(00:00:05) I'm Governor Rudy perpich today to block further work on the planned renovation of the State Office Building in st. Paul the Duluth independent Republican said the 19 million dollar remodeling project would be wasteful in the best of times and is unforgivable. Now, you'll and said the project is nothing more than an attempt by the dfl to build a legislative Palace. Well coming up next on midday as we said State Treasurer Robert Matson who will talk with MPR legislative reporter Pat Kessler about the controversy surrounding his office and what his plans are for the future of the treasurer's office Matson will also take listener questions for about the next hour. You're listening to midday on Minnesota Public Radio a listener-supported service. This is the listener supported news and information service of Minnesota Public Radio. Ksjn Minneapolis st. Paul at 1330 on your dial. And you're also listening to que él se Rushford and K LCD Decorah, Iowa. Well time is exactly 12:00 noon and standing by in our Saint Paul Studios reporter Pat Kessler with State Treasurer Bob Matson Pat. Whenever Robert matson's name appears in the press it is usually preceded by phrases like the embattled state treasurer or dfl Maverick. He is both of those and to anyone who has followed his political career. It should come as no surprise that Matson is once again the center of some controversy a graduate of Harvard and the William Mitchell College of Law Matson was first elected to Statewide office in 1974 after challenging the endorsed dfl candidate for auditor two years later Matson unsuccessfully challenged dfl endorsed Bruce vento for the fourth district congressional seat. And in 1978 Matson ran for re-election as auditor without dfl party endorsement losing to the current state auditor Arne Carlson for the last four years Matson has managed a number of business interests in Florida, but last fall Matson was elected Minnesota State Treasurer after again beating the dfl endorsed candidate in the primary his victory surprised and angered many do you Fellers because he made few public appearances and conducted what they called an invisible. Campaign since that time Matson has been criticized for spending very little time in his office. He has set his absence has proved there is very little for the state treasurer to do and he is called for abolishing his own office as well as the offices of auditor and Secretary of State and creating a new office of State Comptroller. General Matson says, he will match the performance of his office against any other and indeed although his critics take issue with his absences. They have not said his office does not function. Well Robert Matson is our guest today on midday for the next hour. He will answer your questions. Welcome. Glad you can make it here. Nice to be here Bob you say the state treasurer has very little to do you say that the state doesn't even need the office. You say your absence has proved the office can run while without you. Well if it means so little why did you even run in the first place? (00:03:04) There are a couple of concerns that I had it seemed to fit well with my own personal desire to get back into Public life I'd been in the private sector for four years and I felt that there was a contribution that I could make larger than that, which is merely associated with a specific duties of the treasurer's office very early in this term through the transition period in the first couple of months. It was obvious that that was not the case and I can describe what I believe to be the real substance of the real reason and that's that as in as a as you describe Maverick or as a nun endorsed candidate and as one who is not active in the internal party Affairs of my party. It is difficult for me to operate and influence decisions, which are largely within the responsibility of elected Democrats. Obviously as a Democrat, it's difficult to work effectively and in the kind of trust Nation ship had that you need with the Republicans because I'm not a Republican. In February, it was my conclusion that the treasurer's office was was largely not needed. There are some important functions there, but they can be handled in a different more efficient and cheaper manner. I also feel that it's true the Secretary of State's office and the auditor's office. And so that was the basis for my proposal which we made in (00:04:45) March. Are you saying that when you ran for State Treasurer you didn't know you wouldn't have anything to do (00:04:51) I'm saying that beyond the simple duties of which are in the treasurer's office. There are not sufficient duties to keep a constitutional officer involved on a full-time basis. That's true of the other offices of as well and that fact remains today. It's even more significant in my particular case because in the last couple of days of the legislative session in a conference committee without hearing About 40% of my functions and budget were removed from my office and transferred it over into one of the state agencies. And so all that I had to say about the office and March is even more true (00:05:35) today. If there's nothing to do, why do you keep accepting the paycheck? Why not? Just resign (00:05:42) I think that the contribution that that I'll make through this period And the fact that I'm even invited to be here on your show today is is I think evidence of the fact that I have something which I think is Meaningful to say I am saying it I'm allowed through through this radio show and with all of the other media that are present in this room allowed to communicate directly with the public about an idea that I think is important and if I were to resign my guess would be that as has been the case with with some resignations are vacancies in the past that the governor would appoint somebody to to fill the office from his political party and it be back to business as usual and frankly. That's just not honest with the people