♪♪ >> CATHY: WE’VE GOT THE CANNABIS OFFICE CONTROVERSY, THE LOOMING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, POLITICIANS VISITING PICKET LINES, JUST THREE OF THE MANY POLITICAL STORIES TO PONDER WITH THIS WEEK’S PANEL.
REPUBLICANS UP FIRST TONIGHT.
ANDY BREHM, FORMER PRESS SECRETARY TO U.S.
SENATOR NORM COLEMAN.
ANNETTE MEEKS ALSO WORKED IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AS DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF TO SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH.
DEMOCRATS ON THE COUCH TONIGHT.
JEFF HAYDEN, FORMER STATE SENATOR, AND WE WELCOME BACK WINTANA MELEKIN, DFL ACTIVIST WHO LOGGED MANY HOURS AT THE LEGISLATURE THIS PAST SESSION.
ANDY BREHM, LET’S START WITH THIS LOOMING GOVERNMENT SHUTSDOWN.
SENATOR McCONNELL SAID, SHUTDOWNS DO NOT HELP THE GOP.
DO YOU AGREE WITH HIM?
S-I DO.
I CAN’T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ARE CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS THAT VOTED GANGS THE STOPGAP MEASURE.
THERE’S NO QUESTION THAT WE NEED TO GET FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY BACK IN WASHINGTON, THAT WOULD HAVE ACHIEVED THOSE THINGS, AND TO SECURE THE GORD DEER AND WE HAVE AN ISSUE THERE IN OUR PARTY OF PEOPLE THAT SEEM TO — PEOPLE THAT LIKE TO GET HEADLINES AND DON’T LIKE TO GETS ANYTHING DONE.
SO HOPEFULLY SPEAKER McCARTHY CAN GET THE CAUCUS FUNCTIONING HERE SOON.
>> Cathy: ANNETTE YOU HAD EXPIRES IF SHAND KNOWLEDGE AND A FRONT-ROW SEAT AGAINST A COUP ATTEMPT TOWARDS SPEAKER SPEAKER GINGRICH.
TELLS WHAT’S GOING ON HERE.
>> THE PROBLEM WE HAVE TODAY IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN IT WAS YEARS AGO IN THAT SOCIAL MEDIA DRIVES SO MUCH OF THIS.
ANYBODY CAN GO ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND SAY “I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR THIS” AND THEN YOU HAVE TO TRY TO CONVINCE THEM OTHERWISE.
THAT’S A REALLY TOUGH JOB TO DO BUT THE BIGGER PROBLEM THEY HAVE IS IT’S SUCH A SMALL MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE, WHEN YOU HAVE JUST — I THINK IT’S A FOUR-SEAT MAJORITY, THAT’S NOT A LOT TO DEAL WITH, THAT A RECALCITRANT, IF YOU WILL, YOU DON’T HAVE A BIG AUDIENCE, AND THE DEMOCRATS WHO COULD HELP SOLVE THIS PROBLEM >> A GOING TO LIFT A FINISHING GIRL.
I WOULD TAKE T EVEN FURTHER THAN WHAT ANDY SAID, THE BIGGER PROBLEM IS THE PRESIDENT ALWAYS WINS, WHOEVER IS IN THE WHITE HOUSE, DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICAN, WHEN THERE IS A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, THEY SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE, THAT OF THE PRESIDENT.
YOU HAVE THE CABINET SECRETARIES THAT ECHO THAT ADVICE.
IN THE MEAN TIME, WE HAVE 435 INDEPENDENT LEGISLATORS OUT THERE ALL SAYING THEIR OWN OPINION ABOUT WHAT SHOULD BE HAPPENING BECAUSE THEY ALL THINK THEY SHOULD BE SPEAKER OR MAJORITY LEADER IN THE SENATE AND SO THOSE VOICES GETS MUTED AND DILUTED AND THEY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT CAUSES AND IT’S REALLY NOT VERY HELPFUL.
>> Eric: HOW DO YOU THINK DEMOCRATS ARE PLAYING THIS SO FAR?
