MH HOUSE: From KSTP-TV’s Tom Hauser via X, VERBATIM: “With 15 minutes until the 2025 Minnesota Legislature convenes there is still no power-sharing agreement between Democrats and Republicans. House DFLers will not show up for floor session. The desks on their side of the chamber remain empty. GOP currently has a 67-66 advantage.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/42jk4o1
54A: From Madison McVan via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “A Scott County judge ruled Tuesday that DFL Rep. Brad Tabke of Shakopee won reelection in a contested election case that has major ramifications for the partisan balance of the state House. Tabke won in November by 14 votes, but in the process of auditing the election, Scott County staff discovered that 20 absentee ballots cast in the city of Shakopee were missing. Tabke’s Republican opponent in the House District 54A race, Aaron Paul, sued Tabke and requested a special election. During the trial, six voters whose ballots had been accidentally discarded testified and said they had cast their votes for Tabke.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hxA8a7
MORE: Via DFL House, from Rep. Brad Tabke, QUOTE: “The judge’s orders are clear and decisive. We won this election, and there’s no reason to doubt it. The judge has reconfirmed I am a member of this legislature. I’m ready to get to work today for Shakopee and for Minnesota. Leader Demuth must now unequivocally agree that the House GOP will not overturn the will of the 22,000 Shakopee voters AND agree to govern together for the people of Minnesota. We can start together today at noon if she wants. But if she’s not, I’m grateful my colleagues are willing to stand up for Shakopee with me.”
MORE: Via MN House GOP, from leader Lisa Demuth, QUOTE: "The underlying facts of the case remain unchanged: there were 20 ballots destroyed in a race decided by just 14 votes. The judge relies on testimony from voters, while downplaying the inconsistencies and lack of absolute certainty that the correct set of voters was identified. Furthermore, allowing this decision to stand would set the precedent moving forward that voters must violate their fundamental right to a secret ballot in order to clear up cases where ballots are destroyed, and may increase the likelihood of bad actors choosing to destroy certain sets of ballots in tight races.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jdc8dT
MORE: Via MN House DFL, from leader Melissa Hortman, QUOTE: “Minnesotans delivered a 67-67 tie. The only way to respect the will of the voters is to seat all duly elected members and to share power equally. House Democrats are ready to work with Republicans. Given Republican statements this morning indicating their intent to ignore the election results and the court’s decision, Democrats have no other recourse to protect the will of the voters than to deny quorum until the special election in 40B has concluded and that new member is sworn in. Democrats are united in our will to fight Republican efforts to kick Representative Brad Tabke out of the Minnesota House. We cannot allow Republicans to engage in this unprecedented abuse of power, and will use every tool at our disposal to block it.”
MORE: After a late-night negotiating session that ended without resolution, House GOP leader Lisa Demuth and DFL leader Melissa Hortman talked separately with Vineeta Sawkar on WCCO-Radio’s The Morning News.
DEMUTH: “I think there’s a frustration with Minnesotans with the unprecedented action by the Democrats to have gone ahead on Sunday night, been sworn into office, they took their oath of office, not at the capitol, not public to any media or any way. They did it all secretive, kind of behind locked doors. And so that unprecedented move really says to Minnesotans and really says to me and our caucus, that unless things go exactly as they wanted, they’re not gonna do their work and they’re gonna be very difficult to work with.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gUZs9O
HORTMAN: “Last night, what we put on the table is that they function as a majority for the three weeks where they have the one-vote edge. And then when we return to a tie, we return to power sharing. I think the Senate picked a fair approach, and that approach is actually what leader Demuth and I drafted and I think it would work for the House as well. I don’t know why they won’t take that. The only reason is if they don’t ever intend to return to power sharing.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3C8vSP2
MORE: From Torey Van Oot via Axios, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Legislature gavels in at the State Capitol on Tuesday with just over five months to strike a bipartisan budget deal and avoid a state government shutdown. But first, they'll have to figure out who's actually in charge — and whether the House can function with roughly half its members boycotting the start of session. The big picture: Minnesota's return to divided government after two years of full DFL control has been rocked by power shifts, partisan rancor and legal challenges. A failure to find common ground could delay or derail action on a looming $5 billion deficit, fraud prevention proposals and other issues that impact Minnesotans' daily lives.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Wf22ze
Q&A: In the Minnesota Reformer, J. Patrick Coolican answers questions about the legislative session’s “messy start.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DVuY98
TODAY: Voters in Senate District 60 will decide the two candidates to run to fill the seat left open with the death of Senator Kari Dziedzic. Via MPR, profiles of the candidates. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4ai56jW
WILD ABOUT READING: More than 500 Minnesota classrooms and 15,000 students are participating in the “Wild About Reading” program, a partnership with Flint Hills Resources which encourages students to read more using Minnesota Wild-branded posters, reading logs, and bookmarks. Teachers set weekly reading goals and give certificates to students who complete the four-week program. Fun program incentives include classroom visits from the Wild’s mascot, Nordy – and the team dog, Rookie; a pair of tickets to a Wild home game, player signed pucks and photos; and a pizza party for a classroom. LEARN MORE: Wild About Reading SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources
HEGSETH: Via CNN, VERBATIM: “Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, [Minnesota native] Pete Hegseth, is appearing in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee, where he used his opening remarks to emphasize the need for the Pentagon to focus on ‘warfighting’ and ‘lethality.’ At the beginning of his opening statement, protesters interrupted him and were escorted out of the hearing room. Hegseth’s remarks: Asked to respond to an allegation that the veteran and former Fox News host sexually assaulted a woman in 2017, Hegseth said at the hearing that it was false and part of a ‘smear campaign’ by ‘left-wing media’ against him.” UPDATES: https://fluence-media.co/4h5Cbly
WALZ: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “Since returning to Minnesota after a failed bid for vice president, Gov. Tim Walz has kept a relatively low profile. He consoled deflated supporters with a speech at a high school, posed for photos with a turkey at the Minnesota State Capitol to mark Thanksgiving and flew to the Bahamas for a brief respite from the cold. This week, Mr. Walz, a Democrat, must start grappling in earnest with his party’s sinking political fortunes in his home state as lawmakers begin meeting in St. Paul for what is expected to be an unusually acrimonious state legislative session.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/427OlpD
CD3: Via Rep. Kelly Morrison, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) announced that she has received appointments to serve on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the House Committee on Small Business. Rep. Morrison was sworn into Congress just earlier this month on Friday, January 3, 2025.”
