MONDAY MOOD
Twins beat the Brewers. They host Houston tonight.
Lynx lose.
Cooler and wetter week ahead, but should be in decent shape for Memorial Day.
Sports analyst Kent Weyrauch says Minnesota’s 35-year title drought across four major men’s sports makes it by far the unluckiest market in the nation — more than four times as unlucky as second place. DATA: https://fluence-media.co/3PHfeNg
The governor declared a peacetime emergency and activated the National Guard to fight wildfires in northern Minnesota, he’ll travel to Two Harbors today. WCCO: https://fluence-media.co/4wFBF6k
Two souls were at the Minnesota Capitol for their wedding this weekend. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/42C8yTB
Average home prices in Minnesota rose by $142,000 over the past decade. FOX9: https://fluence-media.co/4nCAe4n
Amato finds that 55% of farmers and ranchers say the federal government’s policies are hurting their business, and 39% say they are considering voting for a different party. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4eKuUtj
Sunday Take covered the final days of session and the lack of a 340B bill with Rahul Koranne of the Minnesota Hospital Association. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4wGysn4
Happy National No Dirty Dishes Day…great to have the kids home from college.Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
NOTE Lobbyist and trade associations that are killing time waiting today, let me know if you want me to speak to your summer and fall events about the “Signals vs. Noise” of the election. bloisolson@gmail.com
GOOD LISTENS
Walk or yard work today? Check out a Fluence Forum podcast. APPLE: https://fluence-media.co/FluenceForums
One good listen is also the Long Term Care – Is Minnesota Ready? Care Providers Minnesota and LeadingAge Minnesota hosted providers, Senator Grant Hauschild (03, DFL), Representative Natalie Zeleznikar (03B, GOP), and Representative Nathan Nelson (11B, GOP) for a conversation about the future of careing for our seniors. This coming week the conversation moves to St. Cloud. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4ue3YXA
Sunday Take featured Republican Senate candidate Michele Tafoya discussing her campaign, the war in Iran and what the GOP can do to win statewide. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3R09IG0
MNSIDER: sunday send, where we wonder why MPR is sponsoring political group Take Action. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ue401r
SPONSORS: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.
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FLINT HILLS FAMILY FESTIVAL: Kick off the summer in downtown Saint Paul with the Flint Hills Family Festival on May 29-30, one of the largest and longest-standing events of its kind. The Festival offers free fun for people of all ages in Rice Park and Landmark Plaza, with performances and activities that provide something for everyone, along with world-class shows inside the Ordway for just $8! Now in its 26th year, this year’s Festival lineup includes Cirque Mechanics: TILT!, NOOMA: an opera for babies, and Click Clack Moo! More than one million people have experienced the Festival, including hundreds of thousands of students who have visited on field trips during the Festival’s School Days. Join us this year! LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dhpdBM (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
SINE DIE
With a midnight deadline to pass legislation in the 2026 session, most major bipartisan priorities headed to the governor’s desk in the nick of time. Here are details on what happened in the legislature Sunday.
HCMC: The health and human services omnibus containing funding for HCMC headed to the governor at around 11:00 p.m. last night. It passed 35-32 in the Senate and 108-26 in the House.
PROPERTY TAX: The tax omnibus with $125 million in one-time property tax relief passed both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support at around 11:15 p.m. — 126-8 in the House and 60-7 in the Senate.
BONDING/TABS: The bonding bill containing infrastructure funding and a one-time reduction in vehicle tab fees made its way to the governor with around 15 minutes remaining in the 2026 session. It passed 122-11 in the House and 60-7 in the Senate.
MORE: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “[The] $1.24 billion capital investment bill also calls for almost $46.47 million from the General Fund. … It also includes motor vehicle registration tax changes [and] a memorial to the late Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. … HF719 would provide wide-ranging funding to projects across the state that includes $420 million for water infrastructure, $177 million for transportation and $75 million for the University of Minnesota. … The proposal’s size is larger than both [Tim] Walz’s $907 recommendation and the $700 million bonding law passed in 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tGKSbO
PARTISANSHIP: The House saw DFLers and Republicans attempt to pass partisan priorities during the final minutes of session after major bipartisan legislation had passed. DFLers wanted restrictions on federal agents and the GOP sought term limits on the governor — both efforts failed in the tied chamber.
