Good afternoon, and welcome back to mid-day on Minnesota Public Radio. I'm Gary acting Governor. Jesse Ventura, sat down with legislative leaders Rodger mall and Steve swiggum yesterday trying to reach some broad agreement on how the legislative session is going to come to an end. The legislature is required by the state constitution the finishes work on May 17th, just 11 days from now and most of the major work of the session is still left to be done there still no agreement on a tax bill no agreement on education Bill no agreement on Transportation including Light Rail. No agreement want to do with all that tobacco money. And as you heard during the newscast campers, maybe fraying just a little bit in terms of tax negotiation education in the rest.So there is indeed lots Long a lot left to do between now and May 17th and joining us this hour from the state capitol Senate Majority Leader Rodger mall and house Speaker Steve's like to discuss just how they see those issues getting resolved and take your questions as well. Let me give you the phone number here. If you'd like to join. Our conversation will be talking with the legislative leaders. And if you have a call a question here in the Twin Cities, 651-227-6000. 651-227-6080 calling from outside the Twin Cities. You can reach us toll-free at 1-800 +242-282-865-1227 6000 or 1 802-422-8028. Now understand the legislative leaders have been delayed for just a couple of minutes. And so while we're waiting them waiting for them to actually get to our Capital Bureau get in the seats get ready to field your questions. Let me run down some of the things that Governor Jesse Ventura has outlined in terms of his top priorities. He's come up with a list of a five. Priorities things he wants done sales tax rebate and both the house and the Senate have essentially agreed on the tax rebate issue. Although it hasn't been formally approved yet Governor. Jesse Ventura has also indicated that education would be a top priority for him the education Bill including money to reduce class sizes across the state of Minnesota and to at least shift some of the burden of paying for special education programs onto the state. It's been charged that too much of the regular general education budget has been shifted over to pay for special education project. So that's another one of the governor's priorities. He's also indicated that light rail Transit is one of his top priorities. There's a proposal to set aside and other 60 million dollars in state money to help pay for the proposed light rail line that would run along the highway at Hiawatha Avenue in Minneapolis from Downtown Minneapolis out to the Mall of America. The house has passed the transportation bill that does not include any money for light rail Transit supporters say that it's important that the state actually approve that the expenditure this year so that the state can take advantage of some federal funding for light rail Transit. So that's another one of the governor's private priorities. He is also addressed the issue of permanent tax cuts. The tax issue has come down and essentially two elements won the tax rebate rebate of the Surplus and then there has been ongoing discussion about a permanent tax cut to prevent further surpluses future surpluses. The house has passed a wide-ranging income tax bill that would cut all three tax brackets in the state of Minnesota Senate is also passed the income tax cut but it would not cut taxes for the highest income earners in the state of Minnesota. The governor has been particularly critical of the house bill as you heard during the newscast. He's participating in a forum today are recalling what happened back in 1978-79 when the legislature passed sweeping tax cut program. And the state then went into a recession the state economy went into a recession many many. Special sessions ensued trying to patch up the hole in the budget and the governor and the Senate. Do you have others for that matter have charged that the house bill much larger in terms of a permanent tax. The house bill being talked about this year would recreate that circumstance House. Republicans are Furious about those charges. They say they're bad their budget is balanced that unlike the old is the state now has a big budget Reserve to fall back on and that their budget is in fact balance so that it promises to be a big item of contention. And then finally there's the issue of what to do with the tobacco money the one-time. Tobacco money about 1.3 billion dollars House. Republicans have said that that money should be included in the big tax cut that they're talking about the governor for his part has proposed a series of endowments specifically much of the money would be put into a family's found. One which would pay for programs to help families become self-sufficient in the state of Minnesota critics have said that the state is so should not be in the business of setting up such endowments that the money should be returned as part of the Surplus issue. So those are the governor is top priority. So sales tax rebate education Light Rail Transit permanent tax cuts and what to do with the tobacco money. We are waiting for our legislative leaders to show up in the meanwhile Mike Mulcahy or senior political editor hamster showing up here in the studio. I'm trying to help you out Dairy while I appreciate your joining us as we have ample on here, maybe Mister mellow and Mister swag tomorrow in deep meetings, even as we speak trying to resolve some of these naughty issues. I think that Rodger Moore was over at the governor's event at the History Center that you mention the governor talking to Governor Al quie about the budget crisis back in the early 1980s. And of course I Governor Ventura trying to make a point there to the House Republicans not to cut the taxes as much as they've suggested and the big fight there is coming over that top bracket the highest income earners in the state of the Republicans want to cut the top bracket to the governor and the Democrats in the Senate have been resistant to that. They say that the Republicans are using some