Timberwolves win.
How does Kirk Cousins feel about the Vikings. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZpthYu
Sports Take comes later today…you’ll love it.
Strong winds caused over 100 highway crashes across Minnesota yesterday. KARE: https://fluence-media.co/41jif9X
Spotify revealed the top five songs Minneapolis residents listened to the most in 2024. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4ikd7s6
Vinai in Minneapolis made Esquire’s list of the nation’s best new restaurants. Chef Yia Vang was also named Chef of the Year. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3Vr4aDx
White House officials are reportedly considering preemptive pardons of figures in the Biden administration, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, to protect them from possible retribution by the Trump administration. POLITICO: https://fluence-media.co/41dV8O5
Happy National Repeal Day – the day when Prohibition ended.
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/41jQspT
On Sunday Take, KARE 11’s John Croman on covering politics for over 30 years as he retires. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Zxsbvj
Have a great Thursday!
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
FIRST: via Sen. Heather Gustafson, VERBATIM: “Today, Senator Heather Gustafson (DFL - Vadnais Heights) announced her plans to introduce legislation during the 2025 legislation that would establish an Office of Inspector General in Minnesota. QUOTE: “Minnesotans work hard for their money, and they deserve a government that is equally diligent in protecting it,” said Senator Gustafson. “At the Senate, we have worked hard to care for Minnesota families, businesses, and local governments, which is why it’s so important to have thorough oversight and scrutiny to ensure responsible use of these investments. In the 2023 and ‘24 session we strengthened the state’s ability to protect our budget from waste and fraud through new protections and transparency for grants, new accountability task forces, audit provisions, agency level inspector generals, and more. This year we can do even more to expand and strengthen these efforts…That is why my office will be introducing legislation to establish an independent Office of Inspector General for the State of Minnesota—a practical solution to ensure accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility in state government…As a first-term senator, having a new perspective on the legislative process has motivated me to ask what more we can do to hold bad actors accountable and prevent misuse of taxpayer dollars before it can happen,” said Senator Gustafson
BUDGET: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “The state government is expected to have less money than previously predicted for lawmakers to allocate when they return to the Capitol Jan. 14 and begin crafting a budget. … The November 2024 Budget and Economic Forecast [shows] a $1.1 billion decrease from the prior estimate in February which had predicted a $1.7 billion budget surplus during the 2026-27 fiscal biennium. … That surplus is now forecast to be $616 million. The change was largely caused by projected reductions in income and sales tax revenues coupled with increased spending for long-term care and special education. … Although the state’s revenue is expected to grow during the next fiscal biennium, officials said spending will exceed revenues throughout the budget horizon, creating a budget deficit of $5.1 billion in fiscal years 2028-29.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iwJ4Oe
MORE: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “When budget officials first warned of looming shortfalls last year, the biggest rising costs were at the state education department and the Department of Health and Human Services. That remains the case. … Rep. Lisa Demuth [said] House Republicans plan to seek sources of government waste and will be asking agencies about their budgets, unfilled positions and whether they have unoccupied buildings. They also plan to investigate how many ‘diversity, equity and inclusion employees’ have been added at agencies across the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VnJI6w
MORE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz and DFL legislative leaders [defended] the spending decisions they made over the past two years while they held full control of state government. ‘We put money into things that have improved people’s lives and built for the future,’ Walz said. … The governor said everything — from spending cuts to tax increases — is on the table to stave off a shortfall.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3BfiQ1O
FUTURE: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The numbers released Wednesday morning give an indication of what state lawmakers will have to spend…but the official revenue numbers for that process will come from another economic and revenue forecast due in February. … Monthly tax collections have exceeded projections each month since February [2024] and were $642 million above what was projected by revenue forecasters at the time of the November collections report. But the scant numbers posted Wednesday indicate that the economic forecast is causing economists to reduce what is expected from existing taxes going forward.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZB5AxY
MORE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “State law requires at least one-third of any excess dollars projected in the end-of-year forecast to be moved automatically into the reserves. With that $264 million shifted into the rainy day fund, it leaves the budget reserve at more than $3.5 billion. … The availability of that account could be on lawmakers' minds as they set a budget, perhaps leading them to avoid severe cuts or tax increases to close any future gap. … Erin Campbell, the state budget commissioner, also noted that the projections released Wednesday do not factor any potential changes in federal funding driven by the incoming Trump administration.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41gDkSo
RESPONSES: Minnesota officials shared mixed reactions to the budget forecast, largely split on party lines.
