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

>> Eric: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC" WE'LL GET THE LATEST ON THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE TRIAL, LARRY FITZGERALD IS HERE TO CHAT SPORTS, PLENTY OF NEWS NEAR AND FAR AND MARY LAHAMMER FOLLOWING THE MINNESOTA SIDE OF ALL THE POLITICAL ACTION.

>> A MONTH INTO FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS AND FREEZES, POLICYMAKERS IN MINNESOTA ARE ASSESSING THE IMPACT HERE AMIDST RISING TENSIONS.

>> AND THEY'RE GOING TO SPEND THEIR TIME ASKING ME TO APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.

>> IT'S HARD TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP OFF OF THAT.

>> WHO WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT FOR, FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> 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 WHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL EQUITIES.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> Eric: COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR WE'LL GET AN UPDATE ON THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE TRIAL, LARRY FITZGERALD TALKS TWINS, ILD AND WOLVES, DAVID GILLETTE HAS INTERIOR STEIN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ALL OF US BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE HOUR WILL BE SPENT ON POLITICS HERE IN MINNESOTA, IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AND BEYOND.

>> Cathy: AS A MATTER OF FACT, INTERNATIONAL POLITICS IS WHERE WE WILL START TONIGHT.

THREE YEARS AGO THIS WEEK, RUSSIA INVADED UKRAINE.

THE U.S.

POSITION IN THAT WAR HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY WITH A NEW ADMINISTRATION.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS CLAIMED THAT UKRAINE WAS THE AGGRESSOR AND HAS TRADED PUBLIC BARBS WITH UKRAINE PRESIDENT ZELENSKY, CALLING HIM A DICTATOR.

EARLIER TODAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE THERE WAS A CONTENTIOUS MEETING BETWEEN THE TWO WORLD LEADERS THAT TURNED INTO PRESIDENT TRUMP AND VICE PRESIDENT ADVANCES YELLING AT AND BERATING PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY IN FRONT OF INTERNATIONAL NEWS MEDIA.

ZELENSKYY WAS THEN TO TOLD TO LEAVE.

PROFESSOR DAVID SCHULTZ IS A POLITICAL SCIENTIST YOU'VE SEEN ON OUR PROGRAM MANY TIMES OVER THE YEARS.

AMONGS PLACES SHE'S INSTRUCTED, RUSSIA, BELARUS AND UKRAINE.

>> YES.

>> Cathy: IT INCLUDED INTERNATIONAL NEWS MEDIA AND IT HAD PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY AND PRESIDENT TRUMP TALKING ABOUT THIS DEAL.

THE LAST TEN MINUTES, THOUGH, WAS THIS BIZARRE SHOUTING MATCH THAT INCLUDED THE VICE PRESIDENT.

AND MOST PEOPLE ARE SAYING, WELL, THIS S UNPRECEDENTED PUBLIC BEHAVIOR TOWARD ALLY AND A FELLOW WORLD LEADER.

ALTHOUGH TRUMP SUPPORTERS SAY ZELENSKYY OVERSTEPPED AND ACTED LIKE A SPOILED CHILD AND DESERVED IT.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE?

>> NO, NEVER HAVE SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.

USUALLY BY THE TIME YOU GET TO THE POINT YOU HAVE HEADS OF STATE MEETING EVERYTHING IS WORKED OUT.

EVERYTHING IN TERMS OF DEALS, NEGOTIATIONS, SO FORTH AND ANYTHING THAT THEY'RE DOING ON CAMERA AT THIS POINT IT'S KIND OF PROFORM, IT'S THE PHOTO OP, SHAKING HANDS AND SO FORTH.

AND THIS REALLY SORT OF SUGGESTS A LOT OF IFFERENT THINGS INCLUDING THE FACT THAT, WHAT, THEY DIDN'T HAVE THINGS WORKED OUT UNTIL THEY WENT INTO THIS PUBLIC DISPLAY.

BUT PART OF ME WONDERS HOW MUCH OF THIS AT LEAST ON THE PART OF TRUMP AND ADVANCES WAS SET UP.

AND THE REASON WHY I SAY THAT IS WITHIN MINUTES OF ALL THAT HAPPENING THERE'S A PRESS RELEASE WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT ON TRUTH SOCIAL ABOUT THIS.

YOU SORT OF WONDER WHAT WAS GOING ON IN TERMS OF THE YEAROR MOTIVES AND WHY SOMETHING LIKE THIS WOULD BREAK OUT.

YOU ALMOST NEVER EE IN TERMS OF HEADS OF STATE.

>> WHAT DID YOU THINK OF VANCE CHIMING IN WHEN HE DID.

>> NOT USUALLY.

I DON'T WANT TO SAY VICE PRESIDENTS ARE SEEN AND NOT HEARD BUT GENERALLY VICE PRESIDENTS ARE SEEN AND NOT HEARD AND REALLY IT'S ABOUT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES MEETING WITH ANOTHER HEAD OF STATE.

AGAIN THIS IS ALSO SOMETHING FAIRLY, USE THE PHRASE AGAIN, UNPRECEDENTED AND PRETTY UNUSUAL IN TERMS OF HOW DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS ARE OCCURRING.

IF WE THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT EVEN WITH YOUR ENEMIES YOU DON'T USUALLY DO THAT KIND OF STUFF ON TELEVISION IN FRONT OF A FULL PRESS CONFERENCE, MAYBE YOU HAVE HEATED DISCUSSIONS OUTSIDE OF CAMERA BUT CERTAINLY YOU WANT TO MAKE IT LOOK GOOD IN TERMS AT LEAST OF WHAT YOU'RE PROJECTING.

>> Eric: IF THERE WAS A BIT OF SHOW BUSINESS HERE MAYBE WE COULD OVERANALYZE IT AS FAR AS THE REACTION FROM NATO COUNTRIES, EUROPE.

SHOULD WE -- CAN WE POSSIBLY OVERREAD THIS OR IS THIS SOME BIG INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM?

>> THIS IS A BIG INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM AND IT GOES BACK TO EARLIER IN THIS WEEK AND EARLIER IN THE WEEK YOU MIGHT RECALL IS THE UNITED STATES VOTES WITH A RESOLUTION WITH BELARUS, NORTH KOREA, AND RUSSIA ABOUT THE CAUSES OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE SO THAT WAS ENOUGH O SCARE EVERYBODY.

ADD THIS TO IT HERE, YOU CAN MAYBE HAVE A ONE-OFF AS A ROOKIE MISTAKE AND SAY, OKAY, NEW ADMINISTRATION, NEW PEOPLE, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.

BUT LINK THOSE WO TOGETHER MY COLLEAGUES, YOU KNOW, BACK IN EUROPE AS YOU MENTIONED IN THE ENTER HERE I'VE TAUGHT IN LITHUANIA, RUSSIA, BELARUS, ALL COUNTRIES LIKE THAT, ESPECIALLY LET'S SAY IN WHAT WE WOULD CALL LIKE THE UKRAINES, LITHUANIA, KIND OF THE FREE PART OF THAT WORLD THERE, THEY ARE VERY, VERY WORRIED AT THIS POINT BECAUSE THEY'RE THINKING THAT THE WHOLE POST-WAR, POST WORLD WAR II GUARANTEE IS U.S. PROVIDING FOR SECURITY GUARANTEES FOR EUROPE, THEY NO LONGER THINK THAT'S THERE.

AND IF THAT HAPPENS, IF THE U.S. IS NO LONGER GUARANTEEING EUROPEAN SECURITY, THAT COMPLETELY REARRANGES EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN BUILT FOR, WHAT NEARLY, WHAT, 80 YEARS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> Cathy: LET ME JUST DIG INTO A LITTLE BIT DEEPER, YOU MENTIONED THOSE SMALLER BALTIC STATES, I WAS ON THE AUSTRIAN STATE MEDIA WEBSITE AND ALSO THE BBC AND EVERYONE'S MORTIFIED IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY SAW.

WHAT DOES WHAT WE SAW MEAN THEN IN TERMS OF OTHER LARGER ALLIES?

SAME THING YOU EXPLAINED OR MAYBE SOMETHING ELSE?

>> IT'S NOT QUITE SURE.

THERE'S A LINE WE CAN SORT OF DIVIDE.

THOSE COUNTRIES THAT USED TO BE PART OF THE SOVIET ORBIT PRIOR TO THE END OF THE COLD WAR WE LOOK AT THE WORLD DIFFERENTLY COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE EUROPE.

AND IT'S VERY DIFFERENT REACTIONS BUT INCREASINGLY EVEN FOR EXAMPLE IF WE LOOK AT THE U.K., THE U.K. GREAT BRITAIN ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT, WHAT, THEY MAY BE PREPARED TO PUT BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND PROVIDE OTHER SUPPORT AND SO SOME OF THE COUNTRIES IN EUROPE LIKE FRANCE, LIKE THE U.K. ARE VERY, VERY MUCH STARTING TO SAY, HEY, IF THE UNITED STATES IS NOT THERE, WE NEED TO BE THERE BUT HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO IT.

GERMANY IS KIND OF THE ODD MAN IN THE MIDDLE RIGHT NOW, THEY JUST HAD ELECTIONS, THEY'RE NOT QUITE SURE WHERE THEY NEED TO BE AT THIS POINT.

BUT CERTAINLY I THINK THERE IS AN OVERALL EUROPEAN CONCERN AS I'M GETTING FROM MY FRIENDS ALL ACROSS EUROPE BUT CERTAINLY THE LINE WOULD BE TO SAY THAT GO FROM LIKE, I DON'T KNOW, POLAND, ROMANIA, EASTWARD, IT'S A VERY, VERY DIFFERENT AND MUCH MORE IMMEDIATE FEAR.

