTAINMENT IS POSSIBLE.

>> YEAH.

OUR LEADERS, EVERY SINGLE DAY, THEY ARE PRACTICING OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE.

>> WE'RE DOING OUR BEST.

>> BUT REMEMBER, MINNESOTA IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST PAID STATES FOR REGISTERED NURSES, WE HAVE HIGH LABOR COSTS.

THE OTHER THING AGAIN, WE SHOULD UNVEIL WHERE THIS LARGE INDUSTRY, WHERE IS THE MONEY?

THE MONEY IS WITH BIG PHARMA.

THE MONEY IS WITH PBMs, THE MONEY IS WITH FOR-PROFIT INSURERS.

THE MONEY IS NOT WITH THE FRONT-LINE NURSES, DOCTORS AND HOSPITALS.

>> Eric: TO BE CONTINUE.

WE'RE GETTING THE HOOK HERE.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Eric: GOOD STUFF.

♪ ♪ >> WE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO HEAR THIS IN COMMITTEE.

>> Mary: WE FIRST NOTICED REPRESENTATIVE ERIN KOEGEL WHEN SHE MAY HAVE BECOME THE FIRST LAWMAKER TO ORK SO CLOSELY WITH HER INFANT AT THE CAPITOL.

>> YEAH, YEAHMENT.

>> YEAH.

I DON'T THINK YOU CAN BE A MOM WITHOUT THAT BEING THE TOP LAYER OF EVERYTHING YOU DO.

IT'S REALLY HARD AS A MOM NOT TO BE ABLE TO CARE FOR YOUR KIDDO.

>> Mary: THE THIRD-TERM LAWMAKER WAS ENJOYING LIFE WITH HER KIDDO AND FAMILY AT A CABIN THEY RECENTLY PURCHASED AND WERE DOING ONE OF MANY DIY PROJECTS.

>> I WAS MAKING A COFFEE TABLE.

I FOUND, OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THOSE COOL PINTEREST IDEAS.

>> Mary: SHE WAS CUTTING WOOD WITH A POWER SAW.

>> THERE WAS A KNOT IN IT, AND I DON'T REMEMBER ANYTHING OF THE ACCIDENT.

BUT I REMEMBER THE NOISE.

AND THEN THE NEXT THING I REMEMBER, I'M WALKING TO THE CABIN, YOU KNOW, WITH MY HAND IN MY ARM, GOING, DON'T WORRY, IT'S THE LEFT HAND.

♪ >> ERIC: LAWMAKERS RETURNED FROM THEIR SPRING BREAK AND DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS TRADED ETHICS COMPLAINTS AGAINST EACH OTHER IN THE TIED HOUSE.

POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER HAS A LOOK AT THE BIPARTISAN REACTION TO ONE ASPECT OF AN ETHICS QUESTION DEALING WITH GUNS.

>> DISINGENUOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT PROCESS.

>> Mary: ETHICS COMPLAINTS CHASTISE REPRESENTATIVES WALTER HUDSON AND ELLEETTE ENGEN FOR LEAVING COMMITTEE AND GOING TO A BAR.

THE COMPLAINT ALSO ASKS IF THEY WERE INTOXICATED ON THE FLOOR THE EVENING ENGEN WAS LATER ARRESTED FOR DUI AND HUDSON HANDED OVER HIS PERMITTED WEAPON.

OFFICERS FOUND HIM IMPAIRED BUT PLIENT.

PERMIT HOLDERS CANNOT CARRY PAST .04.

>> REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON POTENTIALLY CARRYING, HAVING A WEAPON ON THE FLOOR POTENTIALLY.

>> YOU SAW THE POLICE REPORTS COME OUT.

FROM ACTIVITY THAT WAS AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE DAY.

THAT IS WHAT I'M BASING THIS ON.

>> Mary: HAVE YOU ASKED HIM DIRECTLY, THOUGH, F HE WAS CARRYING -- >> AGAIN, THE REPORTS THAT YOU SAW, CONVERSATIONS THAT I HAVE HAD, THE DECISIONS I MADE WERE BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAD.

>> Mary: THE SPEAKER SAW NOTHING IN THEIR BEHAVIOR ON THE FLOOR TO INDICATE THERE WAS A PROBLEM.

