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>> welcome back.

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Our guest this week is the

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Senate Democratic leader.

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Our lead story the state is

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pouring billions into updating

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the state sagging

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infrastructure.

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on the panel we have Jonathan

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Emily and Zachary.

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Sitting with us as we get the

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inside out off the record.

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>> production is made possible

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in part by Martin Wehmeier a

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full-service strategic

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communications agency partnering

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with clients or public

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relations, digital marketing,

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and public policy engagement.

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Learn more at Martin Whitmire

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.com.

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>> thank you and welcome to week

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two in the studio.

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How does it feel?

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>> fantastic pair >> a

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wonderful.

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>> it beats Zoom.

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Speaking of, the Michigan

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legislature ended up spending a

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bunch of your money let's see

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where it's going.

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The Michigan legislature has

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agreed to pump $4.8 billion to

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repairing the states of World

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War II sagging infrastructure.

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In the industry to do the work

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is more than happy to gobble up

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the box appear >> it will

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enthuse a lot of money into our

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infrastructure in Michigan and

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the contractors are happy.

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>> and the state will spend the

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$317 million on the road and

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bridge repairs, 450 million to

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spruce up the park and trail

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systems, 250 million to expand

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broadband in remote areas of the

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state, and from motorists trying

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to navigate flooded freeways

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another 66 million to be for

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pumping stations plus, to avoid

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another Flint invented Harbor

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lead water crisis $1.7 billion

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for leadpipe removals.

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>> there's a lot of money for

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lead service line replacements.

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I hope communities are advanced

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enough to look into that issue

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and spend the money to replace

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their lead lines before you get

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into a situation like Flint and

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Benton Harbor.

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>> it's one thing to allocate

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the money and and another to

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find the bodies to do the work

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the industry says bring it.

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>> the industry has been a

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tremendous job of hiring over

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the pass several years you have

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a lot of companies that are

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willing to come back to Michigan

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and bring their crews back to

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Michigan.

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>> in this election year the

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governor and the two legislative

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leaders set aside political

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differences with the moment iron

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out this package which would

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break all records for state

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spending on infrastructure

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needs.

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>> Emily, this was an early

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Christmas for the legislature in

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this election year right?

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>> absolutely and it has all the

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hallmarks of an effective good

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compromise.

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Everyone got a little bit of

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something that they can bring

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back to their district and

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Witmer got a little bit more for

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roads but could help her bolster

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the impression that she is done

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things for roads in her four

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years for office her signature

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campaign promise of course, any

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your people in home things like

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help poor sewage, septic, all

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the underground stuff we don't

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think about.

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>> broadband.

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>> you have people like Jim who

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can bring home damn assistance

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for places like Midland, really

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it does look like a lot of

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winning.

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>> yes.

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This is a I mean the biggest

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deal here I think is the water

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infrastructure funding.

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It is not just Levitt --

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leadpipe replacement as we spoke

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about but stormwater systems as

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you said in the intro, we have

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World War II era stormwater

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systems.

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That really are a problem in

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many communities across the

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state and this will make a big

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difference and it so that is

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something as Emily said that

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lawmakers in every part of the

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state can tout that.

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Witmer can tout it is part of

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the campaign pledge to focus on

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clean water and Kumbaya moment.

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We haven't had a lot of those

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lately.

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>> how long have we been talking

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about the desperate state of the

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water and infrastructure

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underground?

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The combined sewage overflows

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with the storm water goes into

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the same pipe as a sewage and

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empties into rivers when there's

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heavy rain?

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It has to be 20 to 25 years and

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the problem was always the

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number was so staggering to make

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a dent know one knew what to do

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and then all of a sudden there

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was an incredible Federal

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adjustment that materialized and

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relayed to everyone's credit

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they all seem to say this is the

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moment we can actually do

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something and what is it?

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Twelve to 3 billion going into

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water and sewer?

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It won't fix everything but it

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will make a huge difference.

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>> that is an important note.

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This is a one time and money for

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road and water infrastructure

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and the governor had his

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commissions that look at these

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issues and he said billions per

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year.

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>> 3.2 billion per year.

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>> a huge chunk of change and no

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doubt but it won't solve all of

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the state's problems appear >>

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what makes it such a big win and

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I think is this is all of the

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unsexy as parts of

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infrastructure.

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You look at something like roads

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of course it is a campaign

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slogan everyone sees that but no

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one sees the wastewater system

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degrading.

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No one sees that they have pipes

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that are pushing 100 years old

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in that need fixing but really,

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this is a one time into

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something that wasn't going to

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be politically popular to raise

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taxes it was a one time influx

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of Federal funding it's a big

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help in that regard.

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>> Tom was really a reluctant

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participant but they dangled a

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new road project in front of him

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that brought him on board.

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That's how this game is there

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was a games as you saw there was

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infrastructure priority grants

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which is a fancy way of saying

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the legislature will decide what

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roads get fixed not letter MDOT

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which is what usually happens

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and so that is all part of

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assembling the vote and this

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went through overwhelmingly only

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a smattering of a no vote but

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another big backlog is to State

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park at a local park

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infrastructure.

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This is another one where

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Michigan, we talk about treasure

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the outdoors, towards him a huge

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asset, for a lot of time a lot

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of the state part infrastructure

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has been degrading and was

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helped a few years ago for that

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put new revenue into the system

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but you don't fix 30 to 40 years

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of backlog maintenance

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overnight.

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It's another 250 million for the

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state and another for parks and

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trails but this is a chance for

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the state to really double down

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in one of its big assets.

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>> and let's not forget what

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help increased the skids here.

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I don't know what it is but it's

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important to farmers and a lot

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of them wanted help but there is

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a big money to help fund this in

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Michigan.

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>> if there was a problem now

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the citizenry has now been

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raised that this will be done

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tomorrow it's not quite how it

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works contracts have to be let.

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And it has to be out there but

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it's a huge down payment.

