ROCKY TUESDAY
Great to be with the Farm Bureau County President’s yesterday, tonight it’s the Greater MSP Next 26 event. See you there.
Gov. Tim Walz is in DC already, a day before his testimony – preparing most likely since there is nothing on his public schedule. How much will preparation cost?
TGT shares rising even after another tough quarter, BBY profits grew despite disappointing holiday sales. TGT: https://fluence-media.co/3N0xLmq BBY: https://fluence-media.co/4smrgcK
Saturday night pizzas could mean a new co-conspirator for the 2027 list. Meanwhile should we have license plates celebrating rocks? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/4raiv4y
There’s a bill to bring back cursive, which is a good idea, along with taking all the devices away. 😉
Most of Minnesota saw below-average snowfall this winter. MAPS: https://fluence-media.co/4u4G8hx
A woman was arrested and charged for allegedly threatening Speaker Lisa Demuth. STRIB: https://fluence-media.co/4snawC1
Gas prices are already rising in Minnesota following the strikes on Iran, going up 13 cents per gallon in one day. KARE: https://fluence-media.co/3OKtunJ
Two more U.S. soldiers were confirmed dead in the Middle East, bringing the total to six. FOX: https://fluence-media.co/3OHQl3f
Center of the American Experiment says 45% of Minnesotans support the presence of ICE in Minnesota, while 53% oppose it — a GOP-friendly outlier, or a DFL warning sign? POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4l2rumF
National Cold Cut Day … have a sandwhich.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
What is the political future of Jacob Frey? READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s8IOc7
Sunday Take discussed the future of mining on the Iron Range with GOP Rep. Spencer Igo, DFL Sen. Grant Hauschild and Mining Minnesota CEO Julie Lucas. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4seg0ij
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The latest insight from Fluence Advisory on the loss of institutional knowledge from the Minnesota Legislature. READ: https://fluence-advisory.com/insights/
FORECHECKING
STPAUL: via Mayor Kaohly Her, VERBATIM: “Mayor Kaohly Her and Minnesota Wild leadership have reached a framework agreement to fund renovations at the Grand Casino Arena complex in downtown Saint Paul and advocate for financial participation from the State of Minnesota at the Capitol this Legislative Session…Negotiations began within weeks of Mayor Her’s election. Both parties worked in good faith to craft a solution that balances the arena’s operational needs, maximizes efficient use of taxpayer dollars, avoids raising property taxes, and preserves and reinvests in one of the city’s largest publicly owned assets that generates millions in direct tax revenues and produces millions more in economic impact from users across the state and country.”
The framework agreement is as follows:
· The arena complex renovation and improvement project will cost a total of $600 million — $450 million for Grand Casino Arena, and $150 million for the RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium.
· The agreement will include a $200 million ask at the State Legislature — $125 million for Grand Casino Arena and $75 million for the RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium.
· The City will finance the $162.5 million for Grand Casino Arena using an extension of the half-cent sales tax, of which up to 40% can be dedicated to capital improvements at the arena complex.
· The Team will privately finance $162.5 million for Grand Casino Arena.
· The City will work with the Wild as a preferred partner to fund the remaining $75 million for the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, which will largely fund phase 2 of the renovation.
· The Wild has agreed to cover any project overrun costs that may occur.
· The agreement includes the Wild’s ongoing management of the arena and a lease extension. The team will pay ongoing rent and PILOT payments for the use of the public facility, and both the City and the team are committing to significant ongoing asset preservation investments over the term of the lease.
TODAY: Republican candidate for governor Kendall Qualls will announce his running mate in a Capitol press conference at 11:30 a.m.
Last week’s morning take reported that it would be Brian Nicholson. Nicholson is CEO of Advanced Volumetric Alliance, the innovative leader in high-quality modular manufacturing of buildings, has nailed down a multi-million-dollar investment from Decathlon Capital Partners. AVA is headquartered in Albertville. AVA received a major investment in the fall, suggesting that they are in growth mode.
Yesterday Qualls named fmr. Sen. Roger Chamberlain and fmr. Rep. Fran Bradley as legislative advisors. Clearly trying to push back against criticism that he doesn’t have legislative experience.
AD: Yesterday on Fox streaming, Restore Sanity PAC running ads in favor of Speaker Lisa Demuth’s campaign. Restore Sanity was registered in early February. The Chair Tyler Carlson, the committee is registered in Circle Pines.