BUT ONE FIRST RESPONDER, A FIREFIGHTER, HAS CONCERNS.

IN YOUR ROLE AS A FIRST RESPONDER, HAVE YOU SEEN THE RESULTS OF GUNS MIXING WITH ALCOHOL?

>> OH, YEAH, IT MAKES THAT DECISION MAKING A LOT LESS SHARP, LESS REALISTIC.

MORE DANGEROUS.

>> Mary: FOLLOWING THE DRINKING INCIDENT, SEVERAL LAWMAKERS REMINDED THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE DFL RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP CAUCUS.

>> IT HIGHLIGHTS WHAT RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

FORMING THIS GUN OWNERS CAUCUS, YOU KNOW, RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP CAUCUS, THESE CONVERSATIONS GO BACK TO LAST SESSION, BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS THAT HAVE QUESTIONS AND FEEL LIKE THEY'RE KIND OF PUSHED OUT OF A CERTAIN BOX AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO.

>> Mary: REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON CALLED THE ETHICS COMPLAINT A, QUOTE, DUMB MOVE.

YOU'D THINK THEY'D HAVE LEARNED BY NOW.

NEVER GIVE ME A PLATFORM.

>> Mary: ARE YOU DISAPPOINTED IN YOUR COLLEAGUE?

>> I AM.

I MEAN, IT'S DISAPPOINTING, I MEAN, WE HAVE -- SURE, WE HAVE DIFFERENCES AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

BUT I'D LIKE TO THINK WE CAN MAKE BETTER CHOICES.

I CAN'T UT MYSELF IN HIS SHOES AND SAY EXACTLY WHAT I WOULD DO.

BUT IF IT WAS ME, I WOULD SURRENDER MY PERMIT TO CARRY.

>> Mary: THE SPEAKER REMOVED BOTH MEMBERS FROM ALL COMMITTEES.

>> I DO THINK IT WAS AN APPROPRIATE EASURE AS SPEAKER AND LEADER OF OUR CAUCUS.

I DID CHOOSE TO REMOVE THEM FROM THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES.

THEY ARE STILL, YOU SAW THEM ON THE HOUSE FLOOR, THEY'RE STILL VERY MUCH A PART OF OUR CAUCUS AND THE WORK BEING DONE.

WHEN YOU LOOK BACK JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHEN THE DEMOCRATS HAD THEIR OWN ISSUE VERY SIMILAR TO THIS, THERE WERE NO LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS TAKEN AGAINST TWO DEMOCRAT MEMBERS EVER.

ON SAME DUI-TYPE SITUATIONS.

>> Mary: A NUMBER OF LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH PARTIES AND BOTH CHAMBERS HAVE HAD DUIs IN THE PAST.

BUT THIS IS THE FIRST INCIDENT WE KNOW OF INVOLVING DRINKING AND A WEAPON.

DO YOU THINK AND FEEL LIKE THERE'S ANY BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS THEN ON THIS ISSUE OF RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERSHIP AND GUN CONTROL?

>> I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE.

RIGHT?

LIKE I THINK PEOPLE IN OUR DISTRICTS, PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES ARE DEMANDING THAT WE DO SOMETHING.

>> Mary: A DFL SENATE ORIGINALLY APPROVED THE PERMIT TO CARRY LAW IN 2003, RURAL DEMOCRATS TRADITIONALLY SUPPORTED SECOND AMENDMENT ISSUES.

>> I GREW UP IN TWO HARBORS, LIVE IN DULUTH NOW.

AND, YOU KNOW, GUNS WERE A BIG PART OF THE CULTURE GROWING UP, RIGHT?

KIDS WOULD BRING THEM TO SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO GO HUNTING AFTER SCHOOL WITH THEIR FRIENDS.

WE ALL WENT THROUGH FIREARM SAFETY CLASSES WHEN WE WERE 11, 12 YEARS OLD.

IT'S NEVER BEEN LIKE JUST MY SOLE IDENTITY.

BUT FIREARMS HAVE BEEN A PART OF MY LIFE FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER.