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>> we got over this hump because

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it's a good thing there is a bit

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of a giant influx of cash over

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all the prices that we pay could

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go up a bit.

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We talk about.

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There were lead lines that have

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increased but I think there is

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enough wiggle room with some of

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these investments that the fact

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that they can happen over a

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period of time would be a good

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thing financial aid.

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>> the question is, Mo, from

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this agreement transferring it

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to the budget which is still

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pending as they go on.

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>> I think they can.

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I think they can.

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It seems like this group that

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they have right now with the new

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budget director previous budget

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director did a fine job as well

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but they have Chris Harkins who

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knows the terrain from the

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legislature as the governor's

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budget director and

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Representative Albert they had a

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few bumps last year.

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This year as well.

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>> they found a way to come to

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agreement on some of these

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things.

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You didn't see some of the games

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like one side sends over a bunch

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of stuff that love is it knows

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the other side is hates.

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That didn't really happen this

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time.

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But I think they can of course

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at the tax piece is the most

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difficult to work through

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because everyone has their own

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ideas this supplemental budget

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and last year's budget when you

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have this much money to go

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around don't believe the old

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song that sometimes the surplus

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is as difficult as the deficit.

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Nope you have enough money for

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everybody to get something here

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and I think they need to know to

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get out and campaign.

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There are incumbents as

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districts have been torn up by

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redistricting there's not a

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secure is they used to be

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obviously the governor will go

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out to run for reelection no one

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wants to be trapped in Lansing

289
00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:08,666
to the Summer with a very big

290
00:09:08,733 --> 00:09:10,466
primary in August.

291
00:09:10,533 --> 00:09:12,766
>> speaking of down payments,

292
00:09:12,833 --> 00:09:13,966
this is a down payment of

293
00:09:14,033 --> 00:09:15,433
goodwill frankly.

294
00:09:15,500 --> 00:09:16,833
We saw everyone get a press

295
00:09:16,900 --> 00:09:18,033
release on this the governor's

296
00:09:18,100 --> 00:09:20,133
office in you know some saying

297
00:09:20,200 --> 00:09:22,066
here is my budget proposal ideas

298
00:09:22,133 --> 00:09:24,933
for my budget/what is actualized

299
00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:26,166
in the supplemental and so

300
00:09:26,233 --> 00:09:27,433
everyone got depressed out of

301
00:09:27,500 --> 00:09:28,300
this.

302
00:09:28,366 --> 00:09:29,900
>> the government was taking as

303
00:09:29,966 --> 00:09:31,333
victory lap this week on this

304
00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:32,500
agreement with the Republicans

305
00:09:32,566 --> 00:09:34,000
of the legislature.

306
00:09:34,066 --> 00:09:35,433
There was polling data that came

307
00:09:35,500 --> 00:09:38,066
out that if you are sitting in

308
00:09:38,133 --> 00:09:39,333
the executive office and you

309
00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:40,900
looked at it the question was

310
00:09:40,966 --> 00:09:43,166
the people said if the election

311
00:09:43,233 --> 00:09:45,533
was held today would you go for

312
00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:47,000
Gretchen Witmer or someone else

313
00:09:47,066 --> 00:09:48,300
and guess who won?

314
00:09:48,366 --> 00:09:49,900
Somebody else with 59 percent

315
00:09:49,966 --> 00:09:52,566
the governor had 34 percent.

316
00:09:52,633 --> 00:09:53,900
Make those numbers what you will

317
00:09:53,966 --> 00:09:55,100
if anything.

318
00:09:55,166 --> 00:09:56,566
>> I mean it's not something you

319
00:09:56,633 --> 00:09:58,000
want to hear obviously if you

320
00:09:58,066 --> 00:09:59,833
are the governor's campaign.

321
00:09:59,900 --> 00:10:02,133
>> I called it out.

322
00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:07,300
>> yes something else pulls I

323
00:10:07,366 --> 00:10:09,266
don't think it tell us a lot but

324
00:10:09,333 --> 00:10:11,833
you know when the governor --

325
00:10:11,900 --> 00:10:13,433
other polling has happened head

326
00:10:13,500 --> 00:10:14,933
head-to-head against some of

327
00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:16,400
these top Republican nominees

328
00:10:16,466 --> 00:10:18,300
and she fared better so when you

329
00:10:18,366 --> 00:10:19,566
put her up against a real

330
00:10:19,633 --> 00:10:21,166
candidate the numbers will

331
00:10:21,233 --> 00:10:22,966
change but we were talking

332
00:10:23,033 --> 00:10:25,666
before that the approval numbers

333
00:10:25,733 --> 00:10:28,866
are actually poll 51 to

334
00:10:28,933 --> 00:10:33,466
41 percent and so above much

335
00:10:33,533 --> 00:10:35,133
better than that President Joe

336
00:10:35,200 --> 00:10:37,366
Biden so she is doing better

337
00:10:37,433 --> 00:10:41,933
than the Democratic -- the vague

338
00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:43,333
Democratic figure that you might

339
00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:44,800
put up against her.

340
00:10:44,866 --> 00:10:46,800
>> I don't think it is an out

341
00:10:46,866 --> 00:10:48,433
moment for the reasons Jonathan

342
00:10:48,500 --> 00:10:50,833
said that mythical someone else

343
00:10:50,900 --> 00:10:52,833
always outperforms an incumbent

344
00:10:52,900 --> 00:10:55,200
in polls I think we spoke about

345
00:10:55,266 --> 00:10:56,233
this yesterday as like the

346
00:10:56,300 --> 00:10:58,700
backup quarterback, the unseen

347
00:10:58,766 --> 00:11:00,033
is always better than what's out

348
00:11:00,100 --> 00:11:03,966
there on the that being said,

349
00:11:04,033 --> 00:11:05,666
the regions for the governor to

350
00:11:05,733 --> 00:11:07,300
be concerned about real action

351
00:11:07,366 --> 00:11:09,466
are they regardless of one pole

352
00:11:09,533 --> 00:11:11,233
or another she has a president

353
00:11:11,300 --> 00:11:12,833
of her party in the White house

354
00:11:12,900 --> 00:11:14,833
who is pretty and and popular

355
00:11:14,900 --> 00:11:16,800
and has not been able to seem to

356
00:11:16,866 --> 00:11:19,500
turn it around and you can see

357
00:11:19,566 --> 00:11:21,266
all the moves she's been making

358
00:11:21,333 --> 00:11:23,500
really for the last 14 months

359
00:11:23,566 --> 00:11:24,933
have been tacking back toward

360
00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:27,133
the center even a little right

