OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> CATHY: WE'RE COMING TO YOU TONIGHT LIVE FROM THE HISTORIC CHATEAU THEATRE IN THE HEART OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA.

PROFESSOR DAVID SCHULTZ IS HERE.

WE'LL MEET A MAYO CLINIC DOCTOR LEADING PIONEERING RESEARCH WORK.

>> ERIC: WE'LL FILL THE COUCH WITH CURRENT AND FORMER LEGISLATORS FROM THE AREA.

AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN UP AT THE CAPITOL ALL WEEK.

>> Mary: YEAH, THAT'S THE PLACE WHERE GOVERNOR WALZ DELIVERED HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

WE'LL HAVE ANALYSIS AND HIGHLIGHTS.

AND THEN I'LL HEAD UP TO THE "ALMANAC" COUCH, WE TOOK IT ON THE ROAD, I'LL CHAT WITH ROCHESTER-BASED REPORTER FROM MPR, CATHERINE RICHERT, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE STATE OF POLITICS TODAY.

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.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> ERIC: WELCOME TO THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF "ALMANAC."

WE ARE COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM THE HISTORIC CHATEAU THEATRE IN DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER, JUST THE SECOND TIME IN "ALMANAC'S" 40-YEAR HISTORY THAT WE HAVE LEFT THE STUDIO TO BROADCAST LIVE FROM A REMOTE LOCATION.

THANK YOU TO THE NEARLY 300 ROCHESTER RESIDENTS, WELCOMING US, HAVE BEEN GREAT SO FAR.

TANE DANGER AND DAVID GILLETTE WILL BE HANGING OUT WITH SOME OF YOU A BIT LATER IN THE HOUR.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME ROCHESTER-FOCUSED SEGMENTS TONIGHT, INCLUDING A LOOK AT PIONEERING RESEARCH BEING DONE AT THE MAYO CLINIC, KAOMI LEE HIGHLIGHTS CONCERNS ABOUT I.C.E.

RAIDS IN THE AREA.

WE'LL MEET THE HEAD OF THE ROCHESTER NAACP.

>> CATHY: AND, OF COURSE, PLENTY OF POLITICS BECAUSE IT'S "ALMANAC," RIGHT?

MARY LAHAMMER WILL ROUND UP THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS AND JOIN MPR NEWS REPORTER CATHERINE RICHERT FOR A LIVE CONVERSATION.

WE'LL FILL THE COUCH WITH A SPECIAL ROCHESTER AREA PANEL OF LEGISLATORS PAST AND PRESENT.

BUT WE ARE GOING TO START TONIGHT WITH NATIONAL POLITICS.

DAVID SCHULTZ TEACHES POLITICAL SCIENCE AT HAMLINE UNIVERSITY AND IS ALSO AN ADJUNCT LAW PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS.

THANKS FOR DRIVING DOWN TONIGHT.

DOWN HIGHWAY 52.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BIG STORY TODAY.

A MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, JUDGE ARRESTED BY THE FBI FOR OBSTRUCTING AN IMMIGRATION ARREST OPERATION.

I MEAN, THIS IS REALLY THE ADMINISTRATION RATCHETING UP EFFORTS TO PUT HE HEAT ON LOCAL OFFICIALS, ISN'T T?

>> IT ACTUALLY IS AT THIS POINT.

THIS IS GOING TO BE PRETTY SIGNIFICANT, FIRST TO FIND OUT WHAT THE CHARGES ARE, SOME KIND OF AIDING OR ABETTING, SOME KIND OF CONSPIRACY, BUT YOU GENERALLY DON'T SEE, WE'RE IN A FEDERAL SYSTEM, THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE DIVISION OF AUTHORITY BETWEEN NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS AND STATE GOVERNMENTS.

THIS IS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT INTRUSION UPON STATE AUTHORITY AT THIS POINT, BECAUSE, FOR THE MOST PART, THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT CAN'T TELL STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, INCLUDING THEIR OFFICIALS, WHAT TO DO, AND CAN'T SAY COMMANDEER THEM OR DIRECT THEM TO ENFORCE CERTAIN LAWS.

>> Cathy: BUT ATTORNEY GENERAL BONDI SAYS NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

>> THERE MAY BE MIRROR THAT HAS TO BE HELD UP SOMEWHERE WITH THAT STATEMENT.

[ Laughter ] BUT EVEN IF NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW, STATES DO NOT HAVE TO FOLLOW ALL THE FEDERAL DIRECTIVES AND THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED, NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE CONSTITUTION TO ENFORCE FEDERAL LAW.

>> Eric: ON THE OTHER HAND, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS REINSTATED SOME STUDENT, FOREIGN STUDENT VISAS?

>> YES, THEY HAVE AT THIS POINT.

AND WHAT'S STARTING TO HAPPEN AT THIS POINT, THERE'S THIS AMAZING CONCEPT IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION CALLED DUE PROCESS OF LAW.

THE IDEA THAT IS CALLED RULE OF LAW THAT THE GOVERNMENT BEARS THE BURDEN OF PROOF IF IT WANTS TO INCARCERATE, LOCK UP OR DETAIN PEOPLE.

AND WHAT'S STARTING TO HAPPEN, AT THE SUPREME COURT LEVEL, LOWER COURT LEVELS, COURTS ARE NOW STARTING TO SAY, WE ACTUALLY TAKE THE CONSTITUTION SERIOUSLY, AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, FOR EVERYBODY WHO IS WORRIED BOUT, IS HE GOING TO COMPLY, ARE THEY NOT GOING TO COMPLY WITH THE COURTS, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS GRADUALLY BE FORCED TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW.

[ Applause ] >> Cathy: SO THE FIRST 100 DAYS IS TUESDAY.

OF THIS COMING WEEK.

THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

HAS HE SET STANDARDS IN TERMS OF ALL OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE FIRST 100 DAYS FOR OTHER PRESIDENTS TO COME?

>> POSSIBLY HAS.

POSSIBLY HAS, IN THE ENSE THAT THE PREVIOUS STANDARD FOR THE 100 DAYS IS FROM FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT, HIS FIRST 100 DAYS IN TERMS OF THE AMOUNT OF LEGISLATION THAT WAS ADOPTED.

TRUMP WILL PROBABLY SET THE RECORD IN THE FIRST 100 DAYS FOR THE NUMBER OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

HOWEVER, HAVING SAID THAT, WE ALSO SHOULD KEEP IN MIND, AS WE SAW IN THE FIRST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, GOING BACK TO ROOSEVELT, THE FIRST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAD THE WORST RECORD IN COURT OF ANY PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION, GOING BACK 80 YEARS.

AND SO FAR, HIS TRACK RECORD WITH THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS IS GOING IN THE EXACT SAME DIRECTION.

MOST OF THE ORDERS ARE BEING STAYED, BEING HUNG UP OR OTHERWISE BEING HELD UP IN SOME WAYS.

BUT WHAT'S INTERESTING, I HAD SOMEBODY WHO ASKED ME TODAY, ONE OF MY STUDENTS SAID, WELL, IS TRUMP NOW EN MASSING MORE POWER THAN WE'VE EVER SEEN UNDER A PRESIDENT, HOW'S HE DOING IT?

>> IT'S NOT SO MUCH THAT TRUMP IS MASSING POWER, CONGRESS IS ACQUIESCING, SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE HERE, ALL OF US LEARNED THE CHECKS AND BALANCES, SEPARATION OF POWERS.

OUR FRAMERS, THAT CONGRESS WOULD STEP IN AND DO THE JOB.

BUT THAT'S NOT HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

>> Eric: THE U.S. HOUSE COMES BACK TO WORK NEXT WEEK, ON THE AGENDA IS WHAT TRUMP CALLS THE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL.

>> YES.

>> Eric: WHAT'S IN IT, IS THERE FODDER FOR OPPONENTS AND PROCEED INCIDENTS >> THERE'S FODDER FOR EVERYBODY IN IT.

AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE TRUMP TAX CUTS TO MAKE THE TAX CUTS THAT ARE THERE PERMANENT, PLUS A WHOLE BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS.

I HATE TO KIND OF LIKE THE OMNIBUS GARBAGE BILL, BUT IT HAS ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING HE WANTS TO DO, I DON'T MEAN THAT IN A DEROGATORY ENSE, IT'S LITERALLY EVERYTHING HE WANTS TO JAM INTO ONE BILL REGARDING DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PHASE-OUT, PHASING OUT OF EMPLOYEES, A WHOLE BUNCH OF THINGS.

>> Cathy: SAY, I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF PETE HAG SETH, MINNESOTA NATIVE PETE HEGSETH, DEFENSE SECRETARY, DO YOU THINK HE SURROUNDS HIS SECOND ROUND, SECOND PROBLEM THAT HE HAS?

>> THIS IS GETTING HARDER AND HARDER FOR HIM AT THIS POINT.

BECAUSE THE SECOND ROUND OF CONTROVERSIES AT THIS POINT IS REALLY WEAKENING HIM AND, AGAIN, POLITICS IS ABOUT 08% RUMOR, AT SOME POINT LIKE THAT.

BUT YOU'RE HEARING LOTS OF RUMORS COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON RIGHT NOW THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS STARTING TO WAFFLE ON HIM.