>> I’VE BEEN REALLY IMPRESSED WITH THE WAY FOLKS HAVE BEEN RESPONDING TO THIS MOMENT, MAKING SURE THEY CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THEIR CONSTITUENTS, STATE FOR WHAT THEY NEED IN THEIR HOME STATES AND I’VE BEEN REALLY PROUD OF THE WAY MINNESOTA’S MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HAVE BEEN HOLDING IT DO YOU THINK AND I REALLY HOPE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CAN GETS IT TOGETHER FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
>> Eric: HOW ABOUT SPEAKER TOM EMMER?
>> I SAW THAT.
YEAH, WELL, I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH A FORMER COLLEAGUE OF HIS, ON HIS SIDE OFT AISLE, HE SAID HE’S THE GUY THAT’S NOT CAMPAIGNING FOR THE JOB, JUST A REALLY LOYAL PERSON.
HOWEVER, IF THEY WERE TO REMOVE THE SPEAKER, I WOULD IMAGINE REPRESENTATIVE EMMER AS I KNOW HIM, CONGRESSMAN EMMER WOULD PROBABLY STEP UP AND DO THE JOB.
HE HAS BEEN PART OF THE RECRUITMENT OR WHATEVER THAT FORMAL TRY TO RECRUITING MEMBERS SO HE IS OUT IN THE FIELD A LOT.
>> Cathy: DOES SPEAKER McCARTHY SURVIVE THIS?
>> I HOPE SO.
I DON’T THINK THAT WOULD SERVE THE PARTY WELL TO CHANGE LEADERS.
I THINK HE’S DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB.
I WASN’T A HUGE FAN OF HIS BUT I THINK E’S DONE A GOOD JOB.
I LIKE TOM EMMER A LOT, I THINK HE WOULD BE A GREAT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE BUT RIGHT NOW I THINK WE NEED TO STICK WITH OUR LEADERSHIP.
THE CAUCUS DOESN’T NEED MORE CHAOS.
>> Eric: SOMETHING CONGRESSMAN DEANE NIL LIPS AGAIN SAYING THAT HE MIGHT OPPOSED PRESIDENT BIDEN?
>> EVERY TIME HE BRINGS IT UP, I HEAR MORE AND MORE OF OTHER DEMOCRATS CONSIDERING PRIMARY HIM, IF I WAS HIM, I WOULD BE STAYING UP AT NIGHT ABOUT WORRYING ABOUT GETTING A PRIMARY FROM HIM OR — IN THE THIRD DISTRICT.
I THINK HIS LOCAL PROFILE NEEDS TO BE FOCUSED ON AND NOT HIS NATIONAL PROFILE.
>> WELL, I DON’T KNOW, I MEAN, I THINK THAT HE FEELS PRETTY SECURE IN HIS DISTRICT, NOT THAT PEOPLE WOULDN’T WANT TO DO IT BUT HE’S PRETTY GOOD THERE AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK HE’S A SMART PERSON.
I DON’T THINK IT’S WISE TO DO THAT.
I THINK THAT THERE IS A LOT OF MOVES THAT HAVE TO BE MADE, UNFORTUNATELY SENATOR FEINSTEIN DIED TODAY, I SPENT A LOT OF MY FORMATIVE YEARS IN SAN FRANCISCO SO I KIND OF WATCHED HER TIME THERE AND SO THERE IS SOME MOVEMENT THAT COULD HAPPEN THERE THAT COULD REALLY REFLECT WHAT HAPPENS IN THE NATIONAL SCENE FOR PRESIDENT.
SO I’M NOT SURE WHAT CONGRESSMAN PHILLIPS IS DOING.
I’M NOT SO SURE THAT HE’S WORRIED ABOUT HIS SEAT IN MINNESOTA.
>> Eric: OCTOBER 1, METRO SALES TAX GOES UP SO THAT’S, WHAT, SUNDAY OR MONDAY?
>> YES.
