WEATHER SWITCH
See you this morning at Twin West.
Lynx training camp starts today. Wild and Wolves start the playoffs this weekend.
Food & Wine named Le Burger 4304 in Minneapolis as one of the nation’s best new burger joints. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4vAOAFY
MIT ranked Minnesota in 1st place on its latest “Elections Performance Index,” with Wisconsin in 5th. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4sDTejO
The Minnesota State Fair is fundraising for a $35 million renovation of the 4-H Building at the State Fairgrounds. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4ceIFPk
Spirit Airlines could liquidate as early as this week, insiders say. CNBC: https://fluence-media.co/41AkK6O
Todd Lyons, acting head of ICE, is planning to leave the federal government in June. CBS: https://fluence-media.co/3O9WaXr
Sunday Take will include hightlights from the Twin West Legislative breakfast at 9AM on WCCO Radio.
Have a great weekend and fee free to celebrate National Crawfish Day.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Sunday Take featured DFL Sen. Mary Kunesh and GOP Rep. Ben Bakeberg discussing education issues and what fixes are being considered this session. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4cEc99g
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WAYMO IS READY FOR MINNESOTA: With 13x fewer injury-causing collisions compared to humans, Waymo is already making roads safer in major U.S. cities where we operate — from multi-lane expressways to dense city streets, including the demands of winter weather. We are ready to bring these safety benefits to Minnesota, and look forward to working with the state legislature to pass a law that allows us to provide rides in the state. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/waymo (SPONSORED: Waymo)
THE AGENDA
AI: via Fox 9, VERBATIM: “A Lakeville city council member and a former state representative voiced concerns on social media about a campaign text message. The message criticizes GOP Senate candidate Adam Schwarze and features what appears to be an image of him with former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley… A 2023 law bans deepfake campaign messages within 90 days of a nominating convention and the GOP’s convention is happening in May…FOX 9 spoke to a couple of legislators who worked to pass the political deepfakes law, and they agreed this is not something that would fall under the political deepfakes ban. They described the AI image as more of a cartoonist caricature and not realistic.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4mBhf9F
ST PAUL: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and the owner of the Minnesota Wild are again pressing state lawmakers for $200 million to help fund renovations at the Grand Casino Arena complex, formerly known as the Xcel Energy Center. Previous attempts to secure state funding have failed, including a $397 million ask last session that was eventually narrowed down to $50 million — four times smaller than the current request.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QeFSwV
TARGETING: The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) announced its state legislative targets for 2026, which includes Minnesota. EXCERPT: “With a tied 67–67 House, the path forward is to break the deadlock while also targeting the state Senate. Even marginal gains in either chamber could decisively shift legislative control. … In a closely divided state, even small shifts in voter confidence could prove decisive in determining control of the legislature. … A single-seat shift would deliver a [DFL] trifecta and open the door to aggressively redrawing maps to cement their congressional advantage in 2028.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4esPzln
MEETING: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Walz met for the first time [this session] to begin negotiating. … House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) called it ‘a very good first meeting’ and House DFL Caucus Leader Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) [said] ‘there was alignment on several key priorities, including doing something to save HCMC, taking action to address fraud and getting a bonding bill.’ … Demuth previously said she hasn’t spoken with Walz since September, but she said Thursday that he called her the previous day to talk.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vAKfma
MEDICAID: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Minnesotans between the ages of 21 and 64 who apply for Medicaid will need to demonstrate that they have been working, attending school, or volunteering for at least 80 hours each month to qualify for or retain health insurance under the joint federal-state program…This requirement follows President Trump’s signing of HR. 1 into law, a sweeping tax and spending bill, last July…The new law is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, leaving Minnesota lawmakers grappling with how to implement changes to the state’s administration of Medicaid funds before the legislative session ends on May 18.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cfC5bk
FED AGENTS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Hennepin County authorities on Thursday charged an [ICE] agent with felony assault in connection with a Feb. 5 road rage incident. … Prosecutors allege that [the agent] pointed a handgun at two people in another vehicle after its driver briefly pulled onto the shoulder. … Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty [said] her office was able to file charges in the case because ICE cooperated with the investigation. … Moriarty said that her staff is continuing to investigate 17 other use-of-force incidents involving ICE and Border Patrol agents.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tfOmlT
RESPONSE: via DFL Rep. Cedrick Frazier, candidate for Hennepin County Attorney, FRAZIER: “This is a breakthrough case with national implications. I have reviewed the criminal complaint and am confident in its strength. … The fight for transparency and accountability cannot — and must not — end with this year’s County Attorney election. As the next County Attorney, I will prosecute the federal agents who have violated Minnesota law.”
