Timberwolves win. Wild home tonight.
Beware of fake E-Z Pass texts, I got one yesterday. STRIB: https://fluence-media.co/4kaFvhj
Some Minnesota golf courses plan to reopen this week due to rising temperatures. KSTP: https://fluence-media.co/41hIH2b
A proposed bill would give Minnesota two additional state songs: “Purple Rain” by Prince and “Girl from the North Country” by Bob Dylan. Another bill would make Ursa Minor the official state constellation. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3Qz2Pb5
Moody’s Analytics finds that the top 10% of earners — households making over $250,000 per year — now account for nearly 50% of all spending, the highest share ever recorded. WSJ: https://fluence-media.co/3QAjwTE
Donald Trump says his Canada and Mexico tariffs are “going forward” in March, with more to come later. AP: https://fluence-media.co/41ekpGb
Happy Clam Chowder Day!
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take with Vineeta Sawkar on Northstar Rail and Elon questions. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gZqUTg
DFL Sen. Judy Seeberger was on Sunday Take to discuss Minnesota’s current needs, the race for an open Senate seat, pushback against DFLers and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4idQkxd
Sponsorships available – to reach over 25,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
RESPONSIBLE GAMING: Legal sports betting platforms offer responsible game tools that offshore and illegal sports betting don’t offer. In fact, age verification is not required with most offshore providers. Learn more about why legalized sports betting is more responsible. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kgJoS4 (SPONSORED: Sports Betting Alliance)
NORTHSTAR RAIL: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Commuter rail service between downtown Minneapolis and Big Lake on the Northstar Line could be phased out and replaced with buses as state transportation officials explore a more cost-effective transit service on the corridor. In a joint statement Monday, the Metropolitan Council and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) said the agencies have ‘jointly started the process to explore transitioning to bus service.’ The Northstar Line connects Target Field Station in downtown Minneapolis to Big Lake in Sherburne County, with stops in Fridley, Coon Rapids, Anoka, Ramsey and Elk River along the route.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/416sVXC STATEMENT: https://fluence-media.co/43cZy92
MORE: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “It’s a rare occurrence when a House committee gathers to debate a bill, then is told during testimony that the bill’s wish has been granted. Such was the case at Monday’s meeting of the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee. The committee’s chair, Rep. Jon Koznick (R-Lakeville), was presenting a pair of bills taking separate approaches to ending operations of the Northstar Commuter Rail line. … Both Transportation Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger and Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle [testified] that other means of bus or rail transportation would be more efficient and effective, which rendered the bills largely moot.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4beOhH2
MORE: MnDOT also released a new report yesterday studying the cost-effectiveness of the Northstar Line and how expensive it would be to expand to the St. Cloud area. REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/41bpqzn
TAKE: Two bills up on the House floor, and not one DFL member thought either was a good idea enough to vote for? That’s an illustration of the all too strong hold caucus and party loyalty has on members from thinking and voting for their own beliefs or finding compromise on issues. Even in Washington DC, there are bipartisan votes but not in Minnesota legislature in 2025. The culture of the caucuses has shifted from strategy and priorities to a cult-like club where even constituent input is unlikely to make a difference. From committee dialog, to pushing a button – the people of your district elected you, not the party that you abide by.
