Twins rained out last night.
Tonight, Wolves game 5 and Frost game 4
An Echelon Insights poll finds that 5% of Democrats would pick Gov. Tim Walz as their top choice in the 2028 presidential primary. Walz is tied for 5th place with the governors of Illinois and California. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/3S2PTLh
The Wisconsin judge arrested for alleged obstruction last month has now been indicted. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/42YDrT6
Egg prices fell in April, but they are still near record highs. AP: https://fluence-media.co/43pTCch
Expect a wave of “five-years since” the killing of George Floyd stories and special reports in the weeks to come.
Happy National Decency Day.
BloisBlois
TIPS: BloisOlson@gmail.com
GOP Senate Leader Mark Johnson and DFL Sen. Judy Seeberger were on Sunday Take to discuss the final days of the 2025 legislative session. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/42RrXkj
Sponsorships available – to reach over 25,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
WILDFIRES: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Fire crews were contending with another day of volatile fire conditions in northeast Minnesota on Tuesday, as they continue to battle large wildfires that have burned more than 20,000 acres and dozens of structures. Three separate major fires continued to burn north of Duluth. … ‘One of these fires would tax our system, but the fact we have three is very, very challenging,’ St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay [said]. ‘This is going to be one of the most significant fires in the history of St. Louis County.’ … During a news conference Tuesday in St. Paul, Gov. Tim Walz and other state officials briefed reporters on firefighting efforts. So far, all three of the large fires are zero-percent contained, they said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3F0nx1r
MORE: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “Air and ground crews from across the U.S. and Ontario have arrived in St. Louis County to provide aid to the three biggest active wildfires in Minnesota, state officials said Tuesday. Gov. Tim Walz…noted that Minnesota usually experiences, on average, a little over 1,100 wildfires per year. The state has seen 970 fires on more than 37,000 acres so far in 2025.” WALZ: “There's some rain and some cooler temperatures on the horizon [Thursday]…but this is going to be an ongoing battle, probably throughout most of the summer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44HU3zX
CHAUVIN: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “State political and law enforcement leaders are preparing for the possibility that President Donald Trump could pardon former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s federal conviction in connection with the murder of George Floyd. Responding to questions from reporters this week, Gov. Tim Walz said the White House has given him no indication that a federal pardon for Chauvin is imminent. Nonetheless, he’s bracing for the possibility, reminding people that even if Chauvin’s sentence is commuted on the federal level, he would be transferred to Minnesota to serve out the remainder of his lengthy state prison term.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kgy2fT
REVENUE: via an MMB release, VERBATIM: “Net general fund revenues totaled $3.815 billion for the month of April, $391 million (11.4 percent) more than forecast. Net receipts from individual income tax for the month were higher than forecast while net sales tax, corporate franchise tax, and other revenues were less than forecast. For fiscal year 2025, year-to-date receipts are now $26.370 billion, $635 million (2.5 percent) more than forecast.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GVffso
CD7: via MPR, VERBATIM: “There is another Democrat running now in the 7th Congressional District, a once DFL-held seat now held by GOP Rep. Michelle Fischbach with ease since 2020. Teacher Jared Adams, a former helicopter crew chief in the U.S. Army, has filed Federal Election Commission paperwork to run in the sprawling western Minnesota district. He’s run for office before, coming up short in a bid for state Senate in 2022. He joins Erik Osberg, who began his campaign in March. Fischbach will be vying for her fourth term in 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ERMtZ1
QUALLS: Via WCCO-TV, Republican Kendall Qualls officially announced his gubernatorial campaign after filing last week. QUALLS: “I'm the only candidate who can help Minnesota live up to its potential. If we are going to fix the budget Tim Walz broke, we need a proven leader with real world business experience. If we are going to take back our streets and our classrooms, we need a candidate with a conservative backbone and law and order credentials.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jQRqjL
TAKE: The Qualls news release, and his campaign announcement offer the same compelling story as his losing campaigns for Governor in 2022 and CD3 in 2020. Qualls is one of those candidates that looks good on paper but doesn’t match in person or in candidate performance. His proclamation in his news release “Kendall Qualls is the only candidate who can WIN statewide in 2026.” is bold for someone who lost to Rep. Dean Phillips in 2020 by 11 points and lost the GOP endorsement to Scott Jensen in 2022. Qualls campaign speech was mostly bashing Walz without offering no vision or new themes. If Walz doesn’t run, he’ll have to find a new theme. If Qualls runs the same campaign as he has before, his chances statewide are not strong. He’s leaning into the same team as 2022 when he raised $600K, which was more than Jensen in their June reports, but lacked the energy at the convention.
