WARMER WEEK
Wild lose. Wolves win. Teams to watch in March Gopher WBB and St. Thomas MBB.
Fish houses need to be off the ice today for most of Minnesota. MPR: https://fluence-media.co/4biyY1G
Minnesotans can see a “blood moon” tomorrow morning if they wake up at 5:00 a.m. STRIB: https://fluence-media.co/4aKzK7A
Sweeney’s Saloon is offering free meals to lawmakers, but only if Democrats and Republicans sit together. PIPRESS: https://fluence-media.co/4u91hr0
The Pentagon ousted Claude in favor of ChatGPT as the military’s official AI, sparking a backlash and fueling interest in Claude. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/4rV7Qvq
Wars shift mindsets of voters. Starting with the risk and loss of American lives, to the economy. The precarious state of Republicans chances statewide in Minnesota this year is further in question with a war in Iran.
The president says armed conflict between the U.S. and Iran could continue for “four weeks or so.” MAIL: https://fluence-media.co/3OFQhkx
Reuters finds that 27% of Americans approve of strikes on Iran, while 43% are opposed and 30% are unsure. A 56% majority said Donald Trump uses military force too much. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4aTuahW
Sunday Take discussed the future of mining on the Iron Range with GOP Rep. Spencer Igo, DFL Sen. Grant Hauschild and Mining Minnesota CEO Julie Lucas. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4seg0ij
Happy National Banana Cream Pie Day.
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What is the political future of Jacob Frey? READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s8IOc7
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The latest insight from Fluence Advisory on the loss of institutional knowledge from the Minnesota Legislature. READ: https://fluence-advisory.com/insights/
MOOD OF MONDAY
WED: Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison are scheduled to testify in front of Congress Wednesday.
FORECAST: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The outlook that Minnesota Management and Budget released Friday could be limited in how much it guides lawmakers who are juggling competing policy priorities and an upcoming election. On the surface, the forecast is positive. … However, [MMB] cautioned that the outlook does not take into account funding that the Trump Administration is attempting to take from Minnesota [or] uncertainty about what is next regarding federal policy on tariffs and immigration. … Next month, the governor will release a proposed budget to supplement the two-year budget that he and the Legislature agreed to last session. [Tim] Walz said that he would propose a ‘relatively modest budget across the board.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4r0xeip
MORE: via MPR, VERBATIM: “The state’s projected surplus for the next 16 months is now $3.7 billion — up $1.3 billion from just a few months earlier. A projected shortfall that had been building for the next two-year budget is now forecast to turn toward a $377 million surplus…In the context of a $70 billion two-year budget, that’s not a lot of wiggle room…So while the improvement was welcome news to state officials, it still left lawmakers in a cautious posture with many unknowns that could easily swing things in the other direction.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OAQm9d
ICYMI: Friday’s lunch take featured extensive coverage and reactions for the state budget forecast. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3NbCzFx
TARIFFS: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Since the Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump overstepped his authority in imposing certain steep tariffs on a number of nations, Democrats have come up with a new campaign: asking the Trump Administration for the money back. … Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha said she generally agreed with estimates that the tariffs have cost the average consumer more than $1,700. But she said she did not have ‘a hard number’ for the tariffs’ cost on businesses and individuals in Minnesota because of the confusion and lack of transparency about the imposition and collection of those import levies. … It’s unclear if Minnesota is going to join a growing list of states who want a refund.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4birpYM
BONDING: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “We’re getting a much more specific outlook at how much a state bonding bill could be this year [following] the latest budget forecast. … DFL Sen. Sandra Pappas is feeling optimistic [and] seeking a $1.2 billion bonding bill. … DFL Rep. Fue Lee is also feeling good about the package they’ll work on putting together. … [But] even if a $1.2 billion bonding bill is passed, it’s far short of what’s being sought — local municipalities alone are seeking more than $2.7 billion, on top of the billions state agencies, colleges, and other state-run facilities are hoping for.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4sjjdgG
HOUSING: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “For years, [housing reform] failed at the Minnesota State Capitol. But this year could be different. Advocates say the so-called ‘Yes to Homes’ effort would help address Minnesota’s shortage of about 100,000 housing units by limiting local governments’ authority to shape — and in some cases, block — housing development. … It’s a rare issue at the State Capitol that has had both Republican and Democratic supporters — just not enough of them to withstand pressure from local governments that have killed previous bills. But key legislators and advocacy groups say a new proposal and their persistence could lead to success this session.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4b3k3Y0
ORGANS: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Organ donor families, healthcare professionals and transplant recipients want to make donating and receiving organs easier for Minnesotans. Advocates support several bills, including one that requires high schoolers to learn about organ donation and another that gives a driver’s license fee discount for taking a class about donation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aTqLzG
A new level of insight and information….