LIGHT RAIL: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “As costs have risen for light rail projects in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, so have concerns among some legislators about whether the benefits are worth the outlays. One of them is Rep. Kristin Robbins (R-Maple Grove). She’s the sponsor of HF14, which would temporarily prohibit Metropolitan Council spending on any other light rail transit projects until the Southwest LRT Green Line extension project is completed. The primary project affected would be the METRO Blue Line extension. … HF14 was debated on the House floor Monday and failed by a 67-66 vote. But the House then approved a motion to reconsider and voted to table the bill.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EW415W
ESSENTIA HEALTH NURSES ARE A VALUED PART OF OUR PATIENT CARE: Acute care nurses in the Duluth area earn $100,000 on average, working just four days a week. In fact, 94% of these nurses choose to work part-time because Essentia Health offers full benefits starting at 24 hours a week. Our nurses overwhelmingly choose to remain at Essentia Health, bucking national turnover trends. To join our team at Essentia Health, search for openings HERE: https://fluence-media.co/3D5rO2s (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
AMBULANCES: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Last year, the Legislature sent $24 million to struggling ambulance services. [But] those funds won’t permanently stop the bleeding, [said] Rep. Jeff Backer (R-Browns Valley), who volunteers for an ambulance service and chairs the House Health Finance and Policy Committee. A possible permanent solution offered in HF337 is a grant program to prevent ambulance services from slipping further into the red. Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar (R-Fredenberg Township) sponsors the bill, which, as amended, was laid over by the health committee Monday… Rep. John Huot (DFL-Rosemount), who is also an emergency medical technician, is concerned that ambulance services could automatically get a grant without being accountable to local governments. Additionally, he said metro areas are also struggling with response times. “We need to look at this as a statewide program.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QAjScO
TEACHERS: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lawmakers on the Legislature’s Education Policy and Education Finance committees would be required to observe a teacher or school administrator if a bipartisan bill [passes]. … To fulfill their obligation, lawmakers would need to spend at least 12 hours observing a K-12 teacher or administrator every two years and make a publicly accessible report outlining which schools, people and grades they observed. Chief bill author Rep. Andrew Myers, R-Tonka Bay, said ensuring lawmakers spend time seeing the day-to-day lives of educators in the classroom will help them make better decisions in the Capitol.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3D9T2Fh
FRAUD: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lawmakers want to know why state officials can't immediately shut down child care programs if kickbacks or fraud are uncovered. … Shireen Gandhi, the temporary commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, told the [House] fraud committee the state agency has made it easier to root out fraud, but Republican committee members seized on roadblocks that still exist. … Rep. Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove, who is the committee's chair, says the hearing left her concerned about existing loopholes to counter fraud.” ROBBINS: “This hearing put them on notice that we are expecting them to follow [procedure]. They have fairly robust tools already and they should be employing them.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hQZIXV
MORE: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “A Child Care Audits & Investigations Unit was created in 2013. Four investigators have recovered about $2.4 million since 2020, an average of five cases per year have been referred to law enforcement for criminal investigation since 2021, and the department has stopped payments to 79 providers since 2021…Licensing violations alone don’t necessarily mean there is fraud but can cause the investigators to look more closely, Gandhi said…But how to further investigate?...The department’s budget proposal proffered by Gov. Tim Walz includes $7.24 million in the 2026-27 biennium “to better detect, prevent and address fraud, waste and abuse in human service programs.”
READ: https://fluence-media.co/41fV6U3
REDISTRICTING: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Legislative districts are redrawn every 10 years to ensure they are comparable in population. That task now falls to legislators, [but] for the last four redistricting cycles, dating [back] to 1992, the courts have created Minnesota’s redistricting plans because the legislature and governor could not agree on maps. … Rep. Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) wants Minnesota voters to decide if a Bipartisan Redistricting Commission should be established to adopt the boundaries of congressional and legislative districts following each decennial census. He sponsors HF550 [to] ask voters in the 2026 general election if a commission should be created via a constitutional amendment. … Approved 6-5 along party lines, the bill was sent to the House State Government Finance and Policy Committee.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kbGmOR
