Wolves win their 8th in a row. They host Indiana tonight.
Frost lose. Wild host LA tonight.
The first post-COVID St. Patrick’s Day parade in Minneapolis will be held this evening. STRIB: https://fluence-media.co/41LDe3G
Heavy snow could hit southern Minnesota this week. MAPS: https://fluence-media.co/4hbbR96
A TikTok user survey finds that around 71,000 businesses in Minnesota actively use the social media app. DATA: https://fluence-media.co/4bCdage
NFIB surveys show small business uncertainty is at its second-highest level since 1973 when records began. CNN: https://fluence-media.co/3DLwRWc
Democratic-aligned adults say, 52% to 48%, that the leadership of the Democratic Party is currently taking the party in the wrong direction. That’s another shift from eight years ago, when views on this metric were largely positive…Among the American public overall, the Democratic Party’s favorability rating stands at just 29% – a record low in CNN’s polling dating back to 1992 and a drop of 20 points since January 2021. CNN: https://fluence-media.co/41XlWAO
MinnPost’s Peter Callaghan is retiring from politics reporting, but he joined Sunday Take to discuss his time at the Capitol and his thoughts on transparency in politics and the media. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3DzQosN
Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Blois
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All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
Today’s morning take with VIneeta Sawkar on WCCO Radio. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3FyIBfo
Peter Callaghan is retiring from politics reporting, but he joined Sunday Take to discuss his time at the Capitol and his thoughts on transparency in politics and the media. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3DzQosN
Sponsorships available – to reach over 25,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
Medicaid Supports Health Care for All of Us. It keeps Minnesota’s hospitals strong and ensures communities across the state have access to care. Policymakers must protect Medicaid so every Minnesotan—regardless of income or health status—can get the care they need, when they need it. LEARN MORE: Medicaid in Minnesota – Protect MN Patients (SPONSORED: Minnesota Hospital Association)
TODAY: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Republican control of the Minnesota House will come to an end Monday when a newly elected Democrat — [David Gottfried of District 40B] — is sworn in, bringing the chamber to a rare 67-67 tie that will test the parties' ability to work together. … The House DFL and GOP caucuses will ultimately have to work with each other, the DFL-controlled Senate and Democratic Gov. Tim Walz to pass policy priorities and a two-year state budget.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hD0Nl6
WALZ: via MPR, VERBATIM: “The “welcome home” chants that greeted Tim Walz over the weekend didn’t come from Mankato or St. Paul or anywhere in Minnesota for that matter…They were in Nebraska, where he was born and spent much of his pre-political life…The Minnesota governor and the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee found himself back in campaign mode of a different sort. Over the weekend, he held the first two in a promised series of town hall-style events to give fellow Democrats a chance to vent about President Donald Trump’s first two months in office…Walz spent time in Iowa and Nebraska — and will make a similar trip to western Wisconsin this week — as he visits Republican-held congressional districts to talk about national affairs…The drop-ins come as state lawmakers in Minnesota remain busy with the legislative session now at its midpoint.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kzng5C
MORE: via Radio Iowa, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Governor Tim Walz — during a weekend stop in Iowa — says this is the year for Democrats to be listening to voters.
“You’re hearing this primal scream from folks to the Democrats to do something and from independents and, I would argue, from some Republicans because this is coming at them, this chaos is coming at them like a freight train and I think they feel and rightly so, that there’s no adequate opposition,” Walz said. “…It’s a rebuilding year, but I think there’s a great opportunity here in this moment, that there’s a void that needs to be filled.”…Walz spoke at an event Friday afternoon in Iowa’s third congressional district, which is represented by Republican Zach Nunn. The crowd gathered in a Des Moines high school auditorium gave Walz a standing ovation when he arrived for the town-hall-style forum. People shared concerns about the changes President Trump and Elon Musk are making in the federal government…Walz made a couple of brief references to the 2024 presidential race and told crowd at this moment, Democrats need to be less timid.”So to each of you, we’ve got work to do to figure this out. I also believe that empathy, compassion and decency can win the day,” Walz said. “…We get the opportunity to push back against those forces that want to take those things that make America great.”…According to Walz, his party needs a rebranding and Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and the state’s brand of populism are a start.