Via Education Minnesota, VERBATIM: “No matter where we live, where we’re from, or what we look like, Minnesotans know the future of our state depends on public education – from preschool to post-graduation learning,” Specht said. “The staffing shortage of educators is the biggest challenge our schools are facing right now, and our state Legislature must continue to do its part to recruit and retain educators through improvements to pay, pensions and health care… The failure of Congress to fulfill its funding promises for special education services across the country will continue to squeeze the state budget. The potential for the incoming administration to follow through on the promises of Project 2025 that call for pulling millions of dollars in education funding from the states will be another challenge for the next Legislature, and for the educators and parents who care about Minnesota students and their schools.”
Via DFL Senator Nick Frentz, VERBATIM: “With today’s forecast showing a small surplus in the next biennium, but a possible deficit in the 2028-2029 budget, legislators will start to have to make hard choices. Minnesotans sometimes must make hard choices in their family budgets, and legislators must produce a budget that will allow stable, long-term success for our state – working men and women, cities and counties, families and businesses alike.”
Via Sen. Eric Pratt, VERBATIM: “What we are seeing in today’s numbers is a small, short-term surplus driven by the recent $10 billion in tax hikes on every single Minnesotan. Democrats have continued to employ a 'spend more, tax more' mentality, spending more than what is being brought in, which reflects an imminent deficit down the line…We got here by Minnesota Democrats spending the entirety of our historic $17.5 billion surplus, doing so in tandem with $10 billion in tax hikes, making Minnesota the 46th worst state when it comes to local tax burdens. Today’s news shows that those new tax increases were enough to avoid an instant deficit, but the spending is unsustainable. This forecast confirms what we’ve feared all along – out of control spending will lead Minnesota down an unsustainable path.”
MORE: For even more reactions and analysis on the state budget forecast, read yesterday’s lunch take at our new website, The Daily Agenda. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3D13Vc2
TAKE: Between the Sen. Heather Gustafson release, and Sen. Nick Frentz release it is clear that DFL Senators are starting to abandon the highly unified messaging and unity that pushed through the 2023 and 2024 budget bills with 34 votes. Gustafson and Frentz are both likely to be in very close races in 2026 and will have to show more independence and pushback against the far left
AUTISM: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz said his administration was prepared for Wednesday’s less-than-ideal budget news, as costs for education and health have been increasing. … Walz cited autism [care] as an example of rapidly increasing costs. Federal investigators are examining potential Medicaid fraud in the state autism program, but when a reporter asked him about it, Walz appeared to not know what the question was referring to. … When the reporter said there’s been concern about fraud in the state autism program, Walz responded: ‘We always investigate it and those people go to jail.’ … An FBI investigation into fraud in the autism program is ongoing; no arrests have been reported.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Bc333U
HEGSETH: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “[Pete Hegseth tried to shore up GOP support on Capitol Hill for his nomination as secretary of defense as President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly weighing a different candidate — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. … Hegseth tried to rein in the damage to his nomination and reputation provoked by new media reports about out-of-control drinking and his ouster from two veterans’ organizations amid allegations of mismanagement and sexual improprieties…[but] several Republican senators are wavering in their support. … On Wednesday morning, Hegseth vowed he would not drop out of contention, calling the new allegations against him a ‘smear.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eXQHu0
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will speak at MBOLD’s Food & Agriculture coalition networking event.