WALZ: Axios’ Torey Van Oot shared that Gov. Tim Walz will be attending a private fundraising luncheon this Thursday on behalf of his governor campaign committee. An invitation to the luncheon says Walz will share “his thoughts on the 2024 election and what he is looking forward to in 2025 and beyond.” Tickets start at $2,000 for the “intimate and small lunch,” per the invite. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4bhmQfZ
KLOBUCHAR: via TV Insider, VERBATIM: “ABC’s ‘The View’ welcomed Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar as the featured guest on Monday’s live episode and discussed what her party, which is currently in the minority in every branch of the federal government, is doing — or even can do — in response to Donald Trump. … The senator explained that party leaders like herself are working in lockstep with Democratic attorneys general who have filed suit against the Trump Administration. … Klobuchar then put out a call to action for public assistance.” QUOTE: “We need help, okay? We need reinforcement [and] we need all of you to stand with us. We simply cannot do this alone. … [Plan] what town halls you’re going to and who you’re calling.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ET5QQY
MORE: via The Wrap, VERBATIM: “As we continue to get deeper into Donald Trump’s second term, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar is pretty sure voter’s remorse has started setting in – and likely will ‘keep building.’” KLOBUCHAR: “Chaos is up, corruption is up and costs are up. … Instead of doing something to make your getting a house more affordable for your kids, they decided to go out and try to buy Greenland when it’s not even for sale.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4be9uAO
MORE: Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s Monday appearance on The View is available to watch in full online. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3D1Q9X7
SANCTUARIES: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “With the U.S. Department of Justice suing Illinois and New York over their ‘sanctuary laws,’ Minnesota and the Twin Cities are preparing to defend themselves from a similar legal assault. … Besides threatening lawsuits that aim to force states to aid the federal government in its efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, the Justice Department has also said it will cut off federal grants to ‘sanctuary’ states and local jurisdictions. Most of those grants helped bolster local and state police departments. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said he’s ready to defend Minnesota if it is sued as a ‘sanctuary’ jurisdiction.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ifK4p1
SAFETY: via a Rep. Ilhan Omar press release, VERBATIM: “House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Ranking Member Ilhan Omar (MN-05) are demanding the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) share how the reductions in staffing and program funding at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will impact worker safety. … The lawmakers are calling for a full accounting of staffing changes at NIOSH, as well as details about any interruptions in grants, contracts, or other funding that could affect the institute’s ongoing work.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/4hRt0G1
FEDFREEZE: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Democratic lawmakers are sounding the alarm in response to President Donald Trump's freeze on federal loans and grants. … Advocates say the loss of such funds would endanger victims of domestic violence. … Representative Kelly Moller (DFL- Shoreview) [said] the freeze in funding could include the ability to pay staff at domestic violence shelters, as well as the ability to provide housing vouchers, court advocates and other services to survivors. … While the freeze was temporarily blocked, many of the funds are still frozen, meaning advocacy groups may soon have to cut staff and services.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4igQJPL
MORE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Jen Polzin, [the] CEO of Tubman, said their organization gets about a third of its annual funding − or roughly $3 million − from the federal government. They’ve relied on those funds to reimburse them for work done across the state, including providing shelter for victims of domestic abuse. But the funding has been put on pause by the Trump Administration, possibly violating a court order and sending victim advocate groups across the state scrambling for ways to fill the gaps.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iwpukr
MEDICAID: DFL Rep. Betty McCollum responded to the news, seen in yesterday’s morning take, that 14 Republicans in the state legislature sent a letter to federal officials asking them to reconsider proposed Medicaid funding cuts. McCOLLUM: “Thanks to the 14 GOP Minnesota Legislators who recognize the damage the U.S. House GOP budget would cause. It’s wrong to cut Medicaid — a healthcare lifeline for over a million Minnesota seniors, disabled, and children — to give more tax breaks to billionaires like Elon Musk.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4bn9KO7
FEED FRAUD: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A judge ordered a co-defendant in the Feeding Our Future case be sent to jail after prosecutors say he attempted to intimidate a witness last week. Abdinasir Abshir is accused of approaching Sharmake Jama outside the courtroom as he was about to testify last week. Jama already pleaded guilty to his role in the fraud and agreed to testify at the trial of Aimee Bock, the former founder of Feeding Our Future and Salim Said, former co-owner of Safari Restaurant.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kgzGPm
