Twins host Texas.
Another restaurant closes, Edwards Dessert Kitchen one of the only sweet treats at night places in Minneapolis. BMTN: https://fluence-media.co/4e0Kej4
I think Café Latte should take over the space.
Roughly two-thirds of Americans support two separate policies prioritizing the birth sex of transgender people over their current gender identity. Sixty-nine percent of U.S. adults continue to believe that transgender athletes should only be allowed to play on sports teams that match their birth sex, and 66% of Americans say a person’s birth sex rather than gender identity should be listed on government documents such as passports or driver’s licenses. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4jBZQKV
New data shows that the most common languages spoken in Minnesota are English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese and German. KARE: https://fluence-media.co/4kzCUgV
Happy National Frosted Cookie Day
Blois
TIPS: bloisolson@gmail.com
Today’s morning take on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3TiyaQy
All four legislative leaders — Speaker Lisa Demuth, Rep. Melissa Hortman, Sen. Erin Murphy and Sen. Mark Johnson — were guests on Sunday Take to discuss the latest developments in the Capitol. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3HLdCxv
Sponsorships available – to reach over 25,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
SESSION: After hours of debate yesterday, the Minnesota House adjourned at about 11 PM and the Minnesota Senate finished its work at 2 AM.
TAKE: The vast majority of the budget bills passed with a wide bipartisan margin during the Special Session. Here is a score card:
(SOURCE: Fluence Advisory)
SPENDING: via news release from the House GOP, VERBATIM: “"After the last two years of out-of-control taxing and spending, I'm proud to have secured the largest spending cut in Minnesota history while protecting family budgets from new tax increases and reducing the looming deficit by more than half. We also listened to the majority of Minnesotans and passed a budget that funded key priorities while eliminating a mandate to fund 100% of health insurance for illegal immigrant adults. While this isn't the budget we would pass with an outright majority, it is a strong bipartisan budget and I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish.”
MORE: via news release from the House DFL, VERBATIM: “Minnesotans expect us to come together, govern, and pass a state budget — and that’s the work that we completed in this special session,” said Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. “A true compromise means no one gets everything they want, and this agreement reflects that reality. While there is much to appreciate in these bills, there are also tough and responsible measures taken to prepare for the future. Most importantly, this budget funds state government and the essential services Minnesotans rely on for the next two years.”
TAXES: via news release from House GOP tax co-chair Greg Davids, VERBATIM: “Property taxpayers and working families can breathe a sigh of relief, as this taxes bill stopped numerous costly provisions from becoming law.”
MORE: via news release, VERBATIM: “Senate Taxes Chair Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope) said today that victims of fraud in Minnesota, who are scammed out of millions of dollars each year, will benefit from a new restitution fund created as part of the final Tax bill approved by the Senate Monday. The measure, authored by Senator Rest, will now go to Governor Walz, who is expected to sign it into law in the coming days…The bill, which passed during a one-day special session, creates a restitution fund for Minnesota fraud victims, allowing the money won back the Attorney General in fraud settlements to be returned to fraud victims. The bill requires 50% of all money recovered in a consumer enforcement action be deposited in the restitution account instead of the state's general fund.”
MORE: On the floor of the House, Rep. Esther Agbaje, “"One of the major disappointments of this bill is that we couldn't figure out a way to raise significant revenue." VIDEO: https://fluence-media.co/3FKNQco
SENATE GOP: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “While Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks, did not agree to the broad strokes budget deal [in] May, he signed onto the special session agreement following negotiations over the last few weeks. His caucus’ support was needed to suspend the rules…but Senate Republicans on Monday [voted against] many of the budget bills. … Johnson praised the negotiations of the House GOP, but said the final product fell short of his hopes. He criticized spending on state agencies, cuts to special education programs, the failure to create an Office of Inspector General, closed-door negotiations and more.” JOHNSON: “We’re still facing a deficit in the out years. That’s going to be a huge concern for us — [money] going to state government.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FunFqk
RESPONSE: via a Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy statement, MURPHY: “Leader [Mark] Johnson's claim about money 'going to state government' is grossly misleading. The budget we are passing will fund the services Minnesotans rely on to live their daily lives. … We are making difficult but responsible decisions to reduce the budget without sacrificing core services, and yet Leader Johnson seems to want even deeper cuts. The DFL considers those services essential in fulfilling our obligation to Minnesotans, and will not hesitate to vote to pass them in this budget.”