80% RUMOR.

AND ONE GOOD WE WAY, THINK ABOUT IT, ONE GOOD WAY, IF THE PRESIDENT IS TAKING HEAT ON THIS ISSUE, WHAT DO YOU DO, YOU BLAME IT ON A SUBORDINATE AND FIRE THEM.

I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S GOING TO SURVIVE.

BUT TRUMP'S HARACTERISTIC HAS ALWAYS BEEN, DATING BACK TO THE DAYS OF THE SHOW THE APPRENTICE, HE'S NOT LOYAL.

>> Eric: DAVID SCHULTZ, GIVE HIM A BIG HAND.

[ Applause ] THANKS, PROFESSOR.

♪♪ >> Mary: AT THE MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL, THERE'S LESS THAN A MONTH LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND MUCH OF THE BUDGET WORK REMAINS.

AND THAT WAS THE BACKDROP FOR GOVERNOR WALZ'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

[ Cheers and applause ] IT WAS A WARM WELCOME FOR THE SECOND-TERM GOVERNOR.

>> WITH THE STATE OF OUR STATE AS STRONG AS ITS EVER BEEN, WE GATHER TO WRITE THE NEXT CHAPTER IN THE GREAT MINNESOTA STORY.

>> Mary: HE INITIALLY REACHED OUT TO REPUBLICANS IN MINNESOTA, WHO HE NEEDS TO PASS A BALANCED BUDGET AND POPULAR BIPARTISAN REFORMS TO STOP WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE.

>> DOING MORE TO PREVENT, INVESTIGATE AND PUNISH FRAUD IN GOVERNMENT.

[ Applause ] [ Cheers and applause ] SECURITY, OPPORTUNITY, FREEDOM.

I HEAR IT EVERYWHERE I GO.

AND EVERY TIME I DO, I FIND MYSELF BEING PROUD OF MINNESOTA.

THE TRUTH IS, ALL OF AMERICA WOULD LIKE TO HAVE WHAT WE HAVE.

>> Mary: THIS IS GOVERNOR WALZ'S FIRST STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS SINCE HE ROSE TO NATIONAL PROMINENCE AS A VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, AND HE CERTAINLY ADDRESSED THAT AUDIENCE HERE AS WELL.

>> THIS UNCERTAINTY, THIS CHAOS IS NO ACCIDENT.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS CHOSEN, CHOSEN TO DESTROY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO HELP PEOPLE.

>> Mary: WALZ REPEATEDLY WENT OFF THE -- AFTER THE ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON.

>> IT TAKES THE AWESOME POWER OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND TURNS IT INTO A CRUDE WEAPON.

WIELDED BY A MAN WHO WANTS TO BE KING.

AS GOVERNOR, I WILL CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO PROTECT MINNESOTANS FROM GETTING HURT AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SHELTER FROM HE STORM FOR MINNESOTANS.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> Mary: LEGISLATIVE LEADERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE REACTED TO THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

>> MY EXPECTATION FOR EVERY ONE OF THE MEMBERS SERVING IN THE HOUSE, IN THE SENATE, AND OUR GOVERNOR, MAKE MINNESOTA A PRIORITY, FOCUS ON WHAT WE NEED TO DO HERE FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA FIRST, AND THEN IF THERE'S OTHER ASPIRATIONS THAT SHOULD COME LATER.

>> WE'VE BEEN SEEING THE GOVERNOR CONSTANTLY BE TALKING ABOUT THE FEDERAL POLICIES THAT HE BELIEVES ARE COMING.

AND THE REALITY IS, WE NEED TO BE FOCUSED HERE ON THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> NOT QUITE AN OLIVE BRANCH BUT MAYBE A FEW BUDS FROM AN OLIVE TREE, GIVEN BY THE GOVERNOR, MOST OF IT WAS OVERSHADOWED BY A QUITE, FRANKLY, ANGRY RANT ABOUT DONALD TRUMP.

>> THIS CURRENT ADMINISTRATION IN WASHINGTON, THEY'RE NOT FOREVER, THE SMALL, PETTY MEN WILL DISAPPEAR INTO THE DUST BIN OF HISTORY AND WHEN THEY DO, THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY AND AN OBLIGATION TO ACTUALLY REBUILD GOVERNMENT SO THAT IT WORKS FOR WORKING PEOPLE.

[ Applause ] >> YOU CAN'T BE LIVE AND AN AMERICAN TODAY ND NOT SAY SOMETHING ABOUT DONALD TRUMP AND THE CHAOS THAT WE'RE SEEING FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. >> I'M PROUD OF THE FACT THAT HE WAS CLEAR ABOUT WHAT HE IS SEEING COMING FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. >> I BELIEVE WE CAN SHOW PEOPLE, FOLKS ACROSS THE NATION, WHO ARE WATCHING, THAT WE CAN STILL WORK TOGETHER TO IMPROVE LIVES.

LET'S SHOW THE WORLD WHAT SERVANT LEADERSHIP REALLY LOOKS LIKE.

GOD BLESS THE GREAT STATE OF MINNESOTA.

LET'S GET TO WORK!

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Applause ] ♪♪ >> ERIC: HERE WITH MORE ON THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS AND THE STATE OF THE LEGISLATURE AS THEY HEAD INTO THE FINAL FEW WEEKS BEFORE ADJOURNMENT, MARY LAHAMMER HAS RUN UP HERE FROM THE AUDIENCE AND JOINS US ON THE COUCH.

HERE TOO, CATHARINE RICHERT, MPR NEWS REPORTER BASED HERE IN ROCHESTER.

MARY, THE GOVERNOR'S GOT SOME OPTIONS ABOUT HIS POLITICAL FUTURE.

ONE HAND, HE SAID IN HIS SPEECH, I LOVE MY JOB.

THE OTHER PART OF THE SPEECH, HE SAID THAT I NEED TO BE AVAILABLE TO REBUILD THE GOVERNMENT WHEN TRUMP IS GONE.

>> Mary: THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> Eric: THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> Mary: YES.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE WE TO READ ABOUT THIS?

>> Mary: I THINK WE READ THAT HE'S RUNNING FOR OVERNOR AGAIN AND PERHAPS PRESIDENT.

HE DID MENTION THE PRESIDENT, ALTHOUGH NEVER BY NAME, I DID NOTE THAT, HE NEVER SAID THE PRESIDENT'S NAME, BUT HE REFERENCED THE PRESIDENT A DOZEN TIMES IN HIS STATE OF THE STATE.

THE JOKE AROUND THE CAPITOL IS THAT MAYBE IT WAS A LITTLE MORE STATE OF THE UNION THAN THE STATE OF THE STATE.

HE'S DEFINITELY WITH HIS NATIONAL TRAVEL, KIND OF FILLING A VOID SINCE, YOU KNOW, KAMALA HARRIS IS NOT OUT THERE AFTERWARDS.

THERE'S SOME OTHER PEOPLE ON THE NATIONAL SPEAKING CIRCUIT, BUT HE SPENT THREE DAYS IN SWING STATE OHIO RECENTLY.

HE'S GOING TO BE DOING AN INTERNATIONAL TRIP TO CANADA.

THIS SOUNDS LIKE SOME THINGS MIGHT BE AHEAD, YEAH.

>> Cathy: SO NOW, -- BY THE WAY, STATE OF THE STATE AS A LITTLE LATE IN THE SESSION, USUALLY IT'S EARLIER.

SO NOW WE'RE HEADING INTO, IT'S LESS THAN A MONTH THAT WE HAVE SESSION, AND I'M WONDERING, BECAUSE YOU ARE SO GOOD WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR "TALKING SENSE" SERIES, HOW PEOPLE HAVE TOUGH POLITICAL CONVERSATIONS, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT IN THE WAY OF BIPARTISANSHIP, PERHAPS, BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF SESSION?

>> GIVEN OW THE SESSION STARTED, I THINK THAT THERE'S BEEN A NOTABLE LEVEL OF BIPARTISAN BILLS THAT ARE MAKING IT PAST COMMITTEE AND MOVING FORWARD.

BUT IT'S ALMOST LIKE FORCED MINNESOTA NICE BECAUSE THE CHAMBERS ARE SO CLOSELY -- ESPECIALLY IN THE HOUSE, RIGHT, BY NATURE, THOSE BILLS THAT ARE MOVING FORWARD HAVE TO BE BIPARTISAN.

SO WE'LL SEE HOW THAT CONTINUES TO PLAY OUT IN THESE FINAL DAYS.

WHEN THE BUDGET PROCESS IS, YOU KNOW, GOING HROUGH AND WHETHER BIPARTISANSHIP CAN REALLY SHINE THEN.

>> Eric: WHEN YOU DID YOUR REPORTING, TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TOGETHER ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF STUFF, NOT BE SO ANGRY ABOUT IT, WHAT'S THE MOOD OUT THERE OF THE VOTERS THAT YOU TALKED TO?

>> OH, GOSH, YOU KNOW, SO A YEAR AGO, I WOULD HAVE SAID THAT EVERYONE I WAS TALKING TO FELT GENUINELY FED UP WITH THE POLITICAL POLARIZATION AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.