>> Mary: FOR YEARS WE'VE COVERED THE FACT MORE LAWMAKERS ARE CARRYING WEAPONS AT THE CAPITOL AND THREATS ARE INCREASING.

>> I, TOO, HAVE BEEN THREATENED BY PEOPLE WHO WERE WEARING ANTI-GUN T-SHIRTS.

WHO CAME UP AND SAID, WE HOPE, REPRESENTATIVE NASH, THAT YOU ARE SHOT AND KILLED IN FRONT OF YOUR FAMILY.

SO LET'S WRAP OUR MINDS AROUND THAT, FOLKS.

LET'S WRAP OUR MINDS THE FACT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO PUT THIS INTO LAW ND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CHEERING YOU ON FROM THE SIDELINES WOULD LIKE TO SEE ME SHOT AND KILLED IN FRONT OF MY FAMILY.

ARE WE OKAY WITH THAT?

>> Mary: DO WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE RULES RESTRICTIONS AROUND CARRY IN THE CAPITOL, ON THE FLOOR, AS IT PERTAINS TO DRINKING?

BECAUSE THAT RENEWED THE WHOLE ISSUE OF GUNS IN OUR STATE.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, THIS CONVERSATION GOES BACK YEARS WHEN MELISSA WAS MURDERED AND MARK WERE MURDERED IN THEIR HOUSE, WHEN SENATOR HOFFMAN AND HIS WIFE WERE SHOT, LIKE THAT RENEWED THIS CONVERSATION AROUND GUN VIOLENCE AND GUN SAFETY.

AND THEN YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED AT ANNUNCIATION, AND THAT HELPED PUSH THIS ISSUE TO THE FOREFRONT AGAIN.

THIS IS ANOTHER PART OF THAT CONVERSATION.

>> Mary: THIS PERMIT CARRIER SAYS IT'S TIME TO LEAVE IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS.

>> I KNOW A NUMBER OF FOLKS DO CARRY.

AND MOST OF THEM, WHETHER IT BE IN THE CAPITOL OR OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL, ARE GOING TO DO IT IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY.

WITH THE SECURITY MEASURES THAT WE'VE SEEN HERE, DO I THINK T'S NECESSARY TO PROTECT EVERYBODY HERE?

NO, WE'VE GOT PROFESSIONALS THAT ARE DOING THAT.

>> Mary: THE KILLING OF PERMIT HOLDER ALEX PRETTI ALSO BROUGHT AWARENESS THAT MINNESOTANS OF MANY BACKGROUNDS CAN AND DO LEGALLY CARRY GUNS.

>> I'VE GOT A TON OF LIBERAL FRIENDS THAT LIKE TO GO SHOOTING THAT CARRY, THAT GO -- DO ALL THE THINGS.

HAVING A FIREARM AND BEING RESPONSIBLE ISN'T A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN ISSUE.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: SO MANY POLITICAL TOPICS, SO LITTLE TIME.

LET'S JUMP RIGHT INTO THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF THE POLITICAL PANEL.

DEMOCRATS UP FIRST.

SUSAN KENT IS A FORMER SENATE MINORITY LEADER AND A DFL LOYALIST.

ABOU AMARA, A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER NOW ATTORNEY.

REPUBLICANS TONIGHT, AMY FREDERIKSEN IS A FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, NOW A LOBBYIST.

AND BRIAN MCDANIEL, A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER, TURNED LOBBYIST AND STAND-UP COMEDIAN.

SAY, THE REPUBLICANS HAVE THEIR OWN ETHICS FILED AGAINST A DEMOCRAT.

>> YEAH.

YEAH.

YEAH.

SO, YOU KNOW, REPRESENTATIVE FALCONER IS BEING ACCUSED OF LOBBYING ON -- SORRY -- ON VOTING ON THINGS THAT HE HAD PREVIOUSLY LOBBIED FOR.

AND, I MEAN, THAT'S SOMETHING WHERE LEADERSHIP OR STAFF SHOULD BE COUNSELING THE MEMBERS TO SAY, HEY, YOU KNOW, YOU SHOULDN'T CARRY THIS, YOU SHOULDN'T VOTE ON THIS.

THIS IS TOO CLOSE.