“I’d like to see us talk a little more of the Democrats being the DFL and broaden our base because I think we get accused of being elite, we get accused of being out of touch with folks and whether I believe that or not, the people believe it,” Walz said. “Perceived reality is reality.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43TpEOv
MORE: via Huffington Post, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz put billionaire Elon Musk on blast Friday as the former vice presidential candidate kicked off his nationwide town hall tour in Des Moines, Iowa. ‘There’s nothing conservative about an unelected South African nepo baby firing people at the VA,’ Walz said of the billionaire in his remarks to about 1,000 people. … The Minnesota governor told the Iowa crowd that he wasn’t in the state to ‘personally attack’ their member of Congress before stressing that the lawmaker needs to answer questions about siding with Trump.” WALZ: “It’s very hard to find an elected official who doesn’t want to be in front of a crowd or a camera. When they don’t want to be, you know something’s up.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4irRQfQ
MORE: via Nebraska Examiner, VERBATIM: “Should the Omaha area replace Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon with a Democrat and help curb the worst impulses of the Trump Administration? You betcha, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said during the second stop of his national tour criticizing House Republicans for avoiding in-person town halls. Walz, a Nebraska native, made Bacon a focus of his mid-morning Saturday speech at Metropolitan Community College’s Fort Omaha campus to more than 400 people. … [Walz] said Bacon needs to face his voters and their questions. ‘Do the damn job and answer the questions,’ Walz said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DMpBcQ
RESPONSE: via a Rep. Tom Emmer post, EMMER: “Tim Walz is focused solely on his own political ambitions, NOT the people of Minnesota. The only message he has to bring on the road with him is one of incompetence and failure.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4iTh46u
2028: The New York Times included Gov. Tim Walz on its list of possible Democratic presidential contenders in 2028, noting that he started his national town hall tour in Iowa — the state that used to be the first stop in the presidential nominating contest. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iUXO8K
CONGRESS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A partial government shutdown was avoided Friday when the Senate approved a bill to keep the government funded through the end of September. … Minnesota Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar voted against advancing the bill and its final passage. … Senate Democrats faced pressure from their own party in the House as its leadership and others in the caucus urged them to reject the bill, [including] Rep. Angie Craig [and] Rep. Betty McCollum. … Some took to X to say [Klobuchar] should be the next minority leader as calls grew for New York Sen. Chuck Schumer to step aside after he announced he would vote for the bill.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41UOk6v
MORE: Via Politico, last week’s government funding showdown has led to discontent among Democratic voters and House representatives, with at least one activist group calling for new leadership in the Senate. As chair of the Steering and Policy Committee, Sen. Amy Klobuchar is the third-highest ranking member of the Senate Democratic Caucus, below Sen. Chuck Schumer and Sen. Dick Durbin. However, Klobuchar is the highest ranking member who voted against cloture and passage on the Republican spending bill Friday. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RbnJ02
CRAIG: via Time Magazine, VERBATIM: “In a year when Democrats fared badly across rural areas and the industrial Midwest, Rep. Angie Craig was a rare bright spot for her party. The Minnesota congresswoman was re-elected to her fourth term by a double-digit margin last November, scoring her biggest victory yet and outperforming Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket. … She spoke to TIME about what her party needs to do to win.” QUOTE: “We have to get back to meeting voters where they are, not necessarily where we want them to be. … As Democrats, if we show up and try to convince people that the economy is better than it feels to them…people can smell bullshit a mile away.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kB1tuj
SMITH: Sen. Tina Smith was interviewed by Zeteo’s Mehdi Hasan to discuss her thoughts on Pres. Donald Trump and his billionaire adviser Elon Musk. Smith drew Musk’s ire last month by calling him a “dick” on social media. From the interview, QUOTE: “Trump is responsible [for his actions], but don't you think that sometimes he's happy to have Musk out there, sort of absorbing some of that attack? … It's so important that we speak out, that we speak the truth, that we don't hold back. … I think Democrats have to have a real reckoning about the fact that the relationship that we thought we had with voters…[is] weak. People don't think that we're standing up for them.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3XU5jVs