>> Eric: IS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY NOW PRORUSSIA OR IS IT JUST TRUMP IS PRO-RUSSIA?

>> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION HERE.

BECAUSE CLEARLY TRUMP SEEMS TO BE PRO-RUSSIA.

THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME, A LITTLE BIT OF CARPING WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN CONGRESS BUT FOR THE MOST PART BECAUSE TRUMP HAS TAKEN OVER THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WHATEVER VOICES OF DISSENT THERE ARE, THEY'RE REALLY MUFFLED AT THIS POINT.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT IT, IF YOU LOOK AT EXCEPT FOR A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM THE LAST FEW VOTES THERE STILL IS SUPPORT WITHIN A LOT OF REPUBLICANS TO SAY THAT, WHAT, RUSSIA IS THE ENEMY, OR AT LEAST THEY'RE NOT OUR FRIEND, AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AS I'VE SEEN PUBLIC OPINION POLLS IS STILL SAYING THAT UKRAINE SHOULD BE OUR FRIEND AND RUSSIA IS OUR ADVERSARY.

>> Eric: AS USUAL, APPRECIATE YOU COMING OVER.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: FOR THE CONTEXT.

THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> Eric: THE CURRENT "FEEDING OUR FUTURE" TRIAL HAS CONTINUED TO MAKE HEADLINES THIS WEEK.

YESTERDAY FEDERAL PROSECUTORS REVEALED A KEY WITNESS WHO TESTIFIED AGAINST FOUNDER AIMEE BOCK AND ONE OF HER ALLEGED ACCOMPLICES.

THE MONTHS-LONG TRIAL IN THE $250 MILLION SCHEME IS NEARIN A CONCLUSION.

JEFF MEITRODT IS COVERING ONE OF THE LARGEST PICK ERA FRAUD CASES IN THE COUNTRY AND HE DOES THAT FOR THE MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE.

TELL US ABOUT THIS POTENTIALLY IMPORTANT TESTIMONY YESTERDAY.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT WAS A KEY MOMENT IN THE TRIAL BECAUSE SO FAR THE PROSECUTORS HAVE PRESENTED WHAT'S LARGELY A CIRCUMSTANTIAL CASE.

THEY'VE BEEN ARGUING THAT AIMEE BOCK, THE HEAD OF FEEDING OUR FUTURE, MUST HAVE KNOWN THAT THIS WAS FRAUD BECAUSE THE CLAIMS WERE SO ABSURD, THE NUMBERS WERE CRAZY, NAMES OF THE KIDS WERE RAZY, ALL THE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS WERE JUST PATENTLY PHONY.

WHAT THEY HAVEN'T DONE A LOT IS HAVE PEOPLE THAT CAN PUT AIMEE BOCK INSIDE A ROOM WITH A COCONSPIRATOR COOKING UP A SCHEME.

AND WHAT HAS HAPPENED THIS WEEK THAT WE FINALLY HAVE SOME WITNESSES THAT HAVE GOTTEN THEM CLOSER TO THAT.

IF NOT ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISHING IT.

NOW, Mr. HUSSEIN, WHO TESTIFIED YESTERDAY, PROBABLY ONE OF THE STRONGEST WITNESSES SO FAR ON THIS TRIAL.

TOLD A PRETTY COMPELLING STORY ABOUT, YOU KNOW, IMMIGRANTS WHO SIMPLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW THIS PROGRAM WORKED BEING COACHED BY AIMEE BOCK PERSONALLY IN A SERIES OF TELEPHONE CALLS BEING TOLD EXACTLY HOW TO CHEAT THE SYSTEM AND WHAT SHE EXPECTED IN RETURN, 30,000 BUCKS A MONTH IN CASH.

>> Cathy: SO HE PRETTY MUCH THREW HER UNDER THE BUS.

>> ABSOLUTELY, BUT OF COURSE HE'S FACING FIVE YEARS IN PRISON, HELPING CONVICT HER WILL HELP HIM.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK SHE MAY TAKE THE STAND IN HER OWN DEFENSE?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK SHE WANTS TO.

I SPENT THREE HOURS WITH HER SHORTLY AFTER THE FBI RAIDED HER HOME AND HER OFFICES, AND I GOT TO SAY IF SHE'S GUILTY, SHE'S THE BEST LIAR I'VE EVER MET.

>> Eric: ONE OF THE WITNESSES YESTERDAY I THINK SAID SOMETHING TO THE EFFECT THAT SHE WAS IN IT FOR THE GLORY NOT AS MUCH FOR THE MONEY.

>> YEAH, THERE'S , DO YOU RECALL THAT QUOTE?

IS >> THAT WAS ACTUALLY SOMETHING I WROTE IN THE STORY.

THE PROSECUTOR THINKS, THOUGH, A LOT OF THIS IS ABOUT NARCISSISM.

THAT, YES, THERE WERE A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, A LOT OF SOMALI IMMIGRANTS WHO GOT VERY RICH ON THIS SCHEME, YOU KNOW, THEY BOUGHT CARS, THEY BOUGHT SOME VERY PRICEY REAL ESTATE IN THE UNITED STATES AND OFFSHORE.

SHE DID, SHE'S GOT ABOUT A MILLION, A MILLION THREE IN TOTAL PROCEEDS CCORDING TO THE FEDS, YOU KNOW, LAST ESTIMATE.

WHICH PALES IN COMPARISON TO A LOT OF HER COCONSPIRATORS.

THE THEORY THAT THEY'RE ADVOCATING IS THAT MAYBE SHE WAS REALLY IN IT BECAUSE SHE LOVED THE ATTENTION, SHE LOVED BEING CELEBRATED BY THESE SOMALI COMMUNITY, WHICH CAME OUT AND THREW HER A BIG PARTY AFTER SHE BEAT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN HER LAWSUIT.

THEY KEPT TRYING TO PUT THE BRAKES ON THIS WHOLE THING FROM THE VERY BEGINNING AND THROUGH THE TWO YEARS THAT THIS SORT OF SCHEME OPERATED.

SHE WON EVERY COURT BATTLE AND THEY THREW A PARTY, SWEET AIMEE, YOU KNOW, THE WOMAN WHO CAN'T BE, I THINK IT WAS THE WOMAN WHO CAN'T BE INTERFERED WITH OR TOUCHED OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, SUGGESTING SHE WAS INVINCIBLE.

AND THEY'VE PLAYED THAT VIDEO FOR THE JURY SEVERAL TIMES AND IT'S QUITE AN IMAGE.

>> Eric: WHAT DOES THE GOVERNMENT HAVE TO PROVE HERE?

IS IT A CONSPIRACY CASE, OR?

>> IT'S A FRAUD CASE, IT'S A CONSPIRACY CASE.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S SEVERAL CHARGES AGAINST HER.

I'M SURE THE GOVERNMENT WANTS A WIN ON ALL OF THEM.

THEY'VE ARGUABLY PRESENTED EVIDENCE THAT COVERS ALL OF THE CHARGES, BUT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE KEY WITNESSES ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PLED GUILTY TO VERY SIGNIFICANT CRIMINAL CHARGES, THAT'S GOING TO IMPACT THEIR CREDIBILITY.

>> Cathy: WHAT IS WITH THIS PARTICULAR SERIES OF TRIALS, AND I WONDER BECAUSE WE WERE TALKING OFF AIR, WE HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN, YEAH, WITNESS TAMPERING, YOU HAD THE ONE INDIVIDUAL GIVING A JUROR A BAG OF MONEY.

I MEAN, THIS IS JUST KIND OF A CRAZY SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND THIS WHOLE ISSUE.

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE DO YOU THINK?

>> YOU KNOW, AND MAYBE THE ELEPHANT'S IN THE ROOM.

A LOT OF THESE CONSPIRATORS COME FROM SOMALIA.

SOMALIA RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST CORRUPT NATIONS IN THE WORLD, WERE BAGS OF MONEY PERHAPS EXCHANGED HANDS?

ROUTINE.

SO THERE MAY BE A LITTLE OF THAT CULTURAL THING SORT OF CREEPING IN HERE WHERE THE LINES THAT WE CONSIDER SORT OF SACROSANCT IN AMERICA GET CROSSED BY PEOPLE WHO'VE NEVER HAD THAT MUCH EXPERIENCE, IF ANY, WITH OUR COURT SYSTEM, THEY DON'T KNOW HOW THE RULES ARE PLAYED.

THEY MAY SIMPLY BE, YOU KNOW, WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN, TO THEM AN INNOCENT CONVERSATION, EY, I WANT TO GO INTO THE BATHROOM AND TALK ABOUT THIS WITH MY FRIEND HERE, I'M NOT TRYING TO CHANGE THINGS, I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT HE'S GOING TO SAY BECAUSE I'M CURIOUS.

IT'S POSSIBLE THERE IS AN INNOCENT EXPLANATION FOR THIS.

AT THE SAME TIME IT'S VERY POSSIBLE HE WANTED TO SCARE THIS GUY OUT OF TESTIFYING.

>> Eric: WE'LL CONTINUE TO READ YOUR REPORTS.

GREAT STUFF.

THANKS.

>> Cathy: THANKS.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> I HAD PEOPLE SAYING YOU'RE NOT GONNA WIN.

I KNEW WHAT I HAD TO DO.