MORE: via Anders Folk, candidate for Hennepin County Attorney, FOLK: “Accountability and the rule of law matter. Every step toward justice for Minnesotans whose rights were violated by federal agents during Operation Metro Surge is a step in the right direction. … Today’s announcement serves as an important acknowledgement that no one is above the law.”
HOFFMAN: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, and his family have filed a civil lawsuit against Vance Boelter, who is accused of shooting Hoffman and his wife. … The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Hennepin County, seeks the maximum damages permitted by law and accuses Boelter of assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4chsZef
(DISCLOSURE: Fluence is providing media support for the Hoffman family)
ELECTIONS
FUNDRAISING: With all finance reports now available, here are the remaining Q1 fundraising totals for major candidates not mentioned in Thursday’s morning take. ICYMI: https://fluence-media.co/4tN2ZNr
GOVERNOR: DFL Gov. Tim Walz raised $169,091 last quarter despite dropping out of the race on Jan. 5, and he has $3,138,504 on hand.
ATTY GENERAL: DFL A.G. Keith Ellison raised $368,665 with $501,786 on hand. Republican Ron Schutz raised $149,936 with $269,993 on hand.
SEC OF STATE: DFL Sec. Steve Simon raised $133,727 with $396,484 on hand. Republican Tad Jude raised $16,789 with $7,393 on hand.
SENATE: Republican David Hann raised $130,443 with $18,177 on hand.
CD3: Republican Jeremy Westby raised $23,277 with $7,276 in loans and $29,973 on hand.
CD5: Democrat Latonya Reeves raised $12,038 with $1,444 on hand.
CD7: Republican Dave Hughes raised $23,051 with $17,294 on hand.
CD8: Democrat Trina Swanson raised $52,226 with $18,872 on hand. 6
ANALYSIS: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “Fundraising helps signal which campaigns and races are actually competitive. … Amy Klobuchar raised more than the entire GOP gubernatorial field combined, and her $3.4 million total cash on hand is six times more than her closest rival. … [Angie] Craig ended the quarter with close to $5 million — four times [Peggy] Flanagan’s cash on hand. … [Meanwhile], the outgoing governor is sitting on $3 million that he can transfer to other state candidates and political committees. He spent over $800,000 on consultant bills, travel and refunds to donors, but hasn’t reported any significant contributions to other campaigns.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tWrvvS
CLEAN | RELIABLE | AFFORDABLE: via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “We’re powering the Upper Midwest with clean, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy. For more than 50 years, our Prairie Island Nuclear Plant, located near Red Wing, MN, has been a workhorse of reliable, carbon-free energy. With two pressurized water reactors producing about 1,100 megawatts, Prairie Island generates enough electricity to power 1.5 million homes across the Upper Midwest. Unlike sources that depend on weather, nuclear energy delivers 24/7 reliability — providing the power we need today while protecting the environment for tomorrow.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4oCHdK9 (SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.
https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
MINING
BWCA: Via MinnPost, more info on the Senate vote to allow mining near the Boundary Waters, as seen in yesterday’s lunch take. VERBATIM: “Despite hours of impassioned arguments from Sen. Tina Smith, the U.S. Senate ended a Biden-era moratorium on mining in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness watershed. … President Donald Trump is expected [to] sign. … Smith [said] the use of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to repeal the mining ban was ‘a dangerous precedent’ that would allow Congress to undo any action taken by an administration.” SMITH: “Future Congresses will be able to undo any order, even seven years later. … What goes around, comes around.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ciMUJO
MORE: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Twin Metals, a subsidiary of the Chilean mining conglomerate Antofagasta, still faces major obstacles before it can begin mining. The company still needs to obtain the necessary permits and win in court in the face of inevitable litigation against the project. … The company [could also] face a hostile public.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48Qds2A
REACTIONS: DFL Rep. Betty McCollum condemned the mining bill’s passage, but two GOP state senators from the Iron Range, Sen. Robert Farnsworth of Hibbing and Sen. Keri Heintzeman of Nisswa, applauded the move. Meanwhile, GOP Chair Alex Plechash criticized DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar for voting against the bill.
McCOLLUM: “We don’t allow mining in Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion, Acadia, Glacier, or any of our nation’s revered national parks — and we shouldn’t allow it in the watershed of the Boundary Waters, either.”
FARNSWORTH: “With Minnesota’s rigorous permitting process, I’m confident we can keep mining alive for the next generation while continuing to cherish and protect all the natural beauty that makes the Iron Range so special.”
