Twins win. Wild play at 8 tonight.
NFL Draft in Green Bay starting tonight.
The PWHL selected Vancouver as its first expansion team. Another will come soon. ESPN: https://fluence-media.co/4lGFUc2
Sports Take will come out tomorrow morning. SIGN UP: https://fluence-media.co/sportstake
The MNGOP will announce later today that Sen. Doug Collins will be the keynote at their Lincoln Reagan dinner May 12th.
A duck has laid eggs in the vacant eagle’s nest by the DNR EagleCam. KSTP: https://fluence-media.co/3YdImNi
A hotel in Voyageurs National Park that’s only accessible by boat or plane is hiring. MPR: https://fluence-media.co/42KYZkK
A Pew Research poll finds Donald Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 40%. Notably, 24% of Republican Party supporters and 11% of 2024 Trump voters disapprove of him. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4ivTAE6
A YouGov poll finds that the president’s monetary policy has hit a new low in net approval: -12% for the economy and -20% for inflation. Immigration also dropped to -5%, down from +5% earlier this month. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/44CDPYA
Blois
NOTE: This coming Saturday, we will publish a 15-year take to honor the launching of morning take in April 2010. Please send any good memories, or significant takes that you appreciated – bloisolson@gmail.com
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
On Sunday Take, DFL Chair Richard Carlbom says he believes Gov. Tim Walz will run for re-election and shares plans the DFL has to organize in greater Minnesota. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Y7faYd
Sponsorships available – to reach over 25,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
15YEARS: Relationships have been key to morning take, just as they are in life both personal and professional.
Many of the most influential connections, started early in this journey, but they matter today more than ever. Of course, there are plenty of elected officials and candidates that text and call, but those who have had the most influence are rarely mentioned in our publications.
Growing in Shoreview, and my education in Mounds View Public Schools can’t go unmentioned for this journey. Just this week a former administrator at Mounds View and father of a classmate emailed to congratulate me on 15 years. You never know who is listening or reading.
Early on one “take” fired up a high-ranking Republican official so much so that when I answered my phone there was yelling. I’ve been known to have a spirited conversation, but on this morning, something struck me, just let him scream. When he was done, I said. “I didn’t start the take to have people call and yell at me, so we have two choices. You can stop reading, or I can stop writing. Take your pick.” Neither one happened.
For me the synergy of media and politics started very young. The news was always on at the dinner table, and my first job was delivering the newspapers seven days a week, twice on M-F. One of those neighbors is Sandy Martin, the former Mayor of Shoreview. To this day she reminds me I’ve been bringing her news for over 40 years. Those things, and an early exposure to campaigns wired my brain. She also showed it mattered.
One of my earliest organized political events, was going to the caucus in 1987 – for the extra credit in civics class. There I met Jim DeMay, who nearly 40 years later has been a mentor and friend. I later ran into him 1992 in Chicago, on the Clinton primary campaign. He once introduced me for a speech to the Mounds View Education Foundation and said words too kind. The opportunity he gave me at a young age was key to me trusting my gut, and explaining many of the internal dynamics of campaigns and party politics.
Core to these values were learned at my first job outside of delivering newspapers, at Davanni’s where “Care. Work Hard. Have Fun”, was the employee motto. I’ve shared it in every management role I’ve had. However, even flipping pizza’s led to relationships that inspired or connected to this role. Fmr. GOP operative Mike Tavernier and tech and education innovator Dan Grigsby were co-workers at Davanni’s, who later had a role in relationships and ideas that connected the “take”. Tavernier had early brokered a conversation with the previously mentioned GOP official that has evolved “and calmed” in his view of politics, Michael Brodkorb.
In the age of the trust depression, those who trusted me early on taught key lessons. One early word of advice in 1998 from fmr. AP reporter Bill Wareham that transparency about who my clients were would help differentiate us from others prompted the disclosure in every publication since. While when morning take started, MPR’s Tom Scheck said, getting up every day will be the real test. He was right. MPR’s Brian Bakst has become a good friend, who always challenged the “rules” of the newsletter versus those of traditional media. A healthy reminder that there are still rules.
