2/19 Jay Kolls on the mysterious nature as to why a bill to help prevent fraud suddenly disappeared

Summary

Garage Logic – February 19, 2026
Main Theme:
The Disappearance of the Minnesota Inspector General Anti-Fraud Bill
Guest: Jay Kolls

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Episode Overview

This Garage Logic episode is anchored by host Joe Soucheray and the usual GL crew, with key guest investigative reporter Jay Kolls. The main topic is the mysterious withdrawal of a Minnesota state legislative bill—originally fronted by Senator Heather Gustafson—to create a truly independent, law-enforcement empowered Office of Inspector General (OIG) to fight state-level fraud. Despite last year's strong bipartisan support, the bill was essentially gutted behind the scenes. The episode is an exposé of political maneuvering, transparency failures, and questions about government reluctance to enable robust, outside fraud oversight.

Aside from this, the episode also touches on:

• A record-breaking girls’ hockey game and its “ray of hope”
• Minneapolis city politics and rental activism
• A major Potomac River sewage spill and its metaphorical implications for American governance

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Key Segments & Insights

1. The Inspector General Bill Disappearance

Segment: 03:06–19:30

Background and Bill Details

• Senator Heather Gustafson (DFL, Vadnais Heights) authored a bill for an independent, statewide Office of Inspector General (OIG) with full law enforcement authority—subpoena power, warrants, and the ability to arrest (04:10–04:24).
• Would be appointed not by governor or legislature, but by a bipartisan commission (05:18).
• Bill passed the Minnesota Senate 60-7, with strong bipartisan and gubernatorial support (04:36, 04:53).

The Mystery Emerges

• Bill stalled in the House without a vote last year—carried over into the present biennium (04:59).
• Governor’s OIG Coordinating Council minutes (Dec 18, 2025) stated a recommendation to find a "workable solution versus the Gustafson bill." This suggested internal opposition (06:41–07:45).
• Senator Gustafson, left out of these discussions, voiced confusion and concern when questioned by Jay Kolls and Kenny Olson (07:45).

Governor’s Office: Stonewalling & Non-Answers

• Repeated media inquiries to Governor Walz’s office about the Council's intent were brushed off with vague, dismissive statements (08:20–09:11).

  “They gave us a very watered down statement that didn’t really answer our question.” – Jay Kolls [08:00]

The Legislative Maneuver

• House State Government Finance Committee (Chair: Ginny Clavorn, DFL 42B) considered a “DE” (delete everything) amendment to strip out the entire Gustafson bill and replace it with a version giving appointment power solely to the governor, removing law enforcement authority (09:32–10:39).
• No discussion was allowed before the committee vote, an unusual move that infuriated Republicans (11:06–11:59).

  “The chair allows no discussion, Joe, on the amendment to delete the Gustafson bill, which is highly unusual.” – Jay Kolls [11:30]

Vote Outcome & Fallout

• The committee deadlocked (7-7, party lines), so the deletion failed, but the chair adjourned before any vote could be held on the actual Gustafson bill—leaving it dormant and blocked (12:09–14:05).
• Kolls speculates the governor’s office wants to keep fraud investigations “in-house” and under executive control, perhaps fearing independent authority (14:05–14:34).

GL Panelist Reactions & Speculation

• “Either Walz is guilty as hell of allowing fraud, or he knows... who engineered it.” – Joe Soucheray [21:07]
• “This stinks.” – Joe Ruck [19:08]
• Gustafson herself is “concerned,” having worked two years to get bipartisan support, only to see it stalled [19:10].

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2. Youth Hockey Marathon: “Ray of Hope”

Segment: 25:10–32:09

• Interview with Brian Dearing, coach of Cottage Grove U12 girls team that won a three-day, 12-overtime district playoff against St. Paul, celebrated as a rare, positive, community-anchored story.

  “I consider this such a tremendous ray of hope… they just kept playing till somebody won.” – Joe Soucheray [26:17]

• Emphasis on teamwork, resilience, and absence of “everyone gets a trophy” culture.
• “In this day and age, I wouldn't have expected that that would have happened…” – Joe Soucheray [27:31]

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3. Minneapolis City Drama & Rent Strikes

Segment: 34:22–43:53

• Minneapolis City Council delayed liquor license renewals for hotels who hosted ICE agents—the panel laments the council’s ideological stances trumping business sense (34:22–36:21).
• Coverage of local tenant unions urging a rent strike to force an eviction moratorium.

  “The Marxists don’t understand… you need somebody that builds an apartment complex… and then manages it… pays for it… These are bad people. We cannot survive this governance.” – Joe Ruck [40:28–41:20]

• The panel bemoans the erosion of common sense, responsible management, and the danger of failed governance.

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4. Potomac Sewage Spill as Metaphor for American Dysfunction

Segment: 72:45–85:33

• Extensive listener letter from Krista in Maryland on the partisan blame game over a catastrophic Potomac River sewage spill.
• Emphasizes government dysfunction, buck-passing, and ordinary citizens’ suffering.

  “No one should have to deal with this shit. And I mean that quite literally…” – Listener Krista [74:13] “We have turned into a society that is busting at the seams to argue and fight over ideologies we’re clinging to despite our peril.” [74:41]

• GL panel agrees disasters now serve as literary metaphors for broken American governance; compares to what would happen if something similar struck the Mississippi near St. Paul.

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5. Other Notable Quotes, Moments, and Commentary

• “What logical conclusion can a citizen reach when the governor… stands to benefit from there being no outside inspector general?” – Joe Ruck [15:36]
• “It’s a dirty business.” – Joe Ruck [16:47]
• “It’s the nuts and bolts of what takes place up there… terribly revelatory.” – Joe Ruck [17:47]
• Reflection on unchecked bureaucracy: “If they’re not crooks, they’re beyond incompetent.” – Joe Soucheray [21:13]
• Frustration with Minneapolis city governance: “It’s just pathetic how this city’s run.” – Kenny Olson [39:12]
• Commentary on lost public trust: “We’ve let it happen. We didn’t pay attention… it’s all ending before your very eyes.” – Joe Ruck [43:21]
• The "river full of crud" moment framing national decline (86:28–86:42).

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Inspector General Bill Backstory & Disappearance: 03:06 – 19:30
• Girls’ Hockey Marathon/Ray of Hope: 25:10 – 32:09
• Minneapolis Council & Rent Strikes: 34:22 – 43:53
• Potomac Sewage Spill & Listener Rant: 72:45 – 85:33

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Overall Tone

True to Garage Logic’s style: wry, irreverent, and heavy with common-sense skepticism. The hosts are frustrated, exasperated, often sarcastic, and paint recent Minnesota (and American) political events as evidence of a deeply broken, self-serving government apparatus. Amid the cynicism, they highlight rare moments of everyday heroism and community spirit (the hockey marathon).

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Listener Value

This summary arms the listener with:

• A clear timeline of the inspector general bill’s fate and why it matters to state government accountability.
• A sense of how partisan gamesmanship undermines bipartisan public interest legislation.
• The stakes: unchecked fraud, unaccountable governance, and the impact on the “average citizen.”
• An example of local sports as hope in a cynical landscape.
• Larger-stakes metaphor via the Potomac sewage disaster, reinforcing the show’s call for a return to accountability and competence.

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Transcript

[Joe Soucheray]

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[Joe Ruck]

Goodbye New Year, new you. This season, Ollie is here to help you embrace a slower pace.

[Chris Reavers]

The kind where you cozy up at

[Joe Ruck]

home with your dog tucked right beside you. After the holiday rush and all the spending, you're probably craving those quieter moments sometimes soft blankets, a comfy couch, and the kind of emotional reset that only

[Joe Soucheray]

happens when you're curled up with your pup. Spending intentional time with your dog isn't

[Joe Ruck]

just comforting, it's proven to support your mood, reduce stress and help you feel

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[Joe Soucheray]

Hail the Flashlight King.

[Joe Ruck]

And now from the mayor's office above the boat house on the east shore of Spoon Lake, it's Garage Logic with Chris Reavers manning technology corner, Kenny Olson from the crabby coffee shop, John Height in the newsroom, and of course the rookie here is your flashlight King, fireworks commissioner and the keeper of common sense, your mayor, Joe Sush. Frequent off site correspondent Downing wants to know, can't these Minneapolis hotels simply say no liquor sales are illegal on stolen land. Yeah, thank you.

[Joe Soucheray]

That's a good one.

[Chris Reavers]

Before we start the show, can I start the show with the confession? Ten seconds. No. I was at the airport today and I saw Ingy in line and I

[Joe Ruck]

100% hid and avoided him.

[Chris Reavers]

I just, I didn't have it in me today. I didn't have. And he went through the standard line.

[Joe Ruck]

Well, you're human, aren't you?

[Chris Reavers]

That's my confession.

[Joe Ruck]

Last week on Crabby Coffee Shop. The boys even got some TV time. They had a guest named Heather Gustafson, who was a Democratic House member in Minnesota representing District 36, the northern suburb she lives in. And she was proposing a bill to create an inspector general who would have sole law enforcement authority over fraudsters. And we learned today that the bill was defeated. And we're joined by Jay Coles, who was instrumental in getting Heather to talk. And would you background us a little bit on that, Jay? Sure.

[Jay Coles]

So Senator Gustafson last year, is she a senator?

[Joe Ruck]

I thought she was a House member.

[Jay Coles]

State senator.

[Joe Ruck]

I'm sorry. State senator Heather. Gus. Okay.

[Jay Coles]

Yeah, that's okay.

[Joe Ruck]

Yeah.

[Jay Coles]

So Dfeller, as you said, East Metro Vadnais Heights is where she lives. But so she. Last year, out of all the anti fraud measures that were introduced, this was a big one.

[Joe Ruck]

Right.

[Jay Coles]

This was considered one of the key pieces of legislation. And that would be an independent. And that's the key here. Independent, statewide office of inspector general with law enforcement authority. In other words, subpoena power, warrants, can even arrest people.

[Joe Ruck]

Wonderful.

[Jay Coles]

Yeah. Independent of the governor, independent of the legislature. And miraculously, you could say it passed in the Senate 60 to 7.

[Joe Ruck]

Okay. Bipartisan support.

[Jay Coles]

Bipartisan support, big time. You know, when you have Aaron May Quaid and Steve Drazkowski, you know, agreeing on something, you've done something. Right.

[Chris Reavers]

So.

[Joe Ruck]

Right. Not to mention that she's a Democrat who proposed the bill.

[Jay Coles]

Correct. And the governor said publicly, if that bill gets to my desk, I'll sign it.

[Mike Schoonover]

Right.

[Jay Coles]

So then it quietly died, if you will, in the House last year with no vote up or down, never made it to the House floor. Well, because it's a biennium, a biennial legislature, it still stays in the hopper because it passed out of the Senate. So when this session started, the bill was still there.

[Joe Ruck]

Right.

[Jay Coles]

As. As it was from a year ago. And this independent office of Inspector General would be not appointed by the governor or the legislature. It would be a bipartisan commission. Equal number of Democrats, equal number of Republicans agreeing on it and forwarding three, I think, three finalists and they winnow it down. And then one is selected by this commission so that the governor doesn't have any authority over it and the legislature has no authority over it, stays completely independent and doesn't operate out of the BCA or anything like that. It's on its own.

[Mike Schoonover]

Right.

