SUNDAY FUNDAY?
Twins lose.
At 9 on WCCO Radio – listener calls and texts 651-461-9226 about what you think of the final legislative agreements. If a legislator wants to participate – text me.
Fires in Crow Wing and St. Louis County as the wind and dry conditions add to volatility. The images are shocking.
Sen. Bill Cassidy loses his primary in Louisiana another sign of Trump’s strength within the Republican Party.
Two weeks until both the DFL and GOP conventions, I’ll likely be at the GOP convention since they have more interesting endorsement fights.
Happy National Cherry Cobbler Day, and to those who celebrate Norwegian Constitution Day.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
NOTE Lobbyist and trade associations that are killing time waiting today, let me know if you want me to speak to your summer and fall events about the “Signals vs. Noise” of the election. bloisolson@gmail.com
GOOD LISTENS
Walk or yard work today? Check out a Fluence Forum podcast. APPLE: https://fluence-media.co/FluenceForums
One good listen is also the Long Term Care – Is Minnesota Ready? Care Providers Minnesota and LeadingAge Minnesota hosted providers, Senator Grant Hauschild (03, DFL), Representative Natalie Zeleznikar (03B, GOP), and Representative Nathan Nelson (11B, GOP) for a conversation about the future of careing for our seniors. This coming week the conversation moves to St. Cloud. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4ue3YXA
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
SPONSORS: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.
Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com ? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription
We call on our state leaders to pass an infrastructure jobs bill with $100 million to replace lead drinking water pipes. Sponsored by LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota. FIXMN.org (SPONSORED: LIUNA MN + ND)
Leaders have to lead and today will test leaders vision for ending the legislative session with the strategy of the sit-in and the constant noise of those who are loudest. Leaders are confident they will get the work done today, but there are heavy lifts on bonding, taxes, HCMC and a small transportation bill.
If the session ends with everything getting done, it will be a strong sign that leaders had a strong handle on their members – if not, it will highlight the changing dynamics of legislating.
On Monday, the retirement speeches may tell the story of the change most eloquently.
Lawmakers have until 11:59 p.m. tonight to pass bills during the 2026 session. Expect a heftier schedule compared to Friday and Saturday — the House and Senate focused on smaller bills yesterday while major pieces of the bipartisan budget deal were finalized behind the scenes.
WALZ: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “As major pieces of his agenda stalled in his final session at the Minnesota Capitol, Gov. Tim Walz reframed his view of success around finding compromise. … Walz said the budget deal he struck with legislative leaders was ‘some of the finest legislative work’ of his tenure, even though it did not include his top proposals. … Walz’s end-of-session pragmatism comes as he weighs his political future [and] increasingly frames fiscal restraint as his top priority.” QUOTE: “My job is to hand this off to the next governor, to hand off a state that is in solid financial shape.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uhEWXS
BUT, WAIT: via the Star Tribune’s Jeffrey Meitrodt this morning, VERBATIM: “Three state employees told investigators that their managers discouraged aggressive oversight because they were afraid of lawsuits. One believed the department’s leadership feared accusations of racism from Feeding Our Future, the nonprofit at the center of the fraud case, which largely served Minnesota’s East African community….The interviews provide a rare inside account of the state’s botched response to early warning signs of fraud — and how legal concerns and delayed enforcement allowed the scheme to grow, ultimately siphoning more than $250 million from a federally funded child nutrition program overseen by the state education department… The records include FBI interviews with Jenny Butcher, a 25-year veteran of the Minnesota Department of Education who retired in 2024. Butcher told federal investigators in May 2022 that abuse in the meals program was an “open secret.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ReXRDY
Now back to today…
DEAL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Almost none of the [budget deal’s] components have received a vote [so far]. But votes on the biggest items — a $705 million bailout package for the financially struggling Hennepin County Medical Center, $125 million in one-time property tax relief, a one-time $254 million cut to vehicle tab fees, and a $1.2 billion public works borrowing bill — are expected Sunday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43j6Qqh
MOOD: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Senate continued to take up smaller bills into the evening Saturday, while the House remained in recess for many hours. There’s still plenty on lawmakers’ to-do list for Sunday. … Legislative sources are calm about the remaining work, suggesting the end of session is proceeding in a predictable and orderly fashion. Lawmakers are periodically meeting in brief conference committees of the House and Senate to finalize bills and send them to the floor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nvMEea
Fluence Media introduces more — Insider Analysis & Insight from TheDailyAgenda.com
DEAL BROKERING
BACKROOMS: Speaking to the Star Tribune, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy said she did not like how the end-of-session bipartisan budget deal was largely negotiated in private, adding that she thinks backroom deals have become more common under Gov. Tim Walz. Murphy and Walz both signed the agreement. MURPHY: “I think this process is broken. … Over the years of the Walz Administration, this is something that they have grown accustomed to.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uhEWXS
TAXES: via the Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “Northland school districts with large concentrations of seasonal homes could receive a tax break as part of a new budget agreement Thursday…The seasonal tax base replacement aid program is designed to offset the local cost of voter-approved operating referendum levies in districts with large numbers of seasonal and recreational holdings…In 2001, seasonal and recreational properties were removed from local school district tax rolls, which, according to the Minnesota Rural Education Association, increased the cost for other property owners in those districts by placing the financial burden of operating referendums on a smaller pool of taxpayers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4963SJi
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.
