Twins win – 11 in a row.
The Minnesota State Fair has announced its 2025 free entertainment lineup. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4dkEQad
Gov. Tim Walz, Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar will tour fire damage in northern Minnesota today. Rep. Pete Stauber will survey the damage with St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay separately.
We’ll have the latest on the session and budget deal on Sunday Take at 9AM on WCCO Radio. Tune-in.
Blois
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
VARIABLES: The announcement of a budget deal between Gov. Tim Walz and the House leaders, and Senate DFL leader Erin Murphy didn’t come across as smoothly as Gov. Walz tried to make it at the news conference. The budget targets are one part, but the details and how the votes come together could still jeopardize a smooth finish.
Things to consider:
1. The reaction of the POCI Caucus shouldn’t be surprising, and the track record from last year’s Sen. Omar Fateh rideshare delay, suggests everything could be in play. This time it may impact more members, and bigger details. Afterall, the Senate DFL divide has been growing to a steady boil for weeks. The first move yesterday was the absence of Sen. Jen McEwen from the Senate Floor delaying passage of the labor bill.
2. Is it only the POCI caucus? While the chant was “One Minnesota” outside the Governor’s reception room, it appeared that non-POCI caucus members of the DFL House were also protesting the deal. Reps. like Nathan Coulter and Mike Howard may represent a broader group of the DFL House that could be a challenge to put up the votes. The math says that each House caucus only has to put up 34 votes, the whip counts will start on each issue shortly.
3. While she’s running for the US Senate, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is also founding member of the POCI caucus. This agreement could be incident where she is asked what she thinks of the budget deal, and further distances herself from Gov. Walz. Her absence from the Governor’s office only confirms a division between she and Walz, after six years of being “unified”, and if she says something publicly, it may have budget deal ramifications, and 2026 elections.
4. DFLers may have to give up more in negotiations in the coming days. There’s a decent likelihood that Maj. Ldr. Erin Murphy may have to pull a Republican votes if POCI caucus members boycott budget votes. If so, Sen. Min. Leader Mark Johnson will likely be able to leverage more policy or budget changes that Republicans want.
5. There is an increased tax on cannabis. From 10 percent to 15 percent. That means that one Republican in the House is going to have to vote for a tax increase. Who will it be?
6. Health care funding, and reinsurance. This is a major issue that the Governor and legislative leaders know they need to solve. One of the Governor’s proposals was a tax increase. Details are still unclear, and it’s a major piece to the puzzle.
7. The POCI Caucus protest helps Walz with suggestions that he is “too liberal”, but it could also earn him a challenger from the left in 2026. A primary would give Walz a challenge that may have foreshadow other battles within legislative leadership races in the coming months.
8. A new issue that emerged was a rollback of a tax credit for data centers in Minnesota. This is a major Walz position switch. At ribbon cuttings and in news releases Walz was touting Minnesota as a destination for data centers. Now, depending on how the final agreement and language is worked out, he is making Minnesota less competitive for economic development. A classic “consistently inconsistent” Walz move. Just last year at the Meta groundbreaking in Rosemount, Walz said: “Gov. Tim Walz acknowledged the state’s favorable tax treatment for data centers, which can qualify for sales and property tax exemptions. He said even more data centers can be expected to follow. WALZ: “So when we go talk to companies, where do you want to be?” he said. “Data centers travel in packs, they travel in groups and you get one and you get a big one. And we’d had more before. And so we’ll be more to this.” (via MPR – READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jYoUNt )
BUDGET: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Legislative leaders announced a budget agreement Thursday that would sunset unemployment insurance for hourly school employees and eliminate MinnesotaCare eligibility for adult undocumented immigrants. The agreement also calls for closing the Stillwater prison in 2029 and a repeal of a tax credit for data centers. … However, the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus and other DFL legislators weren’t on board with the MinnesotaCare compromise. They gathered outside [the] legislative leaders’ press conference, pounding on the door and chanting, ‘Don’t kill our neighbors.’ … In a press conference less than two hours later, Rep. Cedrick Frazier (DFL-New Hope) said there are attacks on immigrants across the United States and they are at the Capitol to protect the most vulnerable people in the state. … Frazier, co-chair of the POCI Caucus, [said] some legislators aren’t ready to accept the budget compromise.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44GzxQ3
