SO MINNESOTA…
Wild lose, they couldn’t keep up.
Quote from a reader, “It felt so different, until it felt exactly the same.”
Loons lost too. Lynx play in Dallas in tonight. Wolves play Friday.
PGA Championship starts today.
The most Minnesota sports thing ever? Howard Sinker tells you what it is later today in Sports Take. (No, it’s not our local teams losing big games.).
Minneapolis Chef Yia Vang’s appearance in a new HBO documentary almost didn’t happen because he thought it was a scam. KARE: https://fluence-media.co/3PERDwD
High fuel prices are also hurting gas stations. WCCO: https://fluence-media.co/4wrDGCP
Lots of pomp in China…FOX: https://fluence-media.co/4dE7zIJ
Lynne Walz, a reported “distant cousin” of Tim Walz, is the Democratic nominee for Nebraska governor. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4d9NERV
It’s National Decency Day…let’s practice and celebrate.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Sunday Take featured Republican Senate candidate Michele Tafoya discussing her campaign, the war in Iran and what the GOP can do to win statewide. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3R09IG0
MNSIDER: sunday send, where we wonder why MPR is sponsoring political group Take Action. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ue401r
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Fluence Media introduces more — Insider Analysis & Insight from TheDailyAgenda.com
DEAL: Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders signed a bipartisan budget deal last night to end the legislative session. Per sources, the deal includes $705 million for hospital stabilization, with around $200 million going to HCMC this year plus ongoing funding of up to $500 million through 2031. There’s also a $1.2 billion bonding bill, $125 million for increased property tax refunds, extra money for schools, $75 million for county IT upgrades, and $250 million for a one-time reduction in vehicle tab fees. The agreement was signed by every caucus leader except for Senate GOP Leader Mark Johnson. Walz, Speaker Lisa Demuth, House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson and Senate DFL Leader Erin Murphy released statements praising the deal.
BUDGET: https://fluence-media.co/3P23dlr
● WALZ: “We are keeping a balanced budget, making targeted reductions, and focusing every dollar on core priorities: fiscal sustainability, critical infrastructure, and the health and wellbeing of our communities.”
● DEMUTH: “Our caucus has fought all session long for car tab relief, property tax cuts, and meaningful anti-fraud measures. This budget delivers that, along with help for rural and critical access hospitals.”
● STEPHENSON: “While this certainly doesn’t include everything House DFLers wanted, it is a strong step forward on important issues while working in divided government. Providing certainty and stability for HCMC was a necessity.”
● MURPHY: “This was a hard-fought negotiation, and I’m damn proud to say we defended many of our most essential Senate positions, including property tax relief for homeowners and through direct support to counties.”
MORE: Via KSTP’s Tom Hauser, the bipartisan deal’s hospital stabilization money comes from the general fund, and the ballpark tax in Hennepin County will cease to exist rather than be used for HCMC. Also, the one-time reduction in vehicle tab fees was a top Republican priority, Hauser says. TWEETS: https://fluence-media.co/49P2zyz
BONDING: Reports suggest that for the bonding bill to pass, especially in the House any member with a project in their district will have to vote for the bill. If they don’t, it may not pass or Gov. Tim Walz may have to veto the bill.
TABFEES: via statement from Sen. Minority Leader Mark Johnson, VERBATIM: “Senate Republicans announced they delivered a quarter of a billion-dollar tab fee tax cut for Minnesotans as part of end of session negotiations tonight. In exchange for an infrastructure bill, along with commonsense fraud prevention reforms, tab fee rates will revert to the 2022 rate for one year, with a start date yet to be determined. JOHNSON: “Our goal this session was to put Minnesotans first by keeping life affordable and stopping the fraud,” Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson said. “Senate Republicans fought hard to address one of the top issues hitting Minnesotans: outrageous tab fees. I’m proud to announce that Minnesotans will get a tab fee tax cut for one year, putting a quarter of a billion dollars back in their wallets, without impacting transportation funding.