TEAM: The staff for Qualls campaign includes, campaign manager Billy Moore strategist Bill Stepien, communications Kirsten Kukowski, press Noah Evans and media Daniel Huey.
MORE: Here is a link to the video of his campaign launch speech. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/42UsMc6
MPLS: As seen in yesterday’s morning take, Minneapolis Park Commissioner Elizabeth Shaffer won the DFL endorsement for City Council Ward 7. Via Star Tribune, Ward 7 incumbent Katie Cashman said she plans to stay in the race. VERBATIM: “Cashman said in a statement that despite corporate and special interests ‘buying an endorsement’ through political action committees like All of Mpls and We Love Minneapolis, she will continue her campaign supported by grassroots organizers and small-dollar donors.” CASHMAN: “My coalition is made up of working-class people, young and old, from all walks of life. I will continue to put people first in my campaign -- not wealthy and corporate interests.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kaMplO
MEDICAID SUPPORTS HEALTH CARE FOR ALL OF US: Medicaid keeps Minnesota’s hospitals strong and ensures communities across the state have access to care. Policymakers must protect Medicaid so every Minnesotan — regardless of income or health status — can get the care they need, when they need it. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3FtrCuH (SPONSORED: Minnesota Hospital Association)
SPECIAL SESSION: Via Axios’ Torey Van Oot, Gov. Tim Walz told reporters that despite ongoing negotiations, he thinks the state is “close to that point” where a special session will be necessary to pass a full budget before the fiscal year ends, even if they agree to a deal ahead of the legislative adjournment date. TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4jRbhiJ
TAKE: Presenting an optimistic view that there is a deal to reach on budget targets between the Governor, the House GOP and DFL and the Senate DFL and GOP will become more difficult in the next few days, as rank and file legislators begin to understand what was traded for budget items. Policy issues will be part of the final deal, and that will aggravate more liberal DFLers and more conservative GOPers. The chance of no deal before Sunday or Monday, will change the dynamics of negotiation. The ultimate deadline gets delayed by at least six weeks, and the “kumbaya” of the public tone is unlikely to last. The Governor will have a little more leverage, but can he stay disciplined without attacking Republicans? Afterall, remember campaign Walz and town hall Walz – Republicans do. Republicans playing chess know that 2026 and his re-election prospects are also at stake in the final deal.
WORKFORCE: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “A list of more than 50 organizations and $100 million. Those are differences that jump out from the House and Senate versions of the omnibus workforce, labor, and economic development finance and policy bill. A conference committee on HF2440/SF1832* began work Tuesday, bridging a significant funding gap for state agencies as well as more than 50 economic development groups, worker training programs and nonprofit organizations. Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL-St. Paul) and Senate President Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-Mpls) are the sponsors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GVMrjl
TELECOM: via MN Cable & Communications Association, STATEMENT: “Yesterday, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed Senate File 908 on a bipartisan vote of 134–0, sending the legislation to the governor’s desk for signature. The bill delivers needed improvements to the state’s Underground Telecommunications Installer Certification Program, ensuring that broadband infrastructure projects across Minnesota can proceed on time and without avoidable disruption.” BILL: https://fluence-media.co/4j7f76l
KEYS: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Customers ordering replacement [keys] is common, [but] that sound may go quiet soon unless lawmakers can make changes to a law passed in 2023 [that] limits the amount of lead and cadmium in products. … Currently, keys sold after July 1 would need to be under a certain threshold – lead is limited to more than 0.009 percent by total weight, [but] many keys have up to 2% lead, allowing them to be cut more easily. … At the State Capitol Tuesday, lawmakers met to discuss the need to change that limit. … Joined by business owners and heads of associations, the group called for a bipartisan push to address this. … The Senate has a proposal to fix this, and is now working with the House to include it in conference committee negotiations.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44D9xFd
Governor Walz Wants to Double Tax Minnesota Consumers & Businesses: Governor Walz’s Minnesota Insurance Coverage Tax would double tax Minnesota families, seniors, businesses and consumers, raising the cost of non-medical insurance products including dental, vision, private paid family leave, long-term care, and wage replacement insurance. His plan not only forces Minnesotans buying one type of insurance to subsidize another, but it also gives the Department of Commerce unchecked power to set and raise the tax with no legislative oversight. Learn More: ProtectOurCoverage.com (SPONSORED: Minnesota Insurance and Financial Services Council)