WAR
NATL GUARD: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota National Guard has confirmed more than 250 of its members are currently deployed in the Middle East as the U.S., Israel and Iran continue to exchange attacks. The guardsmen are from Duluth’s 148th Fighter Wing, the Marshall-based 1-151 Artillery and the Stillwater-based 34th Military Police Company, according to a statement. … Their missions and duty locations vary.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3NcrXpZ
AIRPORTS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Council on American-Islamic Relations Minnesota Executive Director Jaylani Hussein [said] several Minnesotans were stuck at airports abroad following the attacks. He said people have called the organization seeking help after planes in the Middle East were grounded Saturday. … Hussein says it’s unclear how long planes will be grounded. CAIR is reaching out to U.S. congressional offices to look into options to help get citizens home.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MY1BYK
CASUALTIES: via AP News, VERBATIM: “Three American service members have been killed and five others seriously wounded during the U.S. attacks on Iran, the military announced Sunday, marking the first American casualties in a major offensive that President Donald Trump said could likely lead to more losses in the coming weeks. The three who were killed were U.S. Army soldiers deployed to Kuwait. … Following the U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other leaders, Iran’s counterattacks have struck U.S. bases in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.” TRUMP: “We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen. And sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That’s the way it is.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40CNhbb
NEXT STEPS: via CBS News, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump [said] the military operation will continue ‘until all of our objectives are achieved,’ [but] the military operation is proceeding ‘ahead of schedule.’ … Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine and CIA Director John Ratcliffe are expected to brief Congress on Tuesday. … Oil prices rose sharply when market trading began Sunday, as the conflict with Iran sent disruptions through the global energy supply chain.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4r5jliS
IRANIANS: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “The local Iranian community in Minnesota is expressing mixed emotions following the recent joint U.S.-Israel strike on Iran. … Many Iranians in Minnesota feel this could lead to freedom for their country. … Hamid Kashani from the Minnesota Committee in Support of a Democratic Iran [said] while he hopes for change, he is concerned about the potential loss of innocent lives.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/405wEET
MINNESOTA’S ATV RIDERS ARE YOUR CONSTITUENTS: Last September, hundreds of riders joined the ATV Minnesota President’s Ride — families, veterans, small business owners, and volunteers from across the state. They represent thousands of Minnesotans who responsibly use and maintain Minnesota’s ATV trail system. As decision makers evaluate trail policy, funding, and land-use decisions this session, we invite you to hear directly from the people they represent. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4u4dGw9 (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
REACTIONS: Minnesota officials responded on party lines to Pres. Donald Trump ordering attacks on Iran over the weekend.
Via DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar, QUOTE: “Iran should never have a nuclear weapon, and the regime’s aggression in the region and repression of Iranian citizens must end. This military campaign, however, puts American troops at serious risk and has begun without a clear justification of any imminent need for war. Such a consequential decision requires debate and authorization from Congress.”
Via GOP Rep. Tom Emmer, QUOTE: “This is a bold, decisive act of strength by President Trump. The Ayatollah is responsible for killing hundreds of U.S. service members and slaughtering its own people. We pray that because of this leadership, the U.S. and the world will be a safer place. May God bless and protect the men and women of our military conducting this mission and serving in the region.”
Via DFL Rep. Betty McCollum, QUOTE: “This military action was launched without Congressional approval and with no imminent threat posed by Iran to the United States. … Let us pray for the U.S. service members who have been given orders to fight this war, for their families, as well as all families in the region who now find themselves in grave danger as a result Trump’s reckless, illegal, and unnecessary decision to go to war.”