DINNER: via Politico Playbook, VERBATIM: “For the first time in the 140-year history of the Gridiron Club Dinner, those gathered did not offer the traditional toast to the sitting U.S. president. Instead, leading members of the Washington press corps paid tribute to the First Amendment [at] the annual white-tie, off-camera and bipartisan dinner. … President Donald Trump and VP JD Vance both declined invitations…[but] Sen. Amy Klobuchar [and] House Majority Whip Tom Emmer [were spotted].” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Fwkspz
RESPONSIBLE GAMING: Legal sports betting platforms offer responsible game tools that offshore and illegal sports betting don’t offer. In fact, age verification is not required with most offshore providers. Learn more about why legalized sports betting is more responsible. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kgJoS4 (SPONSORED: Sports Betting Alliance)
HOMESCHOOL: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Five years later, data confirms what Bjorkman glimpsed that day outside her store. The number of Minnesota families homeschooling their children jumped from fewer than 20,000 in 2020 to more than 30,000 in the pandemic… Those numbers dipped when schools resumed in-person learning, but this year homeschooling counts are up by 2,000 students…Public schools remain the most popular choice for Minnesota families. Nearly 90 percent of K-12 students statewide attend public schools; 7 percent attend private institutions. Less than 4 percent are registered homeschoolers…Still, since 2023 the number of homeschool students is up 18 percent while the number of public and private school students has grown less than 1 percent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DzN3Kj
TURNOUT: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “More than 13,000 people, or nearly 47% of registered voters, cast ballots in the special election for a suburban Minnesota House seat [last] week, far outpacing turnout in any other House special election over the past decade. Democrats said it was the highest turnout in any special election in state history, likely because of the seat’s significance to the power struggle in the House. It also reflects a burst of energy for the party nearly two months into President Donald Trump’s second term.” The second-highest turnout for a special election was House District 3A in 2015, with 30% of voters participating. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DzRLaV
DWI: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Two state lawmakers are proposing a bipartisan bill that would crack down on repeat drunk drivers — a response to last summer's horrific Park Tavern Restaurant crash in St. Louis Park. … On Friday, Representative Larry Kraft and Senator Ron Latz, two DFLers whose respective districts include St. Louis Park, announced the new legislation in a press conference at Park Tavern. The bill, which will soon be introduced in the legislature, [would] significantly increase the amount of time drivers with multiple offenses are required to be on ignition interlock.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FBsaiw
WAGES: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “A bill backed by Gov. Tim Walz to phase out subminimum wages for disabled workers by 2028 barely made it out of the Senate Labor Committee on Tuesday, signaling it’s unlikely to make it to the governor’s desk this year. … Opponents of the program, including disability rights groups, argue the practice is demeaning and exploitative while often trapping disabled people in menial jobs. … But supporters of the program, including many parents of severely disabled workers, say their children truly aren’t capable of landing a job in the mainstream workforce. … The bill (SF2149), authored by Sen. Jen McEwen, DFL-Duluth, was sent to the health and human services committee without a recommendation for its passage.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hetW6g
MED DEBT: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “More than 300 people attended a town hall hosted by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and local DFL leaders on Saturday, March 15, at Rochester Community and Technical College's Heintz Center. The event centered around Ellison's lawsuits against President Donald Trump's administration and medical debt. Ellison, a Democrat, was joined by four local DFL lawmakers: state Sen. Liz Boldon and Reps. Kim Hicks, Tina Liebling and Andy Smith. Boldon has worked with Ellison's office on medical debt legislation in 2024 and 2025, with this year's bill proposing to set aside $5 million to forgive upwards of $500 million worth of medical debt held by lower-income Minnesotans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kPEyeF
UNIONS: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Five Minnesota House Republicans introduced a bill to let union members send their dues to any ‘national, state or local organization of their choice.’ It’s a unique variation on so-called right to work laws, enacted in 26 other states, that make paying union fees optional. In Minnesota, private sector workers covered by union labor agreements must at least pay ‘fair share fees’ to support the cost of the union’s collective bargaining. … Labor leaders say the bill is an attempt to hurt unions by siphoning away funds.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hetW6g