MORE via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “As more Minnesotans purchase EVs, the sticker shock of a newly restructured licensing fee has some drivers feeling like they’re being punished for their choice to go electric. That perception potentially threatens a market that has already taken some major hits in the past year, including the early retirement of federal tax incentives. … Updates made to the state’s vehicle registration fees last year and in 2023 aimed to fill a decadeslong decline in gas tax revenue. But some EV drivers say too much of that burden is now being placed on them.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uEC5bc
NOTE: There is a temporary tab fee reduction of one year in the budget bill. That will continue to linger as an issue in the campaign, and during the next session.
WATCH: The implications of the budget deal on the GOP endorsement for Governor will begin to play out in the coming days.
CHILDCARE: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Rising numbers of Minnesota childcare providers say they are not confident their businesses are sustainable. … Economic conditions are so difficult that one-third of those responding to the survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and the nonprofit group First Children’s Finance said they’ve had to stop paying themselves in order to pay the rising costs of food and insurance. … Suzanne Pearl, Minnesota director of First Children’s Finance, [said] the paid family leave program is delaying when families might send their infants to childcare. Infants are the largest revenue source for centers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wtZldG
MORE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The survey found 27% reported a decrease in enrollment in 2026, with metro providers more impacted than Greater Minnesota. … Less than half of childcare providers said they are optimistic about the future of their business. More than 80% of respondents agreed the childcare sector is in crisis.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4nqo7HD
SCHOOLS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “School referendum results from across the state came in on Tuesday night. Princeton Public School District’s referendum that included a $51.35 million bond and a $750,000 technology levy was not approved. In the South St. Paul School District, both the building bond and capital projects levy failed to pass. … Tri-City United Public Schools was asking voters for an additional $39.9 million for building improvements, but that referendum failed. … Meanwhile, in Lakeville, the $139 million Growing Together Referendum passed. … Voters in the Wrenshall School District approved the school consolidation referendum, which means the Carlton and Wrenshall school districts will join together.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4udy79I
TAKE: Referendums failing isn’t new, but the South St. Paul failure is one of the first in the metro area that I remember. There is an underlying economic anxiety of government spending on the minds of Minnesotans, and it may play out in referendum votes this fall. This will be also tested as there’s a going to be a statewide ballot initiative on tweaking the school fund distribution, not costing anyone more but drawing more funds out for schools. Here’s a recent Sunday Take on the issue. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4uKgvlo
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.
https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
SENATE RACE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Republican candidates for U.S. Senate in Minnesota have ramped up their criticisms of GOP rival Adam Schwarze during two debates over the last week. Party activists and other campaigns believe Schwarze, a former Marine and Navy SEAL, is a contender for the GOP endorsement. … Mark York [said] Schwarze is ‘against birth control and doesn’t have anything to say to independents.’ … Schwarze said he supports access to birth control for women in an interview. … Royce White also brought up a donation made to Nikki Haley’s 2024 presidential campaign in Schwarze’s name. … Schwarze said he didn’t endorse Haley but went to a fundraiser for her.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dobgkv
AD BUYS: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Starting in early June, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is getting some TV ad backup in her race for U.S. Senate. The Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association has reserved several weeks of broadcast ad time through July. … [Meanwhile], a group that calls itself Safer Minnesota Fund has also started to lock in airtime on broadcast TV stations. The forms the group has filed don’t list a particular candidate, but the media buying consultant is associated with Republican politics. … The first in the set of early reservations say the ads would start in October.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4u376pg
SESSION
SIT-IN: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Minnesota House DFL lawmakers are prepared to host a sit-in starting at 5 p.m. Thursday if Speaker Lisa Demuth doesn’t present a bill on gun violence prevention. Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura said on the House Floor [that] Demuth has 24 hours to present the bill, or members will stage a sit-in in chambers. … About 20 DFL lawmakers have already confirmed their participation. … They will continue the sit-in even if the House is in session, and then overnight until the next House session starts.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4eFDY2B
