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

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

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

>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS", THE INAUGURAL PROGRAM FOR THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SEASON.

WE ARE DELIGHTED THAT YOU ARE JOINING US THIS EVENING.

I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT THIS IS THE 43rd ANNUAL APPEARANCE OF "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

WE HAVE HAD 43 SEASONS WITH WONDERFUL COOPERATION FROM OUR LEGISLATORS THROUGHOUT ALL NEARLY HALF A DECADE.

BROUGHT THIS PROGRAM EACH WEEK DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THIS IS MY 33rd YEAR AS YOUR HOST, AND I'M DELIGHTED TO BE WITH YOU.

BUT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO TAKE A LOOK AT LEADERSHIP, AND AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF THIS PROGRAM.

JUST TAKE A COUPLE OF SECONDS THROUGH HISTORY, AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR CURRENT LEADERSHIP, AND WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE FOUR MEMBERS TO KEEP THE LEADERSHIP TEAMS HERE TONIGHT.

DURING THE 1979, 1981 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THE LINEUP IN MINNESOTA, THE MAJORITY LEADER.

DFLER NICK COLEMAN, AND ROBERT, AND JUST TO SHOW YOU THAT DIVIDED [INAUDIBLE] WAS EVENLY DIVIDED.

I WON'T GO INTO THE DETAILS OF THAT, BUT WE ACTUALLY HAD SPEAKERS FROM BOTH MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES AND MAJORITY LEADERS FROM BOTH MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES.

THE SPEAKER WAS EITHER ROD OR FRED MARTIN, REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT RESPECTIVEFULLY, AND THE MAJORITY LEADER WAS EITHER JERRY OR ANDERSON RESPECTIVELY AND MINORITY LEADER WAS ROD.

WE HAVE NEW LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, AND I'M GOING TO LET OUR GUESTS TONIGHT TALK ABOUT THAT LEADERSHIP BUT IT IS A DIVERSE LEADERSHIP AFFECTING MINNESOTA'S INCREASING DIVERSITY SINCE THAT HISTORIC LEGISLATURE MET.

THOSE WERE FAMOUS AND IMPORTANT NAMES IN THE HISTORY OF MINNESOTA AND I HAVE LITTLE DOUBT THAT THE LEADERSHIP TO YOU TONIGHT.

REMIND YOU, MY VIEWERS, THIS IS YOUR PROGRAM, AND INVITE YOU TO CALL IN AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE SCREEN WITH THE QUESTIONS FOR THE PANEL AND WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO FIGURED OUT HOW TO DO THAT AND WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO START OUR PANEL.

BUT LET'S BEGIN THIS WEEK, AS WE DO EACH WEEK, BY INTRODUCING OUR DISTINGUISHED PANEL AND GUESTS AND START WITH OUR OLD FRIEND ERIN MURPHY.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND ENTHUSIASM FOR CIVICS, TOO.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT'S GOOD TO BE WITH YOU TONIGHT AND TO BE WITH THIS PANEL I AM DELIGHTED WE ARE BACK TO WORK AND IN SESSION AND OFF TO A ROBUST START.

I AM, AS YOU SAY, A STRONG BELIEVER IN OUR DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS ROOTED IN MY DEEP BELIEF IN WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER.

WE HAVE SHOWN UP AFTER THIS ELECTION IN BOTH BODIES, I BELIEVE, BUT CERTAINLY IN THE SENATE WHERE I'M SERVING WITH SENATOR HOUSLEY, READY TO GET TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA, WHICH IS WHAT I THINK MINNESOTANS WANT FROM US SO I AM DELIGHTED TO SERVE THE SECOND TERM IN THE SENATE.

AS YOU KNOW, I'M A REGISTERED NURSE, AND REPRESENT A DISTRICT IN ST. PAUL AND A MOM AND I'M REALLY DELIGHTED TO BE WITH YOU HERE TONIGHT.

>> WE ARE PLEASED TO HAVE YOU, SENATOR MURPHY, AND WE WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES OF THE DAY AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE ITEMS THAT OUR VIEWERS ARE GOING TO BRING WITH US.

LET'S GO TO SENATOR KARIN HOUSLEY FROM DISTRICT 33, STILLWATER, AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST THERE.

COMMENDING SENATOR HOUSLEY THEY DO A GREAT JOB SPONSORING ACTIVITIES FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS EVENTS, LOVELY CIVIC CENTER THAT YOU HAVE NEXT TO THE HIGH SCHOOL THERE.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, SENATOR HOUSLEY.

>> THANK YOU, BARRY, AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON.

AFTER 10 YEARS OF BEING IN THE SENATE, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE BEEN ON THE "YOUR LEGISLATORS".

>> WE WILL SPEAK TO WHOEVER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EXTENDING THOSE INVITATIONS AND ISSUE THE APPROPRIATE PUNISHMENT FOR FAILING FOR INVITE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

STILLWATER, FOREST LAKE, AND IT'S PROBABLY THE BEST DISTRICT IN THE STATE, BUT I KNOW THEY ARE ALL GOING TO SAY THE SAME THING.

BUT IT IS GOD'S COUNTRY OUT THERE.

I'M NOW SERVING THE FOURTH TERM IN THE SENATE.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND STARTED HOUSLEY HOME IN 2002.

I WORK FOR THEM NOW BECAUSE I'M BUSY DOING THE OTHER JOB WITH THE LEGISLATORS DOWN IN THE CAPITAL, TRULY, TRULY ENJOY WHAT WE DO AND READY TO GET TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA IN OUR DISTRICT.

THANK YOU AGAIN, BARRY FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU ON THE PANEL.

ALSO JOINING US IS REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE LONG, REPRESENTS DISTRICT 61B IN MINNEAPOLIS.

IS A MAJORITY LEADER IN THE CAUCUS.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ENVIRONMENT TO BE WITH YOU.

I'M JAMIE LONG, REPRESENT MINNEAPOLIS.

EXCITED TO BE THE NULLLY ELECTED MAJORITY LEADER IN THE HOUSE.

USED TO CHAIR THE CLIMATE AND ENERGY COMMITTEE.

PASSION IS CLEAN ENERGY.

IT'S WHAT I DID PROFESSIONALLY FOR MANY YEARS.

I HAVE TWO SMALL KIDS AND EXCITED TO BE BACK TO WORK.

WE HAD A GREAT FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DISCUSSION TONIGHT.

DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU HERE.

REPRESENTATIVE JIM NASH FROM DISTRICT 48 IN WACONIA, MY MAJORITY WHIP.

TELL OUR VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> GOOD EVENING, BARRY, AND THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

I THINK THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME TO THE SHOW.

I'M GRATEFUL I GET TO BE THE LEAD OFF HITTER FOR THIS SEASON.

YOU HAD ME ON LAST TIME AS WELL.

THIS IS MY FIFTH TERM IN THE HOUSE IT'S GONE FAST, REPRESENTATIVE WITH SENATOR MURPHY FOR ONE TERM.

WE HAVE MET HERE IN THE STATE OFFICE BUILDING FOR A HORRIBLE HOT LOCKER ROOM FEELING SPECIAL SESSION, BUT I LOVE SERVING HERE IN THE HOUSE.

I HAVE GOT THE GOOD FORTUNE OF REPRESENTING THE FOLKS OF CENTRAL CARVER COUNTY, AND I HAVE DONE THAT FOR THE LAST COMING UP ON 10 YEARS.

BEFORE THAT I WAS THE MAYOR THERE IN WACONIA, AND ONE OF MY PASSION COMMITTEES IS THE ONE ALMOST EVERYBODY ROLLS THEIR EYES AT.

IT'S WHERE EVERY VEHICLE WILL COMES THROUGH AND IT COVERS A BROAD BREADTH OF THINGS.

ONE OF MINE IS I.T.