Fluence Media introduces more — Insider Analysis & Insight from TheDailyAgenda.com
WHAT’S IN
ANTI-FRAUD: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Republicans scored a victory on the Senate floor, amending a DFL bill to allow state agencies to withhold payments to individuals or organizations with credible allegations of fraud. Sen. Michael Kruen, R-Blaine, said his amendment would also require a report to the Legislature on fraud prevention efforts. … Democrats accepted the amendment, and it passed unanimously in the chamber.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dhibgH
AG OFFICE: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “The House passed a bill early Sunday morning to increase staffing for the Office of the Attorney General’s Medicaid fraud investigation unit, stiffen penalties for Medicaid fraud and expand the state’s definition of fraud. Sponsored by Rep. Matt Norris (DFL-Blaine), the House amended and passed HF2354 118-16. … Funding would primarily go toward hiring 18 new Medicaid fraud investigation unit positions: 11 investigators, three attorneys and four support staff.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wGxFT8
IT UPGRADES: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A bill that will give about $90 million to counties and tribes for human services IT upgrades is headed to Gov. Tim Walz, who is expected to sign it. … Upgrades will be a multi-year process, and the bill establishes an ongoing fund so counties and tribes won’t have to wait another 30 years for the Legislature to appropriate more money. In addition, the bill creates the Human Services Modernization Advisory Council and a legislative commission to guide statewide technology upgrades. The bill also includes $15 million for technology upgrades to improve fraud detection in state agencies.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tKQZeV
POT: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “The 2026 omnibus cannabis bill would create a macrobusiness license, merge the medical and adult-use supply chains and give a helping hand to hemp businesses facing federal headwinds. Rep. Jessica Hanson (DFL-Burnsville) said the bill she sponsors [will] tweak what the industry wants tweaked and ‘right sizes’ medical cannabis licensing. … The House passed HF4203/SF4401* by a 92-42 vote [and] the Senate later repassed the bill 34-33.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4u0bXqF
(DISCLOSURE: Plift is a Fluence client)
K-12: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Amended and passed unanimously by the Senate Sunday afternoon, and unanimously by the House a few hours later, HF4492 would require school districts and charter schools to issue, upon request, high school diplomas to veterans who dropped out of high school to serve. … The bill would also make changes to the state’s READ Act. … The bill would direct a district to administer an approved reading screener to grade 4-12 students not reading at grade level at least once per year until the student reaches grade-level proficiency.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42FWjp8
HIGHER ED: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “On a 101-33 vote, the House approved the higher education conference committee report carrying updates to financial aid programs, new fraud-prevention measures, and several provisions aimed at improving transparency. … However, [the bill] is missing proposals to update the state’s educational attainment goals, ensure legislative involvement in selecting regents to the University of Minnesota and addressing a $130 million expected shortfall in state financial aid programs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dhXMIm
OUTDOORS: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “HF2627/SF1943* includes a $191 million appropriation from the Outdoor Heritage Fund for a variety of wildlife habitat, wetland restoration and watershed protection projects as recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council. … Also included are DNR provisions that would add parcels to Frontenac State Park and Greater River Bluffs State Park and provide legislative authorization for select land sales.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fy5m2K
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.