SNAP: via Washington Post, VERBATIM: “The federal government has fully paid for benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program since it was created in 1939…but now, Republicans in Congress are looking into forcing states to pay for 5 to 25 percent of SNAP funding in a move experts warn could force state governments to remove individuals from the food assistance program, leave local budgets with massive shortfalls, and hurt the food producers and retailers that serve them. … If these changes become law, they would force 28 states and territories [including Minnesota] to pay for 25 percent of their SNAP costs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kjx56K
RESPONSE: via a Rep. Angie Craig statement, CRAIG: “With American families feeling anxious about the economy and so much uncertainty in farm country, this is not the time to make reckless cuts to basic needs programs. We should make food assistance work better for those it was designed to protect – like children and moms – not cut it so Republicans can fund more tax breaks for those at the very top.”
MORE: via Nan Madden, Minnesota Budget Project director, MADDEN: “The Minnesota Budget Project is alarmed by the large and harmful funding cuts being considered by U.S. House committees. … Minnesota’s representatives in Congress should reject any federal budget and tax package that cuts health care, food assistance, and other public services that help ensure everyday Minnesotans can build the lives they want for themselves and their families.”
HIGHER ED: More than a dozen leaders at schools affiliated with the Minnesota State University system signed a joint letter to all eight members of Minnesota’s U.S. House delegation expressing concerns about the “Student Success and Taxpayer Savings Plan” bill that recently passed out of committee in Congress. EXCERPT: “While the bill attempts to prioritize fiscal responsibility and student success, it will fundamentally undermine access to higher education and jeopardize critical student support programs. … Increasing the definition of full-time student from 24 credits per academic year to 30 credits and requiring students to be enrolled a minimum of 15 credit hours per academic year to qualify for any Pell award would disproportionally harm our adult learners. During the fall 2023 [semester], more than 18% of our students, or 7,116 students, took 7 credits or less.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/4mfiQBr
BETTING POLL: Support is surging among Minnesotans who want legal wagering on sporting events. New polling by the Sports Betting Alliance of Minnesota indicates 60% of voters in the state support the legalization of sports betting. The survey of 1,000 Minnesota voters also revealed overwhelming support for legal wagering among 18–29-year-olds, with 75% of females and 73% of males in favor of allowing sports betting in Minnesota — something that is available in 39 states. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/49uj4OF (SPONSORED: Sports Betting Alliance)
VETERANS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins made a visit to the Minneapolis VA hospital Tuesday, amid uncertainty for the agency's future funding and staffing. Since President Donald Trump took office, the VA has cut thousands of staffers. Collins has said the Department of Veterans Affairs has a goal to cut about 15% of its staff. … At the Minneapolis hospital, Collins said adding money and staff to the VA over the last few years hasn’t improved care, [so] cutting back on spending will be better for veterans. … Several veterans staged a protest outside the hospital.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42Z7OZL
POT: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “An updated policy by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board prohibits smoking or vaping of cannabis in public parks, but don’t expect to see much enforcement. As with tobacco, it's being implemented as a policy — not an ordinance — meaning you won't see any park police handing out citations. … The policy goes into effect this Thursday.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4j13wpe
SPPS: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “As part of her first day — Monday — as superintendent at St. Paul Public Schools, [Stacie] Stanley popped in on schools she attended in her youth and explained to the students what a superintendent does. … Stanley is the district’s first superintendent born, raised and educated in St. Paul in the district’s more than 150-year history. … Since being selected for the position in December, the former Edina Public Schools superintendent has prepared by making a 100-day onboarding plan for herself which she’ll use to gather and analyze information on the district to determine a formal set of goals and next steps that she’ll present to the school board around August. … She’s already met with Mayor Melvin Carter and has plans to meet with leaders of the St. Paul Federation of Educators.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kmCN7V
MORE: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Half of Minnesota students can't read at grade level, according to statewide test scores. Two years ago, the Legislature took that as a lesson and overhauled the standards of how kids are taught to read. In St. Paul Public Schools, teachers and administrators who began transitioning literacy instruction during the pandemic before lawmakers mandated the change say they are already seeing results, providing a glimpse into how the state [might] turn the page on lagging test scores in the years to come.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44HXk2d