AND REALLY WANTED TO MAKE SOME CHANGES THERE.

I THINK SINCE THE ELECTION, THOUGH, I'VE SEEN PEOPLE RETREAT A LITTLE BIT.

IT'S BEEN HARDER -- PARTLY BECAUSE I THINK THE NEWS IS COMING SO FAST AND FURIOUS, IT'S ALMOST HARD TO KEEP UP SOMETIMES.

>> AND I THINK, WHILE MINNESOTA VOTERS, WE DIDN'T LEAD THE NATION, YOU MAY HAVE HEARD THE BAD NEWS THAT WE FINISHED SECOND.

>> Eric: JUST BY A WHISPER.

>> Mary: BUT WE DID LEAD THE NATION IN HE YOUTH VOTER TURNOUT SO, WE CAN STILL BRAG ABOUT THAT.

BUT WE ARE HIGHLY ENGAGED POPULACE.

MINNESOTA ALWAYS DESERVES CREDIT FOR THAT.

AND I THINK MINNESOTA VOTERS ARE STILL PRETTY ENGAGED BECAUSE HISTORY'S HAPPENING.

NEVER BEFORE IN THE ENTIRE STATE HISTORY HAVE WE HAD A TIED HOUSE AND A IED SENATE IN THE SAME SESSION, NOT AT EXACTLY THE SAME TIME, AND ITCHING WE'VE ONLY HAD TWO HOURS OF A FULL COMPLEMENT OF 201 LAWMAKERS BETWEEN A SPECIAL ELECTION AND AN ARREST OF A CERTAIN SENATOR SOMEWHERE.

SO IT'S BEEN A HIGHLY UNUSUAL SESSION.

AND THE BIPARTISANSHIP, AS CAT MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, THESE CO-CHAIRS, AND WE'RE SEEING THE PROOF OF IT, WE'RE ALREADY SEEING A COUPLE OF BUDGET BILLS, OMNIBUS BILLS COME THROUGH, SOME OF THE EASY STUFF THEY ALL AGREE ON, VETERANS, AGRICULTURE.

BUT THE AGRICULTURE BILL THAT WENT THROUGH TODAY DOES SHORE UP SOME OF THE CUTS THAT HAVE COME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

YOU MAY HAVE HEARD, MINNESOTA FARMERS LOST DIRECT PAYMENTS FOR THIS FARM TO SCHOOL, THIS FARM TO TABLE CONCEPT.

THE STATE IS ALREADY FILLING SOME OF THAT.

SO THEY HAVE TO REACT TO WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S DOING.

>> Cathy: SAY, WHEN YOU TALK TO PEOPLE DOWN HERE, CAT, IN SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, ARE THEY PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN St. PAUL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I WAS AT A ROCHESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCH LAST WEEK, AND THE THING THAT EVERYONE WAS TALKING ABOUT WAS PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE, WHICH SEEMS LIKE ONE AREA WHERE WE CAN SEE MAYBE SOME FIREWORKS, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE DEMOCRATS REALLY CONSIDER THAT TO E A FEATHER IN THEIR CAP, REPUBLICANS DO WANT TO MAKE SOME CHANGES TO THAT AS IT ROLLS OUT.

IN A COMMUNITY THAT IS VERY MUCH DRIVEN BY BUSINESS, THAT'S A BIG DEAL HERE.

THE OTHER THING THAT I THINK PEOPLE ARE REALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO ARE TARIFFS AND THE ECONOMIC CHANGES THAT ARE HAPPENING ON THE NATIONAL AND GLOBAL SCALE, ALL OF YOU KNOW, ALL THE CONSTRUCTION THAT'S GOING ON OUT HERE RIGHT NOW, BIG DEVELOPMENT WITH DESTINATION MEDICAL CENTER AND, OF COURSE, MAYO'S $5 BILLION EXPANSION, WE'LL SEE IF THE TARIFFS AND SOME OF THAT ECONOMIC UPHEAVAL ACTUALLY AFFECTS THE SCALE AND THE SPEED OF THAT DEVELOPMENT GOING FORWARD.

>> Cathy: MARY, I'M CURIOUS, YOU KNOW, SOME OF OUR POLITICAL PANELISTS ARE PRETTY SKEPTICAL THAT THE SESSION WILL FINISH ON TIME.

THAT A UDGET BILL CAN BE REACHED, RIGHT?

AND I'M WONDERING, DO YOU THINK THEY'RE GOING TO GO INTO OVERTIME OR WILL THEY FINISH ON TIME?

>> WELL, I'M A STUDENT OF HISTORY, MY PARENTS WILL BE HAPPY THAT I REFERENCED MY HISTORY MINOR, WE LOVE HISTORY, AND IF THAT'S ANY GUIDE, WHICH I THINK IT'S A DECENT GUIDE, IN DIVIDED GOVERNMENT IN BUDGET YEARS, WE GO INTO SPECIAL SESSION NEARLY EVERY TIME.

SO, IT'S VERY LIKELY, AND IT MAKES IT EVEN MORE LIKELY WITH THE UNKNOWN OF THE FEDERAL CUTS ECAUSE SOME OF THESE THINGS BLINK ON, BLINK OFF, THE TARIFFS BLINK ON, BLINK OFF.

IT'S VERY HARD FOR THE STATE TO BALANCE ITS BUDGET.

AND THAT WAS PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S POINT BY BRINGING UP THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SO MUCH IN HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, BUT MAYBE SOME OTHER MOTIVES.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, FINAL QUESTION HERE TO CAT RICHERT, BECAUSE YOU DID SO MUCH WORK ON "TALKING SENSE" AT MPR, WHAT COULD LAWMAKERS LEARN FROM THE FOLKS THAT YOU'VE TALKED TO OVER THE PAST COUPLE YEARS ABOUT HOW TO HAVE TOUGH POLITICAL QUESTIONS?

>> ASK BETTER QUESTIONS OF THEM.

REALLY GET TO KNOW THEM.

BE CURIOUS.

I WOULD ALSO SAY, TOO, DON'T -PIGEON HOLE PEOPLE OR SILO PEOPLE INTO WHAT YOU THINK THEY MIGHT BELIEVE JUST BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT THEY VOTE.

>> Eric: GOOD STUFF.

>> Cathy: GOOD ADVICE.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> Eric: WE'LL BE KEEPING OUR EYES ON THE BIPARTISAN WORK DOWN THE STRETCH.

BUT LET'S HEAD OUT TO THE AUDIENCE WHERE TANE DANGER IS WITH SPECIAL GUEST.

>> Tane: HEY, WE ARE LIVE WITH A LIVE AUDIENCE HERE IN ROCHESTER.

THAT'S VERY EXCITING.

[ Applause ] ALSO, WITH DAVID GILLETTE.

>> David: THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

THAT USUALLY SILENCES ALL APPLAUSE.

THAT'S A GOOD ROLE FOR ME TO PLAY.

>> Tane: THAT'S GOOD.

YOU GOT SOMETHING SPECIAL OR US TONIGHT, THOUGH, DAVID GILLETTE, SOMETHING YOU'VE NEVER DONE.

>> David: I AM SUPER EXCITED, WE'VE NEVER DONE THIS, LARGELY BECAUSE WE'VE HAD NEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS, I'VE BEEN DRAWING CARTOONS FOR A LONG TIME FOR THE SHOW, I'VE NEVER GIVEN THEM OUT IN REAL LIFE.

SO IN THIS FOLDER, I HAVE SOME ORIGINAL ARTWORK I MADE JUST FOR TONIGHT, AND A BIT LATER IN THE SHOW, WE'RE GOING TO MEET SOME OF OUR FRIENDS IN THE AUDIENCE AND HAND OUT SOME CARTOONS.

>> Tane: AMAZING.

WELL, CAN'T WAIT FOR THAT.

WE'RE GOING TO THROW IT BACK TO ERIC AND CATHY ON THE STAGE.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, DAVID.

AS WE'VE NOTED SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY TONIGHT, WE ARE HERE IN ROCHESTER AT THE HOME OF THE WORLD RENOWNED MAYO CLINIC.

RESEARCH IS BEING DONE TODAY HERE INTO TODAY'S MEDICAL MIST TRIS.

MIST TRIS.

MYSTERIES.

RESEARCH THAT RESULTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW THERAPIES.

RESEARCH THAT RESULTS IN NEW KNOWLEDGE ABOUT PRESSING HEALTH PROBLEMS.

MAYO'S CENTER FOR INDIVIDUALIZED MEDICINE IS LOOKING INTO HOW MICROPLASTICS, THOSE TINY PIECES OF PLASTIC THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND IN OUR WATER, FOOD AND AIR, ARE POTENTIALLY LINKED TO SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS.

THE HEAD OF THE CENTER FOR INDIVIDUALIZED MEDICINE HERE AT MAYO IS DR. KONSTANTINOS LAZARIDIS.

IT'S SO NICE TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: YOU MIGHT WANT TO PUT THE MICROPHONE RIGHT UP -- >> Eric: RIGHT UP BY YOUR MOUTH.

>> Cathy: THERE YOU GO, THERE YOU GO.