MPLS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis City Council member Emily Koski announced Wednesday she’s running for mayor. She joins Minnesota DFL Sen. Omar Fateh and Rev. DeWayne Davis of Plymouth Congregational Church in challenging Mayor Jacob Frey, who’s running for reelection. In their announcements this week, both Koski and Fateh alluded to frequent division between the Democratic mayor and the city’s more progressive council. … Koski says she wants to foster ongoing police reform; address police retention; increase shelter capacity and transitional housing to address homelessness; and boost downtown, uptown and the city’s cultural corridors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fj73h7
MORE: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “Brenda Short, who received 4% of the vote in a 2021 city council race, has filed campaign finance paperwork for a mayoral run. … It may seem early, but serious candidates must begin raising money and generating buzz if they hope to win the coveted DFL party endorsement. The party's caucus process begins in April.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49o9j4Y
ANALYSIS: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Larry Jacobs, a political science professor at the University of Minnesota, says the Minneapolis mayoral race will feature a wide spectrum of democratic viewpoints. … [But] Jacobs says mayoral candidates will face an uphill battle as they attempt to differentiate themselves among other democrats, especially if Minneapolis sees another race like we had in 2021, when 19 candidates received votes in the election.” JACOBS: “I would expect more candidates to jump into the race. I think it will be pretty crowded, and I think that plays to Mayor Frey's advantage because the left will fragment.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/49otQXk
HENN CTY: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “A new report is raising concerns about how young offenders are treated while inside the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center (JDC). The annual Department of Corrections inspection found children locked up in their rooms and isolated for too long, violating their rights. … The report found the facility has experienced significant staffing shortages since last June, and as a result, has resorted to the use of seclusion when it is not warranted. Inspectors also found residents locked in their rooms even when staff were present. … The DOC gave the county 10 days to come up with a plan to ensure residents are ‘receiving positive and proactive adult guidance, support and supervision.’” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ZDI2bG
DAKOTA CTY: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Dakota County has approved a payment of more than $2 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a 6-year-old boy. Eli Hart was fatally shot in May 2022 by his mother, Julissa Thaler. … The boy’s father, Tory Hart, filed a lawsuit against the county, accusing it of negligence. The lawsuit claimed that county social workers pushed to move Eli from foster care to his mother’s custody, despite concerns about her mental health and substance abuse. … The terms of the settlement call for the county to pay $2.25 million, of which about $1.3 million will go to the boy’s father and other family members. The rest will go toward attorneys’ fees.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3B3ogNt
VITAL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT FUELS THE FUTURE OF THIS WISCONSIN TRIBE: In 2017, one of the “glaring needs” for the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians in northwest Wisconsin was an expanded wastewater treatment facility. “It was at capacity. We were not able to expand any of our businesses or facilities,” says Jason, the LCO Band’s Emergency Management Coordinator. With the support of Enbridge and several other partners, the LCO Band quadrupled its wastewater treatment capacity — allowing for creation of a new preschool, fire hall, 40-unit apartment complex, police headquarters and, still to come, health clinic and new residential community. “I’m very grateful for the partnership we’ve developed with Enbridge,” says Jason. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/49v4mHc (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
UNITEDHEALTH: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City on Wednesday sent shockwaves through Minnesota’s business community. … Thompson worked at UnitedHealthcare for the past 20 years. He held numerous roles that included leading government programs and the company’s Medicare and retirement business. … Co-workers and local business leaders lamented the loss Wednesday. Antonio Toft, a UnitedHealth Group vice president, posted on LinkedIn that ‘BT’ — as Thompson was known to many — was ‘not only a remarkable leader but also a cherished friend and mentor to many of us.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41jjHcf
MORE: For reactions and additional info on the UnitedHealth CEO’s murder, read yesterday’s lunch take at our new website. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3D13Vc2
HEALTHCARE: via a Protect Our Care press release, VERBATIM: “Congresswoman Angie Craig joined Protect Our Care Minnesota, MNsure CEO Libby Caulum, and local resident Vicky Selin, to discuss the urgent need for Congress to stop Republican premium hikes. … More than 135,000 Minnesotans enrolled in ACA Marketplace plans in 2024. But [Biden-Harris] tax credits are set to expire at the end of 2025.” CRAIG: “For far too long, Big Pharma's price hikes and the egregious cost of health care in America has forced Minnesotans to make absolutely gut wrenching decisions. … Making these enhanced premium tax credits permanent is critical in our fight for more affordable health care.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3VqbU93
UMN: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “At least 100 University of Minnesota students living in Comstock Hall had no heat in their dorm rooms this week as temperatures dipped below freezing. Officials say the issue was expected to be resolved by Wednesday night. About two-thirds of the dorm rooms in Minneapolis on the East Bank were fixed by mid-afternoon. … A warm fall season and having students leave for the holiday break meant the ‘full impact of the issue was unknown until the temperatures dipped in recent days,’ [officials] said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f2joG3
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)
TRANSIT: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The Transit Services Intervention Project (TSIP) and the $2 million from the state to fund the pilot project are ending. But, Metro Transit plans to keep spending money on it for 2025. Metro Transit General Manager Lesley Kandaras told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the program is working and keeping it running with citizen-based TSIP is a priority. … The Met Council votes on its budget next week, and the $750,000 funding for TSIP is expected to pass.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ZH6w2L