IT’S POSSIBLE TO SIMULTANEOUSLY UPHOLD ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY AND GROW OUR ECONOMY: Minnesota’s lengthy and uncertain permitting process has frustrated businesses for decades. A recent report found that air permitting in Minnesota can take up to six times longer than comparable states. A coalition of business and labor groups are advocating for reform that will shorten timelines and increase certainty while maintaining our strong environmental standards. Contact your legislators and tell them to support streamlining the permitting process. CONTACT: https://fluence-media.co/3Ea5Tbe (SPONSORED: Minnesota Chamber of Commerce)
US ATTY: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “After the Trump Administration announced the nomination of Daniel Rosen as Minnesota’s next U.S. Attorney, one detail stood out: the state’s very likely, soon-to-be top federal prosecutor [has] never been a prosecutor. … Rosen, 59, has spent most of his three-decade-long legal career as a civil litigator, carving out a reputation as a top eminent domain lawyer. … David Schultz, a professor of political science and law at Hamline University, [said] ‘I can’t think of any situation where you would need an eminent domain expert in that office.’ … Barry Anderson, a retired associate justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court [who] recommended Rosen’s nomination, [said] ‘There is no such thing as the perfect applicant who ticks every single box. It’s the entire package.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZfrlTa
NOTE: Rosen was also the campaign attorney for Kendall Qualls in 2022.
GROCERIES: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Union members at UNFI/Cub Foods stores voted to reject contract offers from employers Tuesday as the risk of a strike looms. UNFI/Cub Foods is the largest grocery store owner in Minneapolis with 33 stores and about 3,000 employees, according to Local UFCW 663. In a press release Tuesday, the union shared that workers at Haug's and Knowlan's Festival also voted to reject the latest contract offers from employers. If negotiations are not successful, strikes could impact up to 38 grocery stores in the Twin Cities area.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3YIcvoi
SUPPORT SF 2929 AND HF 2677: Third-party lawsuit funding (TPLF) — or “lawsuit lending” — is a growing and extremely concerning trend in courts across the state and throughout the country that encourages frivolous lawsuits and threatens to drive up the costs of products, services, and insurance for Minnesota consumers. Fortunately, lawmakers are considering legislation — the Consumers in Crisis Protection Act (SF 2929 & HF 2677) — to increase transparency around this highly secretive practice and reasonably regulate third-party lawsuit funders to protect consumers and help keep premiums low. MORE INFO: https://fluence-media.co/4jivOfT (SPONSORED: ASPCIA)
AG TARIFFS: via AP News, VERBATIM: “Minnesota farmer Dan Glessing isn’t ready to get too upset over President Donald Trump’s trade wars. Farm country voted heavily for Trump last November. Now Glessing and many other farmers are taking a wait-and-see attitude toward the Republican president’s disputes with China and other international markets. China normally would buy about one row out of every four of the Minnesota soybean crop. … Glessing said tariffs were only one of the things he’s worried about — and not necessarily the biggest.” GLESSING: “Am I concerned about tariffs? Yeah. … Is that the number one driving factor in these poor commodity prices the last two years? No.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4djMUrR
BIZ SNAPSHOT: via Office of the Sec. of State, VERBATIM: “For the first time, data from the Minnesota Business Snapshot is viewable online…for free. Using two new online tools, Minnesotans can search for an individual business by its location, community, and industry or access high-level information about businesses in the state. Each dataset is updated daily to provide fresh insights into Minnesota’s business community. … Until now, data from the survey was only available by request, often at a cost.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EROIvp DASHBOARD: https://fluence-media.co/43aAspp
CAPITAL GAINS: via AP News, VERBATIM: “Investors who profit from selling stocks, real estate and other assets soon could reap an even larger benefit in Missouri, which is poised to become the first U.S. state to exempt capital gains from its income tax. Legislation that won final approval last week would halt the capital gains tax this year for individuals and could eventually eliminate it for corporations. … States have very different approaches to taxing capital gains, and Minnesota and Washington go as far as taxing them at higher rates than income.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GUvNAz
