Wild lose. Happy Hockey Day in Minnesota weekend.
TwinsFest weekend. Wolves host Denver tomorrow.
Vikings Coach Kevin O’Connell was named NFL Coach of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America. FOX: https://fluence-media.co/4h64pN9
UnitedHealthcare has selected a replacement for CEO Brian Thompson following his killing last month. WCCO: https://fluence-media.co/40LUGGi
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the president’s new executive order on birthright citizenship. AP: https://fluence-media.co/42srXYi
Donald Trump said new tariffs on Canada and Mexico could arrive as soon as Feb. 1. FOX: https://fluence-media.co/4jv2svl
TikTok has become an important news source for many Americans. About half of TikTok users (52%) – equivalent to 17% of all U.S. adults – say they regularly get news on the site. PEW: https://fluence-media.co/4gk6iF2
Tomorrow is National Irish Coffee Day!
Tune-in to Sunday Take at 9AM on WCCO Radio.
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
Senate DFL Leader Erin Murphy and Senate GOP Leader Mark Johnson were both on Sunday Take to discuss fraud, co-equal governing and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/42lWBCv
QUORUM: via AP News, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday on how deeply it should intervene in a power struggle between Democrats and Republicans over who should control the state House. … The main dispute before the state’s highest court is whether a quorum in the House is 68 members, as Democrats contend, [or] 67, as Republicans argue. … Lawyers for both sides pointed Thursday to various passages in the state and federal constitutions, statutes, case law and rules in Congress and other states to show that it’s not necessarily a simple question. Chief Justice Natalie Hudson told [both sides] they’re ‘equally reasonable.’ … Hudson said they would rule ‘in due course’ without specifying when.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42o1zyv
MORE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The [case] could decide whether the GOP gets to run the Minnesota House for the next two years or must share power with the Democrats. … [However], Justice Gordon Moore asked whether the court should steer clear of the dispute so it’s not ‘viewed by parties as a place to resolve political disputes.’ … Justice Anne McKeig asked whether the DFL had ‘unclean hands’ given its boycott of the House. She also said, ‘This court is not going to give weight to returning them to this power-sharing agreement.’ … Six justices heard the arguments. Justice Karl Procaccini recused himself from the dispute and was not present.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WuspRK
MORE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “David Zoll, an attorney for the House DFL, said needing 68 seats to do business ensures that ‘at least a majority of Minnesotans are represented in the House chamber’ before any important business happens. … Nicholas Nelson, the attorney for House Republicans, countered that Democrats were asking for an unprecedented separation-of-powers breach by having the courts intervene. … There was no dispute among attorneys or justices that it takes 68 votes to pass a bill in the Minnesota House. The question to be settled is whether Republicans had the power to choose [Lisa] Demuth as House speaker with 67 votes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Ckw7qm
MORE: Yesterday’s lunch take featured additional background info on the Minnesota Supreme Court case, including several briefs filed with the court by the DFL. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jqISQZ
AVOIDED?: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The DFL’s decision to support Curtis Johnson’s candidacy for a safely blue Roseville-area House seat has haunted the party since a judge ruled in December that Johnson didn’t live in the district and was ineligible to take office. WIINKLER: ““It’s a colossal screw-up. It would be costly even if it weren’t tied,” said former DFL House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler, who used to help recruit and campaign for candidates in his leadership role. “If you have people who live in the district who are running, why would you be supporting people who don’t live in the district?”… Democrats were aware of Johnson’s residency issue well before Wikstrom raised it. But they trusted him to move into the district within six months of the election… Johnson, who did not respond to a request for comment, had owned and lived in a home in Little Canada since 2017…Johnson also had the support of former state Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn, who endorsed him to be her successor in District 40B.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40MDLDx
ABSENT: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Lawmakers won’t receive per diem [pay] on days they’re absent from a floor session under a proposed House rule [included] in a permanent rules package, approved as amended Thursday without discussion by the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee. … House Majority Leader Harry Niska (R-Ramsey) said a floor vote will occur Monday. The proposed House rules would also establish a process for election challenges, require the House Journal to include whether a member voting remotely is doing so for health-related or safety-related reasons, eliminate the fiscal calendar, and clarify germaneness.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hvKhE9