of this state. (00:06:37) Although you are saying that there should be major reforms in the office. A lot of people get from that and infer from that that you're just using that as an excuse for not doing the work of the office that you using it to deflect criticism. And it's a convenient excuse (00:06:53) in your own opening statement. I think you said that as a statement of fact that no one has yet been able to criticize our performance those functions that we have we do. Well, we've got a good staff there and I think through all of this scrutiny that if that were the case if there were if the office was not functioning that certainly would have been disclosed and reported that simply is not the case. And again, I'll match the performance of that office against any others one important function, which I don't think public is generally aware is the management on a daily basis of our state bank accounts. Lord in the past eight years is as state treasurer did an absolutely excellent job and managing our money in a very effective manner in the first five months of my term based on his record and with some minor adjustments using largely the same staff. We were able to receive an additional savings of three hundred and forty some odd thousand dollars or earnings on state funds by simple daily money management. I'm proud of the record of the office specifically on those duties which are in the (00:08:17) office seven minutes after 12 o'clock Central time. We're speaking with State Treasurer Robert Matson, and we're going to open the telephone calls telephone lines up for your calls. You can ask a question of mr. Matson. If you live in the Twin Cities, the number to call is two two seven six thousand for those of you who live outside the Twin Cities calling area. But with in Minnesota, our toll-free wants line number is 1-800-695-1418 inside the Twin Cities area 2276 thousand outside the Twin Cities, but with in Minnesota, you can call toll-free one 800 600 to 900 700. Mr. Matson, you imply that some of the duties of the office are being taken away in a lot of this criticism is because of a vendetta by DF ehlers. (00:09:07) I don't think there is any question that that feeling does motivate many who are activists in the dfl party and it's a feeling that a lot of other like myself who who have had family histories in our party feel about the current structure. And it's a fact that that certain leaders in the in the internal party structure of you my challenges more successful and not to endorsement as a real threat to the endorsement system not myself personally, but the fact that we basically began this process in the mid-70s. And since that time the acceptance of legitimate challenges in primary elections is there's a movement both parties in that direction and I think that's healthy. I found it curious on the last few weeks that the state chairwoman of the dfl Mary Monahan who is a very fine decent lady found it compelling that she in the dfl newspaper editorially defended the endorsement system. And made a rather lengthy argument and its behalf. That's the first time that I've seen evidence where we've moved from a state where When you did challenge you were ignored laughed at made jokes of and then even after success in the primary and in the general election fail to to get the kind of consideration, which you're entitled to being the choice of your party at the polls. We now have the number one person in the dfl structure within the party trying to defend the endorsement system itself, and that's going to be a healthy debate and I think on substance it's that argument will fail. So I feel we're making progress in that area. (00:11:19) We're going to get back to that in a moment. But let's take our first call. Why don't you put on those headphones right there, so you can hear our caller on the telephone line. There you go, and we'll take our first caller right now. Hello. Go ahead, please you're on the air (00:11:31) calling from st. Louis Park President. Cleveland once said that a public office is a public trust and while you Have all the spare time why all the time in Florida which obviously is of no service to Minnesota. If you're the spare time. Why don't you stump the state to get the job of all this shit? (00:11:52) Let me suggest a couple of things to you. It is true that I did sub spend substantial amount of time in Florida. I indicated that that was the case during the election. It was widely reported and it was probably the single most important issue that the media focused on in my particular race at the same time. I indicated that my family would not make a permanent move to Minnesota until the school year at ended in June. They have moved here and we're located permanently now in st. Paul but you know, it was certainly a widely known that that would be the case. Secondly in terms of forum. I have happened to be here on this show today and there are a number of people in the media that are here. And so there will there will be exposure to the this concept but it frankly is not the case that one has an opportunity. To express a view and and and have it communicated effectively to the public when you're in the in the particular situation. I am in let me give evidence of that when I proposed this Constitutional Amendment felt like it was a serious and responsible proposal communicated it to all of the Constitutional officers and all of the legislators in writing ask for some suggestions comments. I received four letters from legislators one letter from the governor. We have 201 members in the legislature. So I received a response from less than 2% I think that fact is probably the best answer to your question. If I'm going to be successful in getting a fair public here airing of this issue and responsible consideration. I've got to do it directly with the people of Minnesota. And in the last three or four weeks. I feel that there is a wide recognition of this issue and I have yet