PUSH BACK AGAINST TAX BREAKS FOR BIG TECH DATA CENTERS: Our tax money should be going to essential services for Minnesotans, like education, health care, and infrastructure — not subsidies for billionaire owned data centers. The current tax credit has already cost our state an estimated $5 million a year since 2011. In 2025 it will be over $100 million. It’s time to stop these skyrocketing numbers. Tell your legislators, ‘No big tax breaks for Big Tech.’ LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3ErmQh8 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy)
FED FUNDS: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison, as part of a coalition of 19 attorneys general, today filed two separate lawsuits against the Trump Administration for attempting to illegally coerce states into sweeping immigration enforcement by threatening to withhold billions in federal funding for emergency services and infrastructure. … The coalition filed one lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The coalition filed a second lawsuit against the Department of Transportation (DOT) and DOT Secretary Sean Duffy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3F6rlOF
ENGINEERING: via a Rep. Pete Stauber press release, VERBATIM: “Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) recently reintroduced the Parity in Engineering Act, legislation that will make it easier for engineering firms in our state to do business by eliminating Minnesota’s exemption from common federal procurement requirements. … Congress mandated that states must follow common federal procurement requirements to guide their respective Department of Transportation (DOT) contracts for engineering services on federal-aid projects. However, an exemption precluded Minnesota and West Virginia from following these federal requirements. As a result, Minnesota’s Department of Transportation has developed practices that are inconsistent with federal regulations and run counter to the policies in other states.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4maXVjf
AFGHANS: via a Rep. Betty McCollum press release, VERBATIM: “On Monday morning, the Department of Homeland Security announced that in one month it will terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan [refugees]. … Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, issued the following statement.” McCOLLUM: “Our Afghan allies risked everything, including their own lives and the safety of their families, to keep American troops and diplomats out of harm’s way during the war in Afghanistan. President [Donald] Trump’s decision to end TPS for these American allies is an appalling betrayal.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dAkQAF
CHISAGO CTY: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “In Chisago County, thousands of taxpayers are wondering what happened after the county made a mistake calculating this year’s property tax refunds, and now many will have to refile to get everything they are due. … Chisago County Auditor-Treasurer Bridgitte Konrad admits this mistake has caused confusion and frustration for many taxpayers. … There are 17,000 residents in Chisago County who are being notified about this mistake, but they are still determining how many people are actually impacted because it depends on whether you have a homestead property in the county and how much your income is. Konrad says residents could be owed anywhere from an extra $10 to $200.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44HVZZf
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.
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
WOODBURY: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Four men and a woman have been named finalists for the position of city administrator in Woodbury. The five candidates, chosen following a screening of 64 applicants, will be interviewed by the Woodbury City Council and a number of staff and community members at the end of this month. The advertised salary range is $220,000 to $260,000. Clint Gridley, Woodbury’s current city administrator, is retiring June 6 after 21 years in the city’s top post.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SGjR81
CHASKA: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Apple Valley Foods, Inc. in Chaska will be closing its doors permanently this summer, resulting in nearly 100 people being laid off. The company announced the closure of the facility, located at 300 Lake Hazeltine Drive, in a letter Tuesday to the Minnesota Rapid Response Team, stating that about 95 people will be laid off as a result. Apple Valley Foods is one of the leading pie manufacturers in North America.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4mmIXqr
SCANDIA: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A new medical clinic is coming to one community in rural Minnesota. Osceola Medical Center plans to open a clinic in Scandia in Washington County. The 12,000 square-foot clinic with family and urgent care doctors will replace one closed in 2020 during the pandemic. Scandia Mayor Steve Kronmiller says the clinic will fill a big need in the small town. … They plan to break ground on the clinic next week and open sometime next year.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/43eNz9k
MAHTOMEDI: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Voters in the Mahtomedi school district will be asked this fall to approve a $28 million referendum to fund improvements that district officials say will benefit safety and security, academics, performing arts and athletics. Among the proposed improvements are a new front entrance at Mahtomedi Middle School and other safety and security improvements. Mahtomedi High School would get a ‘hallway circulation’ remodel, choir and band classroom improvements, new mechanicals, a weight room addition and safety and security Improvements.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mew4i3
