Twins lose. Wolves win.
A WalletHub analysis finds that Minnesota is the nation’s #1 most financially literate state. Wisconsin is 5th and Iowa is 7th on the same survey. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3mkLJSN
Following Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs, U.S. stocks had their worst day since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. AP: https://fluence-media.co/43yb6Uq
China announced new tariffs over night, stock futures lower this morning.
A brewery in Plymouth says it canceled plans for a new food hall due to tariff concerns. WCCO: https://fluence-media.co/3FPf41d
The Pentagon’s acting inspector general will investigate Pete Hegseth’s use of Signal group chats for planning military actions. AP: https://fluence-media.co/4lhKX2A
US Senate candidate Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan will be the guest on Sunday Take at 9AM on WCCO Radio.
Blois
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All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
Melisa López Franzen was on Sunday Take to discuss her upcoming Senate run, her plans if she wins, the political landscape of Minnesota and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4iOf4x5
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Medicaid Supports Health Care for All of Us. It 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: Medicaid in Minnesota – Protect MN Patients (SPONSORED: Minnesota Hospital Association)
BUDGETS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he’s told state agencies to start planning as if all of their federal funding will be cut. … While the amount of federal funding Minnesota receives varies each year, the money typically makes up more than a third of the state’s overall two-year budget. … Democratic legislators have raised the alarm that lawmakers could have to return to the Capitol this summer or fall if cuts are made after the [state] budget is set.” WALZ: “If you’ve got a federal grant or a federal program, [then] assume it’s going to be cut and start planning different scenarios accordingly. … I think they’re just getting warmed up [in the White House]. I fully expect, as they continue to flout the rule of law, there will be cuts in areas that we are required to provide services to. … The worst is yet to come.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FQj95j
MORE: Via WCCO-TV, Gov. Tim Walz said he wants to create a “dashboard” to track federal funding cuts and their ensuing impact on Minnesota. The Department of Management and Budget reports that the state has so far received over $23 billion from the federal government this fiscal year. Of that, 53% went to Medicaid funding, 13% went to transportation, and 9% went to SNAP benefits and childcare. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44e4pXR
BONDING: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Labor and city leaders joined Senate Democrats Thursday to call for a $1.35 billion investment in Minnesota infrastructure projects. … But the House, which is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, has agreed to spend up to $700 million on infrastructure projects — around half of the Senate DFL target. DFL House Leader Melissa Hortman said Monday the House target could change in negotiations with the Senate and governor. … PAPPAS: ‘At a time when the federal government is slashing funds for community projects, it’s more important than ever that state lawmakers support these shovel-ready projects,’ said Sen. Sandy Pappas, DFL-St. Paul.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44hpPmO
RESPONSE: via a GOP Sen. Karin Housley statement, HOUSLEY: “We are hoping to see a bonding bill that puts Minnesotans first with projects that focus on safe roads, water infrastructure, and vital state assets. Working together will be crucial to avoid trying to beat the clock at the end of session. Rather than borrowing as much as we can, we should make sure that every dollar borrowed is well-spent on the most important and necessary projects.”
TARIFFS: via a House DFL press release, VERBATIM: “Following the recent announcement of wide-sweeping tariffs from the Trump Administration, State Representative Michael Howard (DFL - Richfield) will introduce legislation to study the impact of the Trump tariffs on the affordability of basic goods and broader economic challenges for Minnesota. … Howard’s bill would direct the Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget to examine tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration and any retaliatory tariffs imposed by other countries, and quantify economic impacts for households by income level and for businesses by sector and size. The Commissioner would be required to submit the study’s findings to the legislature by February 1, 2026.” BILL: https://fluence-media.co/4iU4pB1
MORE: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Minnesota farmers like Bob Worth, who were hurt by [Donald] Trump’s tariffs before, are anxious about another backlash. … U.S. farmers are top exporters, producing more food than Americans can consume and relying on foreign markets to sell that surplus. Worth, who with his son John farms 2,200 acres in soybeans and corn near Lake Benton, said ‘we are all worried.’ … Worth said soybean farmers in the state export about 60% of the beans they grow and can’t afford a trade war.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DUt8WB
RESPONSE: During an interview on WCCO Radio yesterday, Gov. Tim Walz shared his thoughts on Pres. Donald Trump’s new near-universal tariffs and how they will impact Minnesota. WALZ: “It's gonna hurt. It's gonna hurt Minnesotans particularly because the worst impact is always felt on agricultural economies. This will be true globally, and us being a top five ag export state, it's gonna be painful. … This is the biggest gamble [for] the American economy that we've seen — maybe ever — and pretty much no one believes this is the right thing except Donald Trump.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4lgOrSM