REJECT 340B EXPANSION: A new Minnesota Department of Health report shows hospitals made at least $1 billion dollars from a federal drug discount program known as 340B. The program should help patients, but experts say there is little accountability for where the money goes. The report was delayed and only recently released, showing the program isn’t working as intended. But Minnesota politicians are fast tracking a bill to expand the 340B program anyway. Lawmakers: reject House File 3609 / Senate File 3769. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4uUobCQ (SPONSORED: Community Action for Responsible Hospitals)
SESSION…
TODAY: The Minnesota Legislature’s third deadline is today at 5:00 p.m. Major finance bills that have not received favorable action in committee before this time will be considered dead for the rest of the session. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/3Otx5GU
AG OFFICE: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Members of the House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee agree they want more investigation and prosecution of fraudsters in the state. But their opinion of the state attorney general and how his office functions differ greatly. This led to an impasse Thursday that left only a year of funding for increased staffing for the state’s Medicaid fraud investigation unit. … Minnesota’s fraud investigation unit staffing is lower than that of comparable size states like Virginia, Washington and Arizona.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QeD82B
MORE: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “GOP lawmakers watered down this bill to such an extent that the state will lose out on almost $4 million in federal matching money. That money would pay for 18 [more] full-time staff members toward a Fraud Control Unit, a division that now has 32 full-time employees. The Republicans’ reasoning is that they dislike the job current Attorney General Keith Ellison has done on prosecuting Medicaid crimes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vGkPDU
SCHOOLS: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Two days after House Republicans’ school safety bill failed on a party-line vote, House DFLers’ school safety bill met the same fate in the House Education Finance Committee Thursday. … The DFL school safety bill would require: school districts and charter schools to implement an anonymous reporting system; firearm storage while on school property; [and more].” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vzd02z
CHILDCARE: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “As of this moment, there will be no omnibus bill coming out of the House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee, which came as a surprise to half the committee members. … DFLers presumed there would be bipartisan approval, [but] Republicans had no intention of passing any omnibus bills out of the committee this session. They said this was always the plan, while DFLers said if this was the plan, it was never communicated to them.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/481xwio
RESPONSE: via GOP Rep. Nolan West statement, WEST: “After years of work, we had a bill – brought by a Democrat and the department – that would have reformed the entire childcare system. … But Democrats voted it down because they wanted to transform it into an omnibus package stuffed with a plethora of other bills.”
340B HOSPITAL MARKUPS HURT PATIENTS: Minnesota’s latest 340B report shows covered entities generated $1.34 billion IN PROFIT in 2024, including an estimated $261 million from Medicaid prescriptions. Independent research finds the program raises costs for patients, taxpayers, and employers statewide. Minnesota should sunset the 340B mandate and Congress should fix the federal 340B program, so it actually helps patients. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3OLZOGG(SPONSORED: PhRMA)
MORE MNLEG…
FRAUD TAX: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A bipartisan proposal would create a 100% tax on the proceeds of fraud as Minnesota officials look to recover funds stolen from the state’s Medicaid program. The bill would target proceeds received not only by convicted fraudsters but those the state government determines obtained money fraudulently. … ‘If you stole money from the state, you owe every dollar back to Minnesota as a tax,’ said Sen. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, ‘on top of any criminal penalties or restitution you already paid.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mx3lFw
PROPERTY TAX: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Senate Republicans are balking at some property tax proposals others have pushed forward, saying long-term fixes are needed. … A bipartisan bill would create a tax task force tasked with finding ways to lower homestead taxes. … Sen. Michael Kreun said at a press conference that a task force just kicks the can down the road and doesn’t address ‘unfunded mandates’ that he says are the root cause of high taxes. Still, the bill passed Senate Taxes yesterday with bipartisan support.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vBG7lW
MEDICAID: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ is about to upend many facets of Medicaid coverage in the state, and the Legislature needs to pass bills to be in compliance with these changes. Sponsored by Rep. Robert Bierman (DFL-Apple Valley), the omnibus health finance bill, HF4466, would bring the state into compliance with many of these changes. … The committee approved the bill 14-8.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cPjVNK
GRANDMAS RIDE ATVs TOO: Check out Donna’s story — a powerful reminder that ATV riding is about more than trails; it’s about people, community, and connection. Donna’s message reflects what so many riders across Minnesota believe: responsible riding, strong local economies, and protecting access for future generations all go hand in hand. Thank you, Donna, for sharing your story and helping put a face to what “I Ride” truly means. Check out Donna’s story HERE: https://fluence-media.co/4tDeK9r (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
SEATING: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “HF4738, a bill sponsored by Rep. Heather Keeler (DFL-Moorhead), would repeal the state’s sales tax exemptions on preferred seating and amenities at athletic events. While the windfall such a change would produce would go to the state’s General Fund, the bill would also appropriate [money] for grants to safe harbor shelters and housing grants. … The House Taxes Committee laid the bill over for omnibus bill consideration.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cP36Cx
