(00:00:08) Good morning, and welcome to midday in Minnesota Public Radio. I'm Gary eichten. Glad you could join us. Well chalk. Another one up for the governor. We can now add perfect timing to his resume with the wind chills hovering around 30 below. The governor is off to Florida for the rest of the week Governor. Jesse. Ventura will be speaking tomorrow in Tampa at a national conference on governmental ethics. And then on Friday as a couple of speeches plan to all the Minnesota expatriates living in Naples, Florida timing couldn't be better at least in terms of the weather. But before he heads out to the land of the presidential recount Governor Ventura is come by our Studios today to take your questions. So we do invite you to give us a call here six five. One two, two seven six thousand 6512276 thousand outside the Twin Cities. Our toll-free line is 1-800-222-8477 thousand or one eight hundred two, four two two eight two eight Governor. Thanks for coming in. Thank you. And please excuse me a little bit because I am fighting off for one of these horrible colds that you get in Minnesota at this time of the year, but you're right. You know, I had to laugh on your on your opening when you say timing because this trip we actually scheduled and booked about three months ago, you know, and you have no idea three months ago in September or August when you when you go ahead and book something like this of what the weather will be like, but you're right the timings perfect. I think to get out of here for a day or two now since you're headed to Florida, I have to ask what have you we haven't heard much comment from you on this continuing presidential Saga. What do you make of all well? I really haven't felt the need to comment on it. You know, I'm really I feel like every other citizen, you know, you you kind of held hostage by the situation if you want to use that terminology and you know, I did make the prediction months ago. I felt that one of them would win the electoral college and the other would In the popular vote and that's I had them flip-flop though. I actually thought Governor Bush would win the popular vote and that vice president Gore would win the electoral college because of Gore being able to win most of the big States, you know, the larger California New York and Pennsylvania, Michigan and all of those but it ended up the opposite but I was theoretically correct in what happened that that you know, the vice president won the popular vote and and the governor won the Electoral College and I guess what it does for me is it it does what I felt it should do and it's hopefully going to bring that up for a debate because to me it's very strange Gary that presidency is the only one where you can finish second and get the second amount of votes the second highest vote total and yet still win. There's no other election in America. You can do that on not being a mayor a city councilmember a county commissioner State Representative of governorís. Better a congressman all of those other elections. It's he who get he or she who gets the most votes wins except in the case of the presidency where I guess according to last count vice president Gore will finish about 250 to 300 thousand votes more than Governor Bush and yet will finish second in that. That's just strange to me how the system is set up. I mean, I'm not complaining. Those are the rules they both know it going in. It's decided by the electoral college, but I certainly hope it brings to the Forefront a good debate on whether we should still be using the Electoral College or should we use the popular vote given the unlikelihood that they'll actually change the electro car eliminate the Electoral College at such. What do you think about the idea of changing the way Minnesota allocates its electors, there's talk of perhaps apportioning them by congressional district rather than the winner-take-all system we have well again, Bring to the Forefront debates on all these fronts I think which is good. I think sometimes it's good to debate old policy. And obviously this is an old policy that dates way back to the time when our country was first formed and certainly we modernize we come forward in different ways with different ideas. And so I think it'll bring to the Forefront good solid debate and good solid talk on or maybe they should look at like people have talked about where when you go in to vote you pick your top three and then as each one of your candidates is eliminated your second choice, then moves forward to that Canada. It's going to it's going to make for some Lively good political discussions over the years to come. I think that's the positive we can really take out of this election, but you haven't taken a position yet on the cause. They're actually talking about introducing legislation to that effect here. No, I haven't I haven't yet, but I'll certainly entertain it. You know, I'll certainly look it over if they want to initiate it. I haven't though. I've had plenty more to do with the budget and all that. What about Speaking of the budget. What about writing a check to all the precincts in Minnesota? So they all have the updated new machines the election machines which at least would reduce the likelihood of these kind of snafus. Well again, it's a you know, that's something we should do in for the most part in Minnesota. We do have good election machines. We won't face the problems. I don't think that they face down and down in Florida. And if you notice that our recounts are not much different than our initial counts, when you watch them, you know in the certain aspects where there have been recounts. They have all come out relatively closer the same as the original count. So I think excuse me one pretty solid footing for elections here in Minnesota, but certainly we can always improve Governor. Jesse Ventura is our guest this hour and I'm not going to give you the phone number right now. I will give you the phone number but don't call because all of