WFH: via a Star Tribune newsletter, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz…is likely wincing at some comparisons from state workers of his new return-to-office mandate to [Elon] Musk's DOGE. … Not all Democrats are aligning with the governor on the move. Yesterday, after a conversation with Walz and legislative leaders about the budget, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy was asked if she agreed with the decision. She said ‘that's a conversation for those workers with governor Walz,’ adding that the workforce is struggling with things like child care. … Walz addressed state workers this week at the AFSCME day on the hill and then immediately met with union leaders behind closed doors. The conversations about the policy seem to be ongoing as agencies work toward a May 1 date to have plans in place.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/447cq0D
MORE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Three Minnesota statewide elected officials plan to stick with existing telework policies rather than adopting a rule that their employees return to the office at least half of the time. It’s a departure from what Gov. Tim Walz has imposed for executive branch workers that is supposed to take effect in June. Attorney General Keith Ellison, Secretary of State Steve Simon and State Auditor Julie Blaha’s offices will maintain rules that allow employees to work remotely.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42g3Nyg
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)
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 amongst 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. LEARNMORE: https://sportsbettingalliance.org/take-action/minnesota/
(SPONSORED: Minnesota Sports Betting Alliance)
SEXED: Four things to know about Minnesota’s sex ed re-write. READ:
WEALTH TAX: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “While discussing bills in committee, one House member or another will sometimes mention looming federal cuts to programs in medical, food, or educational assistance. … Rep. Aisha Gomez (DFL-Mpls) has decided to be proactive about a state response. She’s sponsoring HF2591, which would establish a fifth tier of the individual income tax at a rate sufficient to offset lost federal Medicaid funding. … [It’s] a ‘rate to be determined,’ but the new tier would apply to Minnesota taxable income of more than $1.67 million for married joint returns, $1 million for single returns, and $1.33 million for head of household returns. … The House Taxes Committee laid the bill over for possible omnibus bill inclusion.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44a6cNz
SOCIAL MEDIA: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Sen. Ann Rest, a prominent DFLer who chairs the Senate Taxes Committee, is proposing an excise tax on social media platforms that access consumer data. If approved, Minnesota would be the first to tax the companies. The tax rates would be based on how many Minnesota consumers use the sites, with platforms with over 1 million users charged $165,000 each month plus 50 cents for every additional user over 1 million. Rest said the measure could bring in new revenue as the state faces a money crunch.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3G6remb
DRUGS: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “A new bill before the Legislature would dramatically reduce the size of school and park zones that some prosecutors rely on to enhance criminal charges and penalties against otherwise low-level drug offenders. Under current law, school and park zones contain ‘the area within 300 feet or one city block, whichever distance is greater,’ of the school or park property line. The DFL-sponsored legislation (SF3207/HF2980) would reduce that buffer to 100 feet across the board.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RyMPGp
POT: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “On Thursday, lawmakers considered bills making changes to cannabis laws ranging from labeling on THC beverages to fees on wholesale hemp suppliers to giving patients visiting from out of state access to Minnesota’s medical cannabis program. That wide-ranging [omnibus] bill passed on a voice vote.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3R44Fku
OPIATES: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Legislature is considering a bill that would require Minnesota state colleges and universities to maintain a supply of opiate antagonists on campus. The Health Finance and Policy Committee conducted a March 23 hearing for HF862 , which would require all post-secondary institutions to have two doses of naloxone in each dormitory on campus. Naloxone is a nasal medical treatment that blocks the effects of an opiate overdose.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3E6Tncg
END-OF-LIFE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “DFL lawmakers in the House and Senate re-introduced the End-of-Life Options Act this week in both chambers, a measure that would allow adults with terminal illnesses to choose to end their lives with medication. … House sponsor Rep. Mike Freiberg (DFL - Golden Valley) [said] he has carried the bill for at least nine years now. However, with committee deadlines looming on Friday and political opposition from Republicans, the bill still has little chance of passing in 2025.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jgkO2a
ERA: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The Equal Rights Amendment vote inside the Capitol has been postponed at least another legislative day. But that move came after impassioned and fiery exchanges on the House committee floor. The ERA bill is the same one that was brought up last legislative session and is similar to what has been proposed almost every session since 1973.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4i1ygpS