361
00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:28,500
of center and there is a

362
00:11:28,566 --> 00:11:30,300
governor who is campaigning on

363
00:11:30,366 --> 00:11:32,466
tax cuts at this point which is

364
00:11:32,533 --> 00:11:34,200
not the typical Democratic

365
00:11:34,266 --> 00:11:36,966
posture and she is trying to do

366
00:11:37,033 --> 00:11:39,866
a lot of things to move away

367
00:11:39,933 --> 00:11:42,200
from some of the messaging that

368
00:11:42,266 --> 00:11:43,900
she had the first three years of

369
00:11:43,966 --> 00:11:45,800
her administration so there are

370
00:11:45,866 --> 00:11:47,533
still reasons for concern but I

371
00:11:47,600 --> 00:11:48,800
don't think this poll is one of

372
00:11:48,866 --> 00:11:49,600
them.

373
00:11:49,666 --> 00:11:51,166
>> I'm going to try to justify

374
00:11:51,233 --> 00:11:52,833
this and change your mind it.

375
00:11:52,900 --> 00:11:55,066
It is an ouch moment because

376
00:11:55,133 --> 00:11:56,733
this is a fair question to ask

377
00:11:56,800 --> 00:11:57,733
but politically it is

378
00:11:57,800 --> 00:11:59,033
exploitable.

379
00:11:59,100 --> 00:12:00,533
The Republicans will take this

380
00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:01,766
and try to confuse the

381
00:12:01,833 --> 00:12:03,266
electorate they will not make

382
00:12:03,333 --> 00:12:04,433
the point that running against

383
00:12:04,500 --> 00:12:06,233
another person is different than

384
00:12:06,300 --> 00:12:07,700
not a person.

385
00:12:07,766 --> 00:12:10,666
And so I do think this -- look,

386
00:12:10,733 --> 00:12:12,233
is it damaging?

387
00:12:12,300 --> 00:12:13,933
Does it destroy the campaign?

388
00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:14,866
It does not but it's one

389
00:12:14,933 --> 00:12:16,066
horrible at the Republicans will

390
00:12:16,133 --> 00:12:17,866
take in fire at her and she will

391
00:12:17,933 --> 00:12:19,366
have to defend it so far the

392
00:12:19,433 --> 00:12:20,666
executive office has been

393
00:12:20,733 --> 00:12:22,533
crickets on this poll.

394
00:12:22,600 --> 00:12:24,400
>> I've already seen the press

395
00:12:24,466 --> 00:12:25,466
release from the Republicans

396
00:12:25,533 --> 00:12:27,033
that you're talking about.

397
00:12:27,100 --> 00:12:28,866
>> they could hardly wait.

398
00:12:28,933 --> 00:12:30,866
>> obviously I think any number

399
00:12:30,933 --> 00:12:32,033
you can point to to say the

400
00:12:32,100 --> 00:12:33,400
incumbent is a week will be an

401
00:12:33,466 --> 00:12:35,966
advantage for Republicans but

402
00:12:36,033 --> 00:12:37,933
Republicans are struggling --

403
00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:39,533
the factors that are not an easy

404
00:12:39,600 --> 00:12:40,800
head-to-head to do in a poll

405
00:12:40,866 --> 00:12:42,766
right now, the fact that they

406
00:12:42,833 --> 00:12:45,466
feel it so broadly, and so

407
00:12:45,533 --> 00:12:48,733
scattered frankly across the

408
00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:50,800
card.

409
00:12:50,866 --> 00:12:52,333
There's no front runner that I

410
00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:54,600
see at this moment but it should

411
00:12:54,666 --> 00:12:56,566
be a way bigger concern to them

412
00:12:56,633 --> 00:12:58,700
than the 59 percent number.

413
00:12:58,766 --> 00:13:00,033
>> theoretically the polling

414
00:13:00,100 --> 00:13:01,200
number help Republican

415
00:13:01,266 --> 00:13:03,500
candidates say I have a chance

416
00:13:03,566 --> 00:13:04,433
here.

417
00:13:04,500 --> 00:13:06,433
Fund to come give me donations,

418
00:13:06,500 --> 00:13:08,466
but as Emily mentioned, there is

419
00:13:08,533 --> 00:13:10,333
no real clear front runner in

420
00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:12,633
this about the donor class

421
00:13:12,700 --> 00:13:13,933
rattling around them at this

422
00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:15,833
point it was James Craig early

423
00:13:15,900 --> 00:13:16,833
but that seemed to have slowed

424
00:13:16,900 --> 00:13:18,633
down significantly.

425
00:13:18,700 --> 00:13:20,666
We have some funding that we

426
00:13:20,733 --> 00:13:22,433
don't seem to need.

427
00:13:22,500 --> 00:13:23,966
The impact of Apple will be

428
00:13:24,033 --> 00:13:24,733
limited.

429
00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:27,600
The GOP has plenty of ammunition

430
00:13:27,666 --> 00:13:28,966
are talking points to go after

431
00:13:29,033 --> 00:13:31,466
the governor beyond that pole.

432
00:13:31,533 --> 00:13:33,200
>> let's make it unanimous, and

433
00:13:33,266 --> 00:13:34,566
we believe that Mr. Cragg is no

434
00:13:34,633 --> 00:13:36,300
longer the front runner?

435
00:13:36,366 --> 00:13:38,033
>> I agree he is not the front

436
00:13:38,100 --> 00:13:38,966
runner.