our lines are already taken but give us a chance here to work our way down the list of callers and will Get your question on the air six, five one two two seven six thousand. That's our Twin City area number 6512276 thousand outside the Twin Cities one eight hundred two, four two two eight two eight. You know what you will be hit glad to hear though Gary. What's that? I'm not going to try to take away funding for public radio or television anymore. Why not? Well because I'll tell you why because I really have come to appreciate the job that you people do. I don't think it's necessarily fair. But I appreciate the fact that you stick to the issues that you don't personally attack people which I'm seeing more and more of that in the regular part of the media if I want to call them that it seems that it's getting too personal attacks. Now that it's getting down to things of that nature in the one thing. I want to compliment MPR on and and and and all the public stations that that are subsidized is that you all don't seem to do that you seem to stick to issues and you don't go after one's personal life and you don't go after cheap shots, and I appreciate that so I'll reward you know, but but you took a fella I don't want to get bogged down on this but I took what what appeared to be a philosophical position on this not just in terms of the marketplace, there's no reason that we should be getting State money. Yeah, whether we're doing a good job or a bad job. Yeah, that's true. But to me You're not getting that much and there seems to be a general cry that people like the idea of it. So, all right. Well, I'm off your back one part of the budget is settled. All right. Well, at least we think so. Nothing's ever totally safe Gary, but I'm not focusing on it at all. By the way, we just received word. Now, there's apparently some kind of an announcement expected out of the Florida state supreme court at about 11:30 are times. It will see what that's all about Linda. Go ahead with your question, please yes. Hi, I like MPR to but I don't like the fact that they get State money, but that's another issue. I guess that's what I'd like to say is that America is set up as a republic even though we are a democracy and I think that the governor so often doesn't think through the other side of the issue. I mean, he jumps to a conclusion and then he doesn't want to change afterwards because the Electoral College really prevents. Places like California New York and Florida from deciding who are president's going to be at so basic and how does it do that? Well, it does that because that's based upon pop. Yes, and and the Electoral College is based upon population. That's right. But do you want the most populous states deciding who is going to be president? Who's deciding it right now position is a little different. He supposed to represent America not just California New York and Florida. I mean give me a break you would never get anyone even coming to Minnesota and caring about our issues. If we didn't have the Electoral College that's running for president. Really, I guess I guess I'm a child then if you can insult me like that if you're going to insult me like that and say that any child can figure it out. Well then call me a child because it's based upon population. Why do you think if I were Going to run for president. Would I run in Wyoming or what I run in California? I'd run in California because California has 50 some electoral votes Wyoming has about three and so, you know this thing of the if then why don't we use this elect, you know to me and she didn't, you know, I guess she says I'm a child. Well, call me a child then but to me if you get the most votes you should win. You shouldn't you shouldn't be second to you know, the person that gets the second most votes shouldn't be the winner in my opinion. And to me the Electoral College it it's based upon an Antiquated old back. When you had Thirteen Colonies you had to ride on Horseback to deliver those votes wouldn't it? And again, this is not and she's entitled to her opinion, but she doesn't have to insult me because my opinion differs from hers. I personally feel the popular vote should decide the presidency. That's my opinion. I'm entitled to it and I don't need to be told that any child can figure it out because believe me there's a lot of adults out there that can't figure it out to Michael you feel Gary. Do you think the electoral college should be the decider popular vote? I'm not going to touch that with a ten-foot pole Governor why you don't want to get called a child if you if you say popular. No, I'm just the bus driver here. Ha ha. You're the guest Michael. Go ahead. Is it Jesse? Yes compliment. Yeah, you have a issue that I agree with you. So I appreciate that and why is that I'm calling regarding the what we are seeing as the increasing threats that I see from our Vikings and mr. Red McCombs and basically the force us to adhere to his goal of getting a new stadium in new Revenue. Can you restate your views on that? And then also talk a little bit regarding public financing for these types of facilities and I'll hang up and listen. Thanks. Well, my view is very simple. I think that we in when we invest public money into a public building we certainly ought to get more than 18 years out of that building. I don't think that anybody in government or anybody that that that works in this business of governing and using taxpayer dollars should invest into a building and build a building with the expectation that we only get 18 to 20 years out of that. Building I mean my old high school Roosevelt High School. Now I think is about 80 years old and I and there's nothing on the boards that say or nothing that I see in the future that they're going to build a new Roosevelt High School. My position is very simple the Minnesota Vikings and the National Football League when we built the Metrodome back in 1982. They signed a 30-year lease. They signed an agreement that they said they