MORE: The full agreement on budget targets is available to read online. The overall budget is expected to be around $67 billion — a nearly $5 billion decrease from the current $72 billion plan. TARGETS: https://fluence-media.co/3FjAX8J
GOP: Via Star Tribune, Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson did not sign the budget agreement, unlike the other three caucus leaders. He said he was not even asked to sign it, and vowed in a statement that Senate Republicans will “continue to fight…until the very end.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Fgy0pq
DFL: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Members of the progressive POCI Caucus said they were blindsided by the deal to roll back MinnesotaCare for undocumented adults. At a press conference, about 30 Democratic lawmakers vowed they will not vote for it. Sen. Alice Mann, DFL-Edina, [said] ‘We are going to fight this till the very end.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FaSBeS
DEFICIT: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “One of the key sticking points legislative leaders and the governor had to work through was whether and how to balance the budget in the next biennium. State budget officials earlier this year projected a $6 billion deficit for 2028 and 2029. The deal announced Thursday erases much of that deficit, but doesn’t eliminate it completely…[reducing] it by $1.8 billion. Ahna Minge, the state budget director, said forecasts now suggest legislators will face just a $290 million deficit when they tackle the 2028-29 budget again in the 2027 legislative session. … But the relatively small $290 million figure leaves out the projected impacts of inflation, which could push costs up and require deeper cuts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Fgy0pq
DETAILS: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “Bus drivers, cafeteria workers and other hourly school workers would continue to get unemployment benefits during the summer break. The state would help school districts cover the cost for two more years. … A new law guaranteeing paid time off for Minnesotans who need to care for themselves or a loved one would remain intact and on track to launch in January. But the maximum payroll tax rate allowed to fund the benefit would be cut from 1.2% to 1.1%. … [Tim] Walz's proposal to cut state aid to non-public schools for the first time in decades failed to make the agreement. … Walz also said his pitch to reduce the state sales tax rate, while adding lawyers and financial advisers to the services subjected to the sales tax, was ‘compromised out.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/438yjdO
REACTIONS: Minnesota officials and other interested parties shared mixed reactions to the final deal on budget targets.
● Via a Gov. Tim Walz statement, WALZ: “Amid partisanship and division in Washington, Republicans and Democrats are proving that here in Minnesota we can still work together to get things done. … While we disagree on many things, every person in the negotiating room has the best interest of our state in mind.”
● Via a Speaker Lisa Demuth statement, DEMUTH: “While we began this session by navigating a tie in the House and the most closely divided legislature in state history, we’ve been able to come to an agreement that improves the lives of Minnesotans and addresses the budget issues in coming years. We still have work to do, and I look forward to finishing this session strong.”
● Via a Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson statement, JOHNSON: “While the final deal includes some needed reforms, it falls short of acknowledging we need bipartisan support to stop the harmful progressive policies hurting small businesses and working families. We still have a lot of work before the end of the session and Senate Republicans will continue to fight for the needs of Minnesotan families, businesses, and communities until the very end.”
● Via a DFL Sen. Zaynab Mohamed tweet, MOHAMED: “The way the Senate got steamrolled today — you’d think we were in the minority. Heartbreaking day for immigrants, communities of color, and our base. This is beyond fucked up.”
● Via an ISAIAH press release, VERBATIM: “Decrying this agreement, clergy across faiths, union members, community members and legislators will hold a vigil at the Minnesota Capitol [today] to pray for and lift up stories of immigrants who will have their healthcare removed should this budget proposal pass.” The event is at 11:00 a.m.