I KNEW THE CHALLENGES, AND I SAID I'M GONNA WIN.

HI, I'M WAYNE JOHNSON, RUNNING FOR MINNESOTA HOUSE.

AND WHAT I FOUND IN THE CITY WHEN I WAS RUNNING FOR CITY AND COUNTY, PEOPLE LIKE PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE.

I DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE, WHO YOU SUPPORTED, YOU CALL ME, YOU WANT TO TALK TO ME, I'M GOING TO TALK TO YOU BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A DISCUSSION AND LEARN FROM BOTH OF US.

>> HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THE ELECTION COMING UP YET?

>> WATCHING FROM THE CITY LEVEL AND COUNTY LEVEL IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN A QUESTION THAN YOU GET HERE.

QUESTION THERE IS NOT TO LEARN BUT TO SEE HOW MUCH YOU KNOW ABOUT A SUBJECT OR ELSE GET YOUR OWN MESSAGE OUT THERE.

I THINK IF WE GET DONE WITH A BUDGET ON TIME I WILL CONSIDER THAT A WIN AND I ALWAYS FEEL THAT AS LONG AS YOU LEARN FROM SOMETHING, THAT'S WHAT MATTERS.

♪♪ >> Cathy: THIS TUESDAY, LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED THAT COULD END THE NORTHSTAR RAI LINE BETWEEN THE TWIN CITIES AND BIG LAKE, MINNESOTA.

THIS ON THE HEELS OF A MNDOT REPORT ON THE COST AND ALTERNATIVES TO THE RAIL LINE WITH DWINDLING RIDERSHIP SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

MNDOT COMMISSIONER AND THE MET COUNCIL CHAIR SUPPORT THE MOVE TO DISCONTINUE THE LINE, BUT SOME DFL LAWMAKERS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERNS AT SUCH A CHANGE.

JOINING US RIGHT NOW IS THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION CHAIR AND BILL AUTHOR, REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE JON KOZNIK FROM LAKEVILLE.

HERE TOO IS D.F.L.

REPRESENTATIVE ESTHER AGBAJE FROM MINNEAPOLIS, NORTHSTAR LINE RUNS RIGHT THROUGH HER DISTRICT.

GOOD TO SEE YOU BOTH.

WELL, REPRESENTATIVE KOZNICK, THE NORTHSTAR LINE'S LONG HAD STRUGGLES, RIGHT?

SO WHEN YOU LOOK BACK ON THIS WHOLE ENDEAVOR, WAS IT A MISTAKE TO EVEN START THIS PROJECT OR NO?

>> I THINK IT WAS STARTED WITH GOOD INTENTIONS, BUT WE KNEW FROM ALMOST DAY ONE AND YEAR ONE THAT THE RIDERSHIP PROJECTIONS WERE NEVER MET.

AND SO WE'RE EXCITED AND MINNESOTANS SHOULD BE EXCITED THAT WE FINALLY, THE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN REALIZED AND RECOGNIZED AND WE CAN PROVIDE BETTER, MORE EFFICIENT TRANSIT SYSTEMS IN THAT CORRIDOR FOR A LOT LESS MONEY AND WE'RE GOING TO CUT THE BLEEDING AND THE BOONDOGGLE.

>> Cathy: YET, THERE ARE FOLKS WHO USE THIS, RIGHT?

SO TALK ABOUT HOW YOUR CONSTITUENTS VIEW THIS.

>> YEAH, FROM THE LETTERS I'VE RECEIVED FROM MY CONSTITUENTS THEY'RE VERY MUCH INTERESTED IN KEEPING THIS LINE GOING.

I THINK IT'S A LIFELINE FOR THEM TO GET TO WORK OR TO GET AROUND.

AND IT WAS ALSO ORIGINALLY I THINK MEANT TO BE A REGIONAL TRANSIT CORRIDOR.

THE ORIGINAL PLAN FOR THE LINE WAS TO GO ALL THE WAY UP TO ST.

CLOUD WHICH IT NEVER HAS DONE THAT YET, IT STOPS AT BIG LAKE AND SO I THINK THAT PROBABLY CONSTITUTES SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE'RE SEEING WITH THE LINE NOW.

>> Eric: WOULD THE STATE HAVE TO SEND BACK SOME MONEY TO WASHINGTON IF IT'S DISCONTINUED?

>> WE'RE HOPING NOT.

THE LEGISLATION THAT I INTRODUCED ASKS FOR A WAIVER OF THAT.

WE'VE SEEN AS MUCH AS THIS WEEK IN CALIFORNIA, TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY DUFFY IS TAKING A LOOK AT SOME OF THESE LINES.

BUT EVEN IF WE DO HAVE, IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT LESS THAN IT USED TO BE.

BUT IT WILL BE THE REPAYMENT PERIOD WILL BE VERY SHORT AND TAXPAYERS WILL RECOGNIZE A SAVINGS OVERALL.

WE'RE LOSING $16 MILLION A YEAR IN OPERATING EXPENSES, PLUS OVER $37 MILLION PLANNED TO SPEND ON CAPITAL MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

WE'RE GOING TO RECOVER ANY MONEY THAT WE MAY HAVE TO PAY RELATIVELY QUICKLY AND WE CAN PROVIDE BETTER TRANSIT SERVICE.

AND THE FACT IS ONLY ABOUT 400 PEOPLE OR LESS ARE USING IT A DAY.

AND THAT'S JUST NOT SUSTAINABLE, IT'S NOT FEASIBLE OR VIABLE.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT?

THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

>> YES, EVERYTHING COSTS MONEY, RIGHT?

SO I THINK WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHERE OUR PRIORITIES LIE, RIGHT?

I WOULD SAY THAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT HOLISTIC TRANSIT NETWORK ACROSS OUR WHOLE STATE OR ACROSS OUR WHOLE REGION WE NEED TO LOOK AT ALL OF THE MULTI MODES OF TRANSPORTATION TO GET PEOPLE WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.

IF MET COUNCIL IS LOOKING AT THIS AND SAYING MAYBE THEY HAVE ANOTHER OPTION I HOPE THEY'RE LOOKING REALLY CLOSELY AT WHAT PEOPLE ACTUALLY NEED AND NOT BUILDING SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WON'T USE OR THAT PEOPLE WON'T ACTUALLY WANT TO GET ON.

BUT I WOULD SAY THAT CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE USING IT, THEY RELY ON THAT AND SO I THINK WHAT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE IS WHAT THE ACTUAL ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE.

>> Cathy: WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST AN ALTERNATIVE MIGHT BE?

USING BUSES?

>> I MEAN, I THINK AN ALTERNATIVE COULD TAKE ALL SORTS OF FORMS, RIGHT?

SO IT DEPENDS NOW ALSO TOO WHAT IS THE IDEA, WHERE ARE WE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO GO.

IF IT'S STILL JUST SORT OF TOWARDS THE NORTHERN SUBURBS I THINK MAYBE THERE MIGHT BE OME OTHER OPPORTUNITIES, MAYBE THAT INCLUDES BUSES, MAYBE THAT INCLUDES SOME TYPE OF OTHER SHORT LINE SYSTEM OR SOMETHING.

IF WE WANT TO MAKE IT MORE REGIONAL LIKE HOW WE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO GO TO ST.

CLOUD, AND THERE IS A NEED TO CONNECT THE POPULATION CENTERS ACROSS THE STATE, MAYBE THAT'S SOMETHING WE SHOULD START TO CONSIDER ABOUT HOW DO WE MOVE PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE.

>> Eric: BROADER PICTURE, WOULD RAPID BUS TRANSIT BE LESS POLITICALLY DANGEROUS THAN FIXED RAIL, LIGHT RAIL?

SEEMS LIKE THERE PROBABLY WOULD BE A BETTER CHEAPER AUDIENCE FOR THE BUSES MAYBE.

>> WELL, I THINK IF YOU LIVE IN RAMSEY, FRIDLEY, COON RAPIDS, ALL THE PLACES ALONG THAT CORRIDOR YOU SHOULD BE EXCITED BECAUSE AS THE MET COUNCIL STATED AND WE SUPPORT THAT YOU'RE GOING TO AVE BETTER SERVICE, HIGHER QUALITY SERVICE, MORE CONSISTENT WITH THE BUS RAPID TRANSIT, MORE REGULAR ROUTE SERVICE AND WE CAN DO THAT FOR INCREDIBLY LESS MONEY THAN WHAT WE'RE CURRENTLY SPENDING ON THE NORTHSTAR.

AND SO THAT'S A WIN FOR TRANSIT.

>> Eric: WHERE ARE YOU ON THIS BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE CURRENT SOUTHWEST IGHT RAIL TO STOP UNTIL -- WHAT HAPPENS, THERE'S SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS AND THEN IT CAN BE STARTED AGAIN?

>> YEAH, THERE WAS A BILL INTRODUCED AND WE AMENDED IT TO CLARIFY A LITTLE BIT FOR THE BLUE LINE EXTENSION AND ANY OTHER LIGHT RAIL EXPENSES IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO WATCH OUT FOR TAXPAYERS' OLLARS MAKE SURE THEY'RE USED EFFICIENTLY.

LET'S HIT THE BRAKES ON THAT, MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S AN ANALYSIS STUDY OF WHAT OTHER MODES OF OPERATION MIGHT BE MORE, -- LESS EXPENSIVE, EQUAL RIDERSHIP AND GET PEOPLE TO WHERE THEY WANT TO GO A LOT QUICKER AND THAT'S A STUDY THAT WAS VOTED DOWN BUT REPUBLICANS SUPPORTED THAT.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, YOU MENTIONED TRYING TO CONNECT THE DIFFERENT POPULATION CENTERS.