to talk with anyone even those who are upset with my absences who do not agree that the idea is good. And in fact the common suggestion is that we're looking really at the tip of the iceberg. There's a general feeling that our government state government in st. Paul is top-heavy and Bloated that feeling is held by many in terms of the legislature and legislative staffs. I can't disagree with that. Although I cannot speak with the same Authority about other agencies other departments or the legislature, but I certainly can speak with authority about treasure auditor and Secretary of State because I've held two of those (00:14:50) offices. Take another call right now. Go ahead, please you're on the air. (00:14:55) Okay? Mr. Matt's I think you got a lot of guts the first place. Secondly. I've watched some of the political squabbles. I'm interested in follow the local political scene very much. It's interesting. We've had the dumps panis movement the dump Fraser campaign and still the dfl acts with an arrogance, which is unmatched. So sort of a Boss Tweed mentality. Would you comment on the arrogance of the dfl party as well as their continual power grabs and expanding their taxing powers in the growth of local government? Thank you. (00:15:32) I feel like he would be the questioner was reading my notes. It is arrogant and let me give a couple of specific examples and please understand that it doesn't apply to all who call themselves DF Elders are all who serve in office and the private Communications that I get from many incumbents and many strong supporters of the of the party and people active in politics. Is that as it is embarrassing to them as well. Let me be specific about a couple of events which in my in my mind by actual conduct reflect the feelings of that particular caller in 1978. I went to the State Convention inside endorsement not because I was So really desired to be endorsed, but because I was asked to by others who would be on the dfl ticket recognizing a tough election and hoping that there would not be a split and that the endorsement issue would not be one of the major issues in the campaign. I went to the convention and as was later proven, I received endorsement. I got the required 60% of the convention the case was proven in the chairman and the others involve recognized after the convention that they had made an error in counting my ballots. And even in view of that there was a chance for the party to correct and recognize its are in to say that in fact on that particular ballot Matson got 60% They didn't do that in all sense of fairness. No matter who you're for and what your particular stance was in that convention. I felt it incumbent upon a party especially party that calls itself the Democratic Party. To come forward and correct an error an error that they made under their own rules. They didn't do that. Let's go to 1983 for those who know my family know that the Matteson family since the 40s has been active in the Democratic party and had great personal regard and friendship for for vice-president Humphrey and were active in his presidential campaigns. And in fact, I served on a full-time basis in Washington a dinner held by the Democratic party this year to honor vice president Vice President Humphrey and a dinner to to which I had gone in the past. I was excluded By Invitation now if there's anything that that the Humphrey name represented within our party it was an inclusionary spirit. Rather than an exclusionary spirit and an ability to disagree but disagree politely. We seem to have lost that spirit in our party and my own feeling is that if we don't we don't begin to get back to that spirit and and and that the heart and soul of our party is going to be lost and I hope that answer is a responsive to the (00:18:54) question will take another caller right now. Go ahead please you're on the air. (00:18:59) Go ahead, (00:18:59) please I'm calling from st. Paul. My opinion is that the Press local press has not given us a balanced view of your position as compared to your opposition's position. My question to you is will you please outline two or three of these specific responsibilities of your office comment on what you've done to carry out those (00:19:24) responsibilities? Earlier in the program. I referred to our responsibility to manage State funds on deposit in the banks and to transfer those funds to the required accounts and to to certify those funds that might be unnecessarily are unnecessary on a short-term basis for investment by the State Board of investment daily function. We also perform the basic function of of preparing and working with the payroll and the check issuing function of state government up until July 1st of this year. We also administered the unclaimed property division of the office, which was a program started by former Treasurer Lord, which returned many millions of dollars to individual citizens where it was being improperly or illegally held by various institutions in the state as Said that function has now been taken away from the treasurer's office. I also serve on the investment board in the executive Council and and as do the other elected Statewide officers (00:20:39) caller also says that the media have been unfair toward you unbalanced or do you want to comment on (00:20:45) that? I don't think that's that's largely true. I think I might take a few minutes to talk about this issue. And I've talked extensively with a number of people in the media who have covered this story and and who are familiar with it. And I think there there is a sense that that we might have got off track a little bit and that my own personal circumstances became more the focus than the public policy aspect of what I was saying and I think that's true and I as it relates to me individually. I don't think I think as a public person you you largely hold open part of your private life to public view. Even if it doesn't directly affect your performance