SUNNY SATURDAY
Wolves eliminated. Twins lose.
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
7:45AM Fox 9 Sunday with Leah Beno tomorrow.
9:00 AM Sunday Take with Legislative leaders on tomorrow at 9:00 AM on WCCO Radio. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/WCCOLive2
A new trend I’m watching, President Trump’s approval is under water in SoDak, Iowa, and Nebraska via the Economist. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3PKuau0
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
A good day to celebrate National BBQ Day.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
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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We call on our state leaders to pass an infrastructure jobs bill with $100 million to replace lead drinking water pipes. Sponsored by LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota. FIXMN.org (SPONSORED: LIUNA MN + ND)
The sit-in should end today. There will be a rally at the Capitol today at 11:30 by Protect Minnesota. The social media won’t change.
The noise of the social posts from DFLers and the narratives of the Republicans drive the bubble, but they don’t reflect the mood of everyday Minnesotans especially on a sunny Saturday. However, that’s the endorphin rush that fuels the loudest voices on each side. This morning Rep. Brad Tabke on Instagram live only had 4 to 5 viewers, but it fuels the algorithms, which distorts the whole picture for those who follow too closely.
Most Minnesotans are soaking up the weather, what happens at the Capitol is the last thing the majority are thinking about today. We’re two weeks from party state conventions, and the noise is louder than the signals. The signals are looming and will ultimately decide the November election.
There are “imperatives” for the future of the state also casting a shadow – and the next Governor will have work to do. Protests should be left to the activists and are welcome on most topics – however the energy for DFLers could be running out after Operation Metro Surge and the session. Republicans seem to be slow and steady which is the way to run when the headwinds are strong.
The next two days will test the deal that leaders cut, recall two years ago when one Senator disappeared about this time of the session jeopardizing everyone’s work. That could still happen in either the House or the Senate. The other possibility is that with no sleep the emotions of the gun debate and insistence on DFLers to continue to focus on one issue more than others, creates delays that force a pace on the floor that prevents everything from getting done. The biggest bill at risk – a bonding bill.
Last night on Almanac, legislative leaders. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ufNE93
“The House is throwing some sand in the gears and we may not see that bonding bill at the end of the day.” - Sen. Mark Johnson
Sen. Erin Murphy says meat raffle legislation is on the Senate floor today.
TODAY: Here are the floor calendars of the day.
ANNUNCIATION: Parents of Annunciation victims have been pressuring Speaker Lisa Demuth to hold a floor vote on gun safety, claiming that Demuth told them last year she would allow it. However, Demuth said on MPR yesterday that she had only agreed to bring school safety funding to the floor, not gun bills. DEMUTH: “What I didn’t promise in that room is that there would be a gun ban vote and passage, because I don’t have that authority. What you’ve seen is bills brought forward in committee in March, fully vetted, but they failed in committee.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4uUKg3l
RESPONSE: In a text to the Star Tribune, Annunciation parent Mike Moyski disputed Speaker Lisa Demuth’s recollection of their discussion about gun bans last year. MOYSKI: “We didn’t go through how a bill becomes a law in our living room! This was 29 days after my daughter was killed and the conversation was simple. … What she is saying is incorrect. She didn’t play the ‘Schoolhouse Rock!’ about politics with us in that time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dc1l2G
Fluence Media introduces more — Insider Analysis & Insight from TheDailyAgenda.com
DEAL FLOW
TODAY: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Legislators are expected to resume their work Saturday following a sit-in by DFL lawmakers on the House floor to protest the lack of a House vote on gun-control measures. Several major bills are still on the docket, including aid for HCMC, a one-year vehicle tab-fee cut and a $1.2 billion public works package.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dc1l2G
DISRUPTIONS? Speaker Lisa Demuth, House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson and DFL Rep. Leigh Finke all told MPR that they do not expect the Democrats’ sit-in protest to disrupt the passage of the bipartisan budget deal. However, DFL Rep. Dave Pinto told the Star Tribune that Democrats “are looking at every possible angle that we can” to hold a floor vote on gun control, and DFL Rep. Cedrick Frazier told the Star Tribune that the DFL can try to force a vote again during today’s floor session, adding that his party is “going to continue to push as hard as we can.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uUKg3l https://fluence-media.co/4dc1l2G
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.