FREE AND LOW-COST FAMILY FUN: The beloved Flint Hills Family Festival is celebrating 25 years in downtown Saint Paul, May 30-31. This year’s festival, presented by the Ordway and Flint Hills Resources, welcomes outstanding headliners, including Grammy winners Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band and Ada Twist, Scientist, as well as the returning NOOMA, an Opera for Babies. Bring kids of all ages to enjoy free outdoor entertainment and activities, visit food trucks and take in an indoor show where tickets start at just $8. GET TICKETS: https://fluence-media.co/FHFestival (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
SENATE RACE: Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren has endorsed Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan in the 2026 Minnesota Senate race. Via social media, WARREN: “We need Democrats in the Senate who are ready to fight with everything they’ve got for working families. That’s why I’m endorsing [Flanagan] to be the next U.S. senator from Minnesota.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3H7fMqX
OIG: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “[Last week], Sens. Heather Gustafson, DFL-Vadnais Heights, and Michael Kreun, R-Blaine, trumpeted that a bill to create an inspector general for the state of Minnesota cleared the Senate on a convincing 60-7 vote. … But the bill will probably not become law despite the strong Senate support. The divided House has not made an IG a priority. ‘I don’t think there’s a lot of interest in that one,’ Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, said in an interview Monday before she met with lawmakers on crafting a state budget with just a week left in the scheduled legislative session. And Gov. Tim Walz has signaled that an IG office may not be the best use of state money.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4meFzgY
ECONOMY: The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce released a report that predicts it will take the state 52 years to double the size of its economy – 23 years longer than the nation as a whole. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ddCB8q
ELECTRIC CARS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Lawmakers in St. Paul and Washington D.C. have worked to juice sales in recent years by offering purchase and lease incentives for electric vehicle purchases — reaching into the thousands. But this year, they might be throwing things into neutral or reverse by slimming funds for charging infrastructure in the case of the federal government and tacking on surcharges at the state level. Legislation that passed in the Minnesota House and Senate — and is being merged into a single transportation bill in the final week — would assess a $200 per year surcharge for all-electric models and $100 for hybrids. Depending on the final wording, the surcharge could be automatically boosted in years to come.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jScQgn
SESSION: House floor session at 11:00 a.m. Senate floor session at 11:00 a.m. FLOOR: The House floor will hear a bill on settling claims against the state. CONFERENCE: Conference committees will hear omnibus bills for human services; transportation; and jobs, labor, and economic development. HOUSE: No House committee meetings. SENATE: Finance hears workers’ compensation recommendations. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4j7fBcL
TODAY: At 10:30 Governor Tim Walz will meet with legislative leaders.
TODAY: via an MNIndys advisory, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s independent pharmacists (MNIndys) will hold a press conference to address the growing crisis in pharmacy access across the state. Speakers will express gratitude for bipartisan agreement on critical reforms and urge swift legislative action to protect community pharmacies.” The event is at 10:30 a.m.
TODAY: via City of Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis Health Department and Hennepin County are announcing the installation of the City’s first NARCAN vending machine on the Northside. This life-saving resource expands access to the opioid overdose-reversing drug.” Mayor Jacob Frey and Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw will attend. The event is at 10:30 a.m.
TODAY: via a Senate Democrats advisory, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)…will convene a Rules Committee Democrats spotlight hearing titled ‘Protecting the Future of American Democracy: An Examination of Trump and Partisan Attacks on Voting and Elections.’ Members will hear from election officials and voter advocates.” Sec. Steve Simon will attend in Washington, D.C. The event is at 1:00 p.m. central.
FRIDAY: Via his office, Sec. Steve Simon will travel to south central Minnesota on Friday, May 16. Simon will meet with county auditors in McLeod, Chippewa, Renville, and Sibley Counties.
JUNE 13: 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
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: radio guy Brian Oake, attorney Jeffrey O’Brien, Minneapolis’ leader Don Samuels
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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