and that's just an expensive being in the public sector. I can't get very specific with you about one individual reporter and I don't think her individual contact conduct was representative of the media in general and I think those who were familiar with what she did in this circumstance are embarrassed professionally by it, but it's a story that hasn't yet been aired and is under under consideration for a possible legal action or otherwise and it involved the conduct of of my wife Marge who is a private person and everybody who knows me knows that she is not active politically likes her privacy tries. Reserve it, very aggressively did not make in a campaign appearance only on rare occasions. Did she ever carry it out any of the public functions which are associated with with political office and I respect her desire and I think it's healthy for my family that she adopts that approach. In this case. She was drawn into the issue by an individual reporter who broadcast several stories without an attempt to talk to me for clarification without an attempt to talk to my wife missed use public official in Naples, Florida and his statements broadcast false misleading statements alter her personal embarrassment and damage. An unfortunate incident one which was immediately corrected when they are was known by the public official in Florida who make and I'll quote from his own statement. The news report by WCCO is false misleading and was a substantial misrepresentation of the facts as they (00:23:37) exist. Well, you know, I don't think we should be naming people on the air here and perhaps it's just as well to since nobody is here to answer the perhaps. It's just as well to drop that. Let (00:23:48) me I'm going to go on a little bit. I'm speaking specifically about WCCO AM radio who is been written to has been confronted with the position of myself and my wife and who will have their opportunity to respond. I'll drop out at that (00:24:06) just because it really we don't want any anything here said that to no one can answer here now. I think it's In the in for the sake of fairness, we should do that. Now you've made your point in and I think people of the state of heard that okay, (00:24:25) I'll defer because it's your television show, but I think with the power of WCCO radio, they certainly are in a position to defend themselves and (00:24:36) really Bob that's that's really enough. Let's take another call. Go ahead. You're on the air. Go ahead. Please take another call. Go ahead please you're on the (00:24:44) air right? I'm calling from Ward 6 somewhere on the east side of st. Paul and I'm an agreement with the citizens party Minnesota, which says that it's the voters who should nominate their own party's candidates not the entrench party machinery and I think that Minnesota's endorsement system is Obsolete and discriminatory because all the citizens can attend their caucuses as easy as they can to cast their vote ballots in the voting booth or by absentee ballot and I think this discourages seniors and disabled military personnel nursing home residents and workers who aren't shifted the caucus our from participating for their party's candidates, you know, I think there's a I'd like you to respond to two points. I think that There's an urgent need to reform in the endorsement process. And first of all, I think that voters should be allowed to register in the party of their choice for primary elections that a prevent crossover voting, which I think you did benefit from and second. I think that the official party apparatus should be legally prevented from making official partisan endorsement until after the voters have cast their primary balance. Thank you. (00:25:58) Registration does have some advantages to prevent crossover voting. I don't I don't agree that crossover voting is is extensive and the studies that I've seen would indicate that that's the case the danger of registration is that it will be restrictive and puts another another step that individual voters have to go through when one wants to change from one party to the other even for a specific primary election. So registration is something that I would I would not be anxious to support in terms of endorsement there. Obviously, you mentioned many of the criticisms of the endorsement process is one who has gone to the caucuses many times. I found that the simple majority rule within a caucus was so often used to To close out other sentiment within the caucus and to that it was not a constructive process. The endorsement process is let's let's use this US Senate Campaign, which is is just starting now is a backdrop. We have a number of candidates as yet unannounced out seeking commitments from individuals who will likely be delegates. This is kind of on an individual basis one by one small group at various functions this time of year. It's being feeds and barbecues and on a one-on-one basis trying to assemble 60% of the State Convention. It's creating a long campaign where we're a year away or little over your little less than a year away from from the convention. It tends to reward people have been active in the party for a long time to the exclusion of Is it has it is not as representative selection because it doesn't involve the vast majority of Voters who support the party with their money and with their with their votes on Election Day and often it's tainted and and and destructive and damaging because it's it's an emotional tough process anybody who's gone through a convention fight can attest to that and for all of those reasons those you mentioned and others. I don't support the endorsement system and and I think there are growing numbers of people in Minnesota that agree with that position (00:28:34) will take another caller. Go ahead please you're on the (00:28:36) air. You've probably been asked to what your contributions to the to the office the state of Minnesota were you've answered twice with the we pronoun. So