https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
WHAT’S OUT
JOBS/LABOR: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “Senate President Bobby Joe Champion, DFL-Minneapolis, said in a statement Sunday that the Jobs and Labor bill is being blocked by Republicans over small-business relief for those affected by the surge. According to Champion, the House GOP said they would only consider the support for businesses if the DFL agreed to a Paid Family Medical Leave rollback.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3R6OOVJ
SHROOMS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota will not create a pilot program allowing for therapeutic use of psilocybin mushrooms. … The proposal passed the House but didn’t make it through final negotiations. Instead, lawmakers ordered the Office of Cannabis Management to study the feasibility of [this] program.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dhibgH
SPORTS: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “An effort in St. Paul to strip funding for a proposed $65 million Rochester regional sports and recreation complex is dead, a top legislator said. The legislation to revoke funding for the complex was supported by DFL legislators from Rochester and was in play until as late as Friday. … But in the end, the bill was viewed as ‘unworkable’ at a meeting of legislative leaders of the House and Senate tax committees, said Rep. Greg Davids.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3P9tvSR
ICYMI: See the Saturday and Sunday editions of morning take for more details on what the legislature was up to this weekend. SAT: https://fluence-media.co/43fUVJU SUN: https://fluence-media.co/42Kc6TM
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)
FOCUS: FRAUD
RESTITUTION: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Since 2020, restitution has been ordered in at least 48 cases prosecuted by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. The combined restitution totaled more than $13.3 million. … [But] only $2.355 million has been re-paid, less than 18%. Nearly $11 million is still owed. … The outstanding debts range from $69 to nearly $1.7 million. … Attorney General Keith Ellison acknowledged it is difficult for prosecutors to recover those debts. … A defendant’s probation can only be extended up to two years, according to state law, [even if] restitution is still owed. The FOX 9 Investigators identified several fraudsters who were discharged from probation despite making few or even no payments.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3RKpOnc
FEED FRAUD: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Several Minnesota lawmakers say revelations from FBI documents that state officials shut down early inquiries into suspected fraud by Feeding Our Future bolster longstanding concerns they’ve heard from whistleblowers. … ‘This is exactly what people were sort of afraid was happening,’ Sen. Heather Gustafson, DFL-Vadnais Heights, said in response to the report. … Gustafson said she has received private emails from state employees concerned about their agencies’ leadership. Republicans [said] they’d heard similar complaints. … Rep. Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove, called it ‘damning’ [and] said the manager who forbid staff from visiting Feeding Our Future sites should be fired at minimum.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nww3XG
MED FRAUD: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “A convicted fraudster is fighting to keep more than half-a-million dollars in a business account off limits as Minnesota tries to recover stolen Medicaid funds. Ahmed Nur pleaded guilty last year, [and] prosecutors targeted two of Nur’s bank accounts to pay off the debts. … [But] Nur argued a second corporate account containing more than $650,000 should be off limits. The account belongs to [a] company Nur owned and operated. … According to state statute, assets can be seized for victim restitution only ‘if the account holder is convicted.’ … Judge Mark Kappelhoff said he needs to see more evidence and hear from Nur’s bank before deciding.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4wx36is
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)
DC + MN
TARIFFS: via Stateline, VERBATIM: “The fiscal leaders of several states are demanding transparency and consumer fairness as President Donald Trump’s administration seeks to refund billions in international tariffs. … ‘Any system that doesn’t get it to the little guy doesn’t get it to the right place,’ Minnesota State Auditor Julie Blaha said on a press call [last week]. She was among eight Democratic state fiscal leaders who urged the White House to publicly disclose which firms are receiving tariff refunds and to ensure consumers are not left out. Blaha said government agencies are well equipped for that task.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wzhd6K
SOYBEANS: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Minnesota farmers say they’re cautiously optimistic after President Donald Trump announced a deal with Beijing to buy more soybeans. … U.S. soybean exports to China have dropped from 41% in 2016 to 15% in 2025. … Dave Pfarr, a longtime farmer near Le Sueur, Minnesota, says he’s hoping to sell more soybeans to China. Right now, the price of land, rent, equipment, fertilizer and fuel costs have Minnesota farmers struggling with thin margins.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4udFLRb