ABORTION: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “House Republicans spent Thursday's floor session — the last one with their 67-66 majority — pushing bills that would fund crisis pregnancy centers and ensure care for infants born alive after a failed abortion. The ‘Supporting Women Act,’ HF25 , establishes a grant program for crisis pregnancy centers and maternity homes. The ‘Born Alive Act,’ HF24 , amends Minnesota law to require doctors to save the life of an infant born alive ‘as a result of an abortion.’ The emotional and lengthy floor debates Thursday, March 13, ended with both bills voted down on 67-66 party-line votes, failing to get the single Democrat vote necessary to reach 68 votes and pass.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kBau6D
POT: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “A Republican senator tried Thursday to open up ongoing negotiations between Gov. Tim Walz and 10 of the state’s tribal nations that are expected to give the tribes broad access to the new recreational cannabis market. He failed. But Sen. Mark Koran’s two amendments to a mostly unrelated bill are the first moves to slow down, or at least require public input into, closed-door negotiations over tribal cannabis compacts. Leaked drafts of one compact show that tribal owner enterprises could open stores off reservation under tribal — not state — regulations and would give the tribes broad access to other cannabis businesses.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FtCglk
OCM: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Minnesota's Office of Cannabis Management licensing website shut down at 9 p.m. on Friday, leaving business applicants scrambling to complete the process by the 11:59 p.m. deadline. Officials with Accela, the third-party vendor, say the site was back up and running by 4 a.m. Saturday. The deadline to apply for a cannabis license through the Accela portal [was] extended to 11:59 p.m. Sunday.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kPx23r
MAYO: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Mayo Clinic has entered into a settlement agreement with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office after an investigation of the health system's charity care practices. The report [found] that ‘several of Mayo's policies were acting as a barrier to care for Minnesotans unable to pay for services, in a way that went against both the charity care requirements’ and Mayo's own mission, wrote Attorney General Keith Ellison. Some of those findings went against the Hospital Agreement, a voluntary agreement between the attorney general's office and more than 100 Minnesota hospitals, including Mayo Clinic.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4irZJBY SETTLEMENT: https://fluence-media.co/3RbgyoC
MINING: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “The Trump Administration will consider rolling back newly set limits on mercury emissions from the Iron Range’s taconite plants. … Cleveland-Cliffs and U.S. Steel, which operate all six of Minnesota’s iron ore mines and pellet plants, [have] previously challenged the rule, arguing the regulations would be too costly, burdensome and require unproven technology. But environmental groups have vowed to fight back.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41LCCeo
FARMERS: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “[Last week] was fly-in week for the nation’s farmers and ranchers who swamped Capitol Hill on their traditional spring lobbying blitz. … About 20 Minnesota farmers were [in D.C.] to try to find allies on Capitol Hill and capture the ear of the White House. ‘We’re concerned with the tariffs, and we need to find a solution,’ said Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation President Dan Glessing. … Glessing, who attended a meeting Tuesday at the White House, said one big question is, ‘How long are the tariffs going to be on?’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41WHtcO
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)
MPLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Rev. Jerry McAfee, the north Minneapolis pastor who made threatening statements last month to Minneapolis City Council members, could get a new one-year city contract of nearly $650,000 to interrupt violence. The situation became more complicated Friday when one of McAfee’s 21 Days of Peace violence interrupter workers was arrested for reckless endangerment in connection with an incident Monday in north Minneapolis where he was shot. … McAfee’s Salem Inc. now is on a list of six nonprofits chosen by Neighborhood Safety for violence interruption contracts under a program called MinneapolUS. The one-year contracts come with a two-year renewal option, but they must first get City Council approval.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Fz0T05
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Spurred on by students from Macalester College and other young people, the St. Paul City Council on Wednesday voted 6-0 to call on Congress to enact a ‘Green New Deal.’ The resolution, authored with the help of the Sunrise Movement Twin Cities — the Macalester-based chapter of a national youth-led environmental movement — was sponsored by council members Saura Jost, HwaJeong Kim and Nelsie Yang. … The resolution calls for the city to align its policies — including the 2050 Comprehensive Plan and a renewal of the existing Climate Action plan — with the values of a Green New Deal, in part by allocating future proceeds from utility-related franchise fees toward ‘making St. Paul a more climate-resilient city.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DLAoUs