would occupy that building for 30 years. Alright that takes us to the year 2011. I feel that they should honor that lease and that and that if revenues are a problem then they should look at it internally. Why don't they raise ticket prices every game is sold out and yet you notice there that the first option is build a new stadium. Why is building a new stadium the first option why shouldn't raising ticket prices be an option if mr. McCombs isn't getting the revenue If he if he feels Is profit margin isn't as big as all the other owners that he should look internally within the league to do it first rather than to sit and say this stadium is no good after 20 years what guarantee do we have? If we build a new stadium that 20 years from now, they're not going to come back and say now we want another new one or will threaten to move again. I think as as people in the public Arena, we should fully expect that when we build a building we're building that building to get more than 20 years use out of it. Are you prepared to see the Vikings Lee? I'm here. I prepare. I'm prepared to go to court with him because my point is this if they break this lease then what good is any other least they're going to sign we could build them a new stadium. They could sign a 30-year lease and decide to move in three. What about then? We'd be stuck with this new stadium with no occupant in it. What about the idea that's been floated of some kind of a code. Up Cooperative Arrangement between the University of Minnesota many people at the you now want their own stadium back on campus and the Vikings. Well, it seems to me, you know, that's that's a nice wish list. They had a stadium on campus and decisions were made a few years ago that they were going to get rid of that stadium and they did. Well, they probably have to live with that decision for a little while. They have a Cooperative agreement right now at the Metrodome. Now, let me ask this question if we build a new stadium on campus for the Vikings and for the for the Gophers, what do we do with the Metrodome then bulldoze it? Do we just I mean, this is a stadium that is completely paid for it's only 18 years old. It's less. It's younger than my son and I consider my son even though he's 21 now to me. He's still a kid and the stadium is three years younger than he is. And that and is that the point then do I out do we have to build them new stadiums every 20 years to keep up with the Joneses. There's nothing wrong. We're in first place. We have the best record in pro football. We are unbeaten in the Metrodome. It seems to be that it's working pretty well. Hmm Mike, you're not up next your question for the governor. Hello? Yes, Mike. We've got some bad feedback problems make you question quick. I want to know what your proposed ideas are on this projected 1 billion dollar Surplus. That's come up in the news. Well, first of all, it's a law now that at June 30th if there is a surplus of real money not projection now projections are just predictions. That's what you base your future budgets on. But if there's an actual surplus of real dollars, you'll get another rebate check back this summer the same as that's in law now that if the government is collecting more than what it's that it's legislated for and more than what it needs to operate on then automatically the trigger mechanism mechanism is in place to return that money to you in the form of a rebate check next summer. I will be coming forward with my first real budget. That's my budget. You know the first budget you do. You've got your under the gun you've got about four to six weeks to put it together. So basically you go off your predecessor a lot you have to You have to base that budget on the budget of the governor prior to you for a great deal of it. But this budget is a budget that I've been working on now or my people have been working on it for the last six to eight months straight ever since the legislature went out of session last session. We've been working on the budget and you can expect I would tell you some substantial tax relief as well as tax reform hopefully, so the emphasis will be on cutting taxes as opposed to new spending. Yes. My focus is not on new spending my focus on government is this we should look at what we're doing right now and look at ways to improve how we're doing it not necessarily expand. What government does right now, I think in many cases government goes beyond what it's constitutionally supposed to do. It does seem though that there are many unmet needs in this state and part of the Surplus. Anyway has built up because of reduced expenditures. Especially on social services in the rest if the economy goes bad. Those are going to have to increase isn't there a need for some increase in spending in some areas there may be and that's what we'll look at will look at targeted need to where we feel that. It's that it is needed but expansion of programs. I'm going to be very reluctant to do that. There's I'm going to be hard convinced that we should be expanding into new program new social programs and new new because the tough thing about that Gary is once you expand and once you go out and create a new program, it has Tales to it, it lasts forever and ever and you end up paying for it for many many many years to come I think just because there's a budget surplus doesn't mean that that automatically gives people carte blanche to start increasing their spending. I think that's that's wrong. Also now you had talked about having the state essentially take over full finance and group K-12 education and then each District would be able to add on if they wished but the basics would be paid for by the state that would cost the better part of a billion dollars any idea where that money is going to come from. Well, we're looking at the sales tax right now. We pay one of the highest rates in the nation and yet our that the income we bring in from our sales taxes in the middle. And the reason is is because our sales tax