SNOWY START
One week from today - T The State of Health Care – a Fluence Forum with legislators, experts and the a big view on a disrupted market. REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/StateofHealthCare
Well-timed MNDOT annual attempt to humanize snowplows, maybe we should put as much PR into the actual drivers, they are the real heroes. Be safe out there.
School delays this morning, check your local district. West Wing is back on Netflix for those who need a binge.
The latest Fluence Brief for MNSider subscribers – a deep dive on the GOP Field for Governor. Subscribing is supporting. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/4pogmSB
Think about summer concerts, next year’s lineup for the Minnesota Yacht Club festival. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4oN01pA
Feds expected to lower rates today, will that deal with “affordability”?
GoFundMe ranked Minnesota the 6th most generous U.S. state in terms of fundraising. St. Louis County is the state’s most generous community at 16th nationwide, while Hennepin County is 23rd nationally. DATA: https://fluence-media.co/3Kl0Qry
Elon Musk says DOGE was only “somewhat successful” and he wouldn’t do it again. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/48LiXyO
Cheers to National Lager Day.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
This week’s Sunday Take covered civility, immigration, and Republican Ron Schutz’s campaign for attorney general. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4iEm5B2
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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/
DRIVING THE DAY
DRAZ: via news release last night, VERBATIM: “Senator Steve Drazkowski (R–Mazeppa) today announced he will not seek re-election to the Minnesota Senate. The 2026 session will mark the end of his nearly two-decade legislative career in the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate. Senator Drazkowski represents Senate District 20, which includes Wabasha and Goodhue Counties and parts of Olmsted, Winona, and Dakota Counties. He served in the Minnesota House from 2007 to 2023.”
MPLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “After a week of arguing and horse trading, opposing factions of the Minneapolis City Council came to an accord Tuesday on a 2026 city budget that raises taxes to maintain staffing levels, invests in public bathrooms downtown and sidesteps a contentious proposal to slash the mayor’s staff…The $2 billion budget fully funds the charter-mandated police force, but doesn’t implement any sweeping new initiatives as the city continues to implement court-overseen police reforms five years after the murder of George Floyd amid a sobering fiscal climate.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48K3AH3
ECONOMY: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesotans are feeling the impacts of the widely discussed ‘K-shaped’ economy as 2025 comes to a close with rising wealth for higher-income individuals and higher prices and weaker income gains adding to the struggle for lower-income individuals. … ‘All boats sink a little in a recession, and all boats are lifted up in a growing economy,’ said Paul Vaaler, a professor at the University of Minnesota’s Law School and Carlson School of Management. ‘[But] right now, [we] have this split.’ … Minnesota bankruptcies are up 22% to 23% over last year, with small businesses most impacted. … The state’s reliance on agriculture also puts Minnesota in a unique situation. … ‘Two years of declining income is not great for the rural economy, which is so important to Minnesota,’ said Vaaler. ‘Part of that has to do with trade policy.’” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/44Rcj93
STRIKE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The teachers union in Minnesota’s largest school district says it will hold a strike authorization vote early next week. Union leaders representing teachers in the Anoka-Hennepin School District said Tuesday that more than 90 percent of union members have signed a pledge saying they would vote to strike if necessary. … They say if members authorize a strike, the union would file its intent to strike the week of Dec. 22.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48LbWOH
TRANSIT: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Metro Transit is desperate for more riders, but it’s not finding many on its own governing board. Just nine members of the 17-person Metropolitan Council tapped their government-issued transit passes between September 2024 and September 2025, according to data collected by Metro Transit. … Even council members who ride Metro Transit aren’t using the service very often. Of the nine members who tapped the free transit passes they receive as a perk of their role, two took just a single trip in the entire year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pRZNyi
2026
13B: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “A Sartell woman has declared her intention to run as a Republican for the Minnesota House seat left open by Rep. Tim O’Driscoll, R-Sartell, who is retiring following the 2026 legislative session. … Dawn Loberg launched her campaign to represent Minnesota’s District 13B, which includes Sauk Rapids, Sartell, Collegeville and Holdingford.” LOBERG: “I [will] run to cut wasteful spending, eliminate the unfair Social Security tax on Minnesotans, and in general make Minnesota much more affordable for all of us.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aBWRkU
SD13: via MNSRC, VERBATIM: “Today, Kelly Martini, Avon Township Treasurer and lifelong family child care provider, announced her intention to run for the Minnesota Senate in District 13 [as a Republican]. … Senate District 13 includes communities in Benton and Stearns counties.” MARTINI: “I am running because I believe we need leadership grounded in common sense, fiscal responsibility, and a commitment to ensuring our state government works for the people — not the other way around.”