Getting up became “required” when in July of 2010, WCCO Radio asked me to take the 6:20AM slot after another trusted friend and another man who gave me the opportunity in 1998 on election night, Eric Eskola decided to focus on his TPT role. Radio every day meant I had to get up, otherwise sleeping in and skipping a newsletter would have felt good a couple mornings. Since then, Dave Lee and Vineeta Sawkar made those early morning conversations a good start for the day, and the producers who answered the phone as I sipped coffee became the first person I talked to most days. Eskola’s ask for me to be on the air on election night 1998 may be the single-most day that shaped this journy.
One of my favorite morning take connection stories happened last summer, after Gov. Walz was named as the Democratic VP nominee. Fmr. Rochester Post-Bulletin reporter and Roseville native John McCormick, now at the Wall Street Journal, wrote a piece about Walz’s economic record in Minnesota. Quoted in the story as a spokesperson for the Harris campaign was Charles Lutvak, a former morning take intern from Carleton College. Lutvak was well aware of Walz, he curated the first draft the morning take during the 2018 election.
It was a reminder of how small the world is (especially in Minnesota), and how relationships are going to be the biggest saving grace to help rebuild trust for all of us.
SOTS: Gov. Tim Walz delivered his annual State of the State address before a joint session of the Minnesota Legislature last night. Walz focused on the importance of bipartisanship in budget negotiations, saying that he thinks Minnesota is in a good place right now, but the federal government is creating uncertainty for its future. Walz’s remarks often addressed national issues, tearing into federal Republicans — particularly Pres. Donald Trump — while also praising the state GOP for cooperating on key legislation.
WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3GlGHix
READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Y9IZHK
RESPONSES: Minnesota’s four legislative leaders — Speaker Lisa Demuth, House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson — delivered responses to Gov. Tim Walz’s State of the State address following its conclusion. Both parties commended Walz’s focus on bipartisanship, but the DFLers praised the speech for contrasting state and federal governance, while the Republicans said Walz was shifting blame to national leaders. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Gqairi
DETAILS: via AP News, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz pledged Wednesday night to do everything in his power to protect Minnesotans from the chaos that he said President Donald Trump has unleashed on the country and the world. … The governor expressed particular concern about the potential impact on the state budget of cuts to Medicaid that are being contemplated by Washington Republicans, which could force him to call a special session later this year to fill the resulting holes in the budget. But Walz told legislators it is not enough to complain about the administration. He said they need to prove to the people of Minnesota and the country that there is a better way to govern.” WALZ: “These small, petty men will disappear into the dustbin of history. And when they do, there will be an opportunity and an obligation to actually rebuild government so that it works for working people.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YfYii5
TAKE: The biggest bipartisan applause line of Gov. Tim Walz 2025 State of the State speech was one about stopping fraud in state government. That’s new, because a text search of his 2024 speech didn’t mention fraud, despite the fact it has been a major issue of concern since March 2019.
Short and safe describes Walz’s annual address that didn’t last more than 30 minutes. Walz had a theme that fits for a re-election run, “Best State to Raise a Child”, or nationally, a theme of “Security. Opportunity. Freedom”.
The speech was predictable in its critique of President Trump, and more diplomatic than Gov. Walz has been toward Republicans in months, or maybe even years. He seems to miss the fact that you can’t vilify Republicans in blanket statements for a couple years and then expect them to just forget about it. The question is that how will Walz behave on the budget when the time comes for tough decisions in the final weeks, since he's been the most deferential Governor to the legislature in Minnesota history.
Perhaps the most telling statement of the speech which will be the test of his chances should he run for re-election, is do Minnesotans really believe “the State of the State is as strong is it’s ever been…”
By most measures, it would be a lively debate on the core Minnesota values of education, cost of living, and value of government.