MINUTE, MINNESOTA IT WHERE IT IS ACTUALLY NOW A VERY HIGH FUNCTIONING RESPECTABLE I.T.

ORGANIZATION, AND PREVIOUSLY IT USED TO BE THE THING THAT MADE US ROLL OUR EYES AND SPIN ON THE GROUND BECAUSE IT WASN'T WORKING PARTICULARLY WELL.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE WITH MY COLLEAGUES.

>> ONE OF THE VERY FIRST QUESTIONS WE GET FROM A VIEWER IS WHAT I WOULD CALL ONE OF OUR REGULAR PARTICIPANTS.

THIS IS A QUESTION YOU GET ALMOST EVERY WEEK, AND YOU MIGHT AS WELL START RATE OUT WITH IT.

WILL RECREATIONAL CANNABIS BE LEGALIZED THIS SESSION?

SENATOR MURPHY, LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> IT'S A GREAT QUESTION, AND I BELIEVE THE ANSWER IS YES.

I THINK MINNESOTANS HAVE EXPRESSED IN MANY WAYS WHETHER IT IS AN END TO PROHIBITION OR THE PURSUIT OF A MORE JUST MINNESOTA OR THEY ARE INTERESTED IN REGULATING SOMETHING TO MAKE IT SAFER.

THEY HAVE SUGGESTED THEIR SUPPORT.

THERE'S BEEN A GREAT DEAL OF WORK THAT I HAVEN'T REALLY BEEN A PART OF BUT PARTICULARLY LED IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN INTENTIONAL DEBATES, CONVERSATIONS, TOWN HALL MEETINGS WITH MINNESOTANS ACROSS THE STATE PREPARING AND ENGAGING ON THE TOPIC.

IN THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS, THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT COMES UP OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

>> COME BACK TO US ON THE PROGRAM LATER THIS WEEK, THIS YEAR, WE WILL PROBABLY GET THE QUESTION AGAIN.

>> I THINK IT WILL.

I DO.

I THINK IT WILL.

ASK I THINK IT'S TIME.

>> SENATOR HOUSLEY, YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> FUNNY STORY, AND I DON'T THINK I HAVE SHARED IT BEFORE.

IN 1982, GRADUATED FROM SOUTH ST. PAUL HIGH SCHOOL AND MY BOYFRIEND AT THE TIME WHO IS NOW MY HUSBAND, WE HAD A WRITE A RESEARCH PAPER, AND HE WAS OFF PLAYING HOCKEY IN SOME OTHER COUNTRY, AND WHEN HE CAME BACK, THE TEACHER SAID HE HAD TO GET HIS PAPER DONE IN THREE DAYS.

HE ASKED ME TO HELP HIM WRITE THE PAPER AND I SAID SURE, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO WRITE THE PAPER ON?

WHY WE SHOULD LEGALIZE MARIJUANA IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THIS WAS IN 1982, AND I WAS TOTALLY OPPOSED TO IT.

HE ENDED UP GETTING AN A ON HIS PAPER AND I GOT A B ON MY PAPER.

HERE WE ARE 40 YEARS LATER, AND WE ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT IT.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OPPOSED TO IT: I HAVE THE ARGUMENT IN MY OWN FAMILY.

IT'S NOT UP TO US WHETHER IT GETS PASSED OR NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE INCOMPLETE CONTROL BUT I HOPE THE BILL DOES GET PROPERLY VETTED.

THERE ARE CONCERNS.

I CAME FROM THE WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING, AND WE HAD A WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF THERE, AND HE HAD CONCERNS ABOUT TESTING THOSE UNDER THE INFLUENCE, LIKE WHERE ARE THE PARAMETERS TO THAT?

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE BILL IS PROPERLY VETTED AND SOMETHING THAT CAN KEEP MINNESOTANS SAFE WHEN IT DOES COME OUT OF COMMITTEE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE LONG, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> YES, WE WILL LEGALIZE CANNABIS THIS YEAR FOR ADULT USE AND WE DID PASS THE BILL IN THE HOUSE LAST SESSION.

IT WAS A BIPARTISAN BILL, AND WE ARE GOING TO PASS IT AGAIN.

WE ARE GOING TO DO SO THOUGHTLY AND CAREFULLY.

AS SENATOR MURPHY MENTIONED,, REPRESENTATIVE SPENT WEEKS OF HIS LIFE DOING LISTENING SESSIONS AND MINNESOTANS WANT THIS.

IT'S NOT UNIVERSAL, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT PUBLIC SUPPORT OVER TIME, IT IS DRASTICALLY MOVED TOWARDS GETTING RID OF PROHIBITION, AND THAT'S BECAUSE IT HASN'T WORKED, AND WE KNOW IT HASN'T WORKED FOR MANY REASONS.

ONE IS WE HAVE AN ILLEGAL MARKET THAT HAS CRIMINALIZED DISPROPORTIONATELY PEOPLE OF COLOR, AND USAGE RATES ARE BASICALLY IDENTICAL FROM WHITE PEOPLE AND BLACK PEOPLE BUT ARREST RATES ARE SEVEN TIMES FOR BLACK PEOPLE WHAT THEY ARE FOR WHITE PEOPLE.

IT'S LEGAL ESSENTIALLY IF YOU ARE WHITE IN MINNESOTA AND USED CANNABIS FOR A LONG TIME.

BUT IF YOU ARE A PERSON OF COLOR, IT HAS NOT BEEN, AND CAUGHT UP PEOPLE IN OUR SYSTEM THAT HAS HAD REALLY SIGNIFICANT CONSEQUENCES ON THEIR ABILITY TO FIND JOBS OR ABILITY TO GET HOUSING, ABILITY TO LEAD LIVES, AND IT'S TIME THAT WE DO THIS.

WE HAVE TO DO IT THOUGHTFULLY AND WE HAVE SURE WE ARE PROTECTING YOUTH.

WE HAVE A 21 YEARS OF AGE REQUIREMENT.

WE HAVE REQUIREMENTS ON WHERE TO SELL, REQUIREMENTS ON LICENSING.

WE HAVE A THOUGHTFULLY PUT TOGETHER BILL.

OVER 200 PAGES, BUT IT CAN BE APPROVED AND I THINK IT WILL BE APPROVED AND I THINK IT WILL BE APPROVED IN A BIPARTISAN WAY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE NASH, YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> THANK YOU.

YES, THE BILL WILL BE PASSED, AND AS SENATOR HOUSLEY SAID, IT WILL BE GONE.

I'M NOT GOING TO BE VOTING FOR IT.

I HAVE CONCERNS THAT I THINK ARE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS, AND I THINK THAT THE ITERATION OF THE BILL WE SAW LAST TIME HAD SOME THINGS THAT I DID NOT NECESSARILY THINK WERE SERIOUS PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

IT TOOK AWAY LOCAL CONTROL THAT CITIES THAT MIGHT WISH TO OPT OUT OF DISPENSARY WERE DISALLOWED FROM DOING THAT.

I THINK THERE WAS ANOTHER THING -- I THINK REPRESENTATIVE WINKLER MAY HAVE CONSULTED WHEN HE PUT IN THE BILL THAT IT HAD TO BE DELIVERED BY AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE.

I THINK THAT WAS A TIP OF THE HAT TO TESSLY DRIVERS OR FOLKS LIKE THAT.

BUT MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS ONE THAT'S BEEN ECHOED TO ME BY A NUMBER OF MY CONSTITUENTS, BOTH WHO ARE IN FAVOR AND THAT ARE OPPOSED AND HOW YOU HAVE ROADSIDE TO FIND OUT SOMEONE'S LEVEL OF IMPAIRMENT.

IT'S A THING THAT I WOULD UPHOLD THAT ALL 201 MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATION SAY IS SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE THOUGHTFULLY CRAFTED.