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 House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman…expressed some optimism because the Legislature is currently one day ahead of the 2019 legislative session, when the divided Legislature needed a one-day special session to pass the budget. She hopes lawmakers will be able to wrap up the session either by Monday or with a one-day special session before Memorial Day weekend.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44GzxQ3
EYES: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Minnesota optometrists for years have sought the ability to prescribe oral antiviral medications…and administer injections in and around the eye. Dozens of other states allow optometrists to administer these medications and perform injections, but Minnesota is an outlier. Instead, Minnesotans have to see an ophthalmologist for that care. … Ophthalmologists say the optometry scope of practice expansion would endanger Minnesotans, while optometrists point out the vast amount of money ophthalmologists have given to Democrats. … The optometrists were on the one-yard line last year when then-House Speaker Melissa Hortman pulled the provision even after House and Senate negotiators had signed off on a compromise. With a 67-67 tied House, Hortman doesn’t have the same power this year. But the provision could still be killed by Gov. Tim Walz, who is close to a prominent ophthalmologist and DFL donor Mary Lawrence.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YMa587
MORE: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “The House unanimously [approved] its omnibus health policy bill. Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Backer (R-Browns Valley), HF2464, as amended, would expand the scope of practice for optometrists, allow newborns to be surrendered to some fire stations, remove a barrier to physician assistants to practice and create a path for nonprofit health care organizations to get capital funding.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45euGWu
SOCIAL MEDIA: via MPR, VERBATIM: “One proposal heading into debates about a final budget is a plan to require social media companies to post mental health warning labels to their platforms. The bill picked up bipartisan support in the House and was rolled into the chamber’s health budget bill, [but] the Senate didn't include the provision. Now, members of a conference committee will decide what comes next. … Supporters say the labels could help young people step away from the platforms, potentially reducing negative mental and physical health impacts. Tech companies, meanwhile, said the move could be a First Amendment violation struck down in court.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43wOovh
UNEMPLOYMENT: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “House members have found a way to fund unemployment insurance for hourly and temporary school workers through the 2027-28 school year. Sponsored by Rep. Emma Greenman (DFL-Mpls), HF1143, as amended, would cancel $77.23 million set aside two years ago for the Northern Lights Express rail project…and shift about $22.6 million from special education aid to provide $100 million in fiscal year 2026 that would fund the unemployment aid for hourly school workers. The bill was approved by the House Ways and Means Committee Thursday and sent to the House Floor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GYazlt
BILLBOARDS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “No more new billboards, two DFLers say. Reps. Katie Jones of Minneapolis and Sandra Feist of New Brighton introduced a bill this week that would put a moratorium on new billboards across the state, saying they ‘significantly undermine’ Minnesota's beauty and ‘make the state less attractive to tourists.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43gKx4p BILL: https://fluence-media.co/4jYsdUQ
SIGNED: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today signed three bills into law. … House File 3022 makes technical changes to state statutes and corrects erroneous and obsolete statutory references. … House File 2551 makes technical changes to state statutes that allows the completion of recodification for the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families. … House File 286 authorizes cities and counties to conduct national background checks for applications for a license to operate an adult entertainment establishment or to provide massage services. Currently, the law authorizes background checks that only include records within the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SC7WrV
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)
CD2: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Marine veteran Tyler Kistner entered the Second Congressional District race, making him the first Republican to join the growing field of candidates vying to replace Rep. Angie Craig. His entry marks the third time he’s making a go for the seat after running in close races against Craig in 2020 and 2022.” KISTNER: “After an overwhelming outpouring of encouragement from people across the district and careful prayer and deliberation, I have come to the decision to enter the arena once again and answer the call to serve the people.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dlo8aK
JOBS: via a DEED press release, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lost a small number of jobs in April, and the state's unemployment rate increased slightly as more people joined the labor force. … In April, Minnesota lost 1,300 jobs, effectively flat over the month, with the unemployment rate rising one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.2%, compared to 4.2% nationally. Nearly 3,300 people joined the labor force, continuing a trend of steady growth. The state's labor force participation rate is 68.2%, compared to 62.6% nationally.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43hlcXN