BONDING: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz says he expects his proposed $887 million bonding bill will pass despite the ongoing dysfunction at the state capitol. He outlined his proposal during a visit to the Rapidan Dam site [damaged] during flooding last year. … The proposed bonding bill includes funding to build a new State Patrol headquarters, address housing and environmental needs, and improve infrastructure. … Walz dismissed concerns about the impact of the ongoing disputes in St Paul…[but] Republican Sen. Karin Housley, a key player in the debate, said while some critical projects need to get done, she isn’t on board with the Walz plan.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CjCURg
DETAILS: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “The [bonding] plan invests more than $144 million in water and transportation infrastructure, including more than $107 million [for] clean water. The infrastructure plan also includes $5 million for flood mitigation and prevention, and $10 million for work on the Rapidan Dam. … [It also] allocates more than $239 million for public safety projects…[and] an investment of over $44 million in housing and the environment, including $7 million for public housing rehabilitation and $17 million to update the Minneapolis Veterans Home. … More than $395 million will go toward maintaining and renewing state facilities. … Additional investments include $40 million for local government projects, $3 million for the Duluth Hangar [and] nearly $3 million in grants to construct and renovate early childhood facilities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hrEuzs
RESPONSE: via statement from Sen. Karin Housley, VERBATIM: “I’m looking forward to crafting a bonding proposal that prioritizes safe transportation, clean water, and investing in critical, regional projects. I am concerned the Governor’s proposal is about as big as last year, despite the looming $5.1 billion deficit. There’s room to bond for important, bipartisan projects, but this isn’t the time to be maxing out the state’s credit card on ‘nice-to-haves’.”
FEDERAL$: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Funding to replace a busy, deteriorating bridge connecting Duluth and Superior, WI is in jeopardy after a recent executive order signed by President Donald Trump. The Blatnik Bridge is crossed by more than 33,000 vehicles every day, but heavy trucks are barred because of its decaying condition. … Without additional federal dollars, the bridge would have to shut down by 2030. … Phased construction is scheduled to start next year, [but] the executive order says agencies have 90 days to submit a report with review findings to the National Economic Council, [and] there's no timeline about when the feds will make a ruling and greenlight the money.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/40KA2Gf
MORE: via Politico’s Adam Wren, VERBATIM: “To put Trump’s pause on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in context: Only 22,000 of 72,000 total projects are complete from a federal perspective — so this could pause about 50,000 ongoing projects.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4gcEK44
RESPONSES: via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Sen. Tina Smith [shared] her frustrations after the order was signed, [saying] ‘I don’t believe the president has the power to stop implementation of a law.’ … [But] Rep. Pete Stauber released a statement [saying] he is not concerned about the Blatnik Bridge reconstruction funding getting passed because it is a traditional infrastructure project that will benefit the region. He also ‘applauds the Trump Administration for conducting reviews that will ensure American taxpayers’ money is spent wisely.’” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hrAQW7
HEGSETH: via AP News, VERBATIM: “The Senate advanced the nomination of [Minnesota native] Pete Hegseth as President Donald Trump’s defense secretary Thursday on a largely party-line vote, despite grave objections from Democrats and stirring unease among Republicans over his behavior and qualifications to lead the U.S. military. Two Republicans, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, [voted against him]. … The former combat veteran and Fox News host faces allegations of excessive drinking and aggressive actions toward women, which he has denied. The vote was 51-49, with a final vote on confirmation expected Friday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aCx2zi
FRAUD: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Calling it a bill about ‘desperately needed accountability,’ Rep. Ben Davis (R-Merrifield) sponsors HF2, which would require mandatory and immediate reporting by state employees if they suspect fraud in a program administered by the agency. The notification would go to their supervisor, the Department of Administration, Office of the Legislative Auditor, law enforcement and the chairs and ranking minority members of legislative committees with jurisdiction over that agency’s budget. … The bill was laid over by the committee because a fiscal note is not yet available.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40x2Gt8
LOBBYING: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Lobbyists and lobbying organizations spent $18.9 million to influence Minnesota politics in 2023. Of that, $1.4 million — or 7.5% — came from lobbyists from Xcel Energy, the largest amount spent by a single organization that year. The utility is one of 15 top-spending companies that made up over half of all lobbying spending that year. … While we don’t have access to spending totals for 2024 yet, [Campaign Finance Board] lobbyist filings do give us details on which issues lobbyists represented.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h6TkeS