I WONDER ABOUT THE BOREALIS LINE SEEMS TO BE REALLY POPULAR GOING TO CHICAGO.

CAN THAT BE RUN UP INTO OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA?

WOULD THAT BE SOMETHING YOU ALL WOULD LOOK AT?

>> IT'S POSSIBLE, I MEAN, I THINK ANYTHING REALLY SHOULD BE ON THE TABLE, RIGHT, HOW DO WE CONNECT ALL OF THESE AREAS, PARTICULARLY IN THE MIDWEST AND LIKE THAT TRAIN LINE THAT OES DOWN TO CHICAGO, I EVEN KNOW OTHER COLLEAGUES OF MINE THAT ARE LOOKING AT THAT TO BE ABLE TO GO TO CONFERENCES AND THINGS DOWN THERE, SO I THINK THAT THAT'S GREAT.

REAL QUICK THING ON THE BLUE LINE EXTENSION I THINK WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT TAXPAYERS DO RIDE THAT TRAIN AND WOULD RIDE THAT TRAIN, AND SO WE ALSO NEED TO BE CONSIDERATE OF THOSE TAXPAYERS AND THOSE COMMUNITIES WHO ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED ND UNDERINVESTED AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING SOMETHING FOR THEM THAT WORKS FOR EM.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US.

>> IF WE CAN DO IT FOR 10% OF THE COST I THINK TAXPAYERS SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

>> Cathy: YOU MIGHT WANT TO JUST CHITCHAT HERE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> I WAS RECENTLY RESEARCHING NEW THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT, AND ISLANDED ON MICRO PLASTICS.

PLASTIC IN OUR FOOD, PLASTIC IN OUR LIVERS, PLASTIC IN OUR BRAINS.

IT AND IT STAYS THERE PRETTY MUCH FOREVER.

OH, YEAH.

THERE IT IS, ANXIETY, ADRENALINE ACTIVATED.

THAT'S THE GOOD STUFF.

LUCKILY I DO KNOW WHAT PLASTIC LOOKS LIKE SO AVOIDING IT SHOULDN'T BE INSURMOUNTABLE.

I'LL JUST MAKE SURE THAT ANYTHING TOUCHES MY WOOD IS MADE OF NATURAL MATERIALS LIKE WOOD, CLAY, STONE AND WOOL, BASICALLY IF IT'S NOT A RESOURCE CARD IN SETTLERS OF KATAN IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ALLOWED IN MY HOME.

WOW, TURNS OUT I NEED TO GET RID OF A LOT OF STUFF, INCLUDING, IRONICALLY, SETTLERS OF KATAN.

MY GOAL WAS TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIVER BUT HERE'S WHAT I DIDN'T EXPECT.

MY HOME IS GETTING BEAUTIFUL.

IT TURNS OUT PLASTIC IS MORE THAN A HEALTH RISK, IT'S A HURRICANE OF COLORS, TEXTURES AND PATTERNS.

IT COLLECTS IN CORNERS, GETS TINGEY WITH FOOD MILDEW AND IN MOST CASES CLASHES WITH YOUR CARPET, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S A SKITTLES WRAPPER.

LET'S GET SPECIFIC.

HERE ARE MY KITCHEN TOOLS.

MISFIT ISLAND I'VE BEEN ADDING TO SINCE COLLEGE.

A SPATULA THAT'S FLAKING AND TURNING YELLOW, A LADLE THATTING LOOKS LIKE IT'S FROM A PLAYMOBILE SET AND A PAIR OF TECHNOLOGIES THAT NO LONGER MAKES THAT SATISFYING CLICKING SOUND BECAUSE I MELTED THE PAD THINGS ON A BAKING GRIDDLE.

WELL, ALL THAT STUFF'S GONE.

AND IN THEIR PLACE A NEW SET OF SIMPLE NATURAL WOOD.

AND BONUS, A COLOR PALLET THAT'S BOTH MODEST AND CONSISTENT.

MY GOODNESS, THAT LOOKS LIKE A MAGAZINE.

CHECK OUT MY LEFTOVERS CONTAINERS, THEY'RE NOW GLASS, WHICH MEANS THEY'RE NOT BAKED WITH SPAGHETTI SAUCE.

THEY SPARKLE LIKE DIAMONDS.

I SHOULD PUT THIS STUFF ON DISPLAY.

I MEAN, SERIOUSLY, DON'T RESEARCH INTERIOR DESIGN, JUST THROW OUT YOUR PLASTIC AND A STYLISH HOME WILL POP INTO EXISTENCE AUTOMATICALLY.

LOOK AT ME, I HAVE ACHIEVED STYLE, I HAVE ACHIEVED ELEGANCE AND I HAVE ACHIEVED BEAUTY.

I GUESS AS LONG AS NO ONE TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT MY LIVER.

♪♪ >> Eric: GOING TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK FROM COVERING THE WORLD OF POLITICS AND VENTURE INTO THE WORLD OF SPORTS.

HERE TO TALK TWINS SPRING TRAINING, WILD INJURIES, LOSING VEHICLES, EVERYTHING ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES.

LARRY FITZGERALD SENIOR.

WHAT HE'S NOT SITTING HERE FITZY DOES RADIO WORK FOR THE NATIONAL PROGRAMMING NETWORK.

AND ANT EDWARDS HAS 16 TECHNICAL FOULS AND GAME SUSPENSE.

>> ISN'T THAT AMAZING?

>> Eric: WHAT'S WITH THIS YOUNG MAN?

>> HE'S, YOU KNOW, HE REALLY HAS AN ATTITUDE THAT HE BELIEVES WHEN HE ATTACKS THE BASKET THAT HE'S GETTING FOULED MORE OFTEN THAN IT'S BEING CALLED.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> HE HAS A CASE.

BUT THE POINT IS YOU CAN'T CRY ABOUT IT.

I MEAN, YOU THINK THEY DIDN'T FOUL MICHAEL JORDAN OR MAGIC JOHNSON?

YOU KNOW, OR ISAIAH THOMAS GOING TO THE BUCKET?

THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT YOU GOT TO BE PATIENT WITH IT AND, YOU KNOW, HE'S JUST A YOUNG GUY, HE'S STILL ONLY, WHAT, 23, 24 YEARS OLD AND HE EXPECTS TO GET EVERY CALL AND HE'S NOT GOING TO GET EVERY CALL.

>> Cathy: TELL US ABOUT THIS OWNERSHIP TRANSITION, IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE MAYBE A LITTLE MESSY.

>> IT'S GOING TO GET MESSY, I THINK BECAUSE OF THE ORIGINAL PRODUCE THAT LORE AND RODRIGUEZ BOUGHT IN ON, THAT NUMBER'S NOT HIGH ENOUGH FOR THESE OTHER GUYS THAT OWN NBA FRANCHISES AND SO THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO ALLOW THEM TO COME IN BUT THEY'RE GOING TO RAISE THE PRICE WHICH MEANS THAT GLEN TAYLOR'S GOING TO WIND UP GETTING MORE MONEY OUT OF THIS DEAL.

>> Eric: DOES THAT LEAVE LESS MONEY TO BUILD THE FRANCHISE?

IS >> THAT'S HOW THAT WORKS, YOU KNOW, UNLESS THEY GOT THE MONEY ALREADY ORCHESTRATED OR DIRECTED TOWARDS THE TEAM, F IT'S GOING TO COST MORE FOR THE FRANCHISE AND GLEN IS TOTALLY GOING OUT, HE'S GOING TO TAKE THAT MONEY WITH HIM.

>> Eric: WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE WILD AND INJURIES?

THEY, DON'T THEY NEED A LITTLE FORWARD HELP HERE AT THE STRETCH?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THEY JUST LOST A GUY I THINK FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON.

>> Eric: EK?

>> YEAH, AND THEY WERE ALREADY OUT KIRILL KAPRIZOV, THIS GUY'S A SUPERSTAR AND HADN'T PLAYED SINCE DECEMBER, HE JUST HAD SURGERY AND THEY KEEP CALLING IT A LOWER BODY INJURY.

I MEAN, WHAT IS IT, IS IT A KNEE?

YOU KNOW, WHAT?

BUT HE'S OUT AND THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY NOT AS GOOD.

UTAH, THEY JUST STARTED THAT TEAM TWO WEEKS AGO, LITERALLY, YOU KNOW -- >> Eric: FROM ARIZONA.

>> YEAH.

AND THEY KILLED THE WILD 6-1.

I MEAN, COME ON, THEY'VE LOST TWO IN A ROW.

AND THEY'RE STRUGGLING.

THEY STARTED GREAT, THEY WON MORE GAMES ON THE ROAD THAN ANY TEAM IN THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE, BUT THEY JUST DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PLAYERS TO PUT ON THE ICE THAT CAN COMPETE.

>> Eric: SPEAKING F BASEBALL AND OWNERSHIP.

>> Cathy: YEAH.

>> Eric: THE DEAL THAT SEEMED TO BE FLOATING AROUND HAS BOTTOMED OUT.

NOW WHAT'S LEFT NOW FOR THE POHLADS?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A BIG DESIRE RIGHT NOW BY PEOPLE TO GET INTO MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.

WE'RE LOOKING AT WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE CONTRACT WITH ESPN.

I MEAN, THAT'S A DOMINANT ORGANIZATION IN SPORTS BUSINESS, THE WORLD LEADER, AFTER 35 YEARS THEY'RE SAYING WE'RE GETTING OUT OF BASEBALL.