WE ARE CREATING POLICY THAT'S GOING TO LAST FOR A FAIRLY LONG TIME AND IF WE PERFECTLY MISSED SOMETHING WE SHOULDN'T HAVE, IT'S SHAME ON US.

I UNDERSTAND THE DFL IS GOING TO PASS THIS, BUT I HOPE THEY LISTENED TO SOME OF THE PUSH BACK THAT SOME OF US HAVE OFFERED, AND I THINK THE ROADSIDE TESTING AND GIVING CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES THE ABILITY TO EXERCISE LOCAL CONTROL IS CERTAINLY A VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF WHATEVER THE FINAL BILL IS GOING TO BE.

I HOPE THINGS ARE IN IT, AND I HOPE TESTING HAS BEEN RESOLVED.

>> VERY GOOD.

WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER IN BRAINERD WHO WANTS TO TALK ABOUT SCHOOL FINANCE, AND THIS VIEWER IS CONCERNED ABOUT SORT OF WHAT I RECALL MA CRO CONFESSIONS, WHICH IS HOW IS THE LEGISLATURE PLANNING TO ADDRESS SCHOOL FINANCING, SCHOOL FUNDING AND I SUPPOSE IT LEADS NATURALLY INTO SCHOOL FUNDING ISSUE.

YOU CAN TAKE IT AT A MACROLEVEL AND GENERAL LEVELS.

SCHOOL FUNDING ISSUES, WHAT'S YOUR VIEW?

>> WELL THERE'S ENOUGH MONEY THERE NOW FOR -- THEY HAVE BEEN TALKING HOW THEY WANT TO FULLY FUND EDUCATION FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.

THERE'S ENOUGH MONEY TO OVER FUND EDUCATION.

WHAT DOES FULLY FUNDING MEAN?

AND WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE.

IN MY DISTRICT, TRANSPORTATION AND INEQUALITY, WHAT THEY GET PER PUPIL COMPARED TO WHAT THEY GET TO OTHER CITIES BECAUSE THE DISTANCE THE BUS HAS TO GO.

I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET FUNDING FOR THAT FOREVER.

HOPEFULLY, ERIN, YOU ARE LISTENING, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT, TOO.

THE CALLER THAT CALLED IN FROM BRAINERD WITH THAT QUESTION, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO THAT DISTRICT, TOO.

SO I AM NOT SURE WHERE THE DEMOCRATS WILL GO WITH FULLY FUNDING, WHERE IT'S GOING TO GO FROM THAT SIDE.

WE ARE JUST GOING TO BE PASSENGERS AND AGAIN MAKING SURE WHATEVER IT IS THAT IT GETS BOTH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> SENATOR MURPHY, YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> ONE OF OUR FUNDAMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES IS TO PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATIONS TO LIVE AND LEAD AND THE LIVES OF THEIR CHOOSING HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE ALL HAVE AN INTEREST IN THAT.

OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE FUNDAMENTAL.

I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FUNDING THAT GOES IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS YIELDS THAT RESULT.

IT SHOULD BE TRANSPARENT.

IT SHOULD BE EFFECTIVE, AND IT SHOULD BE TARGETED IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE ARE ACHIEVING THE OUTCOME THAT WE WANT FOR EVERY KID, IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE DO HAVE A REALLY REMARKABLE OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW.

AS WE DID A DECADE AGO, WHEN WE HAD A TRIFECTA THE LAST TIME, AND THERE WAS A REAL EFFORT LED BY THEM, REPRESENTATIVE PAUL MARQUART TO INVEST IN EDUCATION.

WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT IN THE LAST DECADE, PARTICULARLY WHEN I THINK ABOUT COVID.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE KIDS THAT ARE COMING THROUGH THE SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY.

THIS WILL BE A PRIORITY FOR OUR CAUCUS AND I THINK IT WILL FOR THE SENATE.

WHILE I UNDERSTAND IT MAY HAVE BEEN IN THE MINORITY AND MAJORITY, BUT PLEASE KNOW HOW MUCH I WANT TO WORK WITH YOU TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING RIGHT BY OUR KIDS WHEREVER THEY LIVE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

IF WE DO THAT, IF WE KEEP THEM AT THE CENTER OF DISCUSSION, WE ARE GOING TO DO RIGHT BY THEM.

>> REPRESENTATIVE NASH, SCHOOL FUNDING.

>> THE SENATOR, SENATOR HOUSLEY ALLUDED TO EQUALIZATION.

AS A FATHER OF 6 KIDS WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH THE WACONIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE MONEY THAT WE GET BASED ON THE FORMULA THAT IS APPLIED TO THE EDUCATION FORMULA NETS OUT TO BE DIFFERENT THAN IT DOES IN THE DOWNTOWN SCHOOLS.

I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A VERY FRANK CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT.

BECAUSE IT IS AN UNEVEN PLAYING FIELD IN MY NECK OF MINNESOTA.

I WILL HOLD THE GOVERNOR TO HIS PROMISE TO ONCE AGAIN TALK ABOUT ONE MINNESOTA SO THAT THE KIDS IN DISTRICT 110 OR DISTRICT 112 EASTERN HARVARD, PARTS OF NORWOOD, WATERTOWN, ALL HAVE THE ABILITY TO KNOW THAT THE MONEY THAT'S COMING TO THEM FROM THE FORMULA THAT WE USE IS GOING TO BE EQUALIZED.

AGAIN, I'M A BIG PROPONENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL.

I MYSELF ATTENDED PUBLIC SCHOOL.

SOME SAY I TURNED OUT OKAY.

OTHERS ARGUE DIFFERENTLY.

BUT I THINK THAT I LOVE THE STORY THAT MY KIDS GET TO SHARE THAT THEY INVESTED IN THEIR COMMUNITY, AND I THINK THAT WE AS LEGISLATORS, WHEN WE SAY WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FULLY FUND EDUCATION, WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

TO NOT, I THINK IS IGNORING SOMETHING THAT'S GLARING AT US FOR A LONG TIME AND IT PRECEDED MY TIME HERE AND BOTH OF THE SENATORS TIMES HERE.

IF WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT, LET'S FIX IT BEFORE WE PUT IT IN A DRAWER.

>> REPRESENTATIVE LONG, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> THANKS, I THINK THAT THE SENATE DEMOCRATS, THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS AND THE GOVERNOR ARE ALL UNIFIED THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE A TOP PRIORITY.

YOU HAVE HEARD FROM ALL OF US THAT WE ARE GOING TO PUSH HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE GIVEN THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR KIDS ARE EDUCATED AND ALL OF OUR KIDS HAVE AN EXCELLENT EDUCATION.

AND WE HAD THE PRESS CONFERENCE THE FIRST WEEK OF SESSION WHERE THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE ROLLED OUT SHARED PRIORITIES.

IT DOESN'T HAPPEN VERY OFTEN AND WE HAD UNIFIED PRIORITIES, AND K-12 EDUCATION WAS HIGH ON THE LIST, ONE OF THE VERY TOP PRIORITIES WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN FOR OUR SCHOOLS, AND WE HAVE SEEN EDUCATION FUNDING HAS DECLINED AS A STATE, AS A PERCENTAGE OF OUR OVERALL BUDGET, AND WE SAW BIG CUTS WITH GOVERNOR PAWLENTY AND WE HAVE NEVER GOTTEN BACK TO WHERE WE WERE.

WE HAVE NOT KEPT PACE WITH THE INFLATION, AND INCREASES WE HAVE HAD OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS HAVE BEEN LOWER THAN THE RATE OF INFLATION, SO THEY ARE LOSING GROUND COMPARED TO THE BUDGETS THEY HAVE HAD IN THE PAST.

WE PRIDED OURSELVES IN MINNESOTA ON HAVING EXCELLENT SCHOOLS.

WE ARE SLIPPING AS A STATE IN TERMS OF WHERE WE ARE OVERALL.

WE NEVER HAD EXCELLENT SCHOOLS FOR EVERYBODY.