SURPLUS: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “What if the state had no choice but to give the bulk of future [budget] surpluses back to taxpayers? … [It] would require a constitutional amendment, and that would only be possible via a statewide referendum. On Thursday, that process was set in motion by Rep. Wayne Johnson (R-Cottage Grove). He sponsors HF4, which proposes a constitutional amendment appear on the ballot in 2026 that would require a portion of projected future budget surpluses be returned to state taxpayers. The House Taxes Committee approved the bill, as amended, and forwarded it to the House Ways and Means Committee.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CxS8lz
MN SENATE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “On the opening day of the year’s session last week, Sen. Jeremy Miller remarked on just how good the vibes felt. The Winona Republican had just been elected co-president of a tied Senate, at least on a temporary basis. … While they have a share of the committee gavels, Republicans are convening hearings on [the] issues they want to talk about — like how public schools are funded, a proposed expansion of nuclear power, and oversight lapses that have contributed to fraud in programs.” MILLER: “Our leaders could either choose chaos or cooperation, and I couldn’t be more proud to be a member of the chamber that chose cooperation. We’re going to have to compromise in order to get these things done. And I am confident. I’m optimistic.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40KIWDT
PERMITTING: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Rep. Josh Heintzeman (R-Nisswa) says he just might spend more time outdoors than any other legislator. … But he said businesses needing environmental reviews and permits to operate in Minnesota are hampered by unnecessarily lengthy and burdensome permitting processes by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. He sponsors HF8 to modernize existing regulatory systems and make them more efficient while still protecting the environment. … Approved as amended by the committee Thursday, the bill next goes to the House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g6q4DK
MORE: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency finalized the changes to two of its general permits for feedlots this month, which typically apply to those with 1,000 or more animal units. The changes, which go into effect June 2025 and February 2026, have some farmers worried, but others relieved. The main changes are an online tool to develop a manure management plan, added regulations for tracking data when transferring manure to someone else and some prohibitions on manure applications to ensure best management practices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PSaYa0
POWERLINE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A proposal to build a 180-mile high-voltage transmission line from the Iron Range to central Minnesota cleared a major hurdle on Thursday. The state Public Utilities Commission approved a certificate of need and route permit. … Minnesota Power and Great River Energy jointly plan to build the transmission line. The first segment would run about 140 miles from near Grand Rapids through Itasca, Aitkin, Crow Wing, Morrison and Benton counties to a substation near St. Cloud. The second would replace two existing 20-mile lines between Benton and Sherburne counties. The project could cost upwards of $1 billion.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Cp96Tb
LISTENING, LEARNING AND REDEFINING INDIGENOUS PARTNERSHIPS: “We want to build partnerships with Indigenous Nations. We continue to listen to and learn from Indigenous leaders and communities, and that’s informing how we engage communities in B.C. and across North America,” said CEO Greg Ebel of Enbridge’s approach to be the “first-choice partner” for Indigenous Nations interested in pursuing energy infrastructure opportunities. READ MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3Yht20R (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
MPLS: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey pushed back Thursday on Trump Administration plans to review a newly negotiated police-reform agreement with the city. … Kathleen Wolfe, President Donald Trump’s new supervisor of the Justice Department’s civil rights division, which negotiated the agreement when President Joe Biden was still in office, issued a memo that [says] the civil rights division must notify the Justice Department’s chief of staff of any consent decrees the division has finalized within the last 90 days. … Minneapolis’ consent decree is now before U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson in Minnesota for final approval, [and] it’s unclear if Magnuson can or would reject the agreement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3POSCqM
RESPONSE: via City of Minneapolis, STATEMENT: “Regardless of the Department of Justice’s plans, [the consent decree] is now in the hands of the judge. No matter what happens with the consent decree, the City is committed to this work and to building upon the reforms we’ve continued to implement in the Minneapolis Police Department. We will be moving forward with the terms laid out in this agreement, with or without the federal government.”