GOV RACE: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Bill Gates, a man with the same name as the uber-rich tech billionaire, is running for Minnesota governor as a Democrat. He filed a campaign committee in early November and, if he remains in the race, would challenge DFL Gov. Tim Walz in a 2026 primary. Gates emailed a list of folks over the weekend saying he’s in the race to compete ‘loudly, visibly and unapologetically.’ He wrote in the message that he’s ‘tired of being treated as a footnote while the spotlight stays glued to the familiar names.’ … He lists a Minneapolis address but says he’s a relative newcomer to Minnesota, having moved here in 2023 from Arkansas.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pn6xnS
SOS RACE: Yesterday’s lunch take has info on Sec. Steve Simon’s announcement that he will seek a fourth term next year, citing his concerns about ongoing challenges for democratic elections. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4a8s52S
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CHATTER + CHAOS
GOP: Via MinnPost, Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson responded to the DFL’s request for state Republicans to condemn the president calling Somali people “garbage,” as seen in Monday’s morning take. JOHNSON: “Governor [Tim] Walz has called ICE officers ‘gestapo.’ He said Republicans are ‘Nazis’ and ‘fascists.’ We do not hold a double standard here. … We share the concerns you raise about political rhetoric that is dehumanizing and hurtful; the selective partisan outrage is just as concerning. … Respectful rhetoric starts at home, [and] internal letters that can be used to make headlines are unhelpful to this cause.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/450QfsC
MORE: Via KTTC, U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad shared his response to the president calling Somali people “garbage.” FINSTAD: “If it’s Somalis, if it’s Irish, if it’s Norwegians, if it’s Germans, if they’ve committed crimes, they should be prosecuted and we should have law and order. But to single out one population over another is a broad brush that I would not use. … [If] you’re here legally and you’re a productive part of our society, awesome.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oM7hSv
FREY: Via FOX 9, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey discussed the ongoing ICE operations and why he wants Pres. Donald Trump to visit the city. QUOTE: “There is always room to find common ground. I think that should be a part of the core job as mayor or any other politician — you try to find areas where you can work together. You show them this beautiful city, you show them it’s diverse. … [Immigrants] are now clearly the target of a Trump Administration that doesn’t seem to care about the wonderful benefits they provide to our city. Right now they’re under attack, and the bottom line is we’ve got to stand up for them.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oGzWbH
FRAUD CASES: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “‘Promise Health LLC, the home healthcare company owned by Abdifatah Yusuf, [collected] state Medicaid reimbursements for claiming to provide personal care assistant (PCA) services. A jury saw it as fraud and convicted Yusuf of six counts of theft by swindle. … What the jury didn’t know is that before they deliberated, Judge Sarah West tossed out the top charge of racketeering. Then, three months after the verdict, Judge West made the rare move of tossing that [verdict] out as well, giving Yusuf a judgment of acquittal. … Court records show other Hennepin County judges tossing related cases before they reached trial. Judge Amber Brennan dismissed the charges against Yusuf’s wife Lul Ahmed, and Judge Hilary Caligiuri dismissed charges against co-defendant Abdiweli Mohamud. … West’s decision stems from a strict review standard for cases that involve mostly circumstantial evidence.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4pF4yva
RESPONSE: Speaking to KARE 11, GOP Sen. Michael Holstrom said he has requested all exhibits from Abdifatah Yusuf’s trial and he’s researching how to prevent these dismissals, including through better prosecution. HOLSTROM: “I saw this story and immediately I was outraged. Even with extreme judges…we need to overcome that when the evidence is so clear.”
ICE: via AP News, VERBATIM: “Federal agents used pepper spray to push through an angry crowd that blocked their vehicles as they checked identifications in a heavily Somali neighborhood of Minneapolis. … City Council Member Jamal Osman, a Somali American who represents the neighborhood, witnessed the confrontation. … Osman said armed ICE agents went to East African restaurants in the neighborhood Tuesday, closed the doors and demanded people’s IDs. They found only U.S. citizens and made no arrests, Osman said. … At a nearby city-owned senior housing complex, [bystanders] blew whistles to sound the alarm and confronted the agents, who responded with pepper spray.” OSMAN: “I just don’t know what they accomplished today other than the chaos. … Luckily everyone had their passport.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44hvRDn
MORE: Star Tribune’s Deena Winter reports that Minneapolis City Council member Jamal Osman was late to a committee meeting last night because he was responding to ICE operations in his ward. TWEETS: https://fluence-media.co/4oOntT3
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)
FEDS
SNAP DATA: via a joint press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) joined Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08), Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), and [others] in sending a letter to Governor Tim Walz demanding that he complies with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s request to provide Minnesota’s [SNAP] data to USDA. The Walz Administration’s refusal to follow the request could result in administrative funds being withheld, corrective action, or other enforcement efforts.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/44ZMbc5
WIND: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison and a coalition of 18 attorneys general won their lawsuit against the Trump Administration over its unlawful order to freeze all federal permitting of wind energy projects. … A federal judge [has] vacated and declared unlawful the Trump Administration’s actions, ruling that they were arbitrary and capricious and contrary to law. … Wind energy is particularly important to Minnesota, where it provides 1/4th of all electricity generated in Minnesota and 3/4ths of all renewable energy generated in the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/492l2Yo
RURAL SCHOOLS: via Rep. Pete Stauber advisory, VERBATIM: “Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) supported S. 356, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025, when it passed on the House Floor. The legislation, which is now headed to the President’s desk for signature, reauthorizes the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, ensuring critical funding reaches rural schools and communities across Minnesota’s Eighth District.” STAUBER: “This reauthorization is a massive win for Northern Minnesota, ensuring that many of our rural counties continue to receive the resources they need to maintain roads, support our schools, and fund essential services.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MkXcyx
MOVE: via U of M advisory, VERBATIM: “Michael A. Davis, a longtime law enforcement leader and innovator, has been named the University of Minnesota’s assistant vice president and chief of police. Davis’ appointment will begin January 12, 2026. … For the past twelve years, he has served as vice president for global safety and policing at Northeastern University.”