UMN: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota Board of Regents approved a controversial resolution Friday, which hundreds of faculty members say limits their speech on societal issues. The resolution, which passed 9-3, prevents university departments from making statements on ‘matters of public concern’ through official platforms unless the university president determines it impacts the school's mission. Board Chair Janie Mayeron, who co-authored the resolution, said it should help protect the university from potential unintended repercussions. … Opponents, including hundreds of faculty members, argue it infringes on academic freedom.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4bvC29l
MORE: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “More than 50 universities [including the University of Minnesota] are being investigated for alleged racial discrimination as part of President Donald Trump’s campaign to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs. … The Education Department announced the new investigations Friday, one month after issuing a memo warning America’s schools and colleges that they could lose federal money over ‘race-based preferences’ in admissions, scholarships or any aspect of student life.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/41LDCPG
SPPS: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Dayton’s Bluff is one of six schools in St. Paul Public Schools taking part in a multi-year district campaign to increase enrollment that includes extensive marketing efforts and reexamining how schools connect with families. Traditional school districts like SPPS are just starting to become more focused on enrollment, said Nick LeRoy, chief enrollment officer and head of marketing with SchoolMint, a Louisiana-based company which specializes in helping districts improve enrollment and which has been working with the district on the campaign.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FvJGER
PERMITTING REFORM FOR RESPONSIBLE INDUSTRIES: Jobs for Minnesotans is committed to advancing responsible industrial projects through a predictable, timely and transparent permitting process. Broad permitting reform for all responsible industries is essential to strengthening Minnesota’s communities and advancing our state’s clean energy future. (SPONSORED: Jobs for Minnesotans)
VETERANS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Holding signs high while wearing their military uniforms and chanting loudly for their cause, veterans and their supporters gathered to speak against recent cuts to the VA, the firing of veterans in federal services and other issues. … The protest happened early Friday afternoon in front of the offices of the Minnesota Republican Party in Edina. … Organizers say they had requested to have a conversation with the GOP chair at the protest but were declined. Many of the protesters would like to see VA workers rehired and funding cuts to be reconsidered and done differently.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DH54Gz
FED JOBS: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “A federal judge in the United States District Court for Maryland issued a temporary restraining order [for] 18 federal agencies, ordering them to stop the illegal mass layoffs of federal probationary employees and to reinstate fired employees by 1:00pm on Monday. … [The] order comes seven days after Attorney General Keith Ellison co-led a coalition of 20 attorneys general on March 6, 2025, in suing numerous federal agencies for causing irreparable injuries to Minnesota and the other plaintiff states.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kvQ0Ms
NURSING HOMES: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Just a year after 1,000 workers walked off the job in the largest nursing home strike in Minnesota history…250 workers say they’re ready to strike over low pay and persistent staffing shortages. All are represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Minnesota and Iowa. … The strike, planned for March 25 and 26, would affect Providence Place, The Villas at St. Louis Park, Regina Senior Living in Hastings and Cerenity Senior Care-Humboldt in St. Paul.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kBbF63
DOCTORS: via a Rep. Kelly Morrison press release, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) joined all six Democratic physicians serving in the U.S. House of Representatives to formally announce the launch of the Congressional Doctors Caucus. The caucus is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of Americans, advancing pragmatic health care policy and providing fellow [representatives] with insights on critical health issues.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DAHawq
CHINA: via a Sen. Amy Klobuchar press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and [others] led a bipartisan group of members of Congress in calling on President Donald Trump and the Administration to work on behalf of families devastated by the People’s Republic of China’s decision to halt its intercountry adoption program. … The letter was also signed by Senators [including] Tina Smith.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/4iuwspZ
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. Kari Rehrauer
Rep. Wayne Johnson
Rep. Julie Greene