MORE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “As the third week of testimony began Monday in the Feeding Our Future meal fraud trial for former executive director Aimee Bock and former Safari Restaurant owner Salim Said, there already had been evidence that looks bad for Bock. But Bock's defense is that she wasn't aware of the fraud being committed by others in the nonprofit. … That is what made a courtroom moment Monday so significant, when prosecutors revealed a check written by a cooperating defendant to a bank account controlled only by Bock.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4igI001
STRIKE: Via a Teamsters press release, over 200 Ramsey County probation officers represented by Teamsters Local 320 have filed an intent to strike with the Minnesota Bureau of Mediation Services. They will hold a press conference today at 12:15 p.m. “to address the bargaining impasse between Ramsey County and the union which resulted in filing intent to strike,” per the release. READ: https://fluence-media.co/43asgr5
DOWNTOWN: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “For the past 20 years, Dave Higgins has dug deep into major real estate projects, especially those involving a partnership of some kind between local government and the private sector to convert buildings to new uses. … He’s the new president and public face — and sole employee to date — of the St. Paul Downtown Development Corporation, a new nonprofit redevelopment effort of the city’s Downtown Alliance. … It’s his job to help fill thousands of square feet of empty downtown real estate, in part through office-to-residential conversions. ‘I have great confidence that downtown St. Paul is poised for a significant transformation,’ said Higgins, who foresees himself as a future link between investors, the public sector and private developers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4beJiGu
PERMITTING REFORM FOR RESPONSIBLE INDUSTRIES: Jobs for Minnesotans is committed to advancing responsible industrial projects through a predictable, timely and transparent permitting process. Broad permitting reform for all responsible industries is essential to strengthening Minnesota’s communities and advancing our state’s clean energy future. (SPONSORED: Jobs for Minnesotans)
UST: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The University of St. Thomas lost a second grant in the last month related to teacher preparation after the U.S. Department of Education terminated the funding last week, saying the program was related to diversity, equity and inclusion. … St. Thomas was in the fifth and last year of administering the grant to about 20 graduate students per year; the total award was $2.8 million. It comes about two weeks after the school learned another $6.8 million grant was cut after the Trump Administration deemed it was related to DEI. St. Thomas officials said the program was open to any student, regardless of their background.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41v2LiV
PHONE BAN: via States Newsroom, VERBATIM: “Across the country, state lawmakers are finding rare bipartisan ground on an increasingly urgent issue for educators and parents: banning cellphone use in schools. … In Minnesota, districts are required to implement their own policies under a law passed last year. But a bill sponsored by Democratic state Sen. Alice Mann would ban cellphones and smartwatches in elementary and middle schools, and restrict the use of those devices in high school classrooms beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. … [Mann] dismissed the idea that the pushback on phone bans is coming from students. Instead, she thinks parents are the ones most resistant to restrictions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41tue4w
MNP20: via an OHE press release, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s P-20 Education Partnership (MNP20) [is] a public-private collaboration that examines services and data across sectors with a goal of improving alignment of those supports and identifying policy recommendations to improve the lives of Minnesotans. In recognition of the importance of this work, MNP20 has received two grants totaling nearly $473,000 to advance their efforts. A $224,125 grant from The Joyce Foundation will support the creation of the strategic plan. … A $248,600 grant from the ECMC Foundation will support staffing needs to help ensure MNP20 is able to realize the strategic plan.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bcdRfT
CATHOLICS: via a Catholic Conference press release, VERBATIM: “The Catholic Church in Minnesota…plays a significant role in the state’s economic and social well-being. A new report released by the Minnesota Catholic Conference — ‘Fruits of the Vine: The Economic Impact of the Catholic Church in Minnesota’ — estimates that Catholic programs contribute over $5 billion annually to the state’s economy and serve 1.2 million people across various communities. The report was commissioned by the Minnesota Catholic Conference and conducted by researchers from the University of Colorado.” REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/41hJhwG
FRESH15: The latest season of Fresh15 includes interviews with new Minnesota House members. So far, five new members have shared their goals, background and fun facts before they take office in a historic session this January.