WE HAVE HAD BIG DISPARITIES IN TERMS OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUTCOME BASED ON RACE.

WE HAVE A REAL RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE HELPING EVERY KID IN THE STATE.

SOME OF THE PROPOSALS WE HAD TO DO THAT ONE IS TRYING TO CLOSE CROSS SUBSIDIES, AND THE AMOUNTS THAT WERE REQUIRING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PAY, AND THESE ARE ESSENTIALLY UNFUNDED MANDATES AND WE ARE GIVING SCHOOL DISTRICTS REQUIREMENTS, AND WE ARE NOT PAYING FOR THOSE.

SO THOSE INCLUDE SPECIAL EDUCATION, VERY IMPORTANT.

WE WANT ALL OF OUR KIDS TO RECEIVE EDUCATION REGARDLESS OF THE ABILITY AND NEED, AND WE HAVE EVENING ACCOMPLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER REQUIREMENTS AS WELL TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE LEARNING ENGLISH, AND WE DON'T PAY FOR THOSE SERVICES.

WE NEED TO CLOSE THAT.

FULLY FUND BOTH OF THOSE SERVICES AND I THINK WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT OUR FORMULA FUNDING, THE FUNDING THAT WE SEND TO EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE AS WELL.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT ANNEXING THAT TO INFLATION TO WE DON'T HAVE TO COME BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR TO PRECONTINUED WE ARE GIVING SCHOOLS THE RATE OF INFLATION.

AND IF A SCHOOL DISTRICT IS PAYING 5% MORE FOR ALL THE TEXTBOOKS AND PAPER AND PENCILS THAT THEY NEED, THAT IS AN INCREASE IN THEIR BUDGET.

WE NEED TO DO HONEST BUDGET, HONEST ACCOUNTING AND HELP OUR SCHOOLS SUCCEED.

>> ANYONE ELSE WANT TO JUMP IN ON SCHOOL FUNDING BEFORE I MOVE ONTO THE NEXT TOPIC?

>> YOU ARE FROM MADISON.

>> HAPPY TO TALK.

THIS VIEWER IS CONCERNED ABOUT REGULATIONS THAT ARE PLACED ON DAY CARE PROVIDERS AND THE VIEWER IS ASKING LEGISLATORS ABOUT THE ISSUE THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO GET DAY CARE SERVICES INTO GREATER MINNESOTA.

LET'S START.

IT'S MORE THAN JUST RURAL MINNESOTA.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE LONG.

DAY CARE PROVIDERS, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT ISSUE?

>> SURE.

TAKING DAY CARE TO MEAN CHILD CARE, EARLY CHILDHOOD.

I HAVE TWO SMALL KIDS.

I KNOW THE CHILD CARE SYSTEM WELL, AND I THINK THIS IS A CONCERN THAT THOSE IN URBAN MINNESOTA, SU SUSH BAN MINNESOTA, GREATER MINNESOTA ALL SHARE, WHICH IS AFFORDABILITY AND AVAILABILITY OF HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE.

I HEARD FROM MY COLLEAGUES ALL OVER THE STATE.

IT'S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE A HIGH PRIORITY FOR US.

IN MINNESOTA WE HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST AVERAGE CHILD CARE COSTS OF ANY STATE, AND RIGHT NOW THE AVERAGE CHILD CARE COSTS WERE PREK, AND IT'S THE SAME AS FIRST YEAR TUITION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

WE ARE ASKING FAMILIES TO PAY THAT AT A TIME WHEN THEY ARE JUST GETTING STARTED RATHER THAN, YOU KNOW, OFF TO COLLEGE WHERE YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO SAVE FOR 18 YEARS.

SO THAT'S BEEN A HUGE IMPACT ON OUR WORKFORCE, OUR ABILITY TO GET BACK INTO WORK.

A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS CITE THAT AS THE NO.

1 REASON WHY THEY ARE HOME, WHY WE DON'T HAVE A HIGHER WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE.

THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND NEEDS BIG SOLUTIONS AND IT'S SOMETHING WE ARE GOING TO TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY.

ONE THING IS THAT THE BUSINESS MODEL FOR CHILD CARE IS REALLY BROKEN.

WE DON'T PAY PROVIDERS ENOUGH.

WE DON'T PAY THE TEACHERS, THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSROOMS ENOUGH, AND IT'S VERY HARD TO MAKE THAT WORK.

SO WE PROPOSE AND ONE OF OUR EARLY PRIORITIES MOVING THE REIMBURSEMENT RATES UP FOR PROVIDERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE GETTING MORE HELP AND GETTING BETTER REIMBURSEMENT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES.

WE ALSO ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT MANY OF THE MODELS THAT ARE OUT THERE FOR PROVIDING EARLY CHILDHOOD, TRYING TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, FOR LEARNING IN SCHOOL SETTINGS.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE, BUT WE KNOW THAT WE NEED TO TACKLE THIS AND APPROACH IT EARLY.

IN TERMS OF THE QUESTION ON REGULATIONS, IT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING I HAVE HEARD ABOUT FROM SOME CHILD CARE PROVIDERS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR CHILD CARE IS SAFE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S HIGH QUALITY.

YOU KNOW, I'M CERTAINLY OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS ON SPECIFIC CHANGES THAT COULD BE MADE IN OUR CHILD CARE SETTING BUT I THINK FINANCE IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM FOR OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD SETTINGS, AND WE JUST DON'T HAVE A SUSTAINABLE FUNDING MODEL, PUTTING IT ON THE BACKS OF PARENTS IS NOT WORKING.

>> REPRESENTATIVE NASH, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> THANKS, BARRY.

I WOULDS SAY THAT THE QUESTION IS ASKED ON REGULATIONS, AND COMING FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR, REGULATIONS WILL DRIVE UP THE COST OF THINGS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE CONSUMING THE PRODUCT, WHETHER IT'S DAY CARE OR SOMETHING ELSE.

I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK VERY LONG AND HARD AT THE REQUIREMENTS WE ARE PLACING ON PEOPLE WHO ARE THE PROVIDERS OF THIS VERY VALUABLE SERVICE, AND ASK ARE WE REGULATING PEOPLE OUT OF THE ABILITY TO AFFORD THE SERVICE THAT WE CLAIM THAT THEY NEED THE MOST.

OUR FAMILY WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO -- MY WIFE STAYED HOME FOR A GOOD PORTION OF MY 6 KIDS CHILD REARING DAYS.

IT'S NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE FOR EVERYBODY, AND I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT WHEN WE LOOK FUNDAMENTALLY AT WHAT ARE THE COST INPUT THINKING FROM AN ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE, LOOK AT THE INPUTS GOING INTO THE SERVICE THAT'S BEING CREATED, REGULATION DRIVES COMPLIANCE, AND COMPLIANCE HAS TO HAVE A LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT GO ALONG WITH IT.

IT DOES DRIVE UP THE COST.

IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AN HONEST CONVERSATION TO THE QUESTIONER'S INITIAL QUESTION, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT IS REGULATION DOING TO THE COST THAT IS REALLY SHUTTING A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT OF THE MARKET.

I DON'T NECESSARILY AGREE THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO WRITE ANOTHER CHECK TO HAVE TO COVER THIS, BUT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT HAS THE GOVERNMENT DONE TO DRIVE THE COST UP.

>> I'M WONDERING, HAVE YOU HAD ANY EXPERIENCE?

PEOPLE SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED REGULATIONS THAT ARE CONCERNING AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT MY OLD DAYS AS A CITY ATTORNEY I HAD ISSUES WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WITH REGARD TO HOSPITAL RELATIONS ABOUT WHERE RAILINGS GO AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I WAS WONDERING IN THE DAY CARE SETTING, DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON SPECIFIC ISSUES THAT HAVE COME UP IN YOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE ABOUT THESE ISSUES?