that's a fine Commendation of your staff. I'd like you to characterize what you personally have done with the business of Have you been honest with the people of Minnesota? (00:29:03) In my judgment my contribution is to fold it one. It represents the Maverick the the spokesman for a differing view point from a public position airing an issue, which would not be aired by others in our government for for various reasons. And in that in that context, I think that's an important contribution in terms of the office. I have 20 to be reduced to 16 employees under my control. I do not daily type the letters. I don't stamp them. I don't process payroll. I don't do Vault functions. I don't cash checks for the public. I don't clip and and pay on coupons. You know. Those are those are staff positions which are in the exempt classified service and are performed by people in the office. I At the general direction, which I think all managers do that it be run efficiently effectively fairly in terms of of other areas investment board decisions. I'm active in on a staff level and with the executive secretary the same is true of of executive Council decisions and those come on not regular basis, but when important been active in the development of the Pete program was the chief spokesman for it five years ago. The same is true of the copper nickel mining fun program, which we've issued leases on this year and will again later in the year open up some new areas for for exploratory mining. (00:30:54) To the College of direct question. He says have you been honest with the people of Minnesota? (00:30:59) That's a judgment that people of Minnesota will have to make on an individual basis for those who focuses specifically on the on the absence question and not on any of the other issues which are being raised in this show and have been raised. I can't give any other answer than what I've already given because it's it's a it's a factual assessment of my own attendance and if I can understand how that upsets people but they ought to remain just upset adjust is upset about the way in which some of the other issues the structural institutional governmental issues that are being raised and the response by our legislature and by some of our elected officials to the to those issues. (00:31:54) We clear the air than once and for all why don't you try and put it behind you? How often have you been in your office? And how often have you been absent? (00:32:02) Let me again say that on a day counting basis. We're going to assemble that and that will be part of the litigation which is which is now being ongoing and has been bought by the group of Republicans seeking a clarification of that issue. And so the appropriate time that all of that information will be developed. I was here as often as I considered it necessary under the circumstances to be here. And again, I'll I will stand by the record of performance of the office which was conducted under my direction and control and again, we can continue to repeat it and repeat it and repeat it and I'll be glad to do that. But how about we're past that (00:32:50) issue. Okay. Well, why don't you just tell us once a week once a month once every Couple months I did (00:32:55) what you can't answer the question that context because there are short terms and longer terms of presence and and the facts as they are will will be reported. Let's let's also pay careful attention to the to what kind of standard we're trying to to adopt. We have a number of State officials who have very extensive travel records in and out of state. We have a number of candidates who occupy presently elective office who are running for higher office and who through the media have made their their own statements is to their campaign activities and will and that will continue. I don't expect for example example Secretary of State grow to be in our office on a on an eight to five bases five days a week. I don't think that's necessary. I think she deserves some Freedom which to pursue her her likely. Race for the US Senate. She said she's on a five day a week speaking schedule that obviously means that she's not in st. Paul all of the (00:34:01) time. So you're saying that Joan grow is spending as much time out of the office as you have (00:34:06) if you interpreted that from what I said, then you didn't listen to what I said. I said that she is pursuing a campaign by her own statement five days a week average speaking schedule. I think she should be free to do that. And I think it's within our own mind and your own conscious that she balance that against her own duties within the office and she's the best judge of that. (00:34:31) Okay, we'll take another call first. I want to give out the telephone numbers once again in the Twin Cities. Our telephone number is two two seven six thousand outside the Twin Cities, but with in Minnesota, you can call us on our toll free wats line. That number is 1-866-376-8255 now go ahead please you're on the air. (00:34:52) Thank you. Mr. Matt. And I was wondering if you'd had much experience does the public a speaker or whether it's considered Dale Carnegie courses or a Toastmaster courses because just don't seem to be a gifted public speaker and I was wondering to can't tell us what other public like you've been in and whether you swept into office on the Democratic coattails or strictly in your own merits. (00:35:24) Hello. Yeah, it's go (00:35:26) ahead Dale. Carnegie hadn't considered that I (00:35:32) don't know if you're being critical of my speaking style or (00:35:35) not. You know, I've served in public office as an assistant in the city attorney's office and st. Paul from about 1971 until I was elected and and began my services state auditor and January of 1975. Then in the private sector now in the public sector again is as Treasurer. I feel very confident that I'm adequate public speaker and When the occasion arises perform my whatever is required in that