FRAUD: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “A report summarizing [its] work and providing recommendations for improvement was approved Wednesday by the House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee [on] party lines. … The report contains 18 recommendations going forward, including technology modernization; requiring documentation and in-person site visits before a program provider can bill the state; requiring electronic attendance records for child and adult day cares, sober homes and autism centers; and creating a stop-payment mechanism to halt payments when a program budget increases by at least 50% over the prior year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wqmFc6
HOUSING: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A housing finance deal is buttoned up and headed for the governor’s desk. The deal, which was hammered out late Tuesday night by DFL and Republican members of the House and Senate, dedicates about $165 million to housing programs. … The House passed it Wednesday on a vote of 105 to 28. Senators quickly followed with a 42-25 vote. … The bill appropriates $9 million for grants to organizations working to address homelessness in the state. It also contains money for bonds to build thousands of new housing units and a statewide tenant legal hotline.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42tP9El
DESPITE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES FACING HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, ESSENTIA HEALTH RECOGNIZED FOR COMMUNITY BENEFIT CONTRIBUTIONS: The Duluth News Tribune’s latest editorial highlights the vital role nonprofit hospitals play in our communities – from providing uncompensated care to supporting access to high-quality care close to home. Read more about why this community benefit matters now more than ever. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4u0hiPp (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
SECURITY: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Both chambers of the Legislature have approved bills extending weapons screening at the state Capitol and adding new police protections for lawmakers and other state leaders when they’re away from the Capitol complex. A conference committee has convened to talk through what should be included in the final bill. … Conversations about a final proposal are expected to continue this week.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42tP9El
IMPERSONATION: via MN Senate advisory, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Senate voted on Wednesday to increase criminal penalties for impersonating a law enforcement officer, sending the bill to Governor Tim Walz for his signature. The measure passed by a unanimous 67-0 vote. The House passed the same measure 134-0 in April. … Under current law, falsely impersonating a law enforcement officer is a misdemeanor. Under the new law, the base crime becomes a two-year felony.”
ICE: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Now what? With less than a week left in the Minnesota legislative session, that’s the prevailing question for those who have been tracking lawmakers’ response to Operation Metro Surge. … The House appears unwilling to vote on it, and efforts to pass related legislation appear dim at best. … A spokesperson for the House GOP Caucus confirmed that she did not know of any other bills related to ICE that could get a vote this week, or of any negotiations taking place.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3R5rebP
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)
STATE FEED
SEXED: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s local school boards have long held the power to decide how kids are taught about a variety of health education topics, including human development, nutrition, sex, child abuse prevention and other issues. That power, though, is about to shift…New statewide standards set to phase in over the next three years will put health education benchmarks in place across all public K-12 schools. Beyond the basics, the new standards will take on topics including sexual abuse prevention… In 2024, with DFLers in control of the Legislature and the governor’s office, lawmakers passed a bill requiring standards to be developed… Not everyone thinks the new standards are a good idea. Rep. Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, is concerned they are too “ideological” and too much of a burden on teachers. BENNETT: “Comprehensive sex ed … sounds really good on the outside, but when you delve down into it, there are a lot of issues that are very much ideological and, I believe, belong in the hands of locals to decide what to teach,” Bennett told MPR News. READ: https://fluence-media.co/49Lzkwu
RETIREMENT: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A new, state-facilitated program called Secure Choice is beginning to automatically enroll small business employees, aimed at giving about 300,000 Minnesotans unprecedented access to retirement benefits. Secure Choice Executive Director Chad Roberts [said] the state’s responsibility to help people save [money] for life after their careers eases the burden for the rest of the public. … Roberts said the feedback from businesses and employees has been largely positive.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QZjKXV
RENT AID: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “At the peak of the ICE surge, Minnesotans raised and distributed millions of dollars in quick, low-barrier rent aid. This grassroots movement shielded hundreds of households from facing eviction. … But as public attention has waned and smaller, individual donations have slowed down, the landscape has shifted. Some rent funds can no longer operate and are having to direct those seeking aid to other groups.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wIpy8y
MOVE: Minnesota Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Doug Loon is retiring from his position at the end of this year.