437
00:13:39,033 --> 00:13:40,633
I agree with Emily, there is no

438
00:13:40,700 --> 00:13:42,100
front runner right now.

439
00:13:42,166 --> 00:13:44,166
>> is an amazing or not?

440
00:13:44,233 --> 00:13:45,366
We're sitting here.

441
00:13:45,433 --> 00:13:47,033
>> it is surprising.

442
00:13:47,100 --> 00:13:49,266
>> because look, James Greg got

443
00:13:49,333 --> 00:13:51,233
into the race with a lot of

444
00:13:51,300 --> 00:13:55,100
fanfare last Summer and a lot of

445
00:13:55,166 --> 00:13:56,866
institutional Republicans were

446
00:13:56,933 --> 00:13:58,866
singing his praises one of them

447
00:13:58,933 --> 00:14:02,400
was Mike who endorsed tutor

448
00:14:02,466 --> 00:14:04,633
Dixon which I think was telling

449
00:14:04,700 --> 00:14:07,000
of crag is disappointed so far

450
00:14:07,066 --> 00:14:10,300
as Jonathan said as of the end

451
00:14:10,366 --> 00:14:11,833
of the last year he was

452
00:14:11,900 --> 00:14:13,166
developing a pretty serious

453
00:14:13,233 --> 00:14:14,300
financial problem he will have

454
00:14:14,366 --> 00:14:15,733
to demonstrate that he can keep

455
00:14:15,800 --> 00:14:17,700
its campaign afloat financially

456
00:14:17,766 --> 00:14:19,466
and the rest of them are just a

457
00:14:19,533 --> 00:14:21,666
bunch of unknowns who either

458
00:14:21,733 --> 00:14:23,500
have no money or are hoping

459
00:14:23,566 --> 00:14:25,000
their self funding will convince

460
00:14:25,066 --> 00:14:26,733
people to like them.

461
00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:28,400
>> and the Democrats could not

462
00:14:28,466 --> 00:14:29,800
be happier.

463
00:14:29,866 --> 00:14:31,166
>> absolutely.

464
00:14:31,233 --> 00:14:32,666
I think we have a lot of moment

465
00:14:32,733 --> 00:14:33,700
to witness in the rubble can

466
00:14:33,766 --> 00:14:35,633
field frankly I think there are

467
00:14:35,700 --> 00:14:36,500
a bucket of Republican

468
00:14:36,566 --> 00:14:37,700
candidates were competing for

469
00:14:37,766 --> 00:14:39,433
the Trump endorsement and if

470
00:14:39,500 --> 00:14:41,633
they don't get it we could see

471
00:14:41,700 --> 00:14:42,966
them fade away.

472
00:14:43,033 --> 00:14:44,466
>> James Craig is still the

473
00:14:44,533 --> 00:14:46,000
candidate the Democrats are most

474
00:14:46,066 --> 00:14:48,266
afraid of but, will he win the

475
00:14:48,333 --> 00:14:50,000
nomination?

476
00:14:50,066 --> 00:14:51,533
That remains to be seen.

477
00:14:51,600 --> 00:14:52,933
>> let's call it I guess the

478
00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:55,000
Senate Democratic leader.

479
00:14:55,066 --> 00:14:56,766
Senator, welcome to this program

480
00:14:56,833 --> 00:14:58,766
is good to see you via Zoom.

481
00:14:58,833 --> 00:15:00,433
Are you doing okay?

482
00:15:00,500 --> 00:15:02,133
>> I am great.

483
00:15:02,200 --> 00:15:03,566
You popular legislation this

484
00:15:03,633 --> 00:15:06,200
week to pause the sales tax at

485
00:15:06,266 --> 00:15:08,866
the sales tax to but the Speaker

486
00:15:08,933 --> 00:15:10,300
of the house is against this so

487
00:15:10,366 --> 00:15:13,400
this is dead right sometimes it

488
00:15:13,466 --> 00:15:15,066
takes the house longer to come

489
00:15:15,133 --> 00:15:18,633
to where this starts so there is

490
00:15:18,700 --> 00:15:20,600
still time to convince them that

491
00:15:20,666 --> 00:15:21,800
instead of having to back the

492
00:15:21,866 --> 00:15:23,400
roads you don't have to back

493
00:15:23,466 --> 00:15:25,466
them anything we can give a

494
00:15:25,533 --> 00:15:27,800
relief to people and I think I

495
00:15:27,866 --> 00:15:29,300
can still convince them.

496
00:15:29,366 --> 00:15:32,100
I hope I can and if not, then

497
00:15:32,166 --> 00:15:33,800
let's keep trying to find common

498
00:15:33,866 --> 00:15:35,600
ground on something else.

499
00:15:35,666 --> 00:15:36,766
>> the speaker called you this

500
00:15:36,833 --> 00:15:39,100
weekend and said Mr. Leader, if

501
00:15:39,166 --> 00:15:40,466
you will roll back our income

502
00:15:40,533 --> 00:15:41,800
tax rate I will give you your

503
00:15:41,866 --> 00:15:45,200
sales tax cut and you do what?

504
00:15:45,266 --> 00:15:47,733
>> I would say, >> why are you

505
00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:48,933
laughing?

506
00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:50,700
Why are you laughing?

507
00:15:50,766 --> 00:15:53,333
>> if we cut taxes too much we

508
00:15:53,400 --> 00:15:55,733
could lose in Federal resources,

509
00:15:55,800 --> 00:15:59,033
and I would be happy to trade it

510
00:15:59,100 --> 00:16:01,066
for the pension tax if that is

511
00:16:01,133 --> 00:16:02,600
what he wanted to do.

512
00:16:02,666 --> 00:16:04,366
>> but not income tax?

513
00:16:04,433 --> 00:16:06,600
>> nope I just don't think that

514
00:16:06,666 --> 00:16:07,700
is what is the most prudent

515
00:16:07,766 --> 00:16:08,533
thing.