[Kenny Olson]

So

[Jay Coles]

last week, Kenny and I on our podcast, I had Heather Gustafson on, because I got my hands on the minutes from this OIG coordinating council that the Governor created late last year.

[Joe Ruck]

What's oig?

[Jay Coles]

So OIG is the Office of Inspector General Coordinating Counsel, what that is, and it's chaired by the BCA Superintendent, Drew Evans, and it was created by the governor. And it also includes Judge o', Malley, who was appointed to be the new director of the Office of Program Integrity, and this consulting firm hired by the governor called Waypoint. Waypoint also employs, interesting to note, also employs Judge O'.

[Joe Ruck]

Malley.

[Jay Coles]

Right. So they have a meeting in December, December 18th of 2025. Someone gave me the minutes from that meeting, Joe, and in that meeting, there's a line in there that jumped out at me. It said one of the recommendations from this council is. And this council is made up of all the inspector generals from all the state agencies, plus the bca, Waypoint and Judge o'. Malley. That's what this coordinating counsel is. In their minutes, it said one recommendation was find a, quote, workable solution versus the Gustafson bill. The reason that jumped out at me, Joe, is because that bill passed 60 to 7 in the Senate, was considered strong bipartisan support, support of the governor. And all of a sudden, somebody in this meeting, which included the bca, was talking about a workable solution versus the Gustafson bill. To me, that word versus meant something else, something in opposition to the Gustafson bill.

[Joe Ruck]

Right.

[Jay Coles]

So I got a hold of Senator Gustafson. She was completely unaware of it. She was not real pleased about it because no one had talked to her from this Coordinating Council, which again, was established by the governor. Nobody contacted her one way or the other to even say what it means or what they're trying to do. So she came on our show with Kenny and I and said, hey, I got concerns because I don't get it. This already passed out of the Senate. It's ready to be debated in the House again in another week. And Heather had no idea what was going on.

[Mike Schoonover]

Right?

[Joe Ruck]

Right.

[Jay Coles]

So we contacted the governor's office on Monday because we were going to air something on Wednesday. For two days. The spokesperson in the governor's office, Joe, kept telling us this wasn't a story, that we were reading way too much into it, that there's nothing there. We don't even know who said it in these minutes. Nobody's quoted in the minutes on and on and on. And then they gave us a very watered down statement that didn't really answer our question. And our question was, Joe, very simple, what does this mean, workable solution versus the Gustafson bill? Does that mean you're going to Replace the Gustafson bill. Does that mean you're going to amend it significantly? Does that mean the governor no longer supports it? They wouldn't answer any of those questions. They never answered one of those questions and gave us kind of a nothing burger statement, if you will. I feel comfortable saying that because it didn't answer any of our questions. So today.

[Joe Ruck]

Today. Now, this is crucial. This is crucial this morning, what happened.

[Jay Coles]

So that's. So I had to set it all up because the governor's office was telling us it was nothing. So in the state, what's the House State Government Finance Committee?

[Joe Ruck]

Right.

[Jay Coles]

The Gustafson bill creating an independent office of Inspector General was in this committee, right?

[John Height]

Yes.

[Jay Coles]

Matta Committee to get to the House floor for a floor vote. The chair of the committee has another bill that's introduced by Representative Norris and essentially there's an amendment offered, Joe, and it was called a D E amendment. D E means a DE amendment to the Gustafson bill. DE means delete entirely. Oh, so the amendment was to delete the Gustafson bill entirely and take it out of play.

[Joe Ruck]

Taken out of play for legislative action. It's done.

[Jay Coles]

Correct. And here's what we've got instead. And what we have instead is new language from Representative Norris which says this Office of Inspector General would now be appointed by the governor and not have any law enforcement authority, which is contrary to the whole idea of an independent office of Inspector General with full law enforcement authority. Right.

[Kenny Olson]

Jay, would you say that essentially puts the governor in charge?

[Jay Coles]

Correct. It would be walls or whomever the governor is moving forward. So it would keep it in House. Right. It would still be controlled by the governor with, say, from the legislature and no law enforcement authority.

[Joe Ruck]

Okay, I know what I'm going to say, Jay. What. What is your. What is. What do you think about that?

[Jay Coles]

Well, let me. Let me tell you one more thing, Joe, before we get to that question.

[Joe Ruck]

Yeah.

[Jay Coles]

The chair of that committee did not allow any discussion.

[Joe Ruck]

Do we know who that chair is? Do we know who that chair is?

[Jay Coles]

You know, they told me her name and I should have written it down this morning. I had a bunch of people calling me and I don't off the top of my head. All right, but just do a quick Google. House State Government Finance Committee.

[Joe Ruck]

All right. House State Finance Government Committee. We're working on. We'll get it. Yep, go ahead.

[Jay Coles]

So the chair allows no discussion, Joe, on the amendment to delete the Gustafson bill, which is highly unusual. It doesn't happen very. I mean, there's always discussion before you vote on an amendment or a bill.

[Joe Ruck]

Correct.

[Jay Coles]

So that really rankled some of the Republicans on the committee and specifically Representative Jim Nash, who said, what do you mean we're not going to have a discussion on this? I got a lot to say about this. And she goes, we do this all the time. And he goes, no, we don't. That's a direct way. He goes, no, we don't. Yes, we do. We have discussion.

[Joe Ruck]

Ginny Clavorn. Ginny Clavorn, yeah.

[Jay Coles]

You know, and I'm not familiar with her at all, to be quite honest with you.

[Joe Ruck]

Right.

[Kenny Olson]

She's DFL District 42B.

[Jay Coles]

So Clavhorn, no discussion. Joe. Highly irregular. Seven Republicans and seven Democrats split the vote in the committee. Seven vote in favor. The Democrats vote in favor of deleting the Gustafson bill. Seven Republicans vote against deleting the Gustafson bill. So the amendment dies on a tie vote. At that moment. At that moment, the chair of that committee did not allow a vote on the Gustafson bill. She shut the committee down and adjourned the committee, which really made everybody mad. And I was told the Republicans had a news conference about a half hour ago about all this and I didn't get a chance to catch it. But back to your question. What do I make of all this? Yes, I make this of it. Kenny and I had legitimate questions to the governor's office that were not answered. And now we know why they weren't answering those questions, Joe. Because they knew a week ago they were going to try to delete this Gustafson bill. And I think this is again, a move. I could be wrong, but my thought is the notion of an independent office of Inspector general with law enforcement authority does not sit well with the governor's office right now. That's the only thing I can think of. And maybe some House Democrats as well. Right. It's pretty obvious because it was 60 to 7 in the Senate in favor of it. And when we were legitimately asking a fair question, what does this mean a week ago, what do you mean? Something versus the Gusupson bill. And they told us it was nothing. Turns out it was something. This is a big deal because it was a key piece of legislation from last year. It had huge bipartisan support. The governor supported it. Now all of a sudden it's going nowhere in the House, at least so far. Right. Right now it's stalled in the House again. And clearly they want to keep this office of Inspector General in House, and that's going to be the big fight. Does it stay in house or does it become truly independent or at least as independent as possibly can be?

[Kenny Olson]

Jay, can you speculate, can you speculate on why they want to keep it in house before I jump to conclusion?

[Joe Ruck]

I can.

[Kenny Olson]

Yeah, so can I. But I want to hear what Jay has to say.

[Jay Coles]

I think it's to control. To control it all, Kenny. To be able to control what's happening with how the fraud is investigated, who might be. Who might be charged with a crime or prosecutor. There's a whole host of things. I think the overarching thing is they don't want to release control, they want to keep control of it.

[Joe Ruck]

Let me, Let me, Let me, Let me. Let me phrase it this way.

[Jay Coles]

Yeah, yeah.

[Joe Ruck]

At the outset, the governor was in favor of this bill.

[Joe Soucheray]

Correct?

[Joe Ruck]

He has reached the point where he is. It occurs to me he's benefiting from this bill having now disappeared. That would be his wish. He got his wish. That bill has disappeared. Does that mean when he was initially in favor of it, he figured, oh, hell, a year will go by and people will forget about it. I look good favoring it, but when push comes to shove, I want it to not happen. And that tells me he's either guilty as hell or he knows who is.

[Jay Coles]

I think that's a. I think it's a fair conclusion to draw. I think there's many you could draw. I don't. I mean, that could be fair, Joe.

[Josh Arnold]

Yes.

[Jay Coles]

I mean, who. I just don't know. I'd be speculating completely, but.

[Joe Ruck]

Well, that's in the. We're in the speculation business.

[Jay Coles]

Yes, I guess we are. I guess we are. That's fair speculation.

[Joe Ruck]

Well, what. What logical conclusion can a citizen of this state reach when the governor, who is overseeing years and years and years of fraud is going to stand to benefit from there being no outside inspector general?

[Jay Coles]

That's a really good question.

[John Height]

And

[Kenny Olson]

this makes him look really bad.

[Joe Ruck]

Well, but he didn't do anything. It happened in this committee. He wasn't in the committee meeting. Yeah, he. He is just. This smacks of everything that must have taken place in a cloak room over the months. This is. Look, I'm looking good right now because I said I'd be favor of this, but you guys make sure this doesn't happen. That's what it sounds like to me.

[Jay Coles]

I don't think, Joe, that they thought anybody would get their hands on those minutes from that December 18th meeting of this OID Coordinating Council. Yes, and I don't think they thought Anybody would notice that one little line. It's just one little line that says, recommendation, find a workable solution versus the Gustafson bill.

[Joe Ruck]

Man, it's a dirty business.

[Chris Reavers]

Yeah.

[Josh Arnold]

And.

[Jay Coles]

And then a week ago, when Kenny and I are asking these questions, we're told it's nothing, that we're reading too much into it. What's the news here? The direct question to me from a spokesperson in the governor's office was, what's the news here? What's the story here? Jay and Renee Cooper, who. I worked on it with Channel 5. And we repeatedly said, it seems pretty clear we're asking one simple question. What does that line mean? Does that mean you're going to gut the bill? Does it mean you're going to kill the bill? Does it mean the governor doesn't support the bill? And we never got an answer to those three questions. But today we kind of did, didn't we? Now, the bill is not technically killed yet, right. Until they adjourn. But right now it's just sitting there dormant. Right? And I know the Republicans are gonna fight to try to get another vote in another committee or do something with it.

[Mike Schoonover]

But.

[Jay Coles]

But right now, right now it's dormant. It's pretty significant. I think it's really significant.

[Joe Ruck]

It's the nuts and bolts of what takes place up there. It can be tedious, but this is terribly revelatory. Something took place between Gustafson's author authoring this bill and today some ma took place behind the scenes to make sure this did not happen.

[Mike Schoonover]

Correct.

[Jay Coles]

And we got an inkling of it from those minutes a week ago from that meeting with the BCA and o' Malley and this coordinating council we got. All of a sudden, there's something there that looks like something's happening with that Gustafson bill. What is it? Nobody would tell us. And we had to wait till today to find out. And how unusual is it to shut down? How unusual is it for a committee chair to say no discussion on an amendment? That is really, really rare. That hardly ever happens. And then when, when the amendment doesn't pass, you shut down the whole meeting and you don't take a vote on the bill, on the GUS system bill at all, so it can't come out of committee. That. That speaks volumes. They don't want this bill to happen.

[Joe Ruck]

Clearly.

[Joe Soucheray]

I don't know what you guys are talking about because that's not the governor walls I know.

[Joe Ruck]

Prosecutor quit yesterday.