THAT'S NOT GOOD, I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOOD BECAUSE WHO'S GOING TO POP UP AND TAKE IT?

YOU KNOW.

ANOTHER NETWORK?

I DON'T THINK SO.

NBC, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ALREADY COMING BACK FOR THE BA.

THAT TYPE OF THING.

BUT I DON'T SEE ANYBODY ELSE DOING IT, NOT CBS.

>> Cathy: I WONDER ABOUT THIS, AGAIN, THIS UNCERTAINTY OVER THE OWNERSHIP.

DOES THAT PLAY OUT WHEN IT COMES TO MAYBE NOT MAKING DEALS AND TRADES AND MIGHT THAT ACTUALLY, CAN YOU SEE SOME OF THIS UNCERTAINTY OUT ON THE FIELD, IF THAT MAKES SENSE?

>> I THINK RIGHT NOW THE FANS, I KNOW I'VE NEVER SEEN LESS INTEREST, I THINK, IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, THE TWINS SPECIFICALLY.

LAST YEAR THEY HAD A ROTTEN SEPTEMBER.

WE KNOW THAT.

AND I THINK ROCCO BALDELI IS LUCKY TO STILL HAVE HIS JOB.

AND THEY PUT THE TEAM UP FOR SALE JUST BEFORE THAT.

THERE'S JUST BEEN A BAD TASTE AROUND MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AND I THINK THAT'S HURT THEIR SALES AND IN ERMS OF THE EXPECTATIONS GOING INTO THE SEASON.

THIS IS WHEN YOU WANT PEOPLE TO BE EXCITED ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE COMING WITH, AND THEY DID NOTHING IN THE OFF SEASON TO IMPROVE THIS BASEBALL TEAM.

>> Cathy: ARE YOU SEEING ANYTHING THAT GIVES YOU ANY HOPE IN SPRING TRAINING?

>> WELL, JUST VERY LITTLE, ROM A HEALTH STANDPOINT, SOMEBODY ASKED ME THE OTHER DAY HOW MANY GAMES FOR BYRON BUXTON, OVER AND UNDER IS, WHAT, 110 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, I SAID 90.

AND THEN THE SHORTSTOP, THAT'S THEIR MAIN GUY.

HOW MANY GAMES FOR HIM?

HE DIDN'T FINISH THE SEASON WITH HIS FOOT.

SO IT SCARES ME, BUT I HOPE THAT THIS TEAM CAN COME TOGETHER AND PLAY CONSISTENTLY AND PLAY WITH SOME FIRE AND HIT THE BALL OUT OF THE PARK.

>> Eric: TWO-WORD ANSWER.

SAM DARNOLD R JJ MCCARTHY?

>> SAM DARNOLD.

>> Eric: OH!

WE'RE OUTTA TIME.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Eric: THANKS, FITZY.

>> THANK YOU BOTH.

♪♪ >> IN MINNEAPOLIS YOU KNOW IF YOU'RE ON 32ND STREET, 36TH STREET IS FOUR BLOCKS AWAY.

[ LAUGHTER ] IN ST. PAUL THERE'S NO RHYME NOR REASON, THERE'S NOT NUMERICAL, IT'S NOT ALPHABETICAL.

YOU KNOW, ASK I THINK IT WAS THOSE IRISH GUYS, WERE WHAT THEY LIKE TO DO OVER THERE.

[ LAUGHTER ] [ APPLAUSE ] >> OH, AM I IN TROUBLE NOW.

>> YOU'RE REALLY IN TROUBLE NOW.

♪♪ >> SO HOW ARE EVERYONE'S NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS GOING?

IT’S ALMOST MARCH, SO IT’S A GOOD TIME TO CHECK IN, RIGHT?

I’M SURE SOME OF YOU WROTE DOWN A BULLET POINT LIST OF CHANGES YOU WERE GOING TO MAKE IN THE NEW YEAR AND YOU ARE EXECUTING THEM LIKE THE GOAL-SMASHING MACHINE THAT YOU ARE.

I LOVE PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND I ALSO KIND OF WANT YOU TO GO AWAY.

MAYBE YOU, LIKE ME, DIDN’T MAKE ANY RESOLUTIONS, SO YOU’RE LESS LIKELY TO DISAPPOINT ANYONE ELSE; JUST YOURSELF.

I MEAN, I MADE SOME HALF-HEARTED ONES, IN MY HEAD, AND I MADE SOME MOVES TOWARD ACCOMPLISHING THEM.

I DOWNLOADED AN APP.

I ACKNOWLEDGED THAT I COULD FIT IN EXERCISE OR BETTER SLEEP IF I DIDN’T SCROLL ENDLESSLY.

I HAVE DONE SOME THINGS; JUST NOT REALLY IN THE WORLD OUTSIDE MY HEAD.

I MAKE THESE VAGUE GOALS AND THEN I SORT OF DO THEM WHEN I GET AROUND TO IT WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY BEATING MYSELF UP FOR NOT ACCOMPLISHING MORE.

ALL THE TYPE "A" ANXIETY AND STRESS AND NONE OF THE DRIVE.

SUPER FUN.

I’VE REALIZED, THOUGH: FOR SOME OF US, IT’S ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK, AND THAT’S JUST THE WAY IT IS.

I AM MAKING A “FEW MONTHS AFTER THE NEW YEAR” RESOLUTION TO EMBRACE AND CELEBRATE THE WAY I AM.

SO PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING ME FOR NOT EATING ALL OF THE GIRL SCOUT COOKIES THE SECOND THEY LANDED IN MY HOUSE.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> Cathy: ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT THE STATE DEPARTMENT FOLLOWED THROUGH ON THEIR REVIEW OF THE U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, KNOWN AS USAID.

NEARLY 10,000 GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS WORTH $60 BILLION IN HUMANITARIAN WORK ABROAD WERE ABRUPTLY CANCELLED.

ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS CAUGHT UP IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CONTRACT CANCELLATION IS ALIGHT, AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION ONCE SOLELY BASED IN MINNESOTA THAT CONTINUES TO HAVE A HUB RIGHT HERE.

ALIGHT PROVIDES FOOD, MEDICINE AND, SERVICES FOR REFUGEES AROUND THE WORLD.

KATHERINE BLOOM O’CONNELL IS CHIEF OF STAFF FOR ALIGHT.

BASED HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES.

WOW, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW DIFFICULT IT'S BEEN, THE PAST 30 DAYS OR SO.

SO TELL FOLKS WHAT ALIGHT DOES FOR PEOPLE IN SOMALIA AND SUDAN AND THOSE AREAS OF THE WORLD.

>> SO I LIKE TO THINK OF ALIGHT HISTORICALLY AS SORT OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE, ONE, THEY'RE AN EXTENSION OF GOVERNMENT, THEY PROVIDE SERVICES LIKE HEALTH CARE, VERY CRITICAL LIFESAVING WORK IN AREAS THAT ARE HISTORICALLY VERY TOUGH TO GET INTO, RIGHT?

YOU'RE LOOKING AT FOLKS THAT ARE WORKING WITH DIFFICULT GOVERNMENTS, WORKING IN INCREDIBLY FRAGILE CIRCUMSTANCES AND IN CASES WHERE OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT TURN AWAY, I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES TO BE PEOPLE WHO RUSH RIGHT INTO THE FIRE.

>> Cathy: AND THESE ARE FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN FEEDING KIDS AND OFFERING HEALTH CARE TO INDIVIDUALS?

>> YEAH, SO OUR CUSTOMERS HISTORICALLY ARE FOLKS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED DISPLACEMENT THROUGH A FEW AVENUES, ONE BEING SORT OF NATURAL DISASTERS, ONGOING CONFLICT, WHICH IS A HUGE, HUGE SEGMENT OF OUR WORK, OR PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN DISPLACED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

I THINK A LOT OF TIMES WHEN PEOPLE THINK ABOUT A REFUGEE THEY THINK ABOUT SOMEBODY WHO'S MAYBE BEEN DISPLACED FOR A VERY TEMPORARY AMOUNT OF TIME WHEN IN REALITY YOU COULD BE LOOKING AT 15 YEARS OF HOLDING REFUGEE STATUS, WHICH IS SOMETHING NO ONE WANTS AND MANY PEOPLE FACE.

>> Eric: DO CORRUPT GOVERNMENTS AND STATES WHERE YOU WORK, COUNTRY WHERE'S YOU WORK DO THEY PREVENT YOU CONSIDER GETTING AS MUCH MONEY AS YOU WANT INTO THE FIELD?

OR YOU'VE GOT WAYS TO DO THAT?

>> YOU KNOW, A VERY TALENTED ACCOMPLISHED TEAM THAT WORKS VERY, ERY THOUGHTFULLY ALONGSIDE GOVERNMENTS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR SERVICES ARE REACHING THE PEOPLE THAT NEED THEM.

>> Cathy: SO NOW THAT THE AID HAS BEEN, NOW THAT THE MONEY HAS BEEN CUT OFF, WHAT HAPPENS TO LIGHT AND TO THE FOLKS YOU'RE HELPING?

>> THAT IS A TREMENDOUS QUESTION AND IT IS ONE THAT WE ARE WORKING BY THE HOUR TO ANSWER.

I THINK THE ANSWER HERE IS THAT THERE'S NO OTHER WAY OF SAYING IT, PEOPLE WILL DIE.

PEOPLE ARE DYING.

SERVICES ARE BEING CUT OFF.