is so narrowly scoped our sales tax is very unfair it Tha when it was when it was implemented the sales tax and what we're hoping to do to pick up the money for that. We're going to shift it off of the property tax roll, which will mean a third your property taxes will get cut about a third from what they are right now. You will pay a third less than what you pay right now. We want to shift that onto the sales tax to where your rate would actually drop from six and a half to maybe five and a half cents it would drop a penny but we To expand it out because when the sales tax was put in we were we were a state our economy was 60% Goods 40% Services. Well that's flip-flop. Now we are now an economy of 60% Services 40% goods and it's unfair what you have out there the way the services that are taxed or that fall under a sales tax. It's all based upon your lobbying power over at st. Paul whether you get taxed or not. It's who's got the best lobbyists who can be kept off while I don't believe that that's right. I believe that we all have to pay taxes and I believe most citizens accept that position but they want to feel that the taxing is fair now, how can you say the sales tax of services are fair when like lawn care services. If someone does your lawn and does landscaping and yard work for you they get taxed but yet lawyers don't Governor Jesse Ventura is our guest this our lots of callers on the line and let's pick up another question Here Charlie. Go ahead, please. Yeah. I have a question. The grocery industry is trying to push to get beer and wine put into grocery stores and just want to see his opinion on that that does look sort of kind of created to curb the proliferation of liquor and now the grocery industry wants to create more options for the car to get spread around. Well, it's a case of in many Most states. You can buy liquor in the grocery store. Minnesota is one of the few States and let's remember Minnesota also doesn't allow you to buy a car on Sunday. You know, we have a lot of strange when I consider kind of strange laws here, you know, call them blue laws, whatever you want to call them. But to me why should people I you know, I'm not necessarily in support or not support of it. I you know to me it's not a big issue whether whether liquor stores sell liquor or whether grocery stores, but I know in California you can you can go into the safe way and you can purchase anything you want. It's more like One-Stop shopping a little bit more more convenience for you. You can do it all in one place as opposed to having to stop twice to do it whether that's right for Minnesota or not. Well, we'll leave that up to the legislature. I'm not pushing it one way or the other. It's not high on my agenda in either form. But again, it's a case of out there in the in the in the private sector world. You know what should or should not be allowed to earn a living and do business. We're going to have to break here for news in a minute, but I needed to ask you tomorrow. You're going to be speaking at a Conference on governmental ethics at a time when you're being charged criticized for for what for taking the XFL job and tell me what ethics I violated Gary give me an example of what ethics I violated. Well there's a body of thought as you know that there is that it says what that as Governor, you know, I'm not allowed to earn any money. What about as a citizen because I become governor that means I lose my rights as a citizen. You know, I was taken to court on this and the courts clearly stated that I do not lose my rights because I become elected see there's a body of thought out there that to me goes beyond it goes to the very essence of our Constitution and our rights as a citizen, you know, I was elected because I was going to be different I was elected because I was reform-minded. I wanted to change the way we viewed government and the way it operated And yet when I try to do that I get criticized for it the very essence of why I was elected now, I guess they want me to be a status quo politician. Get elected on a reform agenda. But once you get elected become the status quo just become like any other politician. You know, what we need to be looking at if you want to talk ethic scary. Let's look at real ethics. I do everything. I do above board. I don't hide anything that I do did, you know right now that state legislators when they're not in session if they work as a consultant and they call themselves contract for hire. They don't even have to tell you who they work for. They could be working eight months out of the year for a lobbyist and they don't even have to tell you that and yet they could be carrying bills to support the lobbyists that they work for when they're not in session, but they're not even held accountable for who they work for in the other eight months of the year when they're not representing you and st. Paul. So I have I'm not sitting here at all feeling that I violated any ethics. I am a citizen of the United States of America First and And I'm entitled to All rights and privileges that all other citizens have in this country. But but what well you are according to any way to the attorney general you're covered by the same state ethics. Yeah, and what what ethic has been violated? Well, I don't know any ethic has been violated but there are none that have been violated but do you think know what is know what you're saying Gary? Is this then if if I'm if I'm a state employee then if I can't get a second job than neither can any other state employee? No, I think I think the criticism revolves around the fact that you're the governor and there are people who say that the reason you got this job is because you're the governor and the XFL in its early promotional materials made it pretty clear that they weren't hiring Jesse Ventura former radio talk show host or Jesse Ventura big white then why didn't they hire another Governor? Well, you're pretty good pretty interesting governor. No know why didn't they