CRUNCH TIME
Happy Statehood Day Minnesota.
Wolves win. Wild at 7 and the Frost at 6.
Weather warms up this week.
As prices go up, “gas thieves” in the Twin Cities are drilling into cars to steal their fuel. MPR: https://fluence-media.co/4tnQ2ZR
Most major U.S. cities saw drops in violent crime during Q1 2026, but Minneapolis and Atlanta saw an increase. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/48TUU1B
Consumer sentiment hit its lowest level ever recorded by the University of Michigan — lower than 2008 or 2020. CNBC: https://fluence-media.co/42XugRZ
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
DEED launches “Choose Minnesota” today in St. Cloud.
Happy National Foam Rolling Day to those who choose the pain.
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CAMPAIGN 2024
Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders meet at 9 today. The dynamics of the negotiations may depend on what Walz wants in his final 7 days of leverage. The challenge is that nothing needs to get done, and there will likely be many legislative proposals that won’t make it through the final push. Walz’s historical style has been to not negotiate too hard, which could make facing off against Speaker Demuth in the final days a challenge as she runs for Governor.
WALZ: The Pioneer Press spoke to Gov. Tim Walz at the Governor’s Fishing Opener about his future, what it’s like to have a session without Melissa Hortman, VERBATIM: “I think we’re all dealing with it, and I think, to be honest with you, in the negotiations, I think there’s some trauma coming out in all of us. Because there is a piece missing,” Walz said. “And I say this, ’cause I’ve been around it: I have a narrow skill set, but I know what it is. I know what a good legislator looks like…The only person who gets stuff done like that was Pelosi. There’d be things where I was voting against Pelosi, and I was madder than hell at her, and 30 minutes later, I’m with her. That was Melissa. It’s a gift, and it’s really changed.”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/48Vgwut
CD2: The 2nd District DFL endorsed Lakeville Mayor Matt Little for U.S. House on Saturday. With 60% needed for the endorsement, Little won 63% of delegate votes, while state Rep. Kaela Berg won about 22% and state Sen. Matt Klein won around 14%. However, the candidates will still proceed to a three-way primary in August — Klein and Berg both confirmed this weekend that they will continue running in the race to succeed U.S. Rep. Angie Craig. Little and Berg are both progressives, while Klein is a moderate like Craig.
MORE: Via Star Tribune’s Sydney Kashiwagi, Rep. Angie Craig said she thinks all three DFL candidates in her district could win in November, but she does not plan to endorse a successor. Sen. Amy Klobuchar was reportedly “the only statewide candidate who didn’t attend” the convention — she submitted a video message, but delegates voted not to play it over concerns it was too long and unfair to in-person attendees. TWEETS: https://fluence-media.co/48N1hE0 https://fluence-media.co/4nigEKm
RESPONSE: Via WCCO-TV, Sen. Matt Klein and Rep. Kaela Berg both explained why they are planning to run in the CD2 DFL primary despite losing the party endorsement. READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4uzWgXz
● KLEIN: “Minnesota Democrats have a long history of doing this. Gov. [Tim] Walz was not endorsed by our party. Gov. [Mark] Dayton was not endorsed by our party. … The broader primary electorate understands issues like electability and how do you win over republicans and independents in a purple district like CD2.”
● BERG: “My community knows that when they tell me how this economy is affecting them, they know I live that right alongside them. … We now have the opportunity to talk to tens of thousands of voters in this district who resonate with our story.”
CD5: The 5th District DFL endorsed U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar’s reelection bid on Saturday.
GOV RACE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar declined Friday to embrace Gov. Tim Walz’s suggestion that Minnesota could try to redraw its congressional districts. … Klobuchar expressed frustration when asked about Walz’s [idea], saying Democrats shouldn’t assume they are going to pull off a sweep in this year’s elections before they have earned it. While she noted she’s supported Democratic redistricting in Virginia and California, Klobuchar said Minnesota could face legal and procedural hurdles if it pursued a similar effort. … Beyond redistricting, Klobuchar has been framing her campaign around a plan to govern closer to the political middle, [saying] she is open to revisiting programs created by DFLers in 2023 [and] working with the state’s business community.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fauegT
MORE: Via MPR, Sen. Amy Klobuchar said she is not interested in DFL proposals to raise taxes on wealthy residents. KLOBUCHAR: “I don’t think this is a time to be looking at increasing taxes, nor do I think we should be at a place where we are making major reductions.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4uEb4Va
TAKE: A three-way primary in CD2 for DFLers could have a major impact on the US Senate race. The turnout model that Govs. Mark Dayton and Tim Walz used to win primaries has likely shifted as the DFL has veered left. The CD8 Iron Range turnout isn’t what it once was for DFLers and energy for a primary in CD5 won’t be as high without a primary for Attorney General Keith Ellison.