context. (00:36:16) Okay, we'll take another caller. Go ahead please you're on the air. (00:36:19) Okay, I'd like to point out to you. Mr. Matson that Arne Carlson is an independent Republican. So it doesn't make sense to me that he's part of any so-called dfl Vendetta. But Arne Carlson is quoted as saying that when he took over your former constitutional office of state auditor, he found that administratively the agency was a total mess that it took something like four or five months just to straighten it out so that he could do the job he was elected to do and he said your laziness and inattention was a reason for this. Now. What I want to know is are you willing to go on record as saying that Arne Carlson is a (00:36:56) liar. Let me respond to a couple of ways first. I thought I record is in the auditor's office was outstanding. We assume that office right after a major reorganization had taken place and inherited a new a new staff of approximately a hundred and a hundred twenty-five professional examiners. I think we perform very very well. And I think if you went to the real sources the the people who can who can describe the service that that office performed its to the local officials with whom our staff dealt on a regular basis and I'm confident with with the results there auditor Carlson. I can't speak as to the job he's doing I think for him to to ascribe that the office was a mess is really unfair to those professionals many of whom still work for him. In fact most of them do and I think it's unfair to drag the the Classified Professionals in the in-state serving and state government through the obvious political gutter to the extent that that auditor Carlson is done that it didn't sake let's blaming them for this (00:38:16) one when we let him. Mr. Matson answer that (00:38:19) let me let me let me again finish you have to also put that statement into context Carlson is made statements publicly and privately and and does have a desire. In fact entertained the thought of running for governor. He's he's obviously looking at higher political office. I have proposed an amendment which would have the effect of abolishing his office as well as mine and that I think that's an untenable situation that he seems to find himself in. That he's going to have to defend defend not his performance in office, but the necessity for an office in that structure at a time when he may be aspiring to higher office and obviously life would be much easier for our auditor Carlson in that context. If I were either out of office resigned from office or the Constitutional Amendment that I proposed doesn't receive considered serious consideration. And so I would label his statement is political in nature and not not based on substance or (00:39:31) Merit its 21 minutes before one o'clock Central Time were listening and speaking today with State Treasurer Bob Matson. We have another telephone call or waiting. Go ahead please you're on the (00:39:40) air. Thanks. I just want to express the frustration of a listener who's not involved in politics and hasn't really been involved in this issue in terms of being concerned about it. But I I just feel that The mr. Madsen is being unresponsive to some very direct and very simple questions. And you know, how how much he in the office? What do you do? How much of the time are you in Florida? I realized there's litigation but I think you could be responsive and I it seems to me you're just throwing up (00:40:10) smokescreens. That's an interpretation that you certainly entitled to is a collar. I don't think I can answer any more specifically at this point in time than I already have in terms of of you know in recent performance in the office. My family moved here in June. I've been here since the earlier part of June and will be here full time except for some brief occasions when I will have to go back to Florida. I understand that I've my house is now been sold and that'll have to go down and close and and do that kind of thing and I'll you know, that's just part of that's part of the situation that I was And when I ran it's a situation that was fully disclosed and it's a situation that I've talked about since the first of the year and I guess by the show continue to have to talk about today. (00:41:05) We've got lots of callers waiting to speak with State Treasurer Bob Matson. Go ahead, please you're on the (00:41:10) air good afternoon years ago. I read a sobering statement that we get the politicians we deserve I've often thought of that over the years. I have two questions first. I'd like you to comment on your business partner in Naples, Florida Michael Gibbs. I know people in Naples who feel that he may be a big money man in the drug trade and I know that he's been indicted on felony charges having to do with gambling. I'd like to hear your comments on that. Secondly. I remember about 15 years ago that a former Illinois State Treasurer died and they found over a million dollars in cash in shoebox. In his hotel room in Chicago, I'd like you to comment on the Integrity of the State Treasury. How can the people of Minnesota be sure that you are not reading the state treasury for your own purposes. (00:42:06) Definitely dancer. It's (00:42:07) an easy one. Obviously, that's simply not true for about 10 months of every twelve month period we have the examiners present in the office from the legislative audit staff examining various areas of the office. That's true today. It's been true through all of my predecessors and to my knowledge. There's never been a question or a problem about any of the elected Treasures in the state of Minnesota and any problem of of that type. And I just don't believe that to be the case and the examination certainly proves it in terms of of the kind of suggestion that you made with respect to a former partner of mine. I can't I can't respond any any other way than to say that I would be shocked if it were if it were true don't believe it