Rep. Keith Allen
Rep. Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
BLAINE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “When the National Sports Center came to Blaine, deputy executive director Neil Ladd said, nearby Davenport Street was still a dirt road. The suburb, once known largely for sod farms and mobile-home parks, has since become the largest city in Anoka County and one of the fastest growing suburbs of the Twin Cities. … City leaders say it’s time for Blaine to further evolve. Crews are knocking down buildings and moving dirt to make way for the new, $750 million downtown. … City officials hope that the entertainment hub will retain the visitors who now often go to Maple Grove for dinner and their hotel stay.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4inufN0
STILLWATER: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Since Jan. 1, 2023, Stillwater police have taken 31 crypto-related scam reports from residents totaling almost $213,000, with at least half of that amount having been deposited into cryptocurrency ATMs located in the city. … Earlier this month, the Stillwater City Council discussed moving forward with a plan to ban crypto ATMs within city limits. There are at least four such machines currently in operation in Stillwater, and city officials say it is difficult to determine who owns or operates them. Mayor Ted Kozlowski said the machines have become essential tools for fraudsters and give international criminals a local pipeline into victims’ bank accounts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41r1KXQ
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Mayo Clinic wants Rochester city support for financing work tied to its $5 billion ‘Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester’ expansion plan. The Rochester City Council will be asked Monday to approve the issuance of up to $500 million in health care facilities revenue bonds, which are tax-exempt municipal bonds that would be issued by the city on behalf of a health-care provider.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Fy4jjE
HASTINGS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Hastings school board may end the district’s equity and diversity policy, a proposition dividing board members amid the Trump Administration’s attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in schools. The equity and diversity policy, also known as Policy 100, is up for routine review — the district reevaluates its roughly 140 policies on a three-year cycle. Adopted in May 2021, the three-page document outlines the district’s framework for eliminating the influence of racism and bias on student achievement and learning experiences.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iuyian
PRODUCING THE FUELS THAT HELP KEEP MINNESOTA MOVING: Flint Hills Resources, one of the Midwest’s leading producers of transportation fuels is hiring! With openings in IT, accounting, engineering, operations, procurement and asset management, Flint Hills Resources’ goal is to match talented individuals with their passions and interests to truly shine. APPLY TODAY: Flint Hills jobs (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
From Friday’s Fluence newsletters:
TRAFFIC: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “It could be a bad legislative session for bad drivers. Traffic safety is one place where lawmakers appear inclined to reach bipartisan consensus this year. Proposals range from more requirements for people looking to get behind the wheel after impaired driving offenses to stiffer penalties for those with a lead foot. STIER: ‘Running stop lights, speeding — all the highways are insane. I mean, you go down any highway, somebody blows your doors off at 100 miles an hour,’ said Rep. Terry Stier, R-Belle Plaine. ‘Hopefully the public is fed up with it, and they get behind us.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FwPZrF
REAL ESTATE: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Home sales in the Twin Cities and statewide are down about 5% year to year, according to the latest reports. Affordability remains an issue with the housing market. … Four in five aspiring homeowners say the expenses from down payments and closing costs are a significant obstacle to owning a home, according to a new Bankrate survey.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3FIXWK8
TARIFFS: via KNSI Radio, VERBATIM: “A local United States congressman feels the federal government’s proposed tariffs on farm products will help level the playing field for central Minnesota dairy farmers. Republican Majority Whip Tom Emmer represents the area in Washington, D.C. and told KNSI that Donald Trump is the only one fighting for farmers, citing Canada’s 150% to 200% tariffs on milk from Minnesota.” EMMER: “They literally deny our dairy producers any access to the Canadian market. But they think they deserve full and fair access to our market.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DJkRo7
MORE: MPR News interviewed MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen and the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association’s Friendly Vang-Johnson about the impact tariffs and other Trump Administration policies are having on Minnesota farmers. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4hbV5H0
MOVE: Kathleen McClung is joining McClung PR firm as Vice President, Public Relations & Corporate Communications.