IRAN: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Rep. Betty McCollum, D-4th District, questioned Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth [last] week over the cost of the Iran war and the budgetary needs of the nation’s military. … She asked Hegseth for an accounting of munition levels, damage to war ships, military equipment that has been lost and additional fuel delivery cost as Iran’s lockdown of the Strait of Hormuz has prevented oil tanker deliveries. … She also said the panel needed details of the $1.5 trillion 2027 defense budget no later than June 11.” McCOLLUM: “I will not support a blank check for the Pentagon. The Trump Administration’s budget request must be closely scrutinized.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ugZOOU
NATL GUARD: via Rep. Brad Finstad advisory, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) and [others] introduced the National Guard Relief Act, legislation that would designate the National Guard Relief Foundation as a military welfare society under Title 10 of United States Code, improving the foundation’s ability to assist more National Guard Members as they continue to serve the country.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ueTaIL
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 Washington should fix the federal 340B program, so it actually helps patients. LEARN MORE: https://phrma.org/340B (SPONSORED: PhRMA)
ACROSS MN
MSP: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A few things have changed since shovels hit the dirt outside [MSP] Airport’s Terminal 2. Three carriers packed up and left, one of which ultimately went bust. Passenger traffic fell last year for the first time since the height of the pandemic. [And] Sun Country was officially bought by out-of-state peer Allegiant. … [However], airport officials are confident the $263 million expansion is still a wise investment. … The MAC started working on the expansion in 2024. [It’s] expected to wrap up next year, [but] the terminal’s existing 14 gates are already underutilized.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dsk095
MORE: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “In its final year, the $263 million investment includes updates to concession spaces, restrooms, service amenities, and the addition of two more gates. Bridget Rief is vice president of planning and development with the Metropolitan Airports Commission and says two already existing gates will also see some updates.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3ReYFZt
NEW APP: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Arrowhead Transit, the largest rural transportation network in Minnesota, launched a new mobile app this month that allows users to book trips on their smart phones and track the bus in real-time to see how close it is to picking them up. … Before the app, the only way people could schedule rides was to call Arrowhead Transit’s dispatch system. At the busiest times, wait times were ‘sometimes more than you would like,’ conceded transit director Brandon Nurmi.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nIHdbZ
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Business owner Joe Powers officially launched his campaign for mayor Friday, weeks after announcing he was exploring the idea. He joins business owner Benjamin Zastrow, local artist Ayub HajiOmar and health coach Jerrod Lucker in announcing campaigns. NAACP chapter President Walé Elegbede has also said he’s considering running for the office.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4deHgZw
GLOBAL TRADE BOLSTERS AG ECONOMIES: via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Each year, Minnesota’s exports of corn, ethanol, corn-fed meat, and dried distillers grains (DDGS) alone support over 11,500 jobs and add billions to the state’s economy. They also help ensure that consumers around the world have access to affordable protein and dairy products. In May, during World Trade Month, Minnesota Corn celebrates that important role trade plays in all our lives — in the U.S. and abroad.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dqEqB1 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
LOOKING AHEAD
SESSION: The final day of session will see retirement speeches from members of both chambers starting at 10:00 a.m. Over 40 lawmakers are not seeking reelection to their current office this year. The Minnesota Legislature will return to work on Jan. 12, 2027. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4do6S4T
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will travel to Two Harbors to receive a briefing from local officials and emergency managers on the Stewart Trail wildfire. Following his briefing, the Governor will meet with first responders and survey fire damage.
TODAY: The Minneapolis Fed will host a virtual event at 10:00 a.m. discussing results from their latest regional survey of Minnesota’s farm lenders.
TODAY: At 10:30 Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy will hold a press conference to discuss major actions taken in the 2026 legislative session and take questions from the media.
TODAY: Minneapolis city leadership will announce a new task force dedicated to investigating non-fatal shootings at 12:00 noon.
MON-THURS: Sen. Andrew Mathews and Rep. Bryan Lawrence, both GOP, will host three town halls in Senate District 27. They’ll be in Princeton on Monday at 6:00 p.m., in St. Francis on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m., and in Zimmerman on Thursday at 5:00 p.m.
THURSDAY: The League of Women Voters will host a conversation about voting with Sec. Steve Simon in Bemidji on Thursday, May 21 at 4:30 p.m.
We won’t ask for “membership” to list your BDAY, and we won’t have pledge drive but you can support the Fluence work by paying for premium content.
BDAYS: Rep. Andrew Meyers, Sen. Jim Abeler, big thinker Nate Garvis, attorney Lisa Elliott, media guy Bill Dallman, lobbyist Shannon Cunningham, attorney Michael Bryant, fmr. Rep. Phil Sterner
SPEAKER: If you’re looking for a speaker about the “Signal vs. Noise” dynamic of today’s politics and the 2026 election. EMAIL: BloisOlson@gmail.com.
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.