CONTEMPT: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota federal judge has ordered the state’s top federal prosecutor and officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to appear in his courtroom [today] to explain why they should not be held in civil or criminal contempt for what he alleges are repeated court violations. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan’s order cites ‘numerous unlawful’ failures by the U.S. government. … Bryan summoned Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, along with the head of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s civil division and a representative from ICE.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4r7y5xA
CRAIG: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig says she regrets her support for a bill pushed by the Trump Administration last year that mandated the detention of undocumented immigrants arrested for certain crimes. Craig’s change in position…comes in the midst of a heated contest for U.S. Senate, where her Democratic opponent, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, has repeatedly attacked her for her past support of the Laken Riley Act. … Craig has [previously] avoided directly saying whether she regrets voting for the bill.” QUOTE: “I never thought the Laken Riley Act was a perfect bill…[but] supporting any bill that gives ICE new authority in this administration was the wrong decision.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/409WEiv
RESPONSE: via a Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan statement, FLANAGAN: “Angie Craig was the only Minnesota Democrat to vote with Donald Trump to empower ICE and stood by that vote for over a year. No amount of regret can reunite families, save children from indefinite detention, or make our communities whole again.”
DEMUTH: TV ads supporting Speaker Lisa Demuth in the race for governor — paid for by the group “Restore Sanity,” based in Circle Pines — have started airing in Minnesota. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/40E0kZU
IMPEACHMENT: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Republican lawmakers on Monday introduced two House resolutions for the impeachment of Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison. … The resolutions point to alleged ‘corrupt conduct’ by both Walz and Ellison. [They] also accused Ellison of ‘crimes and misdemeanors.’ … The [Walz] resolution cites his response to the state’s fraud cases. The Ellison resolution accuses him of ‘undermining’ the FACE Act by defending the anti-ICE protesters and journalists who protested at a St. Paul church. … Given the party balance in both the House and the Senate, an impeachment of Walz and Ellison seems unlikely.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4rPNwMf
A new level of insight and information….
MNLEG
TAXES: via Senate GOP advisory, VERBATIM: “Senate Republicans today released several bills [that] propose targeted changes for broad relief for workers, homeowners, and drivers across the state. … Sen. Michael Kreun (R- Blaine) is proposing to cap property taxes at the rate of inflation, plus 50% of population growth for cities over 2,50,500 residents. Rates could be increased over the cap, but only if they are approved at the ballot box. … Sen. John Jasinski (R-Faribault) proposed a bill to undo [license tab fee] changes and save drivers more than $800 over five years. … Sen. Karin Housley (R- Stillwater) has two bills with conformity changes to end taxes on tips and overtime for workers.”
HOA: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “The stories of overzealous homeowner associations assessing fines for toys left out on lawns, planting the wrong types of flowers and houses painted the wrong shade are all too common in Minnesota. ‘These are the things we are seeing repeatedly,’ Rep. Shane Mekeland (R-Clear Lake) said. … Mekeland sponsors HF2614, which, as amended, would prohibit municipalities, joint planning boards, public corporations and counties from incentivizing or requiring HOAs for building permits of new developments. … The committee sent the bill to the House Housing Finance and Policy Committee on an 11-1 roll-call vote.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Nfs9EV
CURSIVE: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “A new bill in Minnesota proposes to reintroduce cursive handwriting in elementary schools. The bill mandates the Commissioner of Education to create a cursive handwriting curriculum for students to master by the end of grade 5. Lawmakers argue that cursive is important for reading historical documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4rcydft
SUPPORT RURAL HEALTH CARE BY STRENGTHENING 340B: Policymakers have an opportunity to support rural care providers by strengthening the 340B Drug Pricing Program – a program designed to support health care facilities that provide a high level of services to low-income, underserved communities. Savings from those discounts are used to reinvest in care and stretch limited resources further for patients. To prevent these savings from moving to drug manufacturers’ bottom lines, we need to extend and strengthen the 340B program. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4s0oGc4 (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
SECURITY: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “As recounted to the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee Monday, a lack of coordination and communication between branches of law enforcement resulted in some members quickly learning of potential danger while [Melissa] Hortman’s assassin was still at large, while others struggled to get information. Rep. Julie Greene (DFL-Edina) hopes that such problems could be rectified by HF3791, a bill she sponsors that’s designed to enhance the security of legislators, state Supreme Court justices and state constitutional officers. … After rejecting two proposed amendments, the committee laid the bill over for possible omnibus bill inclusion.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ckIaUl
HORTMAN: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A Hortman highway, a Hortman state park, a Hortman solar garden program and a Hortman office building are some of the proposals under consideration to honor former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman. … Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, is the chief sponsor of four Senate bills to honor his late friend and former colleague. … Three bills propose that Hortman’s name appear on a community solar garden program, a state highway and a building with lawmaker offices. … The fourth bill would turn the Minnesota Capitol grounds into a park, which Hoffman said was a dream of Hortman’s and would be named for her.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ldMA1K