The endorsement of fmr. Sen. Matt Little, and the lack of energy for State Sen. Matt Klein also create a lane for Rep. Kaela Berg as I wrote when she entered the race. Now we’ll see if DFLers are as aligned with the middle-mindedness of Klein the way they have supported Rep. Angie Craig as she built an impressive record of margin for DFLers in the district.
CD 2 DFL Primary Turnout in 2018 was 61,000 and in 2022 was 46,000, it is likely for Klein or Berg to be successful they will have to have a boosted turn out to 80,000 or more.
Furthermore, in US House primaries, the DFL endorsement has been successful in CD5, and CD2 even in competitive races.
Little is the favorite, Berg is the dark horse, and Klein is going to have to find a new gear.
Follow along at the Fluence Election Tracker: https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.
https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
SESSION
ONE WEEK: There is one full week left in the Minnesota Legislature’s 2026 session. The last day lawmakers can meet is Monday, May 18 — however, the final day of session is typically reserved for retirement speeches, so most legislative business is expected to be wrapped up on Sunday, May 17.
There will be a lot of retirement speeches.
OIG: The Senate will hear a bill to create an Office of Inspector General today during its floor session. The bill passed in the House with overwhelming bipartisan support last week, and it will be sent to the governor for his signature if it passes again in the Senate.
GUNS: The Star Tribune reports that Annunciation parents are pushing Speaker Lisa Demuth to allow a House vote on an assault weapon ban that passed in the Senate before the session is over. The parents say Demuth committed to allowing a floor vote when they asked her about it last year, but last week, GOP Rep. Bjorn Olson said he had “been instructed not to report it” when asked about the bill’s status. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tLerZT
PUBLIC SAFETY: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “There were two firsts at the public safety policy conference committee meeting Friday. It was the first conference committee to meet this year, and it was also the first to finish its business of reconciling the differences between House and Senate proposals. … Their decisions will be in a report that will soon arrive at their respective bodies for final votes, and if passed by both chambers, the agreed-upon package will go to the governor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4u2lEp7
MORE: Prediction market site Kalshi is asking users and supporters to lobby against the state’s public safety package. EXCERPT: “The Minnesota Legislature is considering a last-minute ban on prediction markets in its public-safety bill, SF 4760. … We’d really appreciate it if you could take a couple of minutes to tell your state senator and representative to strip this language before the bill advances.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4whD033
SCHOOLS: via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Senate approved a proposal [last week] to increase the amount of money schools get each year from a trust account that comes from the state leasing land for extraction such as mining and logging. Under state law, those annual payments are limited to around 2 to 2.5 percent of the fund balance. The bill approved by the Senate and the House will send a constitutional amendment to voters that would increase that annual payout to schools by tens of millions of dollars.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49nORCA
HOUSING: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “On Friday, conferees reviewed the side-by-side comparison of HF1141 and took testimony [on] the housing finance and policy bill. … Conferees agree on the financial components, which include at least $50 million in housing infrastructure bonds, as well as funding for family homelessness prevention and workforce housing. … Committee members heard divided testimony on the housing legislation, with multiple people focusing on manufactured home communities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wmFMUC
SOLAR: via MPR, VERBATIM: “A typical plug-in solar system set-up costs around $1,000 to $2,000 and can [generate] about 20 percent of the electricity used by a typical home. … But to install one of these mini-solar systems now in Minnesota, a homeowner would have to jump through all the same interconnection hoops with their power provider and pay the same fees as someone putting in a big rooftop system. … [Sen. Rob] Kupec has introduced a bill in the Minnesota Senate to streamline that interconnection process…but advocates concede it has a narrow path to approval.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eJHSrn
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)
NATIONAL
MEDICAID: via MPR, VERBATIM: “A federal judge has issued a stay in the lawsuit Minnesota filed against the federal government over withheld Medicaid dollars. U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud issued his four-month stay in the case at the request of both the state and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which held back more than $240 million. … The judge’s order indicates that an out-of-court resolution could be in the works. If one isn’t reached, the parties must give the court a status update on Sept. 3.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49nORCA
HOSPITALS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota Star Tribune-KFF Health News investigation of hospital data and charity care programs shows most Minnesota hospitals provide little financial aid to patients and often make assistance difficult to get. … Nationally, hospitals spend an average of about 2.4% of their operating budgets on charity care. … Of Minnesota’s 123 general hospitals, 61 devoted less than 0.5% of their operating budgets to charity care from 2020 through 2024.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48Vhtmx
ISRAEL: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “A group of progressive lawmakers, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, R-5th District, have [requested] Secretary of State Marco Rubio to break the United State’s long silence on Israel’s undeclared nuclear weapons program. … The letter cited testimony from former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates that said Iran’s pursuit of nuclear capabilities was motivated by the nation’s proximity to countries that possessed nuclear arsenals, including Pakistan, Russia and Israel. … The letter was signed by about two dozen Democrats besides Omar.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ezGFCP
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)
ISSUES