Rep.-Elect Kari Rehauer
Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson
Rep. Elect Julie Greene
Rep. Elect Keith Allen
Rep. Elect Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
ROCHESTER: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The organizers of Rochester’s annual Pride festival have canceled an appearance by author Emily Neilson due to unspecified safety concerns. The visit by Neilson, whose children’s book ‘The Rainbow Parade’ was pulled from the shelves of a local elementary school in December because of its depictions of public nudity, was scheduled to take place Monday. … Rochester Pride said on social media that it does believe there is an ongoing threat. The nonprofit, which has already purchased 250 copies of ‘The Rainbow Parade,’ said it instead plans host a book giveaway.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41vmCyw
BRAINERD: via Brainerd Dispatch, VERBATIM: “The city of Brainerd will take over ownership of a piece of property along the Mississippi River known to be the site of homeless encampments. Council members agreed during their meeting [last week] to begin the transfer process for a parcel of tax-forfeited land. … Community Development Director James Kramvik said the council staff was approached by county officials about the land transfer. Historically, he said, the land has seen a yearly [cyclical] homeless population. … With the passage of an ordinance in July banning camping on public land in the city, Kramvik said staff has no concerns with the city owning the parcel.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kchRBc
DULUTH: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “Motorists and trail users will encounter detours in the weeks to come as work to rehabilitate a scenic section Skyline Parkway began Monday. … As part of the $1.72 million project, culverts will be replaced, ditches will be improved, graffiti will be removed and an interpretive marker will be installed near the trailhead. … A crew from Northland Constructors of Duluth began work on the job Monday and will spend most of the week on tree trimming and removal. The affected section of the road is expected to remain closed to traffic for the rest of the 2025 construction season.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ie9Zxb
WILD ABOUT READING: More than 500 Minnesota classrooms and 15,000 students are participating in the “Wild About Reading” program, a partnership with Flint Hills Resources which encourages students to read more using Minnesota Wild-branded posters, reading logs, and bookmarks. Teachers set weekly reading goals and give certificates to students who complete the four-week program. Fun program incentives include classroom visits from the Wild’s mascot, Nordy – and the team dog, Rookie; a pair of tickets to a Wild home game, player signed pucks and photos; and a pizza party for a classroom. LEARN MORE: Wild About Reading SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
STAUBER: Rep. Pete Stauber talked to WCCO Radio about his work to honor the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, why he’s not planning to run for Senate or governor, and about ongoing efforts to shrink the size of government – something that’s impacting workers in his district. QUOTE: “We can do better as a nation. And I know President [Donald] Trump promised on the campaign trail [that] he was going to look at the inefficiencies in our government. And I think that when all’s said and done, we’re going to look back and say, we did what we had to do to make good on the promise he made.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3ERvHJ3
PROTEST: via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “Following other protests held in the Northland in opposition to President Donald Trump, a large crowd of demonstrators gathered in Hermantown to call on Representative Pete Stauber on February 23. As with other recent protests, those in the crowd chanted slogans and held signs denouncing the Trump Administration, and especially Elon Musk. Many also called on Stauber and other Republicans in congress to do more to ‘stand up’ to the White House, as well as Musk.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/41sEc6c
BIRD FLU: via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Poultry diseases are running rampant across several Midwest states. Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen says producers in his state are dealing with highly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N1, and avian Metapneumovirus.” PETERSEN: “[This] has kind of been a tough go of it for our turkey growers. [Metapneumovirus] doesn’t necessarily kill the whole flock, but it really can cause a lot of mortalities. And the issue with that is that there’s no federal funds available at the moment to really help those producers out.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4kge3Pe
THEDAILYAGENDA: Every day, we’re sharing significant political, business and other news in your inbox and on our new website, The Daily Agenda. If you love morning take, sign up for the other Fluence tip sheets and share our web content with your friends. SIGNUP: https://fluence-media.co/4eZwLa7
SESSION: No House floor session. No Senate floor session. HOUSE: Workforce, Labor & Economic Dev. hears funding for healthcare programs and the FATHER Project. Taxes will hear a requirement to return portions of a budget surplus to taxpayers. Education Finance hears bills on OIG creation and advance payment of the education credit. Children & Families will hear changes to childcare standards. Education Policy hears bills on student attendance and enrollment. SENATE: Health & Human Services will hear health licensing changes. Taxes will hear changes to data center tax exemptions. Elections will hear a ban on “scam PACs.” CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/3Xjos30
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will speak at a Minnesota Nurses Association event and interview candidates for a vacancy on the Minnesota Tax Court. Later, he will meet with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and have a meeting with the Association of Minnesota Counties leadership.