I THINK YOU LOOK AT AN AREA LIKE SUDAN WHICH WAS ONE OF OUR LARGEST PROGRAMS, IN MANY CASES, WE WERE THE ONLY HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FOR MILES AND MILES AND MILES.

AND YOU LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE OUR STABILIZATION CENTERS, THERE ARE SIX OF THEM THAT HAVE SINCE HAD TO STOP OPERATIONS.

WE ARE FIGHTING BY THE HOUR TO CONTINUE THE WORK THAT WE DO WITH THEM, BUT THEY ARE NO LONGER FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THESE STABILIZATION CENTERS WORK WITH KIDS THAT ARE HISTORICALLY UNDER THE AGE OF SIX AND THEY NEED 24-HOUR NUTRITIONAL CARE, WE CAN SERVE UP TO 30 CHILDREN AT A TIME AND IF SERVICES ARE REMOVED FOR EVEN SIX HOURS, THEY DON'T MAKE IT.

>> Eric: UNICEF, UNITED NATIONS, ARE THERE ALTERNATIVES AWAY MONEY AWAY FROM CONGRESS AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION >> YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ENJOYED FUNDING FROM THEM IN THE PAST BUT UNFORTUNATELY THAT ALL FALLS UNDER THIS BIG UMBRELLA OF GOVERNMENT BASED FUNDING O YOU'RE LOOKING UPWARDS $21 MILLION OF COMMITMENT FUNDS THAT ARE NO LONGER ACCESSIBLE TO US.

>> Cathy: KATHERINE, THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WATCHING TONIGHT WHO ARE PERFECTLY FINE WITH THIS AID BEING CUT OFF.

>> MM-HMM.

>> Cathy: AND THEY SAY, LOOK, THESE ARE COUNTRIES THAT SHOULD HELP THEIR OWN PEOPLE, WHY SHOULD THE UNITED STATES BE THE ENTITY TO HELP?

WHAT'S YOUR ARGUMENT?

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

>> MY ARGUMENT, FIRST OF ALL, COMES FROM MY PLACE AS A HUMANITARIAN, BUT ALSO AS SOMEBODY WHO BELIEVES FIERCELY IN SOFT POWER.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT BY AND LARGE HAS ENJOYED A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

IT'S ONLY BEEN IN RECENT WEEKS THAT THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN THE NARRATIVE, SHIFT IN THE TIDES, AND WHAT WE ARE FINDING IS THAT OVERWHELMINGLY SOFT POWER BENEFITS US ALL, AND IN MANY CASES, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE IMPACTS ARE UNTIL THERE IS AN ABSENCE OF IT.

>> Eric: AND SO THE UNCERTAINTY CONTINUES AND SO IT'S HARD TO SAY WHAT THE NEXT STEPS WILL BE I SUPPOSE.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, RIGHT NOW, BRINGING IT HOME TO MINNESOTA, WE HAVE ENJOYED SO MUCH SUPPORT FROM OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE ABOUT 40 STAFF WHO HAVE WORKED IN MINNESOTA, OF THOSE STAFF I HINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR FOLKS TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE ONLY 12 PEOPLE REMAINING FULL TIME WITH ALIGHT.

OTHERS HAVE BEEN REDUCED, THEIR HOURS HAVE BEEN REDUCED OR THEY HAVE BEEN LAID OFF OR FURLOUGHED.

AND SO FOR FOLKS THAT ARE SUPPORTING US I THINK THEY HAVE THREE THINGS, RIGHT, THEY HAVE THEIR TIME, THEY HAVE THEIR ATTENTION, AND THEY HAVE THEIR FINANCIAL RESOURCES.

AND ANY OF THOSE IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO US RIGHT NOW.

>> Eric: WISH YOU GOOD LUCK.

APPRECIATE YOU COMING OVER.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Cathy: WELLING POLICYMAKERS ARE ALSO ASSESSING THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF THE FEDERAL FREEZE AND CUTS IN THE BILLIONS IN A STATE THAT HAS TO BALANCE ITS BUDGET THIS YEAR.

REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER SHOWS US THERE IS SOME HOPE ON THE HORIZON AS THE HOUSE FOUND THE FIRST BIPARTISAN SUPPORT NECESSARY TO PASS A COUPLE OF BILLS.

[ CHANTING ] >> AS PRESIDENT TRUMP, ELON MUSK, AND CONGRESS ATTEMPT TO CUT AS MUCH AS $2 TRILLION, THE STATE MUST BALANCE ITS BUDGET AND EXPECTS BILLIONS TO DISAPPEAR.

>> MEETING OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL COME TO ORDER.

>> FOR A STATE SENATOR WITH NEARLY 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WHO'S NOW CHAIRING THE KEY FINANCE COMMITTEE, HE FEARS THIS COULD BE WORSE THAN ANY OF THE BIG BUDGET SHORTFALLS OF THE PAST.

>> THERE'S NOTHING LIKE THIS IN ANY OF OUR PREVIOUS GOVERNORS, ANY OF OUR PREVIOUS LEGISLATURES.

THIS IS TOTALLY UNPRECEDENTED AND I'M VERY SCARED THAT WE'RE TALKING WORSE THAN RECESSION.

>> ENATOR MARTY'S COUNTERPART IN THE HOUSE WHO WILL SEE EVERY BUDGET BILL ALSO HAS DECADES OF EXPERIENCE AND HE ISN'T PANICKING YET.

>> THE IMPACT OF NOT JUST PRESIDENT TRUMP'S FEDERAL FREEZE BUT ALSO REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS MAKING THE MINNESOTA BUDGET VERY DIFFICULT.

ARE YOU FRUSTRATED WITH WHAT'S COMING OUT OF D.C.?

>> WELL, MY TAKE ON D.C. IS THAT A LOT OF SPAGHETTI IS BEING THROWN AGAINST THE WALL RIGHT NOW BUT IT'S NOT ALL GOING TO STICK.

AND WE DON'T KNOW WHICH PIECES OF SPAGHETTI ARE GOING TO STICK.

WE HAVE A BUDGET TO PUT TOGETHER BASED ON THE SITUATION HERE IN MINNESOTA THAT WAS CREATED BY THE WORK THAT WAS DONE BY THE TRIFECTA LAST BIENNIUM.

>> GOVERNOR WALZ WHO HAD TO STAY IN THE STATE AFTER A FAILED VICE PRESIDENTIAL RUN IS UNIQUELY FEELING THE LOSS AS HIS BUDGET SUFFERS THE CONSEQUENCES.

>> AS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA PREPARES TO SERVE OUR CITIZENS AS WE WATCH THINGS IN D.C. CONTINUE TO THREATEN TO RIP AWAY THOSE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS.

>> SENATE REPUBLICANS SAY SOME OF THE GOVERNOR'S RHETORIC WILL HARM THE HARD WORK THEY'RE FACING.

>> THIS ISTRACTS FROM THAT WORK.

WHEN WE START CALLING EACH OTHER NAMES, WHEN E SIT DOWN IN THOSE ROOMS AND TRY TO HASH THIS UT, IF I KNOW THAT THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK I AM HAS WE'RE SITTING IN A ROOM, A NAZI AND FASCIST, IT'S HARD TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP OFF OF THAT.

>> WE'VE GOT FOLKS THAT APPARENTLY CAN'T CALL PEOPLE WEARING SWASTIKAS WALKING THROUGH THE STREETS OF OHIO NAZIS AND THEY'RE GOING TO SPEND THEIR TIME ASKING ME TO APOLOGIZE FOR HAT.

>> SENATE DEMOCRATS WITH A ONE-VOTE MAJORITY ARE TRYING TO HUMANIZE THE CUTS COMING.

>> THIS IS A STORY BOUT OTHER PEOPLE.

BUT FOR ME THIS IS A STORY ABOUT US.

IT IS A STORY ABOUT WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE BELIEVE IN, WHO WE'RE GOING TO FIGHT FOR IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND IT BEGINS NOW.

>> NEXT WEEK THE STATE BUDGET FORECAST IS SCHEDULED TO BE RELEASED AND THAT USUALLY GETS BUDGET TALKS GOING IN EARNEST HERE.

BUT WITH ALL THE UNCERTAINTY IN WASHINGTON THERE IS MORE UNKNOWNS AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME VERY TOUGH DECISIONS.

>> I'M THINKING ABOUT THE CHAOS AND CRUELTY AND THE CORRUPTION THAT WE ARE SEEING AT THAT LEVEL.

>> THEY'RE ONLY GOING TO LOOK FOR WASTE, FRAUD, ND ABUSE.

THAT PEOPLE ON MEDICAID ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET THEIR CHECKS.

>> FEDERAL FUNDS MAKE UP ONE-THIRD OF THE STATE'S BUDGET AND AS WE THINK ABOUT ALANCING OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DO THAT IF THIS RESOLUTION PASSES.

>> 76% OF THE POPULATION SUPPORTS THE EFFORTS TO TRY TO UNCOVER WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE.

>> IF WE HAD A STATE SENATOR THAT WAS OPERATING WITH THE TYPE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST OF ELON MUSK WE WOULD BE TEARING THAT STATE SENATOR TO BITS.

>> THE BILL IS PASSED AS AMENDED AND ITS TITLE IS AGREED TO.

[ Banging Gavel ] >> THOUGH THE WEEK ENDED ON A HIGH NOTE AS THE HOUSE FINALLY FOUND THE BIPARTISAN VOTES NECESSARY TO PASS BILLS.