BONDING: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “On [Monday], a pair of capital investment packages were finally unveiled. The agreements, which focus on transportation and water infrastructure, would fund those projects and more with about a net $700 million, including more than $646 million in proceeds from bond sales, $73 million from the transportation fund and $6.5 million in cash. … SSHF17, the cash bonding bill, is sponsored by Rep. Fue Lee (DFL-Mpls), co-chair of the House Capital Investment Committee. His co-chair, Rep. Mary Franson (R-Alexandria), sponsors SSHF18, the general obligation bonding bill.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jJbuUA
MORE: via LIUNA Minnesota, VERBATIM: Today, Joel Smith, President and Business Manager of LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota released the following statement after the Minnesota Legislature passed a local infrastructure jobs bill and other pro-worker priorities during the Special Session. SMITH: "After months of advocating, rallying, and making our voices heard, LIUNA members can put on their hard hats and get to work rebuilding Minnesota. This bonding bill isn't just about concrete and steel – it's about creating family-supporting careers that allow our members to put food on the table, protect their healthcare, and secure their pensions.”
(DISCLOSURE: LIUNA Minnesota is a sponsor of Fluence Media)
ENERGY: via a Senate DFL press release, VERBATIM: “Today, the Minnesota Senate passed SF 2, the 2025 bipartisan Energy omnibus budget bill. … The Energy omnibus budget: Increases base funding and resources for [oversight agencies]; Moves PUC funding off the state’s General Fund by shifting costs to utilities; [Cuts] funding by $4 million in FY 26-27 and FY 28-29; [And] extends the availability of existing Solar Rewards appropriations through 2038. … The budget passed on a vote of 35-32.” BILL: https://fluence-media.co/3HwUXWp
HUMAN SERVICES: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Cuts to Medical Assistance and nursing facilities with more funds for direct care and treatment are all in the mixture of a human services bill. Sponsored by Rep. Mohamud Noor (DFL-Mpls), SSHF3 was passed 96-37 by the House at Monday’s special session. … The bill would cut $270 million from the human services budget for the 2026-27 biennium. … Medical Assistance would take the biggest hit as the bill would cut long-term care waivers by $275 million. … But it wasn’t all cost-cutting as Direct Care and Treatment would receive an additional $70 million.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43BEZTu
MORE: statement via the Long Term Care Imperative, VERBATIM: “Governor Walz and state leaders have failed to pass a budget that protects Minnesota’s seniors—neglecting their duty to support our growing elderly population. The Governor says Minnesota is one of the best states for families. Apparently, “family members” stop counting when they turn 65…This budget will accelerate nursing home closures, and seniors across the state will pay the price. With fewer available beds, longer waitlists and staffing shortages, older adults in every community will struggle to access the care they have earned.”
(DISCLOSURE: The Long Term Care Imperative is a client of Fluence Advisory)
HEALTH: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Curbing long-term growth in health care spending is one aspect of a $7 billion health, human services, children and family budget bill. On a 73-58 vote, the House passed SSHF2 Monday afternoon, the Senate did the same 34-33. … The package includes scores of policy and budget provisions covering reimbursements to health care providers through Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare, along with licensing fees, fraud prevention, eye exams, security at child care centers, newborn screenings, homelessness prevention, opioid education and hot tubs at vacation rentals.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kxbpnU
TRANSPORTATION: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Lawmakers removed a measure that would have diverted $93 million in funding from counties to the Met Council. … Metro area counties have received 17% of funds derived from a three-fourth cent regional transportation sales tax, with the remaining 83% going to the Met Council. The proposal would have cut that sum by half and reallocated the money to the Met Council for Bus Rapid Transit expansion. … Prior to the removal of the measure from the overall transportation budget bill, it drew criticism from a number of metro area county officials.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FUlNXP
RESPONSE: via Rep. Jon Koznick (R-Lakeville), KOZNICK: “The voice of 3 million [Minnesotans] has been heard through the work of their County Commissioners standing up against the $93M money grab of county transit funds to the Met Council. That provision has been removed.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/43CgFkr
IMMIGRANTS: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “The Legislature passed a bill Monday to repeal undocumented adults’ eligibility for MinnesotaCare. … DFL House caucus leader Melissa Hortman joined Republicans in the House to pass the bill. In the Senate…Majority Leader Erin Murphy of St. Paul also voted for the bill. … During negotiations, DFL leaders offered Republicans concessions related to paid leave, earned sick and safe time, and noncompete agreements — but Republicans didn’t budge, said Sen. Alice Mann, DFL-Edina. ‘They turned all of those things down,’ [she] said at a press conference Monday. … ‘The role of people of faith is to care for our neighbors, yes,’ said Rep. Isaac Schultz, R-Elmdale Township, during the House floor debate. ‘But not in this instance, specifically.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dV1fez