TODAY: via a Senate GOP advisory, VERBATIM: “Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, Senators Zach Duckworth, Michael Kreun, and Warren Limmer [will hold] a press conference to roll out bills that put Minnesotans Safety First by keeping criminals in prison, adding transparency in sentencings, and supporting law enforcement to stop crime.” The event is at 1:00 p.m.
TODAY: via news advisory from SEIU, VERBATIM: “Minnesota rideshare drivers with companies like Uber and Lyft will join with elected officials TODAY, Tuesday, Feb. 25th at the Minnesota Capitol to kick off a push to pass a law that would allow Minnesota rideshare drivers with the right to form a union like most other workers.” (DISCLOSURE: Uber is a client and sponsor of Fluence)
TODAY: via Minneapolis Fed, VERBATIM: “Hear how businesses from across the Ninth District say they are faring during a virtual event on Tuesday Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Central Standard Time, hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. … A total of 568 [Midwest] respondents provided survey responses and comments.” DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4gOqChP
TODAY: via an IRRR advisory, VERBATIM: “A special meeting of the Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board will be held in the Governors 4 Boardroom (lower level) at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel at 11 East Kellogg Blvd., Saint Paul on Tuesday, February 25 at 6:30 p.m.”
TOMORROW: via advisory from Association of Minnesota Counties, VERBATIM: “The Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) annual legislative conference brings nearly 300 county officials and staff from across the state to St. Paul to meet with their legislators at the Capitol about county legislative priorities and local/regional concerns.
AMC invited state leaders to address attendees during the conference’s opening general session to engage with local elected officials on issues important to counties. AMC is a voluntary, non-partisan, statewide organization of which all 87 Minnesota counties are members. AMC does not issue political endorsements.”
TOMORROW: via a MNLEG advisory, VERBATIM: “On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Rep. Kristin Bahner (DFL-Maple Grove), Sen. Eric Lucero (GOP-Saint Michael), Rep. Shane Mekeland (GOP-Clear Lake), and Sen. Susan Pha (DFL-Brooklyn Park) will hold a press conference to introduce their Homeowners Association and Common Interest Community reform legislation (HF1268/SF1750).” The event is at 11:30 a.m.
TOMORROW: Axios energy and climate reporters will host a conversation with Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith and Ohio Rep. Bob Latta for their “Powering the Electric Future” event on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 a.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/3WY8vz0
TOMORROW: The Minnesota Medical Association announced that it will hold a press conference on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. to debut the “Treat Yourself First” campaign, which is intended to “create a supportive environment that encourages healthcare workers to prioritize their mental health and seek help when needed,” per a release. Sen. Liz Boldon (D-Rochester) will attend.
MARCH 3: via an ISAIAH press release, VERBATIM: “Hundreds of childcare providers, parents, teachers and community members across Minnesota will be hosting or participating in Day Without Childcare events on Monday, March 3 to demonstrate how many people truly rely on childcare in our state. Several childcare centers that serve hundreds of children and families across the state will be closed to elevate the need to fund childcare and early learning.” Centers in Virginia, Bemidji, Duluth, St. Paul and Rochester, and Elk River will participate.
MARCH 4: Minnesota Citizens for the Arts will host Arts Advocacy Day in the state capitol on Tuesday, March 4. Events include a rally in the rotunda at 10:00 a.m. and meetings with legislators from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
MARCH 6: Minnesota Management and Budget announced that the next state budget forecast will be released on Thursday, March 6. In a press release, MMB said “the February forecast announcement is scheduled about a week later than usual this year due to a later-than-usual release of key federal employment data.”
APRIL 10: Citizens League will honor Peter Bell, former Metropolitan Council chair, and Sharon McMahon at the 2025 Civic Celebration. The annual Civic Celebration is an inspiring evening, gathering hundreds of Minnesotans from diverse backgrounds, parties and ideologies to celebrate our state’s enduring civic culture, leadership, and commitment to public service. REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/3EKmNge (SPONSORED: Citizens League)
BDAYS: Wild PR guy Dave Schwartz, lobbyist Beth McMullen, golfing guy Steve Sherwood, lobbyist Quinn Cheney, activist Maureen Hackett, DFL insider Josh Syjamaki, lobbyist Cullen Sheehan
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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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