>> THAT IS GOING TO SHOW MINNESOTANS THAT AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT BALANCED GOVERNMENT, WE CAN WORK TOGETHER, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE A ONE-SEAT ADVANTAGE RIGHT NOW, THAT WE CAN STILL DO THE RIGHT THING FOR MINNESOTANS.

>> AND MEMBERS CONGRATULATED THEIR HISTORY-MAKING SPEAKER, LISA DEMUTH, BEING NAMED WOMAN OF THE YEAR BY USA TODAY FOR MINNESOTA.

>> JUST REALLY AN HONOR TO SERVE IN THAT ROLE.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT INTIMIDATING TO HAVE ATTENTION FOCUSED ONCE AGAIN ON ME, BUT REALLY HONORED TO BE NAMED MINNESOTA WOMAN OF THE YEAR.

>> PUT YOU UP THERE WITH LIKE TIM WALZ OF MINNESOTANS WITH NATIONAL PROFILES.

>> I -- I CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT.

[ LAUGHTER >> COULD YOU RESPOND TO THE NEWS OUT OF THE OTHER CHAMBER SPEAKER DEMUTH NAMED WOMAN OF THE YEAR FROM USA TODAY FOR MINNESOTA?

HAD YOU HEARD THAT >> BREAKING NEWS, WAY TO GO.

I CAN'T IMAGINE ANYBODY THAT DESERVES IT MORE IN MINNESOTA THAN SPEAKER DEMUTH FOR WHAT SHE HAS BEEN THROUGH HESE LAST FEW MONTHS TRYING TO GET THE HOUSE ORGANIZED.

THAT'S GREAT NEWS SO THANKS FOR SHARING THAT, MARY.

>> DO YOU THINK THERE'S A BIGGER PLATFORM AND BIGGER JOB FOR HER?

>> WELL, IT SURE SEEMS LIKE IT.

WOMAN OF THE YEAR THIS YEAR AND MAYBE PRESIDENT IN A FEW YEARS.

♪♪ >> Eric: FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND PUBLIC BATTLES WITH FOREIGN LEADERS TO THE U.S. SENATE RACE, IT'S HARD TO KEEP UP WITH THE POLITICAL SC SCORECARD.

LUCKILY THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF THE POLITICAL PANEL IS HERE TO HELP.

REPUBLICANS UP FIRST TONIGHT.

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

PREYA SAMSUNDAR IS A GOP STRATEGIST WHO SERVED AS A COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR THE RNC AND THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN.

DEMOCRATS HERE TONIGHT, SARA LOPEZ IS A PARTY ACTIVIST AND POLICY DIRECTOR AT UNIDOS MN.

AND NEW TO THE COUCH ALYSEN NESSE, FORMER SENIOR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS NOW SPENDS HER TIME UP AT THE CAPITOL AS A LOBBYIST.

WELCOME, ONE AND ALL.

PREYA, WHAT ABOUT THIS BUSINESS IN THE OVAL OFFICE TODAY WITH THE UKRAINE AND U.S. PRESIDENTS?

>> OBVIOUSLY IT WASN'T A GREAT DAY I THINK FOR ANYBODY.

THE REALITY IS IS THAT, OU KNOW, THIS TRUMP WHITE HOUSE THOUGHT THAT THEY WERE COMING IN, THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE A DEAL, THEY HAD A FULL ON SETUP TO SIGN SOME LEGISLATION TO GET THIS MINERAL RIGHTS DEAL MOVED FORWARD.

I THINK IN SOME RESPECTS THEY PROBABLY THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS GOING TO GO THROUGH, MAYBE 75% OF THE CHANCE, BUT BASED ON THE CONVERSATION IN THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS THEY KNEW THAT SOMETHING COULD POTENTIALLY HAPPEN.

UNFORTUNATELY THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO DID HAPPEN, ZELENSKYY DECIDED TO USE THE MEDIA IN THE OVAL OFFICE TO TRY AND STRONG ARM HIS WAY BACK INTO A SECURITY DEAL, OBVIOUSLY THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT, IN FACT IT GOT HIM KICKED OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE.

AND UNFORTUNATELY IT'S GOING TO STALL TALKS, IT'S GOING TO PROLONG PEACE CONVERSATIONS LONGER.

AND I THINK HE SET HIMSELF, I THINK EVERYBODY SET THEMSELVES BACK A LITTLE BIT.

>> Eric: BLIP OR POLITICALLY IMPORTANT EVENT, OR WHAT DO YOU THINK, ALYSEN?

>> OH, INCREDIBLY POLITICALLY IMPORTANT EVENT.

IT WAS AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT CONVERSATION.

AND ALL PARTIES USED IT AS MORE OF A EDIA EVENT THAN AN ACTUAL I THINK CONVERSATION THAT NEEDED TO HAPPEN.

>> IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO SIT DOWN AND ACTUALLY WORK ON SOLUTIONS.

PEOPLE ARE HURTING.

>> Cathy: SAY, BRIAN, HOW DOES THIS INCIDENT FIT WITH WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST 30-SOME-ODD DAYS FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?

>> OBVIOUSLY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS AN IDEA OF WHAT THEY WANT TO DO AND WE'RE KIND OF LIKE FIGURING IT OUT IN REAL-TIME.

I MEAN, TODAY WAS EMBARRASSING.

I MEAN, GOOD GOD.

HOW WE'RE DOING THIS, YOU KNOW, I THINK IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE NATO COUNTRIES AND HOW MUCH THEY'RE CONTRIBUTING TO THEIR OWN DEFENSE, LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT MINERAL RIGHTS LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHETHER WE'RE SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY IN UKRAINE, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

NOT LIKE THIS.

THIS MAKES US LOOK TERRIBLE.

AND, YOU KNOW, EARLIER THING SAID THAT REPUBLICANS AREN'T SPEAKING OUT OUT ABOUT THIS.

I WILL.

YOU KNOW, RUSSIA IS OUR ENEMY.

AND DOESN'T MEAN THAT ANYONE ELSE NECESSARILY HAS TO BE OUR FRIEND, BUT RUSSIA IS OUR ENEMY AND IF YOU SHOW ME YOUR FRIENDS I'LL SHOW YOU YOUR FUTURE AND WHO WE VOTED WITH ON THAT IS EMBARRASSING.

I MEAN, I THINKAN DRAGO IS NOT OUR FRIEND AND NEVER WILL BE.

>> YEAH, AND LIKE WE CAN FIGHT WITH COUNTRIES THAT HAVE BEEN LONG-TIME ALLIES OF THE U.S. LIKE ENGLAND, LIKE NOW ENGLAND IS MAD AT US BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY SAYING THAT THE WAR WAS STARTED BY THE UKRAINE, WHICH IS INSANE.

JUST WANT TO STOP BEING EMBARRASSED ON THE NATIONAL ARENA, THIS IS VERY EMBARRASSING FOR US.

>> THAT PARTIALLY IS TRUE BUT LIKE THE REALITY IS THAT AMERICANS ELECTED DONALD TRUMP AND J.D.

VANCE PARTIALLY BECAUSE THEY RE A LITTLE BIT MORE BLUNT AND FORCE FORWARD RATHER THAN BEING HAT MORE POLITICIAN WE'VE SEEN IN YEARS PAST WITH LIKE A MITT ROMNEY OR PAUL RYAN, IF YOU WILL.

SO THEY ARE EXPECTING SOMEONE TO BE MORE OF THAT FIGHTER AND UNFORTUNATELY WHEN YOU HAVE A FIGHTER YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE INCIDENCES LIKE THIS UNFORTUNATELY WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE OF THESE PUBLIC CONFRONTATIONS BECAUSE IN THEIR MIND WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING AT IT FROM A ARRATIVE OF WE ELECTED A FIGHTER WE EXPECT YOU TO GO TO D.C. AND FIGHT FOR US BOTH HERE AT HOME AND ABROAD, THAT'S WHAT AMERICANS WHEN THEY ELECTED DONALD TRUMP, THAT'S WHAT THEY SAW AND THAT'S WHAT THEY VOTED FOR.

>> Cathy: PREYA, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE OTHER ALLIES IN YOU WERE ON WERE THINKING WHEN THEY SAW THIS >> OBVIOUSLY THEY KNOW THAT DONALD TRUMP ISN'T ONE TO BE MESSED WITH.

I MEAN, THE FIRST FOUR YEARS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION PROVED AS MUCH, HE HAS NO PROBLEM TELLING LEADERS TO STICK IT, FRANKLY.

HE'S DONE IT BEFORE, HE'S DONE IT WITH FRANCE, HE'S DONE IT IN THE U.K., HE'S DONE IT EVERYWHERE.

THIS IS SOMEONE WHO REALLY DOES BELIEVE -- >> Cathy: EXCEPT FOR HE HASN'T REALLY TOLD PUTIN TO STICK IT, THOUGH.

>> NO, HE HAS NOT.

IN SOME WAYS HE HAS, SOME WAYS HE'S NOT.

DONALD TRUMP I TRULY BELIEVE HE REALLY LOOKS AT THIS FROM A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE RATHER THAN A POLITICAL AND IN A BUSINESS MINDSET WHEN YOU LISTEN TO HIS LIKE METHODOLOGY OVER THE LAST 30 EARS IT'S ALWAYS KEEP YOUR ENEMIES CLOSER THAN YOUR ACTUAL FRIENDS.

AND I THINK SOME SOME RESPECTS THAT'S WHAT HE'S DOING.