https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
RETIREMENTS: Via House Session Daily, this year will see high turnover in the Minnesota Legislature, but it’s not likely to set a new record. Although 43 lawmakers and counting are retiring or seeking other offices, the number of open seats does not exceed the 59 seen in 2022. Therefore, unless dozens of incumbents are ousted, the 1972 record of 79 freshman lawmakers will stand. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tEtioC
MORE: Via Star Tribune, an analysis of why GOP Sen. Carla Nelson’s retirement announcement, seen in yesterday’s morning take, could shake up the 2026 elections. VERBATIM: “Nelson’s seat is expected to become a top battleground. Although she won re-election in 2022 with more than 57% of the vote, the Rochester area has trended increasingly Democratic in recent years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dc1l2G
See the Fluence Advisory memo on the loss of institutional knowledge at the Capitol, a good read outside today. HERE: https://fluence-advisory.com/insights/
SIDE DISH
GROOMING: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Senate on Friday voted unanimously to pass a bill to make the sexual grooming of children a felony. It would also ban teachers from being alone with students on field trips and require the Minnesota Department of Education to develop new mandatory reporter training. … It will now go back to the House, where lawmakers are expected to sign off and send it to Gov. Tim Walz.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tK19N3
E-BIKES: via MN Senate advisory, VERBATIM: “Today, the Senate passed a bill authored by Senator Ann Johnson Stewart (DFL – Minnetonka) to improve safety and consumer protections in state law surrounding e-bikes and motorized bicycles. … SF 3236 [is] requiring helmets for e-bike riders under age 18…requiring clear labeling about speed capabilities, [and more].” The bill passed 34-33 and awaits House action. BILL: https://fluence-media.co/49ovslh
SOCIAL MEDIA: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “Minnesota got one step closer to adding new protections for minors from social media on Friday. … The bill, SF2696, would require a parent’s consent for someone 15 or younger to make a social media account and would limit ‘addictive’ features. … [It] now heads to the House, where they will concur before it goes to the governor’s desk for signature.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4deyjiY
CLAIMS: via MN Senate advisory, VERBATIM: “Today, the Minnesota Senate passed House File 5074, carried by Senator Doron Clark (DFL-Minneapolis). The bill appropriates over $5.1 million to four individuals for exonerations and personal injury claims against the Department of Corrections. … The bill now heads to Governor [Tim] Walz’s desk.” The bill passed unanimously in the House and 64-2 in the Senate. BILL: https://fluence-media.co/3PnQGc4
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)
POT LUCK
HIGHER ED: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Lawmakers wrapped up their higher education conference committee Friday with two minutes to spare. … The conference committee report on HF4252*/SF3943, sponsored by Rep. Dan Wolgamott (DFL-St. Cloud) and Sen. Omar Fateh (DFL-Mpls), is expected to receive House and Senate action. Most of the agreement consists of administrative and technical changes proposed by the Office of Higher Education, especially to the Private School Career Act [and] the Private and Out-of-State Postsecondary Education Act.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wzJ1bj
340B: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “A bill at the Legislature [would] strengthen and extend 340B, [but] advocates are worried the bipartisan bill, which hospitals say they need to survive, will fail to make it to the governor’s desk. … All 67 DFL members in the House are in favor of the bill. [Even] GOP members urged House leadership to get the bill moving. … [But] Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, [said] the 340B bill is still being negotiated with the governor and legislative leaders.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ueTTKb
(DISCLOSURE: Essentia, PhRMA and Community Action for Responsible Hospitals are all Fluence sponsors)
CONSERVATION: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “A procedural hangup in the deadlocked Minnesota House threatens to derail nearly $200 million in funding for habitat conservation and restoration across the state. … Environmental groups implored lawmakers to put aside their differences and pass a package that would allow dozens of Outdoor Heritage Fund projects to begin or continue in the coming months. … To ensure they receive funding on time, the House and Senate must pass an appropriations bill before the legislative session ends on Sunday night. If they don’t, it would be the first time in the Outdoor Heritage Fund’s more than 15-year history.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RfKFyC
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)
COST CONCERNS
TAB FEES: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A Minnesotan with a $50,000 vehicle should save about $145 on car-tab fees thanks to the one-time cut planned by lawmakers. … Some details of how the fee reduction will work are still unknown. But [GOP Sen. John] Jasinski said the Legislature won’t take any money away from roads and bridges to pay for the reduction in tab fees, which was one reason why some Democrats have been wary. … Jasinski said the reduction will start Jan. 1, 2027, and will run for a calendar year. He said some Democrats wanted the reduction done before the election, but Republicans felt ‘it’s easier for families to understand the first of the year.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dc1l2G
HCMC: Labor group We Make MN praised the bipartisan budget deal unveiled Wednesday night, particularly for its provisions to save HCMC from its financial burdens. Via Eric Bernstein, coalition director of We Make MN, QUOTE: “This deal recognizes HCMC’s importance to the entire state and reflects months of advocacy by workers, nurses, union members, and community organizations. … Now that we have secured this meaningful but temporary security, we must work towards a more equitable and sustainable healthcare solution for the long-run.”
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)
SIGNED
SIGNED: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Today, Governor Tim Walz signed five bills. HF 3522 the omnibus veterans and military affairs bill, raises the minimum pay for active duty Minnesota National Guard members by tying their pay rate to the base pay rate set by the federal government for an E-5 (Sergeant) service member, [and more]. … SF 856 creates the Office of the Inspector General. … HF 3709 allows certain virtual-currency custody services to be offered and performed by banking institutions. HF 4987 designates a portion of Ramsey County State-Aid Highway 96 in White Bear Lake as the ‘Master Sergeant Nicole Amor Memorial Highway.’ SF 476, the omnibus human services bill, expands certain medical assistance services to include coverage of care evaluations, modifies rates for homemaker services [and more].” READ/LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4uQrNEQ
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)
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)
FRAUD: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A judge’s order saying Minnesota’s fraud-fighting approach may have ‘potentially disastrous consequences’ for vulnerable people is giving hope to service providers who have decried the state’s tactics. … Ramsey County Judge Mark Ireland allowed part of a lawsuit against the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to move forward [and] questioned whether the agency’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy of suspending Medicaid payments over suspected fraud has replaced the case-by-case discretion required under Minnesota law. … State officials stand behind their method of withholding provider payments over credible allegations of fraud.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Pig9nf
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 12:00 noon. Senate floor session TBD. FLOOR: The House will hear bills on foster youth, childcare training, excavation notices, egg donations, and labor and industry. CONFERENCE: Conference committees TBD. HOUSE: The Rules & Leg. Admin. Committee will hear a resolution on waiver of dates. SENATE: Committee meetings TBD. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4u7SEwe
MONDAY: 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.
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: strong take champion Tom Freeman, public affairs pro Ted Johnson, retired news guy Tom Lindner
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.
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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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.