[Jay Coles]

Fraud is a long forgotten thing for

[Joe Ruck]

everybody except me and people in Minnesota who know we need to prosecute it and do what's right. Yeah. Yeah. Thanks, Jim. Boy, this stinks, Jay. This stinks.

[Jay Coles]

It's just.

[John Height]

It's.

[Jay Coles]

And I can tell you, Senator Gustafson, really, she was texting me this morning, and she's concerned, you know, and she told Kenny and I. She's concerned. She has a right to be concerned. She spent two years, she told me, working on that bill to get the bipartisan support she got. And now it's just sitting there dormant in the House.

[Joe Ruck]

Thank you, sir. Thank you.

[Jay Coles]

Yeah, anytime.

[Joe Soucheray]

We think. See you. Bye. See you.

[Joe Ruck]

Jake Ruck. Who is Ginny Clavorn?

[Chris Reavers]

She is a. She's with the Plymouth and parts of Hennepin County. That's what she represents in 42B. Her family has lived in Belgium and Brazil. In Brazil, she volunteered for Catholic Relief.

[Joe Ruck]

Cut to the chase.

[Chris Reavers]

Saint Louis University. Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She's a professional mediator. She served on the Minnesota Office of Lawyers of Professional Responsibility Board and the Wayzata School District Legislative Action Committee. She's a guardian and

[Jay Coles]

litem littern l

[Chris Reavers]

I t e m ad litem in the Fourth Judicial Juvenile Court.

[Joe Ruck]

She's a lawyer, in other words?

[Chris Reavers]

Yes.

[Joe Ruck]

I've never heard of her. Three terms, Never heard of her.

[Chris Reavers]

She does chair of the Senate and Local Government Finance and Policy Committee.

[Joe Soucheray]

You nailed it with him. How is anyone possibly supposed to draw a different conclusion? At least anyone that's somewhat paying attention to this.

[Joe Ruck]

Yeah, but I hesitate to implicate Ginny Clavorn, about whom I know nothing.

[Joe Soucheray]

I was talking about walls.

[Joe Ruck]

You know? I know, but you gotta piece this together. She's chairing this Finance Committee that's hearing this proposal and she's not allowing any discussion on it. They just eliminate the bill. Well, why, hello.

[Joe Soucheray]

We've got, what, $9 billion worth of evidence?

[Chris Reavers]

She's a married Catholic with three kids.

[Joe Ruck]

Now, those Catholics, you can't trust them. I don't know anything about her, but she seems. She seems an integral part of understanding what took place. Well, call her. Call her, rook. Chances are she won't come on. But call her. This is with bipartisan support. A bill is created and then, with bipartisan support, voted on in the Senate to pass it to the House to create an inspector general completely independent of everything up there. Governor, legislature, every bureau of criminal everywhere. They're going to be their own sheriff. And then you commit $9 billion worth of fraud. We get to arrest you and put you in jail, and you'll be prosecuted. Now, there's A part of me that thinks that's another example of how government grows. My God. We've got enough law enforcement agencies, but in this case, you have no specific law enforcement agency that could work inside the Capitol and be in control of fraud. That doesn't exist. So therefore, here was the creation of this. This, this would be body. This would be agency. And the governor last year. I'm on board. And goes on and on and on. They have a meeting in December. That's not that long ago. Because they know the legislative session is coming up. They have a meeting in December that says we need to add a line to this bill. There could be other options. The governor's office won't reveal what that means. And then today we discover the other options are, you ain't getting this bill. That's the other option. You're not getting this bill. Meanwhile, we're governed by the most incompetent. If they're not crooks, they're beyond incompetent. To me, either Walls. No. Either Walls is guilty as hell of allowing fraud, or he knows the specific players who engineered it and are guilty. I want to tell you about your garage door. The wind howling last night was your garage door making noise. Not supposed to. Not supposed to. It's a garage door. Supposed to be firm and solid. Maybe you need a new door. Get a hold of Precision door right now. 500 bucks off any model of door, plus the opener combination and the. They've got models for every budget. They send out a designer. Bing, bang, boom, you get a new door. They work in these conditions. If you like your current door, but she's acting up and you got another six weeks of winter, according to that rodent out in Pennsylvania. Book a noisy door tune up special for 149 bucks. They come out and they put the diagnostics on there. They got a stethoscope and, you know, heart machines and all that stuff. And they say, here, here's the problem. Or maybe you don't have a problem. Book online at precisiondoormn.com or call Precision Door at 612-263-6985 and schedule your on site new door estimate. Or book a precision door noisy door tune up special.

[Joe Soucheray]

Any luck, Ruck? Because my guess is you didn't get someone to answer that phone.

[Joe Ruck]

Here's your mic.

[Chris Reavers]

I have a voicemail.

[Joe Soucheray]

Okay.

[Chris Reavers]

With your office.

[Joe Soucheray]

Will you get forward? We're still doing our show. Will you forward me the coach's number so I can give the coach.

[Joe Ruck]

Coach a call? Well, that's the other. The other. We have some good news. The endless hockey game ended. Cottage Grove playing St. Paul in a U12 girls hockey. Cottage Grove finally won the three day 12 overtime game and they won it last night. The Cottage Grove Wolf pack and the St. Paul Saints they played. They started playing 7:30 Monday night and they ended at 11 after three regulation periods and six overtimes. They resumed at 10:45 Tuesday with the seventh overtime. Despite playing through a tenth overtime, the game returned, remained tied leading to another suspension. The teams competed again last night for the 11th and 12th overtimes. And I take it that they had to take what ice time they could get because these arenas are so booked all the time that.

[Joe Soucheray]

What school is that? You said the St. Paul saints.

[Joe Ruck]

That's a combination of all the schools.

[Joe Soucheray]

Well, they have one team.

[Chris Reavers]

It's.

[Joe Ruck]

It's the St. Paul.

[Chris Reavers]

It's the association. So it's not the high schools?

[Joe Ruck]

No, these are 12 and under girls.

[Joe Soucheray]

Okay, I'm sorry, I just didn't know what school. Okay.

[Joe Ruck]

And they found just enough girls around the town to put together one team. And then they played the Cottage Grove Wolf Pack. The coach's name is Brian Dearing and I just have a few brief questions for the guy because I consider this such a tremendous ray of hope that in this day and age no self appointed woke prematurely gray haired 42 year old mother raced to the scene to say, you can't do this. This is too hard on them. Someone should be declared a winner. Or better yet, they're all winners. They're all winners. Let's give them all medals. Apparently none of that happened. They just kept playing till somebody won. It's a miracle. And we're having Brian join us for just a moment here. Is Brian with us?

[John Height]

Yep.

[Joe Ruck]

Brian Dearing, that's me. What a great, what a great event this was for a variety of reasons, but you're the Cottage Grove coach and you beat the St. Paul Club, what, three to two? Yeah.

[Brian Dearing]

With the, with the overtime shootout or whatever you want to call that. The.

[Joe Ruck]

And it was. It went to how many overtimes? 12.

[Brian Dearing]

12 overtimes plus the shootout. Correct.

[Joe Ruck]

So here's what impressed me about it. In this day and age, I wouldn't have expected that that would have happened. I kept thinking that some crackpot from one of the schools would have said, oh, let's give them all a ribbon or it's too late at night. How can you do this over a space of three days? It sounds like it all worked out great.

[Brian Dearing]

Yeah, it was, it was Unique. They kind of had to change the rules on the fly. The district only allows 10 minute overtime, 5 on 5 until there's a winner and we had to change it. But no, it was, it was pretty exciting. The kids, kids did great. They came back each night prepared and you know, we had to, we had to learn on the fly.

[Joe Ruck]

And Tuesday night, what time did you get on the ice?

[Brian Dearing]

It's kind of all the blur. Tuesday night was 5:35 and we had one hour allotted so that we got four more overtimes in on Tuesday.

[Joe Ruck]

Yep.

[Brian Dearing]

And then last night obviously was 5:45 and they also only had one hour for us so we had to ultimately go to that shootout now.

[Joe Ruck]

So what's happening is you're squeezing these overtimes in before other people have booked the rink time. Right. You have to just fill. You got to sneak in there and use the ice when it isn't scheduled, correct? Yeah.

[Brian Dearing]

So each, each night I met up with the tournament director and we found, and we found some time with the other coaches that worked for the next day and certainly didn't expect to have to find that again on Wednesday. But you know, here we are.

[Joe Ruck]

What was your reaction from the people around the team, the parents and the schools and all positive?

[Brian Dearing]

Yeah, yeah, I think, you know, certainly some disbelief that it went this long. Yeah, you know, both teams played incredibly well and the goaltenders were clearly, when you look at the number of shots they both faced was pretty incredible. But yeah, everyone just kind of rallied around, including all the team members and it was, it was a lot of fun.

[Joe Ruck]

Did you all shake hands afterwards?

[Josh Arnold]

Of course.

[Joe Ruck]

Oh, wonderful, wonderful. Where do you, where do you advance to now? The Cottage Grove Club.

[Brian Dearing]

So we, we get to go back at it tonight. So that was, that was, that was just one of the games of the district playoffs. So we actually lost our first game on. Sorry, everything's kind of a blur here on Sunday night. So we advanced to the constellation. We still have an opportunity, well, you know, with, with some good play and probably some good luck to get through the districts into the regionals. But tonight's just another district playoff game and it's the same scenario. Winner, winner go home and you know, we'll get. Be there ready to Play.

[Joe Ruck]

So the St. Paul club is done for the year.

[Brian Dearing]

They are correct.

[Chris Reavers]

Yeah. So who buys the beer? Do John and Mike buy you the beer from St. Paul or do you have to buy them one?

[Brian Dearing]

Well, we kind of parted ways at the end. You know, it was, it was really incredible experience for these kids, man. And I was so proud of them. They rallied around, really grew as a team, and it was, it was just fun to be part of. And shoot, by the end of it, I was just a fan. You know, I got a daughter on the team. I'm a dad too. And you know, you're just watching these kids pour their hearts out there. It was pretty incredible to witness.

[Joe Ruck]

To your knowledge, does this set some kind of record for number of overtimes?

[Brian Dearing]

Well, apparently there's no official record, but I can't imagine it would be much more. Certainly the number of days might be.

[Joe Ruck]

Might be a right. And is it. Do you think it's something these kids will remember for a long time?

[Brian Dearing]

My, I certainly hope so. Yeah, they really, they really bonded over it, you know. You know, as a coach, that's all you hope for. You get out there and hope to show them what you can. And at the end of the day, they take the, they take the reins. And, you know, I saw some leaders step up during the game. I mean, it was just really.

[Joe Soucheray]

Brian, how bad did that hockey bag smell from your daughter after the end of that game?

[Brian Dearing]

Well, we do air it out every night.

[Joe Soucheray]

Oh, okay. Good, good.

[Brian Dearing]

The first night, you know, we got home really late.

[Kenny Olson]

Right.

[Brian Dearing]

I wasn't home till the game started at 7:30. We didn't get home till 11:30.

[Joe Ruck]

Yeah.

[Brian Dearing]

Second night was a little bit more manageable because we, you know, we only had the one hour at the rink and then, same as last night, but each night the, the team went out and kind of hung out, celebrated a little bit and you know, it just now we, like I said, we got to go back at it tonight and hopefully we can carry that same energy.

[Joe Ruck]

Well, we wanted to give you the Garage Logic ray of hope. It was a great story.