LOCALS
MPD: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Amid sharp criticism and questions from the Minneapolis City Council, Police Chief Brian O’Hara defended $19.6 million in overspending. … Six city departments were projected to run into the red by year end, but none came close to the Minneapolis Police Department’s double-digit shortfall. The number caught the City Council off guard, sparking allegations of ‘negligence’ and ‘mismanagement’ against MPD. … Speaking before the council, O’Hara attributed the inflated costs to a rapid and successful hiring spree, paired with ballooning overtime, unbudgeted settlement agreement expenditures and contractual back pay.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pBCnO4
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “After years of city planning, debate and delay, the St. Paul City Council on Wednesday is poised to approve sweeping new development standards along the Mississippi River that would loosen height restrictions downtown while requiring a tiered or stepped-back approach, effectively dropping the roof line of new construction as it gets closer to the river’s edge. It’s a decision at least seven years in the making. … St. Paul [is] the last of 25 metro cities to complete their river corridor rules.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44fhC22
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE: Flint Hills Resources was just awarded the 2025 Large Business of the Year award from the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce at their annual Business Excellence Awards celebration. The award celebrates the outstanding achievements of businesses that exemplify the thriving and growing spirit of Dakota County. The businesses honored make an impact and contribute to the continued success of our community. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/46lTpIs (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
BYRON: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Following a pivotal moment for Byron Public Schools in November when voters approved a new revenue stream, the district’s teachers and administration have finished negotiating a new contract for the next two years. Although the contract is yet to be finalized with a vote of the teachers union membership as well as the Byron School Board, the two sides of the negotiating table came to a tentative agreement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44P0UXi
BRAINERD: via Brainerd Dispatch, VERBATIM: “The Brainerd City Council will contract with Hy-Tec Construction to repair the City Hall annex building. Council members voted 5-1 during a special meeting [to] retain the annex as city property for the time being and spend $158,049 on upgrades for windows, flooring, electrical and the fire alarm system. The money also covers costs related to permits, supervision and coordination with city staff. … Council members viewed the Hy-Tech proposal last month but agreed they wanted more time to discuss the future of the building, which currently sits vacant.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iNorgY
AHEAD
TODAY: via Delta, VERBATIM: “Leaders from the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) and Delta Air Lines are gathering to celebrate and mark the completion of the MSP Airport Modernization Program – a $242 million makeover of nearly all Terminal 1 concourses at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.” The event is at 10:00 a.m.
(DISCLOSURE: Delta Air Lines is a Fluence client)
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will host a reception for 2026 Special Olympics athletes and staff.
TODAY: via MN Commerce Dept, VERBATIM: “Members of the media are invited to attend an in-person roundtable discussion hosted by the Minnesota Department of Commerce and Falk’s Seed Farms on how rising energy-related input costs are affecting farmers, rural households, and local economies across Minnesota.” The event is at 10:00 a.m.
TOMORROW: via MN House, VERBATIM: “From 6:00 – 7:00 pm, Representative Kristi Pursell (DFL-Northfield) and DFL members of the House Health Committee will host a listening session focused on rural healthcare affordability in Winona.”
FRIDAY: via Minneapolis Fed, VERBATIM: “Twice a year, regional economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis survey construction firms to gauge the sector’s performance and overall outlook. Join Regional Outreach Director Erick Garcia Luna to discuss these and other results from the fall survey of construction firms across the Ninth District.” The virtual event is at 9:00 a.m.
SATURDAY: Minnesota Republicans will gather for a State Central Committee in Medina for a straw poll for Governor
BDAYS: WCCO TV’s Jennifer Mayerle, lobbyist Melissa Reed, Justice Paul Thissen, writer Doug Grow, former Capitol reporter Dennis Lien, Strib retiree Paul Levy
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take from now to the future is in memory of Melissa Hortman her accessibility, leadership and commitment to public service.
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