MNLEG: Via letter sent this morning from the Minnesota House Republican Caucus to Secretary of State Steve Simon. QUOTE: Minnesota law requires the members of the Minnesota House of Representatives to meet at noon on Tuesday in the House chambers. As you are aware, the DFL caucus intends to violate the law for the express purpose of preventing the House from organizing and beginning its work. We are writing in response to your communications with us (in a meeting on January 8 and by letter dated January 10) expressing your current plan to join your political allies in this attack on our democratic institutions . . . As you are aware, the Secretary of State is not a member of the legislative branch, and has no constitutional authority over the House of Representatives. Indeed, as a member of another branch, you may not ‘exercise any of the powers properly belonging to’ the legislative branch. Minn. Const. Art. III. As a matter of legislative grace, you have been invited to perform a limited ceremonial role on the first day of the legislative session. Minn. Stat. § 3.05; Minn. Stat. § 5.05. But the constitutional authority to ‘determine the rules of its proceedings’ and ‘elect its presiding officer’ rests solely with the House, not with you. Minn. Const. Art. IV §§ 7, 15.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/4hf746L
MORE: From Dana Ferguson via MPR, VERBATIM: “Democratic leaders said they wanted to be sure to have ‘all of our members properly and legally sworn in’ ahead of Tuesday in case the DFLers sit out the opening day. It is part of their strategy to block Republicans from conducting business, including the election of a speaker, without an agreement between the parties to share power.” QUOTE: “Once the speaker election is done, it cannot be undone, so the only negotiating power I have right now is to deny a quorum,” House Democratic leader Melissa Hortman told MPR News on Monday. “We want to collaborate so much with the Republicans that we're willing to go to quite extreme measures to protect our power in that negotiation, the position that Republicans have put us in and threatening to throw out a newly elected member of Minnesota Legislature, which has never happened before, just because they want to do over in a race that they lost,” Hortman continued. “That is outrageous.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3BVVQ8x
THE RULES: From Peter Callaghan via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The devil can quote scripture for his purpose and lawmakers can quote Mason’s Manual of Legislative Procedure: Which is it? Does it take 68 votes for a quorum as Democrats say— a majority of the 134 possible seats? Or, does it take just 67 seats as Republicans say — a majority of the current 133 representatives who can show up Tuesday with election certificates in hand? The answer is … yes. Without clear language in the state constitution or rules, both interpretations have evidence to cite to support their positions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40veoG5
HOUSE DFL: From Fluence Media’s Blois Olson via X, VERBATIM: “The House DFL releases a photo of the secret ceremony - maybe the DFL members should share their photos with family etc, as they would historically. The ceremony was to make you a ‘public’ official, the public deserves more transparency.” PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/40gIiws
HISTORY: From Mike Mosedale via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “When Democrats in the closely divided Minnesota House of Representatives signaled they might boycott the opening of the legislative session over a power-sharing dispute, it seemed like a new era of hardball politics had arrived in Minnesota . . . You just need to go back to 1857 for the closest historical parallel. At the time, Minnesota was on the precipice of statehood, and lawmakers in the territorial government were arguing intensely over the proposed boundaries of the soon-to-be 32nd state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DUh9YI
MORE: Extensive coverage and analysis of the tumultuous lead-up to the legislative session in morning take. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3PvJ97o
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
ERA: Via POCI Caucus, VERBATIM: “Elected as the new House Chair of the Minnesota Reproductive Freedom Caucus, Representative Leigh Finke (DFL-Saint Paul) will introduce the Equal Rights Amendment in the Minnesota House of Representatives during the 2025 legislative session. The Minnesota ERA explicitly protects against discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, sex, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.”
NOTE: Rep. Leigh Finke is confirmed not to be planning to attend this rally.