>> YEAH, AND I WISH THAT I WOULD HAVE KNOWN THE QUESTION WAS COMING, BECAUSE I DO HAVE SOME NOTES.

I TOLD YOU EARLIER THAT I DON'T FEEL LIKE I COULD DO A VIDEO FROM HOME BECAUSE MY CATS DECIDED TO JUMP IN FRONT OF THE COMPUTER AND THEY BLOW THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW UP.

I THINK IT'S WORTH ALL OF US TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE A CONVERSATION AND RECOGNIZE THAT VARYING TYPES OF REGULATION DO DRIVE COSTS, AND LET'S TALK ABOUT -- LET'S MEASURE THEM, AND MEASURE THE THINGS WE WERE REQUIRING PROVIDERS TO DO AND MAYBE EVERY NOW AND THEN, WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE THE FRANK CONVERSATION AMONGST OURSELVES AND MAYBE THIS REGULATION ISN'T HAVING THE DESIRED IMPACT, AND WE BACK IT OFF.

>> YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> GO AHEAD.

I'M SORRY.

GO AHEAD.

YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD TO THAT?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS IS THAT FOLKS SOMETIMES RAISED TO ME THAT BROUGHT UP THE QUESTION IS WE HAVE RATIOS OF THE NUMBER OF EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS THAT NEED TO BE IN A SPECIFIC CLASSROOM WITH KIDS.

SO IT'S BEEN RAISED THAT ADDS COST.

IT CERTAINLY DOES, BUT IT'S ALSO THERE FOR A GOOD REASON, WHICH IS YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A SAFE CLASS RAM OR YOU ARE THE ABILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THE INFANTS IN THAT ROOM, TAKE CARE OF THE YOUNG KIDS.

THE REGULATIONS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE AREN'T THERE FOR NO REASON.

THEY ARE THERE FOR IMPORTANT REASONS, AND CERTAINLY OPEN TO THE DISCUSSION, BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO REALIZE THAT WE HAVE SOME OF OUR MOST VALUABLE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE STATE IN THE SETTINGS, AND WE NEED TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW WE ARE PROTECTING THEM, TOO.

>> YOUR THOUGHTS?

DAY CARE REGULATIONS?

DAY CARE COSTS, ET CETERA?

>> YEAH, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING THE CHAIR OF THE LONG-TERM CARE AND AGING AND FAMILY CARE COMMITTEE.

SO I DID A LOT OF WORK WITH THE CHILD CARE, BOTH THE SENATORS AND THE IN-HOME DAY CARE PROVIDERS.

BEING ABLE TO LISTEN TO ALL OF THEM AND WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE, AND REGULATIONS IS A BIG DEAL, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

A LOT OF THEM HAVE NOW JUST CLOSED UP SHOP.

THIS IS EVEN BEFORE COVID AND NOW AFTER COVID.

THERE'S EVEN THAT MUCH FEWER AND THAT'S THE NO.

1 ISSUE COMING FROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THEY NEED WORKERS.

BUT PEOPLE CAN'T GO TO WORK IF THEY DON'T HAVE DAY CARE.

DOING WHAT WE CAN, AND ESPECIALLY IN GREATER MINNESOTA, THERE IS SUCH, SUCH A NEED FOR MORE DAY CARE PROVIDERS, AND REGULATIONS IS WHAT CAUSED A LOT OF THEM TO QUIT.

I DON'T REMEMBER SPECIFICS LIKE YOU WERE TALKING, REPRESENTATIVE NASH, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE COUNTY INSPECTOR COMING TO THE IN-HOME DAY CARE PROVIDER, AND ISSUING THEM A BUNCH OF VIOLATIONS WHEN INSTEAD JUST GIVE THEM WARNINGS AND ALLOW THEM TO FIX IT IMMEDIATELY.

THEY FEEL HUGE WEIGHT ALL THE TIME.

THEY ARE NOT HUGE VIOLATIONS, JUST EDUCATE THEM ON THE SPOT, GET THEM TO FIX IT.

IF IT'S NOT THAT MUCH OF A SAFETY HAZARD.

IF IT'S NOT A SAFETY HAZARD, GET THEM TO FIX IT ON THE SPOT.

I DO KNOW, AND THIS DOES WORRY ME, BACK WHEN THE DEMOCRATS HAD BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND GOVERNOR DAYTON AT THE TIME, THEY WERE TRYING TO COERCE -- THE DEMOCRATS HAD A BILL TO REQUIRE ALL OF OUR FAMILY IN-HOME DAY CARE PROVIDERS FOR UNIONIZE.

ON THE SENATE FLOOR, MAYBE YOU REMEMBER, BARRY.

WE DEBATED THAT ALL NIGHT LONG TO REALLY STICK UP FOR OUR IN-HOME DAY CARE PROVIDERS.

JUST IN WHATEVER BILLS COME BEFORE US, I DO HOPE THAT THEY HAVE ALL STAKEHOLDERS AT THE TABLE.

AGAIN, GETTING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND LISTENING TO EVERYBODY BEFORE ANYONE DOES CROSS THE FINISH LINE IS WHAT I'M HOPING FOR.

>> SENATOR MURPHY, WE FINALLY GET TO YOU.

TALK ABOUT DAY CARE ISSUES, DAY CARE PROVIDERS, THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

IT.

>> I THINK IF YOU HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 33 YEARS, I BET MANY OF THOSE 33 YEARS, YOU HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT CHILD CARE.

>> THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME I HAD THE QUESTION, I WOULD AGREE.

>> I ADMIRED THE PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME.

I HAVE BEEN AMONG THOSE WHO HAVE LOOKED AT THE ISSUE OF REGULATION, AND YOU KNOW, I CHOSE THE PROFESSION OF NURSING, NOT BECAUSE I WANTED TO DO PAPERWORK, BUT BECAUSE I WANTED TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE.

YET THE DOCUMENTATION THAT IS A PART OF NURSING IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MEETING STANDARDS, ET CETERA.

SO THERE IS A RULE FOR REGULATION.

I'M WITH EVERYBODY ELSE IN THIS GROUP, IF WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND EASE THAT BURDEN AND MAINTAIN HIGH QUALITY AND SAFETY, I'M ALL FOR IT.

BUT I DON'T THINK THAT IS THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM.

I WAS ALSO IN THE LEGISLATURE WHEN WE TOOK THIS ISSUE UP A DECADE AGO, AND WE DIDN'T PASS A BILL TO REQUIRE UNIONIZATION.

WE PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO ORGANIZE AND UNIONIZE IF THEY CHOSE TO, WHICH THEY REJECTED.

SENATOR HOUSLEY AND I WORKED TOGETHER LAST YEAR WITH A GROUP OF FRONTLINE WORKERS, INCLUDING CHILD CARE PROVIDERS WHO DID INCREDIBLE WORK DURING THE COURSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STICKS WITH ME AFTER THESE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS IS THE FACT THAT IT IS HOME CARE WORKERS AND NURSING HOMEWORKERS AND CHILD CARE WORKERS.

THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CARING FOR OUR LOVED ONES THAT MAKE SUCH LOW WAGES THAT WE CAN'T KEEP THE WORKFORCE IN PLACE.

THAT'S A REAL PROBLEM FOR COMMUNITIES ALL ACROSS THE STATE, AND IT IMPACTS THE WORKFORCE.

IT IMPACTS EMPLOYERS.

IT IMPACTS OUR ABILITY TO WORK AND SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES AND OUR LIVELIHOODS.

IT'S A REAL ISSUE.

OBVIOUSLY WE ALL KNOW THAT.

I THINK A SUSTAINABLE FUNDING MECHANISM IS THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION IF WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE DOING THIS WORK ARE HIGHLY PREPARED AND WELL TRAINED AND WELL COMPENSATED.

>> YOU WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE IN THE WEEKS AHEAD.