516
00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:09,833
I don't think people are asking

517
00:16:09,900 --> 00:16:10,933
for it.

518
00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:12,900
I would prefer to see us do some

519
00:16:12,966 --> 00:16:14,200
real significant relief at the

520
00:16:14,266 --> 00:16:15,633
pump because that is where

521
00:16:15,700 --> 00:16:16,900
inflation is hitting people the

522
00:16:16,966 --> 00:16:20,033
hardest and you know, if they're

523
00:16:20,100 --> 00:16:21,200
not willing to do that that's

524
00:16:21,266 --> 00:16:23,300
fine I talk to people every day

525
00:16:23,366 --> 00:16:24,200
I know where people are

526
00:16:24,266 --> 00:16:26,000
struggling and if they haven't

527
00:16:26,066 --> 00:16:28,300
figured it out yet I will give

528
00:16:28,366 --> 00:16:29,200
them time to come to this

529
00:16:29,266 --> 00:16:30,366
conclusion I've come was

530
00:16:30,433 --> 00:16:31,466
already.

531
00:16:31,533 --> 00:16:33,800
>> Senator, why are you more

532
00:16:33,866 --> 00:16:35,900
comfortable look for going a

533
00:16:35,966 --> 00:16:37,366
sales tax revenue which of

534
00:16:37,433 --> 00:16:39,600
course benefits largely K-12

535
00:16:39,666 --> 00:16:44,700
public schools as opposed to

536
00:16:44,766 --> 00:16:46,233
suspending the fuel tax which is

537
00:16:46,300 --> 00:16:47,800
solely for roads.

538
00:16:47,866 --> 00:16:49,200
In the pass with the idea of

539
00:16:49,266 --> 00:16:50,566
lifting the sales tax off of

540
00:16:50,633 --> 00:16:53,466
gasoline has come up the big cry

541
00:16:53,533 --> 00:16:55,000
has come from public schools and

542
00:16:55,066 --> 00:16:56,900
local governments who benefit

543
00:16:56,966 --> 00:16:59,466
from this but you're taking away

544
00:16:59,533 --> 00:17:02,966
a huge part of our revenue.

545
00:17:03,033 --> 00:17:06,833
>> I was a teacher before I

546
00:17:06,900 --> 00:17:09,400
came.

547
00:17:09,466 --> 00:17:11,900
My proposal wouldn't cut schools

548
00:17:11,966 --> 00:17:13,366
but I like my proposal better

549
00:17:13,433 --> 00:17:15,333
because the gas tax one is

550
00:17:15,400 --> 00:17:18,000
dedicated to fix roads.

551
00:17:18,066 --> 00:17:19,566
Our bonding could be in jeopardy

552
00:17:19,633 --> 00:17:22,066
but also you have to back that

553
00:17:22,133 --> 00:17:23,400
because everyone acknowledges

554
00:17:23,466 --> 00:17:24,766
that the roads are falling apart

555
00:17:24,833 --> 00:17:26,100
even the governor has made huge

556
00:17:26,166 --> 00:17:27,666
strides to improve them there

557
00:17:27,733 --> 00:17:32,566
still a long way to go.

558
00:17:32,633 --> 00:17:34,400
Because we did this budget in

559
00:17:34,466 --> 00:17:38,300
October gas was at $2.80 and

560
00:17:38,366 --> 00:17:41,100
it's been over $3.50 for months

561
00:17:41,166 --> 00:17:42,633
and it's been over $4 for quite

562
00:17:42,700 --> 00:17:44,333
some time now and because of

563
00:17:44,400 --> 00:17:46,500
that, because of the large

564
00:17:46,566 --> 00:17:51,033
amount gas in -- is they have

565
00:17:51,100 --> 00:17:52,233
received they were budgeted for

566
00:17:52,300 --> 00:17:53,400
and then some.

567
00:17:53,466 --> 00:17:55,733
And so mine would need to do

568
00:17:55,800 --> 00:17:56,733
that.

569
00:17:56,800 --> 00:17:57,866
But they are shipped to come up

570
00:17:57,933 --> 00:18:00,800
at $750 million for roads and I

571
00:18:00,866 --> 00:18:05,466
would rather use that money for

572
00:18:05,533 --> 00:18:06,166
something else.

573
00:18:06,233 --> 00:18:08,200
>> you are flint because you are

574
00:18:08,266 --> 00:18:09,066
from Flint you look bit

575
00:18:09,133 --> 00:18:10,533
interested in this underground

576
00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:12,633
water structure for a long time.

577
00:18:12,700 --> 00:18:14,000
In your mind what's the biggest

578
00:18:14,066 --> 00:18:14,800
win from the piece of

579
00:18:14,866 --> 00:18:16,633
legislation you passed recently

580
00:18:16,700 --> 00:18:18,533
and then supplemental?

581
00:18:18,600 --> 00:18:20,133
>> you covered a lot of it and I

582
00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:21,833
could not agree more.

583
00:18:21,900 --> 00:18:22,966
I think the underground

584
00:18:23,033 --> 00:18:25,266
investment in water and sewer is

585
00:18:25,333 --> 00:18:26,400
critical.

586
00:18:26,466 --> 00:18:28,266
It's a great start toward the

587
00:18:28,333 --> 00:18:29,566
amount of work that we need to

588
00:18:29,633 --> 00:18:31,666
do long term to make these

589
00:18:31,733 --> 00:18:33,300
improvements.