of that one time tobacco money to make that cut and if they do that it creates budget problems five years down the road some of the Republicans this morning. The Republican leaders have been saying well the governor expects us to balance a budget five years out. Why doesn't he share some of his numbers with us and let us know exactly what he's talking about and exactly what his concerns are instead of having these a PR events over at the History Center. So things are not going swimmingly right now and in terms of trying to come up with an agreement on the tax bill and Still time though and then we'll see what happens if they are out. In fact over at the Minnesota History Center apparently appearing on TV even as we speak. So maybe negotiations are being done in public on the air. I doubt it. I think you should look for a you know, what the governor met with Rodger Mullins things to him yesterday at the Mansion. I think you should look for those kind of meetings behind closed doors to get resolved to get some of this resolved. And of course the problem is with the other budget bills. They can't really make progress on their issues until there is a resolution to that tax cut because that ties up so much of the money that nobody else is free to to get their deals done. So that's that's another thing that's holding up progress. Love to get you involved in our conversation here. Michael Kay. He is stop by and presumably will be hearing a soon from our legislative leadership. But in the meanwhile Mike's here to talk a little bit about where we stand in these big issues as the legislative session. Starts to draw to a close love to hear from you. Give us a call here in terms of what you see is the top priority is that the legislature should resolve how you'd like to see some of those big issues resolved taxes education in the rest. 651-227-6006. 51227 6000. I'll try the Twin Cities one. 800-242-2828 Mike before we get to our callers. I do want to hear you've seen a good many of these legislative sessions. And of course, there's always seems to be hand-wringing. Well, the legislature isn't doing anything and they're bogged down and and will they get done Knoll Rd? And of course, we're hearing that talk again this year. Is there anything materially different welded the biggest difference? Of course, as you have a governor this time who doesn't have any members of his own party in the legislature which throws out the whole new element into it. You also have the Republicans in control of the house the Democrats in control of the Senate that makes it a little more difficult and then you I have this huge budget surplus out there that everybody wants a little piece of and everybody setting themselves up for the next election and and how they're going to position themselves going into that which is a very important election because it sets up the redistricting process and that's what's making this one particularly complex and and frankly with this three-way government. We have now Reform Party Democrat and Republican. Nobody quite knows how it's supposed to work out. But I think once you get beyond that, it seems to be fairly similar to to some of the other sessions that always taxes and education seem to be the the issues that hold things up. And as I say this two weeks at the end of the session, it seems like a short amount of time, but when you're up there at least it as I was up there trying to follow it and I assume it's the same for the people who are involved in it the time just seems to stretch in that last 2 weeks seems as long or longer than all of the rest of the session leading up to And so there's an awful lot of work. They can get done in the in the next couple of weeks. I think it's too early at this point to say that we're headed for some kind of a train wreck or that they'll be a special session. And I guess the other thing there is after Arne Carlson the special session done. So special anymore almost got used to him at the end of The Carlson Administration all speakers. Steve swag made it now to our state capital Bureau and a good afternoon, mr. Speaker. Well, we need to turn the speaker swaggins mic on I think. Not very well, sir. I know I can't hear you either. We got the center mall here to yes. I I finally made it. Sorry. I'm a little late. No problem. No problem. We'll get the speaker swaggins Mike situation squared away mean while Senator ammo what about the all the hand-wringing that we've been hearing? Oh gosh. You guys just can't get your work done. And the whole thing is falling apart world is coming to an end. And that's not true as it would just simply suggest Don't Panic we are in the final stages of the session and we are basically trying to figure out the the numbers on the appropriation side the numbers for the tax cut the reserve it's in all of the take all of the major pieces of the budget than you can't really look at one independent of the other and so you have to work on them together and that's what we've been doing. We've been trying to show some flexibility so that everybody can walk Play from this and say that we had a good session speaker swiggum. How is this tax the income tax permanent income tax cut issue going to get resolved. I am I coming through. Yes, you are. So right. How's it going to get resolved? Will it be part of the negotiations are taking place right now with the with the Senate Majority Leader with the governor in regards to questions of what other taxes are in the mix, you know are we can include some some sick tax elimination is a property tax changes the marriage penalty elimination. It was all in that say mixed with again Decor suspending items. You can dramatically increase spending and also have a substantial tax cut both. It doesn't quite work with the numbers that are available. So you have to be able to show some Prudence from this pain inside as well. I would I would hope at the end of the day that that we're going to see a very significant permanent tax cut. That every a Minnesotan taxpayer family is going to be able to enjoy your going to stick to wanting to cut all three