TAX DAY
Wild and Twins win. Wallstedt should start the playoffs.
Might be a good day to play hooky and see the first place Twins – 70 degrees and a day game. The golf club opens today too…
Tomorrow we’ll get a peek at the Wild renovation designs.
Pew Research finds that 60% of Americans think they pay too much in taxes, but 61% say wealthy people don’t pay their fair share. DATA: https://fluence-media.co/4vuDXob
The Yale Youth Poll finds strong youth support for Democrats — voters 18-22 are D+23 and voters 23-29 are D+30. Every age group under 35 has swung left by 10 points or more since Fall 2025 except for men aged 18-22, who are unchanged at D+3. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4vyXdAY
Candidate for Governor, Sen. Amy Klobuchar will be on WCCO Radio at 7:20 this morning. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/WCCOLive2
It’s National Glazed Spiral Ham Day…and National Rubber Eraser Day.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Sunday Take featured DFL Sen. Mary Kunesh and GOP Rep. Ben Bakeberg discussing education issues and what fixes are being considered this session. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4cEc99g
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WAYMO IS READY FOR MINNESOTA: With 13x fewer injury-causing collisions compared to humans, Waymo is already making roads safer in major U.S. cities where we operate — from multi-lane expressways to dense city streets, including the demands of winter weather. We are ready to bring these safety benefits to Minnesota, and look forward to working with the state legislature to pass a law that allows us to provide rides in the state. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/waymo (SPONSORED: Waymo)
MONEYBALL
The FEC deadline for Q1 campaign finance reports is today. Fundraising totals for Minnesota candidates will be shared in the comparative races tomorrow in morning take and area always available HERE: https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
If Moneyball were about politics, the Minnesota Governor’s race will be a great case study. While Sen. Amy Klobuchar was expected to have a significant fundraising haul, the gap between she and Republican front runner Speaker Lisa Demuth puts a contrast on the capacity of the candidates in one key indicator. That said, Minnesotans are not 21x different in the issues of the race. That said, national money will be stunted for the Republican gubernatorial candidates – and local money is already planning to shift to legislative races. The biggest angst for the business community is another “trifecta”, not always because of the ideas but because of the arrogance and lack of dialog that was experienced during the last one.
The economy, gun safety, ag prices, health care, education and of course fraud are the issues that voters will decide the race on, that said cash dominance of Klobuchar and the DFL will be a morale challenge for Repbulicans.
KLOBUCHAR: Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s campaign for governor announced a Q1 fundraising total of $4.8 million with $3.4 million on hand. According to the campaign, raising this much money in two months is “a record for a governor’s campaign in Minnesota.” Donations were received from “tens of thousands of Minnesotans” in all 87 counties, 90% of whom gave less than $100.
DEMUTH: Speaker Lisa Demuth’s campaign for governor raised $226,456 in Q1 with $543,000 on hand. Since she launched her bid in November, Demuth has raised over $730,000 total. QUOTE: “While other candidates’ fundraising pace has fallen off dramatically, we are just getting started. As Speaker, I have set fundraising records every year as caucus leader, and I am ready to do the same this year.”
QUALLS: Republican candidate for governor Kendall Qualls announced a Q1 fundraising total of $123,000, but he did not specify cash on hand.
WHITE: GOP Senate candidate Royce White announced raising $566,000 in Q1 with $83,000 on hand.
KISTNER: CD2 Republican Tyler Kistner raised $80,000 in Q1 with $27,500 on hand, per his campaign.
EMMER: Via MPR, more details on how Rep. Tom Emmer will spend his $9.2 million Q1 haul, as seen in Monday’s lunch take. VERBATIM: “As a GOP leader, he’ll likely transfer most of that to party and candidate accounts as Republicans defend a very slim U.S. House majority. He’s already shared about $13.3 million of his personal haul since early 2025. Emmer has not faced competitive races in the 6th Congressional District that have required him to devote much time or effort campaigning in the area.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tdnJOw
ICYMI: Other candidates who have announced their fundraising totals early include Senate candidates Michele Tafoya ($2.2 million) and Rep. Angie Craig ($2.5 million), as seen in previous newsletters.