YOU ARE THE HEAD OF THE CENTER FOR INDIVIDUALIZED MEDICINE, PERSONALIZED MEDICINE, AND THAT'S REALLY BASED ON GENOMIC MEDICINE, YOUR GENETIC PROFILE, RIGHT?

SO I'M CURIOUS, WHAT IS THE POTENTIAL FOR DISEASE PREVENTION AND PREDICTION AND TREATMENT USING GENOMICS?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

WE HAVE NOW EVIDENCE THAT UNDERSTANDING FOR GENETIC MATERIAL CAN PREVENT DISEASE.

THERE ARE MANY STUDIES THROUGHOUT INDICATING THAT UNDERSTANDING OUR SEQUENCE CAN IDENTIFY PEOPLE AT HIGH RISK FOR BREAST CANCER, OVARIAN CANCER, PROSTATE CANCER AND THE LIKES, HEART DISEASE.

SO WE HAVE IN PLACE STUDIES WHERE WE TRIED TO ENGAGE PARTICIPANTS AND ENROLL INTERESTED PATIENTS TO UNDERGO TESTING.

AND WE FOUND THAT FOR SOME BETTER CONDITIONS OF CANCER, WE IDENTIFY THE NDIVIDUALS AND GIVE THEM ACTIONABLE ELEMENTS TO PREVENT THE DISEASE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SCREENING.

AND WE KNOW THIS IS THE FUTURE.

WE THINK WE HAVE TO TEST MORE INDIVIDUALS BECAUSE AS WE UNDERSTAND THE GENETIC PREDISPOSITION, WE CAN BE MORE ACTIONABLE TO WHAT WE'RE PLANNING TO DO.

>> Eric: DO ALL PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION IN ADVANCE OR IS THIS PATIENT BY PATIENT HOW THEY VIEW THIS?

>> MANY PATIENTS WANT TO DO IT.

MANY ARE SKEPTICAL.

BECAUSE WHEN SOMETHING'S CLINICAL AND THERE'S MEDICAL RECORDS AND THERE'S CONCERN THAT THIS INFORMATION, IN THE MEDICAL RECORDS, CAN BE DISCRIMINATED SOMETIMES FOR MEDICAL INSURANCE, THAT'S NOT THE CASE, BUT IT DOES NOT APPLY TO LIFE INSURANCE OR LONG-TERM INSURANCE.

SO THAT'S WHY PATIENTS ARE SKEPTICAL.

>> Cathy: SO YOU'RE DEALING WITH THE GENETIC CODE, RIGHT?

BUT THERE'S ALSO THE ENVIRONMENT, WE'RE EXPOSED TO SO MUCH.

AND YOU'RE STUDYING WHAT'S CALLED THE EXPO SOME, CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT FOR THE AVERAGE VIEWER?

>> YES.

IT'S THE COLLECTIVE EXPOSURES WE ALL UNDERGO FROM THE TIME WE'RE IN UTERO, TO THE END OF OUR LIVES.

>> Cathy: OH, MY GOSH.

>> IT'S VERY COMPLEX TO STUDY.

>> ric: WOW.

>> BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, WE NOW KNOW FOR THE FIRST IME BECAUSE OF A STUDY IN EUROPE THAT FOR SOME DISEASES LIKE CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE, CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE, CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE, THE EXPOSOME IS PROBABLY TEN TIMES MORE SIGNIFICANT THAN OUR GENETIC MATERIAL.

EQUALLY IMPORTANTLY, THE EXPOSOME IS MORE EASILY MODIFIABLE AND WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY, WHEN YOU GO TO THE DOCTOR AND SOMEONE, YOUR PROVIDER TELLS YOU YOU SHOULD CHANGE YOUR DIET, THIS IS AN EXPOSOMIC INTERVENTION THAT CAN HAPPEN AT NO COST.

>> Eric: OH, SURE.

>> TO CHANGE YOUR GENETIC CODE, IT'S EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

>> Cathy: OF COURSE.

>> TO DO.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING HERE, DOCTOR, WE HAVE A COUPLE MINUTES LEFT.

SO, THE CENTER FOR INDIVIDUALIZED MEDICINE, YOU SPECIFICALLY -- YOU'RE A LIVER DISEASE EXPERT.

AND PART OF OUR ENVIRONMENT, WE ARE JUST INUNDATED K MICROPLASTICS.

I'M WONDERING WHAT WE DO -- WHAT DO WE KNOW AT THIS POINT ABOUT SHORT-TERM OR LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF INGESTING MICROPLASTICS?

>> MICROPLASTICS HAVE SERVED US IN OUR NEEDS OVER THE SEVERAL DECADES, BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE EVERYWHERE.

THOSE ARE SMALL PARTICLES OF PLASTIC, OF LESS THAN FIVE MILLIMETERS IN IZE, WHICH HAVE BEEN FOUND IN MANY TISSUES, IN EVERY TISSUE, EVEN IN PLACENTA.

WE NOW KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME ASSOCIATIONS TO DISEASE.

NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

BUT WE HAVEN'T PROVEN ANY CAUSATION.

AND IT WILL TAKE TIME.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE LIKE TO DO TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT EXACTLY IS HAPPENING.

EXPOSURE IS ONE THING.

BIOLOGICAL CONNECTION AND FINDING THE WAYS OF HOW THIS LEADS TO DISEASE IS ANOTHER.

STUDY THAT WE HAVE TO DO.

AND WE ALL REALIZE THAT THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF WE FIND THESE DIRECT CONNECTION, WE CAN DO SOMETHING TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING.

FOR THE TIME BEING, WE HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT AND AWARE ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES.

>> Cathy: BUT IT'S FASCINATING RESEARCH.

I MEAN, I WISH YOU WELL.

I'M SO HAPPY YOU'VE BEEN HERE WITH US ON OUR LIVE BROADCAST.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[ Applause ] ♪♪ >> KAOMI: THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT'S TARGETING VIOLENT CRIMINALS FOR DEPORTATION.

ADVOCATES SAY THE SCOPE IS MUCH BROADER.

RIGHT HERE IN ROCHESTER I DID SOME REPORTING EARLIER.

TAKE A LOOK.

ROCHESTER, AN INTERNATIONAL HEALTHCARE DESTINATION.

AND AN I.C.E.

TARGET.

>> A NUMBER OF WEEKS AGO NOW, ROCHESTER HAD I.C.E.

AGENTS IN TOWN.

WE KNOW CERTAINLY OF SOME OF THE MOST -- WELL, PUBLICIZED CASES, WHICH WERE TWO GENTLEMEN WHO WERE GOING IN TO WORK AT A RESTAURANT AND WERE ARRESTED.

NOT IN THE PUBLIC EYE, WE HAVE HEARD OF OVER A DOZEN OTHER CASES THAT HAVE NOT MADE THE NEWS.

SO, I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN WELL OVER A DOZEN INDIVIDUALS THAT I.C.E.

HAS DETAINED OR ARRESTED.

AND I KNOW KIND OF SECONDHAND OF AT LEAST ONE THAT WAS DEPORTED TO GUATEMALA.

>> Kaomi: OF THE CASES MAKING A NEWS, A DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT, NUPA, REPORTEDLY HAD TO SHUT DOWN IN FEBRUARY FOR TWO WEEKS DUE TO A STAFF SHORTAGE, ACCORDING TO ITS OWNER, THERE WERE TWO INDIVIDUALS DETAINED IN OUR PARKING LOT, ONLY ONE INDIVIDUAL WORKED FOR US, AND HE HAS BEEN RELEASED AND UNDER GUIDANCE, IS BACK WORKING.

I'M NOT SURE WHO THE OTHER PERSON WAS THAT WAS DETAINED.

NEITHER THE MAYOR, NOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT WERE NOTIFIED BY FEDERAL OFFICIALS.

NORTON SAYS SHE WAS ALERTED BY A RESIDENT ABOUT CARS PARKED AT AN AREA HOTEL.

>> I WAS QUITE SURPRISED THAT ROCHESTER WAS ONE OF THE EARLY TARGETS IN MINNESOTA.

FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, BUT PARTLY BECAUSE WHAT WE HAD HEARD IS THAT THEY WERE GOING TO BE TARGETING VIOLENT CRIMINALS AND, SO, WE'RE A VERY AFE COMMUNITY, WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF VIOLENT CRIME, AND, SO, WHY WOULD WE BE TARGETED?

>> Kaomi: IN THE PAST, NORTON SAYS I.C.E.

WOULD BE SUMMONED AFTER AN ARREST FOR A CRIME.

FINGERPRINTING WOULD IDENTIFY PEOPLE WITHOUT LEGAL STATUS.

>> THIS IS VERY DIFFERENT.

>> Kaomi: REQUESTS TO I.C.E.

FOR INFORMATION ON DETAINMENTS IN MINNESOTA HAVE NOT BEEN ANSWERED.

AN ADVOCACY NONPROFIT FOR THE LATINA COMMUNITY, IT HAS OFFICES IN MANKATO, MINNEAPOLIS, AND ROCHESTER.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF FEAR, A LOT OF ANXIETY, A LOT OF UNKNOWNS.

I FEEL AS IF EVERY WEEK, WE'RE GETTING NEW NEWS, NEW THREATS, SO IT IS DIFFICULT TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION, HOW RE WE DOING, BECAUSE IT DOES RULY FEEL LIKE A ROLLER COASTER.