Via GOP Rep. Pete Stauber, QUOTE: “As the U.S. carries out Operation Epic Fury, I am mindful of our heroic troops. As a military family, I remember when Jodi served overseas. We pray for our troops, and their families who wait for their moms, dads, husbands, wives, sons, and daughters to safely return home.”
Via DFL Rep. Ilhan Omar, QUOTE: “This is a reckless abuse of power that puts both innocent civilians and American lives on the line for a conflict the American people do not want. As someone who has survived the horrors of war, I know that bombs do not build peace or create stability. Military strikes will not make us safer; they will inflame tensions and push the region further into chaos. … We must vote immediately on the War Powers resolution.”
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)
IMMIGRATION
CONTEMPT: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s chief federal judge [has] sharply escalated the ongoing confrontation between the judiciary and the state’s top federal prosecutor’s office over violations in immigration cases, including raising the possibility of holding people in criminal contempt in the future. In a rare rebuke, U.S. District Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz on Thursday attacked allegations by Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen that the judge overstated the number of court violations Rosen’s attorneys have made in immigration cases. … Schiltz said he’s identified another 113 orders that ICE has violated in 77 additional cases.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MC6BSP
REFUGEES: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A federal judge in Minnesota has blocked a new Trump Administration policy that would have allowed immigration officials to arrest and detain thousands of legally admitted refugees. U.S. District Judge John Tunheim issued a preliminary injunction Friday. … Operation PARRIS would have allowed the detention of refugees who have not yet been designated permanent residents. Tunheim ruled the policy likely violates federal law, [and] he also found no evidence that the refugees involved pose national security threats.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OH2HZn
ARRESTS: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Several additional arrests have been made in connection with a St. Paul church protest last month that already saw the high-profile arrests of journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon. … Court documents obtained by KARE 11 show a total of 39 people are now charged. … Attorney General Pam Bondi [said] 25 of the new defendants were taken into custody by federal agents Friday, with more arrests expected.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4r5mizY
2026
ICE POLITICS: Via New York Times, a report on how the ICE surge changed Minnesota’s political landscape ahead of the midterms. VERBATIM: “Widespread disapproval of these operations, and of [Donald] Trump, has solidified Democrats’ 2026 hopes. … [But] some Democrats privately worry about an alternative scenario, in which prolonged anger over the surge pushes Democratic primary contests toward an embrace of policies, or candidates, to the left of the independent voters who may decide some of the state’s closer races. … Republicans’ hopes rest on the possibility that outrage over the immigration raids will subside between now and November, and that attention to the fraud investigation will resume. … PLECHASH: ‘I’d be not truthful, or naive, to say this hasn’t had some effect — of course it has,’ said Alex Plechash, chair of the state Republican Party. ‘But you turn on the news now, you don’t see it anymore.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47dalRt
ABORTION: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Support for abortion rights helped Democrats gain full control of the Legislature and hand Gov. Tim Walz a second term in office. Four years later, [there’s] a subtle but consequential shift on the issue for Minnesota Republicans. While many Republicans are promoting their anti-abortion credentials to appeal to a conservative base that often favors those who staunchly oppose abortion, some office seekers have demonstrated a willingness to recalibrate how they talk about the issue following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade four years ago. … [Kendall] Qualls said he’s a ‘pro-life candidate,’ [but] Republicans ‘have to get elected first.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MFRoA9
SD5: via MPR, VERBATIM: “A northern Minnesota Republican senator could be in for a tough reelection campaign because of a challenge from within his party. Sen. Paul Utke, a third-term senator from Park Rapids, is running for a fourth term. In announcing a new campaign last month, Utke said Republicans need “strong, experienced leadership to get our state on the right track and fight against the far-left metro agenda. Now, second-term state Rep. Mike Weiner has formed a campaign committee to challenge Utke. Like the senator, Weiner is a Republican. He lives in Long Prairie.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MWyWDe
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 Congress should fix the federal 340B program so it actually helps patients. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4cmBRzE (SPONSORED: PhRMA)
MINING: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Sen. Amy Klobuchar [will] vote against a U.S. Senate resolution that would remove a 20-year ban on mining in an area next to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. … As she pivots away from the Senate and toward her bid for Minnesota governor, [it’s] one of few clues about where she’d stand as the state’s chief executive on an issue that has driven bitter divisions between mining interests and environmentalists. … If Klobuchar is elected governor, she would oversee the state as it makes multiple complex permitting decisions for hardrock mines.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cmGyJM
TEAM USA: via Rep. Michelle Fischbach advisory, VERBATIM: “Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach [has] announced the introduction of the Tax Exemption for American Medalists (TEAM USA) Act, legislation designed to ensure that when our athletes dominate the global stage, the IRS does not get to treat their excellence as a taxable offense. … To ensure the champions of the 2026 Winter Games are honored under this new standard of excellence, the TEAM USA Act is retroactive to January 1, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46Ansfp
APPOINTMENT: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Chief Justice Natalie Hudson announced the appointment of Liz Kramer to the Commission on Uniform State Laws. She will serve the remainder of the late Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman’s term, expiring on May 31, 2027. … Kramer is the solicitor general for the State of Minnesota.”