hire another? Governor because there's no Governor that has broadcast experience. What did I do before? I became governor? What was my job? Well, you're a radio announcer and what what did I do prior to that you did some sports and I did three years in the NFL didn't I I broadcast at three years in the National Football League. So you've got lost weight. Plus. I also had a working relationship of doing four to five years of Saturday night main event with NBC who dick ebersol as the president of NBC Sports now if they were simply looking for a governor, why did they come to me? They came to me because I have what it takes to broadcast football in my prior life and in my current life, but I have the ability to do it. Do you think you would have gotten the job if you hadn't been the governor of the state of Minnesota getting all the national publicity don't know. I don't know. What about the people who say well, you know that all that aside the fact you're getting paid for this and so on so for all that aside the so if I did it for free @ be okay. Now I said all of that aside, what about the criticism that Governor this is not something as a pretty tawdry deal and football. Well since when is football become tawdry, I always looked at it as our national game. It's the number one game in the country and now all of a sudden because I'm doing it. It's tawdry. Well, that's not the way they're selling the XFL though really will tell me. How many games have you seen Gary now that they're selling wait. Wait, how many games have you seen zero? Well, then shouldn't you wait and see one before you become judgmental and now let's talk about the NFL for a minute right before they go to station break. What do they usually zero in on cleavage? They usually zero in on the cheerleaders. Don't they in the National Football League? I watch it every weekend. I see it every weekend. I guess that's tawdry. So you if it does get kind of raunchy or you can walk away you're going to absolutely if I feel that it's that it's bringing any type of of bad connotation to my office of Governor. I'll walk away from it. And I've not been led to believe that what they've told me is that this is going to be good old-fashioned football like we used to play in the backyard, you know, exciting fun and having a good time and you can rest assured these players won't be playing for millions of dollars. They're going to play it For the Love of the Game Governor. Jesse Ventura is our guest this hour and let's look at some more calls here with questions for the governor and just a couple of minutes right now. Let's catch up on some news. Well before we get to the news little business to take care of I'm Juan Williams What If reporters always ask the questions on your mind, what if the media always listen to your ideas on NPR's Talk of the Nation we give you the chance to make sure that happens. We include your questions and comments as we discuss the issues of the day join us for the next Talk of the Nation from NPR news. Talk of the Nation begins at 1 o'clock here on Minnesota Public Radio financial support for our programming comes in part from the new and renewing members of Minnesota Public Radio. Now, it's time for news headlines read a Cunningham Greta. Good morning Gary this just in Florida Supreme Court is or during oral Arguments for Thursday on Al Gore's appeal of a judge's ruling yesterday. The state's High Court will be hearing Gore's appeal of a ruling that rejected. The gore camps challenges of George W. Bush's certified election victory in Florida. George W bush says, he's encouraged by recent court rulings and he's getting ready to seize the moment after the election is decided for says he's expecting to make Personnel announcement soon. But no cabinet appointments until after Al Gore's final legal challenges are over bushes and calling on Al Gore to can see the election. He says it's difficult decision for Gore to make bushes meeting today with his top National Security advisor Democratic vice presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman says the fate of the presidential election rests with the Florida Supreme. Court Lieberman spoke today on Capitol Hill on behalf of valcour the room and says he and Gore have always said that the final Arbiter of the election wouldn't be the candidates or even the Secretary of State of Florida, but that it would be the Florida Supreme Court Republican vice presidential candidate. Dick Cheney says, he and George W bush are ready to get on with the nation's business Cheney is meeting today with Republicans on Capitol Hill Federal Reserve chairman, Alan Greenspan expressed satisfaction today that the rate of economic growth is slowing to a more sustainable Pace, but he warned of the dangers posed to the economy from unexpected shocks Greenspan specifically mentioned the sharp Plunge in stock prices and the possibility this could cause a cutback in consumer and business spending. He also said Rising tensions in the Middle East could cause oil prices to Surge unexpectedly Greenspan made his comments at a banking conference in New York the forecast for Minnesota today calls for Sunshine and cold temperature Statewide highs today. Only reaching the single digits at this hour in Duluth. It's sunny and to below zero. Skies are clear word Rochester and one above and in the Twin Cities Sunshine a temperature of one above zero Gary. That's a look at the latest news. All right. Thanks Greta. It's 23 minutes before noon. This is midday on Minnesota Public Radio in our guests. This hour is Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura who's come by to take your calls and we do have lots of callers on the line with questions for the governor. So let's get back to the caller's Todd. You're next. Yeah. I want to applaud the governor on the efforts to shift at public education funding in the state question I have is why would we want to shift the actual vehicle you want to use property tax is a federally