[Brian Dearing]

I really appreciate it.

[Chris Reavers]

Any PWHL prospects coming out of Cottage Grove?

[Brian Dearing]

Well, I certainly, I know my goalie, she. She certainly has the desire, so I think she's pretty great.

[Chris Reavers]

Good luck.

[Joe Ruck]

Thanks, Brian.

[Brian Dearing]

Yeah, awesome.

[Mike Schoonover]

Thank you, guys.

[Joe Ruck]

Thank you. Brian Dearing is the coach of Cottage Grove. They won. Took three days. Took three days and 12 overtimes and a shootout.

[Chris Reavers]

Poor St. Paul, huh? Come on, you gotta score. You gotta. You gotta put the biscuit in the basket, right?

[Joe Ruck]

That's right. Where were we?

[Joe Soucheray]

What was your highest level of coaching one of your kids for hockey?

[Chris Reavers]

I wasn't allowed on the ice. Even with Gabe. They didn't know you're. You just put gear on you.

[Kenny Olson]

You go get the snacks with advice like you've got to put the biscuit in the basket. Yeah, well, I don't know why they didn't seek you out.

[Chris Reavers]

Speaking of that, I TR flipping tables in the locker room, telling one kid that was all bandaged up to get his gear back on.

[Kenny Olson]

Did you kick the trash can across the locker room?

[Chris Reavers]

I did, but I broke my toe. It kind of backfired on me.

[Joe Soucheray]

I know you're gonna move on, but speaking of biscuit in the basket, how about Hughes yesterday?

[Joe Ruck]

Well, that was.

[Joe Soucheray]

He would not come off the ice.

[Joe Ruck]

He's a C winner. We can't say the word. You can't say the word, but he could lead the team to a C. He's that good.

[Joe Soucheray]

He's three minutes straight at overtime.

[Joe Ruck]

Well, plus, if he has any open eyes at all, we'll see you later.

[Kenny Olson]

I missed the whole thing. Did he smile?

[Joe Ruck]

Yeah, a little bit. A little bit. But he's. He's real, real guarded.

[Kenny Olson]

I've seen him smile once on the ice, and I saw a picture of him as a kid, a family photo where he was actually smiling. That's the only two times I've seen him smile.

[Chris Reavers]

He was like that Brittany McMillan in the Girls tourney that never came off the ice during their championship game.

[Joe Ruck]

Well, the other thing about him is his aerobic capacity must be off the charts.

[Kenny Olson]

He really works hard.

[Joe Ruck]

He said. I mean, he doesn't need to come off the ice.

[Kenny Olson]

If you focus just on him. My God, he never stops pedaling.

[Joe Ruck]

Yeah.

[Chris Reavers]

In his routine, whatever town he's in, he just does the same routine in the same hotel room. And this just like Tiger woods did.

[Joe Ruck]

That's what I thought. Let's not. Let's not jinx the guy.

[Chris Reavers]

No, no, I don't want to.

[Joe Ruck]

I don't want to. Liquor license renewals for two hotels have been advanced by the Minneapolis City Council. It's taken two weeks because the council intentionally delayed renewal of their licenses because they didn't like ice agents booking rooms at the hotels.

[Chris Reavers]

Are we to applaud that or to still be outraged?

[Joe Ruck]

Well, what it tells us is the right thing happened. But look at the struggle that had to take place to get the right thing to happen. You had council members who should not be in office trying to determine who they wanted to be in charge of, who gets to stay in office.

[Chris Reavers]

And how many businesses have they owned

[Joe Ruck]

getting to the council? Yeah, okay, none. So it happened, but it was like pulling teeth.

[Kenny Olson]

Do you think the pulling teeth and the delaying it and the hemming and hawing was just to appease their supporters? Yes, to make them look good in their eyes. Yes.

[Joe Ruck]

They don't give a bleep about your mythical Delta Airlines maintenance worker or baggage handler. They don't give a bleep about that guy in South Minneapolis with two or three kids. Wife probably works. He works for Delta. And the kids are playing games on the parks and this and that. They don't. That's not what they're there for. They're there to advance a very corrosive ideology. They don't think it's corrosive, but they can't show me any results that aren't corrosive.

[Kenny Olson]

And it doesn't make any sense because they should be holding these. You, I'm assuming, union members. These from the mythical worker, the union member close to their breast. They should be doing everything they can to support and help those sort of citizens, but yet they turn their back on their. Their own voters.

[Joe Ruck]

Yeah, I got something on that. Where is it? Shoot. Oh, there's a tenant strike scheduled. Here it is from cbs. First, I wanted to say, though, it's in keeping with these Marxists denying the liquor license or attempting to. I saw on 5 Eyewitness News last night Jason Chavez being interviewed at the site of the Renee Goode memorial. And the talk has already begun that both Renee Goode and Petty Pretty Alexander Pretty will have permanent memorials like the George Floyd thing. And I think it was Ben Henry who was the. He was trying to get to the bottom of it and he was going to say, well, how much is this going to cost and how long is this going to take? He was referring to this, this absolute folly of the six now going on the sixth year of the George Floyd square. And Chavez's answer was I don't care what it costs. That was his answer.

[Chris Reavers]

Right.

[Joe Ruck]

We said it in passing. I don't care what it costs. What's more important is blah, blah, blah, blah. He didn't care. These people have no sense of the people who have to work to provide the money for these people to be, to act like this. They have no grasp of it whatsoever.

[Kenny Olson]

The complete opposite of what they are supposed to be and do. They are supposed to work for us, all of us.

[Joe Ruck]

It doesn't. It's not working that way in Minneapolis.

[Josh Arnold]

No.

[Chris Reavers]

Although those two lives lost are tragic, they're not. They don't need a monument.

[Joe Ruck]

I'm not saying they shouldn't throw up a plaque or something. What I'm saying is the mindset of that Marxist socialist ideology is that it'll cost us damn near what we want it to cost us and we don't care because that's what we think is important. I'm not saying they shouldn't have a little plaque or something there. These people will argue about this for five years.

[Joe Soucheray]

I was just going to say they

[Joe Ruck]

don't do anything else.

[Joe Soucheray]

Will that intersection be in the weeds for the next 10 years because they can't figure out how to get it done?

[Kenny Olson]

Argue about the inconsequential.

[Joe Ruck]

And it must be. I'm willing to be proven wrong, but it must be that. That's called eat street there. Right. Some boutique restaurants and it's kind of a walkable area.

[Joe Soucheray]

What's left of it, yes.

[Joe Ruck]

Okay. Are all those people just subservient to whoever represents them in the council? That'd be chugti maybe in that area. Why don't they go to Chugta and say, we don't want any of this bs get rid of your barriers and all this other crap. We're trying to make a dollar. We'll worry about putting up a memorial to her.

[Joe Soucheray]

I can tell you why. Because they're fearful of the backlash.

[Joe Ruck]

It's just pathetic how this city's run.

[Kenny Olson]

Joe, they did that over on 38th in Chicago. The business owners did it. Got them nowhere.

[Joe Ruck]

Yeah, it didn't.

[Joe Soucheray]

Joe. Remember the two Fridays in which we had the lock or not lockout, whatever we were calling it, where we were gonna protest ICE and businesses were gonna be closed?

[Joe Ruck]

Yeah. We were gonna show you we won't make any money.

[Joe Soucheray]

I can't tell you how many times I've heard business owners say, you won't believe the amount of backlash we receive for just basically being open. That's the kind of city we are in right now.

[Joe Ruck]

Well, it's time to say bleep it.

[Joe Soucheray]

I couldn't agree more.

[Joe Ruck]

The tenants. A local tenant union is arguing Minnesotans to not pay rent next month to pressure lawmakers to enact an eviction moratorium. The nonprofit Twin Cities Tenants is leading the charge for a statewide rent strike ahead of March 1st. So even if you're up in Roseville, for example, where there wasn't any ICE activity, I suppose you'd get a month off, huh? Charlie Tiry, who lives in a south Minneapolis apartment, is committed to not paying rent next month. He's committed to not paying. We need to represent the interests of our most vulnerable populations, he said.

[Chris Reavers]

Does his landlord know that a Twin

[Joe Ruck]

Cities landlord who didn't want to go on camera, this is a CBS story, said the rent strike would impact him greatly? He has a few properties in the metro simply for side money for his kids college education. He says he also uses the funds to pay for mortgages. See, the Marxists don't understand that in order to have an apartment to live in, you need somebody that first builds an apartment complex and then manages it. How about the toilet breaks and then actually pays for it. Has to go to a bank and give him his monthly check to pay for the apartment building. The Marxist thinks these things come from just wishing for them and somebody else can pay for them. These are bad people. We cannot survive this governance. This will not. It cannot survive.

[Chris Reavers]

The senators cannot hold. As my friend once said,

[Joe Ruck]

they want 10,000 evictions filed in tenant court because that would muck up the courts and make the process so slow they'd never get to me. This Terry explained. Terry said the strategy could help slow down the process of those on the eviction list. If we do authorize the strike and by having the minimum 10,000 numbers. It's not a hope. It's not a hope it had happened, it's a reality. It would happen. So you have. Minneapolis is comfortably chock full of citizens who play right into the hands of the people they've elected. They're working hand in hand to destroy the city.

[Chris Reavers]

What happens when John E. Workman can't pay his mortgage on those apartments because he doesn't have the 20 rent payments?

[Joe Ruck]

Then those apartments go into foreclosure. They would fall into the hands of someone less reputable than John Smith who's now going to bail and pretty sure it's just all a ghetto they're going to get.

[Kenny Olson]

Do they think that they can just skip a payment? If you skip March, do you think you won't have to pay March and April in April?

[Joe Ruck]

Yes, they do think that that's. That's exactly what they think.

[Kenny Olson]

It's not a skip a payment program.

[Joe Ruck]

That's what they want it to be.

[Joe Soucheray]

Yeah. They're going to think I wasn't feeling it this month.

[Chris Reavers]

Credit union.

[Joe Ruck]

Is it this? It's amazing what's happening. It's just right before your very eyes. It's just crumbling.

[Kenny Olson]

See, they all assume that their rent is going directly into the pocket of the landlord.

[Joe Ruck]

Yeah. And he's on a yacht in Miami.

[Kenny Olson]

That's what they think.

[Joe Ruck]

Yeah.

[Kenny Olson]

They don't realize that their rent is not only paying the mortgage, but it's paying for repairs and plumbing and heating and floors and windows and four refrigerators

[Chris Reavers]

to replace on, you know, level seven. That all went out at once.

[Kenny Olson]

They just think it's fat city for these landlords.

[Joe Ruck]

It's just again, these are failed academy activists who have never worked. They've never worked and it's our fault. I've said this before. We let this happen. It's happening in the country. We let it happen. We didn't pay attention. We had it too good for too long and it's all ending right before your very eyes.

[Kenny Olson]

I had to explain when I used to be a landlord to a couple of renters. See now when you don't pay the rent, we're both going to lose this house. Right?

[Joe Ruck]

Right. Why don't we take a time out and come back with Johnny First I'm

[Joe Soucheray]

going to tell you about North American banking company banking done differently and investing in your success since 1998 when they made a promise to have money for better headphones. They don't fall off in the middle of a show. And you know what? You can see it for yourself online. Today it's nabankco.com to learn more. We were talking about businesses and you know what? You business owners, they are going to be here for you. It's personalized service and they want you and want your business to thrive. That's what makes them great. I know a number of business owners that are both Glers and North American Banking Company customers that have reached out to thank for their recommendation. But see it for yourself. Like I said, nabankco.com they offer the same updated online and mobile banking tools as all of those other big national banks. Whether you're looking to buy a home, perhaps refinance a new home renovation project, or even get that new car that you've been dreaming about, their experts make it easy once again. Banking done differently North American Banking Company Member FDIC is an equal housing lender. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game?