BREEZY POINT: From Miles Walker via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “There is a Breezy Point City Council member currently linked to an alleged data breach. During a council meeting in late December, City Attorney Joseph Langel brought forth multiple emails reportedly consisting of private and privileged information shared with the public by council member Brad Scott. Although Langel shared the alleged emails in question from Brad Scott with the city council a week prior to its meeting on December 20th, former Mayor Angel Zierden stated that this is not Scott’s first time being the subject of a potential data breach.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3C3OfVr
HORMEL: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “Hormel Foods said on Tuesday its CEO, James Snee, is set to retire at the end of 2025, after leading the company for nearly nine years. The Skippy peanut butter maker said Snee will serve as a strategic advisor to the board until the end of his tenure and for 18 months afterward, while it identifies a successor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hxuWD9
FRESH15: The latest season of Fresh15 includes interviews with new Minnesota House members. So far, five new members have shared their goals, background and fun facts before they take office in a historic session this January.
Rep.-Elect Kari Rehauer
Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson
Rep. Elect Julie Greene
Rep. Elect Keith Allen
Rep. Elect Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
ENERGY: From Frank Jossi via Energy News Network, VERBATIM: “A long-running local government collaboration in southwestern Minnesota is helping to insulate the region from the kind of controversies and misinformation that have plagued rural clean energy projects in other states. The Rural Minnesota Energy Board has its origins in a regional task force that was set up during the mid-1990s as the state’s first wind farms were being built. The task force was instrumental in persuading state legislators in 2002 to create a wind energy production tax, which today generates millions of dollars in annual revenue for counties and townships that host wind projects.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PxsVdY
BIOFUELS: Via Rep. Angie Craig, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig announced that she has secured $1,124,500 in federal grant funding to increase domestic biofuels in Scott County. E&K Convenience Inc. based in Prior Lake, will receive $520,000 to install E15 and B20 biofuel dispensers, an ethanol storage tank and a biodiesel storage tank at two stations. Hennen’s Auto Service will receive $604,500 to install E15, E85 and B20 dispensers, ethanol storage tanks and a biodiesel storage tank at their station in Shakopee.”