(DISCLOSURE: Fluence is providing media support for the Hoffman family)
GUN VIOLENCE: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “The Department of Health has cause of death data on tobacco use, motor vehicle crashes and substance use disorder – but not on gun deaths. This is why research and data are at the core of HF3668. Sponsored by Rep. Robert Bierman (DFL-Apple Valley), it aims to address long-lacking research on gun violence and prevention. Laid over by the House Health Finance and Policy Committee Monday, the bill would create an office of gun violence prevention.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4u6SWDV
MINNESOTA’S ATV RIDERS ARE YOUR CONSTITUENTS: Last September, hundreds of riders joined the ATV Minnesota President’s Ride — families, veterans, small business owners, and volunteers from across the state. They represent thousands of Minnesotans who responsibly use and maintain Minnesota’s ATV trail system. As decision makers evaluate trail policy, funding, and land-use decisions this session, we invite you to hear directly from the people they represent. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4u4dGw9 (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
SMALL BIZ: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Nearly $100 million in state grant funding meant to help disadvantaged small businesses is drawing scrutiny after 5 INVESTIGATES found several questionable recipients and a lack of publicly available information about the winners. The Minnesota Promise Act grant program offers up to $50,000 for small businesses affected by racial discrimination, civil unrest, or other barriers to funding. More than 650 winners have been named so far in the Twin Cities metro, [with] more than 300 recipients listed as individuals — not business names — who the state says qualify as sole proprietors. Many of them work in transportation.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4rNUCRn
MED FRAUD: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Nonemergency medical transportation services [are] among more than a dozen others Minnesota determined to be at ‘high risk’ for fraud. On Monday, Department of Human Services officials testified to the Minnesota House fraud prevention panel about its vulnerabilities and steps the agency has taken to fight fraud. … DHS will visit each company offering these services unannounced from now through May, according to James Clark, the inspector general. … Monday’s meeting came hours before a Minnesota Senate panel advanced a measure to end the housing stabilization services program.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/474hmnK
WIRE FRAUD: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Only a few months after opening Star Autism Center in St. Cloud, the business was billing millions of dollars in services. But on Monday, March 2, its owner and founder Abdinajib Hassan Yussuf said the St. Cloud health care provider made up fraudulent claims to take advantage of one of the Minnesota social services programs now at the center of national controversy. Yussuf, 28, pleaded guilty to wire fraud. … In all, Yussuf billed Minnesota’s Department of Human Services and nonprofit health insurer UCare more than $6 million.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4773hG4
SPENDING: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Special education is driving higher forecasted spending for public education. E-12 education [is] forecasted to be $111 million, or 0.4 percent, higher than the November forecast. The MMB report says that’s more than offset by forecasted savings from health and human services in the state. … Year-over-year student enrollment was up recently but is forecast to fall after fiscal year 2025. The forecast shows some savings in the human services area due to new prepayment review and billing procedures that are expected to reduce costs by $133 million compared to the prior estimates.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l2k6rr
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)
WASHINGTON…
MEDICAID: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Today, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) filed a federal lawsuit against the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for illegally attempting to withhold $243 million in Medicaid payments from the state of Minnesota. … Ellison and DHS will also be requesting that the court issue a temporary restraining order to immediately block this [action]. … Of the $259 million being withheld, approximately $243 million targets the same Medicaid service areas for which the Trump Administration announced it was withholding on January 6.” LAWSUIT: https://fluence-media.co/4rIvDyH
MORE: via Rep. Brad Finstad advisory, VERBATIM: “Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) led Majority Whip Tom Emmer (MN-06), Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), and Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) in sending a letter to Governor [Tim] Walz and his Administration calling for accountability and compliance with federal law…following the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) decision to withhold $259 million in federal Medicaid funding from the state.” EXCERPT: “We urge you to comply with CMS’s instructions. … Once Minnesota follows CMS’s guidance and complies with federal regulations, the funding will be restored.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/4b0frBE
OVERSIGHT: via AP News, VERBATIM: “A federal judge agreed on Monday to temporarily suspend the latest version of a Trump Administration policy that requires members of Congress to provide a week’s notice before they can visit immigration detention facilities. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb in Washington ruled that a group of Democratic lawmakers is likely to succeed in showing that the seven-day notice requirement is illegal and exceeds the government’s statutory authority.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sn8zFH
CHILDREN: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today sent a second letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding immediate answers about children detained by federal immigration agents and the continued surge of federal law enforcement in Minnesota. Nearly a month ago, Governor Walz first requested information on the number of children and other individuals detained in Minnesota and held in federal facilities. He has received no response.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/40quuQB
INVESTIGATIONS