COLD: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “With temperatures expected to dip below zero this week, the Salvation Army said Sunday that its seven Twin Cities service centers will be open to the public during as warming shelters during business hours. Anyone who needs a respite from the chilly outdoor air is invited to ‘stop by during the day to warm up and enjoy a hot beverage,’ the organization said in a news release.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40cQvS7
ST PAUL: From Katelyn Vue via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “St. Paul plans to evict a homeless encampment next week near the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary that is home to many Hmong residents. About 40 occupants were at the site as of Wednesday morning; roughly half identify as Hmong or Southeast Asian, according to the city. Kabo Yang, a volunteer who regularly visits the camp, said the number of occupants is likely much higher. Yellow vacate notices were posted on January 7 throughout the encampment, notifying residents that they had to leave by January 16.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DRONhH
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)
TODAY: Via Save the Boundary Waters, VERBATIM: “Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness (NMW), the organization leading the Save the Boundary Waters campaign, will present oral arguments before a three-judge panel in Courtroom 31 of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. NMW is defending the Biden administration’s decision to cancel Twin Metals’ leases, deny applications, and reject Twin Metals’ mine plan of operation in response to Twin Metals’ Appeal.”
CANNABIS: Via OCM, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced today it has published a notice of intent to adopt expedited rules and has opened a 30-day public comment period. Members of the public can submit formal comment starting today, Monday, Jan. 13, on draft rules that will complete the regulatory framework for Minnesota’s new cannabis industry. A copy of the proposed rules has been published in the State Register and may be viewed at OCM’s Rulemaking webpage. The public can submit comments through the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) website until 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/425U53b
MORE: From Jay Kolls via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “Minnesota recreational marijuana dispensaries were supposed to open sometime in early 2025, but Sen. Mark Koran (R – North Branch) told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS there will likely be significant delays in the process. Koran said a recent court ruling stopped the issuance of licenses for people who wish to sell and grow marijuana for the adult recreational market until state lawmakers approve rules and policies for the program — which could take months. Koran also said, in his opinion, doors for those dispensaries are quite a ways off from opening soon.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4agghcU
TUITION: From Taylor Rivera via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “According to a recent study by the nonprofit College Board, students at public universities are now paying considerably less. Executive Director Barry Fick with the Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority says when it comes to the trend in Minnesota, recent decisions from the legislature have made college cheaper.” QUOTE: "With the North Star promise that the legislature put in place, it has been very helpful in giving students opportunities to access schools," says Fick. "So to the extent the legislature maintains the support they have traditionally provided for public institutions, that will also help." LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Wb75k3
BRINGING SAFETY TO “THE NEXT LEVEL” - As part of Enbridge’s work on the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation in northern Minnesota, Enbridge has brought in family-owned and Indigenous-owned Northern Lights Family Outfitters to fully outfit project workers right on the job site with personal protective equipment (PPE) from its 48-foot mobile trailer. “Enbridge really brings safety to the next level,” says Patti, a project liaison for Enbridge and the Fond du Lac Band. “It’s really helpful to have a mobile unit, especially for this kind of work. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3OQYmjn (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
ICE: From Allison Kaplan via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Several ice attractions [opened] around the Twin Cities this weekend, including Ice Castles at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and The Ice Palace in Delano. Last winter, The Ice Palace opened for just four days, after weeks of efforts to build and rebuild as the temperature soared past 50 degrees. Its owners, the Youngstrom family, ended up selling a wedding venue they own near their homes in Idaho to cover their debt from last year’s flop.” QUOTE: “We hired a CFO who was like, ‘What are you doing?’ and our business coach asked the same thing, and urged us to consider quitting,” said Ice Palace CEO Kira Martin. “We just believe in it so, so much. We all have this feeling deep inside of us that this is going to be something big.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Wf32n4