to be true. And I think it's it's terribly unfair to an individual for someone to call in on an open show when you don't have any control over what might be said and to make that kind of accusation against an individual based on what somebody else may or may not have made thought or said without the person being here to defend himself and it's the kind of thing. That's that it is almost impossible to defend yourself against (00:43:31) Okay, we have other callers waiting. Go ahead please you're on the (00:43:34) air. Yeah, her statement that that whenever you stick your head above the crowd you got to be willing to take a couple tomatoes and you know, I hear a lot of criticism in that and I guess that's all fine and good but there's never been a statue, you know, erect to a Critic I guess if you you know go back and that's a time we kind of live in you know, where a criticisms really come out and I just admire you for the controversial position. You've you've taken just because I know that alone is going to bring out a lot of good and my question I guess involves more of a I guess I'm saying my eyes to today but my question involves, you know, how are you individually handle the controversy? I'm curious as to that and how you know, you you handle it amidst all that with your family and things and I just trust that the good Lord will strengthen you to see this to (00:44:28) completion. appreciate that When you have adopted a critics role in when there is no organized support for the position there is not an institution or a or a committee or a political party or whatever to immediately support it and to lend credibility to it. It does become a more difficult process. But out of this controversy there obviously, there's an opportunity for me. Obviously they have to answer the criticism but also a chance to talk about the merits of what I'm talking about and I feel confident that basic good judgment good sense of the people of Minnesota and a sense of fairness will prevail and it's in that hope that I have to place all of my trust. And I'm certainly willing to and want to live by the judgments of of the people of this (00:45:37) state. Another caller is waiting. Go ahead please you're on the (00:45:40) air. Yes. Mr. Madsen seems to me that despite your complaint about the electoral process you were in fact elected to serve the people of this state in that capacity as such it seems to me that you owe the state the most and not the least of which you are capable and as that just seems to me the real issue here is a breach of the public trust and as such I think you ought to resign. Thank you. (00:46:02) Care to comment on that (00:46:04) obviously there are others who have felt the same way. And again, I would suggest that in many in many ways. It would probably be easier for me personally to choose that option. It's not one that I choose because I think we've drawn the issue now and for me to resign we're going back to business as usual and I don't think I think a lot of people would be disappointed if that were the case and obviously we're going to we're going to continue on the same course. We're on (00:46:38) other callers waiting. Go ahead, please mr. Madsen's waiting for your question. (00:46:42) Hello. Yes. You're on the air. Okay, I'd like to ask two questions as a person who has been active in dfl politics and still is active and efl politics one is it not true that some form of endorsement system is necessary to find ways. Find a way in which people with neither name nor money can run for public office. That's the first question and the second question is I think that most of the antagonisms. Mr. Matson in the dfl is related to not who he is, but the way he's conducted himself in terms of the types of campaigns. He's run and who he's run against and how he's respond to those two questions. (00:47:25) Well on the second Point that's a difficult one to respond to because the major criticism of my last campaign was that I didn't run hard against enough against my opponents. It's the first time I've heard anybody criticizes opponent for not spending enough money or not doing the kinds of campaign things that many think you ought to be doing I think in terms of your first concern name identification and money we spent the smallest amount of money of any Statewide candidate. I think we raised a total of $200 both unsolicited contributions from persons to whom I couldn't return the money without creating some embarrassment for them. So it's not necessary to have a lot of money. The endorsement process is an expensive process and it probably has the effect of dissuading more good candidates from running than a concern about lack of money at in the actual campaign prior to election candidate to run for under the endorsement system today has to start a year or better early has to run almost full-time has to travel the entire State at would have a very difficult time holding outside employment unless it was public employment or would have to be independently wealthy so that they could afford to to run full-time and whereas in a primary situation you've the filings occur in July and you only have to run until September and it's much easier to take time out to finance that kind of campaign and far more preferable. Way of conducting things in terms of name. That's something that's is a common kind of accusation that those who might lose with a candidate in the election blame the name identification of the other that's ones candidate one candidates own fault and not properly identifying himself prior to election and in my case, obviously, my name was well-known. But so we're the names of most of the others who were running primary and general election campaigns and I just don't believe the public responds. I think it's a far overstated issue that name identification. Is that important in the election? I think I think you're short changing the voting public when you conclude that. (00:50:24) Okay. We're