ENFORCEMENT: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison today joined the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont in a joint statement addressing a memorandum from a [Donald] Trump political appointee at the U.S. Department of Justice about state and local involvement in federal immigration enforcement.” EXCERPT: “It is well-established — through longstanding Supreme Court precedent — that the U.S. Constitution prevents the federal government from commandeering states to enforce federal laws. … The President has made troubling threats to weaponize the U.S. Department of Justice’s prosecutorial authority and resources to attack public servants acting in compliance with their state laws.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Cp6mVT
UMN: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Rep. Marion Rarick (R-Maple Lake) did not hold back Thursday. The chair of the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee vehemently questioned a University of Minnesota award given last month to Communities United Against Police Brutality. … No action was taken by the committee…[but] Brian Peters, executive director of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, whose members include the University of Minnesota Police Department, testified that it was inappropriate for the university to partner on an award with the organization.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CaxIzb
MAYOR: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A man who co-founded an app to help people navigate police traffic stops is running for mayor of Minneapolis. Jazz Hampton and two friends quit their corporate jobs and created a company called TurnSignl after the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd. They developed an app that connects drivers with lawyers who can give them legal advice during traffic stops and after vehicle collisions. Four years later, more than 170,000 people have downloaded the app. … Now, he wants to tackle what he calls ‘gridlock’ at city hall. His priorities are education, housing and policing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3C8ppnu
FLOYD SQR: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “A Minneapolis City Council push to transform George Floyd Square into a pedestrian mall has hit a snag: at least three-quarters of the property owners at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue oppose closing the street permanently. A state law requires a majority of property owners' support. … [However], the option to build a shorter pedestrian mall is still viable regardless of support from property owners, council members Aurin Chowdhury and Jason Chavez told Axios. The city owns the former gas station across the street, meaning its support would theoretically be enough under state law to create a short mall with businesses to the north on Chicago Avenue accessible via a cul-de-sac.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4arnaIB
VETERANS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis Veterans Medical Center was preparing Thursday to renew job offers for clinical and hospital roles that it had rescinded two days earlier as part of a federal hiring freeze. The Department of Veterans Affairs issued a statement Thursday clarifying that 39 categories of health care workers were exempt from the hiring freeze issued by President Donald Trump’s administration on its first day. The statement came amid criticism of the sweeping hiring freeze by lawmakers such as U.S. Sen. Tina Smith [on] Wednesday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4av82d0
RESPONSE: via Sen. Tina Smith on social media, SMITH: “It seems that thanks to public pressure, the Trump Admin just backpedaled. This was a mess that shouldn't have happened in the first place. I’m still hearing how hard this has been on Minnesota vets [and] their families. And a lot is still unclear. This chaos was totally avoidable.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4aMoVjP
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)
REFUGEES: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Two orphaned Karen children, a Somali family of five in Kenya and a Congolese woman are among the people whose trips to Minnesota were canceled after President Donald Trump issued an executive order suspending refugee admissions. Jane Graupman, executive director of the International Institute of Minnesota, said the resettlement agency had been hopeful they would still land here this week because Monday’s executive order was not set to take effect until Jan. 27. Instead, she said, ‘they instructed the State Department to cancel all the flights.’ Hundreds of refugees bound for Minnesota over the next few months are now stuck abroad.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40whwjO
SETTLEMENTS: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Today, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced he has resolved investigations and entered settlements with three different companies — Encore Law Inc., Last Resort Consulting, and Tradebloc — which purported to offer ‘timeshare exit’ services that charge thousands of dollars based on promises to relieve Minnesotans from timeshare debts. In doing so, the companies violated Minnesota’s ‘debt settlement services’ law. … The settlements will result in $269,378 in refunds back to consumers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PNn3gN