FENTANYL: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “State data on fentanyl deaths among young children wasn’t available online. So, KARE 11 Investigates requested Minnesota death records since 2020, and discovered at least 23 cases where children under the age of 8 died of fentanyl poisoning. … Across the country, child fentanyl ingestions have been on the rise, according to Dr. Jon Cole, Director of Minnesota Poison Control. … It’s unclear how many babies are born exposed to fentanyl in Minnesota. However, a federal report shows that in 2023 alone, more than 1,100 babies in the state had prenatal exposure to substances.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3S3FzCV
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)
SNAP: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The U.S. House Agriculture Committee was tasked with slashing $230 billion from U.S. Department of Agriculture programs…[and] found $300 billion in savings. Much of that would come from the imposition of tougher work requirements for SNAP recipients, who currently receive an average of $6 a day in benefits. … Rep. Angie Craig, D-2nd District, the top Democrat on the panel, said Democrats ‘worked tirelessly to try to put lipstick on this bill,’ [with no luck]. … The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that the work requirements would result in an end of SNAP benefits for about 45,000 Minnesotans, and the legislation would put another 106,000 state residents at risk of losing some of their benefits.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YO6NRF
MED POT: via an OCM press release, VERBATIM: “Patients with obstructive sleep apnea enrolled in Minnesota’s medical cannabis program are finding a noticeable improvement in their quality of sleep within four months of receiving medical cannabis, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). This study, the largest on record involving obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and medical cannabis patients, analyzed data from 3,102 first-time patients…between August 1, 2018, and July 31, 2023.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mjYKpP
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)
WILDFIRES: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Higher humidity and lower temperatures have slowed the growth of the fires burning in northeastern Minnesota. But fire officials remain concerned about gusty winds and possible lightning. … The largest of the fires, the Jenkins Creek Fire, burned aggressively earlier in the week, with hot, windy weather causing the fire to reach the crowns of trees. Crews are currently focused on protecting the community of Skibo.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44Hsre6
MORE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Tens of thousands of acres have already burned, and hundreds of fire crews are on hand Thursday to try to get flames under control. However, it may also be decision day for residents in places such as Brimson, where the Camp House fire continues spreading north.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4djUVgd
OUTAGES: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The severe weather that came through the Twin Cities brought torrential rain, thunder, and wind damage that left many without power. Xcel Energy reports that about 8,500 customers are without power as of 5:55 p.m. in the metro. In Western Wisconsin, Xcel reports hundreds of outages in the Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls and Menomonie areas.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kfp4j0
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)
BWCAW: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Lukas Leaf has been camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for decades, but he fears that pressure on the environmental protections that have long kept the famed Minnesota waterway from nearby mining is close to a tipping point. ‘We’re near a point of no return,’ said Leaf, the executive director at Sportsmen for the Boundary Waters. While threats to the undisturbed condition of the Boundary Waters are nothing new, conservationists say the aggressive focus in Washington, D.C., on opening up nearby copper-sulfide mining projects is at levels they’ve not seen before.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4j7mYki
PFAS: via Reuters, VERBATIM: “The EPA will rescind much of the Biden Administration's first nationwide drinking water standard aimed at protecting people from toxic ‘forever chemicals’ known as PFAS found in many household items, but will maintain current limits on two of these chemicals, it announced on Wednesday. … Under the new proposal…the EPA would allow drinking water systems more time to develop plans for addressing PFOA and PFOS and extend the compliance date for those two PFAS chemicals to 2031. It would also rescind the regulations and reconsider the regulatory determinations for the other three PFAS chemicals — [PFNA, PFHxS and HFPO-DA].” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4diKBVT
MOVE: via a JCRC press release, VERBATIM: “The Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC) is proud to announce the hiring of Rabbi Jill Avrin as the organization’s first Director of Campus Affairs. This new position is a direct response to the intensifying challenges facing Jewish students, faculty, and staff on college campuses across the country—including right here in Minnesota.”
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)
MPLS: via Star Tribune’s Deena Winter, VERBATIM: “Sen. Omar Fateh is not at a Minneapolis mayoral forum tonight because he’s working late fighting the budget deal struck at the Capitol because it would cut funding [for] health care for undocumented people, his campaign manager says.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4iYIKXj
MPS: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis Public Schools plans to restore some funding to the Office of Latine Achievement, following public outcry over proposed budget cuts. But the district still plans to follow through on its cuts to the Office of Black Student Achievement, despite pushback from students and some school board members. The cuts come as Minneapolis Public Schools grapples with a $75 million budget deficit.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43jF6BA