[Joe Ruck]

Well, with the name your price tool

[Joe Soucheray]

from Progressive, you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try [e-mail], progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Price and coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance.

[Joe Ruck]

Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Well, with a name your price tool

[Joe Soucheray]

from Progressive you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try [e-mail], progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Pricing coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance.

[Joe Ruck]

Do you ever Find yourself playing the budgeting game.

[Kenny Olson]

Well, with the name your price tool

[Joe Soucheray]

from Progressive, you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates Price and coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states. Reivers here once again from I guy Mr. MoneyTalk, Josh Arnold. Does thinking about retirement make you uncomfortable? Well, sometimes the anxiety from wondering if you've saved enough can be overwhelming. But what if I told you that you could ease those tensions in just 48 minutes? Well, Mr. MoneyTalk is going to be able to sit down with you and get you on the right track for your financial future. Josh has navigated it all when it comes to uncertain market and economic conditions. And he'll always provide straight talk, never sugarcoat advice on how to reach the finish line with your retirement goals. Don't let your financial worries give you an ulcer or keep you from calling Josh right now. His 48 minute no obligation consultation could be just what you need to feel better about your future. Call Josh today at 952-925-5608 and set up your free, yes, free 48 minute no obligation consultation. That's 952-925-5608.

[Joe Ruck]

Investment services offered by Josh Arnold Investment Consultant, LLC. A security investment advisor. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

[Joe Soucheray]

All investments involve risk. All comments and opinions are Josh Arn

[Joe Ruck]

and do not constitute investment advice. Chris Reavers is a paid endorser.

[Kenny Olson]

If you people will shut up and let me talk.

[Joe Ruck]

Finally, finally. Listen to that. Oh baby, let that.

[Joe Soucheray]

He's a man who spends hours in

[Joe Ruck]

hardware stores sifting through the nuts and bolts of life.

[Kenny Olson]

Joe, Susan, this music puts me in mind of a pheasant fest and quail classic happening this weekend. It's all going down at the Minneapolis Convention center running tomorrow through Sunday. And Maple Grove Lock and Safe, they're gonna be there offering 10% off all liberty safes. Now our guy Rich, he's the owner there at Maple Grove Lock and Safe, seems like he always has some sort of sale going on. Liberty Safes, but it's usually for specific models. But this weekend, this 10% off sale covers all models that Liberty makes. That's a huge selection. You should check it out. Go to their website, maple grovelockandsafe.com we're talking safes rated from, well they call them level one rated 40 minute fire protection to level seven to our fire protection models. And by the way, also another reason for going down there. Rich says he's Going to be doing a drawing for an HD200 Quick Vault. That's a value of about 200 bucks. And that's only at the show this weekend, so make sure you get signed up. The Liberty Safe.

[Joe Ruck]

I mean, come on.

[Kenny Olson]

There's no question that they have the best fire protection in the business. Even better. All Liberty safes are made right here in the usa. And even better. And this is what I really love. They come with a fully transferable lifetime warranty. And don't worry, you're not going to have to lug that safe out of the convention center. Rich can set you up with professional Delivery and installation. 10% off all Liberty Safe models. It's this weekend. The Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic at the Minneapolis Convention center and that website. One more time, check out all these safes. Maple grovelockandsafe.com I want to read a brief email before.

[Joe Ruck]

Before we go to John's newsroom. Joe. Hello, Mayor. I own a construction business in Shakopee. This is in keeping with what we've been talking about. I own a construction business in Shakopee that sits on 5.5 acres of land. We have been at this site since 1998 and in business since 1953. Attach is the latest property tax estimate from Scott County. Several items on this list make my blood boil, but take a look at the last thing on the list. Fiscal disparity. Not only is it up almost 15% year over year, but if you Google fiscal disparity, we'll find a complicated equation that creates a system to take monies from areas that have an industrial tax base and give it to areas that don't. I swallow hard and accept this as a civil duty. The bigger issue is giving a government riddled with fraud $33,500 to dole out as they please. 33,500 on 5.5 acres. Do the math on that. For sites much bigger than ours, what could go wrong? Tom Underdahl president, Minnesota Roadways Co. Oh,

[Joe Soucheray]

I know exactly where that is.

[Joe Ruck]

Isn't that something? 33,500 to be distributed to people who don't have an industrial tax base. But again, Tim Walls and anybody who works for him should not be allowed to handle any money whatsoever.

[Kenny Olson]

Given the nature of his business, all he does is store equipment there, right? And repair equipment.

[Joe Ruck]

Probably.

[Joe Soucheray]

Yeah, along those same lines. Sorry, Johnny, can I play you 25 seconds of your guy, Zoran? Mom, Donnie's budget and what it includes in that $127 billion annual budget. Are you Ready, ladies and gentlemen?

[Joe Ruck]

Yes. Equity. 4.6 million. Commission on racial equity. 835,000.

[John Height]

Commission on gender equity. 260,000 for Department of Education. Chief diversity officer. 301,000 for three FDNY civilian chief diversity Inclusion Officers. There's the title for you.

[Joe Ruck]

And 118,000 for an FDNY. Chief Diversity Inclusion Officer. Is that necessary stuff? You can't cut that back. No. Do you know where he's going to cut. If Kathy Hochul does not answer his threat to give him state money, he's going to not bring on the additional 5,000 policemen that are needed.

[Joe Soucheray]

Right.

[Joe Ruck]

He's not going to bring that out, but you got to have a deputy assistant. Equity.

[Chris Reavers]

Of course you do. You need that.

[Joe Ruck]

We're folks, we've not been paying attention. We've let it go. The horses left the barn. I don't know if we can get it back.

[Joe Soucheray]

And I don't know if you heard the first number clearly because the video kind of cut off, but it's 5.6 million for the Office of Racial Equity and another 4.6 on the commission.

[John Height]

The one that struck me was the Chief Diversity Officer of New York City. Did you hear his salary?

[Joe Soucheray]

260.

[John Height]

260 grand.

[Joe Soucheray]

That's a good gig.

[John Height]

Holy bucket.

[Joe Soucheray]

Yeah, but in New York, John, you

[Joe Ruck]

know, there's a lot of diversity you got to handle, John. You know, one minute you're talking to somebody from Haiti, the next minute you're talking to somebody from Tonga.

[Kenny Olson]

But this is the fault of the voters. We need.

[Joe Ruck]

I know.

[Kenny Olson]

We need to put more restrictions on voting.

[John Height]

Oh, God.

[Joe Soucheray]

Isn't that what ICE is trying to do?

[Joe Ruck]

Here's John Heights newscast.

[Kenny Olson]

I'm Kenny.

[John Height]

I don't know which part of that was better. Chris is liner. Anyway, let's move along now to the news, shall we?

[Joe Ruck]

I think so.

[John Height]

This news is brought to you by North American Banking Company. According to a court filing, a woman charged in two different Minneapolis hit and runs that injured three people and killed one has been found incompetent to stand trial. Sophia Sullivan, charged with one count of second degree murder, three counts of attempted second degree murder and three counts of second degree assault with a dangerous weapon. She's accused of hitting pedestrians in two different hit and runs, both on April 30th of last year. The first crash occurred at the intersection of 26th Street west and Grand Avenue South. The two victims told police they were at the intersection, had a green light. They were in the crosswalk when someone driving a white sedan accelerated through the red light and hit them. The first victim suffered a cut to her head. The second victim suffered burn marks from concrete and some bleeding. The second crash occurred around five minutes later at 26th Street west and Emerson Avenue south, about a half mile from the first crash. The first victim thrown 30ft. The second victim was thrown onto the hood of the vehicle. Prosecutors say Sullivan continued driving with the victim on the hood before abruptly breaking. She was thrown onto the road that is the second victim, according to the court documents. Rather than swerving around her, the surveillance video showed Sullivan swerve toward the victim and run her over. The victim became lodged under the car and then was dragged down the road until Sullivan started swerving and and turned into a parking lot. Once that victim was dislodged from underneath the car, Sullivan appeared to run her over again with the rear tires of the car, the complaint says. The victims of the second crash were brought to the hospital. The first victim contained scrapes, abrasions sustained excuse me, scrapes, abrasions and a fractured wrist. The victim, who was dragged and run over twice, died from the injuries. Due to Sullivan's incompetence, the criminal proceedings in the case are suspended until her mental state changes, which will be checked at least every six months. The Hennepin County Prepetition Screening Program will determine if Sullivan should be civilly committed. State lawmakers yesterday heard from more than 20 school leaders who shared details about what's happening in Minnesota schools during federal immigration operations. School leaders said that both local and immigrant families have been afraid to go to school. Now districts need millions of dollars to make up for Ms. Oh my God.

[Joe Soucheray]

Are you freaking kidding me?

[Joe Ruck]

Of course they do.

[John Height]

And providing mental health services. Superintendent Brenda Lewis of Fridley Public Schools said federal agents have been following families home from school, including US Citizens. She also described agents representing themselves as media, taking pictures and videos of staff members outside of the school. Lewis added that fear has driven 400 students to switch to online learning. There are A spokesperson for the Hiawatha association said some students go missing and are detained, then are released days later because they have legal status. According to a representative for the Minnesota Charter School association, some schools are seeing 40 to 50% absences despite efforts to reconnect with students. He added that the state will see achievement gaps moving forward.

[Joe Soucheray]

Democrats worse than the ones that they're already having where 30% of kids can actually read at grade.

[Joe Ruck]

And you wonder why I'm so fond of the three day hockey story. Three days of normalcy.

[John Height]

Democrats in the state Senate echoed the concerns of the School leaders Republicans said they wanted to hear from more voices in the communities and thanked law enforcement.

[Joe Ruck]

There's no greater example of the public having to clean up mysterious messes than the Minneapolis school district. 100%, which can't apparently hire anyone who knows how to budget.

[Joe Soucheray]

Well, not to mention if you're. If your school system and you know, we had the handout last week for the city and all the money that they've lost. If your entire economic blueprint is based upon people being here illegally, that's your problem.

[Joe Ruck]

Well, it's probably not entirely based on that.

[Joe Soucheray]

Well, according to them it is.

[Joe Ruck]

You have a point.

[Joe Soucheray]

Thank you.

[John Height]

The other thing though, Chris, there are people who are afraid to go out who are here legally.

[Joe Soucheray]

Sure, I get that.

[John Height]

The story in the paper yesterday about the Venezuelan fella which illustrated he was here legally but was detained anyway and sent to Texas, then sent back here after two weeks.

[Joe Soucheray]

But John, you also did have schools that intentionally closed their doors for a couple of different days, correct?

[John Height]

For that reason.

[Joe Soucheray]

Well, that's my point.

[Chris Reavers]

I did know people that work at the airport. Once they're at the airport, they're safe. Their worry was from their apartment to

[Joe Ruck]

get to the airport.

[John Height]

I have a friend of someone I know who was in the same boat who doesn't leave his apartment at the moment.

[Joe Soucheray]

Basically, what is holding them up? And I'm not trying to be a redneck jackass. What is their holdup from trying to obtain legal status then, if they're that afraid of.