MORE: via MPR, VERBATIM: “There are big stakes associated with the standalone [MinnesotaCare] bill’s passage. Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth said that there was a fail-safe built in to guarantee the MinnesotaCare bill is enacted. If it isn’t, it would trigger a clause that would defund the Minnesota Department of Health. ‘This just lends that little bit extra layer of insurance to help with caucuses that maybe were a little bit concerned,’ Demuth said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kzvavn
DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF RURAL HEALTH CARE, ESSENTIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR PROVIDING TOP CLINICAL CARE: According to the latest report from Minnesota Community Measurement, a statewide resource on health care quality, costs and equity, Essentia ranked as a high performer with 19 of 20 clinical quality metrics scoring above statewide averages. According to Dr. Maria Beaver, chief quality and patient safety officer at Essentia: “This is a testament to the amazing care provided by all our clinical care teams and all our colleagues who support them.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dCxy1D (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
POT: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “All 249 cannabis businesses that won in the state’s first cannabis lottery last week were mistakenly informed on Monday that they were not selected for a license. According to Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management, a staff member sent the wrong email notification to winners of Thursday’s lotteries. The email [incorrectly] said they did not get a license. … The corrected message congratulated winners for securing their license and provided next steps, including completing a criminal background check.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/446qQxE
HER: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Rep. Kaohly Her, DFL-St. Paul, revealed a stunning detail about herself during a debate on the Minnesota House floor Monday: She came to the United States illegally as a child. ‘I am illegal in this country. My parents are illegal here in this country,’ Her said on the floor. Her was trying to inspire empathy in her Republican colleagues…[but] she quickly ignited a firestorm in right-wing media. … Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, called for her to be investigated. … In an interview with the Reformer, Her clarified that she and her parents are U.S. citizens. Her is a refugee from Laos, and moved to the U.S. when she was three. Her’s parents took their U.S. citizenship test, and Her became a citizen as a minor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45gs5eQ
MITCHELL: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Democratic Sen. Nicole Mitchell on Monday juggled a special legislative session and a virtual pretrial court appearance in Becker County District Court. Judge Michael Fritz allowed the senator to appear remotely from the State Capitol. … Minutes before her 3:45 p.m. hearing, she left the Senate floor with her laptop in the midst of speeches regarding a bill on MinnesotaCare eligibility. She returned within an hour, just in time to vote. … Mitchell commented briefly in court only to say that she understood the charges against her. … The judge said he will issue written decisions on all motions by the end of day Tuesday in order to proceed with trial next week.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HBpvWR
EICHORN: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Former Minnesota State Senator Justin Eichorn argues in a new court filing that the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s office is singling him out for prosecution for attempted sexual solicitation of a minor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l0c2X7
TRAVEL BAN: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump’s…[second] travel ban, which [went] into effect on Monday, June 9, bans citizens of 12 countries, including Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan, Afghanistan and Myanmar from entering the U.S. It also restricts entry to citizens of seven other nations, including Laos and Venezuela. The travel ban disproportionately affects Minnesota, which has historically welcomed refugees and is home to large Somali, Sudanese and Karen communities, among other groups. The Karen are an ethnic group from Myanmar.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FPLJDY
WOMEN: via Axios, VERBATIM: “The top women in Senate and House Democratic leadership will host a forum this week on how women are affected by President Donald Trump's ‘big, beautiful bill.’ … Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Min.), the No. 3 Senate Democrat, and House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) will host the ‘Big Betrayal of Women’ forum Wednesday on Capitol Hill. … The forum is part of Democratic efforts to define the bill on their own terms, with the minority party holding little leverage to actually stop its passage.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HOS2Z1