RAMSEY CTY: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The 2025 Ramsey County Fair has been called off, making this the sixth straight year the event has been canceled. The primary reason for the cancellation, organizers said in an announcement on the fair’s website, is a recent decision by the county to no longer host any external event on the Maplewood fairgrounds over concerns relating to accessibility and unsafe buildings.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4k0STnV
STILLWATER: Via Star Tribune, more details on the closure of the Stillwater prison announced in yesterday’s budget deal. VERBATIM: “Minnesota will shut down the state’s aging Stillwater prison facility by 2029, a move that will lead to lay offs among 565 staff members and require the state to find new places for nearly 1,200 inmates, per a budget agreement. … Staff and inmates have long complained about its dated infrastructure that makes the building costly to maintain. … Rep. Paul Novotny, R-Elk River, [said] ‘I don’t know how to even describe it if you’ve never been there.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jPYD3E
FALCON HGTS: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The Falcon Heights City Council voted Wednesday to create temporary paid parking zones during the Minnesota State Fair. The pay-by-mobile parking program will turn select city streets east of Snelling Avenue into paid parking zones, providing around 1,000 parking spots near the Fairgrounds for a fee. … Falcon Heights will receive an estimated 80% of the parking fees, which the city anticipates could range from $100,000 to $200,000, Linehan said. The city will use its proceeds to support the ambassador program, cover fair costs and invest in its roads and infrastructure.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GSJz6Z
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)
ST LOUIS CTY: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “St. Louis County could be set to get a new town, after residents of an unorganized township voted to incorporate. … Residents of Unorganized Township 63-17 voted in a special election on whether to incorporate into an official township. Residents supported the change by a 49-31 vote. Unorganized Township 63-17 sits east of Beatty in St. Louis County, near Lake Vermillion. … Results of the election still need to be certified at the St. Louis County Courthouse on Monday. Once certified, the county auditor will call a meeting for residents to establish a town board.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YM8sav
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)
DULUTH: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Duluth City Council has approved rezoning land in the Woodland neighborhood that allows a 60-unit luxury condo development to move forward. … Neighbors of the Hartley Park-area development wrote letters to the city both in opposition and support. Some worried it doesn’t fit the character of the forested neighborhood, and others encouraged it because they believe it would ease the city’s chronic housing shortage. … Neighbors [also] spoke at the meeting questioning whether it was appropriate land use, and criticized the project for its lack of affordability.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45bVQgz
HOPKINS: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “The Twin Cities suburb of Hopkins is changing their name — but just for this Friday. Hopkins, Minnesota will be known as Paige Bueckers, Minnesota in honor of Bueckers making her WNBA debut Friday night for the Dallas Wings. The day includes a ribbon cutting, a watch party, and several other events. Bueckers played her high school basketball at Hopkins and grew up in the area.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/432UZh3
SESSION: House floor session at 11:00 a.m. Senate floor session at 11:00 a.m. FLOOR: The House floor will hear a technical corrections bill. CONFERENCE: Conference committees will hear omnibus bills for cannabis; jobs, labor and economic development; and public safety and judiciary. HOUSE: No House committee meetings. SENATE: Rules & Admin. will hear changes to the Minnesota State Retirement System and technical corrections. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/3SDCf1n
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz will join Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Tina Smith at 9:45 a.m. to visit the Incident Command Center in Two Harbors and receive a briefing from officials battling the wildfires, meet with volunteers, and survey the fire damage, per his public schedule. Later, Walz will visit the Two Harbors Fire Station at 10:15 a.m. and travel to Brimson at 11:00 a.m. for another visit to an Incident Command Center.
TODAY: via an ISAIAH press release, VERBATIM: “Clergy across faiths, union members, community members and legislators will hold a vigil at the Minnesota Capitol to pray for and lift up stories of immigrants who will have their healthcare removed should this budget proposal pass.” The event is at 11:00 a.m.
TODAY: Rep. Pete Stauber (R-8th) announced he will join St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay to “observe the destruction caused by the Camp House and Jenkins Creek Wildfires and visit ongoing wildfires,” per a release. Media availability is at 12:45 p.m.
TODAY: 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.
TOMORROW: via Education MN, VERBATIM: “Hundreds of members of Education Minnesota will rally Saturday in the Capitol Rotunda to call on Gov. Tim Walz and state legislators to fund the union’s priorities, including pension reform, in the next state budget. Education Minnesota President Denise Specht will emcee the event. … The speakers will begin at 1:30 p.m.”
MAY 31: Gov. Tim Walz will speak at state Democratic Party conventions in South Carolina and California on Saturday, May 31.
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: strategist Ted Johnson, retired news guy Tom Lindner. SAT: Star Tribune editorial writer Lori Sturdevant, SUN: Sen. Jim Abeler, Rep. Andrew Myers, big thinker Nate Garvis, news guy Bill Dallman, attorney Michael Bryant, lobbyist Shannon. Cunningham, attorney Lisa Elliott, non profit leader Kate Barr, fmr. Rep. Phil Sterner
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