So please email, is Minnesota as “strong as its ever been?” EMAIL: bloisolson@gmail.com
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)
KLOBUCHAR: via Axios, VERBATIM: “Sen. Dick Durbin's (D-Ill.) retirement is setting off a once-in-a-decade leadership fight for Senate Democrats. Durbin, 80, has been the Senate Democratic whip since 2005. Whoever replaces him becomes the instant front-runner to replace Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer down the road. … Sen. Amy Klobuchar, 64, of Minnesota wants the job, sources tell Axios. Schumer made her the No. 3 Senate Dem last year, and she's respected by her colleagues.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/441s3H4
ELLISON: via an MPR newsletter, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison…made a preliminary reelection announcement. During a press conference Tuesday afternoon, the attorney general was asked if he’ll run for another term. He first said he’d likely wait until this summer, then [changed course].” QUOTE: “I have never felt like I need to do something more than this moment. I feel like I am in the right position that I'm supposed to be in to protect the rights of Minnesotans. And so as of today, I think I am going to be pursuing reelection. But I'm not making any announcements, although it sounds like I just did make one.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cLlHO9
BUT WAIT…: Attorney General Ellison will run for Attorney General, if Gov. Tim Walz runs for re-election. That said, Ellison has been having private conversations with DFL insiders that he plans to run for Governor, if Walz declines to seek a third term. Ellison has ardently made the case to some DFLers that Walz shouldn’t take the risk of seeking a third term, as it will be very difficult to win. While Ellison and Walz have had a strong alliance, there are signs that the two and there is newfound tension, mostly related to each man’s future aspirations.
CRAIG: via a Rep. Brad Finstad press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (MN-06), Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), and Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08), sent a letter to the House Committee on Ethics and the Committee on House Administration urging them to review potential violations of House rules by Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02).” EXCERPT: “House Ethics rules clearly prohibit Members of Congress from using official resources to promote political events. Yet, Rep. Angie Craig used her taxpayer-funded congressional office to further her political ambitions by publicizing campaign-sponsored events and soliciting donations for political fundraising.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lFush3
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)
DEEPFAKES: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Elon Musk's company, X Corporation [formerly Twitter], filed a lawsuit against Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison challenging the constitutionality of a law that prohibits political misinformation from being shared through deepfakes. … The lawsuit says the state law is a violation of free speech, and X's Community Notes can provide context for deepfake content. … The lawsuit also takes issue with the threat of criminal liability, saying there is no penalty for too much censorship, which incentivizes platforms to remove any content that could even be close to a deepfake under Minnesota statutes.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3EM898y
ENERGY: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Senate advanced a DFL-sponsored bill earlier this month that would sunset the state’s pathbreaking community solar program in 2028 and significantly reduce the financial benefits of onsite solar for utility customers. … The bill would also sunset Minnesota’s Renewable Development Account, which uses millions in annual nuclear waste storage fees paid by Xcel Energy to subsidize residential solar panel installations. Environmental and clean energy advocates assailed the bill in a press conference at the Capitol, [calling it] ‘a betrayal of Minnesota’s climate promises.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jrx4gZ
From yesterday’s lunch take:
MN HOUSE: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The House is two months into a power-sharing truce between Republicans and DFLers, a deal that was brokered because there are exactly 67 members of each party in the legislative chamber. … Fast forward to today and [House DFL Leader Melissa] Hortman and her GOP colleagues see a split House as a secondary concern to hammering out a two-year budget to fund Minnesota’s government.” HORTMAN: “For the most part, it is working really well. I was pleasantly surprised that we had budget targets on time. I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by the number of bills that are complete.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Y8Nkeb
SCHOOLS: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Public and charter school teachers could receive a major boost in pay in the form of a $1,200 refundable tax credit under a bill pitched by Minnesota Democrats. The bill (SF186) could help Minnesota schools struggling to attract and retain teachers, but the proposal must compete with a slew of other spending priorities as lawmakers craft a two-year budget — with a gloomy budget forecast on the horizon.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Rv82RO
SUMMER: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “A pot of state money meant to help Minnesota schools start paying summer unemployment to bus drivers, cafeteria staff and other hourly employees is running dry. Districts are seeking tens of millions of dollars in additional state funding to keep the benefits flowing this summer amid a projected shortfall. The ask is just one example of cash-strapped schools seeking more money — or flexibility —from the increasingly cash-strapped state budget.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cIOfrT