brackets. Right? Well that's certainly are Bill and the end very honestly, that's the bill that passed the House of Representatives 129 to one very very bipartisan. I mean, this is a very bipartisan effort that Bill had a remember correctly a half a percent of the low and cut 1% of the middle and at the middle income tax payer a half a percent at the high end. So it was really really aimed at middle income tax payers at the the middle income tax payers in the state with a half and bottom half of the high-end and I passed 129 to one. I can't imagine getting a much much more bipartisan effort in order to try to address the problem of over Taxation and 129 to 100. Do you think ultimately you're going to be the Sun is going to be able to accept cutting all three tax rates including the one for the upper income pulse? Well against you have to keep in mind that any time you cut the first year. On the income tax everybody gets an income tax cut. I think that's the that's the misunderstanding people have on the income taxes. The proposals have been as you know, we have an income tax rates of 6% 8% 8 1/2 % If you cut the 6% rate, it has an impact all the way through to every taxpayer. If you cut the second tear it only affects those above. From the second chair and up. So again. The 8% would get a cut and the eight and a half percent would get a cut. If you go to the eight and a half percent bracket and cut that then it's just those who are in that particular chair, which is about 6% of the taxpayers. So no question about it the the the Cornerstone for both but I think for all three of the governor for the house in the Senate is the income tax cut for all income tax payers. We can argue the degree we can argue who should benefit but in terms of the overall tax side of the equation that is a single biggest factor in all three of the bills at all in the in the house bill and the Senate bill as well as in the governor's suggestion, obviously the house and the Senate we also have some other components that we feel strongly about I think both the house and the Senate feel strongly that we have to do something about farmers in terms of their property taxes as well as starting some ports homeowner. Ibis Senator does some on the motor vehicle license tabs, for instance. We reduce those some so there are pieces that are different but the the the Cornerstone a bowl of all of the plans happen to be income tax reductions for all income tax payers total size of the tax packages do different does differ rather significantly, of course the house package much larger than the Senate package the governor $17 up charge. The house bill is irresponsible Republicans in the house. They know it isn't that we have a balanced plan here. We can afford this we being the state gentleman who should taxpayers of residents believe since we're not Economist. So, how can we sort out who who's right on that one? Go ahead see Rodger and I can't see each other here. We have a TV to a manager between this week and see who is this who's speaking but that could I be so bold as to say they should leave the house. What's the obviously we have a budget is balanced and not only in the next biennium but in the biennium beyond that is well, we are we are have a balanced budget that increases spending for Education that provides substantial tax cuts that tax cuts different actually as is a butt about a 1.1 billion dollar difference at the house tax got there that passed again 129 to one is about the 2.3 billion 2.2 billion and change and the Senate the tax reduction is about 1.2 billion to have proximity pretty close to that. So there's about a billion dollars in change to a different song. I really believe that we're going to be able to work out any differences. So, you know, obviously it means that we can't spend this much in other areas if we Allow the citizens attack Bears the families to have more their own money back their MO. Well the speaker and he didn't say anything that I would I would say that he's false on I would just say that he didn't quite tell you as they say all of the story the fact that matter is that what did the fundamental difference between the house and the Senate bill is that the house takes one time Revenue the state gets and the biggest chunk of the one-time revenue is the tobacco settlement money and they build that into their permanent tax cut. They sent it does not do that. We set aside the tobacco money and we we don't spend it. We don't use it for tax cuts. We set it aside. We hope to take the interest earnings off of that 960 + million dollars and to use that for keeping kids from smoking and for Medical Education and Research. And that's the fundamental difference where what the speaker didn't tell you is. Yes, you can balance this budget this up coming biennium and the biennium after that but it's the biennium starting after that again when the one-time money stops and I think the Prudence would tell you you don't use one-time Revenue that the state's going to get one time and build it into either a permanent expenditure or a permanent tax cut speaker. So I know you have to leave to gabo the house to order but a quick comment on on the long-term implications of using this one-time tax. Tobacco money. The long-term implications are that is the people's money. Be back in the hands of the people in the State of the State of Minnesota the premise underlying the word premise of the lawsuit was its citizens is overpaid tax payers in / fade. So we think it's important to get those monies back to the taxpayers into their hands as opposed to maybe you're building up more programs are slush funds to bring up to build up more. Armoire State programs. I will honestly tell you from acid from a Cooperative standpoint that there will be compromises it will be quite operational takes place. And and I think that's the bipartisan effort that took place in the house that will take place between the house and the Senate is well without that and that's certainly what the people of the state of in asking for is that bipartisan effort? You don't we come to gridlock but I'll just guarantee