HABITAT RESTORATION: Flint Hills Resources has earned Tandem Global WHC Gold Certification for habitat restoration at its Cottage Grove fuel terminal. The certification comes after two years of work in partnership with Friends of the Mississippi River to implement a restoration and monitoring plan to re-establish the 6.5-acre site’s natural prairie and savannah. Flint Hills has held gold certification for its work done with community partners over the past 25 years to restore more than 200 acres of the Pine Bend Bluffs, a critical natural area along the Mississippi River that is adjacent to Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery. This makes two Flint Hills gold certified sites in Minnesota and the first two gold-certified sites ever in the Twin Cities. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3VASKg4 (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
DC + MN
HEARING: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon was pressed by lawmakers in Washington, D.C. on the integrity of the state’s election systems. Sec. Simon was questioned alongside Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwabe. … Simon was questioned about a Fillmore County man who was charged with perjury and a voting violation after allegedly voting in the 2024 election without being a U.S. citizen. … The secretary was also questioned about the use of the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) in Minnesota.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4vzvvnF
SNAP: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Agents with several federal agencies executed search warrants at multiple SNAP retail locations in the Twin Cities on Thursday. … They worked with USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to identify authorized SNAP retailers that ‘fraudulently trafficked in SNAP benefits,’ USDA officials said. … SNAP trafficking is a crime where retailers exchange SNAP benefits for cash or other ineligible items. In addition to executing the warrants, law enforcement agents served 20 retailers with administrative charging letters.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/486Y2H6
CITIZENSHIP: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Naturalization appointments and ceremonies across the country were abruptly paused last September. … Federal officials started slowly rescheduling appointments mid-March, but local attorneys say most of their clients are still waiting. … Between January and March [last year], 3,368 immigrants were naturalized in Minnesota compared to 137 in the same period this year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cNr0hQ
TPS: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison today co-led a coalition of 16 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief opposing the Department of Homeland Security’s [effort] to strip Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from Somali immigrants. … The attorneys general are urging the court to postpone this attempted TPS revocation to prevent their states and residents of those states from suffering irreparable harm.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/488AnWK
SURVEILLANCE: via Rep. Angie Craig advisory, VERBATIM: “Representative Angie Craig (MN-02) joined 33 Members of Congress in demanding answers from the Trump Administration about its alleged use of surveillance and data analytics tools developed by Palantir. … Craig and her colleagues expressed serious concerns following public reporting that DHS has been using such tools to aggregate personal data for the purpose of identifying and locating potential targets of immigration enforcement operations.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/4tT9bni
ACROSS MN
ST CLOUD: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “The future vision of both downtown St. Cloud and Division Street becomes perhaps a little more clear with the city’s release of a first draft of its comprehensive plan, a 10-year vision for development within the districts. … Plan goals include…making it a hub for businesses and entrepreneurs; creating a people-oriented environment; expanding housing opportunities; and prioritizing a transportation network for bicyclists, transit users, drivers and pedestrians.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tsUl6Y
DULUTH: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “After a brief detour, [Duluth] city staff may now proceed with a proposed purchase of eight gas-fueled vehicles for around $433,000. City councilors unanimously approved [the] purchase. … Just a few weeks earlier, councilors returned the same request to city administration, asking leadership to consider whether soon-to-be retired, gas-burning vehicles in the municipal fleet could instead be replaced with electric-powered models. … [But] officials say the city lacks the charging infrastructure or the ability to procure appropriate electric vehicles in a timely manner.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4esii9Z
PRODUCTIVE FARMS, STEWARDSHIP GO HAND IN HAND: via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Corn farmers are demonstrating that productive agriculture and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. Through widespread adoption of practices such as reduced tillage, cover crops, crop rotations, and targeted nutrient management, farmers have improved soil health, reduced erosion, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and protected water quality across millions of acres in Minnesota. That’s all while implementing advances in seed genetics, fertility management, and precision technology that have improved on-farm productivity.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4stHjG5 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
FOR PLANNING PURPOSES….
SESSION: No House floor session. No Senate floor session. HOUSE: No committee meetings. SENATE: Judiciary & Public Safety hears numerous bills on license plate reader regulations, medicine for people in jail, Brady-Giglio lists, tenants’ rights to sue, attorney general responsibilities and more. Human Services will hear its finance omnibus. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4sJSPwn
TUESDAY: Clean Energy Economy Minnesota (CEEM) will host a “Clean Energy Business Day at the Capitol” to connect energy business leaders and lawmakers. A rotunda program advocating for energy independence will begin at 1:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Attorney General Keith Ellison is hosting a town hall in Minneapolis with the attorneys general of Illinois and Oregon on Wednesday, April 22. The group will be discussing their “work to uphold the rule of law and protect democracy,” per Ellison. The event is at 6:00 p.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4tyqMRj
APRIL 28: Gov. Tim Walz will deliver his final State of the State address before a joint session of the Minnesota Legislature on Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m.
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.