Sign up for lunch take or read it at The Daily Agenda: https://fluence-media.co/4eZwLa7
VETERANS: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Senate passed a bill Wednesday granting some veterans benefits to Hmong and Lao soldiers who fought with the United States military in Laos during the Vietnam War. About 50 Hmong veterans attended the vote at the state Capitol. … The Senate’s version of the bill passed unanimously as part of the veterans policy and appropriations omnibus bill. … The House will vote on its version of the bill next Tuesday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YLR19R
VACCINES: As seen in Tuesday’s morning take, eight Republicans in the Minnesota House introduced legislation to designate mRNA vaccines as “weapons of mass destruction.” Now, Heartland Signal reports that one of the co-sponsors — Rep. Keith Allen (R-Kenyon) — had his name removed from the bill Wednesday. No explanation has been given. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Gn4Ipu
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)
HIGHER ED: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Six more Minnesota college and university presidents signed a letter voicing opposition to President Donald Trump’s interference in higher education across the country on Wednesday. That brings the total number of Minnesota schools that have signed on to the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) letter to 11 schools. … Metropolitan State University President Virginia ‘Ginny’ Arthur, Gustavus Adolphus College President Rebecca Bergman, St. Catherine University President Marcheta Evans, Hamline University interim President Kathleen Murray, St. Olaf College President Susan Rundell and University of St. Thomas President Rob Vischer added their names to the letter that five other presidents had earlier signed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4juPYDM
SPECIAL ED: Rep. Angie Craig announced that she has signed onto a letter to Health Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. opposing the president’s plan to transfer special education funding and oversight responsibilities from the Dept. of Education to the Dept. of Health and Human Services. CRAIG: “As the mother of a son who benefited from special ed programs, I know how important these programs are to families. Special ed oversight belongs under the Dept. of Education, not HHS – which is led by a man who just used his position to disparage people on the autism spectrum. Students with special needs are just that – students, not patients.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Gq14ev
RACE: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Dr. Taj Mustapha, chief equity strategy officer at M Health Fairview, [said] race is being taken out of consideration for various screenings and tests related to pregnancy and maternal health care at their clinics. … By July, all pregnant patients at M Health Fairview will be universally screened and tested for various maternal and fetal conditions, with race removed as a factor. … The reason for doing so, Mustapha said, is that race itself is not about any biological reality, but is, in these contexts, a ‘proxy for exposure to racism’ and related stress.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jH6BeR
VISAS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A federal court judge Tuesday ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to temporarily restore the student visas of five Concordia University graduate students. The five plaintiffs are citizens of India and earned master's degrees in information technology and management. … In his order, U.S. District Court Judge John Tunheim said the plaintiffs ‘clearly face irreparable harm’ after having their student status terminated. His decision comes after two other judges granted similar restraining orders last week to other students targeted by the DHS.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lDvbzj
DEEPFAKES: via a Sen. Amy Klobuchar press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar [and others] reintroduced the bipartisan Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act. This legislation aims to protect Americans' voice and likeness and combat the proliferation of AI deepfakes. … The NO FAKES Act would: Create a property right in a person’s AI-generated digital replica; Hold individuals or companies liable if they produce an unauthorized digital replica of an individual; Establish a notice-and-takedown process so victims of unauthorized deepfakes have an avenue to get online platforms to take down the deepfake; Exclude certain digital replicas from coverage based on recognized First Amendment protections; Largely preempt State laws addressing digital replicas to create a workable national standard.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3S7Cqlf
MISSISSIPPI: via a Rep. Betty McCollum press release, VERBATIM: “Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) reintroduced the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI) Act (H.R. 2977) on Tuesday, aiming to establish a non-regulatory initiative to coordinate restoration and resilience opportunities along the Mississippi River corridor. MRRRI is modeled on the highly successful Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jr344M
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)
HENN CTY: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty found herself in a familiar place Wednesday afternoon [during] a press conference announcing a new initiative that will make gun locks free at 11 libraries in Hennepin County: [she’s] at the center of a political firestorm. … Moriarty placed 33-year-old Dylan Bryan Adams into an adult diversion program rather than filing criminal charges after he keyed six Teslas around Minneapolis last month totaling more than $20,000 damage. … [Meanwhile], a 19-year-old Robbinsdale woman with no criminal record was charged with first-degree felony property damage on Monday after she allegedly keyed her coworker’s car, [with] damage estimated at $7,000. … When asked how she could balance that charging decision with the decision to not charge Adams, Moriarty didn’t directly respond.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Gq6dmP