THE AGENDA
FRAUD: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz said Tuesday he remains confident in the Minnesota Promise Act despite acknowledging potential loopholes in the $100 million grant program following a 5 INVESTIGATES report that raised concerns about possible improper payments.”…Walz addressed the investigation publicly for the first time after the reporting identified multiple grant recipients who may not have qualified for taxpayer-funded assistance under the program, which provides grants to small businesses. WALZ: “My confidence level is high,” Walz said when asked whether sufficient checks are being done to prevent fraud. “But I will say this: Do I think fraudsters are targeting it? Yes. I think they target every program.”…The Minnesota Promise Act, created by state Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, continues to distribute millions of dollars in grants through the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the state agency responsible for oversight. While DEED is reviewing questionable recipients flagged by 5 INVESTIGATES, Walz said he still believes the program is functioning largely as intended — though changes may be required.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/48MwczY
TAX CUTS: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “At a time when budgets are tight, dueling proposals at the Minnesota Capitol could put money back in your pocket. The Republican proposal is massive: up to $4 billion in one-time refunds to property tax payers that, depending on a person’s income, could reach $2,500. … Paul Marquart, the commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Revenue, [told] a Senate committee that the governor’s budget would cut the state sales tax by .075% but expand the sales tax to include services provided by financial planners, lawyers and others. It would also increase the dependent child care tax credit for families to a maximum of $2,100 per child and expand eligibility to families earning up to $124,000 with two children.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/480YruA
SOB: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “House operations and members are likely to return to a renovated and expanded State Office Building in September 2027. … Substantial completion of the State Office Building is scheduled to occur by July 2027 with final building commissioning, cleaning and operational setups for House IT, security and television broadcast occurring in July and August before tenants move in. … Assistant Commissioner Wayne Waslaski told the House State Government Finance and Policy Committee Tuesday [that] thus far, $507.8 million has been allocated.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4t5EdZ4
MPS: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis Public Schools withheld nearly $3 million owed to an employee health care trust account beginning in 2024, according to a heavily redacted report prepared by the law firm Greene Espel late last year and obtained by the Reformer as part of a public records request. … The money was restored, according to the Greene Espel report, but the situation led to a high-profile termination and resignation and forced the district to spend heavily on an outside consultant to manage its finances.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cvHee9
MEETINGS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz met briefly with reporters at the State Capitol on Tuesday — which, it turns out, is one more time than he’s met with Republican legislative leaders this session. … The [most recent] meeting on Monday was only with DFL Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and DFL House Leader Zack Stephenson. … Speaker Lisa Demuth and Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson haven’t spoken with the governor since at least September, [but] sources say they will finally meet with the governor on Thursday, just over a month before the session deadline.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4dOQoVu
SCHOOLS: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Rep. Bryan Lawrence, R-Princeton, introduced a bill to the House Education Finance Committee that would put $102 million toward school safety proposals, and it was dead before the committee even met. ‘This proposal by my Republican colleagues isn’t serious,’ the committee’s DFL co-chair Cheryl Youakim [said] an hour before the panel met. … Lawrence’s measure included money for not just school districts but charters, tribal compacts and private schools currently cut off from some aid programs, a key issue for Republicans. … Lawrence’s proposal also advanced a bipartisan idea of schools developing an anonymous threat reporting system, [but] Julie Greene, DFL-Edina, [said] ‘That part of the bill doesn’t go far enough.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tMkvS0
RESPONSE: Via GOP Rep. Ron Kresha, co-chair of the House Education Finance Committee, KRESHA: “Democrats made a deliberate choice today to block immediate action on a practical, bipartisan plan to strengthen school safety. … Conversations about additional violence reduction strategies can continue, but they should not be used as cover to block steps we can take right now to protect students and teachers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4te3Y9R