[John Height]

Well, the problem is, Chris, people are being taken who have legal status. That's why they're afraid to leave if they look like they might be immigrants.

[Joe Soucheray]

But aren't they eventually released?

[Joe Ruck]

But they shouldn't have to be taken.

[John Height]

I get that.

[Joe Soucheray]

I get that totally.

[Joe Ruck]

Then let's be quiet and let John do the news.

[John Height]

The story about the fellow from Venezuela, Chris, he's here legally. They grab him out of his truck for two weeks, they send him to Texas, away from his family, et cetera, et cetera.

[Joe Ruck]

He's perfectly here legally.

[John Height]

Then they sent him back here.

[Joe Ruck]

Yeah, that's. That shouldn't happen. There's no doubt that this surge was very sloppy.

[John Height]

After a two week delay and much debate, Minneapolis City Council, as you said earlier, Joe, have approved liquor license renewals for two downtown hotels that have housed federal immigration enforcement agents. At its meeting Today, the council voted 8, 5 to approve liquor licenses for the Canopy by Hilton, Minneapolis Mill District and the Depot. Minneapolis Council members Asha Chugtai, Jason Chavez, Elliot Payne, Aaron Chaudhary, and Robin Wansley both against the whole thing.

[Joe Ruck]

They shouldn't be there, people. They should not be there.

[Chris Reavers]

Was it just byob if you were there or could. Seriously. Or could you just. Was it banned? You just couldn't buy a drink at the bar.

[Joe Ruck]

No, you could. Nothing changed. They were delaying, granting them an extenuation of their liquor license. Liquor was flowing the whole time.

[Chris Reavers]

It was a false threat.

[Joe Ruck]

Yeah.

[John Height]

Michael Rainville said, we're unanimous on the fact that we want ice out of here. We want this occupation to end. That's why we just have to keep our oath of office, which is to abide by the law. And the law says we should approve these liquor licenses and continue to support the business community. Rainville voting, of course, to give them their licenses. Others, including Mayor Jacob Fry, said revoking liquor licenses would also hurt him employees at the businesses. In the end, the licenses are renewed just 15 days later than initially expected.

[Chris Reavers]

You know what I really love about Garage Logic in this podcast is if I don't understand something, I get a personal 10 second recap from the show host. Regardless of all the other.

[Joe Ruck]

Yeah, you will get. Stop. All right. Thank you for that. Yep.

[John Height]

Former senator Justin Eichord yesterday failed in his latest attempt to have charges alleging solicitation of a minor for sale dismissed, but scored a small victory when a judge ruled his defense can know the age of the undercover officer who posed as a 17 year old while taking part in the sting. The ruling yesterday came on the Same day a March 30th trial date was set for US District Court in St. Paul for Eichorn, the 41 year old father of four from Grand Rapids. The lawmaker resigned his seat under threat of expulsion soon after he was charged with attempted coercion and enticed placement of a minor following a Bloomington police sting in March of 2025. I court has repeatedly challenged the federal case against him, arguing he was targeted by the U. S. Attorney's office in order to make a public example of him because of his role as a state senator.

[Joe Ruck]

Well, he still did it, didn't he?

[John Height]

Yes.

[Joe Ruck]

Okay. Yeah.

[John Height]

Why don't we take a quick break here and hear from Mr. Reavers?

[Joe Soucheray]

You know what? We're nuts.

[Joe Ruck]

I'll say we are not.

[Joe Soucheray]

Look at those original toffee peanuts. That's the original Joe. The very first snack.

[Joe Ruck]

You know what? They look a little tasty.

[Chris Reavers]

I just went to town on malted milk balls from we are Nuts.

[John Height]

And they were.

[Joe Soucheray]

Let me guess.

[Chris Reavers]

Fantastic.

[Joe Soucheray]

You ate the entire jar, didn't you

[Chris Reavers]

just the top quarter?

[Joe Soucheray]

Are you notching it as you're going

[Chris Reavers]

down the jar trying to shred for the wedding?

[Joe Soucheray]

So I But it's snack season, ladies and gentlemen. You know what's around the corner. March Madness. What a better way to celebrate college basketball and everything else that goes along with it is you and the fam are sitting around the table enjoying snacks from WeAreNuts and WeAreNutsMN.com available at all of your Fratelloni's hardware and garden stores locations, Mac's Hardware, Lunds and Barleys, Kowalski's Markets, Cub Foods, Cary's, we are nuts. 700 different quick trip locations. And also Colburn's is now carrying the Wearenuts brand. But you know what? If you're not able to make it to one of those locations, order them online. You can go to wearenutsmn.com and place your order. And you can also see every single wonderful small batch snack that they have to offer. And it's a wonderful family owned operation making those snacks right here in the great state of Minnesota. Place your order today. Let them know that you heard about them on the garagelogic podcast. John, one quick thing, though, about the Minnesota school budget that loyal town council member Tiffany just sent me. The Minneapolis public school officials say the district, this is, according to Alpha News, say the district is now facing a projected $50.5 million budget gap for next school year. Right.

[Joe Ruck]

This happens every year. These people are not competent.

[Joe Soucheray]

That's the gap. Do you know what the actual budget is?

[Joe Ruck]

I don't.

[Joe Soucheray]

$769 million for Minneapolis.

[Joe Ruck]

There's never going to be enough because.

[Joe Soucheray]

Is that possible?

[Joe Ruck]

Yes, it is. Can we continue with the news? Just calm down. Calm down.

[John Height]

National and international stories. The US Commission of Fine Arts, a panel made up of President Trump appointees this morning approved his proposal to build a ballroom larger than the White House.

[Joe Ruck]

Wait a minute.

[Joe Soucheray]

Yeah.

[Joe Ruck]

The panel was his appointees.

[John Height]

That's correct.

[Joe Ruck]

Shockingly enough, they approved it.

[John Height]

Yeah.

[Joe Ruck]

I'll be damned.

[John Height]

Built a ballroom that's bigger than the White House itself where the east wing once stood. The meeting was supposed to be only on the design, with the final vote expected at next month's session. But the chairman, Rodney Cook Jr. Made a motion to also vote on final approval, and six of the seven commissioners who were all installed by Trump since the start of the year, voted in favor of for both items.

[Joe Ruck]

All that money should be used right now to scoop poop out of the Potomac.

[John Height]

One commissioner, James McCreary, did not vote because he was the initial architect on the project. US Trade deficit widened in December, capping a turbulent year for erratic tariff policy. The goods and services trade gap expanded from the prior month to $70.3 billion, according to Commerce Department data that was revealed this morning. The shortfall culminated in a full year deficit of $91.5 billion, still one of the largest in data going back to 1960. Meanwhile, tariffs are hurting US businesses, according to new research from one of America's leading banks. More evidence, economists say, that President Trump's push to charge higher intact taxes on imports is causing economic disruption. The additional taxes have meant that companies that employ a combined 48 million million people in the US have had to find ways to absorb the new expense by passing it along to customers in the form of higher prices, employing fewer workers or accepting lower profits. She Mac is the business research director for the JP Morgan Chase Institute. He says that's a big change in their cost of doing business. We're also seeing some indications that they may be shifting away from transacting with China and moving toward other regions in Asia. Authorities have retrieved the bodies of eight backcountry skiers after an avalanche near Lake Tahoe, deadliest in California history. Six skiers were rescued after issuing a 911 call. One is still missing with rescue efforts ongoing. As of this writing, a group of 15 had been staying near Frog Lake below the 9,100 foot tall Castle Peak, one of the Sierra Nevada's most popular skiing destinations. Before the avalanche. At 11:30 in the morning on Tuesday, local authorities had issued a warning. Due to strong winds and rapid snowfall, they'd received almost three feet of snow within two days. It was not immediately clear whether the group, which included four guides from the Blackbird Mountain Guides group, had seen the warning. More than 550 commercial driving schools in the US that train truckers and bus drivers have to close after investor investigators found they employed unqualified instructors, failed to adequately test students and had other safety issues that announced yesterday by the federal Transportation Department. The move marks the Transportation Department's latest effort to improve safety in the trucking industry. Unlike its previous actions last fall to decertify up to 7,500 schools that included many defunct operations. This step focused on what it deemed were active schools with major shortcomings that inspectors identified in 1426 visits. The Department went aggressively after states that handed out commercial driver's license to immigrants who shouldn't have qualified for them since a fatal crash in August. A truck driver who Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said was not Authorized to be in the US Made an illegal U turn. You remember the story. Caused a crash in Florida that killed three people. Other fatal crashes since then, including one in Indiana this month that killed four, added two concerns.

[Joe Ruck]

How much trouble were trucks in during this snowfall, Kenny? A lot of jackknifes.

[Kenny Olson]

Oh, yeah, it was a disaster this morning.

[Joe Soucheray]

Yeah. And last night was really bad, too. It was. It was awful. Holy crap.

[Kenny Olson]

A lot of areas that were just slick ice.

[John Height]

Federal Communications Commission is confirming their probing whether ABC daytime talk show the View failed to give rival Texas Senate candidates equal air time following an interview with Democratic candidate James Talarico earlier this month. All of this, of course, comes after CBS lawyers made the Late show with Stephen Colbert pull a separate interview with Talarico from its Monday broadcast over concerns about the equal time rule. A 1934 provision requires broadcasters who give airtime to one political candidate to provide comparable. Comparable time to competing candidates upon request. Talk shows have historically been treated as news programs, therefore exempt from the rule. But last month, the FCC issued guidance warnings saying it would vet talk shows for partisan intent when granting exemptions. No word on what would happen if they do find that the View had not given equal time to other candidates.

[Joe Ruck]

John?

[John Height]

Yes.

[Joe Ruck]

I appreciate your newscast.

[Joe Soucheray]

Have a quick text.

[Joe Ruck]

I'd like to, but I gotta get to the Sewage Talk for today. Gotcha.

[Joe Soucheray]

I got a text during John's newscast. Hey, how we looking? I said, Pat, it's Thursday. Excellent point.

[John Height]

See you later.

[Chris Reavers]

I'll wait till tomorrow. I'll wait till tomorrow.

[Joe Ruck]

Good catch.

[Joe Soucheray]

You want to take one of these quick, before we do that?

[Joe Ruck]

Yeah. Okay,

[Kenny Olson]

Here it is. Positive Thursday already. And of course, it's always brought to us by Schoon Over Body Works and Auto Care. They're right there in Shoreview. 1060 County Road E. And like always, Mike Schoonover is with us.

[Joe Ruck]

Hi, Mike.

[Jay Coles]

Hey, Kenny.

[Kenny Olson]

What a Gong show. Last night, actually, yesterday afternoon, all through the night, and then all morning, we just had a big crash. Okay, I'll be honest. We're recording this at 11:30. We just had a huge wreck on southbound 35W over the Minnesota River. They're still crashing. Mike, how are you going to fit all these customers in?

[Mike Schoonover]

It kind of caught up. It kind of snuck up on everybody.

[Joe Ruck]

I think.

[Mike Schoonover]

Nobody was expecting this.

[Kenny Olson]

Well, I mean, don't we know how to drive? Really?

[Mike Schoonover]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, Kenny, We.

[Josh Arnold]

We.

[Mike Schoonover]

We do, but we don't. You know, we. We do things that we shouldn't do. We speed. We. We're always in a Hurry. We always want to be out front.