590
00:18:33,366 --> 00:18:37,000
Having lived the Flint water

591
00:18:37,066 --> 00:18:38,433
crisis in one of the highest in

592
00:18:38,500 --> 00:18:40,366
ZIP Codes for concentration of

593
00:18:40,433 --> 00:18:42,400
lead I am more than most people

594
00:18:42,466 --> 00:18:43,900
knowing what it's like to be

595
00:18:43,966 --> 00:18:46,000
afraid for your family and

596
00:18:46,066 --> 00:18:49,066
dealing with the Benton Harbor

597
00:18:49,133 --> 00:18:50,266
and this will be something that

598
00:18:50,333 --> 00:18:51,866
happens all across the state

599
00:18:51,933 --> 00:18:53,566
because we are an older state

600
00:18:53,633 --> 00:18:55,666
with as mentioned mentioned,

601
00:18:55,733 --> 00:18:58,100
World War II sort of the time

602
00:18:58,166 --> 00:18:59,300
frame for a lot of the pipes

603
00:18:59,366 --> 00:19:01,566
being put we will have this

604
00:19:01,633 --> 00:19:03,533
issue across the state and if we

605
00:19:03,600 --> 00:19:05,133
could make major investments

606
00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:07,266
while move -- removing the

607
00:19:07,333 --> 00:19:08,833
dangerous pipes from the ground

608
00:19:08,900 --> 00:19:10,700
I think that's a great point but

609
00:19:10,766 --> 00:19:12,600
I also like the parks and the

610
00:19:12,666 --> 00:19:14,133
number of other things in there

611
00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:15,333
as well at it in the road

612
00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:17,666
investments will be helpful.

613
00:19:17,733 --> 00:19:19,866
>> obviously a lot of folks want

614
00:19:19,933 --> 00:19:21,400
to get the budget done by Summer

615
00:19:21,466 --> 00:19:23,900
break but at the same time, the

616
00:19:23,966 --> 00:19:25,766
tax issue seems to be a real

617
00:19:25,833 --> 00:19:27,500
sticking point still.

618
00:19:27,566 --> 00:19:29,200
Could just last week we had a

619
00:19:29,266 --> 00:19:31,433
Kumbaya moment just last week

620
00:19:31,500 --> 00:19:34,566
Republicans were accusing war on

621
00:19:34,633 --> 00:19:36,433
family.

622
00:19:36,500 --> 00:19:38,733
But you introduced your sales

623
00:19:38,800 --> 00:19:40,900
tax on gas legislation this week

624
00:19:40,966 --> 00:19:42,866
but give us an inside look,

625
00:19:42,933 --> 00:19:44,933
where are the talks?

626
00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:46,533
Where is there actually room for

627
00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:48,166
compromise?

628
00:19:48,233 --> 00:19:49,733
And how close is it actually

629
00:19:49,800 --> 00:19:51,166
happening?

630
00:19:51,233 --> 00:19:52,766
>> I do not think we are that

631
00:19:52,833 --> 00:19:54,633
close yet and I have not been

632
00:19:54,700 --> 00:19:58,700
able to determine if sending tax

633
00:19:58,766 --> 00:20:00,900
cuts the governor won't sign is

634
00:20:00,966 --> 00:20:02,933
a campaign tactic or something

635
00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:03,933
they really want to get to a

636
00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:06,733
compromise on I think we have

637
00:20:06,800 --> 00:20:08,933
billions of dollars in surplus,

638
00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:10,900
you know you can look at it as

639
00:20:10,966 --> 00:20:12,833
our money or you can say we took

640
00:20:12,900 --> 00:20:15,066
too much in for families and we

641
00:20:15,133 --> 00:20:16,533
could give it back.

642
00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:17,900
There's a number of ways to do

643
00:20:17,966 --> 00:20:18,666
it.

644
00:20:18,733 --> 00:20:20,500
The sales tax pause is a great

645
00:20:20,566 --> 00:20:22,666
way to do it as that would

646
00:20:22,733 --> 00:20:27,266
direct checks to than giving .2

647
00:20:27,333 --> 00:20:30,266
to 3 percent points -- .2 to

648
00:20:30,333 --> 00:20:32,966
3 percent cut to income that

649
00:20:33,033 --> 00:20:34,866
most families wouldn't even see

650
00:20:34,933 --> 00:20:37,733
or receive $75 per year if you

651
00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:39,133
give direct checks now that we

652
00:20:39,200 --> 00:20:40,933
have inflation.

653
00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:42,600
That's a much more impactful way

654
00:20:42,666 --> 00:20:44,333
to do it so there are ways to

655
00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:48,000
get a compromise or not there is

656
00:20:48,066 --> 00:20:49,500
an actual political decision

657
00:20:49,566 --> 00:20:50,066
being made or if it is about

658
00:20:50,133 --> 00:20:55,066
families.

659
00:20:55,133 --> 00:20:56,333
If it's about helping families

660
00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:57,933
and willing to join but if it's

661
00:20:58,000 --> 00:20:59,566
about politics then it's just

662
00:20:59,633 --> 00:21:00,900
politics.

663
00:21:00,966 --> 00:21:02,666
I'd rather help families but

664
00:21:02,733 --> 00:21:04,233
it's politics I couldn't do that

665
00:21:04,300 --> 00:21:05,266
as well.

666
00:21:05,333 --> 00:21:06,666
>> and issue the legislator

667
00:21:06,733 --> 00:21:08,700
wanted to take up for spring or

668
00:21:08,766 --> 00:21:10,400
Summer break was was ethics.

669
00:21:10,466 --> 00:21:11,566
Of course the house is already

670
00:21:11,633 --> 00:21:13,166
pass a full budget ethics

671
00:21:13,233 --> 00:21:15,100
reforms bills, they have

672
00:21:15,166 --> 00:21:16,666
introduced more house Democrats

673
00:21:16,733 --> 00:21:17,933
are calling for investigation

674
00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:20,566
into Lee Chatfield, where our

675
00:21:20,633 --> 00:21:22,266
Senate Democrats?

676
00:21:22,333 --> 00:21:23,500
Why are you guys doing the

677
00:21:23,566 --> 00:21:24,766
stuff?

678
00:21:24,833 --> 00:21:26,000
>> we have been consistently

679
00:21:26,066 --> 00:21:27,766
talking about this over the term

680
00:21:27,833 --> 00:21:29,966
and it's something I believe is

681
00:21:30,033 --> 00:21:31,266
important.