>> ORTIZ IS ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ORGANIZATION.

FEAR IS SOMETHING SHE KNOWS ALL TOO WELL.

HER PARENTS BROUGHT HER TO MINNESOTA AT AGE 3 FROM MEXICO.

>> I GREW UP UNDOCUMENTED MYSELF.

AND THAT FEAR OF JUST THAT GUT-WRENCHING FEELING THAT YOU GET EVEN JUST KNOWING THAT YOU COULD POTENTIALLY GET STOPPED OVER ON YOUR WAY TO GET GROCERIES OR IF THERE IS A FIELD TRIP AT SCHOOL THAT'S AN HOUR AND A HALF WAY, THAT JUST WAS NOT AN OPTION BECAUSE OF THE FEAR.

>> Kaomi: HER PARENTS MIGRATED TO THE U.S. FOR BETTER OPPORTUNITIES.

THEY SUFFERED FROM HEALTH RISKS FROM THE SILVER MINES OWNED BY U.S. AND CANADIAN COMPANIES IN THEIR HOMETOWN.

IN THE U.S., SHE SAYS THEIR LIVES WERE FULL OF HARD WORK, DISAPPOINTMENT, AND FEAR.

IN 2012, ORTIZ RECEIVED DACA STATUS, THE 32-YEAR-OLD IS NOW A GREEN CARD HOLDER AFTER MARRYING AN AMERICAN.

IMMIGRATION HAWKS SAY PEOPLE LIKE HER FAMILY BROKE THE LAW.

ORTIZ SAYS, THAT'S UNFAIR.

>> WE HAVE POLITICIANS, WE HAVE PEOPLE IN POWER RIGHT NOW THAT ARE BREAKING THE LAW LEFT AND RIGHT.

AND THEY'RE DOING IT IN A WAY THAT COVERS IT UP, AND IT'S VERY CLEAR THAT THE LAW IS BEING BROKEN, OR THE SYSTEMS ARE BEING BROKEN.

>> Kaomi: AVID PERDOMO DOES ORGANIZING WITH COPAL IN ROCHESTER.

HE SAYS DETAINMENTS FOR NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS ARE ON THE RISE.

[ SPEAKING SPANISH ] >> THESE LAST TWO WEEKS, WE'VE HAD THREE OTHER CASES.

ONE OF THEM WHERE THREE PEOPLE WERE CARPOOLING TO WORK.

THEY WERE FOLLOWED AND DETAINED ONCE THEY ARRIVED TO WORK.

>> Kaomi: AFTER THE NUPA ARREST, COPAL HELD A VALENTINE'S DAY RALLY.

ORGANIZERS DISTRIBUTED 20,000 "KNOW YOUR RIGHTS" VALENTINE'S.

THEY SAY THEY'VE BEEN HOLDING INFORMATIONAL WORKSHOPS AND W WORKING TO GET LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DETAINED.

[ SPEAKING SPANISH ] >> HE MAJORITY OF ALL THESE CASES, THEY DIDN'T HAVE A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE A REASON FOR THEIR ARREST, AND THAT IS WHY WE'VE BEEN CONNECTING THEM TO GET LEGAL SUPPORT AND MOST CASES WERE LET GO.

>> Kaomi: IN A COMMUNITY LIKE ROCHESTER, THE VERY FABRIC IS SUPPORTED BY UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

PERDOMO SAYS CLEANERS, RESTAURANT AND HOTEL WORKERS ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE CITY'S MEDICAL HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

STATEWIDE, IT'S ESTIMATED THAT THERE ARE OVER 80,000 UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

THE ACLU SAYS IT'S ALSO SEEING INCREASED USE OF DETENTION ON NONCITIZENS.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF CONCERNS, BOTH HERE IN MINNESOTA AND OUR NATIONAL ACLU, ABOUT HOW IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IS GOING.

FOR EXAMPLE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CASE OF KALEEL, WHO THEY HAVE TRIED TO REMOVE FROM THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY WITHOUT ANY PROCESS AT ALL, HAT, IN OUR VIEW, IS UNLAWFUL DETENTION.

AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT IS KIND OF WHAT THIS ADMINISTRATION MIGHT BE MOVING TOWARDS, IS MORE CLOUDING OF LAWFUL PROCESSING, IN ORDER TO GET THE NUMBERS UP.

>> Kaomi: THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ALLEGES THE FORMER COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY STUDENT SUPPORTS THE TERRORIST GROUP HAMAS.

KAHLIL, WHO IS A U.S.

PERMANENT RESIDENT, WAS A KEY PART OF THE PRO ALESTINIAN PROTEST ON CAMPUS LAST YEAR.

>> SHE SAYS NONCITIZENS HAVE RIGHTS BUT THEY ARE UNDER ATTACK.

>> PEOPLE WHO ARE PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, AND CERTAINLY NONCITIZENS PRESENT IN MINNESOTA HAVE RIGHTS UNDER THE MINNESOTA STATE CONSTITUTION AS WELL.

>> Kaomi: PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE STATE HAVE ALSO REPORTED CHANGES IN STATUS FOR SOME OF THEIR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND ALUM.

BACK AT COPAL IN ROACH, ADVOCATES -- ROCHESTER, SAY MORE OF THEIR COMMUNITY ARE STAYING OUT OF SIGHT, INCLUDING CITIZENS.

>> FOR ME, I THINK THE MOMENT THAT WE'RE IN NOW REMIND ME OF WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND GROWING UP UNDOCUMENTED.

I DO THINK THAT THE NARRATIVE OF HATE AND THE NARRATIVE OF OTHER'ING IS AT ITS WORST.

>> ALEXANDRA BARTOI IS A WORLD-RENOWNED VIOLINIST.

BORN IN BUCHAREST, ROMANIA, SHE STUDIED IN NEW YORK, HAMBURG, AND SPENT MORE THAN A DECADE AS A MEMBER OF THE HISTORIC MDR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IN LEIPZIG, GERMANY.

JUST LAST YEAR SHE MOVED HERE TO ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA, AND WE ARE SO EXCITED TO HAVE HER ON THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF "ALMANAC."

ALEXANDRA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU, TANE, FOR THAT KIND INTRODUCTION AND FOR HAVING ME.

>> SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED.

SO YOU PLAY WITH THE ROCHESTER SYMPHONY HERE, BUT NOT JUST PLAY, YOU'RE THE CONCERTMASTER FOR THE ROCHESTER SYMPHONY.

WHAT IS CONCERTMASTER FOR THE SIMPLE SPOKEN IN.

>> WELL, IF YOU WOULD IMAGINE, THE ROCHESTER SYMPHONY IS A SHIP, OUR MUSIC DIRECTOR WOULD BE THE CAPTAIN AND I WOULD BE THE GUY NEXT TO HER AT THE STEERING WHEEL.

>> Tane: BUT THE STEERING WHEEL IS YOUR VIOLIN, SO YOUR STEERING WITH THE VIOLIN, IT'S VERY NICE.

YOU AND I HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON, WE BOTH WORK HERE AT MAYO, WITH THE CENTER -- THE LAVIN CENTER FOR HUMANITY AND MEDICINE, I'M TEACHING TO IMPROV TO DOCTORS AND DMURSZ.

YOU ARE PART OF SOMETHING CALLED ART AT THE BEDSIDE FOR THE HUMANITIES IN MEDICINE.

WHAT IS ART AT THE BEDSIDE?

>> SO WE'RE A TEAM OF CREATIVE WRITERS, VISUAL ARTISTS AND MYSELF, AND WE GO DIRECTLY TO THE PATIENTS' ROOMS AND TRY TO BRIGHTEN UP THE PATIENTS' DAY WITH OUR ART.

>> Tane: AND YOU TAKE THE VIOLIN WITH YOU.

AND YOU BROUGHT IT HERE TONIGHT TO BRIGHTEN UP OUR DAY.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO PLAY FOR US THIS EVENING?

>> I BROUGHT A PIECE THAT I USUALLY PLAY WHEN PATIENTS ASK ME FOR SOME BLUE GRASS.

THIS WOULD BE THE ROMANIAN COUNTERPART OF BLUE GRASS, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW ANY AMERICAN.

IT'S BY THE COMPOSER GEORGE INESCO, AND THE IMAGE I HAVE IN MY HEAD WHEN I PLAY IT, I STAND IN A FIELD AMONGST MY SHEEP AND A LITTLE BIRD SINGS A SONG AND I PICK UP THE VIOLIN AND IMPROVISE ON HAT BIRD SONG.

>> Tane: THAT IS BEAUTIFUL.

I'M VERY EXCITED.

SO, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ALEXANDRA BARTOI!

[ Applause ] ♪♪ [ Applause ] ♪ "PURPLE RAIN" PLAYING ♪ LYRICS: I NEVER MEANT TO CAUSE YOU ANY SORROW.

♪ I NEVER MEANT TO CAUSE YOU ANY PAIN ♪ >> CATHY: THE NAACP IS CURRENTLY SUING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER THE PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE ORDER IN MARCH TO DISMANTLE THE U.S. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

THIS FOLLOWS CONTINUED ULTIMATUMS OVER FEDERAL FUNDING AND DEI INITIATIVES ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

JOINING US TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF THE NAACP, HERE IN ROCHESTER, WALÉ ELEGBEDE.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> IT'S SO NICE TO BE HERE.

THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> Cathy: I TELL YOU WHAT, WE MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE MICROPHONE THERE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, TECHNOLOGY THE WAY IT IS.

THREW GO, GIVE IT ANOTHER TRY.

>> CAN YOU GUYS HEAR ME NOW?

>> Cathy: WE SURE CAN.

>> SO NICE TO BE HERE.

REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> Cathy: IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS SUIT.

IT IS, OF COURSE, THE NATIONAL NAACP IS SUING OVER THE EXECUTIVE ORDER TO DISMANTLE THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

WHAT'S THE LOCAL BRANCH'S TAKE ON THIS?

>> WELL, WE ARE FULLY SUPPORTIVE.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT JUST THE IMPACT THIS HAS ON EDUCATION, NOT JUST TO BLACK COMMUNITY MEMBERS BUT TO ALL, AND THERE ARE REALLY TWO SUITS.

SO THE FIRST SUIT CAME OUT IN MARCH, AND, REALLY, THIS WAS ABOUT CHALLENGING THE DISMANTLING OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND OUR MAIN PREMISE IS THAT CONGRESS WAS THE ONE THAT ENACTED HAT AND ONLY CONGRESS CAN DISMANTLE IT, NOT THE PRESIDENT, NOT THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION.

AND, SO, THAT SUIT CONTINUES.

AND THE OTHER IS REALLY ONE THAT WE HAD A WEEK AGO, ACTUALLY, AND THAT WAS ABOUT ATTACKS AGAINST DEI, YOU KNOW.

AND JUST YESTERDAY WE GOT THE FEDERAL JUDGE TO REALLY BLOCK THAT.

SO, OBVIOUSLY THE WORK CONTINUES.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT FORWARD AND NOT BACKWARDS.

BUT THAT'S WHY WE'RE DOING THIS BECAUSE IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> Eric: I WAS DOING SOME RESEARCH DURING THE WEEK, READING ABOUT YOU, LISTENING TO SOME INDIVIDUAL YOIS.

VIDEOS.

YOU HAVE AN INTERESTING FOCUS ON ADULT EDUCATION AND PERSONAL FINANCE AND LITERACY.

WHY THAT FOCUS?

>> YEAH, IT'S ACTUALLY MORE THAN THAT.

SO I'LL JUST SHARE THAT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT JUST, YOU KNOW, SYSTEMIC ISSUES WHEN IT COMES TO JUST WEALTH BUILDING AND EDUCATION IN GENERAL, YOU KNOW, FROM AN NAACP, WE'RE REALLY FOCUSED ON HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT ARE WE GIVING THE TOOLS TO PEOPLE TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, WHETHER IT'S TO THE TRADE SCHOOLS, OR WHETHER THAT'S TO COLLEGE, IN TERMS OF ALSO HOW TO MANAGE THEIR WEALTH, BUT WE DO A LOT MORE THAN THAT, THAT'S JUST ONE ASPECT.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF HOW DO WE TEACH PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, AND THE YOUTH, YOU KNOW, SELF-EFFICACY.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.

AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A WAY THAT WE FIGHT THESE SYSTEMIC ISSUES.

THIS IS A WAY THAT WE BRING ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TOGETHER.

AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE ALL OF US BEING IN THIS TO REALLY CHANGE THIS.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE AN IMMIGRANT STORY.

AND I WONDER, HOW DIFFICULT IS IT FOR YOU TO WATCH WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON HERE THE PAST 100 DAYS?

>> YEAH.

SO, FOR BACKGROUND, I'M ORIGINALLY FROM NIGERIA.

I'M AN AMERICAN CITIZEN.

AND WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY, THE REASON WHY I CAME HERE AND THE REASON WHY I CHOSE AMERICA, AND THE REASON WHY A LOT OF IMMIGRANTS CHOOSE AMERICA IS BECAUSE OF THAT AMERICAN DREAM.

YOU KNOW, IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR, IT'S SOMETHING THAT IT'S WORTH ATTAINING.

WE'RE NOT THERE YET.

BUT THAT'S WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE AMERICA.

A LOT OF WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING REALLY IS CHAL CHALLENGING, YOU KNOW, WHAT THAT AMERICAN DREAM IS.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU HAVE STUDENTS THAT ARE BEING DETAINED FOR FREEDOM OF SPEECH, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU HAVE FAMILIES THAT ARE -- NOW WE HAVE A JUDGE THAT WAS ARRESTED, YOU NOW, AND THESE ARE THINGS THAT REALLY JUST TAKE ME BACK TO NIGERIA.

SO, I MEAN, I GREW UP UNDER MILITARY DICTATORSHIPS AND TOTALITARIAN REGIMES WHERE THE RULE WAS REALLY RULING BY DECREES.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT RIGHT NOW, YOU'RE REALLY RULING BY EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

RIGHT.

SO I SEE A LOT OF PARALLELS.

BUT I DO KNOW THIS, THAT THERE IS STRENGTH IN COMMUNITY, THERE'S STRENGTH IN PEOPLE.

AND WE JUST NEED TO LET PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE POWER THEY HAVE.

AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE.

BUT, I MEAN, THAT'S WHY A TED TALK, IT TAKES A COMMUNITY TO ERADICATE HATE.

HOW DO WE GO FROM NOT MY BUSINESS, IT'S THE OTHER, THAT'S YOUR PROBLEM, TO EVERYONE'S BUSINESS.

AND WE NEED EVERYONE'S BUSINESS A LOT MORE THESE DAYS.

>> Cathy: AND DO YOU THINK THE MESSAGE IS RESONATING HERE IN ROCHESTER?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, YOUR NEIGHBOR, IF YOUR NEIGHBORS ARE BEING ARRESTED OR IF YOUR NEIGHBORS, YOU KNOW, DON'T HAVE FOOD TO AT, YOU KNOW, THOSE TEND TO AFFECT ALL OF SOCIETY.

AND, SO, YES, I MEAN, THAT'S THE REASON WHY I DID THE TED TALK, THAT'S THE REASON HY, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO IS SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU'RE BASICALLY SHARING MESSAGES TO MAKE IT PEOPLE'S BUSINESS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THOUGH, PEOPLE HAVE TO STAND UP AND PEOPLE HAVE TO TAKE ACTION.

AND MAKE IT, YOU KNOW, THE SOCIETY WE WANT TO SEE.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON TONIGHT.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

[ Applause ] ♪♪ >> Tane: TANE DANGER HERE WITH DAVID GILLETTE, WHO'S GOING TO GIVE AWAY DAVID GILLETTE ORIGINAL ARTWORKS.

ARE YOU READY?

>> David: READY TO DO T, LET'S DO IT.

>> Tane: THIS IS VERY EXCITING.

IF YOU DON'T MIND STANDING UP.

WHAT'S YOUR NAME, WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

>> FROM ROCHESTER.

>> Tane: FROM ROCHESTER, HOW EXCITING.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE, DAVID?

>> David: HI, JIM.

THIS FIRST DRAWING IS A QUICK REMINDER, WHEN YOU'RE LIVING THROUGH CHAOTIC TIMES, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

SO, JIM, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, JIM.

>> Tane: THAT'S GOOD.

YOU SHOULD PUT THAT SOMEWHERE BEAUTIFUL THAT YOU CAN SEE IT FOREVER.

THAT'S GREAT.

HI, WHAT'S YOUR NAME, WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

>> JUDY FROM ROCHESTER ALSO.

>> Tane: I FEEL LIKE WE'RE GOING TO GET A LOT OF ROCHESTER.

>> David: THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

ANOTHER THING I LEARNED IN LIFE, WHEN YOU'RE TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF, NE OF THE BEST WAYS TO DO IS OFTEN THROUGH AN EXPRESSION OF KINDNESS TO ANOTHER PERSON.

SO REMEMBER THAT.

BE KIND.

IT FEELS GOOD.

>> Tane: THAT'S NICE.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP MOVING DOWN THE LINE.

HI, NAME, WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

>> JOE FROM ROCHESTER?

>> David: WHEN I WAS TALKING ABOUT BEING KIND, I DIDN'T MEAN IT ALWAYS HAS TO BE, YOU KNOW, LIKE A HUMAN PERSON, THERE ARE LOTS OF GOOD CAUSES AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT ALSO NEED KINDNESS.

SO REMEMBER THAT.

IT FEELS JUST AS GOOD.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Tane: YEAH, THAT'S VERY NICE.

LOOK AT THAT.

THAT'S GREAT.

I GET IT, THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL PIECES.

WE'RE MOVING ON DOWN THE LINE.

HI, NAME, WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

>> ANN LARSON, ROCHESTER VIA WYOMING.

>> Tane: WOW, COOL.

DAVID, WHAT DO YOU HAVE?

>> ANN, WE ARE ALL BUSY PEOPLE, IF YOU WANT TO SUPPORT AN ORGANIZATION, SOMETIMES IT'S JUST LOGISTICALLY SIMPLER TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO COME TO YOUR TOWN.

AT NIGHT.

[ Laughter ] IN A THEATER.