MPLS: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “On Wednesday, Minneapolis leaders offered details on a Summer Safety Plan that seeks to keep crime down throughout the city during the summer months. Minneapolis is set to host a number of outdoor events throughout the summer, including Pride, the Taste of Minnesota, the Twin Cities Marathon and several Open Streets events throughout different areas. The Minneapolis Office of Community Safety says extra efforts will be made this summer as part of Operation Safe Summer IV, ‘so everyone can safely enjoy this summer’s activities.’” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3GirIpt
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The city of St. Paul may yet lower the volume on a two-day electronic dance music celebration scheduled to light up the grounds outside Allianz Field in June. Days after urging the city council to approve a sound-level variance for the Breakaway Music Festival at decibel levels objected to by city staff, a key council member has had a change of heart. … Council Member Anika Bowie [asked] the council on Wednesday to redo its 4-2 vote from a week prior and lower the decibel limits to those recommended by the city’s Department of Safety and Inspections. … As a result, the public will get a second chance to weigh in before the council during a public hearing to be held May 14.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YcMihl
BLUE LINE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Buses will replace light rail trains on part of the Blue Line in the Twin Cities for three weeks, starting Wednesday night. Metro Transit said the suspension of train service for maintenance work will affect the Blue Line in both directions between Fort Snelling and the Mall of America. … The change includes the light rail shuttle between the terminals at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, where replacement buses will also be available.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RxQ1SP
PIPELINE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The massive carbon capture pipeline in the Midwest was thrown into uncertainty Tuesday after South Dakota’s Public Utility Commission denied its route permit application. The commission voted 2-1 to deny the application by Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions, with Commissioner Kristie Fiegen saying it was ‘not ready to go forward’ and lacked ‘the form and content required.’ … The project already has approvals in Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota, and Summit has invested more than $150 million into its route in South Dakota.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3GoZhGD
JUDGE: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today announced the appointment of Victoria Elsmore as District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Second Judicial District. Elsmore will replace the late Honorable Patrick C. Diamond and will be chambered in St. Paul in Ramsey County. … Elsmore is a district court referee in the family division of the Second Judicial District, presiding over dissolution, custody, support, domestic abuse, and harassment matters.”
STEARNS CTY: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “Stearns County commissioner Leigh Lenzmeier has submitted his letter of retirement to the board effective immediately, according to his attorney. … ‘I realize today, it is the right thing for me, my family, the Board and the residents of my district and Stearns County as a whole,’ Lenzmeier wrote in the Wednesday, April 23, letter. His retirement was a part of negotiations during his guardianship hearing. … The county plans to accept the retirement and hold a special election for Lenzmeier’s replacement, likely in November along with some other local elections.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ECRlB1
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Although the cost of maintaining school resource officers is set to increase by more than 20%, the Rochester Police Department has told school leaders that the city will continue to split the expense with the district, as it has so far. The Rochester School Board discussed the topic on Tuesday, April 22, with representatives of the police department as the two entities prepare to renew their agreement. The board is expected to vote on a new contract with the police department at a future meeting.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iswqyo
DULUTH: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “Mayor Roger Reinert came to a Wednesday morning news conference equipped with a hard hat, a yellow safety vest and a sledgehammer…to mark the pending demolition of the Shoppers Ramp, a condemned parking structure that has sat idle at 18 N. Second Ave. W. for more than a decade. Reinert referred to the removal of the structure as ‘a significant step forward’ for the downtown, noting that the project comes on the heels of another long-awaited demolition, removing the fire-damaged Pastoret Terrace building.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EEsgFL
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)
INTL FALLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “After months of pushback against a multimillion-dollar police headquarters project, city leaders [in International Falls] are potentially reversing course. The City Council voted unanimously to re-engage with Koochiching County about police moving back into the old law enforcement center the department shared with the Sheriff’s Office for 40 years. This comes after a vote to proceed with renovating an aging Kootasca community center for police, a plan residents opposed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jRpY5f