NURSING HOMES: As seen in Tuesday’s morning take, SEIU announced that all nursing home workers in Minnesota received extra holiday pay on MLK Jr. Day as a result of new rules passed by the state’s Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board (NHWSB). Now, Roxanne Hejhal, vice president of human resources at St. Francis Health Services of Morris, released a statement advocating for changes to the holiday pay rule. HEJHAL: “The NHWSB mandate leaves our [skilled nursing facilities] struggling to cover the additional costs imposed by the Holiday Pay Rule. … SFHS estimates that compliance with the Holiday Pay Rule will result in an additional cost to the overall organization of approximately $545,975 per year.” STATEMENT: https://fluence-media.co/3PNikf3 BACKGROUND: https://fluence-media.co/3EbtvvK
(DISCLOSURE: Long Term Care Imperative is a client of Fluence Advisory)
MINING: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The Boundary Waters Canoe Area, and a big effort to protect it, took center stage at the State Capitol on Thursday afternoon. Supporters of the Boundary Waters are concerned President Donald Trump’s energy policy reopens the path for mining…but the environmentalists at the Capitol promised a fight in court to further protect the unique area. … Mining supporters argue the industry brings high-paying jobs and a large economic footprint.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3E9JD0y
PFAS: via a DNR press release, VERBATIM: “A request for proposals will open in early February for restoration and recreation projects in the Twin Cities east metropolitan area and in downstream areas of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers that have been affected by Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS). … The upcoming RFP is focused on [providing] up to $20 million for projects that restore and enhance aquatic resources, wildlife, habitat, fishing, and outdoor recreational opportunities in the project area. The project area includes portions of Washington, Ramsey and Dakota counties and downstream areas of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42l93T4
ELK: via a DNR press release, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, in coordination with other Tribal entities, local governments, landowners and other stakeholders, has kicked off public engagement on the Northeast Omashkooz (elk) Restoration and Management Plan. … An elk coordination team including individuals from Tribal, state, county and federal agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations, is planning the restoration work, which includes public meetings that will inform a new northeast elk restoration and management plan.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3E1zT8v
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)
BENTON CTY: Via St. Cloud Live, the Benton County Commission passed a resolution this week calling on absent House members to return to session. VERBATIM: “Commissioners voiced their frustration over the Legislature being unable to do its job properly and the board's current inability to get work done for the county on the state level. In a unanimous vote, the commissioners approved the resolution. … The resolution was introduced by Benton County commissioner Jared Gapinski. He wanted to express his frustration with the DFL, whose House members are boycotting the legislative session, though the resolution was directed at all of Benton County's representatives.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40JZ3l1
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Rochester City Council member Shaun Palmer was looking over his shoulder during daily runs following an emailed death threat [responding] to a Rochester City Council vote taken nearly 11 months earlier to enact a camping ban on public property. … The email sent to Palmer also threatened to make police officers ‘targets’ if they were seen responding to his home. … Palmer said he didn’t file a formal police report, but he did send a copy of the email to Police Chief Jim Franklin, [resulting] in an investigation that determined the email address used was fake and couldn’t be traced. … No action related to the threat has been reported.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PPIT3s
DULUTH: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “Following President Donald Trump’s decision to fire Collete Peters from her position as Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) sent the President a letter requesting that he overturn Peters’ decision to close the Federal Prison Camp, Duluth (FPC Duluth).” STAUBER: “As the President and his team begin to undo the damage done by the last administration, I urge him to reverse this closure and protect the jobs of hardworking Minnesotans who I am honored to represent.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/3WvQoAg
ST CLOUD: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “St. Cloud Fire Chief Matt Love will serve as the interim city administrator. … Mayor Jake Anderson appointed Love to the position that was vacated after longtime administrator Matt Staehling left to take a similar job in Duluth. … Anderson told St. Cloud LIVE that Love will continue to serve as fire chief, but may delegate some duties to his deputy chief. A national executive search for the next permanent city administrator will be launched soon.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jqb1Yn