agree that we will not have gridlock. I will guarantee you that by the the end of the days by the end of the week that MIT Center for mowing myself Belen Durst and that there are differences, but we can live with each other's differences and will be able to reach across the sand and shake each other's hand. Okay. Why don't I know you have to go gamble the house to order will catch up on some news headlines in the meanwhile, we've got a lot of colors lined up here with questions for a house Speaker Steve so I can set up a joy to Rodger Mall will get to those collars in just a couple of minutes as well. But right now News headlines here is Karen Louise Booth Karen. Well apparently were hacked except technical difficulties with that as well. Let me give me the weather forecast are very briefly showers are forecast along with some thunder showers across the state today with highs upper 50s to the middle 60s rain, maybe some thunder showers tonight as well as 45 to 55 more rain tomorrow with highs primarily in the fifties when City forecast occasional showers may be a thunderstorm with a high mid to Upper 50s rain is likely in the cities tonight with a low in the upper 40s rain tomorrow at a high in the 50s. Well, let's go back to the state. Capitol Senate Majority Leader Rodger most standing by to take some questions. Okay senator from our listeners. Sure. Be happy on your question, please. Well, it's somewhat in the art of a comment but what gets lost in this discussion is but one of the reasons that Minnesota has is such an outrageously High tax state is we just have way too many programs and we spend too much money. But secondly when it comes to tax relief I noticed how carefully mr. Moe and people of his ilk avoid the fact that it is the the upper bracket. So to speak starts at an incredibly low number. I did a quick pull around our business here is about 46 people and only to do not qualify as quote wealthy minnesotans according to mister mellow and the other is that it gets lost in the shuffle that the top 5 or 6% of taxpayers that he talked about are already in tremendously overburdened disproportionately in handle about the Tiber call over 50% of the state's Revenue South getting tax relief to people who hardly pay any taxes in the first place is not a particularly tenable position in my area. I have to Mission Inn in finally there. I'm very disturbed by mr. Most seemingly almost antipathy towards anyone who makes more than $20,000 a year. I just like your comments. Well, I'm sure the gentleman is entitled to his opinion. Unfortunately, they're wrong. I believe me. I think that everybody should have it in contacts. Based upon the revenues that we have today and let me again repeat what I said earlier. If you cut the first year everybody gets an income tax cut if you cut the second-tier everybody from the second-tier and up in terms of income get a tax cut if you cut the third chair then just those in that third tier get the income tax cut. So even if we are talking about just cutting the lower the lower-tier everybody would get an income tax cat. We're not we're talking about cutting first year. The second-tier expanding the brackets are which I think address is some of the concerns that he has indicated no question about I listen I fully understand that it's not unusual in this state anymore for people since many households have both the husband and wife working. It's not it's probably very usual across the state to have that 70 80 90 $120,000 incomes. And that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to Target our tax relief towards middle-income people. So I don't I just want the gentleman rest assured that was all the way through the system will get an income tax cut the point of that that I think we have to look at is that not all of the Surplus is coming from the income tax. Actually only about 40% comes from income taxes and I might add that a big chunk of that. This that that that we're dealing with has to do with capital gains and I I would suggest that that I'm sure that the person who called would offer that it's probably not wise to base any kind of tax policy on when people take capital gains, but certainly that is contributed to the revenues of the state but I again point out that the income tax is about 40% of the revenues or a little bit less than what we get. So you have to also calculate the excise taxes in the sales taxes. And again, I think that that cuts across all people at all income brackets. And so what we're trying to do is to try to figure out a balance plan that gets tax relief to Middle income tax payers in the state general not to get too technical here, but in terms of the of the three tax rates that we currently have If you if you just change one or two of them don't you don't you change the relative amounts that people are paying him. The relationship a11 brackets are one rates of the next to the next and if we've got a nice system now relatively speaking by just changing one or two, don't you kind of get that out of whack? Based upon if you if you stick with the the brackets that we have now when you look at the income tax system, you have to look at both the rake you pay but also wear that rake is applied. In other words the brackets in the income levels, it goes to let me quickly add you could take today's existing. Bracket structure and apply a tax percentage reduction a rate reduction to all three brackets and you wouldn't get the kind of tax cut that that some of been proposed where you might be reduced one or two rates, but by scratching the brackets, you see that's all you can accomplish tax relief for different groups of people in different ways. And what we propose to do is both rate reductions as well as stretching of the brackets to include more people in those lower rates auto your question, please Well, I don't really have a question either. I guess. I've got a statement for the people down there. I hear very little discussion. I'm doing anything for the senior citizens here and we're retired been retired for several years already are car stays in the garage. Maybe three days in a