[Jay Coles]

We always want to, you know, we

[Mike Schoonover]

want to beat the guy next to us and it's ego. And then we don't want to put, we don't want to put good rubber on our, on our vehicles. So that's, I think those are the two main reasons is people are too much in a hurry and their tires are not very good.

[Kenny Olson]

Okay, let's, let's take care of that issue right here and now. You can set Galers up, the general public up with winter tires. And not only can you do that, but you will put them on in the fall and take them off in the spring. And do you store them also during the summer?

[Mike Schoonover]

Yeah, we store them in, we have a storage unit that we store all the off season tires in for customers.

[Kenny Olson]

So there's no reason for glers not to have good tires, especially in this state during the winter. So Schoonover, you, you've got everybody covered there. Now what about all this crash damage?

[Mike Schoonover]

Well, I think if you, you know, anytime you experience a crash, obviously you have the choice of, you know, you should call your insurance company if you're going to run it through your insurance. But you know, so many people are finding now that we're finding now that people are carrying these high deductibles. And we've never had more people pay for collision work out of their own pocket just simply because they're afraid of their rates going up or their deductible is too high or whatever. So if you're in doubt, just come and see us. Let's evaluate what's going on. We can talk about some ideas and we can say, hey, you know, you can get by without filing a claim. We can do this less than what your deductible is or, or if it's severe, if it, you know, it doesn't take much these days, Kenny, for, you know, the, the cost of a repair to be, you know, upwards of $10,000. It's, you know, a minor fender bender can cost 10 grand.

[Kenny Olson]

And like we talked about what we talked about last week, Mike, good, better, best. I mean, you can have a discussion on what kind of repair that vehicle might need.

[Mike Schoonover]

Exactly, exactly. So we deal with this every day. And, and not that we're, you know, not that we're smarter than people, but we, we deal with, and we're here to help people. And you know, most folks are only having a wreck, you know, every three, four, five, ten years, you know, so it doesn't happen that often.

[Kenny Olson]

And you guys. And I've experienced this myself and my family has. You guys are wonderful advocates for us, the customer, when it comes to our insurance companies. And that's just another one of the many reasons why you're always rated as one of the top shops in the metro and why you are the official shop of Garagelogic around since 1938. Schoonoverbodyworks.com the website. Thank you very much, Mike. Have a happy, positive Thursday.

[Mike Schoonover]

Thank you, Kenny. You too. And thanks, jailers, everybody. Be positive.

[Joe Ruck]

It really eats.

[Chris Reavers]

You want to come up with me?

[Joe Ruck]

The earth is not your mother.

[Joe Soucheray]

The Joe Suger Show.

[Joe Ruck]

The White House press secretary is Carolyn Levitt.

[Chris Reavers]

Yeah.

[Joe Ruck]

And she's very concerned in expressing Trump's concern about the sewage spill in the Potomac because he wants it fixed by the 250th birthday celebration because he doesn't want people smelling poop. Well, and then what we learn is that Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who's not been invited to the governor's dinner, and Trump are squabbling about who's responsible for this. Since the last century. This is according to the governor's office in Maryland. Since the last century, the federal government has been responsible for the Potomac Interceptor, which is the origin of the sewage leak. For the last four weeks, the Trump administration has failed to act, shirking its responsibility and putting people's health at risk, a representative from Moore's office said Monday. Notably, the president's own EPA explicitly refused to participate in the major legislative hearing about the cleanup last Friday. Levitt said environmentalists should pray that local jurisdictions call on Trump to step in and shore up infrastructure and carry out the cleanup. So I guess he needs to be asked more politely or something. Let me give you a local take on it. 243 million gallons of raw sewage in the Potomac. And we have a listener in Western Maryland, Krista, who I love. She understands this show better than we do. Okay. Hail the flashlight, King.

[John Height]

Hail.

[Joe Ruck]

You get nothing out of Kenny on that one.

[Kenny Olson]

Yeah.

[Joe Ruck]

Good morning, gentlemen. I apologize, but this is absolutely a rant. I've been listening five days a week for over a year now. At least once a day, I say to someone, you should have heard the discussion on Garage Logic today. Or when hearing someone mention the recent events in Minneapolis. I'll assert that we're talking about that on Garage Logic today. Often I am asked by those around me, what's the deal? What could you possibly have in common with five guys in Minnesota? While it's sometimes difficult for me to put into words the reasons for the kinship. I feel the evidence of the connection became abundantly clear to me today and provided an example. And provided an example without the slightest intention or forethought. Early in today's broadcast meeting yesterday you discussed the sewage overflow in the Potomac river and its long lasting effects on those who reside in its vicinity. As I've become accustomed to asserting and you accustomed to pointing out, I'm from the western part of the state. Thus I am sheltered geographically from both of the cities with the tallest buildings where all of this is taking place, the spill itself in Washington and the Governor in Annapolis, which are about two and a half hours and three hours away. However, this story has captivated the attention, rightfully of all of the local news organizations as well as the ones local paper that is still in print in my area. Additionally, a kid I used to have happens to work in Washington and lives downriver of the spills, so I've been keeping an eye out as this has been unfolding. I'd like to start by saying I'm not a scientist, geologist, engineer, water treatment specialist or plumber, but I like to think I bring some common sense to the situation. My husband was the manager of a state run fish hatchery for many years and we lived on site for about 12 years. So I have a basic familiarity with the importance of water flow and pollutants as keeping hundreds of thousands of fish alive from season to season requires a great deal of work, plain and simple. No one should have to deal with this shit. And I mean that quite literally. What has become glaringly apparent is that we have turned into a society that is busting at the seams to argue and fight with each other over ideologies. Ideologies that each of us are clinging to despite our own peril. And as you mentioned in today's show, we cannot survive this governance. I echo that sentiment because after almost a year of watching the President of the United States fight with the Governor of Maryland, I would proffer that only we, the citizens, are suffering. Here's what I can offer you regarding what is at the heart of all this, in my personal opinion, and how it appears to those of us who are closely watching it play out. Governor Wes Moore is an up and coming Democratic politician who for several years perched himself alongside President Biden and as early as 2022 appeared to be aligning himself with other Democratic presidential hopefuls. In 2024, when the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed, Biden came to Baltimore and he and Moore made headlines, smiling and waving and vowing to conquer the tragic outcome with working hand in hand. Later in the summer, Moore met with other Democratic governors and pledged his support to Biden. Moore featured prominently at the Democratic National Convention. The presidential election came and went, and Biden was out. For reasons I'm not sure of, President Trump and Governor Moore began to exchange criticisms of each other. Leap, if you will, to May of 2025. This is where things get personal to me. On May 13, 2025, the county I live in faced horrendous historic flooding. Several old mining towns, incapable of handling the heavy rainfall, suffered millions of dollars in damage. Governor Moore came to town, surveyed the damages, shook hands and asked the federal government for help. The President, in response, denied FEMA help for Western Maryland. Governor Moore then appealed that decision and in June of 2025 he announced that the first ever use of state disaster Recovery Fund providing 459 grand in recovery support for individuals impacted by the flooding. Then she linked me to that story. But the President would not budge. In the meantime, as is customary every time the President is unhappy, he took to social media and posted his criticisms of more. Moore and Trump then began to snap back and forth at each other, questioning each other's decisions. This baloney has gone on for months. Then, in the midst of the sewage spill and the argument about who's to blame, the President announced that all Democratic governors except Wes Moore and Jared Polis are invited to a White House gathering, a bipartisan event that is held at the White House annually. Let me pause. I can't believe he didn't kick walls off the list. So these two highly paid, highly regarded, and repeatedly voted for public servants are having a pissing contest with the piss and poop literally flowing down the river. This is a river that otherwise carried so much of our history, has been regarded on occasion as the nation's river and felt the footsteps of hundreds of thousands of our troops during the Revolutionary War and Civil War. This river was the epicenter for George Washington's encampments during the French and Indian War as well as the Revolutionary War, and served geographically as a boundary between the Union and the Confederacy during the Civil War. It is the river on which our first President of the United States lived out his days. It would not be hyperbole or exaggeration to say that America is not America without the Potomac River. In my little world, the South Branch of the Potomac is also where I learned to swim, where my dad taught me how to canoe, where I took my first all day float, where my family has camped for more than 60 years. It's where I learned to fish, where I would sneak a Pabst Blue Ribbon from my uncle's Styrofoam cooler, where the black snakes would hang on the trees, where I'd swing on an old tire while gazing at the water. The spill is not about fault. I don't care whose fault it is. It's not about rhetoric. It's not about politics. But we should be mindful and keenly aware of the fact that these elected officials don't give don't really give two Potomac River Potomac poops Whether or not their citizens are suffering, whether or not someone gets ill, or whether or not this crap is floating right into the Chesapeake Bay where entire industries could be affected. And in all capital letters, she writes, someone just needs to do their job. I'll try to bring this back to my original point. The corruption, the politics, and all of the ugliness and rhetoric that flies around Minneapolis and St. Paul is simply a microcosm of what we're all experiencing, only at different levels in different times. Garage lodging is about finding the common sense, living as quietly, modestly and happily as we can with the resources that we have, and being kind to each other along the way. It's about listening to good music, taking time to enjoy nature, and spending time with people who are like minded but speaking like adults to those who are not. We must find politicians who agree. I'd shout it from the rooftops, but no one seems to be listening. Keep up the fight, Christa. Now can you imagine there's so many ways to look at this tragedy in the Potomac. Can you imagine if between Anoka and St. Paul there was a spillage of 240 million gallons of raw sewage? And on the number of people who could become ill who would be smelling that the industries affected. It's just amazing that if I may put words in her mouth, I think when she says she doesn't care who cleans it up but somebody do their job. Where are the workers are working? The people with yellow vests on are out there and I'm sure there's digging and working feverishly. But the higher ups, what do they care? Well, Trump does now care because the 250th birthday celebration could be ruined by odor. So that has to be taken.

[Chris Reavers]

That's something to worry about. Do you think if that happened here it would be immediately? It would be a different story that it would be immediately people would come together to take care of that and clean it up quickly just because we treasure our I'd like to think it would be.

[Joe Ruck]

The key word is quickly. I don't think this country jumps into action the way it once did. She mentioned the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Remember how long that took?

[Chris Reavers]

Yes.

[Joe Ruck]

There was a time in this country when things just. Just didn't take that long.

[Chris Reavers]

Bingo. Bangle Bongo Corps of Engineers. Let's go.

[Joe Soucheray]

How do you. How do you put that on an indeed website? You know that. That style of job application.

[Joe Ruck]

Cleaning up the pool. Yeah, well, it's a water department. Where's the first page of her like clean water. What the hell happened here?

[Chris Reavers]

Over.

[Joe Ruck]

I bet that's your idea.

[Chris Reavers]

That's your time.

[Joe Ruck]

Whatever.

[Chris Reavers]

That's your.

[Joe Ruck]

That was a great lesson.

[Joe Soucheray]

Better.

[Joe Ruck]

And I appreciate it. Thank you.

[Chris Reavers]

Western Maryland.

[Joe Ruck]

I've never thought of the Potomac that way. But I suppose a Mississippi could be in. Could vie for contention of America's river. I suppose the Potomac vies for contention.

[Chris Reavers]

Potomac.

[Kenny Olson]

The warning area for the Potomac though is 72 miles.

[Joe Ruck]

The what area?

[Josh Arnold]

The.