LET'S MOVE ON TO ANOTHER QUESTION.

THIS ONE FROM ONE OF OUR REGULAR VIEWERS IN DULUTH WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHAT STEPS THE LEGISLATURE MIGHT BE TAKING IN THIS SESSION TO DEAL WITH THE FENTANYL/OPIOID, BUT PARTICULARLY FENTANYL CRISIS.

I THINK WE ARE UP TO YOU, SENATOR MURPHY.

I THINK IT'S YOUR TURN TO LEAD US OFF.

TALK ABOUT THAT ISSUE FOR A MOMENT IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE.

>> YOU KNOW, WE ARE COMING THROUGH A PERIOD OF TIME WHERE THERE HAS BEEN A FAIR AMOUNT OF WORK DONE ON THE ISSUE OF OPIOIDS WITH THE SETTLEMENT AND MONEY, HOPEFULLY COMING INTO COMMUNITIES THAT WOULD SUPPORT TREATMENT, AND REALLY THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION IS FROM MY PERSPECTIVE ADEQUATE TREATMENT, AND FENTANYL HAS BEEN THE NEWEST ITERATION, A DRUG THAT IS BEING COMPOUNDED INTO OTHER THINGS, AND IT IS A SERIOUS, SERIOUS NARCOTIC WITH SIGNIFICANT RAMIFICATIONS.

OF COURSE WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT HOW IT'S COMING TO US, BUT WHETHER IT IS THE OPIOID CRISIS THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED OR FENTANYL OR THE OTHER NUMBER OF SUBSTANCES THAT PEOPLE ARE USING, THE REAL ROOT OF THE PROBLEM IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ADEQUATE TREATMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE USING.

>> SENATOR NASH, YOUR THOUGHTS, FENTANYL.

>> I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR ALL FOUR OF US GIVE SOME VERY SIMILAR VARIATIONS.

WE OFTEN HEAR THAT YOU PUT TWO DEMOCRATS AND TWO REPUBLICANS IN A ROOM AND ALL WE WILL DO IS PROBABLY FIGHT.

IT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE TV, BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOOD TV.

THEY WANT TO MAKE US GO AFTER EACH OTHER.

BUT I HAVE LEARNED A LOT SINCE I GOT HERE FROM MY DEAR FRIEND, REPRESENTATIVE DAVE BAKER WHO LOST A SON TO THIS.

I THINK AS A DAD, MY KIDS HAVE NOT GONE DOWN THE ROAD THAT LED HIS SON DAN TO WHERE THAT HAPPENED.

WHAT A TRAGIC THING.

IF WE CAN COME TOGETHER AND RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S NOT ALL ONE PARTICULAR VIEWPOINT PERSPECTIVE, THAT IT'S KIND OF AN ALL OF THE ABOVE, HOW DO WE FIX THIS?

I THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE BETTER.

IS IT MORE EDUCATION?

IS IT POSSIBLY MORE FUNDING?

IS IT PUSHING THE DISCUSSION EARLIER IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM?

IS IT MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE DOING A BETTER JOB OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE?

YES, BECAUSE WE OWE IT TO THE PEOPLE WE BRING ON THIS PLANET TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE EDUCATED WELL.

SENATOR MURPHY, MY MOM, WAS A NURSE AS WELL.

SHE FOUGHT LIKE CRAZY TO KEEP PEOPLE ALIVE.

WHEN YOU LOSE SOMEBODY, IT'S PAINFUL.

SHE RECOUNTED A NUMBER OF THINGS TO ME, WHETHER IT WAS A HEART ATTACK OR DRUG ABUSE.

WE CAN DO BETTER.

I THINK THAT SOME OF US JUST HAVE TO MAYBE PUT OUR INCLINATION DOWN FOR A LITTLE BIT AND SAY HOW CAN WE WORK TOGETHER?

AND THEN GO DO IT.

AGAIN, I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM REPRESENTATIVE BAKER AND HE MEANT SO MUCH FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND THE CAPITAL IN TELLING THE STORY, BECAUSE IT'S COMPELLING.

LET'S DO THOSE THINGS.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER AND ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND STOP -- SENATOR MURPHY, YOU HAVE ENCOURAGED A NUMBER OF TIMES NOT TO CALL YOU SENATOR.

LET'S GET TO THE POINT WHERE YOU SAY HEY, HOW CAN WE ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND DO SOMETHING IMPORTANT TOGETHER, AND DON'T LOOK AT THE DFL AND GOP, JUST SAY HEY, MINNESOTANS ARE WATCHING, AND THEY NEED A SOLUTION.

>> REPRESENTATIVE LONG, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> I AGREE WITH JIM.

WE ARE IN AGREEMENT ON THIS TOPIC.

I HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS ADDICTED TO OPIOIDS AND IT RUIN LIVES.

IT'S A HARMFUL AND TERRIBLE ADDICTION.

ONE THING I WILL ADD IS I THINK GOVERNOR WALLETS DESERVES A LOT OF CREDIT FOR TAKING THIS ISSUE HE CREATED A NEW DIRECTOR TO WORK ON ADDICTION AND RECOVERY.

THAT'S A POSITION THAT JUST STARTED LAST YEAR.

I KNOW THE ADMINISTRATION IS WORKING HARD TO COORDINATE RESPONSE AND LOOK AT THE SOLUTIONS TO HELP WITH TREATMENT, HELP WITH RECOVERY.

I THINK ALL OF US IN THE HOUSE, SENATE, GOVERNOR, TAKING THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY, ARE TRYING TO LOOK AT OPTIONS TO GET PEOPLE ON TREATMENT, PATHWAY TO RECOVERY, AND I'M TRYING TO DEAL WITH DRUGS LIKE FENTANYL THAT ARE HIGHLY DESTRUCTIVE AND HIGHLY ADDICTIVE.

>> SENATOR HOUSLEY.

>> THANK YOU, BARRY.

I WANT TO ECHO WHAT REPRESENTATIVE NASH SAID.

WE ACTUALLY DO GET A LOT OF GOOD WORK DONE.

I KNOW SENATOR MURPHY, ERIN AND I HAVE DONE A LOTTING.

YOU DON'T SEE IT ON THE FRONT PAGE OR TV NEWS, BECAUSE IT'S NOT SENSATIONAL.

IT'S REALLY, REALLY GOOD WORK, BUT IT'S NOT THE SEXY TOPIC THAT DRAWS PEOPLE TO THE TELEVISION.

BUT ON THIS ONE, I HAVE FOUR KIDS, AND I WAS SO THANKFUL THAT I GOT THEM ALL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE AND THEY LIVED.

I THOUGHT I'M OVER THAT.

I'M OVER THE WHOLE DRUG THING.

I'M GOOD NOW.

NO.

NOW I HAVE GRANDKIDS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

WHEN THEY ARE MAKING FENTANYL LOOK LIKE CANDY, HALLOWEEN I WENT THROUGH THEIR WHOLE BAG.

I'M SO, SO, SO NERVOUS.

SENATOR MURPHY SAID TREATMENT AND EDUCATION, WE REALLY, REALLY NEED TO BE GETTING FUNDING FOR BOTH TREATMENT AND EDUCATION.

ALSO HOW THOSE DRUGS ARE GETTING HERE ILLEGALLY, WE HAVE TO PUT THOSE CRIMINALS IN JAIL.

WE HAVE GOT TO CATCH THEM, PROSECUTE THEM, AND GET THEM OFF THE STREETS AND GET THESE DRUGS OFF THE STREETS.

SO ANY FUNDING THAT WE CAN PUT THERE TOWARDS OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO GET THESE CRIMINALS OFF THE STREET WOULD BE HELPFUL.