row before we ever use it until I pay the same license fee is everybody else are medical costs are are horrible both iron. My wife had some medical problems and and the drug situation and medical costs or just skyrocketing my real estate taxes go up every year have for the last several years and they and there's never anything done. It seems like for senior citizens. In fact, I think the last time I got a fishing license about five years ago when I was already a senior citizen I ask why don't they have a fishing license for senior citizen? And I said, no I got to pay the same. Do I have to stay in my own home? But it's slowly breaking me here trying to pay the real estate taxes and everything else. Well again, I think our responsibility is to balance all generations and I would like to think that we have not ignored seniors in our state and I think the record would show otherwise as I indicated the Senate is proposing a reduction in the license tabs. I keep in mind as well that part of why we have higher tabs is to keep the gas tax down. We've not raise the gas tax since sometime in the mid-80s but no question about it. The other gentleman has has as I think a good point about the cost of license tabs, and we would like to see those lowered. We do have a portion of the tobacco money set aside in an endowment for senior drug programs again and expansion of the program that hat was started in the past as a way to help seniors pay their there are a high cost of prescription drugs, but I would suggest to him. He also complained to Congress part of the reason is that some states senior drug programs are covered under Medicare and in Minnesota. That's not the case and as it relates the property taxes again, the Senate tax bill has property tax relief we do it and I realize we do this from a general sense. And so I don't know where he's calling from that it all depends upon the taxing district your in your local school friendship you live in a school district that voted for a bond issued for new buildings that has an impact on your property taxes, but we will be putting enough into the tax bill that we hope will mitigate the increasing projected property taxes increases on a Statewide average again, I realized that some districts are treated differently based upon the local circumstances. Tamir question someone can tell us how much money is in the bank and how much interest that makes a year and my second question. Just how much do we have to have before we feel comfortable with that to really start giving back the money and I guess that's it. Tom raised two very good points and let me say that that's the irony of his I just came from a panel where we reminisced about what happened 20 years ago where we had a major tax cut too and that didn't have a reserve and then of course the the national economy economy slipped and Minnesota the experience the recession like the rest of the nation and we had those six special sessions in all kinds of budget problems that we've just now recently worked our way out of so the one of the big lessons out of that was to have a reasonable Reserve they will recommend a minimum of 5% our governor former Governor queasy this morning suggested that you try to get as close to 10% as possible. We will have a minimum of 5% probably around the 8% area by the time we get done with this Budget Inn Reserve. We have a cash-flow account which we have just to cover the the disbursements of the aid payments. Secondly a A budget reserve and then what we call and kind of an Asian flu account, but and that's well over a billion dollars considerably more than that. I'm watching it on a exact amount right now, but it's going to be close to I think by the time we get done with this but you will have somewhere around 8 % in reserve which they will say is is approved in the mouth and it and is that a big enough question then to to finance the the big tax the bigger tax cut that the House Republicans have been pushing for? Well again, if I mean to allow for the possibility that the economy would go south on it since we could accommodate it on a one-time basis because the reserve is a one-time account against are we replenish it every budget? So yes, it could it could handle that on a one-time basis, but then keep in mind you also have expenditures you have responsibilities to school districts and local government agency and the operations of our colleges and universities. So what a with the amount of the budget Reserve that we have today and projected for the upcoming biennium what that have been enough to handle the difficulties in the early 80s know I think that would have been with him out to about half of what would have been needed for that problem at that time. Next caller is from New York Mills Hank your question place. You can't figure that money. That's a one-time shot. And I don't think we have any of it in our conference yet. But as far as the rebate goes that they're talking about giving and I think everybody's for that has anybody figured out what the dollar amount for a dollar received on the cost of actually processing that rebate is and if I may add to that. Might it not be better to take that money and use it for some good purpose. I think most taxpayers would agree that getting a check in the mail is really nice. But unless it's going to eliminate the payments I have for the rest of my life, which is not going to do maybe being you have the money already putting you put it towards some good youth house Speaker Steve so I can welcome back you want to take those on will try to Gary. We got the house in session the house working and probably working better when I'm done a couple things. Maybe just responded quickly there either has been with monies received from the settlement payment already. We do have money Cindy quotes take offers already and substantial amount of the money being one time is substantial amount being permanent money is coming into the state over the over the next year's and we are going to do try at least in the house to get money back to taxpayers in one form or another. We think it's very To keep that