tax-deductible expense where stick or sales tax is not and and you have to your administration had the foresight to give us our refund in sales tax for precisely that reason why would we want to shift our burden to something? That's not tax deductible which seems like a bad deal of minnesotans. Well, it's not really a bad deal. I mean, you'll pay less in property taxes. Yes, you can deduct that but On the flip side of that if you're paying it via the sales tax will then you're going to get plenty of tourists and people like that that are going to help to participate to fund our schools rather than just minnesotans paying for it. Whoever comes to Minnesota and purchases goods and services here in Minnesota will help fund the schools that way so, you know, it's a case of looking at both sides of the coin and certainly both have their up sides and both have their downsides but it's a matter of just making a decision and seeing how you want to fund it. I think the repercussions of lowering our sales tax. I mean, our property taxes will have much more benefit to Industry. It will have benefit to us as Citizens as well. As our is all is all the businesses in Minnesota because one of the big gripes you get in Minnesota. Let me give you an example. There was a study done up in Northwestern Minnesota and most of the majority of the businesses located in The Dakotas because they don't want to pay Minnesota property taxes and yet most minnesotans up there. Drive across the border and pay a sales tax in the other state rat on clothing rather than to buy in their own state where there's no sales tax. So again property taxes are an issue that doc keep a lot of businesses away from the state of Minnesota. So I think that by making property taxes lower and more Equitable and fair we're going to we're going to initiate a lot a lot better things. But again, there's flip side on both sides of the issue. There's pros and cons on anything you do terms of broadening the sales tax. I assume food is off the off the table, you're not going to shows clothing and clothing. Yep not going to touch food or clothing Andrew your next morning Governor Ventura. Yes. Thank you for not backing down on your decision to take a second job. I'd be in very financially precarious situation had no one ever allowed me to take an honest second job. Well, you know, what else is interesting if I can add something the first lady works for free right? Well, do you know what she has to do? She has to go out and raise money for publicly owned. Buildings for the state of Minnesota. That's something that's required of her. Yeah. Yeah and yet she works for free. Now that took her away from her job. I have a family and I have kids and I have everything that I have to earn money for and so, you know, it bothers me where on one side people will attack me for going out and getting a second job. But on the flip side, they fully expect my wife to work for free on to benefit the state of Minnesota. Right? Absolutely. I'm with you on that one. Every citizen has the right to take a second job. And you should also thank you my question concerns a recent business week article that indicated that our nation's 22 smallest states have a population equal to that of the State of California. However, those 22 states have twice as many electoral votes. My question is you believe that Minnesota would lose influence if we switch from the president being decided by the Electoral College to the popular vote II don't think so because you know, the Electoral College is based upon popular vote. That's just my opinion if people like the Electoral College, I'm sure we'll keep it. Just find a kind of strange that it's the only election where you can finish second in the amount of volts you get and not and someone who finished behind you wins. Well, what happened though Governor if we had a direct to presidential election and we got into a situation as we did this year where the vote even with the 300,000 vote margin Nationwide. That's pretty close on a hundred million dollar million votes and somebody said Gee we need a nationwide recount wouldn't that create a chaos, but beyond belief, no because it would be no different than a state-by-state recount because you do it state-by-state anyway, but I mean like 50 Florida's at the same time. Maybe we'll see to me that's the problem we have right now is notice every time they do a recount. They come up with a different number. So it tells me that it's surely not an exact science and it tells me that I have doubts about all the elections now because every time they do a recount it comes out different. What do you think is going to happen longer-term on this will this encourage, you know keep hearing well boy, this sure proves everybody's vote counts the other argument you hear is no, it doesn't what it really proves is that your vote may not get counted at all. What long-term impact do you think this is going to have on people's participation? Well people's participation participation is dropping at an alarming rate right now. I mean, let's take a look at our elected president are elected president didn't even get a quarter of the population to support them. Twenty-five percent of the population and you can become president. Because the combined total of Vice President Gore and Governor Bush didn't even reach 50% of the country. And so you got fifty percent chose not to vote and then you got a president that was elected with less than 25 of that total hundred because out of the out of the out of the the the the half roughly who did vote. He didn't even receive a majority of that. So he got elected on twenty-five percent of the eligible voters 25 percent of the eligible voting America determined the president. So this is probably not going to have that much impact because there are wealthy people who vote anyway, yeah, I mean as long as we continue to have a government that continues to the two-party system, which we have in place today across this country, which to