GAS PRICES: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “With gas prices climbing across Minnesota, rideshare drivers are looking for ways to manage higher costs at the pump. … Minnesota’s average [is] now at $4.18 per gallon. Uber and Lyft have both rolled out new programs to help drivers save on fuel, [but] many ride-share drivers say the new discounts do not go far enough to help with rising expenses.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3PkkAh8
(DISCLOSURE: Waymo is a Fluence sponsor)
RURAL WEALTH: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “Over the next decade, aging baby boomers will transfer a whopping $105 billion to the next generation, according to recent research by University of Minnesota Extension. … Over the next decade, for example, $2 billion will change hands in St. Louis County, $1.6 billion in Olmsted County, $532 million in Clay County and $295 million in Polk County. Smaller-population counties will see sizable transfers too: $87 million in Norman County, $60 million in Big Stone County and $40 million in Kittson County. … [But] for some in the state, there is deep concern over where that money might go — worries that it might leave local communities and never come back.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tmSVKx
FEED FRAUD: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Two individuals involved in the Feeding our Future fraud case received prison sentences [last] week. Sharmake Jama, owner of Brava Restaurant in Rochester, was sentenced to 16 months in prison and ordered to pay $5.3 million in restitution. Filsan Mumin Hassan received over three years in prison and must pay $376,000 in restitution.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4dhJxBQ
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)
METRO
MPLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis Police Department is on pace to blow its budget by more than $23 million this year. … Mayor Jacob Frey [has] nominated Police Chief Brian O’Hara to serve another four-year term, but the department’s troublesome financial forecast, which emerged days prior, is almost certain to play a major role as a skeptical City Council decides whether he should keep his job. … A number of council members have browbeaten O’Hara for exceeding his budget last year. This year, the department is projected to exceed its budget by even more than the last.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uzTi5n
MPS: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis Public Schools leaders laid out on Friday how the district will spend $10.8 million in surprise revenue following an accounting maneuver to yield more state special education money, with the funds going to a mix of adult ed, academic programs and for higher-than-expected insurance costs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49zikth
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)
LAKEVILLE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “People in the Lakeville Area School District will vote this Tuesday on a $139 million bond referendum. District 194 says the money will be used to fund additions and renovations at its middle schools. The district says over the past decade, K-12 enrollment has increased by about 1,200 students.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/42nyL8n
FOREST LAKE: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Members of the Forest Lake City Council got a shock nine months ago when they learned that the price tag for a proposed new public works facility. … [Now], Forest Lake officials are seeking approval from the Minnesota Legislature to increase the local sales tax to bankroll the project. The Minnesota Senate has approved the plan, [but] the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the House omnibus bill.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tuuKtU
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
STAPLES: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota Medical School is adding a site to its rural family medicine residency program — the only program of its kind in Minnesota. The medical school is partnering with Lakewood Health System to launch a residency in Staples, a small 3,000-person city. … Keri Bergeson, director of rural programs for the University of Minnesota Department of Family Medicine, explained that the aim of the program is to address the shortage of doctors in rural areas.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42qXLeW
MENAHGA: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Pews in [Menahga’s] churches, which outnumber bars and restaurants in this community of 1,400, fill each Sunday with large, young families. And many of the children in those families are unvaccinated for measles, according to new data from the Minnesota Department of Health. In Menahga’s public school, the rate of unvaccinated kindergartners is nearly 40 percentage points below the state average.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42qvJQE
ST LOUIS CTY: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Sacred items [made] their way home to Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in far northern Minnesota during the Honor Our Elders Powwow Saturday. The Saint Louis County Historical Society [helped] repatriate pipes, one of which is known to be carried by the band’s last hereditary chief, Joseph Maymaushkowaush, who led in the 1880s.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PxGM7F
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: House floor session at 11:00 a.m. Senate floor session at 11:00 a.m. FLOOR: The House will hear bills on human services and the Met Council. The Senate will hear the OIG bill, the higher education omnibus, the “immigration enforcement and civil remedies” omnibus, and more. HOUSE: Rules & Leg. Admin. has a hearing with an unannounced agenda. SENATE: Judiciary & Public Safety hears the program integrity omnibus. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/48OoKVo
TODAY: via SEIU, a news conference at 9:30, VERBATIM: “educators, healthcare workers, parents and more will speak out about why Minnesota needs the legislature to pass a package of laws ensuring there are rules around ICE entering places where Minnesotans should be learning and healing.”
TODAY: House DFLers will host a press conference at 12:30 p.m. “calling for small business relief,”
TODAY: Advocates will host a demonstration of “vote from your phone” technology at the Capitol from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. The Minnesota Legislature is considering bills to legalize mobile voting, and lawmakers are invited to attend this event.
TODAY: DEED launches “Choose Minnesota” in St. Cloud.
WEDNESDAY: The Minneapolis Fed will host a virtual event at 12:00 noon discussing results from their latest regional survey of Minnesota’s child care businesses.
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BDAYS: Walmart’s Lisa Nelson, Rep. Brad Tabke, lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel, communication pro Dennis Stauffer, lobbyist Lori Grivna, marketer Ruth Glaser
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.