EVEN THOUGH IT'S SORT OF A LONG DRIVE.

SO, JUST -- SOMETHING TO REMEMBER.

>> Tane: WHAT A GOOD MESSAGE.

I'VE GOT ONE MORE.

I'VE GOT TIME FOR ONE MORE.

HERE WE GO, WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

>> CAROL FITZGERALD.

>> Tane: WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

>> ROCHESTER.

>> Tane: I LOVE IT.

>> David: THIS LAST DRAWING IS JUST A REFLECTION ON SUBTLETY.

AS A COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE.

IS IT EFFECTIVE?

DO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU REALLY MEAN?

WILL THEY EVEN NOTICE THAT YOU'VE APED ADDRESSED CHECK-SIZE ENVELOPES TO THE BACK OF EVERY DRAWING?

THESE ARE QUESTIONS I CAN'T ANSWER, TANE.

>> Tane: THAT'S GREAT.

[ Laughter ] CONGRATULATIONS!

CAN WE DO A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THESE AMAZING VOLUNTEERS?

AND FOR THE VERY GENEROUS DAVID GILLETTE, EVERYBODY.

[ Applause ] >> David: THANKS, EVERYBODY.

THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> ERIC: WE HAVE NOW HIT THE TIME OF THE SHOW WHEN WE FILL THE COUCH WITH POLITICOS.

FOR TONIGHT'S VERSION OF OUR PANEL, WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN TO PAIR UP TWO CURRENT LEGISLATORS WITH TWO FORMER LEGISLATORS.

ALL FROM ROCHESTER.

REPUBLICAN SENATOR CARLA NELSON STARTED HER LEGISLATIVE CAREER IN THE HOUSE MORE THAN TWO DECADES AGO.

THE STATE HOUSE IS WHERE DFL REPRESENATIVE TINA LIEBLING HAS SERVED FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

FORMER LEGISLATORS JOINING US TONIGHT - KIM NORTON WAS A DFL STATE REP FOR A DECADE BEFORE BEING ELECTED THE FIRST FEMALE MAYOR OF ROCHESTER IN 2018.

ROUNDING OUT OUR GROUP, DAVE SENJEM IS A FORMER REPUBLICAN SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, NOW AN OLMSTED COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

WELCOME, ONE AND ALL.

MAYOR, WHEN YOU WERE IN THE LEGISLATURE, IT SEEMED TO ME THAT ONE OF THE DRIVING FORCES TO GET YOU OUT OF THERE WAS A PARTISANSHIP CONCERN.

>> IT WAS.

INDEED.

I HAD STARTED FEELING THE STRAINS THAT WE'RE SEEING VERY MUCH AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL NOW, I'D STARTED FEELING THOSE AT THAT TIME, AND I'M A KIND OF PERSON THAT LIKES TO COLLABORATE AND COMPROMISE AND WORK TOGETHER TO GET BILLS DONE.

AND NOT FINISH A SESSION WITHOUT BILLS.

AND I STARTED GETTING FRUSTRATED AND DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO MOVE ON.

>> Eric: YOU WERE A MODERATE SENATOR WHEN YOU WERE LEADING THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THE PARTISANSHIP?

AND CAN YOU DENOTE ANY CHANGE IN THE TIME SINCE YOU LEFT?

>> I THINK IT'S INCREASED, CERTAINLY.

BUT IT IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT.

AND I THINK TO SOME REAT EXTENT, WE WERE -- WHEN WE NEEDED TO BE, WE CAME TOGETHER AND GOT THE JOB DONE.

AND THAT'S, I THINK, MOST IMPORTANT.

AND, FRANKLY, MOST IMPORTANT FOR RIGHT NOW.

WE'VE GOT A COUPLE OF WEEKS LEFT, I THINK THREE OR FOUR WEEKS, THREE AND A HALF, AND IT'S HONESTLY TIME TO GET TO WORK.

>> Cathy: REPRESENTATIVE LIEBLING, I'M CURIOUS, IN TERMS OF HE TONE AND TENOR, I MEAN, THE HOUSE HAS BEEN A LITTLE TOUGH, SHALL WE SAY?

UNTIL THIS POINT.

AND I'M WONDERING, WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR FORMER COLLEAGUES TALK ABOUT WHAT LED THEM TO LEAVE, WHICH WAS KIND OF THIS BITTER PARTISANSHIP, IT REALLY DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT'S CHANGED AT ALL OR HAS IT?

GOTTEN WORSE, A LITTLE BETTER?

>> WELL, I'M TOTALLY OBJECTIVE ABOUT THIS, OF COURSE.

[ Laughter ] BUT I THINK THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S KIND OF GONE OFF THE RAILS A LOT MORE.

NOW, THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE WHO CAN WORK TOGETHER.

THERE ALWAYS HAVE BEEN, AND THERE STILL ARE.

BUT THERE ARE ALSO SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE REAL FRINGE PEOPLE, AND I THINK THERE ARE MORE OF THOSE THAN THERE USED TO BE.

AND I WOULD SAY THEY'RE ON THE RIGHT.

>> Eric: SENATOR, YOU GOT INTO THE DOGHOUSE WITH YOUR CAUCUS A COUPLE TIMES, I REMEMBER, BACK IN THE DAY.

WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON BIPARTISANSHIP THEN AND NOW?

>> YEAH.

WELL, I WAS PROBABLY IN THE DOGHOUSE WHEN I VOTED FOR MY CONSTITUENTS.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SENT THERE TO DO.

AND, ACTUALLY, THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO O. I CAN SAY IT'S PRETTY HARD, THE VERY FIRST TIME, BUT THEN YOU REALIZE, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING.

BUT I WOULD SAY HAT THE PARTISANSHIP, UNFORTUNATELY, HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PART, I THINK, OF PARTISAN POLITICS.

BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, I DO THINK IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE.

BUT I HAVE TO BE -- I'D BE REMISS IF WE JUST SAID IT WAS REPUBLICANS.

THERE'S FRINGES ON THE LEFT SIDE AND ON THE RIGHT SIDE.

AND I THINK PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE VERY ONE LEANING EITHER RIGHT LEANING OR VERY LEFT LEANING DISTRICTS.

I DO THINK IT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH REDISTRICTING.

THERE'S VERY FEW COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS.

AND IT'S WHEN YOU'RE IN A COMPETITIVE DISTRICT WHERE YOU KNOW THAT YOUR CONSTITUENTS ARE NOT ALL OF ONE PARTY.

AND IT'S YOUR JOB TO LISTEN TO ALL OF THEM.

SO, I'D LIKE TO SEE MORE COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS.

>> Eric: YOU WORKED ON WORKFORCE ISSUES IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> I DID.

>> Eric: AND YOU HAVE A PROGRAM, IS IT CALLED CRADLE TO CAREER?

>> CRADLE TO CAREER, YES, A NONPROFIT.

>> Eric: WHY THAT FOCUS ON THE WORKFORCE IN PROSPEROUS ROCHESTER?

>> WELL, CRADLE TO CAREER STARTS WITH THE VERY YOUNG CHILDREN, PRENATAL AND BIRTH, AND WORRIES ABOUT THEM AND WORKS TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES FROM THERE UNTIL THEY'RE IN THOSE CAREERS.

AND IN A COMMUNITY LIKE OURS, WHICH IS HEAVY IN HEALTHCARE, WHICH WE'RE WORKING TO DIVERSIFY, OF COURSE, TO KEEP OUR ECONOMY STRONG, WE NEED THE WORKFORCE TO STAY HERE.

WE NEED OUR CHILDREN TO GROW UP TO LOVE THE COMMUNITY AND WANT TO STAY IN THE COMMUNITY AND NOT LEAVE.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THEY'RE EDUCATED, CARED FOR BY THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, AND THAT THEY WANT TO STAY.

>> Eric: AND THIS IS YEAR OF YOUTH?

>> THIS IS YEAR OF YOUTH -- YEAR ABOUT YOUTH, YES, SO I HAVE ASKED ALL OF OUR NONPROFITS, AS WELL AS OUR GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES AND EVERYONE ELSE TO DIG IN AND MAKE OUR CHILDREN FEEL SAFE, CARED FOR, SO THAT THEY CAN GROW UP.

>> Cathy: YOU BROUGHT UP EDUCATION, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE EDUCATION BILL, THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE.

I BELIEVE, SENATOR NELSON, THAT YOU'RE NOT TERRIBLY APPY WITH THE EDUCATION BILL, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> WELL, I DID VOTE FOR THE POLICY BILL LAST NIGHT.

BUT WHAT I'M QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT, REALLY, IS WHAT'S COMING IN THE FINANCE BILLFUL -- FINANCE BILL, QUITE FRANKLY.

THERE'S OVER $600 MILLION OF CUTS TO THE PER PUPIL FORMULA, THAT'S ABOUT HALF OF EDUCATION FUNDING.

AND IT'S THE MOST MPORTANT TYPE OF FUNDING BECAUSE IT'S WHERE THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT DETERMINES HOW BEST THAT NEEDS TO BE SPENT.

SO, I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

>> Cathy: BUT THE STATE IS STARING DOWN THE BARREL OF A SIGNIFICANT BUDGET SHORTFALL IN THE OUTYEARS, IN THE FUTURE YEARS.