me alienates voters pushes voters away, which is what the two parties truly want because it's much easier to control less amount than it is to control a large amount because see if a large amount come out and vote then you end up with the Jesse Ventura winning, you know, a third-party candidate can be successful when there's large voter turnouts Minnesota again, we can be very proud We led the nation 68% We almost made my 70 we would have had they stuck unicameral on the ballot. I bet you we'd have been up 75 or 80 percent voter turnout and that happened but we led the nation. We beat Maine I think by one percentage Point Are you seriously? I one point you floated a balloon about a possible merger between your party. Independence party in the green party serious about that. Oh, yeah, I'd love to see it happen. I talked to Ken pain pill about it in length the other night because I thought you know, the third-party movement is got to really set aside their differences and really bound together on what their mean beliefs are which for all of us in the third party movement. I think one of our core beliefs is is really substantial campaign Finance reform and ending the sun glutton of money that goes into each election that I mean how much money do you think was spent total on this presidential election? Look at our senatorial election between Senator Graham's and senator-elect Dayton more money was spent on this election Head Over Heels than any other Statewide election in Minnesota History and it's endless it's not going to end there. And so I think the third party movement needs to get together like in our independence party, you only have to agree with 70% of our platform to be a member you can I agree with 30% of it and I think that's what we need to do instead of pulling each other apart. We need to work together and really form a solidified third-party movement. If we're going to be successful. We now have four major parties in Minnesota. Yeah, of course have the Republicans the Democrats the independence party and the green party all have major party status now any concrete proposals to change the way we pay for campaigns that you're going to be sending the legislature? No, nothing right now. Nothing that I mean, we're looking at a few things of campaign Finance reform but you know, nothing that I'd want to reveal at this point in time if this is so critical shouldn't that be at the top of very top of your agenda? No the top of my agenda is not elections the top of my agenda is running state government top of my you know, I got criticized isn't it you you know, this is what's isn't it lovely about my job Gary damned if you do damned if you don't because in in October the end of October I went on a trade mission. For for the state of Minnesota to increase trade with Mexico and yet I got damned on that because they said why wasn't he here campaigning for candidates? Well, that's not my job my jobs to govern the state of Minnesota. My job is to do Minnesota's business. My job isn't to necessarily go out and get people elected, you know, and then you talk and let's bring up another point when you talk about me working for the XFL not one word would be said if I was out going to political fundraisers five nights a week and if I left the state every weekend to raise money for political parties one there wouldn't be a word said about that would there Gary that would be considered perfectly normal wouldn't it? If I spent five nights a week raising money for political campaigns and party parties, which have nothing to do with governing Minnesota political parties, or if every weekend, I went off to New York and la and raised money for politics. That would be okay. I'm asking you that would be okay. It's not my place to say but but but that's that's the thought process, isn't it? That that's okay. It's okay to travel around the country and raise money for political campaigning. Well, that's not governing. And your question for the governor, please. I just a comment Governor Ventura really want to applaud you on the support that you said, you know, you show during Stephen both attackers and I wonder how he's doing and what he's going to be back at the job. Well, he's on leave of absence right now. He's getting his personal life in order in my view is like this if each and every one of us that made a mistake in our life if it were to cost us our careers in our jobs, we would we would be a pretty unforgiving Society wouldn't we and so I I believe that you know Stephens had some personal problems in his life. He's straightening those out but as an administrator, you won't find a better one in the state of Minnesota. And if you don't believe me go to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents and ask them because that's where Stephen came to me from. I will continue to stand by my chief of staff when he's coming back. I'm not I'm not exactly sure at this point in time, but I want him to come back when the problem is hopefully solved and that he can come back in and Minister and do the job that he does for the state of Minnesota and hopefully his private life will not have any more glitches in it Elaine your question, please hi. I'd like to thank Governor Ventura for his support last legislative session and having 83 million dollars of the Tamp funds used for the affordable housing throughout the state as he knows and as we know it was a one-time funding. I don't think that solving the affordable housing issue is just the responsibility of our state to solve it has to be worked on on all government levels starting at city council County. Okay your question State. Well, anyway, what I'm asking of the governor is that we people who are interested in and feel that this is an important issue that we have his support as he's putting together his budget for the 2001 legislative session and that we would have his support and Leadership when Different nonprofit groups go to the state legislature legislature and ask that the state