some what are some of the dollars related anyway in a healthcare related area and when the tobacco settlement dollars come in and we are planning in the house set to eliminate the provider tax at six packs. Did you pay Hank when you go to the dentist or the doctor the dented the chiropractor optometrist to Everett? Maybe we're going to try to reel emanate that sick tax in healthcare related. Are you at the rebate dollars up? Obviously, you could say that you don't want him sent back to you. It's an over-payment of dollars are the cost. I think we built into the bill is about one-tenth of 1% little over $1000000 appropriated to the Department of Revenue to to contract to a bender to send the checks out. So it's less than one tenth of 1% to do the mechanics of getting the check back to the people. I know you folks are what is a real philosophical split over what to do with this. Time. Tobacco Money Center Mall of this idea of using some of the money to replace the healthcare provider tax. Is that a point that you guys can can agree to it is it does keep the money kind of in the health area and and would help out with a significant health program here in the state of Minnesota. Is that something the Senate could go along with assuming the house decided while we could we can live with a couple of the smaller endowment. I think you have to remember that there that the tobacco payments come into forms. There's the one-time front end loaded payment which started this year and will continue for the next 4 that adds up to a little over 1.3 billion dollars, then there's the annual Payment the state gets and I believe that starts in a year or two. If I'm not mistaken that it's Steve window next to the next year is the first payment then that ratchets up to about a little over two hundred 268 68 million dollars a year and it levels off and so no question about it. I don't think that it's I don't think it's wise to take one time money and to reduce attacks permanently regardless of what tax that is assuming you want to keep the program and as you know, the provider tax goes to finance the minnesotacare health insurance program. So if there's a way that we can look at the budget and and structurally figure out how to finance as we move down the road with the ongoing money. Certainly we're open to that. I don't think anybody is enthusiastic about the present provider tax and if there's another way to finance at I think we ought to be we will be open to it. As long as number one that we preserve the program because that program has been instrumental in keeping people from going on welfare, and it is help families transition off of welfare and secondly that it is structurally sound so that we can Finance it. Hankey. It just didn't go very quick in and I know that this is just need to be stated from our side that as we eliminate the the provider taxes we eliminate that Datsik tax, there is absolutely no intent zero intent to to step back from or not fund the men Care Program. OK Marlene is on the line from st. Paul of the question. Go ahead place. Marlene Yes, I have a question. You're on the air. I wanted address the profile of learning and I want to ask this question. Why are the House Republicans so against that profile all I've heard for the last 14 years is how they want accountability and high standards. And now I'm to the profile we have both and they want to throw it out. Please help me understand. Okay. Well, let me let me elaborate on Marlene's question and it seems to me that the house has voted essentially to eliminate the program Senate wants to make some significant changes in the existing profile of learning program is there. Are there any Statewide standards left in either approach seems to me that both programs would turn the actual standard back to local districts in one form or another and that we would lose that Statewide standard. Am I right about that? Well, there's a there's two parts of the graduation rule requirements graduation Sanders wanted to see accountability the testing now that is done in 3rd V 8th. And now in the house bill 11th grades that was some type of a national norm-referenced test and Marlena in the house bill that and I believe is well in the Senate bill that we keep that part intact the accountability the testing that the accountability for taxpayers and parents. There is a big horse disagreement as to the profile of learning and the performance packages to go along with it then and Marlene very, honestly, we have heard from people all over the state from Winona to Worthington to Warroad from from teachers in predominantly teachers and parents that are very very concerned about the direction. The profiles take us the additional paperwork the the in lieu of other teaching that takes place the busy work that is involved in some of these performance packages are just incredible and and you know, I at this time when you get such a strong strong Support group from from parents teachers and students saying that this profile learning is not the direction right direction go I think are yours are open Marlene and I think that we've reacted very responsibly to do what the teachers and what the parents are telling us, San Ramon. Both the House and Senate it made modifications and I'd like to think that the Senate has also responded to concerns that have been expressed about the sum of the the time time is consumed in some of the paperwork that's involved as well as keeping. I think the state has a legitimate responsibility and I think he needs to set high standards and at the same time the state also has a responsibility to adequately Fund in cooperation with local school district adequately fund public education and then we got to get out of their way and let them do it and hold them accountable and that's really kind of the overall plan. If you take a look at how the Senate is approached the modifications of the profiles which basically says fix them don't mix them and to adequately fund education. We have put in about $190 more than what the governor is recommended. We have repealed many of the mandates that local school