https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
ELECTION: There will be a statewide Constitutional amendment on school funding in the fall – the … Article 11, Section 8 of the Minnesota State Constitution outlines the Permanent School Fund, and how the state distributes the net interest and dividends from the fund to school districts in the state. The proposed change would amend the Constitution to allow for 4.5% of the fund’s three-year rolling average value to be distributed instead of the current interest and dividend formula, which does not allow capital gains on assets to be disbursed to schools.
GUN CTRL: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The House gaveled back into session for the first time since Thursday after Democrats wrapped up their 36-hour sit-in demanding a vote on gun control. In a news conference just before the House reconvened, House DFLers said they would continue to push for passage before the session ends. … It will be worth watching whether Democrats hold up pieces of a bipartisan spending deal in the session’s remaining hours.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nvMEea
MORE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Advocates rallied outside the House chambers at 11:30 a.m. asking [Speaker Lisa] Demuth to bring the bill to the House floor when they met at noon. … Rep. Leigh Finke, DFL-St. Paul, helped organize the sit-in and said if the bill doesn’t pass this session, Republicans will pay at the polls in November.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RL95Ab
SECURITY: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “The public safety and judiciary finance conference committee [assembled] shortly before midnight to unveil a $32 million agreement to fund new and ongoing safety and security measures at the State Capitol in the 2026-27 biennium. … Both parts of the combined budget package met the target amounts revealed in a budget agreement announced Wednesday. … The [bill] includes $7.32 million for Capitol security screening; $4.7 million for Capitol security enhancements; $1.74 million for legislative services/protective services unit; and [more].” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ueRG17
GROOMING: Via WCCO-TV, the bill to prevent sexual grooming in schools passed unanimously in the House yesterday after a unanimous vote in the Senate on Friday. It is headed to the governor’s desk and expected to become law. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uRpykH
CLAIMS: GOP Chair Alex Plechash responded to the bill recently passed by the Senate to give $5.1 million to four people for exonerations and personal injury settlements, as seen in yesterday’s morning take. PLECHASH: “Marvin Haynes lost nearly 20 years of his life after being wrongfully convicted in a case prosecuted while Amy Klobuchar led the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. … Now the Legislature is moving $4.5 million to compensate him for the injustice. This is the Klobuchar Cleanup Act.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4doOA53
HEALTH
HOME CARE: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “A Senate bill that would have prohibited health insurance companies from imposing coverage caps on home care nursing services did not make it out of conference committee. … Instead, the committee instructed the Department of Commerce to evaluate the language of Sen. Liz Boldon’s bill and send a report to the Legislature. The language was adopted on a voice vote. The Conference Committee Report on House File 4188 was finalized, and the committee adjourned.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dOLpDC
MEDICAID: Via KSTP, more details on the proposal to increase funding for the attorney general’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. VERBATIM: “Lawmakers agreed this week to spend $1.23 million this year on the [MCFU]. … Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office said that is enough to hire 18 additional staff members — specifically, 11 investigators, 3 attorneys and 4 support staff. The office said the federal government matches that funding three-to-one. Lawmakers also set aside another $2.46 million for the next budget cycle. … Ellison [said] more money would mean more cases, and more significant cases, are prosecuted.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4dxRfrS
SOCIAL MEDIA: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The House [saw] final passage of a bill that will create new rules around the use of social media by minors. Those include requirements that children under age 16 get parental consent to create an account and limits to addictive features like endless scrolling and paid ads for children’s accounts. … The bill, which now heads to Gov. Tim Walz, was also supported by parents from Annunciation Catholic Church and School.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nvMEea