set aside one percent of the state budget that it be done on a yearly basis with the base increase. Thank you. Okay. You're welcome. Any any plans to significantly increase money for affordable housing? Well, we increased it last budget probably. I don't know how many fold over what had been done before. So and again that's an issue that to me is a basic concept of life that you know needs to be looked at out there because it has such a such a trickle-down effect. You know, when you look at if people don't have a place to live and then you look at kids that are forever moving, you know, they have no no State no stability in their life. They change schools three or four times during the school year and things like that. You know, it's going to have an effect that's going to be much more far-reaching than what simply affordable housing is. Especially when you walk outside today and you feel how cold it is outside you feel that, you know, everyone should be out there and should have a roof over their head. And so it's something that I think is a basic necessity of life and will continue to work at it and work in conjunction with the Habitat for Humanity. Like we are right now a great private sector organization that we feel gets the job done exceptionally well and can do the job probably better than government can that's why were we that's why we aligned with them and that's why we're happy to help fund Habitat for Humanity. I think it's a great organization. Let's get one more caller on here before we wrap up John quick question, please. Yeah when you did the interview for High Times, he supported industrial hemp and medical marijuana, you still support this and will the legislator ever. Let us get this on the ballot. So the people can have a say in it. Well, yes, I do support it. I continue to support it's funny you say that I just had a meeting on it a week ago and and medical marijuana is being Up right now through the University of Minnesota to where there will be a program that if you follow the guidelines, you will be able to receive medical marijuana. And as far as Industrial Hemp I continue to support that the problem is this the problem is the federal government because as you know, federal laws generally supersede or are more powerful than state laws. So what we've got to do is work to get our federal government to change their archaic laws when it comes to Industrial Hemp because it's utterly ridiculous why we have this renewable resource that we are eradicating and not using to our benefit when you know, there's nothing it's a completely different nature than the marijuana that is smoked by, you know, hippies and things like that. And so I do still support medical use of marijuana in my view on that is quite simple if I have AIDS or if I were dying of cancer, I would be damned if the government would be able to I'll be what I could or could not use. For I my own medical purposes. I mean they can give you morphine and opium derivatives right now that are highly highly addictive a doctor can prescribe that to you a doctor takes an oath that he will not harm anyone and I feel the dot we should trust our doctors that if there is medicinal use for marijuana. The doctor should be allowed to prescribe it ramp meters. There are some of them most of them are going to be turned back on on Friday. Are you happy about that? Well, I'm not I'm happy that they took place because I think we learned a lot from it. Hopefully we did. Hopefully we learn what Matt ramp meters are working and which ones are not I think there's a place for them. I think in certain areas of the metropolitan area. The ramp meters are very effective. I think that it isn't a one size fits all situation. I think there are situations where around the metro area where you don't need ramp meters and I think that hopefully at the end of this study and when it comes forward to the legislature, I believe in February, we'll have a much better idea of which ones Work and which ones don't and we can adjust them accordingly and you're happy with the way the Department of Transportation is handle the issue and that they well it's not it's not over yet. I mean, let's wait till the final let's wait till the final February report on it. And then when it sits on my desk and sits on the legislators desk, we can all read it look at it and see what we've learned from it. I'm always for relooking Gary. I've told all my Commissioners to look inside themselves every program that government does should be examined periodically number one to see if it's effective number two to see if it's cost efficient number three to see if we should even have it anymore not isn't outdated. Should it stay should it be expanded should it be diminished every gun? Every thing that government does should never should always be up to up to criticism and it should always be up to re-examining it to see if it's doing the job. It supposed to be doing any further thoughts and what they're going to run for re-election. Oh, that's way too far ahead. Are you kidding me going to ask me a question like that when this election isn't even over. Yet aren't you tired of Elections? I think this I'll tell you this if you want to pass a good law. Let's pass a law that says you can't run for office until the year of the election when about the Vikings they going to the Super Bowl put your football analyst hat on you can practice now for XFL. I think that right now they are the strongest team in football for a number of reasons. Not only do they have great personnel and a lot of talent but they also are they're staying healthy and I think the key to football is your health if you don't get key injuries, you can win Super Bowls Governor stay healthy have a good trip and thanks. Well, I'm fighting it off right now. So maybe maybe a Florida air'll do me some good. Thanks for coming. Thank you. Gary always a pleasure Governor Jesse Ventura joining us during his first hour of our midday program five minutes now before