>> Eric: IS THAT THE MAKING OF A REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN THEME OR — >> I THINK IT’S ONE OF MANY BUT ONE OF THE MOST DIFFERENT DEF VAST STATING THINGS THEY’VE DONE IN THE MIDDLE OF A RECESSION THAT WE ARE STILL IN.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AND IT’S JUST SHOCKING HOW MUCH THINGS COMPANIES.
WHAT I BUY FOR A WEEK’S WORTH OF GROCERIES USED TO BE THANKSGIVING AND YOU SEE THAT, YOU SEE BACK TO SCHOOL COSTS FOR PARENTS THAT ARE — THE AVERAGE WAS $677 PER CHILD OF JUST BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND NEW CLOTHING.
THAT’S A HEAVY HIT WHEN YOU HAVE TWO OR THREE CHILDREN AND IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO’S TRAVELING AROUND THE WORLD TOUTING THIS GREAT LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHILE THEY’RE GOING TO RAISE TAXES, ESPECIALLY FUEL TAXES AND A SALES TAX THAT HIT THE POOREST OF THE POOR THE HARDEST.
>> Eric: REJOINEDDER, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE TAX ISSUE WITH THE HUGE SURPLUS.
>> I THINK IT MAKES SENSE.
I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO STOP ACTING LIKE TAXES ARE THIS ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE THING.
IT’S HOW WE TAKE CARE OF OUR ROADS, BRIDGES AND OUR CHILDREN, OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM, AND WE MADE SURE THAT WE FUNDED PROGRAMMING THROUGH THOSE TAXES.
WE’RE TALKING ABOUT CHILDREN WHO WILL BE ABLE TO EAT IN SCHOOLS, TALKING ABOUT IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR COMMUNITIES, WE’RE TALKING ABOUT FULLY FUNDING EDUCATION.
YES, WE HAVE TO INCREASE TAXES TO PAY FOR THOSE COSTS.
>> WELL, I HAVE NO ISSUE WITH THE TAXES IN GENERAL, I AGREE WITH YOU THAT WE NEED TO FUNDS THOSE THINGS.
I MEAN, THE QUESTION IS, AT WHAT POINT IS ENOUGH?
AND DEMOCRATS, THERE ISN’T ENOUGH AND HE REALITY IS THAT MINNESOTA IS NOT AN ISLAND AND WE ARE BECOMING A COMPLETE OUTLIER ATTENTION IT RELATES TO TAXES.
I MEAN, OUR TAXES ARE WAY HIGHER THAN OUR NEIGHBORS AND THAT’S WHY MINNESOTA IS LOSING POPULATION.
THOSE ARE JUST IT IS FACTS.
SO MINNESOTA’S NOT EVEN REMOTELY COMPETITIVE, IT’S BECOMING A REMARKABLE REMARKABLY SUSPENSION IRV PLACE TO LIVE AND PEOPLE ARE LEAVING BECAUSE OF THAT.
>> I WAS IN CHICAGO LAST WEEK AND I WAS SHOCKED TO PAY 10% SALES TAX AND THAT’S WHAT IT’S GOING TO BE IN St. PAUL.
>> YEAH, I’M NOT SURE.
I THINK ONCE AGAIN, ANNETTE SAID THAT FIVE YEARS AGO, AND TEN YEARS AGO, IF SHE WAS ON THIS SHOW, THAT’S JUST KIND OF STANDARD FARE.
I THINK THE SURPLUS WAS A ONE-TIME KIND OF SURPLUS AND THE METRO SALES TAX IS AN ONGOING TAX TO PAY FOR THE THINGS THAT WIN TANA TALKED ABOUT, INCLUDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNER WHICH ARE THINGS THAT WE DESPERATELY NEED.
SO I THINK IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY.
I DON’T THINK THAT WE’RE AN OUTLIER, I THINK THAT MINNESOTA IS BACK.
I THINK THAT THE REGION IS GROWING AND THAT WE’RE GOING TO BE JUST FINE.