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)
GOVT
IT UPGRADES: Via MinnPost, more details on the bill to upgrade county IT systems. VERBATIM: “The details are still being worked out. A final bill will not reach the House and Senate floor until Sunday. … But as of Saturday afternoon, there was bipartisan agreement on a bill that would put $90 million toward rehabbing, and eventually replacing, the MAXIS mainframe computer system [used for] SNAP. … The payout is also intended to revamp the METS system that is used for Medicaid. … $15 million in the bill will go toward providing technology for the new Office of Inspector General.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4drAFtx
STATE GOVT: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “More than a dozen bills related to state government [were] passed 53-13 by the Senate early Saturday afternoon. HF4591 awaits House action before likely going to the governor’s desk. Sponsored by Rep. Jim Nash (R-Waconia), the bill meets the $925,000 target set by legislative leaders earlier in the week, and it cancels $1 million of unused funds from a previous allocation for implementation of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4foztcW
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)
SCHOOLS: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “Northland school districts with large concentrations of seasonal homes could receive a tax break as part of a new budget agreement. … The seasonal tax base replacement aid program is designed to offset the local cost of voter-approved operating referendum levies in districts with large numbers of seasonal and recreational holdings. … [DFL Sen. Grant] Hauschild’s legislation requires the state to provide additional funding to qualifying school districts with voter-approved operating referendums that have at least 15% or more of cabin property within their tax rolls. The state would fund up to a 50% local levy reduction, lowering individual tax bills.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wFrD5c
MORE: Via MN Senate, a conference committee report on changes to the Permanent School Fund was adopted 38-29. BILL: https://fluence-media.co/3RdwYQN
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)
FOOD + FUN
RAFFLES: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “The meat raffle prize increase has been added to the omnibus commerce policy bill. … The conference committee for HF4188*/SF4365 met for the final time Saturday to adopt a report that now goes to both chambers for action. The committee adopted a provision from the Senate’s omnibus bill that would increase the maximum value of a meat raffle prize to $200 and a maximum ticket cost to $5. It also amended the provision to include hasenpfeffer to the list of social skill games for the purposes of tournaments or contests.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nB1FLS
EGGS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The House followed the Senate’s lead and unanimously passed a bill that allows poultry eggs to be donated for 30 days after their expiration date, when they are still safe to eat. As egg prices have risen and more people use food shelves, lawmakers said they wanted to ensure unsold eggs don’t go to waste. ‘We’re going to see that ability for food waste reduction,’ Rep. Andrew Myers, R-Tonka Bay, said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RL95Ab
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)
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)
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 1:00 p.m. Senate floor session TBD. FLOOR: The House will hear bills on cannabis, IT upgrades, outdoor heritage, school and library grants, and more. CONFERENCE: Conference committees TBD. HOUSE: Rules & Leg. Admin. meets with an unannounced agenda. SENATE: Committee meetings TBD. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4wyiU4B
TOMORROW: 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.
MON-THURS: Sen. Andrew Mathews and Rep. Bryan Lawrence, both GOP, will host three town halls in Senate District 27. They’ll be in Princeton on Monday at 6:00 p.m., in St. Francis on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m., and in Zimmerman on Thursday at 5:00 p.m.
THURSDAY: The League of Women Voters will host a conversation about voting with Sec. Steve Simon in Bemidji on Thursday, May 21 at 4:30 p.m.
We won’t ask for “membership” to list your BDAY, and we won’t have pledge drive but you can support the Fluence work by paying for premium content.
BDAYS: BDAYS: KSTP’s Harrison Klopp, Strib retiree Lori Sturdevant
SPEAKER: If you’re looking for a speaker about the “Signal vs. Noise” dynamic of today’s politics and the 2026 election. EMAIL: BloisOlson@gmail.com.
SPONSORS: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.