VISAS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Universities across Minnesota are scrambling to help international students after more students had their visas revoked, schools reported Thursday. … One international student enrolled at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul and another at Ridgewater College [had] their visas revoked recently, but spokespeople for the institutions wouldn’t specify when or why. … At St. Cloud State University, a ‘handful’ of international students had their records terminated within the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the university said they were working directly with affected students to support them.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FPrK84
From yesterday’s lunch take:
MSU: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Just days after one of his students was detained without warning by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Minnesota State University-Mankato President Edward Inch announced Wednesday that five international students have had their visas canceled by the Department of Homeland Security. Inch said neither the students nor the university had been informed that their student visa statuses had been terminated on the Student Exchange Visitor Information System, with the university only discovering it when it ran a status check.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DUAEki
UMN: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A federal judge in St. Paul on Wednesday gave immigration officials two days to say why they're detaining a University of Minnesota graduate student. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Doğukan Günaydin outside his St. Paul home on March 27. After Günaydin filed suit against ICE, President Donald Trump, and other government officials, U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko ordered the government to explain why it’s continuing to keep Günaydin jailed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XEFyZm
ICE: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz (D) spoke about the ICE detentions in Minnesota in a wide-ranging conversation with WCCO's Adam Carter Thursday morning, questioning the tactics and reasons for them.” WALZ: "These folks are here legally. They're documented. They're attending higher education. Most of them are studying in the sciences, whether it be medicine, computer science, or whatever. And these are the folks that they're scooping up off the streets of Mankato." LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/42f31Sh
VOTING: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison today joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, the federal Election Assistance Commission, and other Trump Administration officials over Executive Order No. 14248. … Among other things, the Elections Executive Order attempts to conscript State election officials in the President’s campaign to impose documentary proof of citizenship requirements when Americans seek to register to vote. … The President has no constitutional power to rewrite State election laws, [therefore] the attorneys general ask the court to block the challenged provisions of the Elections Executive Order and declare them unconstitutional and void.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XLP4tH
BRINGING SAFETY TO ‘THE NEXT LEVEL’: As part of Enbridge’s work on the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation in northern Minnesota, Enbridge has brought in family-owned and Indigenous-owned Northern Lights Family Outfitters to fully outfit project workers right on the job site with personal protective equipment (PPE) from its 48-foot mobile trailer. “Enbridge really brings safety to the next level,” says Patti, a project liaison for Enbridge and the Fond du Lac Band. “It’s really helpful to have a mobile unit, especially for this kind of work.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3OQYmjn (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
GOV RACE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell is considering running for Minnesota governor in 2026, saying the direction of the state has gone ‘down, down, down’ under DFL Gov. Tim Walz’s watch. But there’s one hiccup: Lindell has been living in Texas. The pillow magnate acknowledged in an interview Thursday he will have to re-establish residency in Minnesota if he runs for governor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jmNSW5
SENATE RACE: via KSTP’s Tom Hauser, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senate candidate Royce White sent this in a fundraising email. He’s trying to raise money based off a story that indicates most money donated to him is spent on ‘credit card fees.’” WHITE: “Tom Hauser is a lying scumbag journalist. Our full interview premiered on my X. I crushed Tom and KSTP in an extended, unscripted repudiation of their failed hit piece. We have the receipts Tom. You’re grasping at straws.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4iRdwSL
ST PAUL: MinnPost’s Winter Keefer has the inside story on what happened during Wednesday’s St. Paul City Council meeting, where a vote to replace former council President Mitra Jalali ended in a stalemate. VERBATIM: “Confusion followed council President Rebecca Noecker’s call for an impromptu recess midway through the meeting. … Pulling members of the media into her office while other members were elsewhere in the building during the recess, [Cheniqua] Johnson said she was not aware the council would be called into recess. Johnson decried the decision to call a recess after holding virtually no conversation about the items publicly during council meetings. … She said she saw the appointment process play out as it has ‘because of personal vendettas.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RwF6IT
FEED FRAUD: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Both defendants in the most recent Feeding Our Future trial have asked a federal judge to acquit them. Aimee Bock was the founder of the now-defunct nonprofit Feeding Our Future. Salim Said was a co-owner of Safari Restaurant. The two were found to have conspired to steal $250 million in taxpayer funds through the Federal Child Nutrition Program…[but] both motions state that the evidence in the case isn’t enough to convict the defendants on all charges.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iRexdr