BOVINO: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has launched a new effort to investigate unlawful behavior by federal agents during Operation Metro Surge, with the actions of Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino one of 17 instances currently under scrutiny. … While details of the 17 incidents being actively investigated have not been shared at this time, [Mary] Moriarty did confirm that one of them centered on the actions by Bovino near Mueller Park in Minneapolis on Jan. 21, when he was recorded throwing a smoke canister at observers and protesters.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aKyAsF
EVIDENCE: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty says her office is prepared to file new lawsuits to get access to evidence in the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti as her office moves closer to making charging decisions in the use-of-force cases. … Moriarty accuses federal officials of obstructing access to evidence in the Good and Pretti cases.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/46BvXHa
HENN CTY: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation after a deputy was recorded slamming an anti-ICE protester’s head to the ground during clashes outside the Whipple Federal Building on Sunday. A spokesperson confirmed to Bring Me The News that the incident [is] under ‘internal investigation.’ … On Sunday, dozens of protesters were arrested outside the Whipple.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uaefok
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)
GRANTS: via DEED advisory, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded $1.9 million to 12 organizations statewide that provide job training and wrap-around services to youth and young adults and expand affordable housing in underserved communities. The grants are anticipated to serve over 600 young people.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4u5yd3t
WILD ABOUT READING: Join more than 800 Minnesota classrooms and 30,000 students 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, Paulie; a pair of tickets to a Wild home game, player-signed pucks and photos; and a pizza party for a classroom. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/49AHNSE (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
ACROSS MN
MPLS: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Several projects, big and small, helped the city of Minneapolis exceed $1 billion in construction value last year, marking the 15th year in a row the city has reached the billion-dollar threshold. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey held a press briefing Monday to discuss the new infrastructure. … City officials said affordable housing units, medical clinics and office renovations were among the 12,000 building permits allocated across Minneapolis over the year.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4rNLEUj
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Rochester Mayor Kim Norton, the city’s first female mayor, has decided not to seek a third term. … As she looks to retirement from public office, Norton said she plans to focus on family, travel and finding new ways to help the city grow and prosper. … So far, one person — Benjamin Zastrow — has publicly announced plans to run for the mayor’s seat in the Nov. 3 election. The filing period for the seat is May 19 to June 2.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4srgoud
DULUTH: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A retired Duluth police lieutenant has filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the city of Duluth, claiming he was forced out after reporting suspected misconduct and derogatory remarks fellow officers made about citizens. A suit filed March 1 by David Drozdowski also alleges that police leaders minimized use-of-force incidents and officer behavior surrounding citizen deaths by suicide, and ignored racist and sexist remarks made by members of the Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cj97Yt
BECKER: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Becker residents say they’ve had issues with mail after their post office closed and moved to Monticello. … The Becker location was closed due to the lease expiring. Becker Mayor Mark Kolbinger says that’s frustrating because he says they told the USPS 40 months in advance that the lease would not be renewed. … Kolbinger sent a letter to the Postal Regulatory Commission on Monday morning, officially filing a complaint with the agency that regulates the USPS.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/47mQjnI
THE WEEK AHEAD
SESSION: No House floor session. No Senate floor session. HOUSE: State Govt. hears the Fraud Isn’t Free Act and a requirement to include fraud impacts in budget forecasts. Judiciary & Civil Law hears a ban on government use of facial recognition tech. Taxes will hear bills to align state and federal policy on taxes for tips and overtime. Children & Families will hear requirements to disclose certain fraud investigations. Public Safety hears a ban on local agreements with ICE. SENATE: Education Finance hears requirements for de-escalation training. Commerce & Consumer Protection hears changes to 340B drugs and a ban on TV ads for prescription drugs. Housing & Homelessness hears a 0.375% sales tax increase to pay for housing supports. Elections will hear changes to election administration. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4r2wrNF
TODAY: DFL Sen. Erin Maye Quade will hold a press conference with rideshare drivers to discuss “the risks to jobs and public safety posed by autonomous vehicle company Waymo,” per a release. The event is at 10:30 a.m.
TODAY: GOP Rep. Nolan West will hold a press conference announcing his new bill, “Harvey’s Law,” responding to the death of a child in a Savage childcare center last year. The event is at 2:00 p.m.
TOMORROW: Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison will testify before the U.S. House oversight committee regarding fraud in Minnesota. The event is at 8:00 a.m. central. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/46wNiRv
SATURDAY: The Idaho Democratic Party will host Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin as keynote speakers for its Frank & Bethune Church Gala on Saturday, March 7 in Boise, ID.
NEXT WEEK: The MN Homeless Coalition will host “Homeless Day on the Hill” in the State Capitol on Wednesday, March 11. The event will focus on protecting supportive housing, per a release.
BDAYS: Congressman Tom Emmer, attorney Fred Tyler, business leader Amy Langer, Rochester City Council President Randy Schubring, fmr. Rep. Yvonne Selcer, lobbyist Sarah Strong
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.