IF THE MEMBER CHOOSES TO DO SOMETHING INAPPROPRIATE, THEN THAT'S UP TO THEM.

BUT THEY SHOULD ALWAYS BE GIVEN, YOU KNOW, GOOD ADVICE.

>> Cathy: AS A CITIZEN LEGISLATURE, THOUGH, IS THE AREA KIND OF GRAY?

I MEAN, WOULDN'T LAWYERS VOTE ON BILLS THAT YOU WOULD KNOW ABOUT?

>> AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM, RIGHT?

SO WE HAVE A CITIZEN LEGISLATURE.

WHEN YOU VOTE ON POLICIES THAT ARE GOING TO IMPACT THE MINNESOTANS GENERALLY, IT'S GOING TO IMPACT YOU ON SOME LEVEL.

WE CAN DEBATE HOW CLOSE IT SHOULD BE.

BUT LET'S REMEMBER, THESE ARE NOT THE SAME THINGS.

ONE OF THEM IS ABOUT A JOB, ANOTHER ONE IS ABOUT CRIME.

THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE ABOUT WHETHER THERE'S, IN FACT, CRIMINALITY IN THEIR ACTIONS.

SO THESE TWO THINGS ARE VERY DIFFERENT.

>> Eric: GO AHEAD.

>> WELL, I JUST THINK WHAT'S DIFFERENT, AND THIS IS INTERESTING, BECAUSE ALL OF US COULD PROBABLY SIT HERE AND LIST 15 DIFFERENT MEMBERS, AND I'M NOT GOING TO, THAT HAVE HAD DUIs ND GOTTEN THEM DURING SESSION OR OUTSIDE OF SESSION.

AND, AGAIN, NOT SAYING THAT'S OKAY.

I THINK THAT DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE IS WRONG, I'VE NOT EVER DONE IT AND WOULD NEVER DO IT.

IT'S DANGEROUS.

AND ALSO IT'S INTERESTING TO ME, THIS MOMENT THAT IT'S BEING TREATED IN A VERY DIFFERENT WAY, I THINK.

>> WELL, I THINK THE BIGGER ISSUE IS THAT THEY LEFT COMMITTEE HEARING.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE EEN DOING THEIR JOB.

AND THEY WENT TO A BAR.

WHERE THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN -- YOU KNOW, THAT IS THE ISSUE HERE.

THEY HAVE A JOB TO DO, THAT THEY ARE ELECTED TO DO AND THEY DECIDED THEY COULDN'T SPEND THEIR TIME DOING THAT AND, AS SOMEBODY WHO HAS HAD TO MAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS ABOUT WHO GETS ON WHAT COMMITTEES AND ALL THAT SORT OF STUFF, IT'S SERIOUS.

I REMEMBER -- I GOT REAR-ENDED ON A SNOW-COVERED 94 ONE MORNING ON THE WAY IN TO THE CAPITOL AND I FELT TERRIBLE THAT I WAS GOING TO MISS MY HEARING THAT MORNING.

YOU KNOW?

BECAUSE WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THERE.

>> Eric: NOW -- >> IT IS THE EXTRA -- IT'S THE EXTRA STUFF AROUND THINGS, RIGHT?

>> Cathy: NOW THE SPEAKER STRIPPED REPRESENTATIVES ENGEN AND HUDSON FROM THEIR COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: WAS THAT ENOUGH?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THINK ABOUT THIS.

THEIR REWARD FOR NOT SHOWING UP TO WORK WAS TAKING THEM OFF OF THE COMMITTEES WHERE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO THE WORK.

MAKE THAT MAKE SENSE.

>> SORRY.

I THINK IT IS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF A LEADER, THAT IS SOMETHING -- THAT'S WHAT THEY CAN DO.

I MEAN, YOU CAN'T UNELECT SOMEONE, THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS.

BUT A LEADER CAN SAY TO THEM, AND IT IS ACTUALLY A PUNISHMENT TO BE TAKEN OFF YOUR COMMITTEES, AND VERY MUCH SO.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING WITHIN HER PURVIEW THAT SHE CAN ACTUALLY DO.

TO SAY, THIS IS NOT OKAY.

>> Eric: BUT NICOLE MITCHELL, SHE SPENT THE WHOLE SESSION LAST TIME -- >> TWO YEARS, WO SESSIONS.