RETAIL: From Corey Bork via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Time is winding down for another national retailer. Party City is closing the rest of its stores, which will impact Maple Grove, according to multiple national media reports.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3WfSSm0
CLAWS: From Alfonzo Galvan via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Zhengui Lin said he wanted customers to feel ‘overstimulated’ when they walked into his Eagan claw arcade, which launched on New Year’s Day. Full of flashing lights and machines stacked with plushies, Duck Entertainment bills itself as the largest claw arcade in the Twin Cities. It’s part of a growing trend of Asian-themed ‘clawcades’ opening up in the Twin Cities, following the launch of Neko Clawww in Roseville in September and an expanded claw machine corner at Asia Mall in Eden Prairie.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4j6pWqF
FRIDAY: From Winona-based Fastenal via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Fastenal Company (Nasdaq:FAST) announced the date and time for its conference call to review 2024 annual and fourth quarter results, as well as current operations. The conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. central time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h3MJRT
From Friday’s Fluence newsletters:
RIVER: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Low river levels are expected to be a concern for the U.S. inland waterway system again in 2025. Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition says there was improvement following a dry summer across much of the Midwest.” STEENHOEK: “Since the late part of October, but a third year in a row with low water conditions on the Mississippi River. I hope our response to that is continuing to make progress on the issue of dredging, maintaining that channel, being able to anticipate problems before they come.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3DRAWrJ
POLL: Via Radio Iowa, VERBATIM: “More farmers reported higher levels of stress last year compared to 2022 in the latest Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll, which surveyed nearly 950 farmers statewide. Most of the respondents were men and 66 years old, on average. J. Arbuckle, an Iowa State University extension sociologist, led the poll.” QUOTE: “There was a very big shift in the level of personal stress that was reported,” Arbuckle says. “I think that also kind of aligns with the decline in economic conditions leading up to the to the survey time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gJ1hqm
CARTER: From Taylor Rivera via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is celebrating the life and service of President Jimmy Carter. Carter died on December 29 at the age of 100. Since 1984, the Carter Work Project rallied thousands of volunteers to the organization and helped Habitat for Humanity become internationally recognized. Their Vice President of Resource Development Kate Lowe says guests can visit their New Brighton Restore location and sign a wall in Carter's honor. It will be used in a future project.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4af0vyT
BOOK: From Kevin Miller via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Plymouth author Keenan Jones sat down in the barber’s chair at The Chiseler in Brooklyn Park looking to get his usual haircut . . . It was inside the shop, sitting in the barber’s chair where Jones had an idea: to write an illustrated children’s book about Black barbershops. It’s called ‘Saturday Morning at the ‘Shop.’” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4h5hw0L
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FRANCIS: From Dan Niepow via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Francis Medical has just received a fresh infusion of cash on its journey to treat prostate cancer. This week, the Maple Grove-based company announced that it has closed on an $80 million Series C funding round, bringing its total raised to date to $160 million.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42cEGOK
CVRX: Via Stock Titan, VERBATIM: “[Brooklyn Park-based] CVRx, a commercial-stage medical device company, announced preliminary unaudited fourth quarter and full year 2024 revenue results, along with its 2025 business outlook. Fourth quarter revenue is expected to be between $15.2 million and $15.3 million, marking a 35% increase from the previous year's $11.3 million. Full year 2024 revenue is projected to be between $51.1 million and $51.2 million, a 30% increase from 2023's $39.3 million.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42cC971
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
MALCOLM YARDS: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Later this month, The Market at Malcolm Yards is set to expand its culinary offerings with the arrival of a fresh concept: EGGFLIP/SUSHIFLIP. This innovative kitchen promises to delight food lovers with a unique blend of Korean-inspired egg dishes and sushi, available all day.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/3PA5SiK
PEACE: From Declan Desmond via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Northern Minnesota radio is mourning the loss of one of its most familiar voices to cancer. DJ Danny Wild, who was a longtime DJ and program director at Brainerd's 107.5 'The Power Loon" FM, died last week at the age of 60.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3C6t2dm
BDAYS: attorney Jamie Forman
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