REJECT 340B EXPANSION: A new Minnesota Department of Health report shows hospitals made at least $1 billion dollars from a federal drug discount program known as 340B. The program should help patients, but experts say there is little accountability for where the money goes. The report was delayed and only recently released, showing the program isn’t working as intended. But Minnesota politicians are fast tracking a bill to expand the 340B program anyway. Lawmakers: reject House File 3609 / Senate File 3769. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4uUobCQ (SPONSORED: Community Action for Responsible Hospitals)
DC + MN
MEDICAID: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Vice President JD Vance announced Wednesday that the federal government will send warning letters to states across the country requiring them to show they are aggressively prosecuting Medicaid fraud. If they do not comply, Vance [said] the administration would cut off funding that goes to states’ anti-fraud units. … Federal officials also announced they would impose a nationwide six-month moratorium on all new Medicare enrollments by providers of hospice and home care.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uLL0HI
E15: The U.S. House passed a bill authorizing the year-round, nationwide sale of E15 biofuel, as previewed in yesterday’s ag take. The bill passed 218-203, with 95 Democrats and 122 Republicans voting in favor while 90 Republicans and 113 Democrats opposed it. Minnesota Reps. Brad Finstad, Angie Craig and Michelle Fischbach were cosponsors. FINSTAD: “I am extremely proud of our work to pass this commonsense, win-win solution that will provide much-needed certainty to our fuel supply chain. I urge my Senate colleagues to do the same and quickly pass this legislation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uadf3b
SCHOOL MEALS: via Rep. Ilhan Omar advisory, VERBATIM: “Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) today introduced legislation to end child hunger in the United States. The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 would offer free breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack to every student in America — regardless of income — and eliminate school meal debt while incentivizing local food in schools.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uH6e9F
BROADBAND: via Sen. Amy Klobuchar advisory, VERBATIM: “Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) [announced] her bipartisan Rural Broadband Protection Act [was] signed into law. The bill, which Klobuchar led with Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a more thorough vetting process to ensure that providers applying for federal funding are capable of delivering reliable broadband access to underserved, rural communities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eLWNkH
FLINT HILLS FAMILY FESTIVAL: Kick off the summer in downtown Saint Paul with the Flint Hills Family Festival on May 29-30, one of the largest and longest-standing events of its kind. The Festival offers free fun for people of all ages in Rice Park and Landmark Plaza, with performances and activities that provide something for everyone, along with world-class shows inside the Ordway for just $8! Now in its 26th year, this year’s Festival lineup includes Cirque Mechanics: TILT!, NOOMA: an opera for babies, and Click Clack Moo! More than one million people have experienced the Festival, including hundreds of thousands of students who have visited on field trips during the Festival’s School Days. Join us this year! LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dhpdBM (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
METRO
MPLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “About 30 Minneapolis Fire Department employees, or roughly 7% of the 435-member force, are out on leave due to post-traumatic stress disorder, pushing up overtime costs and stretching resources. PTSD has been an issue for Minneapolis police officers and firefighters since [2020], but in the past year, firefighters have been going on leave in higher numbers. … The department is projected to be over budget again this year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tEZ7hb
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “After firing her previous legislative aide less than five months into his job, Ward 1 St. Paul City Council Member Anika Bowie put multiple candidates through rounds of screening before choosing a promising applicant in early 2025. … [But] conflicts soon arose between them. They’ve since culminated with Bowie terminating yet another top aide, followed by the second workplace conduct complaint against her and the second workplace conduct investigation involving her office in as many years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Pgx9u6
GRANDMAS RIDE ATVs TOO: Check out Donna’s story — a powerful reminder that ATV riding is about more than trails; it’s about people, community, and connection. Donna’s message reflects what so many riders across Minnesota believe: responsible riding, strong local economies, and protecting access for future generations all go hand in hand. Thank you, Donna, for sharing your story and helping put a face to what “I Ride” truly means. Check out Donna’s story HERE: https://fluence-media.co/4tDeK9r (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