VOTING.

>> Eric: YEAH.

SO, YOU KNOW.

>> RIGHT.

RIGHT.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, PART OF WHAT ABOU IS SAYING IS 100% RIGHT.

COMPARED TO A REGULAR DUI, THERE IS MORE TO THIS.

AND A REGULAR DUI WILL NOT GET YOU TAKEN OFF COMMITTEES, BUT BECAUSE THIS WAS A LITTLE BIT MORE, I THINK IT WAS APPROPRIATE.

THERE NEEDS TO BE CONSEQUENCES.

AND WE NEED TO HOLD OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO A HIGHER STANDARD.

>> Cathy: IS REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON'S GUN, THEN, MACK A DIFFERENCE IN ALL THIS?

BECAUSE HE WAS -- RIGHT?

HE'S ALLOWED TO CARRY IT.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE ISSUES, THIS IS TRUE ITH MY FORMER SENATOR AND IN THIS CONVERSATION, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THIS ETHICS SYSTEM.

BECAUSE WE KEEP SAYING, WELL, WE CAN'T DEAL WITH ANYTHING UNTIL THERE'S A CONVICTION, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T DEFEND THEMSELVES IN THE CURRENT ETHICS ROCESS WITHOUT INCRIMINATING THEMSELVES, RIGHT?

AND, SO, WE -- THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE RULES, LOOK AT THE ETHICS PROCESS, AND PERHAPS RAISE THE BAR A LITTLE BIT IN TERMS OF THE STANDARDS AT WHICH WE SAY, YOU'RE OUT.

>> LET'S NOT KID OURSELVES.

IF SOMEONE HAD A SUPER MAJORITY OR IF SOMEBODY HAD JUST BIGGER MAJORITIES THAN WE HAVE, THESE WOULD BE DEALT WITH VERY DIFFERENTLY.

BUT BECAUSE WE HAVE A TIE, BECAUSE THERE WAS A ONE-VOTE MAJORITY IN THE SENATE, EVEN IF SOMEBODY WANTED TO DO WHATEVER THE RIGHT THING IS, THERE IS SUCH GREAT CONSEQUENCES TO THAT, THAT THEY HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL.

>> Eric: SINCE FEBRUARY, YOU'VE BEEN TELLING US, THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING THIS SESSION.

THAT'S WHERE WE'RE HEADED, ISN'T IT?

>> AT LEAST IN TERMS OF THE HOUSE.

THE SENATE, THE ADVANTAGE OF HAVING A MAJORITY, THEY CAN ACTUALLY WORK THROUGH SOME ISSUES AND GET THEM BEFORE THE FULL BODY SO THEY CAN GET THEM OFF OF THE FLOOR.

I'M ACTUALLY CONCERNED, WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THE END GAME, THE SENATE'S GOING TO BE AT THE 2-YARD LINE AND THE HOUSE IS GOING TO BE WAY, 30, 40 YARDS BEHIND THEM, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU SOLVE THOSE THINGS, OTHER THAN SMASHING THINGS THROUGH A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AT THE END TO TRY TO GET THINGS THROUGH.

>> IT IS NOT A FORMULA FOR SUCCESS AT ALL.

I HAVE NOT SPENT A TON OF TIME AT THE CAPITOL.

BUT IN TALKING TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE AND IN THE TIME THAT I HAVE BEEN THERE, IT'S -- IT IS A PROBLEMATIC SESSION.

AND, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT THE SECURITY.

IT IS SUCH A CONSTANT REMINDER OF, YOU KNOW, THE CHALLENGES THAT PEOPLE ARE FACING, THE MINDSET, THE GRIEVING.

IT'S A TOUGH SESSION.

>> AND IT'S SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN BUILDING TO, RIGHT?

THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, THE DEEP PARTISAN DIVIDE, WHICH, UNPRECEDENTED, ALMOST UNPRECEDENTED, WITH 67-66, LIKE ACKNOWLEDGING ALL OF THAT, AND ALSO SAYING THAT IT'S INCUMBENT ON LEADERS STILL TO GET THINGS DONE.