[Kenny Olson]

The warning area. The area to be concerned about. The area where you shouldn't go in. And it's 72 miles.

[Joe Ruck]

Holy Caesars. During this spill. You mean now, right? Yeah, right.

[Chris Reavers]

Today, 72 miles.

[Joe Ruck]

It's historically catastrophic. And Christian notes that the local news gatherers out there, I'm sure are having a field day with it. But I still haven't read about it in any local paper. Is it covered by the New York Times? Is it covered by the Star Tribune? Is it. This is a major. Kids.

[Joe Soucheray]

Star Tribune is having too many ice. They don't have time for this.

[Joe Ruck]

Kids, I know what you're going to hear in the failed academy, but really you're more in danger from something like this than you are from anything in this climate change bs.

[Chris Reavers]

Carbon dioxide.

[Joe Ruck]

Yeah.

[Joe Soucheray]

So do you think. Are you going to risk it at 75ft? Kids were good for a swim here.

[Chris Reavers]

Yeah. You know what? Just don't go in over your knees.

[Joe Ruck]

Well, it's a shame. It's a crying.

[Joe Soucheray]

It really is.

[Kenny Olson]

It's every summer at Lake Hiawatha. I don't have to.

[Joe Ruck]

I don't think, Lyle, Lake Hiawatha has ever been as bad as the Potomac currently is.

[Chris Reavers]

No, no, but they do. They shut her down, Kenny, don't they?

[Joe Ruck]

Well, you get an E. Coli warning once in a while at Hiawa every summer. Yeah.

[Mike Schoonover]

Yeah.

[Joe Ruck]

Oh brother.

[Joe Soucheray]

I do not see a story about.

[Joe Ruck]

It's almost symbolic, isn't it?

[Chris Reavers]

Really is.

[Joe Ruck]

The river full of crud. Going right through the seat of power. Geez. It's just amazing. It's almost literature.

[Joe Soucheray]

You got yourself a column maybe?

[Joe Ruck]

I think I do.

[Joe Soucheray]

Joe's river of Essence column is coming to you on Sunday from the Traveling

[Joe Ruck]

Lineman's we note you discussed the 12 year old girls hockey game. I am wondering if the referees are only paid for one game. Are the same referees required to return for all those overtime periods or are different referees assigned and paid? I don't know the answer to that.

[Joe Soucheray]

I think I can help because I've had a couple of baseball games that were suspended due to weather. You do get different umpires, so I would assume because these guys all have their schedules weeks in advance.

[Joe Ruck]

Well, here comes the probably whoever's there. It's only because they come to us all the way from Penguin, Tasmania, Australia from the traveling Lymans it was on

[Joe Soucheray]

this day Joe Today is February 19th.

[Joe Ruck]

Andrew oh, on this day in 1840, Andrew R. McGill was born in Sagerstown, Pennsylvania. He served as the state's tenth governor from 1887 to 1889 and later as state senator and St. Paul's postmaster.

[Chris Reavers]

He only served two years.

[Joe Ruck]

He died in St. Paul on Halloween 1905. On this day, Feb.19, 1851, an act signed by Congress set aside 48,080 acres to support a state university and the University of Minnesota was first incorporated. Six days later, it was on this

[Joe Soucheray]

day, Joe Today is February 19th.

[Joe Ruck]

In 1902, the pink and white lady slipper was named the state flower by the legislature following the discovery that the previously chosen variety of lady slipper was not native to Minnesota. That's a good catch, isn't it?

[Chris Reavers]

Somebody was awake at the helm, probably

[Joe Ruck]

should add a native flower, and I

[Joe Soucheray]

think we're gonna change that just like we did the flag to weed.

[Joe Ruck]

This wild orchid has a brilliantly colored bloom, thrives in damp woods, swamps and bogs. It would be protected by a state law passed in 1925 that forbids picking the flower on this day in Minnesota.

[Kenny Olson]

Sports didn't you just do that story a week or two ago?

[Joe Ruck]

No. You're thinking of the red pine. The pine tree became no thinking where

[Chris Reavers]

the red fern grows.

[Joe Ruck]

Well, maybe what we had was on this day in history, they named the other one and then they changed it. And then they had to change it because it wasn't native. And on this day they named the right one, the current one. On this day of Minnesota Sports disappointment. History.

[Joe Soucheray]

Who'd we lose to on February?

[Joe Ruck]

Well, on this day in 1975, Bill Butters of the Fighting Saints bit the hand of a Crusaders fan during a brawl in the stands at Cleveland. Boy, they came right down to biting, huh? Thank you, G. Ellers.

[John Height]

Joe, one thing before we leave, if I may.

[Joe Ruck]

Yeah.

[John Height]

Because of course, you know, I had to look up to see. Because you wondered if anybody was covering this.

[Joe Ruck]

Yeah.

[John Height]

New York Times had a gigantic article February 17th.

[Joe Ruck]

Good.

[John Height]

And the Star Tribune, January 23rd, they had their first story on it. Oh, and then 16th, 18th and 19th

[Joe Soucheray]

of Feb. Why couldn't I find one

[Joe Ruck]

in the star race?

[John Height]

There's four that I found.

[Joe Ruck]

Wonderful. I'm glad.

[Joe Soucheray]

How do you spell? Yeah, yeah. How do you spell it?

[John Height]

M A, C, O, M A C.

[Joe Soucheray]

I think I said M I, Potomac.

[Joe Ruck]

All right, we're done. I'm done.

[Joe Soucheray]

Oh, okay.

[Chris Reavers]

Are you. You want to hit the music?

[Joe Soucheray]

Hey.

[Chris Reavers]

Okay.

[Joe Ruck]

Hey, hey.

[Joe Soucheray]

You know what you should do right now is you should hit the subscribe button on the Garage Logic YouTube channel. Because on that YouTube channel you can watch the show each and every, every single day, starting right around noon. You can also see full segments. There's video shorts, there's behind the scenes footage. There's a lot of activity. So you should join the thousands of subscribers on the Garage Logic YouTube channel along with all of our social media channels, which is Facebook, Instagram and X. And also, don't forget to sign up for the Daily Logician. That email comes right to your inbox each and every single day. And it includes the most recent episode of the podcast. Find out more and sign up [e-mail]

[Chris Reavers]

look out, Cross Lake.

[Joe Ruck]

They have arrived.

[Joe Soucheray]

It is time once again that we check in with our guy, Mr. Money Talk. Josh Arnold is with us once again right here in garagelogic. And now is the time for you to do the same. So do not delay, do exactly what I did and pick up that phone and dial 952-92-5560. That number once again is 952-925-5608. When you call that number, you're going to get Josh and he is there for you for that. Free. Yes, I use the word free. 48 minute financial consultation with absolutely zero obligation. And he will always give you the straight talk. He will never give you the sugar coated advice. And he is on the line with us once again right here in garagelogic. And boy, Josh, the economics numbers are pretty strong. The market is still waiting, watching and wondering why. And boy, the consumers, they're spending big at those big retailers and on vacations, aren't they?

[Josh Arnold]

Yes, they are. Consumers are still spending and they might be selective in what they're spending Money on but consumers are still spending and that can, that can be seen in the numbers coming from Walmart member of the Dow and it had been the largest revenue generator until just this this month when Amazon over overtook it. Who would have thought, who would have thought that Walmart generating over $700 billion of revenue a year and Amazon is only slightly ahead of that. Those are big, big revenue numbers. Lot of people taking advantage of prices at Amazon, taking advantage of prices at Walmart. Walmart has seen its higher income, higher income customers spending a little bit more and the higher income customers are also spending a lot on Walmart E commerce site which is up significant and definitely still behind Amazon which is still the leading E commerce retailer. Walmart business continues to grow. Legacy consumers with incomes under fifth house are living paycheck to paycheck but they're still shopping and finding plenty of bark at Walmart. Walmart's numbers might be considered mix and they did guide slightly lower in terms of sales for the next year. Part of that is setting the bar. We'll say a little bit lower as Walmart has a new CEO and that would give him a little bit of time to get his strategy in place. Walmart has been on a fair recently and is just down from a recent high. But given the amount of spending that's going on and Walmart, Walmart's election and being closed, everybody in the United States, not the world that could be a good solid bet. Stock is only is trading just a little bit over one time sales but does they have a higher than normal pe And I think that works more of the earnings that they're achieving Then of course we've talked before about Amazon. That stock is bounced off the bottom. Their retail business continue to grow, their advertising business continue to grow. AWS continues to grow. Why isn't the stock moving better? Because they're still spending money and increase the amount of money they're spending or planning on spending for building out data centers because of demand in their AWS unit and potentially for putting up more communications satellites and that does cost money. Fear is that Amazon is eating in into their free cash flow. Spending may not bring as quick a return on investment as those on Walt would like. Me Amazon always spent money Amazon as big as it is over two and a half trillion dollar pump still think it's a startup and act the same way. The market however sees Amazon as a mature business. Well Amazon doesn't see it that and then there's Paul who has ever heard or who remembers ebay well here's a stock that's trading at a low PE multiple trading at a lower expected price sales ratio seems to be a forgotten company. And they surprised eating on the top and bottom line. And they also announced that they were going to spend over a billion dollars by a brand called Depop from Epcot. And that should be a positive for ebay going forward. Aren't too many people track ebay but it does pay a nice dividend and you can always get something on their off site. I know I've used ebay to find running shoes that I like that are no longer available. Of course everybody likes the deal spending money well consumers want to spend money on event, live event or experience bookings.com you used to know them as Priceline reported last night a beat and raise a quarter added to their buyback. And finally they're going to they're announcing a Stock with a 25 to 1 stock effect of April 2nd. This stock is you know been trading in the thousands of dollars share. It did pull back on their after their earnings. But in my mind the pullback represents an opportunity to buy as this has happened quite frequently in the past. And buyers on the dip have been very much rewarded. From bookings.com tonight the favorite Live Nation reports after after the close again, an experiential company for concerts and other events. Analysts are looking for a slight loss in terms of earnings but an increase in revenue. Questions are going to come up, of course, relating to the government's suit against Live Nation around Ticketmaster and the secondary ticket pricing that affects not only Ticketmaster but Stubhub and others. This has been an ongoing debate and there should be a very interesting discussion. Live Nation, by the way, is the majority owner in the new Mystic Lake Amphitheater that'll be opening in just a few months on the northeast part of the track. And about 40 events are scheduled for okay say for this summer. And I'm hoping, we'll say hoping to see you at some concert or if not at a concert, after the concert at Boardwalk Restaurant and Bar. That's at the southeast corner of Canterbury down shuttle buses of course will be provided.

[Joe Soucheray]

That's an excellent spot and that's another excellent piece of advice from Mr. MoneyTalk Josh Arnold, you heard him gl ers. Now is the time for you to pick up the phone and make the call for that free 48 minute financial consultation again with zero obligation. And you do that just like I did by dialing 952-925-5608, where you always get straight talk and never, ever sugarcoated advice. Josh, as always, thank you so much for the time and the chat. Enjoy the rest of your day and we'll talk to you again tomorrow.

[Josh Arnold]

You got a deal.

[Joe Ruck]

Investment services offered by Josh Arnold, Investment Consultant, llc.

[John Height]

A security investment advisor.

[Joe Ruck]

Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

[Joe Soucheray]

All investments involve risk. All comments and opinions are Josh Arnold's

[Joe Ruck]

and do not constitute investment advice. Chris Reavers is a paid, endorsed.