682
00:21:31,333 --> 00:21:36,833
Code on the show actually pushed

683
00:21:36,900 --> 00:21:38,533
across the table my tax return

684
00:21:38,600 --> 00:21:39,566
at one time.

685
00:21:39,633 --> 00:21:42,766
And willing to lead with my --

686
00:21:42,833 --> 00:21:43,966
on these issues.

687
00:21:44,033 --> 00:21:45,766
I think personal finance

688
00:21:45,833 --> 00:21:47,433
exposure is critical.

689
00:21:47,500 --> 00:21:49,166
People have a right to know if

690
00:21:49,233 --> 00:21:50,933
her voting on things I think

691
00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:52,966
ethics is long overdue.

692
00:21:53,033 --> 00:21:58,333
I that Senator Broome and Erwin

693
00:21:58,400 --> 00:22:00,500
are putting in creating a

694
00:22:00,566 --> 00:22:03,100
bicameral evenly based ethical

695
00:22:03,166 --> 00:22:04,266
committee.

696
00:22:04,333 --> 00:22:05,900
I would love to see that.

697
00:22:05,966 --> 00:22:07,466
We could do that now.

698
00:22:07,533 --> 00:22:08,466
It's really the Republican

699
00:22:08,533 --> 00:22:09,866
leadership that's holding it up

700
00:22:09,933 --> 00:22:11,066
and I'm willing to do at any

701
00:22:11,133 --> 00:22:12,500
point in time.

702
00:22:12,566 --> 00:22:14,433
I spoke about this so much over

703
00:22:14,500 --> 00:22:16,533
the last -- that's probably the

704
00:22:16,600 --> 00:22:18,500
old guy being around almost ten

705
00:22:18,566 --> 00:22:20,200
years, I've been calling for

706
00:22:20,266 --> 00:22:22,400
this and cosponsoring it for ten

707
00:22:22,466 --> 00:22:23,466
years.

708
00:22:23,533 --> 00:22:26,066
I'm not banging the drum because

709
00:22:26,133 --> 00:22:27,733
I think the public has to start

710
00:22:27,800 --> 00:22:28,900
bringing the drum or it will

711
00:22:28,966 --> 00:22:30,266
never get done.

712
00:22:30,333 --> 00:22:32,433
>> how >> to argue about taking

713
00:22:32,500 --> 00:22:34,100
back control of the Michigan

714
00:22:34,166 --> 00:22:36,333
Senate do to redistricting?

715
00:22:36,400 --> 00:22:38,300
>> it's a great chance.

716
00:22:38,366 --> 00:22:39,866
The maps are the first chance

717
00:22:39,933 --> 00:22:41,366
with had in 40 years that are

718
00:22:41,433 --> 00:22:45,133
not gerrymandered and I think it

719
00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:47,300
will be our year of the national

720
00:22:47,366 --> 00:22:48,833
environment isn't too bad I

721
00:22:48,900 --> 00:22:50,666
think it's ours to lose and I

722
00:22:50,733 --> 00:22:51,866
plan to do whatever we can to

723
00:22:51,933 --> 00:22:53,300
make sure we win.

724
00:22:53,366 --> 00:22:54,900
To give me your number?

725
00:22:54,966 --> 00:22:56,633
How many seats?

726
00:22:56,700 --> 00:22:58,466
>> we have 19 seats in the base

727
00:22:58,533 --> 00:23:01,400
numbers.

728
00:23:01,466 --> 00:23:03,900
We have 23 top-notch candidates.

729
00:23:03,966 --> 00:23:05,366
I will dance around this as long

730
00:23:05,433 --> 00:23:09,866
as you let me.

731
00:23:09,933 --> 00:23:11,666
I will be the best I can.

732
00:23:11,733 --> 00:23:13,533
I have a real serious path to

733
00:23:13,600 --> 00:23:14,433
get the majority.

734
00:23:14,500 --> 00:23:16,200
Think in your biggest fear is

735
00:23:16,266 --> 00:23:17,266
that Joe Biden will cause you

736
00:23:17,333 --> 00:23:18,666
trouble the Senate.

737
00:23:18,733 --> 00:23:20,533
>> his numbers are improving the

738
00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:23,966
war I think the policies will

739
00:23:24,033 --> 00:23:28,466
start -- Democratic policy

740
00:23:28,533 --> 00:23:31,300
sometimes take longer to serve

741
00:23:31,366 --> 00:23:33,633
the public.

742
00:23:33,700 --> 00:23:36,800
Use with they leave every time

743
00:23:36,866 --> 00:23:38,300
Republican presidency when they

744
00:23:38,366 --> 00:23:39,300
leave they leave us with the

745
00:23:39,366 --> 00:23:40,700
best to take us a while to fix

746
00:23:40,766 --> 00:23:42,033
it and hopefully some of that

747
00:23:42,100 --> 00:23:43,666
stuff will come together by the

748
00:23:43,733 --> 00:23:45,166
Summer and we will be in good

749
00:23:45,233 --> 00:23:45,966
shape.

750
00:23:46,033 --> 00:23:47,500
But the governor I think we'll

751
00:23:47,566 --> 00:23:48,733
be the top.

752
00:23:48,800 --> 00:23:49,866
She will lead us with her coat

753
00:23:49,933 --> 00:23:51,566
tails and I think that we will

754
00:23:51,633 --> 00:23:58,233
have a decent November.

755
00:23:58,300 --> 00:23:59,700
>> what percentage do you think

756
00:23:59,766 --> 00:24:01,366
you need from Governor Witmer to

757
00:24:01,433 --> 00:24:03,066
give your candidates a chance to

758
00:24:03,133 --> 00:24:04,300
get to the 20 seat minimum

759
00:24:04,366 --> 00:24:06,200
needed for majority?

760
00:24:06,266 --> 00:24:08,500
>> I think we can get to 19 if

761
00:24:08,566 --> 00:24:12,700
she just wins the 452 to 53

762
00:24:12,766 --> 00:24:14,033
range for sure because a better

763
00:24:14,100 --> 00:24:15,233
match ups.