AND ALSO I WOULD CAUTION, LIKE, I THINK IN AN ELECTION YEAR, SOME PEOPLE MIGHT SAY, WELL, WE'LL JUST WAIT UNTIL THE ELECTION, AND THEN WE'LL MAKE OUR OWN DECISIONS.

I WOULD JUST SAY THAT REPUBLICANS SAID THAT IN 2022, DIDN'T PASS A BUDGET WITH $12 BILLION IN SURPLUS, DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AND CAME BACK TO A TRIFECTA.

IT CAN BITE OU IN THE BUTT TOO.

>> Eric: DOES IT MATTER THAT THE GOVERNOR'S A LAME DUCK?

>> NO.

IN FACT, I THINK THAT MAKES IT EASIER.

HERE'S WHY.

THE POLITICS OF TIM WALZ ARE NO LONGER IN THE ETHER TO TRY TO MOVE FOLKS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

SO I THINK THE REAL ISSUE HERE IS, HOW DO YOU GET AN END GAME IN THE HOUSE?

THAT GETS REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP ON BOARD WITH STUFF, THAT GETS ENOUGH DEMOCRATS SO YOU CAN GET SOMETHING THROUGH THE HOUSE OR AN ON CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, YOU STAFF IT IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOU CAN GET FOLKS OFF THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEES, GET FOLKS OFF THE FLOOR.

>> THERE HAS TO BE A WILL TO DO SOMETHING.

ONE OF THE TWO SIDES NEEDS TO BE WILLING TO CRAWL OVER RUSTY RAZOR BLADES TO GET SOMETHING.

AND I JUST DON'T THINK THAT REALLY EXISTS.

I THINK YOU'RE 100% RIGHT.

THE SENATE IS DOING MORE.

THE SENATE IS WANTING O DO OMNIBUS BILLS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT I DON'T THINK ANYONE S LOOKING TO GIVE UP SOMETHING BIG TO GET SOMETHING BIG THIS SESSION, WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I JUST CAN'T SEE THEM MOVING THAT FAST.

>> Cathy: DOES THAT MEAN, AN IMPORTANT BILL, LIKE WE JUST HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT HENNEPIN COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER, WOULD THAT RUN INTO TROUBLE BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU JUST OUTLINED?

>> EAH.

I THINK THERE'S A BAND-AID SOLUTION AND THERE'S AMOR A LONG-TERM SOLUTION.

I THINK THE BAND-AID SOLUTION, IN THIS CONTEXT, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT A SALES TAX, I THINK THAT'S A GREAT SHORT-TERM IDEA BUT I ACTUALLY THINK THEY MAY NEED TO CONSIDER A CASH BILL BECAUSE THAT ACTUALLY MIGHT SOLVE THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEM, AND AVOID SOME OF THE POLITICS THAT THEY DIDN'T GET THROUGH LAST SESSION.

THIS BILL SHOULD HAVE PASSED LAST YEAR.

THE FACT THAT IT DIDN'T TELLS ME THAT THERE'S SOMETHING INTERNAL GOING ON ON BOTH SIDES.

AISLE THAT'S NOT LETTING IT GET THROUGH.

>> IS THAT TRUE?

>> I AGREE.

AND I DO THINK, ACTUALLY, HAT THEY'RE MOVING TOWARDS IS SOME KIND OF A ONE-SESSION FIX TO KICK IT TO NEXT YEAR.

>> RIGHT.

>> BUT, AGAIN, WHAT I'LL JUST CAUTION, THAT DOESN'T BUY ANYTHING BUT A MATTER OF A FEW MONTHS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT HCMC.

AND THE IMPACTS ON STATEWIDE, WE HEARD ABOUT THAT ALREADY, ARE ENORMOUS SHOULD SOMETHING HAPPEN TO HCMC.

>> IT HAS TO GET DONE.

WE HAVE TO SUPPORT HENNEPIN HEALTHCARE.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT FORMER FERGUS FALLS MAYOR BEN SCHEURER RUNNING FOR AWED TO TORE ON THE -- AUDITOR ON THE DFL SIDE AS A POTENTIAL AMY KLOBUCHAR RUNNING MATE?