districts complain about and we have testing in place where we are seeing some progress, but we want to see more so I think we have an overall strategy that is in keeping with where we want public education to go as we move into the twenty-first century when all is said and done gentlemen, will we have a show called high standard here? We have the basic skills test, of course, but will we have a high standard that applies across the state where everybody is diploma essentially will mean the same thing. What we're certainly going to have rigorous academic standards Gary the weather there develop locally from local teachers local school board members elected locally or whether develop with the top down. Yo a bureaucratic can wisdom of St. Paul out to local school district will be another question. But every school district is going to have rigorous academic standards developed either under under either bill, you need comparable standards. And that's what the Senate version does. You've got to have comparable standards are with the mobility of Children and Families these days. I think it's fairly obvious that you have to have some kind of comparability between districts and that's what the Senate version does. So no question about it. I think parents students teachers. I think the state demands our high standards because if we're going to remain competitive and this global economy, we need absolutely to have the high standards and that The best educated children Barb your question, please and also give an enormous cost of wider Road and more parking. I'm not to mention the negative environmental and quality of life impact of just accommodating more cars and more driving. Why hasn't the house allocated money for capital investment in light rail or in the metro area bus system. Well Barbara that I think that's two questions directed it at myself that this is Steve. We have increase the funding for transit in our house build a bar, but it is true. We have not included funding for light rail. There are many of us in the house to think like real is I will be nothing more than a very large white elephant. I don't think it's going to relieve our traffic and congestion at all. I don't think it's going to help that situation all in and I think it's also in very important that when we look at when you look at creating light rail system, I'd let you acknowledge. Which is not being done now by either the senate or by the governor's office. You acknowledge the cost of operating that system into the future, you know, if we're going to start talking about Tales of various programs are Terra berries tax cuts. There is a substantial subsidy Tale 2 to the light rail system. And at this point it doesn't seem to be acknowledged by the proponents of like real if money is included ultimately in a transportation bill for light rail. Will there be enough left over for a good strong and prove bus system and adequate Highway funding or are we robbing Peter to pay Paul here? Well, I better somewhat depend upon which Target we pick between the House and Senate the area and of course, you will hear different things from different people, you know that the roads and bridges people would like to have more money the trans people would like to have more money. And of course, there's like real I'd be catch as well know it all kind of works together or I will tell you that will have a very adequate funding package for Ford Transit and for roads and bridges. You have to balance Transportation needs across the state. That's how we that's all we've been able to get this done in the past and hopefully we can do it that way in the future roads and bridges are a transit system in some areas of the state good bus systems are the transit system. In other areas. I think that we have to have a balance and we also have to have some vision for us not to look ahead and to recognize that the congestion is getting worse here in this metropolitan area and that the cost of building freeways and expressways here is going to continue to be an escalating cost as well as controversial. I think you think that's so that's wrong on my part. So that's why the Senate has again continue the efforts to seriously look at this light rail transit system, which is a component of a multi-modal. Rotation system for this expanding metropolitan area. I think we have to seriously look at that commuter trains coming in from some of the major regional centers in to the suburbs on the light rail transit system. And then of course a very sophisticated bus transit system beyond that because it's fairly clear that we cannot continue to expand freeways and build roads here at that also has a long-term cost and serious obligation to the taxpayers. So I think we have to look into the 21st century and say, where is it? We want to be by the year 2010 twenty20 in order to accommodate what isn't expected to be growth in this area Light Rail Transit supporters have argued that one of the reasons legislature needs to move this year is because there is a lot of federal money at stake and we need to get in line for that Federal money would any state appropriation if there's going to be a state appropriation for light rail, would it be Change it on are receiving the federal money or would we would the state just go ahead and fun the light rail with or without the federal money? We would not do that agree on that. We're setting this the Senate ideas to set it aside and see if in fact there is a federal participation in all of this and if that doesn't come to pass then then obviously that wouldn't be spent in that area. One thing that has happened the last few legislative sessions is that the legislature gets involved in a fairly contentious debate over abortion-related amendments is that likely to occur again, this year are there are some amendments attached to the house Health and Human Services bill. I believe it is no comprable language in the Senate bills. Are we looking at a potential logjam there? Weather there's provisions of the Health and Human Service spell Gary that certainly have abortion related items on them that they