RAMSEY CTY: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) likely did not follow its own policy surrounding a civilian ride-along that ended tragically. In early March, an RCSO deputy was involved in a deadly crash while responding to a call about a stolen vehicle. … The RCSO confirmed that [its] policy requires a waiver to be signed prior to ride-alongs. … 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS filed a data request, asking for that waiver. Exactly two months later, the RCSO responded that no waiver was ever signed.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Pf4u8L
ANOKA-HENN: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Anoka-Hennepin school board — often divided along ideological lines — unanimously selected Greg Cole Wednesday as the next superintendent of Minnesota’s largest school district. Cole, the district’s chief operations officer, will take over July 1 following the departure of Superintendent Cory McIntyre.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uKUP8T
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 Washington should fix the federal 340B program, so it actually helps patients. LEARN MORE: https://phrma.org/340B (SPONSORED: PhRMA)
ACROSS MN
DULUTH: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “An unusual collaboration between Duluth’s three largest homelessness charities aims to dramatically reduce the number of people living on city streets. … Instead of organizations offering some of the same services, such as drop-in spaces, each site will specialize in helping people at different stages of homelessness. The plan would avoid duplicating efforts and reduce the need for clients to go from one place to the next. … The streamlining plan, announced Tuesday, comes amid two-year wait lists for affordable housing and overflowing shelters in the city.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dHugM5
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “LaMar Hicks said he wants to bring a community-centered, listening-first approach to Rochester city leadership. ‘I’m running to work for the people of Rochester, to truly listen, to understand, and to represent every voice in Ward 3,’ Hicks said in a statement Wednesday, announcing his campaign for the Rochester City Council. … Hicks [is] the husband of state Rep. Kim Hicks.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uSnUQ1
BOCK: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The only restaurant in this central Minnesota town of 78 people has been closed for more than a week after a well-drilling debacle left the establishment with a gaping hole under part of the building and no working sewer line. And so far, none of the businesses or agencies involved have taken responsibility for the error, leaving owners Tobey and Jennifer Berning in the lurch.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d8kJ0q
GLOBAL TRADE BOLSTERS AG ECONOMIES: via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Each year, Minnesota’s exports of corn, ethanol, corn-fed meat, and dried distillers grains (DDGS) alone support over 11,500 jobs and add billions to the state’s economy. They also help ensure that consumers around the world have access to affordable protein and dairy products. In May, during World Trade Month, Minnesota Corn celebrates that important role trade plays in all our lives — in the U.S. and abroad.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dqEqB1 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
LOOKING AHEAD
SESSION: House floor session at 11:00 a.m. Senate floor session at 11:00 a.m. FLOOR: The House will hear workers compensation recommendations. The Senate will hear the agriculture, broadband, and rural development omnibus. CONFERENCE: A conference committee will hear the higher education omnibus. HOUSE: Ways & Means will hear an IT modernization bill. Rules & Leg. Admin. hears restrictions on the use of legislative emails, phone numbers and office space. SENATE: No committee hearings. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4eQqBwJ
TODAY: MIRAC will host a press conference to express their concern that Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell is not addressing safety concerns at Faribault Correctional Facility. The event is at 8:30 a.m.
TODAY: DFL Sen. Liz Boldon will host a press conference to demand inclusion of SF4502, a bill mandating insurance coverage of home care nursing for children, in the final commerce bill. The event is at 9:30 a.m.
MAY 18: On Monday, the Minneapolis Fed will host a virtual event at 10:00 a.m. discussing results from their latest regional survey of Minnesota’s farm lenders.
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BDAYS: Sen. Jen McEwen, Radio’s PT, fmr. Rep. Erik Paulsen, MN Senate candidate Karla Hult, online guy David Erickson, Jack Link’s Keegan Shoutz
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.