CANNABIS: From Sydney Witte via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “You can now let the State of Minnesota know your thoughts on the regulation of marijuana. The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced they have opened a 30-day public comment period and a notice to adopt expedited rules. The state plans to make changes to rules and regulations based on reasonable feedback.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jcYYxs
ROBBINSDALE: From Emily Haugen via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The city of Robbinsdale is preparing for a revamp of its parks. Residents can now see some of their ideas come to life in the city’s draft of a new parks master plan.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3WGKpsz
“IT’S OUR PEOPLE’S LIVES THEY SAVE” - The Cass Lake Fire Department, located on the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation in northern Minnesota, serves an area of 400 square miles, three counties, the city of Cass Lake and the Reservation. A foundational Enbridge donation has helped the department begin plans for building a new fire hall to replace its current home base, which the fire department has outgrown. “Our top needs are health and safety—having a decontamination hot zone, and another is training capacity,” says Robert, the chief of Cass Lake FD. Adds Diane, an Enbridge Tribal liaison and a Leech Lake Band member: “We want to see what the needs are out in the communities, and the fire department here is so important to everyone’s safety and well-being . . . it’s our people’s lives they save.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3RfodC9 (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
LIST: Minnesota ranks 49th on SimplifyLLC’s list of best and worst states for entrepreneurs. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4hgUmoq
TRAIN: From Laura Oakes and Lindsey Peterson via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Transportation is boosting funding for Amtrak's popular new Borealis route between St. Paul and Chicago. $38 million is being allocated to ensure the route is funded for the next six years.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/40iSqVc
DARNOLD: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “Barely a week ago, quarterback Sam Darnold was set to cash in on a jackpot. After a career that had swung from prized draft selection to journeyman veteran, Darnold had finally made good on his potential with the Minnesota Vikings. He made his first Pro Bowl and led the Vikings to a 14-2 record. Heading into the final week of the regular season, they were one win away from earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC—and Darnold was a key reason why. With Darnold set to become a free agent at the end of the season, his financial upside was enormous. Then, he proceeded to finish the year with two absolute trainwrecks.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40yhlFY
MOCKTAILS: From Kevin Miller via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “At Luce Line Brewing in Plymouth, there’s four new, bright beverages ready to try. They look like any other cocktail, but they’re missing one ingredient: alcohol.” QUOTE: “Basically, we have designed, we have professionally designed four mocktails,” said Tim Naumann, owner of Luce Line. “So they’re cocktails without alcohol in them. And it’s a great thing for Dry January, sober spring, however people are talking about it.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jiSZaC
NEXT WEEK: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Mark your calendars! Experience Rochester’s Restaurant Week is returning for its third year from Jan. 20- 26, 2025. This week-long celebration will highlight the vibrant dining scene in Rochester, Minnesota, with over 30 participating restaurants offering special promotional menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Cb1YK7
NEXT MONTH: From Sheletta Brundidge via Facebook, February 3rd is Black Entrepreneurs Day at the state capitol. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4hxnEzh
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
MNLEG: Via Minnesota Farmers Union, VERBATIM: “The 2025 Minnesota legislative session convenes tomorrow, and Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) is preparing to advocate for a strong agriculture budget, affordable healthcare, support for beginning farmers and other priorities defined by our members.” QUOTE: “As a grassroots organization, we’ll be focused on priorities established by members at our state convention in November,” said MFU President Gary Wertish. “At a basic level, lawmakers are going to have to come together to pass a new two-year budget for our state. And we want to help make sure that it works well for farm families and others in rural Minnesota—continuing strong investments in agriculture programs, ensuring farm families have access to care and helping young people build lives in agriculture.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gSLNA6
MORE: From Michael Johnson via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lawmakers are expected to go back to work on Tuesday, Jan. 14, to work on new bills and a state budget. Well, some of them are anyway. What ended in a chaotic rush to the finish line last year appears to be continued chaos in 2025. ‘I think it’s always going to be chaotic. This session is extra chaotic,’ said Sen. Aric Putnam DFL-St. Cloud, at a legislative panel hosted at the Minnesota Organic Conference on Thursday, Jan. 9. That’s especially true in the Minnesota House. Republicans currently have a one-vote majority (67-66) in the House, but that may only last a couple weeks.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fW0121
DC: From Christopher Vondracek and Sydney Kashiwagi via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Once upon a time, Minnesota Democrats seemingly ran out of farm-conscious leaders.
When Rep. Collin Peterson, a son of the Red River Valley and an agriculture committee chair, lost his seat in the U.S. House in 2020, he told supporters that was it for his party. ‘When I lost the election in 2020, I told some allies, ‘That’s the last time we’re ever going to have a head job in agriculture for Democrats in Minnesota,’’ Peterson said. But when Congress convened in Washington, D.C., this month, much to Peterson’s pleasant surprise, two Minnesota Democrats — Amy Klobuchar in the Senate and Angie Craig in the House — ascended to the ranking member spots on agriculture committees. What they’ll bring back to their home states will be twin-powered political leverage, ever crucial in a divided Congress.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3E4lWGP
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XCEL: From Xcel via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Xcel Energy today announced that Roopesh Aggarwal has been named vice president of Investor Relations, succeeding Paul Johnson, who is retiring from the company after more than 40 years of service, most recently as vice president, Treasury and Investor Relations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42eXAo6
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
MIA: From Emma Salomon via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Pop icons and married couple, Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean) are bringing their groundbreaking art collection to the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Featuring over one hundred works by contemporary Black artists, the exhibition will be on view from March 8–July 13 at the Target Galleries.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40eHyaX
RESTAURANTS: From Justine Jones via Eater Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “Certain special occasions warrant a true restaurant splurge — birthdays, anniversaries, and promotions all taste a little sweeter with an excellent meal on the table. But every splurge involves some level of risk, especially if you’ve been saving for months to finally try that seven-course tasting menu, or to go all-in on a once-in-a-lifetime steak. This map highlights restaurants that are more than just ‘fancy’ or ‘upscale’ — they’re spots where you can easily run around $200 a person or more at the end of the night, and leave feeling like the cost was money well-spent.” LIST/MAP: https://fluence-media.co/4g2Y1VE
BDAYS: the MN Reformer is 5, fmr. Sen. Roger Chamerlain, St. Paul Parks leader Erica Prosser, Walz fundraiser Berrett Gall
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