>> I DON'T NORMALLY GET INVOLVED IN THE SUBSTANCE OF OUR EXCHANGES BUT I CAN'T RESIST THE OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW BRIEFLY, AND IT WILL BE BRIEF THAT THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE JUDICIAL BRIDGE TO THIS OVER THE COURSE OF NOW MY 20 SOME, ALMOST 20 YEARS ON THE SUPREME COURT IS THE USE OF DRUG COURTS HAVE HAVE BEEN, LIKE OTHER INSTITUTIONS THEY ARE NOT PERFECT, BUT THERE ARE REMARKABLE STORIES THAT COME OUT OF THOSE EXPERIENCES.

FOR ME, ONE OF THEM WAS WATCHING A -- WATCHING THE LEGISLATOR APPEAR TO THANK THE DRUG COURT PERSONNEL KNOWING THAT HE HAD HAD A FAMILY MEMBER MANY YEARS AGO WHO LARGELY HAD HIS LIFE RUINED AS A RESULT OF DRUGS, AND HE HAD SEEN LIVES SAVED AS A RESULT.

THAT'S MAYBE AN ENCOURAGING NOTE, VERY DIFFICULT SUBJECT.

THERE WILL BE MORE TO SAY ABOUT THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

WE HAVE A VIEWER THAT WANTS TO TALK ABOUT PUBLIC HOUSING AND HOUSING COSTS.

THIS VIEWER SPECIFICALLY ASKS WHEN THE STATE IS GOING TO GET INVOLVED IN FIXING UP PUBLIC HOUSING.

BUT I THINK THE QUESTION IS PROBABLY -- WE SHOULD TRAY TO ANSWER THAT VIEWER'S QUESTION, BUT THERE'S MORE BROADLY JUST THAT.

LET'S START WITH YOU, REPRESENTATIVE NASH.

HOUSING QUESTIONS, PUBLIC HOUSING, WHAT'S YOUR VIEW ON WHERE THAT MIGHT GO THIS SESSION.

>> THANK YOU.

THIS IS THE QUESTION I WAS HOPING SOMEBODY WOULD ASK.

>> THERE YOU GO.

>> IT'S MY DREAM COME TRUE.

FOR MANY, MANY YEARS HERE AT THE CAPITAL I WORKED ON THE NOTION OF HOUSING AFFORDABILITY.

I KNOW SERVE ON THE COMMISSION, AND THIS YEAR AND LAST YEAR I WAS CO-CHAIR WITH SENATOR, AND I HOPE SHE'S ABLE TO FIND THE TIME TO STICK WITH IT, BECAUSE I KNOW SHE'S PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS.

HERE IS THE THING.

THE 6 KIDS THAT I HAVE MENTIONED, THEY MAY OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD A HOME IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WHEN THEY CHOOSE TO COME BACK, IF THEY CHOOSE TO COME BACK, AND MY WIFE AND I ARE CERTAINLY HOPING THAT NOT RIGHT NOW BUT ONE DAY THERE WILL BE GRANDKIDS.

TAKE YOUR TIME, KIDS.

BUT WE HAVE A HOUSING CRISIS ON MULTIPLE LEVELS.

HOW QUICKLY ARE WE BUILDING, AND IN WHAT QUANTITY ARE WE BUILDING STARTER HOMES, BUT IT'S ALSO HOW ARE WE PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LIVE OR NEED TO LIVE IN THE APARTMENT TO HAVE THAT SECURE HOUSING FOR THEMSELVES.

I SAY THIS REGULARLY.

A STABLE HOME BUILDS STABLE COMMUNITIES, STABLE FAMILIES, INCREASES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN TO SUCCEED EDUCATIONAL.

AND REPRESENTATIVE LONG MAY OR MAY NOT ROLL HIS EYES WHEN I BRING OUT THE TRIED AND TRUE EQUATION ANALOGY.

I MADE IT THROUGH ALGEBRA AND I ALMOST LIKED IT.

IF YOU REMEMBER EQUATIONS, A LOT OF STUFF ABOVE THE LANE, A LOT OF STUFF BELOW THE LINE, AND YOU HAVE TO SOLVE EACH PIECE.

SOME OF THEM ARE APARTMENTS.

SOME OF THEM ARE LOW INCOME HOUSING, WORKFORCE HOUSING, STARTER HOMES.

HOW DO YOU MOVE PEOPLE THROUGH EACH OF THOSE STOPS ALONG THE WAY?

I THINK AS IT RELATES TO THE QUESTION OF YOUR CALLER, THOUGH, I'M VERY CONCERNED TALKING TO SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT I HAVE TALKED TO IN THE HOUSING PROVIDER INDUSTRY THAT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AS A RESULT OF POTENTIAL STATEWIDE RENT CONTROL.

I BELIEVE THERE'S A BILL OUT THERE FOR THAT.

BUT CERTAINLY IN ST. PAUL THERE HAS BEEN RENT CONTROL, AND GO BACK TO THE QUESTION WE JUST TALKED ABOUT.

IF YOU ELEVATE ONE FORM OF A COST OR ANOTHER, IT'S GOING TO HAVE A DRAMATIC IMPACT.

BUT WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO NEED HOUSING, AND THEY NEED IT NOW.

I KNOW WE HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF HOMELESS, AND IT BREAKS ALL FOUR OF THE HEARTS OF THE LEGISLATORS HERE, AND YES, FOLKS WATCHING LEGISLATORS HAVE HEARTS.

BUT WE HAVE TO FIX THIS.

IT'S NOT SIMPLY FIXING ONE END OF THE SPECTRUM BUT SOLVING EACH PART OF THAT EQUATION, AND IT IS APARTMENTS.

IT IS TWIN HOME.

IT IS IN ZONING.

IT IS IN INSPECTION FEES, AND IT IS IN A NUMBER OF THINGS.

WE CAN'T JUST SIMPLY SAY OH, I FIXED THE NUMBER OF APARTMENTS AND PICK A CITY, AND DUST UP YOUR HANDS AND SAY OH, I HAVE GOT IT SOLVED.

IT'S NOT THAT EASY.

IT'S VERY, VERY DIFFICULT, AND I HOPE ONCE AGAIN THAT WE CAN AS LEGISLATORS IN BOTH PARTIES IN BOTH CHAMBERS, ROLL YOU WERE OUR SLEEVES AND FIGURE IT OUT.

BECAUSE IT'S VITAL.

>> SENATOR MURPHY, YOUR THOUGHTS, HOUSING ISSUES.

>> RIGHT ON MANY LEVELS.

IT WILL TAKE SOME MONEY, WHICH WE HAVE.

ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE BEEN THINKING A LOT ABOUT AND THIS MORNING IN OUR FINANCE COMMITTEE, WE HAD THE DEBATE WHAT TO INCLUDE AGAIN INFLATION IN THE STATE'S BUDGETING FORECAST, WHICH I THINK IS AN IMPORTANT MEASURE.

IT'S ELIMINATED IN THE BUDGET FOR FAR TOO LONG.

WE HAVE A SURPLUS AND IT'S A LOT OF ONE-TIME MONEY.

WITHIN-TIME MONEY CAN BUILD A LOT OF HOUSING.

I THINK THAT THAT SHOULD AND WILL BE A REAL PRIORITY FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA AND FOR THIS LEGISLATURE, BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

REPRESENTATIVE NASH, I LOVE WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT.

I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH MY COLLEAGUE, SENATOR PORT JUST YESTERDAY.

SHE IS THE CHAIR OF THE HOUSING COMMITTEE IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE, AND SHE IS FOCUSING ON KIDS, WHICH I THINK IS RIGHT.

WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF GOOD WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT VETERANS NO LONGER EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND WE MADE REAL PROGRESS THERE AND SHE'S THINKING ABOUT KIDS, ESPECIALLY IN THE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR EDUCATION AND WELL BEING.

BUT I UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THIS IS A STATEWIDE PROBLEM, AND WE DO NEED CREATIVE AND MULTIPLE LEVEL SOLUTIONS IN ORDER TO SOLVE IT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE LONG, YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> SURE.