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)
CHILDCARE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Enrollment is rising again at Minnesota child care operations, but the counts remain below pre-pandemic levels, according to a new statewide survey that also found providers facing challenges with staffing and operating costs. The survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and the nonprofit group First Children’s Finance also revealed family child care providers and child care centers are struggling at the same rates for the first time in the survey's five-year history.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iUDe8U SURVEY: https://fluence-media.co/4i0IaIb
SPECIAL ED: via a Rep. Angie Craig press release, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig (D-MN) co-introduced the bipartisan IDEA Full Funding Act, which would finally ensure Congress fulfills its commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The bill was co-introduced by Reps. [including] Pete Stauber (R-MN). … The IDEA Full Funding Act would ensure the federal government funds special education at the full 40% per student required under the law. Currently, special education programs are funded at less than 13% per student nationwide.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ckjlWn
POLICE: via a Rep. Pete Stauber press release, VERBATIM: “Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) along with Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) introduced the Lifesaving Gear for Police Act to protect the Department of Defense (DoD) 1033 Program, which allows the DoD to transfer equipment to local law enforcement. … The Lifesaving Gear for Police Act has gained support from law enforcement across Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l6Uc5w
AG GRANTS: via an MDA press release, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s continuous living cover crops have received a boost to further their advancements across the state. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has awarded a total of $431,637 to 10 new projects under the Developing Markets for Continuous Living Cover Grant. These grants help develop enterprises, supply chains, and markets for continuous living cover crops and cropping systems in the early stage of commercial development. … Continuous living cover (CLC) refers to agricultural systems in which there are living plants and roots in the ground throughout the entire year…to enhance water and soil quality.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jgOQCT
MOVE: Colorado Public Radio transportation reporter Nathaniel Minor announced he will be joining the Star Tribune’s politics team covering the Minnesota Capitol later this month. TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/42uVlN0
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. Kari Rehrauer
Rep. Wayne Johnson
Rep. Julie Greene
Rep. Keith Allen
Rep. Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
ST CLOUD: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “The April 2025 St. Cloud Area Quarterly Business Report was marked by uncertainty and mild optimism. ‘Since December…we noticed that there was this large increase in optimism about what the next six months would be among surveyor respondents,’ economist King Banaian told business owners during the Quarterly Business Report presentation on Thursday. … [But] before starting the presentation, Banaian surveyed the handful of business owners who attended. … He asked them to write down the first word that comes to mind when they think of the economy. ‘Uncertainty,’ ‘tariffs’ and ‘politics’ were among the most common answers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YgJf7w
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham made a visit to Rochester on Thursday morning to highlight the institution's health care education efforts at the University of Minnesota Rochester and other campuses. … Cuts to federal research grants, however, are coinciding with the university's health education plans. Cunningham said the University of Minnesota receives $800 million per year in federal funding. Half of that comes from the National Institutes of Health. … Already, the university has received 33 stop work orders from federal agencies, affecting $100 million in grant funding, Cunningham said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jasCT8
STILLWATER: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Several changes in leadership in Stillwater Area Public Schools began on Thursday and will remain in effect for the remainder of the school year. Brett Stringer, who has served as interim principal at Brookview Elementary School this winter, assumes the permanent role of principal. … Malinda Major, who previously served as principal of Brookview, is serving as a principal on special assignment at Stillwater Middle School, with assigned duties as assistant principal. Kristin Rolling, who has served as the assistant principal at Stillwater Middle School, is now assistant principal of Brookview and Lake Elmo elementary schools.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3E8lmZc
PRODUCING THE FUELS THAT HELP KEEP MINNESOTA MOVING: Flint Hills Resources, one of the Midwest’s leading producers of transportation fuels is hiring! With openings in IT, accounting, engineering, operations, procurement and asset management, Flint Hills Resources’ goal is to match talented individuals with their passions and interests to truly shine. APPLY TODAY: Flint Hills jobs (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
GOVT JOBS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Thousands of workers have been fired [in] the federal government, [but] those workers, especially ones with specific skill sets, may find employers eager to hire them. BLAHA: ‘We’re pushing up our [job] posting schedule to take advantage of this opportunity,’ Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha said. ‘I hear that from my friends in state government, my friends in county, city, other local government areas, because we’re all struggling to fill vacancies right now.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42h1tY4