SESSION: House floor session at 3:30 p.m. Senate floor session at 11:00 a.m. HOUSE: Ways & Means will hear a budget for the Dept. of Agriculture and broadband provisions. Agriculture hears a bill expanding eligibility for beginning farmer tax credits. Elections & Govt. Ops. will hear a bill prohibiting non-cooperation with immigration enforcement. Health hears extensions to nurse temporary permits. Transportation hears a repeal of the e-bike tax rebate. SENATE: Judiciary & Public Safety hears a bill to make the State Board of Civil Legal Aid report to the legislature. Human Services will hear the OIG bill and assisted living changes. The Subcommittee on Veterans will hear a bill to construct a Native American United States Veterans memorial. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4bv31Sl
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will speak at Sovereignty Day hosted by the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council.
TODAY: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “At 11:30am, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Senator Ann Johnson Stewart, and Representative Matt Norris will announce a bipartisan bill that provides the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office with additional tools and resources to hold accountable people who steal from Medical Assistance.” The event is at 11:30 a.m.
TODAY: via a Senate GOP advisory, VERBATIM: “Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson, Deputy Leader John Jasinski, Assistant Leader Jordan Rasmusson [and] Senator Rich Draheim [will hold] a press conference identifying more than $500 million in wasteful spending [and] present bills curbing wasteful government spending.” The event is at 2:00 p.m.
TODAY: OutFront MN announced that they will hold a press conference advocating against the City of Minneapolis offering violence interruption work contracts to Rev. Jerry McAfee due to past conduct. The event will be held prior to a city council meeting about the contracts at 1:00 p.m.
TOMORROW: Gov. Tim Walz will host a town hall in Eau Claire, WI as part of his national tour of GOP-represented districts.
TOMORROW: via a Rep. Angie Craig advisory, VERBATIM: “Representative Angie Craig will host a press conference alongside veterans, former Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees and union leaders to stand up against the [Trump] Administration’s illegal workforce cuts at the VA. … Craig will be available to answer questions from the press following the event.” The event is at 10:00 a.m.
TOMORROW: via an MN DFL advisory, VERBATIM: “At 2:35 p.m., the House and Senate DFL will hold a press conference to announce major proposed reforms to laws governing Manufactured Home Parks, alongside park residents. The Manufactured Home Park Resident Bill of Rights would make significant changes to resident rights, owner responsibilities, and maximum allowable rent increases.” Rep. Matt Norris and Sen. Liz Boldon will attend. The event is at 2:35 p.m.
TOMORROW: via an MN House advisory, VERBATIM: “A bipartisan group of legislators will hold media availability to announce the introduction of the Minnesotans with Disabilities Act. The MDA would enshrine federal protections of reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities into state law. The bill is authored by Rep. Kim Hicks (D-Rochester) in the House and Sen. Erin Maye Quade (D-Apple Valley) in the Senate.” Rep. Danny Nadeau (R-Rodgers) will also attend. The event is at 3:00 p.m.
TUES-THURS: Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-5th) is hosting two town halls in Minneapolis — one over the phone and one in-person. The phone event will be held on Tuesday, March 18 at 6:00 p.m. The in-person event will be held on Thursday, March 20 at 6:00 p.m.
THURSDAY: Rep. Kelly Morrison (D-3rd) is hosting a town hall in Bloomington on March 20 at 7:00 p.m. Registration is required.
APRIL 10: Citizens League will honor Peter Bell, former Metropolitan Council chair, and Sharon McMahon at the 2025 Civic Celebration. The annual Civic Celebration is an inspiring evening, gathering hundreds of Minnesotans from diverse backgrounds, parties and ideologies to celebrate our state’s enduring civic culture, leadership, and commitment to public service. REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/3EKmNge (SPONSORED: Citizens League)
BDAYS: Stinson’s Suzanna Kennedy, sales guy Wes Sweetser
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