SANCTUARIES: via Fox News, VERBATIM: “House Republican leadership slammed Democratic Gov. Tim Walz ahead of a blockbuster congressional hearing addressing sanctuary city policy this week. GOP Whip and Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer wished Walz ‘good luck’ before the former vice presidential candidate is set to testify alongside Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul at a House Oversight Committee hearing on Thursday.” EMMER: “Walz's immigration agenda can be summed up easily: pro-illegal alien, anti-Minnesotan. If Tim Walz thinks he will be able to defend his abysmal record before Congress, then he’s even more of a buffoon than I thought.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4e1peZE
MPD: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Days after a federal raid in south Minneapolis drew protests and intense scrutiny, Assistant Police Chief Katie Blackwell sent a departmentwide memo emphasizing they are not allowed to assist with immigration enforcement. The email was sent to sworn and civilian staff…[listing] three updates to police policy verbiage. It states that Minneapolis police personnel cannot respond to ‘immigration enforcement-related activity,’ and that they cannot assist with crowd control or the removal of people related to immigration enforcement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TmqzAp
GUN CTRL: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison today announced he and a coalition of 15 other attorneys general are suing the Trump Administration, and in particular the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). … The ATF’s action involves forced reset triggers (FRTs), which dramatically increase the rate of fire of some semi-automatic firearms. Although the ATF previously classified FRTs as machine guns, the ATF—under directive from Trump Administration leadership—signed a settlement agreement that promises to stop enforcing federal law against FRTs and that promises to redistribute thousands of FRTs the ATF had previously seized. The multistate litigation seeks to prevent that imminent redistribution, because FRTs are illegal to possess under federal law.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kzw2A9
CYBERATTACK: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A cyber attack is disrupting operations at some grocery stores and pharmacies across the metro. United Natural Foods, or UNFI, a major distributor to grocery store chains and pharmacies around the country, announced disruptions in its operations after a security breach. … The company [said] pharmacy customers might encounter problems getting prescriptions filled. … UNFI has not yet provided a list of which pharmacies are impacted.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kFmROG
WILDFIRES: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A hard-to-reach fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness has been completely contained. The National Incident Management Organization announced the Horse River fire was 100% contained as of Sunday. The fire, which spread to 13 acres, had to be fought by firefighters who rappelled from helicopters into the remote area. … The larger Jenkins Creek fire, located southeast of Hoyt Lakes, was 94% contained as of Sunday. … The Camp House fire, which covers more than 12,000 acres [near Brimson], remains about 98% contained. The Munger Shaw fire, which spans more than 1,200 acres southeast of Cotton, was 95% contained.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Hx8FZj
MDH: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “In late March, the Minnesota Department of Health announced layoffs and reductions in public health services due to cuts to federal grants made by the Trump Administration. Now, some layoff notices have since been rescinded. Health officials said that only current staff members have retained their jobs. The recission of layoff notices does not apply to temporary staff or contractors who were laid off in the spring.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FvVk2V
FALCON HGTS: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota is set to close and sell the Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights. The university cited financial concerns for the closure. … In a news release, the city says it has been anticipating the move by the university and is already considering potential re-use of the property. … A 2024 survey by the City of Falcon Heights…showed most residents favored turning the golf course into a park or green space of some sort. The city says the golf course land, if sold out of public ownership, would revert to single-family zoning and it's possible at least some of the land could be developed into housing.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jEEhtd
PRIOR LAKE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools Board of Education [discussed] the district's equity and inclusion resolution at Monday's board meeting. The resolution was passed in 2020 and, in part, states that the district is ‘fully committed to developing and sustaining an inclusive and anti-racist school community.’ A protest took place ahead of the meeting in the parking lot of the school district office center. Parents and children waving signs and flags gathered in opposition to the board potentially repealing the resolution.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3FF6uCp
S ST PAUL: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A piece of South Saint Paul stockyard history is up for debate. On Monday evening, the South Saint Paul City Council discussed the future of two gatehouses from the former Armour Packing Plant as it looks to redevelop the land. The gatehouses were built in 1918 and are the only things remaining from the historic stockyards district. The city says it’s considering restoring the gatehouses and either keeping them on site or moving them to a public park.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/43UYxB8