764
00:24:15,300 --> 00:24:17,266
With her candidates and mean it

765
00:24:17,333 --> 00:24:19,366
you look at our top 23

766
00:24:19,433 --> 00:24:21,333
candidates and we have all

767
00:24:21,400 --> 00:24:26,700
starts from top the bottom.

768
00:24:26,766 --> 00:24:28,433
This is the first time I didn't

769
00:24:28,500 --> 00:24:31,233
have to pull rod to everything I

770
00:24:31,300 --> 00:24:32,933
could and blow peoples want to

771
00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:36,966
get them to run for Senate.

772
00:24:37,033 --> 00:24:38,133
Everyone wants to run and they

773
00:24:38,200 --> 00:24:39,666
want to be in our team and I

774
00:24:39,733 --> 00:24:41,366
don't blame them they want it to

775
00:24:41,433 --> 00:24:42,866
be a good year.

776
00:24:42,933 --> 00:24:43,600
>> do you think the

777
00:24:43,666 --> 00:24:44,566
redistricting and the

778
00:24:44,633 --> 00:24:46,366
possibility of actual majority

779
00:24:46,433 --> 00:24:48,233
shook some people lose?

780
00:24:48,300 --> 00:24:49,600
>> I do think that is a good

781
00:24:49,666 --> 00:24:50,566
part of it.

782
00:24:50,633 --> 00:24:52,166
When you draw maps fairly

783
00:24:52,233 --> 00:24:53,700
Democrats get more votes from

784
00:24:53,766 --> 00:24:55,366
the state legislature.

785
00:24:55,433 --> 00:24:56,766
We just do.

786
00:24:56,833 --> 00:24:58,400
They just had the maps drawn so

787
00:24:58,466 --> 00:25:00,466
poorly or so in their figure for

788
00:25:00,533 --> 00:25:03,266
so long that want to see that

789
00:25:03,333 --> 00:25:05,266
they can win and they should win

790
00:25:05,333 --> 00:25:07,433
the senator said after the mask

791
00:25:07,500 --> 00:25:09,700
came out the commission I think

792
00:25:09,766 --> 00:25:11,233
I will try to quote them

793
00:25:11,300 --> 00:25:12,400
basically said commission

794
00:25:12,466 --> 00:25:14,300
clearly drew a democratic

795
00:25:14,366 --> 00:25:15,600
gerrymandered.

796
00:25:15,666 --> 00:25:17,533
I don't think by any stretch of

797
00:25:17,600 --> 00:25:20,300
any definition that is if you

798
00:25:20,366 --> 00:25:21,933
draw maps that are slightly more

799
00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:23,733
favorable to Democrats because

800
00:25:23,800 --> 00:25:25,300
that where people vote than you

801
00:25:25,366 --> 00:25:26,666
could tell they are afraid

802
00:25:26,733 --> 00:25:28,166
because they have only ran in

803
00:25:28,233 --> 00:25:29,833
really safe districts where they

804
00:25:29,900 --> 00:25:30,900
had a majority before the

805
00:25:30,966 --> 00:25:32,533
election started to.

806
00:25:32,600 --> 00:25:33,700
Now they have to go out and talk

807
00:25:33,766 --> 00:25:35,133
to people and a lot of these

808
00:25:35,200 --> 00:25:36,433
values don't line up to people

809
00:25:36,500 --> 00:25:37,400
are at.

810
00:25:37,466 --> 00:25:39,133
>> were getting to an overtime

811
00:25:39,200 --> 00:25:40,866
segment before that, you are a

812
00:25:40,933 --> 00:25:42,700
lame duck right now and do you

813
00:25:42,766 --> 00:25:43,700
want to be part of the Witmer

814
00:25:43,766 --> 00:25:44,900
administration if she gets

815
00:25:44,966 --> 00:25:49,266
reelected?

816
00:25:49,333 --> 00:25:52,000
>> if not I hope I can get a

817
00:25:52,066 --> 00:25:54,333
good word it with tutor Dixon.

818
00:25:54,400 --> 00:25:56,400
>> was that an answer?

819
00:25:56,466 --> 00:25:58,600
I missed it if it was in there.

820
00:25:58,666 --> 00:26:00,466
>> I haven't decided.

821
00:26:00,533 --> 00:26:03,166
281 days, I could take a break

822
00:26:03,233 --> 00:26:04,833
and relax and just watch this

823
00:26:04,900 --> 00:26:06,466
show without having to worry

824
00:26:06,533 --> 00:26:08,233
about what I may say or do that

825
00:26:08,300 --> 00:26:09,500
gets me in trouble with my press

826
00:26:09,566 --> 00:26:10,733
secretary.

827
00:26:10,800 --> 00:26:12,700
>> okay or not off the hook yet

828
00:26:12,766 --> 00:26:15,000
so stay tuned for overtime.

829
00:26:15,066 --> 00:26:19,866
We will be our website for more

830
00:26:19,933 --> 00:26:22,066
over time with the Senator.

831
00:26:22,133 --> 00:26:23,633
>> production of off the record

832
00:26:23,700 --> 00:26:25,400
is made possible by Martin

833
00:26:25,466 --> 00:26:27,333
Wehmeier of full-service

834
00:26:27,400 --> 00:26:29,433
strategic communications agency

835
00:26:29,500 --> 00:26:30,666
partnering with clients to

836
00:26:30,733 --> 00:26:32,566
public relations, digital

837
00:26:32,633 --> 00:26:33,900
marketing and public policy

838
00:26:33,966 --> 00:26:35,100
engagement.

839
00:26:35,166 --> 00:26:37,200
Learn more at Martin whenMeyer

840
00:26:37,266 --> 00:26:38,633
.com.

841
00:26:38,700 --> 00:26:54,766
>> for more off the visit w K A

842
00:26:54,833 --> 00:26:57,233
R .org.

843
00:26:57,300 --> 00:26:58,300
[MUSIC PLAYING].