>> WE'VE ALL HEARD MANY NAMES, SOME OF THE NAMES ARE VERY INTRIGUING, VERY INTERESTING.

I DON'T CERTAINLY HAVE ANY INSIDE INFORMATION THERE.

>> I THINK WHOEVER AMY PICKS IS GOING TO BRING A LOT OF SKILL SETS AND PERSPECTIVES, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU'RE VOTING FOR AMY KLOBUCHAR AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET, I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO MATTER MOST.

>> Eric: AG -- MAYBE THE OIG DISCUSSION PROBABLY WE SHOULD HAVE A LITTLE BIT.

>> I WOULD JUST CHIME IN ON THE RUNNING MATE CONVERSATION.

I'VE HEARD A LOT OF PEOPLE TALK ABOUT HOW HELPFUL IT WOULD BE SINCE SHE HAS DONE ALL HER LEGISLATING WORK IN WASHINGTON TO HAVE SOMEBODY WHO'S PRETTY FAMILIAR WITH St.

PAUL.

>> MAKES SENSE.

>> SO THE OIG IS INTERESTING, TOO, IT'S A LITTLE BIT LIKE HCMC, IT FEELS LIKE IT'S A FIRE BURNING, IT NEEDS TO GET DONE, EVERYONE SEEMS TO AGREE THAT IT NEEDS TO GET DONE, BUT THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT IT WHERE THEY CANNOT COME TO A DECISION.

I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO GET DONE LAST YEAR.

IT GOT VERY VERY CLOSE,S HAVE AHEAD STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND YET THERE'S SOME PIECES OF IT THAT FOLKS ARE JUST NOT WILLING TO GIVE UP.

AND IT'S INTERESTING TO WATCH.

AND I DON'T -- I DON'T GET IT BECAUSE IT'S A WIN FOR EVERYBODY.

THAT'S NOT AN ELECTION WIN, RIGHT?

THAT'S JUST A GOOD THING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN FOR THE STATE.

AND IT'S A IN FOR EVERYONE.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WINS POLITICALLY.

>> Eric: BUT IT'S HOW INDEPENDENT THE OIG IS, RIGHT?

ISN'T THAT THE POINT?

WHO'S APPOINTING WHO?

>> THAT'S PART OF IT.

AND ALSO ANOTHER POINT OF IT, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IT'S A FULL CENT, LAST YEAR IT WAS A HALF CENT, SO I WONDER HOW THAT'S GOING TO IMPACT THE NUMBERS OF WHAT THE HOSPITAL ACTUALLY NEEDS VERSUS WHAT THE ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE WILLING TO GIVE ON THAT SALES TAX.

>> Eric: 3.8 BILLION DOLLAR TAX CUT FROM THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS.

>> WELL, I MEAN, AGAIN, I THOUGHT MAYBE TAXES HAD A SHOT THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE CONFORMITY ISSUES AND THE HCMC AND THE CHILD CARE TAX THAT THE GOVERNOR WAS TALKING ABOUT.

BUT IT JUST SEEMS LIKE -- AGAIN, MIRACLES CAN HAPPEN.

WE GOT FIVE WEEKS LEFT.

>> WE DON'T HAVE A AX BILL, MEANS WE DON'T HAVE NY FEDERAL CONFORMITY, THAT'S ANOTHER THING WE NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT GOING INTO THE ELECTION.

>> THAT'S A HUGE ISSUE, TOO.

>> Cathy: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> REFEREE: THERE NEW IDEAS COME OUT OF THE CAPITOL?

>> NO.

[ Laughter ] NO.

WITH ALL THESE THINGS, IT'S LIKE, WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE UP TO GET IT.

>> Eric: YEAH, YEAH.

>> AND THERE'S JUST NOT -- IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> IT'S A NONBUDGET YEAR, ELECTION YEAR.

>> EVEN-NUMBERED YEAR.

>> Eric: TAKE IT TO THE PEOPLE.

>> Cathy: FIVE WEEKS LEFT.

>> FIVE WEEKS LEFT.

>> Eric: TAKE IT TO THE PEOPLE.

THANKS, GUYS.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ >> I THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF THE SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS HERE IN MINNESOTA.

WE'RE OT DOING AS WELL AS WE SHOULD BE.