HWY 252: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Transportation has yet to decide whether to convert Hwy. 252 into a four- or six-lane freeway or leave the dangerous road as it currently is. That decision isn’t likely to come until late this year or early in 2026. But should MnDOT opt to transform the highway through Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center into a freeway, the agency has come up with five options for where and how motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists would get on, off and cross over the highway. … Plans will be discussed at open houses Tuesday and Wednesday in Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4e2WRKA
WRIGHT CTY: via Minnesota Lawyer, VERBATIM: “In an ‘unprecedented scenario,’ the Minnesota Tax Court determined that a brief submitted by Wright County appeared to be at least partially written by artificial intelligence software that generated false case citations. The court found that the filing violated Minnesota civil procedure Rule 11, but it declined to order sanctions. However, it did refer the matter to the Minnesota Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board for further review. … Wright County acknowledged that the cases cited do not exist and that most of the brief was generated using AI.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4naoGVx
RAMSEY CTY: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The decision to abandon plans to build a streetcar line down St. Paul’s W. 7th Street has left Ramsey County with $730 million to spend on other transportation projects over the coming decade. After the County Board said in September that it no longer backed the line, Public Works officials began figuring out how to best use the funding. What they came up with is a plan to make it easier for buses, cars, cyclists and pedestrians to get around the county. … [But] it’s a framework critics say doesn’t focus enough on transit and other alternative modes of transportation. Some residents also worry the plan continues to overlook the long-ignored West Seventh Street corridor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HLh37n
STILLWATER: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Construction will begin this summer on a temporary solution to PFAS chemicals found in parts of Stillwater’s water supply. Market and Johnson Inc., of Eau Claire, Wis., submitted the lowest bid to construct a temporary facility to treat water from one of Stillwater’s wells to meet the latest standards. … Five bids were received and opened, city officials said. Market and Johnson, which has a local office in Stillwater, submitted a bid of $2,517,000, which beat the engineer’s estimate of $2,678,000, city officials said. The Stillwater City Council voted [last week] to accept the bid.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mQCofJ
CELEBRATING 70 YEARS: The Pine Bend refinery in Rosemount is a landmark like no other – the tall columns, bright lights and steam during cold winter days can be seen from miles away. Generations of workers have helped operate, maintain and transform the refinery, making it one of the nation’s most innovative and efficient energy facilities of its kind. This year, Flint Hills Resources celebrates 70 years of dedicated employees at the Pine Bend refinery who have produced the fuels that help move us forward. LEARN MORE: About the Pine Bend refinery (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
FALCON HGTS: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota is set to close and sell the Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights. The university cited financial concerns for the closure. … In a news release, the city says it has been anticipating the move by the university and is already considering potential re-use of the property. … A 2024 survey by the City of Falcon Heights…showed most residents favored turning the golf course into a park or green space of some sort. The city says the golf course land, if sold out of public ownership, would revert to single-family zoning and it's possible at least some of the land could be developed into housing.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jEEhtd
PRIOR LAKE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools Board of Education [discussed] the district's equity and inclusion resolution at Monday's board meeting. The resolution was passed in 2020 and, in part, states that the district is ‘fully committed to developing and sustaining an inclusive and anti-racist school community.’ A protest took place ahead of the meeting in the parking lot of the school district office center. Parents and children waving signs and flags gathered in opposition to the board potentially repealing the resolution.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3FF6uCp
S ST PAUL: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A piece of South Saint Paul stockyard history is up for debate. On Monday evening, the South Saint Paul City Council discussed the future of two gatehouses from the former Armour Packing Plant as it looks to redevelop the land. The gatehouses were built in 1918 and are the only things remaining from the historic stockyards district. The city says it’s considering restoring the gatehouses and either keeping them on site or moving them to a public park.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/43UYxB8