WILD ABOUT READING: Join more than 800 Minnesota classrooms and 30,000 students 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, Paulie; 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/49AHNSE (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
ACROSS MN
TRANSIT: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “In March, the Metropolitan Council will consider a recommendation from Metro Transit to install a new bus rapid transit service to travel along West Seventh Street in St. Paul and south to the Mall of America in Bloomington — the Metro J Line, a kind of spiritual successor to the long-planned and recently aborted Riverview Corridor. … [It] could be fully reconstructed in 2029 if funding comes together and discussions between the city, county, state and Met Council are fruitful.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lbUgS8
DULUTH: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “Lake Superior continues to chew away at one of the Northland’s oldest cemeteries, exposing bones as local authorities seek help to secure eroding waterside graves. But the cost of a solution will be steep — likely north of $2.3 million. That’s on top of about $253,000 St. Louis County already has invested to hire LHB, a local engineering firm, to recommend and design a fix.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l2R2Qw
SPPS: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “St. Paul Public Schools’ executive chief of schools Andrew Collins’ last day with the district is March 13, according to district officials. … A new position for a senior executive officer of school leadership and operations will replace Collins’ role and is currently accepting applications, with an expected July 1 start date.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rTZd4r
THE WEEK AHEAD
SESSION: House floor session at 3:30 p.m. Senate floor session at 11:00 a.m. HOUSE: Fraud & Oversight hears a DHS presentation on medical transportation. Ways & Means will hear an MMB presentation on the budget forecast. Elections will hear expansions for requesting public information and restrictions for handling ballots. Healths hears restrictions on private equity in healthcare and the creation of an MDH office of gun violence prevention. SENATE: Education Policy hears a bill to require teaching cursive. Judiciary & Public Safety hears bills on estates and human rights. Human Services will hear requirements to unredact Optum reports and repeal housing stabilization services. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/3OQfysb
TODAY: via City of Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “Mayor Jacob Frey, city leaders and public housing officials will debut the top 10 highest valued [construction] projects that reached a milestone total, [including] the largest redevelopment of public housing in the city’s history.” The event is at 11:00 a.m.
TOMORROW: GOP Rep. Nolan West will hold a press conference announcing his new bill, “Harvey’s Law,” responding to the death of a child in a Savage childcare center last year. The event is at 2:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison will testify before the U.S. House oversight committee regarding fraud in Minnesota. The event is at 8:00 a.m. central. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/46wNiRv
SATURDAY: The Idaho Democratic Party will host Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin as keynote speakers for its Frank & Bethune Church Gala on Saturday, March 7 in Boise, ID.
NEXT WEEK: The MN Homeless Coalition will host “Homeless Day on the Hill” in the State Capitol on Wednesday, March 11. The event will focus on protecting supportive housing, per a release.
BDAYS: Hennepin County court comms guy Matt Lehman, fmr. Ag Commissioner Dave Frederickson, St. Thomas COS Amy McDonough, Star Tribune’s Vince Tuss, lobbyist Jeff Anderson, lobbyist Adam Chelseth
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.