GIVEN THAT E CONSIDER MINNESOTA TO BE A PROGRESSIVE STATE AND GIVEN HOW WELL WHITES SEEM TO BE DOING IN COMPARISON TO WHITES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

>> ERIC: THAT ECONOMIC SUMMIT TOOK PLACE BACK IN 2011 AND THAT WAS NEKIMA LEVY ARMSTRONG'S FIRST APPEARANCE ON "ALMANAC."

TIME TO TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THIS WEEK'S INDEX FILE QUESTION.

LAST WEEK WE ASKED YOU A BASEBALL HISTORY QUESTION IN HONOR OF THE MINNESOTA TWINS HOME OPENER.

THERE'S A NICE SHOT OF TARGET FIELD WHERE THE TWINS WON THAT GAME 10-4 LAST FRIDAY NIGHT.

THEY'VE BEEN PLAYING PRETTY WELL THIS WEEK.

CATHY ASKED YOU ABOUT A BASEBALL GAME INVOLVING AN OPENING DAY OF SORTS FOR THE MYSTERY PERSON IN QUESTION.

ON THE FIRST DAY THIS PERSON "WORKED" FOR THE TWINS AT THE MAJOR LEAGUE LEVEL, THE VERY FIRST THING HE OR SHE DID WOULD BECOME A SIGNATURE PART OF THEIR CAREER.

THE DUBIOUS HONOR WOULD LAND THEM IN A TOP TEN LIST OF OTHERS WHO SHARED THEIR JOB.

OUR TASK FOR YOU SEEMED SIMPLE.

TELL US WHO THIS MYSTERY PERSON IS AND WHAT THEY DID IN THEIR FIRST PERFORMANCE FOR THE MINNESOTA TWINS.

THESE NEXT FOUR BATTERS—I MEAN CALLERS—ALL HIT FOUL BALLS.

>> ERIC: NO, NO, NO, AND DEFINITELY NO.

BUT A COUPLE OF YOU MENTIONED KEY ELEMENTS OF THE RIGHT ANSWER.

A MINNESOTA TWINS PLAYER.

A HOME RUN.

AND THE 1970 BASEBALL SEASON.

ALL ARE PART OF THE CORRECT ANSWER.

BUT NO ONE GOT ANY CLOSER.

SO WE ASK YOU AGAIN.

LET'S QUICKLY REVIEW, WITH SOME ADDED HINTS.

OUR MYSTERY PERSON MADE THEIR DEBUT AS A MINNESOTA TWIN AT THE AGE OF 19 IN JUNE 1970.

HE DID SOMETHING DURING THE FIRST AT BAT HE WAS INVOLVED IN THAT WOULD UNFORTUNATELY BECOME A SIGNATURE PART OF HIS CAREER AND EARN HIM A PLACE IN A TOP TEN LIST IN THE RECORD BOOKS.

WHO IS THIS MYSTERY PERSON AND WHAT DID HE GIVE UP IN HIS DEBUT FOR THE MINNESOTA TWINS?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING FROM BALL CLUB LAKE, STRIKE LAKE OR HOMER, MINNESOTA IN WINONA COUNTY.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL WITH ALL OF YOUR GUESSES, RIGHT OR WRONG OR IN BETWEEN.

YOU CAN ALWAYS DROP US A NOTE AT ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

HAVE YOU HEARD OUR EXCITING NEWS?

WE'RE HEADING TO ST.

CLOUD NEXT MONTH!

FRIDAY, MAY 1ST, WE WILL BE COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE CAMPUS OF ST.

CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY.

AND YOU CAN BE PART OF THE LIVE AUDIENCE.

HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE TO SECURE YOUR FREE EVENT TICKET.

FREE.

TPT.ORG/EVENTS.

THERE IS LIMITED SPACE SO YOU DO NEED TO REGISTER TO ATTEND.

TONIGHT'S SHOW-ENDING MUSIC IS FROM THIS WEEK BACK IN 2015.

TRUMPETER EXTRAORDINAIRE CHUCK LAZARUS JOINED US IN STUDIO.

TAKE A LISTEN.

COME BACK NEXT WEEK.

BE CAREFUL.

♪ CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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