UBER/LYFT: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Twin Cities rideshare drivers spent close to two years lobbying first Minneapolis, then the state, to establish minimum pay rates for the industry. Those new rates went into effect on December 1, but some drivers say they have yet to see any difference in their take-home pay. … The confusion stemmed from drivers thinking that they’d get the rate per ride. Instead, both Uber and Lyft have said the minimum compensation required under Minnesota law would be paid out after adding up the minutes and miles driven during a 14-day window. Trips driven where the driver made more than the minimum rate could be used to average out the trips where they made less than the new rate.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3BgSxZ8
(DISCLOSURE: Uber is a client and sponsor of Fluence Media)
AWARD: via an MN Forests press release, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Forest Industries (MFI), an association representing the state’s major forest products companies, has been awarded a prestigious Telly Award for a TV commercial it created in partnership with Hubbard Broadcasting. Titled ‘Trees Absorb Carbon, Forest Products Store It,’ the 30-second ad received a Silver Telly Award in the category of ‘Public Service & PSA – Local TV.’ The Telly Awards honor excellence in video and television across all screens and receive over 13,000 entries globally.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4gnpJgx
ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT: From Grand Rapids, a conversation about opportunities and challenges to economic growth in Greater Minnesota with Tuleah Palmer, CEO of the Blandin Foundation, Roy Smith of the IRRRB and Steve Loney from Kiesler Wellness Center. From workforce to energy costs, a thoughtful conversation on how leaders are working together to push the region’s economy forward. Mainstreet Minnesota is presented by Compeer Financial. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/MainstreetMN2
STEARNS CTY: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “Stearns County commissioners held their annual truth in taxation hearing — where they sought public input on the proposed 2025 county budget — in addition to their regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3. During their regular meeting, the commissioners approved new cannabis ordinances and multiple Human Services grant proposals. … The county’s recommended total expenses for 2025 is nearly $210.7 million, which is an 11.04% increase from the 2024 budget, according to county documents.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3D166ML
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “The renovation of the former Pinewood Elementary building into an early learning center will cost nearly $3 million, and is expected to be ready by the 2025-26 school year. The Rochester School Board approved bids for the project on Tuesday, Dec. 3, amounting to $1.99 million. Additional costs, such as fees and the renovation of the school’s playground, will increase the cost to the overall total of $2.92 million. … The district will pay for the project from a variety of sources, including the community education fund, the general fund, and the long-term facility maintenance fund.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZpfWj0
HERMANTOWN: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “Although the snow may be falling as the official start of winter draws near, the local business forecast for the new year is bright, according to Hermantown Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kim Parmeter. Following an annual meeting luncheon…Parmeter provided a recap of the chamber's accomplishments over the past year and an outlook for 2025. The chamber serves over 335 members, primarily in Hermantown, Proctor, Rice Lake and Duluth. More than 200 attendees turned out for the annual celebration at AAD Shrine.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZBUXe1
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: https://fluence-media.co/3O2nzH0 (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
FARMLAND: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The land area used for farming in Minnesota hasn’t changed much in the last few years, according to data released in February. But there are fewer farms on that land and the average farm has grown larger. This fits into a nationwide pattern of farm consolidation that has been happening for generations. For Brian Reisinger, it took searching through generations of family history to understand why. Reisinger is the author of the book ‘Land Rich, Cash Poor: My Family’s Hope and the Untold History of the Disappearing American Farmer.’ His family farm is in the driftless region of Wisconsin and he has farming roots in Minnesota.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Bhou3t
SENATE: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Senate Democrats gave Sen. Amy Klobuchar a promotion Tuesday as they boosted the Minnesota lawmaker to the No. 3 leadership position. … The GOP [is] poised to control the Senate and to keep a slim majority in the U.S. House…but the selection of Klobuchar, a Senate workhorse and consensus-oriented pragmatist, to the key post of shaping the party’s policy and messaging indicated Democrats also want to be able to find agreement with their Republican colleagues. … Klobuchar is also expected to receive another promotion, [becoming] the top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f3IAw3
ANOKA CTY: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “After months of tense debate, a split Anoka County Board on Tuesday approved a nearly 17% property tax levy increase, the highest hike in recent history, as officials work to close a projected $40 million budget deficit. In a meeting that became heated at times, with some commissioners calling for civility and an end to dysfunction, the board voted 4-3 to raise the levy by 16.9%. As a result, the owner of a median $327,000 home can expect to see a $116 bump in property taxes next year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OEfZ5z
TODAY: via advisory, Mayor Jacob Frey, Colonial Market owner Daniel Hernandez, and other community leaders will gather for the grand opening of the new Colonial Market on Lake Street in South Minneapolis.
TODAY: via advisory from DOJ, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Justice will host the National Public Safety Partnership Summit on December 9, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Summit will bring together over 550 law enforcement leaders, government officials, and other partners to explore strategies for confronting violent crime and other pressing public safety challenges facing communities across the country.”
BDAYS: Rep. Josh Heintzeman, writer Maura Lerner
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