ISN'T IT K-12 AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SPENDING MAKES UP ABOUT 73% OF THE STATE BUDGET?

SO, SHOULDN'T THERE BE CUTS SOMEWHERE IN THAT BIG PILE OF MONEY?

>> WELL, THE DECISION'S BEEN MADE -- WELL, LOOK, THE HOUSE IS EVENLY DIVIDED.

SO THE REPUBLICANS HAVE MADE IT VERY CLEAR, THEY'RE NOT INTERESTED IN GROWING ANY REVENUE.

SO THERE IS NO WAY TO PASS A BUDGET THAT BALANCES WITHOUT MAKING SOME CUTS.

IT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT.

SO YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO BALANCE A BUDGET WITHOUT MAKING SOME CUTS.

>> Eric: COMMISSIONER, WHAT ABOUT THE CONCERN THE COUNTY BOARD MIGHT HAVE OVER POTENTIAL FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS?

BECAUSE YOU PASS THROUGH A LOT OF HUMAN SERVICE MONEY, TRANSPORTATION AND SO FORTH.

WHAT'S THE CONCERN THERE, IF THERE IS ONE?

>> WELL, SUBSTANTIAL CONCERN.

IN FACT, WE TALKED ABOUT IT TODAY IN A RETREAT.

AND AS WE SORT OF LOOK AT THE POTENTIALS AND WHO KNOWS HOW THEY END UP, BUT, I MEAN, JUST SORT OF KEEPING WHERE WE ARE TOOK US TO LIKE A 12% LEVY INCREASE.

AND, SO, THAT'S PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL.

I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING TO END UP, BUT WE MAY HAVE WELL TO MAKE SOME CUTS, TOO, IN TERMS OF SERVICES THAT WE APPLY TO OUR CITIZENS IN OLMSTEAD COUNTY.

SO IT IS CONCERNING, THERE'S NO INQUIRE ABOUT IT.

>> Eric: CAN THE STATE BACKFILL FEDERAL CUTS, NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO DO THAT?

NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

>> LET ME JUST SAY WHAT WE CAN DO IS REALLY NOT WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSING.

HE'S PROPOSING MOVING SERVICES FROM THE STATE DOWN TO THE COUNTIES, AND IT'S HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WILL BE PASSED ON TO OUR COUNTIES.

AND WE KNOW THOSE ARE PROPERTY TAX INCREASES.

SO WE HAVE TO BE VERY WIDE-EYE OPENED ABOUT THAT, AND I THINK PROBABLY THE SADDEST THING IS, IT DIDN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY, WE HAD AN $18 BILLION SURPLUS LAST BUDGET, $10 BILLION IN NEW TAXES, NOW THE $6 BILLION PROJECTED DEFICIT.

SO I THINK WE JUST HAVE TO BE WIDE-EYED ABOUT THIS AND REALIZE THAT WE HAVE TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

>> Cathy: HOW WIDE-EYED ARE YOU, MAYOR NORTON, ABOUT ALL OF THIS?

>> WELL, IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE CITIES, TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

AND, SO, OUR -- SO WE ARE CONCERNED.

WE WANT THE STATE TO PASS A RESPONSIBLE BUDGET, BUT ALSO NOT TO CUT HUMAN SERVICES, NOT TO CUT THE PUBLIC SAFETY, WHICH IS THE LARGEST PART OF A CITY BUDGET.

WE HAVE TO DO THE JOB NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, THE POLITICS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL.

SO WE COUNT ON THESE FOLKS.

>> Eric: CHAIR LIEBLING IS ONE OF THE LEGISLATIVE EXPERTS ON HUMAN SERVICE FUNDING, AND WHAT'S YOUR SENSE OF THAT PART OF THE BUDGET AND HOW THAT'S GOING TO SHAKE OUT?

>> WELL, THERE'S SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY RIGHT NOW, AND EVEN IN UR LATEST BUDGET PROJECTION, THEY ERE VERY CLEAR SAYING THERE'S SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY, MUCH MORE THAN USUAL, BECAUSE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

AND BECAUSE OUR BUDGET IS ENTIRELY TIED TO THE FEDERAL ECONOMY.

AND, SO, IF THE ECONOMY STARTS TO GO DOWN, I MEAN, WE'VE ALL SEEN WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE STOCK MARKET AND ALL OF THAT, AND WHAT MAY HAPPEN WITH INFLATION, I MEAN, TARIFFS ARE GOING TO IMPACT OUR STATE.

IT'S JUST ABSOLUTELY NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

AND IF MEDICAID, IN PARTICULAR, IS CUT, OR MEDICARE IS CUT, I MEAN, ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT HELP SUPPORT OUR HEALTH ECONOMY HERE IN MINNESOTA, NOT TO MENTION THE HEALTH OF INDIVIDUALS, IT'S GOING TO BE A REAL BIG CHALLENGE TO TRY TO PROTECT MINNESOTANS AND NOT LET THEIR HEALTH GO UNDER.

WHEN THE FEDS PULL AWAY FUNDING.

>> Eric: ARE YOU FINDING CAMARADERIE WITH DEMOCRATS IN A 34-33 ONE-SEAT MAJORITY FOR THE DEMOCRATS?

HOW'S THAT GOIN' IN THE SENATE?

>> ACTUALLY, I DO WORK WELL WITH THOSE ACROSS THE AISLE.

BUT WE ORK ON THOSE THINGS THAT WE CAN WORK ON TOGETHER.

THINGS LIKE CRADLE TO CAREER, THAT'S SOMETHING I FUNDED WHEN I WAS EDUCATION CHAIR.

THINGS THAT WORK.

THINGS IKE PTECH, ANOTHER INITIATIVE THAT WE'VE DONE.

I THINK THE KEY THING IS TO LEAVE OUT THE POLITICS, WORK ON WHAT WORKS.

>> Cathy: ARE YOU HAPPY YOU'RE NOT IN THE SENATE WITH 33-34?

>> I'M SORRY.

>> Cathy: ARE YOU HAPPY YOU'RE NOT IN THE SENATE ANYMORE WITH THAT CLOSE A MARGIN?

>> NO, I'D LOVE TO BE THERE ARE.

I'D LOVE TO BE THERE.

[ Laughter ] LET ME JUST SAY THIS.

AS I THINK BACK TO THE FIRST DECADE OF THIS CENTURY, AND WE WERE LOOKING AT PROFOUND BUDGET DEFICITS, $6 BILLION.

AND I REMEMBER THE 2007 SETTING, AND, ACTUALLY, I THINK IT'S TIME TO, AS WE USED TO SAY, GO INTO THE HUDDLE.

GET THE LEADERS, TAKE THEM INTO THE CORNER OFFICES, WE USED TO TALK ABOUT IT, AND THE GOVERNOR NEEDS TO BE, IF YOU WILL, COMMANDER IN CHIEF FROM THE STANDPOINT OF BRINGING THIS BUDGET TOGETHER.

>> Eric: 67-67 IN THE HOUSE IS GOING TO WORK OUT?

>> WELL, SURPRISINGLY, IT REALLY IS KIND OF WORKING OUT.

WE JUST PASSED THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUDICIARY BUDGET BILL TODAY, JUST BEFORE I CAME HERE.

OF I WAS THE CHAIR FOR ONE OF THOSE TWO COMMITTEES.

AND CO-CHAIR, I SHOULD SAY.

AND WE WORKED TOGETHER VERY WELL.

NOW, THE BUDGET IS EXTREMELY THIN AND IT'S KIND OF AN EVERYBODY'S UNHAPPY BUDGET, BUT WE CERTAINLY WORKED TOGETHER.

>> Cathy: WILL YOU GET DONE ON TIME, BY THE WAY?

>> WELL, OF OURSE, THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION.

MY PREDICTION IS THAT WE WILL.

HOWEVER, WHEN THE FEDERAL CUTS COME DOWN, WE'RE GOING TO BE BACK IN SPECIAL SESSION, NO QUESTION, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE A ONG AND CHALLENGING SPECIAL SESSION.

>> Cathy: YOU HEARD IT HERE.

>> Eric: TREMENDOUSLY FUN GROUP TO E WITH US TO WRAP UP THE SHOW.

THANK YOU, LL, FOR JOINING US.

THANKS FOR THE HOSPITALITY HERE IN ROCHESTER.

BEEN A GREAT CROWD, THANKS.

QUICK REMINDER FOR EVERYONE HERE AND WATCHING AT HOME, IT'S TIME FOR THE ANNUAL "ALMANAC" VIEWER SURVEY.

EACH SPRING WE ASK YOU TO SPEND A FEW MINUTES TO LET US KNOW HOW WE'RE DOING.

IT'S A GREAT HELP AS WE PLAN UPCOMING SHOWS.

YOU CAN FILL OUT THE SURVEY ONLINE BY GOING TO TPT.ORG/ALMANACSURVEY.

JOIN US AGAIN NEXT WEEK FOR A MORE TRADITIONAL EDITION OF THE SHOW FROM OUR STUDIOS DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT, MED CITY, THANKS, BE CAREFUL.

[ Applause ] ♪♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM >> "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 DENT