BRAINERD: via Brainerd Dispatch, VERBATIM: “A student at Brainerd High School was taken into custody early Thursday, Jan. 23, after school officials became aware of a threatening social media post from the student. In an email to Brainerd High School parents and guardians, Brainerd Public Schools Superintendent Peter Grant said when school officials became aware of the social media post, the Brainerd Police Department was called and the student was taken into custody. … Brainerd Police Chief John Davis [said] the threat was not directed toward a specific individual. … Neither Grant nor Davis disclosed the specific nature of the threat.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40IZpIF
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
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
PARDONS: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt expressed her displeasure of newly sworn-in President Donald Trump's pardon of about 1,500 people in jail in connection with the January 6th riot at the U.S. Capitol in 2021. Some of those pardoned attacked police officers that day, something Sheriff Witt says cannot be tolerated no matter where it happens.” WITT: "The men and women in uniforms, they have a right to go home safely to their families as well. … We just emboldened a certain type of behavior for future incidents." READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3E6Bj1L
FEES: via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Starting Jan. 1, Minnesota officially adopted a ban on ‘junk fees’ — additional fees that include anything other than mandatory gratuity or a credit card processing fee. That means bidding farewell to the much-debated ‘health and wellness fees’ enacted by several local restaurants, for one. But hospitality industry advocates say the new law may be a bit of a double-edged sword. While consumers can expect not to see any surprise fees on their bills, several businesses say they’re already bracing for lost revenue. For some, that could mean price increases, counter to the law’s intent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hshoc2
JET FUEL: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Imagine if airplanes could be powered by fuel made from a plant grown in Minnesota, and it’s better for the climate than conventional jet fuel. Some University of Minnesota researchers have been working to develop winter crops that can be made into biofuels, plus have other environmental benefits. Their work is getting renewed attention and now, a financial boost. … The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced it’s awarding a $10 million grant to the U program to expand its research of winter oilseeds, including camelina and pennycress.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h4rznf
ALL THE TAKES: Every day, we’re sharing significant political, business and other news in your inbox and on our new website, The Daily Agenda. If you love morning take, sign up for the other Fluence tip sheets and share our web content with your friends. SIGNUP: https://fluence-media.co/4eZwLa7
SESSION: No House floor session. No Senate floor session. MEETING: There are no House or Senate committee meetings on the schedule. However, there is a bicameral Working Group on Common Interest Communities and Homeowners Associations meeting at 10:00 a.m. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4awFakT
TODAY: via a DEED advisory, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) is delighted to invite you to join Governor Tim Walz, Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek and Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen at a luncheon event to honor this year’s recipients of the Governor’s International Trade Awards.” The event is at 11:30 a.m. in Bloomington. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4jdSQ8m
TODAY: via a VFMN advisory, VERBATIM: “Violence Free Minnesota, the statewide coalition of programs working to end relationship abuse, will host its annual Intimate Partner Homicide Memorial to honor Minnesota’s 23 confirmed victims of domestic violence homicide and 2 suspicious death victims in 2024.” The event is at 10:30 a.m. in St. Paul.
TUESDAY: A special election will be held to fill the legislative vacancy for Senate District 60 in Minneapolis.
WEDNESDAY: Via Jacob Frey for Our City, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey will formally kick off his 2025 reelection campaign on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 5:30 p.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4h9lRjw
WEDNESDAY: via Ramsey County Board, VERBATIM: “Ramsey County is bringing together local organizations for an Inclusive Hiring Connections Summit on Jan. 29, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Science Museum. Register today to join a variety of breakout sessions led by workforce experts, covering topics such as skills-based hiring, youth internships, accommodating employees with disabilities and creating opportunities for justice-impacted individuals.”
BDAYS: WCCO Radio hosts Vineeta Sawkar and Jason DeRusha, Stearns County Commissioner Jeff Bertram, lobbyist Sonnie Elliott. SUN: fmr. Gov. Mark Dayton, marketer Madeline O’Phelan, fmr. Chancellor Morrie Anderson, fmr. State Rep. Todd Lippert
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