SPECIAL ED: via House GOP advisory, VERBATIM: “Today, the House Education Finance Committee passed HF 4114, authored by [Rep.] Ben Bakeberg (R-Jordan), to repeal a $250 million automatic reduction in special education funding and protect local school districts. Current law requires schools to plan for a $250 million cut in special education aid if projected savings are not met. HF 4114 repeals that reduction and removes the automatic enforcement mechanism while allowing the commission’s work to continue.” BILL: https://fluence-media.co/4cpJ93I
HOSPITALS: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Jan Malcolm, Gov. Tim Walz’s newly appointed senior adviser on hospitals and health systems, told state senators [that] the state’s health care system needs to be reformed. … Malcolm’s testimony to the Minnesota Senate Health and Human Services Committee comes as lawmakers decide how to support [HCMC]. … Malcolm said many other hospitals are facing dire finances due to uncompensated care.” MALCOLM: “Any funding solutions [for HCMC] are going to run into the same structural challenges if we don’t also deal with the underlying business model problems that our professionals are calling out.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cHVcuG
MEDICAID: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “New rules in the federal ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ add work or community service requirements for Medicaid eligibility and require states to adopt those rules or lose federal funding. HF4428 would put Minnesota in conformity. Noncompliance is not an acceptable option, said Rep. Danny Nadeau (R-Rogers), the bill sponsor, noting that the state stands to lose between $1.5 billion and $3.5 billion in federal funds without conforming. … After adopting an amendment, the committee laid the bill over.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QobiAV
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)
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.
https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
BLUNDERS
VOTER FRAUD: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “A man in Fillmore County is facing felony charges for reportedly voting in the 2024 election despite not being a U.S. citizen. … [The suspect] allegedly told investigators he received a voter registration notice from the State of Minnesota and filled it out. Court documents indicate the notice was likely caused by the Minnesota system sending him voting information after he obtained his driver’s license. … An official with the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State [said] the postcard ‘contained explicit language about eligibility requirements.’” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4vAvLms
DISABILITIES: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Months after a Medicaid-funded care provider shut down amid fraud allegations, disabled Minnesotans are still living without care, oversight or stable housing. In a St. Paul apartment building once leased by an Integrated Community Supports (ICS) company, residents say they’ve been left behind — caught between the state’s fraud crackdown and a system that has yet to step in to help them.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3OhzMeH
REJECT 340B EXPANSION: A new Minnesota Department of Health report shows hospitals made at least $1 billion dollars from a federal drug discount program known as 340B. The program should help patients, but experts say there is little accountability for where the money goes. The report was delayed and only recently released, showing the program isn’t working as intended. But Minnesota politicians are fast tracking a bill to expand the 340B program anyway. Lawmakers: reject House File 3609 / Senate File 3769. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4uUobCQ (SPONSORED: Community Action for Responsible Hospitals)
MNLEG…
SOLAR: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s Community Solar Garden Program is now named for slain former House Speaker Melissa Hortman. … Gov. Tim Walz signed the bill Tuesday morning, telling reporters that he was ‘incredibly grateful’ that lawmakers at the divided Legislature could come together to quickly pass the legislation with broad bipartisan support.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OsdB5n
MEDIA: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “[Advocates] hope the state will start funding an internship program for newsrooms. … The money would come through a bill proposed at the Legislature that would establish public funding for a local news talent pipeline program. Rep. Julie Green, DFL-Edina, and Sen. Heather Gustafson, DFL-Vadnais Heights, introduced the proposals, gaining bipartisan support in committees. … [The bills] would give $500,000 worth of workforce development grants to the Minnesota News Media Institute.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OHwQIi
TAKE: If media is taking money from government, the potential for pulling punches in coverage becomes more realistic. Government already spends money on ads, but grants would add to the distrust chasm that media are already facing.