EMMER: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “After mounting pressure to meet with the public, U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer hosted an hour-long telephone town hall on Wednesday, April 2. The 6th District Republican addressed the Trump administration’s tariffs, the media and fraud in the state and national government during his tele-town hall. ‘What he has done in 72 days is nothing short of incredible,’ Emmer said of President Donald Trump. … Only constituents, not the media, were allowed to ask questions. He took questions from 10 callers, most that were friendly toward Emmer, Trump and Republicans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ljVUkg
MEDICAID: via a House DFL press release, VERBATIM: “Legislation that would raise taxes on millionaires at the level necessary to offset any cuts to [Medicaid] was heard in the House Taxes Committee. GOMEZ: ‘At a time when so many Minnesotans are struggling with basic costs, it is morally reprehensible to cut life-saving Medicaid services so the richest among us can hoard more money and watch the numbers in their bank accounts grow,’ said Rep. Aisha Gomez (DFL - Minneapolis) House author of the bill and Co-Chair of the House Taxes Committee.” BILL: https://fluence-media.co/4iDECNg
SOLAR: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Community solar gardens started with a 2013 state law and sparked the growth of solar in Minnesota. The program allowed third-party developers to build mid-sized solar arrays in Xcel territory. Subscribers receive credits for the energy produced for the grid. … The overhauled program is still in its early stages. But now a newly proposed bipartisan bill seeks to end it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42fT3zQ
ALL THE TAKES: 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: No House committee meetings. SENATE: Judiciary & Public Safety hears a number of bills on fraud prevention, abandoned boat removal, medical cannabis, service dogs and more. Environment, Climate & Legacy hears environmental permitting efficiency changes and Wetland Conversion Act changes. Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband & Rural Dev. hears changes to telecommunication certifications and budgets for the veterans and agriculture departments. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4jmkAXz
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz has nothing on his public schedule today.
SATURDAY: 50501, Indivisible and Women’s March are co-hosting the “Hands Off Minnesota” protest at the Capitol on Saturday at 12:00 noon. Per a release, the event is planned to be “the largest rally in Minnesota” for the “pro-democracy, pro-worker movement.” Speakers include Rep. Betty McCollum, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, Rep. Emma Greenman, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and more, with a performance by Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega.
NEXT WEEK: The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is hosting public hearings throughout the Northland during the week of April 7 on Minnesota Power’s proposed private equity acquisition. Monday’s hearings are in Cloquet at 10:00 a.m. and Duluth at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday’s hearings are in Eveleth at 12:00 noon and Cohasset at 5:00 p.m. Thursday’s hearing is virtual, starting at 6:00 p.m. Friday’s hearing is in Little Falls at 12:00 noon.
MONDAY: Gov. Tim Walz’s next town hall event is in Ohio’s 6th District. According to the event page — hosted and organized by local Democrats — Walz will be in Youngstown, OH on Monday, April 7 for a town hall starting at 6:00 p.m. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3E60n9g
MONDAY: via an OLA advisory, VERBATIM: “The Office of the Legislative Auditor's Financial Audit Division will release the performance audit, Metropolitan Council: Southwest Light Rail Transit Construction, on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. The audit’s key findings and recommendations will be presented to the Legislative Audit Commission at 9:00 a.m. that morning.”
MONDAY: via a NAMI MN advisory, VERBATIM: “The Mental Health Legislative Network, a coalition of over 40 organizations dedicated to improving the mental health system, will hold a press conference on Monday, April 7, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. … We are [concerned] the governor’s budget proposal does not address [mental health] needs, and the budget targets for both the House and Senate make it difficult to address them as well.”
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)
APRIL 21: via City of St. Paul, VERBATIM: “Mayor Melvin Carter will deliver his 2025 State of Our City Address Monday, April 21, 10 a.m., at the new North End Community Center. … His address will highlight the city’s shared success and outline key initiatives that will guide the future of our community. Following the address, all are welcome to stay for tours of the new North End Community Center, which will begin at approximately 11:30 a.m.”
APRIL 23: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “On Wednesday, April 23…Governor Tim Walz will deliver the State of the State Address to a joint session of the Minnesota State Legislature, beginning at 7:00pm.”
MAY 12: The MN GOP announced its annual Lincoln Reagan Dinner will be held on May 12 with presidential adviser Alina Habba as the keynote speaker. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/41WJ7LK
BDAYS: Hennepin County Commissioner Heather Edelson, Scott County’s Lisa Kohner. SAT: public affairs pro Mike Zipko, entrepreneur Casey Putschoegl, KSTP’s Ken Barlow, fmr. Speaker Dee Long, real estate guy Tim Peterson. SUN: advocate Jacob Milner, event pro Jeannette Cleland
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