DULUTH: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A program that provides a safe place to park for people living out of their vehicles in Duluth has reopened after the city council unanimously rejected an appeal filed by neighbors concerned about safety and privacy issues. The program, called Safe Bay, relocated from a site on the hillside above downtown Duluth this spring. … The council voted to uphold the permit by a 6-0 vote. That allows Safe Bay to stay open through the end of November.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kC4t9g
INTL FALLS: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Anxiety over current U.S. border and LGBTQ policies under the Trump Administration has led a Canadian group to scrap the Minnesota leg of its annual cross-border Pride parade. Borderland Pride has announced that its cross-border Pride March will not start in International Falls this year. The event will instead take place entirely within Fort Frances on the Canadian side of the border.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kZrWkx
CHISAGO/ISANTI: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “A project billed as the largest rural public transit redesign in the country got rolling in two fast-growing Greater Minnesota counties last week. Arrowhead Transit launched its RideSmart 2025 project in Isanti and Chisago counties, which are located just north of the Twin Cities metro area. … Chisago County is bigger than Isanti County by population — about 59,000 compared to 44,000 — but the latter has big box stores that the former lacks. In the past…bus routes mostly focused on connecting North Branch in Chisago County to Cambridge in Isanti County. Now, the system is expected to have more consistent routes covering Wyoming, Lindstrom and Center City to the south, the city of Isanti to the west and Braham to the north.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Zoknvv
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
DNC: via Politico, VERBATIM: “Democratic National Committee Chair [and former Minnesota DFL Chair] Ken Martin told party leaders in a recent private conversation that he’s unsure about his ability to lead the party because of infighting created by Vice Chair David Hogg. ‘I’ll be very honest with you, for the first time in my 100 days on this job…the other night I said to myself for the first time, I don’t know if I wanna do this anymore,’ he said in a May 15 Zoom meeting of DNC officers, according to a recording obtained by POLITICO. In the recording, an emotional Martin describes being deeply frustrated by the fallout over Hogg, who has ignited a firestorm in the party by vowing to spend $20 million in safe-blue primaries to oust incumbent Democrats he believes are ineffective.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dT3P4N
GOV RACE: via Qualls for Governor, VERBATIM: “Former Lakeville Mayor Doug Anderson has endorsed Kendall Qualls for Governor.” ANDERSON: “Tim Walz has failed Minnesotans. … Kendall Qualls is a proven leader with the courage to stand up for what’s right. He understands what it takes to run a city, support law enforcement, and deliver real results. I’m proud to support him.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FLYGia
LOBBYING: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “As business uncertainty grows in Washington, medtech giants that employ tens of thousands of Minnesotans have poured more cash into lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. this year — an increase of over $600,000 for the first quarter, according to lobbying disclosures. … Medtronic, Abbott Laboratories and Boston Scientific reported lobbying for long-endorsed causes such as Medicare eligibility and taxation issues. But filings also reveal a shift to the Trump Administration’s priorities, from downsizing the federal workforce to ramping up tariffs with foreign countries.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43Bhji7
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz has no public events scheduled.
TOMORROW: Sen. Amy Klobuchar will co-host a Democratic forum in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. The forum, titled “Big Betrayal of Women,” will focus on how the GOP’s federal budget proposal could impact women.
THURSDAY: Gov. Tim Walz will testify at a U.S. House Oversight Committee hearing about “sanctuary states” on Thursday, June 12. Walz will appear alongside Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. The event is at 9:00 a.m. central in Washington, D.C. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/43IBcCA
FRIDAY: Gov. Tim Walz is scheduled to speak at a Center for American Progress event on Friday, June 13. The event is at 9:30 a.m. central in Washington, D.C. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/3FEYUrr
FRIDAY: The MN DFL announced its annual Humphrey-Mondale Dinner will be held on Friday, June 13 with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker as the keynote speaker. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4iiEa5R
SATURDAY: Sen. Amy Klobuchar will be the keynote speaker at a New Hampshire Democratic Party dinner on Saturday, June 14. She is reportedly traveling to support Chris Pappas’ Senate campaign. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/3HiY83C
JULY 12: Gov. Tim Walz will be the keynote speaker at the South Dakota Democratic Party’s annual McGovern Day dinner on July 12 in Sioux Falls, SD.
BDAYS: organizer Dan McGrath, comms pro Melissa Champine, Washington County Commissioner Stan Karwoski
TIPS: How do we get the best news and most buzzed about stories? Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
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