PLATES: via MPR, VERBATIM: “The state House gave overwhelming approval yesterday to a bill to authorize a state park license plate design featuring Lake Superior Agate as a North Shore tribute. … The bill now awaits a Senate vote. Once enacted, a design has to come from a Minnesota resident and can’t be aided by artificial intelligence. The plate would be selected by Dec. 18.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tdnJOw
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/3OLZOGG(SPONSORED: PhRMA)
WASHINGTON…
CONGRESS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Congress is officially back after a two-week spring recess and will be faced with a number of hot topics as they return to D.C. … A war powers resolution to rein in the [Iran] conflict is likely to come up in the U.S. Senate this week, and possibly in the lower chamber, too. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith both plan to support the resolution. … Congress will also weigh funding the Department of Homeland Security, which has been partially shut down since February, and whether to expel members from both parties in the lower chamber over various allegations of misconduct.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OljgdC
GRANDMAS RIDE ATVs TOO: Check out Donna’s story — a powerful reminder that ATV riding is about more than trails; it’s about people, community, and connection. Donna’s message reflects what so many riders across Minnesota believe: responsible riding, strong local economies, and protecting access for future generations all go hand in hand. Thank you, Donna, for sharing your story and helping put a face to what “I Ride” truly means. Check out Donna’s story HERE: https://fluence-media.co/4tDeK9r (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
BWCA: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) on Tuesday took to the floor to deliver a speech imploring her colleagues to oppose [a] bill which could allow a copper-nickel sulfide mine in the watershed of the BWCA. Smith says there are ways to be pro-mining, but this mine in particular would hurt Minnesota.” SMITH: “I would encourage my Republican colleagues, as you consider this, to take a look at who’s benefiting from this mine. … The real winners of this deal are the Chilean billionaires who will further line their pockets with profits from this mine.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4mxDrS7
RESPONSE: via a Rep. Pete Stauber post, STAUBER: “Twin Cities liberal Tina Smith is directly threatening our way of life by supporting this illegal mining ban! Her actions threaten jobs and economic growth in our part of the state and she continues to show how out of touch she is with northeastern Minnesota!” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4vrkmoV
HABITAT RESTORATION: Flint Hills Resources has earned Tandem Global WHC Gold Certification for habitat restoration at its Cottage Grove fuel terminal. The certification comes after two years of work in partnership with Friends of the Mississippi River to implement a restoration and monitoring plan to re-establish the 6.5-acre site’s natural prairie and savannah. Flint Hills has held gold certification for its work done with community partners over the past 25 years to restore more than 200 acres of the Pine Bend Bluffs, a critical natural area along the Mississippi River that is adjacent to Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery. This makes two Flint Hills gold certified sites in Minnesota and the first two gold-certified sites ever in the Twin Cities. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3VASKg4 (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
THE FEED
APPOINTMENTS: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her announced the appointment of four department directors Tuesday with some new and some familiar faces. The directors are Deb Barber in the city of St. Paul’s Department of Public Works, Joe Harney in the Office of Financial Services, Andy Rodriguez in Parks and Recreation, and Jaime Wascalus in the Office of Technology and Communication.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sC6Yvv
COLLEGE: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “St. Paul’s college savings program shattered expectations as its total savings surpassed $4.3 million. The College-bound Initiative now has over 21,000 children enrolled, with the city originally providing an initial $50 deposit for St. Paul’s newborns. Director of the Office for Financial Empowerment Marcus Owens says the program’s growth follows a recent expansion that allows St. Paul Public Schools’ pre-K students to opt into the program even if they were born outside the city.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4mvSonS
ISRAEL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Pro-Palestinian advocates are once again demanding that the board of St. Paul Regional Water Services cut ties to an Israeli cybersecurity firm. Under pressure from protesters who attended and at times disrupted meetings of the Board of Water Commissioners last summer, St. Paul Regional Water Services in January committed to issue a request for proposals this year for a cybersecurity vendor, allowing it to study potential alternatives to its current contract with Waterfall Security Solutions of Israel.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tMkRYQ