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)
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
ECONOMY: via Reuters, VERBATIM: “Federal Reserve Bank of Minnesota President Neel Kashkari said on Tuesday it is too soon to know how short-term borrowing costs may need to be adjusted for U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and their expected impact on inflation and the economy. Kashkari's view is widely held by his colleagues and is likely to leave the Fed on hold at its rate-setting meeting in two weeks. … While it is ‘logical’ that tariffs alone would not reaccelerate inflation, recent high inflation means the Fed cannot ignore this risk, he said, noting that tariffs will likely also slow growth.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YKhftf
GAS PRICES: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesotans could pay 5 to 30 cents more at the pump this summer because the state opted into year-round ethanol blends. The reasons are complicated, but come down to President Donald Trump’s administration allowing states to individually decide whether they wanted to sell E15 ethanol blends during the summer months. Only six states, including Minnesota, plus half of South Dakota, opted to expand to year-round use of E15.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cLczZV
E15: via a Rep. Angie Craig press release, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig urged the Administration to lower prices at the gas pump by allowing the nationwide sale of E-15 this summer. In a bipartisan letter to President Donald Trump, Rep. Craig and her colleagues asked the Administration to extend the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) waiver from June 1 through September 15, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jFbAgc
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)
KASSON: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Chaotic Good Brewing in Kasson is looking to roll the dice again. When the southern Minnesota brewery closed in December, the owners said they hoped to find new owners who could revive the company. Now, it has announced a plan to reopen, but is looking for a little help. … The company said it has ‘a team ready to resume operations with the same goals of community and fellowship,’ but it also needs five to 10 people who could invest $1,000 to $5,000 to get things going.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iAVV0x
EXCELSIOR: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A longtime suburban triathlon has been canceled this year after race organizers couldn’t get on the same page with city officials over the event’s bike course. Mike Rogers, chair of the Lake Minnetonka Triathlon, said a safety dispute with Excelsior officials led to the race’s cancellation. Rogers said he sent three or four bike-course plans to city officials as they voiced concerns more than two weeks ago. Officials rejected those plans, making the event ‘impossible to host’ in Excelsior, according to Rogers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3S1IBr1
SESSION: No House floor session. No Senate floor session. HOUSE: Capital Investment hears 18 local funding bills on an informational basis. Ways & Means will hear finance omnibus bills on veterans, housing, commerce, elections, children and families, and energy plus a public safety policy omnibus. SENATE: Finance hears budget bills for DEED and Explore Minnesota plus an environment and natural resources omnibus. Taxes will hear technical changes to exemptions, requirements and more. The Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct hears a Senate Rule 55.2 request. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4jiG2Nm
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will speak at the Minnesota Department of Education New American Education Summit, attend a Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association event, and meet with legislative leaders.
TODAY: via a Senate DFL advisory, VERBATIM: “On Thursday, April 24, legislators and Minnesotans of all backgrounds will gather to demand a state budget deal that protects Minnesotans from cuts to essential services. … Minnesota must end special interest tax breaks in order to protect the programs that Minnesotans rely on.” Rep. Esther Agbaje, Rep. Emma Greenman and Sen. Erin Maye Quade will attend. The event is at 9:00 a.m.
TODAY: The Council on Latino Affairs announced they will be hosting the 2025 Latino Day at the Capitol on April 24. This year’s speakers include Attorney General Keith Ellison, Sen. Alice Mann and Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega. The event is at 2:00 p.m.
TODAY-TMRW: Rep. Angie Craig announced that she will host in-person town halls outside her district this week. She will visit Willmar on Thursday and Mankato on Friday. All events are at 6:00 p.m.
SATURDAY: Via a joint press release, Iron Range officials — including Sen. Robert Farnsworth, Sen. Grant Hauschild and Rep. Cal Warwas — will host an event to oppose moving the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame from Eveleth, MN to the Twin Cities. The event is at 4:00 p.m. in Eveleth.
APRIL 28-29: via an FFA advisory, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota FFA State Convention takes place at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Fairgrounds Monday and Tuesday, April 28 and 29. This year’s theme is Stand as One, selected by the FFA’s State Officers.”
MAY 6: via City of Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “On Tuesday, May 6, Mayor Jacob Frey will give his 2025 State of the City address at 11:30 a.m. in Minneapolis. … The address will be hosted in person and will be live streamed on the City’s YouTube page.”
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.
BDAYS: Sen. Ann Rest, communicator Tonya Tennessen, Rep. Emma Greenman
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