were not added as amendments. They came forward in the bill out of committee. So they were there in committee on the house floor. They were in the bill. There are probably about five or six issues related to abortion and they're they're very moderate. By the way. These are not the radical Provisions talking about the abandoned on the procedure of partial birth abortion or someone reporting requirements and notification or the information right of people to know what they're not the radical by any means. In fact, I would guess if they're up very very moderate new 70% or so with the public there in the house bill. They're not in the Senate Bill that'll be left up to the conferees said to try to decide to say negotiate out. I'd suspect if there was four or five Provisions that at the ultimately then there be able to pay What countries get something one or two of the provisions probably have to Prevail or you don't satisfy both sides of the conference committee, San Ramon. Well again, I hike I hearken back to us the speaker's words when he first started the session that he wasn't going to get the house involved in some of those issues like that. But I obviously they can't resist and and also I might add that that his interpretation of mild language is not necessarily shared by all. So I just hope that you know, those issues should be dealt with separately and are not in the context of an appropriation Bill. We're by were trying to take care of the cost of nursing homes. Make sure that people who work in nursing homes get a decent pay increase taking care of that disabled and all of the rest. I I I would hope that we don't get bogged down in the and have those issues that are very controversial without a doubt tie up a very major appropriation bill that's important to the Health Care system of our state. Vibrates, that's fine. I was going to say we're just about out of time here, but I can't let you go without asking what's it like working with a governor here as the session draws to an end good discussions with the governor. Is he just tell you what he wants does he tell you what he wants I was at working out. Well, I know he's he's certainly tells us what he wants. I don't think there's any question about that had two good discussions good dialogue his administration. They're engaged on this budget. And what were we spent two hours in the governor's residence yesterday of the speaker myself in the governor discussing the different proposals and where we might be able to show some flexibility all of us listen to all three of us. We want this session to end an orderly note. We all realize that there has to be compromised all three of us share the same goals for the state. We wanted to be the best possible state to live in to work and raise a family. These are these are things we can accomplish in this last week and a half and so we're working towards resolving our differences speaker so I can well Gary certainly there has to be differences among state legislators in the governor of the very nature that we represent. Different people in that we represent different values and different functions of government your ass and begs it to be differences. But I think with the last couple days and having met with government turn out a couple times in the last couple days Inn and Rodger we're going to make sure that this try partisanship works. I know it means of it takes a lot of strength sometimes to compromise. It takes a lot of strength to to give in from one's position, but we're more than willing to do it from the house at 2 to work for the cooperation and we just have to make sure that the other Ventura is also willing to do that to know our cooperation is and I told I think the governor this if it wasn't yesterday was the day before cooperation is a two-way street. It's just not a one-way Street and and as long as that attitude prevails, we will prevail with a good package a good product for all citizens at the end of the session. Jesse Ventura action figures went on sale today. Can we look for mole and swiggum action figures soon at a store near us? It wouldn't be near a spot. Thanks so much for joining us guys. Thank you. Appreciate it. The legislative leaders Rodger Mall. Who is the Senate Majority Leader and house speakers Steve Swig of joining us this hour from the Minnesota state capitol, March 17th, which is just 11 days away now is the internment date for the legislature state constitution says legislature needs to be done with at work by 2:17. So lots of issues to go. And of course, we'll keep you posted here on Minnesota Public Radio as the legislative session draws to a close programming on Minnesota Public Radio is supported by the Pillsbury company Foundation caring for the community by giving kids a loving lift that doesn't for our mid-day program today like to thank all of you who've been weather snow shower, especially those of you who called in or tried to call in with your questions and comments. We do appreciate your your participation and we also would like to Got an invitation tomorrow we go on the road. Midday will head to Minneapolis downtown Minneapolis going to set up shop at the Crystal Court the IDS Center in downtown Minneapolis spokis for 2 hours on Minneapolis City issues. The mayor will be joining us Mary Sharon sayles Belton over the from 11 to noon. And then over the noon hour. We're going to be talking about Downtown Development will have nightlife tips. And if you can stop by the IDS, hope you can do that. Otherwise Jonas on the radio. Thanks tuning in today. It's Lynne Rossetto Kasper this week on The Splendid Table. We're learning how to do good by eating. Well, it's a movement called slow food joints That's The Splendid Table Saturday at 2 and Sunday at 7 on Minnesota Public Radio k n o w FM 91.1 Public Radio. We have a cloudy sky 54° at Contra W FM 91.1 Minneapolis. And st. Paul. There's a good chance for some rain may be a thunderstorm this afternoon with a high reaching the upper 50s occasional showers tonight with a low in the upper 40s and then rain tomorrow again in the cities with high in the upper 50s.