>> LET’S PUT IT, IF YOU JUST TAKE A SIMPLE EXAMPLE, TAKE ST. PAUL, FOR EXAMPLE.
A 10% SALES TAX AND I CAN DRIVE A HALF HOUR TO WISCONSIN AND PAY 5%.
YOU’RE TELLING ME THAT PEOPLE AREN’T GOING TO SAY, GEE, I’M GOING TO CROSS THE BORDER AND BUY THINGS, I PROBABLY WILL.
>> THEY USED TO DO IT ON SUNDAYS, EVERYBODY IS GOING TO DRIVE TO WISCONSIN AND LIVE THERE.
THAT’S NOT HOW IT WORKS.
PEOPLE WILL STAY HERE, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO KIND OF PAY THE TAX BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHAT THEY’RE GETTING FOR IT.
>> Cathy: I HAVE NE MORE THING, WE HAVE A COUPLE MINUTES HERE.
CAN YOU HELP ME OUT HERE, SENATOR?
SO HENNEPIN COUNTY MARY MORIARTY HAD COMMENTS ARLY THIS WEEK, THOUGHTS ON THE SRO LAW THAT WE’VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.
HER OPINION DIFFERS FROM THAT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON, HE MUST BE KIND OF DISPLEASED ABOUT THIS.
WHAT IS GOING ON?
>> YEAH, I MEAN, I’M GOING TO TRUST KEITH ELLISON.
I THINK THAT PART OF THIS IS REALLY TRYING TO GETS THE LEGISLATIVE INTENTION OF THE LAW AND SO ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON WORKED WITH THE GOVERNOR, HE WORKED WITH THE MPPOA, THE POLICE UNION, THE SHERIFFS, HE ALSO WORKED WITH THE CAUCUSES TO MAKE SURE THAT MADE THE LAW TO KIND OF REALLY CLARIFY THAT.
SO I HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT, I’M NOT AN ATTORNEY, ANDY IS, MAYBE HE COULD TALK ABOUT THE ACTUAL LANGUAGE IN THE STATUTE.
I THINK HAT THERE LOOKS TO BE, MAYBE, A LITTLE BIT OF A POLITICAL RETRIBUTION ON THIS ISSUE WHEN CONGRESSMAN — WHEN ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON TOOK THE CASE FROM THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY.
>> Eric: BUT AFTER THE MORIARTY OPINION, ANDY, THE PPO, POLICE AND PEACE OFFICERS SAID NOW WE NEED AN URGENT FIX, NOW IT’S TOO CONFUSING.
>> >> FOR GOOD REASON, A COURT OF LAW CAN UNDO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S PENAL.
THERE IS AN EASY FIX FOR THIS, IT’S CALLED A SPECIAL SESSION, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS OPEN TO THAT.
THE GOVERNOR HELD MULTIPLE SPECIAL SESSION TOSS GIVE HIMSELF EMERGENCY POWERS WHEN HE DIDN’T NEED IT, THIS IS AN EASY FIX THAT HE SAID HE WAS OPEN TO BUILT THE TRUTH OF IT IS, HE’S PLAYING POLITICS WITH THE ANTI-POLICE ROWD AND THE DFL AND IT’S ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS.
>> INK IT’S POLITICS WITH THE MPPOA AND THAT’S WHY HE DOESN’T WANT TO OPEN THIS UMM.
>> THE EASY FIX IS TO TRUST OUR ATTORNEY GENERAL, HE’S BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THE LAW IS AND HOW IT SHOULD BE EXPERIMENTED AND THE FINAL SAY IS GOING TO COME DOWN TO HIM.
THE PROSECUTION OF FOLKS WHO BREAK THESE LAWS WOULD BE UNDER HIS JURISDICTION SO I THINK WE SHOULD CONTINUES TO TRUST OUR A.G. WHO THAT BE NOTHING BUT PHENOMENAL AND NO NEED OR A SPECIAL SESSION TO GO CONTINUES TO WASTE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES.
>> Eric: IT