MPLS: Minneapolis City Council Member Michael Rainville spoke to WCCO Radio about the fight to reappoint Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette and Police Chief Brian O’Hara. Rainville said it’s one of many issues exacerbated by the ideological divide on the council, arguing that “the socialists don’t understand city government is about basic, core city issues.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/48CgFmn
SPRING LAKE PARK: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Students across Spring Lake Park Schools will return to class on Wednesday after a ransomware attack resulted in a two-day districtwide closure. While there are lingering technology outages, the school district says its core systems — phones, building security, climate control and fire protection — are back online.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cpUIIu
BEMIDJI: via Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “After nearly a decade of planning and public engagement meetings, the Minnesota Department of Transportation will soon begin its portion of the State Highway 197 reconstruction project in partnership with the city of Bemidji. MnDOT staff shared the full scope of the construction that will take place throughout the summer during an open house. … Both the city and MnDOT hope that, once complete, the corridor will be safer and more accessible for all [residents] with the new addition of sidewalks, trails and crossings.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vwNuuU
PRODUCTIVE FARMS, STEWARDSHIP GO HAND IN HAND: via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Corn farmers are demonstrating that productive agriculture and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. Through widespread adoption of practices such as reduced tillage, cover crops, crop rotations, and targeted nutrient management, farmers have improved soil health, reduced erosion, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and protected water quality across millions of acres in Minnesota. That’s all while implementing advances in seed genetics, fertility management, and precision technology that have improved on-farm productivity.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4stHjG5 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
FOR PLANNING PURPOSES….
SESSION: No House floor session. Senate floor session at 11:00 a.m. HOUSE: Commerce hears the elimination of a prescription affordability council. Human Services will hear a program integrity omnibus. Rules & Leg. Admin. hears term limits for governors. Children & Families will hear its omnibus. SENATE: Taxes will hear the HCMC sales tax bill. Jobs & Econ. Dev. hears business relief. Judiciary & Public Safety hears an NDA ban for elected officials. Human Services will hear its omnibus bill. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/3QFGyLR
TODAY: Members of the Minnesota Freedom Caucus announced that a hearing is confirmed for Wednesday in the House rules committee on potential impeachment proceedings against Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/421ka1V
TODAY: In Rochester, Governor Tim Walz will visit Nucleus RadioPharma, a classroom to highlight his legislative proposal to make child care more affordable, and attend the Future Forward Welding Competition.
TODAY: Senate Republican leaders Mark Johnson, John Jasinski and Michael Kreun will host a press conference “to highlight Democrat tax hikes and proposals that contribute to higher living costs and affordability concerns for Minnesotans,” per a release. The event is at 9:15 a.m.
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz will visit an elementary and early learning school in Rochester at 11:45 a.m. as part of his “statewide push on child care affordability,” per a release.
TODAY: GOP Senate candidate Mark York is hosting an “FAQ” event over Zoom to discuss the Republican state convention and his campaign. The event is at 7:00 p.m.
TOMORROW: Habitat for Humanity will host its “Day on the Hill” on Thursday, April 16 at 10:30 a.m. Sen. Lindsey Port, Rep. Michael Howard and Rep. Spencer Igo will attend.
TOMORROW: St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold will host a press conference to “reveal renderings and more information on planned $600 million renovations to the city-owned Saint Paul Entertainment Complex,” per a release. The event is at 11:30 a.m.
FRIDAY: The Minnesota Legislature’s third deadline is on Friday at 5:00 p.m. Major finance bills that have not received favorable action in committee before this time will be considered dead for the rest of the session. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/3Otx5GU
NEXT WEEK: Attorney General Keith Ellison is hosting a town hall in Minneapolis with the attorneys general of Illinois and Oregon on Wednesday, April 22. The group will be discussing their “work to uphold the rule of law and protect democracy,” per Ellison. The event is at 6:00 p.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4tyqMRj
APRIL 28: Gov. Tim Walz will deliver his final State of the State address before a joint session of the Minnesota Legislature on Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m.
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.