Hang up on ten minutes to 1:00 o'clock Central time. If you'd like to speak with State Treasurer Bob mats in the Twin Cities number is 2276 thousand outside the Twin Cities, but with in Minnesota, you can call 1-800-695-1418 or waiting go ahead you're on the air (00:50:43) sir. I'm calling from Hutchinson and mr. Matson. I can't say whether or not I agree with your tactics, but I would certainly say that if you are even 10% successful in dismantling some of the top heavy bureaucracy that exist in st. Paul and in dismantling some of the ineffective politics that goes on in the party system. I would be as a taxpayer very happy to continue your salary let you live in Florida for the rest of your life. (00:51:19) Any comment on that (00:51:20) I appreciate the (00:51:21) comment. Okay, take another caller. Go ahead. You're on the air. (00:51:25) Oh, I'm calling from St. Paul. I have question for mr. Matson. The Republican party has raised the question of whether mr. Matson was a legal resident of Minnesota when he filed for office question. I wanted to ask was whether mr. Matson would be willing to open up to the Press is State Minnesota state income tax return and his federal income tax return as evidence that he had been paying taxes in Minnesota and is evidence that he was a indeed a resident in 1982. (00:52:01) Let me respond in this way. You know this matter is in the courts and I've been I've been asked my my own attorneys to exercise restraint in commenting publicly about any of the issues raised by the litigation. There are requests for documents some of which are clearly relevant and some which are clearly are not relevant to the issue of residency all of the documents which which will be necessary to be produced and which will prove my contention of residency will be produced in this litigation documents that are clearly irrelevant, but are just part of a republican effort to to be disruptive as to me and to occupy my time under the guise of a seriously Sued, when in fact, it is not will likely be not be produced unless there's some overriding public reason why they why they might be and so you know with that General answer try to be responsive in the context of a (00:53:26) litigation. I understand you have to exercise restraint in this kind of litigation. How about releasing tax returns to the members of the media? (00:53:36) if I will live by any standard that we would apply equally across the board to all elected officials. If a determinate determination is made by the legislature and a law passed that would require any kind of record or any kind of disclosure. I'd certainly comply with that. I don't think that I is one of over 200 serving and State offices ought to be asked to meet any other standard and it certainly isn't a problem for me but it's certainly a bad precedent. (00:54:17) Okay. We're only going to have time for a couple more questions. So please try to keep the questions brief and we'll try to keep it brief on this end. Go ahead, please you're on the air. (00:54:25) Am I on there now? Yes, you are. Go ahead sir. (00:54:29) Yes, the Lord to Minnesota. You would like to State constitutional officers. Simply one that involved your personal supervision. office on the regular and a personal basis you have taken license to do. Otherwise, they Board of investment duties alone called for more time on the job and you have seen fit to apply regardless of having a professional service provided you in that capacity (00:54:55) and you make your question brief, sir (00:54:57) taking advantage of a popular name on the ballot and cashed in on the (00:55:00) circle. Can you ask your question, (00:55:02) sir? What have you got to say about what I've (00:55:04) said? I think we've repeated or covered most of that area. Maybe not in enough detail as to the last statement, which was that I have by your words cashed in on a famous name or a popular name. You know what, you know, I've run in several elections often it suggestion that suggested that I ran on my father's name when in fact he while he served as Attorney General of the state. He did not he was appointed. He did not seek election and and and and in fact never ran in a Statewide race for attorney general the first race ever by a Matson was in 1970 in a race that Iran so I don't I don't think that the statement is correct that it's that I cashed in on a popular (00:56:04) political name. Okay, we have time for one more question. Go ahead, please you're on the (00:56:09) air. Yes. You've not been in your office much by your own admission. You said that Joan grow is out campaigning five days a week. Skip Humphrey has been an extended media trip of Europe and the Middle East Governor purpose has recently been in Atlanta and York my question is do any of the dfl office holders go to their offices to work (00:56:32) I think I think you have to distinguish by the reasons for absence and the length of absences I can speak as to my own conduct and have and the others have to speak as to their own. I don't have any information other than what you have and we read that in the through the media. I know that on two occasions, we had to cancel investment board meetings because Republican Carlson was out of the state. They can one occasion out of the country. So where those absences occur? I don't think you can describe them to any particular political party. Do (00:57:12) you intend to run for office again? (00:57:13) I feel comfortable that I probably run my last race, but, you know obviously wouldn't foreclose that possibility, but it doesn't it. It isn't something that I aspire to or have any burning desire to do again (00:57:28) the time is coming up on three minutes before one o'clock Central Time. Thanks to Dorothy Hanford. We can't take any more calls. Thanks for handling that call Traffic Roger Jamal in the studio. And our thanks also to State Treasurer Bob Matson who sat with us for an hour to take questions back to you Lee.