>> Eric: WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF SEVERAL OF THE MINNESOTA HOUSE REPUBLICANS TELLING THE FOUR REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE TO GO EASY ON THE MEDICAID CUTS?

>> THANK YOU.

>> I WAS INCREDIBLY HEARTENED ACTUALLY FROM THE 14 MINNESOTA G.O.P.

MEMBERS WHO SIGNED A PRETTY IMPACTFUL LETTER ABOUT THE IMPACTS THAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT ON MEDICAID SERVICES.

MEDICAID IS THE FOUNDATION AND BACKBONE OF RURAL HOSPITAL SYSTEMS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY AND MINNESOTA.

AND THE SEVERITY AND THE IMPACT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES CANNOT BE UNDERSTATED.

>> Eric: THE FEDS DO, WHAT, 12 BILLION, A THIRD OF THE BUDGET IS FEDERAL MONEY IN MINNESOTA, THIS COULD HAVE BIG IMPACT ON THE MINNESOTA BUDGET.

>> YEAH, NO, NO, IT WILL HAVE A -TREMENDOUSLY BIG IMPACT ON THE MINNESOTA BUDGET.

WE BELIEVE IN A SOCIAL SAFETY NET AND MEDICAID AND MEDICARE ARE VERY IMPORTANT PARTS OF THAT.

ONCE AGAIN, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS DOING SOMETHING THAT PROBABLY IS POPULAR WHICH IS TRYING TO FIND OUT WHERE'S THE WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE.

THE IMPROPER PAYMENT RATES FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR MEDICAID IS 5% WHICH STILL COMES OUT TO $31 BILLION.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT, BUT USE A SCALPEL, NOT A SHOTGUN AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S MAKING PEOPLE UNCOMFORTABLE IS THAT IT'S THE RIGHT IDEA BUT THEY'RE JUST NOT TRUSTING THAT IT'S BEING TAKEN CARE OF IN A THOUGHTFUL WAY.

>> Eric: THE DEMOCRATS DON'T WANT TO BE SEEN AS BEING FOR WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE.

>> WELL, AND I THINK THAT WE TALK ABOUT WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SMOKE SCREEN TO JUST CURTAIL, RIGHT, PUBLIC INTEREST, CURTAIL THE PUBLIC SAFETY NET.

THE COST OF CARE HAS GONE UP NOT BECAUSE PEOPLE USE MEDICARE, NOT BECAUSE OF PREGNANT WOMEN IN THE PROGRAM, BUT THE THE COST OF INSURANCE KEEPS ON RIPPING OFF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

AND WHEN YOU BLAME JUST PEOPLE WHO ARE USING THE PROGRAM BY CALLING THEM WASTE AND FRAUD, I JUST -- IT'S ALL A SMOKE SCREEN TO GIVE TAX CUTS TO TRILLIONAIRS, OLIGARCHS.

>> Eric: YOU'RE AT THE CAPITOL, IS THIS WEIGHING ON THE BUDGET PROCESS THERE, WHAT HAPPENS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

IN EVERY SINGLE COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE ASKING AGENCY STAFF WHAT THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF THESE CUTS ARE GOING TO BE ON STATE PROGRAMS, ON MINNESOTANS ACROSS THE BOARD FROM EDUCATION TO HEALTH CARE TO HOUSING.

IT'S DOMINATING THE CONVERSATION AND WE'LL SEE WHAT THE BUDGET ORECAST NEXT WEEKS BRINGS US.

>> Cathy: THERE IS A REVENUE FORECAST COMING, RIGHT?

DO YOU THINK THERE WILL HAVE TO BE KIND OF A ROLLING FORECAST GIVEN -- BECAUSE THINGS ARE CHANGING SO FAST?

>> WE'RE OING TO FIND SOMETHING OUT, YOU KNOW, COMING UP NEXT WEEK AND THEN IT'S GOING TO BE ADJUSTED BASED ON WHAT HAPPENS ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

THE ONLY THING I WANT TO SAY ABOUT WHAT SARA'S COMMENT IS THAT, YEAH, IT CAN BE BOTH THINGS, IT CAN BE A PROBLEM WITH THE INSURANCE WORLD BUT ALSO WE KNOW, WE KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THIS FRAUD, WASTE AND ABUSE IS HAPPENING, AND THAT MONEY IS THE MONEY THAT WE'RE ALL TALKING ABOUT NEEDS TO GO TO TRANSPORTATION, TO HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION AND EVERYTHING ELSE, AND IT'S NOT.

>> Cathy: SAY, PREYA, DO YOU THINK THE HOUSE HAS THAT FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE COMMITTEE, FOR WANT OF A BETTER TERM HERE, DO YOU THINK ANYTHING'S GOING TO COME OUT OF THAT IN THE HOUSE?

>> ABSOLUTELY, I DO.

BECAUSE I THINK THAT WE'VE OBVIOUSLY SEEN YOU TALKED ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT EARLIER WITH FEEDING OUR FUTURE.

THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLE.

WE KNOW THAT FBI AGENTS ERE RAIDING ADULT CARE CENTERS HERE EARLIER THIS YEAR.

WE KNOW THAT ASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE IS HAPPENING.

THE REALITY IS SIMILAR TO WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS DOING RIGHT NOW WITH AUDITING DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, THIS WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE COMMISSION IS GOING TO GO THROUGH AND SEE WHERE DO THINGS LOOK A LITTLE STRANGE, WHERE DO NUMBERS NOT ADD UP, AND WHERE CAN WE INVESTIGATE TO SEE IF MINNESOTA TAXPAYERS ARE GETTING RIPPED OFF AND HOW DO WE CLAW BACK SOME OF THAT MONEY.

>> Eric: ANGIE CRAIG VERSUS PEGGY FLANAGAN IN AN AUGUST PRIMARY OR TINA SMITH'S SEAT?

>> THAT'S SO MANY MONTHS IN POLITICS FROM NOW BUT I THINK THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE TOO WHO ARE GOING TO JUMP IN THE RACE AND THE D.F.L.

PRIMARY.

>> Eric: IS THERE A FAVORITE RIGHT NOW?

OR TOO EARLY?

>> TOO EARLY TO SAY.

>> FAR TOO EARLY TO TELL.

>> Cathy: WELL, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WELL, I MEAN, I THINK IT IS TOO EARLY BUT RIGHT NOW I THINK LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN DEFINITELY IS, YOU KNOW, OUT IN FRONT.

I THINK THAT WHAT ANGIE CRAIG ENDS UP DOING WHETHER SHE'S STAYING IN THE SECOND OR IS SHE GOING TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR OR RUN FOR -- I THINK ONCE THAT DECISION GETS MADE A LOT OF OTHER THINGS KIND OF FALL INTO PLACE.

FOR THE REPUBLICANS WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT OUR OWN STUFF.

, HAVE YOU GOT A FRONT-RUNNING PERSON OR IS THE FIELD GOING TO EXPAND?

OH, IT'S SO EARLY.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Cathy: ANY SURPRISE THAT THE GOVERNOR DOESN'T RUN TO RUN FOR THE U.S. SENATE, BUT HE COULD BE LOOKING FOR A THIRD TERM?

>> I WASN'T SURPRISED.

I THINK GOVERNOR WALZ AT THE END OF THE DAY ACTUALLY REALLY ENJOYS BEING THE GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA, AND I THINK LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN GETTING OUT THERE RIGHT AWAY REALLY SET THE TONE FOR -- >> I'LL JUST SAY, I THINK IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A TWO-PART WHERE WE SAW HIM ANNOUNCE THAT HE WAS THINKING ABOUT IT.

ON ONE HAND HE WAS DEFINITELY LOOKING TO POKE PEGGY FLANAGAN IN THE EYE, WE KNOW THAT THEIR RELATIONSHIP HASN'T BEEN REAT SINCE HE CAME BACK ROM A LOSING PRESIDENTIAL TICKET, AND THEY'VE KIND OF BEEN IGHTING IT OUT AND SO I THINK PART OF THAT WAS HIM POKING HER IN THE EYE, I ALSO THINK THAT HE'S LOOKING TO RECAPTURE SOME OF THAT, THAT NATIONAL STARDOM THAT HE FELT AND THAT HE EMBRACED DURING HIS RUN WITH KAMALA.

>> Eric: '28 FOR WALZ?

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS AN INCREDIBLY CAPABLE WOMAN AND I THINK SHE'LL UN BECAUSE SHE WILL MAKE AN INCREDIBLY LIKE AMAZING SENATOR.

>> Eric: THE GOVERNOR DIDN'T ENDORSE HER.

>> BUT I THINK THAT SHE WAS -- I JUST THINK SHE'S GOING TO, SHE'S MY FRONTRUNNER AND I THINK SHE'S LIKE THE BEST PERSON IN TINA SPLIT'S SEAT.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF TIME.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF TIME.

>> Eric: WE WANT TO SAY SOMETHING TO KEEP THE THUNDERS FROM BUMPING INTO ONE ANOTHER.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Cathy: THANKS, GUYS.

♪♪ >> OKAY, I'M GONNA GET IT OUT OF THE OVEN NOW.

OUR SUMMER SQUASH SURPRISE THAT COMEDIAN AND AUTHOR PAT DENNIS HAS GIVEN US THE RECIPE FOR AS FEATURED IN HER STORY, "THE LUTHERAN WHO LUSTED" FROM THE BOOK "HOT DISH TO DIE FOR.." ♪♪ >> >> Eric: WE DON'T DO ENOUGH COOKING IN THE STUDIO THESE DAYS BUT LATER IN THE SPRING WE COULD REMEDY THAT.

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