I AGREE WITH A LOT OF WHAT'S BEEN SAID.

BUT WHAT I WILL ADD IS I DO THINK THIS WILL BE A BIPARTISAN PRIORITY THIS YEAR, AND I HAVE GOOD REASON TO BELIEVE THAT, BECAUSE WHEN ASKED THE VERY FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE, WHAT TWO AREAS WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER ON WITH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS SAID EARLY CHILDHOOD WHICH WE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT AND HOUSING.

I THINK THIS WILL BE AN AREA WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF INTEREST IN WORKING TOGETHER.

WE KNOW THERE'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUES ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

IT DOESN'T EFFECT JUST ONE COMMUNITY.

I ALSO AGREE THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY AVENUES THAT WE NEED TO PURSUE AND MANY TYPES THAT WE NEED TO DEVELOP.

TO RESPOND TO THE QUESTIONERS, WE HAVE A HUGE BACKLOG IN PUBLIC HOUSING MAINTENANCE.

WE REALLY DO NEED TO HELP OUR PUBLIC HOUSING PROVIDERS AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF HOUSING AND DEALING WITH SOME OF THE UNSAFE CONDITIONS THAT WE KNOW EXIST IN THE PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE STATE.

WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE MORE AFFORDABLE RENT.

RIGHT NOW IN MINNESOTA 500,000 MINNESOTANS IN EVERY GIVEN MONTH ARE AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR HOUSING BECAUSE THEIR RENT IS UNAFFORDABLE.

THE DEFINITION THERE IS YOU ARE PAYING MORE ON 30% OF YOUR INCOME AND RENT, WHICH IS JUST CRAZY TO THINK ABOUT A FAMILY TRYING TO GET BY WITH ONE-THIRD OF THEIR INCOME OF GOING TO THEIR HOUSING.

SO WE HAVE HALF A MILLION PEOPLE EVERY SINGLE DAY WHO ARE IN THAT SITUATION AND STRUGGLING.

THERE'S BEEN A PROPOSAL THAT WAS IN OUR INTRODUCTIONS IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE CALLED BRING IT HOME, WHICH WOULD HELP INDIVIDUALS WITH SOME RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

THERE'S A FEDERAL RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM RIGHT NOW.

IT'S WOEFULLY INADEQUATE.

IT HAS 15 TO 20 YEAR WAITING FOR RNLS TO GET RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

HAVING A STATE PROGRAM WOULD GO A REALLY LONG WAY.

IN ADDITION TO BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING WE COULD HELP PEOPLE GET INTO HOUSING THAT IS AVAILABLE AT A RATE THAT THEY COULD AFFORD.

>> SENATOR HOUSLEY?

>> THANK YOU, BARRY.

LOOK AT HOW WELL WE GET ALONG.

SEE?

SAME PRIORITIES.

I SAT ON THE HOUSING COMMITTEE THE LAST SESSION AND I AM ON SENATOR PORT'S HOUSING AND HOMELESS COMMITTEE THIS SESSION, AND ACTUALLY DOING A HOUSING TOUR TOMORROW.

I AGREE.

WE ARE ACTUALLY ONE OF THE WORST STATES IN THE COUNTRY WHEN IT COMES TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

BEING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF IT IN REAL ESTATE FOR THE LAST 20 SOME YEARS, YOU CAN GET A STARTER HOME IN THE SURROUNDING STATES TO MINNESOTA FOR A LOT LESS THAN YOU CAN HERE IN MINNESOTA.

IT BREAKS MY HEART WHEN I HAVE TO BRING SOMEBODY OVER TO HUDSON, WISCONSIN SO THEY CAN BAY THE FIRST HOME THERE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD IT HERE.

IT CAN BE 10 TO $20,000 MORE BUT THAT'S ACTUALLY THE DIFFERENCE IN GETTING THEIR 30-YEAR MORTGAGE AND BEING ABLE TO MAKE THAT PAYMENT.

WE TOURED A LOT IN THE LAST SESSION TO THE DEVELOPERS AND WHAT THE CAUSES WERE, WHY IT WAS SO MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE HERE, AND A LOT OF IT DOES COME DOWN TO REGULATIONS, AND I HOPE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN GET ADDRESSED BECAUSE WE ARE IN A CRISIS.

THERE'S SO MANY CRISIS THAT WE ARE IN, BUT THIS IS THE LONG-TERM CAREGIVERS, CHILD CARE OR SCHOOLS AND HOUSING.

THERE'S SO MANY.

BUT THIS, LIKE WE HAVE ALL SAID, IT IS A PRIORITY FOR US, AND WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE IT BETTER FOR EVERYBODY.

>> WE HAVE JUST A MINUTE AND A HALF OR SO LEFT.

VERY QUICKLY, CONSIDERED A BONDING YEAR, BONDING BILL DID NOT PASS IN THE LAST SESSION, AND WILL WE HAVE A BONDING BILL THIS YEAR?

SENATOR MURPHY, VERY QUICKLY.

>> YES.

>> ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THAT BILL?

I WILL GIVE YOU A FEW SECONDS TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO HAVE STATEWIDE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.

THERE'S SUCH A LONG LIST AND A BACKLOG.

THERE ARE PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT THAT I REPRESENT IN ST. PAUL.

I HAVE GOT AN EYE ON THE FULL STATE.

THERE'S PLENTY OF WORK TO DO.

LET'S GET IT DONE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE LONG, YOUR THOUGHTS, BONDING BILL SESSION.

>> I THINK WE WILL DO SEVERAL.

I THINK WE WILL HAVE AT LEAST TWO.

WE HAVE A BONDING BILL THAT'S IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE THAT WAS LEFT OVER FROM LAST SESSION AND NEVER GOT DONE, AND I THINK WE HAVE A GOOD STARTING POINT THERE, BUT WE HAVE NEW MEMBERS, AND NEW NEEDS, AND SO I THINK WE HAVE A BIG OPPORTUNITY TO GET SOME PROJECTS DONE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE NASH, VERY QUICKLY.

>> I DO THINK THERE WILL BE ONE.

MY HOME IT IS CHALKED FULL OF THINGS MADE FROM CONCRETE, REBAR TO EMPLOY MINNESOTANS AND DO CRAZY THINGS LIKE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS, AND THERE'S A LEVY IN MY DISTRICT THAT IS IN TROUBLE AND WATER TOWERS AND THINGS THAT ENABLE GROWTH FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN MINNESOTA.

>> SENATOR HOUSLEY, VERY QUICKLY, BONDING BILL.

>> I'M THE REPUBLICAN LEAD, THERE WILL BE A BONDING BILL, POSSIBLY 2, AND A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE, AND HAPPY SENATOR PAPPAS SAID IT WILL BE EQUAL FROM GREATER MINNESOTA TO THE CITY.

YES.

>> I WANT TO THANK OUR PANEL THIS EVENING FOR OUR INAUGURAL 2023 SHOW.

GOT THE YEAR RIGHT THIS TIME.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING.

IT'S BEEN A GREAT EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON THE ISSUES THAT FACE THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

I WANT TO THANK YOU THE VIEWERS FOR JOINING US.

I WANT TO REMIND YOU YOU CAN WATCH LIVE COVERAGE OF THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE EVERY WEEKDAY EVENING.

CHECK IT OUT.

CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS, AND OF COURSE WE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE AND PIONEER PUBLIC TELEVISION WEBSITE.

THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT WEEK AND ALL THE WEEKS THAT FOLLOW UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE GOES HOME.

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

MINNESOTA CORN FARMERS ARE PROUD TO INVEST IN THIRD PARTY RESEARCH LEADING TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES, MINNESOTA FARMERS UNION, STANDING FOR AGRICULTURE, WORKING FOR FARMERS.

ON THE WEB AT MFU.ORG.

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