WARMING UP
Wolves win. Wild host Chicago tonight.
“March Madness” starts today…but Venezuela struck back and beat USA in the World Baseball Classic. Yes, we may have gold in hockey, but we lost America’s game.
Bob Motzko is leaving as the Gopher hockey coach, a day after Brad Frost was dismissed as the women’s coach. Sure, the Gophers had a tough year, but Motzko deserves nothing but grace and praise for an impressive career and being a great person.
Home of the Fluence Advisory Holiday mini golf outing…USA Today readers ranked St. Paul’s Can Can Wonderland as one of the nation’s top 10 mini golf spots. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4duqSo8
CNN is now tracking TSA wait times at major airports, including MSP, as the partial shutdown drags on. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4lFGiYS
The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged due to rising prices and the Iran war. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/4rBhhQ1
Sens. Nick Frentz and Jeremy Miller will be with Vineeta Sawkar at 7:20 to discuss the renewed reason to legalize sports wagering, and Gov. Tim Walz is on with Sakar at 8:20. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/LIVEWCCO
Happy National Ag Day.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
The WCCO Radio morning take from today with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4bLBAW6
Sunday Take featured Sen. Ron Latz and a check in on the legislative session – lots of noise, few signals and a feeling that in a closely divided legislature isn’t listening to the data, but only to the loudest voices. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3P87zXL
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The latest insight from Fluence Advisory on the loss of institutional knowledge from the Minnesota Legislature. READ: https://fluence-advisory.com/insights/
A NEW LEGISLATURE?
135HOUSEMEMBERS: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Lawmakers in the tied Minnesota House of Representatives are considering shaking up the number of state legislators to avoid future ties. The House State Government Committee discussed a bill to add another member — taking the House to 135. The proposal would also reduce the number of state senators to 45 from the current 67. … The bill was laid over for consideration later. … While members of the House committee relished the idea of having fewer senators at the Capitol, their Senate colleagues might not join in on the effort to shrink their ranks.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bso3Tr
MORE: Via Star Tribune, GOP Rep. Paul Torkelson — author of the bill to change the number of Minnesota lawmakers — said decreasing the number of state senators is necessary to meet legal requirements for drawing legislative districts. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uthGqa
THOUGHT: Make the legislature smaller and full time. How about 21 Senators, and 63 House members. Pay them well and attract more experience to the role. Then limit the number of bills per member at 10 excluding budget bills. Better and more thoughtful policy – more time building relationships and studying impacts.
HEALTH CARE UPHEAVAL
HCMC: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Hennepin Healthcare leaders testified Wednesday at the state capitol about the significant financial challenges faced by Hennepin County Medical Center, which county leaders say could be at risk of closure without state intervention. The hospital projects up to $50 million in operating losses in 2026 and potentially as much as $1.7 billion in losses over the next decade. … One of the options that county leaders have pushed for is the extension of a Hennepin County sales tax, [but] DFL Sen. Ann Rest [said] ‘I have been waiting for alternatives to the sixfold sales tax increase.’” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4sT1Tzg
TAKE: In Minnesota fashion, we’re not identifying the elephant in the state. Health care, in a “health care state” is under enormous transition, and there doesn’t seem to be public leadership engaged in what it means. Let us count the angles.
1. UCare is forced into receivership, and one key factor is the underfunding of Medicaid reimbursement.
2. HCMC faces years of internal political and social disruption, without a focus on care and now faces financial collapse.
3. The U-Fairview deal requires a forced re-marriage delaying a clear view on maintaining the University’s formerly leading role as a leading medical school.
4. Allina is sold to a California based hospital system, not merged sold.
5. North has acknowledged at the leadership level that they are pursuing a strategy that includes a new partner or sale.
Those are the major shifts in just the past year – the next Governor will have to find a platform to keep Minnesota’s health care advantage. Research shows it’s a major quality of life differentiator for residents.
To dive deeper listen to our recent Fluence Forum on the “State of Health Care”. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/FluenceForumPodcast
NURSES: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Minnesota is on track to face a shortage of more than 30,000 nurses by 2030 as more nurses retire than become licensed. … A proposal laid over Wednesday would devote state resources to coordinating solutions across the entire pipeline. Sponsored by Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar (R-Fredenberg Township), HF3167, as amended twice, would appropriate $500,000 from the Workforce Development Fund in the Fiscal Year 2027 to support the Center for Nursing Equity and Excellence.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47b4xbo
A new level of insight and information….
394: via KSTP, VERBATIM “Kyle Hahn says there’s one word to describe his current commute each morning on Interstate 394: nightmare. QUOTE: “If you get up by like 6 a.m., you might be able to beat the traffic, but if you get up at like 7:30 a.m., just plan on being there for a while,” he said…The busy thoroughfare that connects the west metro to downtown Minneapolis is in the midst of a two-year, $67 million construction project….Currently, all westbound traffic is being diverted into the reversible E-ZPass Express lanes between downtown and the Highway 100 exit…But with no one paying a toll right now, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) projects it will lose more than $1 million in toll revenue generated by that 3-mile stretch of road.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4102NOR
OUR BRAND
TOURISM: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Mayor Jacob Frey runs through the streets [in] a new video inviting people to visit Minneapolis, which is trying to get back on its own feet after the Trump Administration’s immigration crackdown. … During and after the surge, Frey took on the role of spokesman for the city, doing multiple interviews with national news outlets. … Now, the city and Meet Minneapolis, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, have made a video in which Frey is front and center. … The video is only circulating on social media for now.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sft7QJ
MORE: Via YouTube, the new tourism video featuring Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is available online. FREY: “In Minneapolis, we stand up for all our neighbors — and we can’t wait to welcome you.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4bR93yn
NOTE: While traveling this week, I ran into couple who used to live in Minneapolis. They asked a lot of questions. My final statement was, Minneapolis is different – it’s still great – but it’s different.
YOUR NEIGHBORS RIDE ATVs: From the Twin Cities to the Iron Range, thousands of Minnesotans own and ride ATVs. They are families, veterans, teachers and small business owners who rely on Minnesota’s trail system for recreation, tourism, and economic activity. ATV riders aren’t just “up north” — they live in the Twin Cities metro area, and they care deeply about maintaining safe, well-managed trails. As the legislature considers trail policy, funding, and land-use decisions this session, ask them to support Minnesota’s ATV community and the outdoor opportunities they value. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4u4dGw9 (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
SESSION
GUILTY: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Two more defendants in the Feeding Our Future fraud case entered guilty pleas on Wednesday, with a third defendant rejecting a plea deal. … Gandi Mohamed is one of seven defendants scheduled to appear at a jury trial in April. On Wednesday, Judge Nancy Brasel said that several defendants are scheduled to enter guilty pleas this week, meaning that Mohamed will likely be the sole defendant at this trial. … Prosecutors say he fraudulently received and laundered $1.1 million.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cVYV8K
MORE: Via KARE 11, one of Wednesday’s guilty pleas — Ikram Mohamed — tried to involve the attorney general in her scheme. VERBATIM: “She’s the one who secretly recorded Attorney General Keith Ellison [at a meeting] a month before the criminal case went public, with a group of fellow fraudsters claiming racism and trying to fool Ellison into fighting those who shut off the flow of money. … Four more from Mohamed’s family will plead guilty on Friday.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/47V8UYi
POLL: PUBLIC WORRIES AS PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS REACH NEW HIGH, HARMING PATIENTS AND SAFETY NET HOSPITALS: Despite bipartisan attempts to lower the cost of drugs, a growing majority of Americans are worried about being able to afford prescription drugs, and majorities across parties want the government to do more to regulate prices, a new KFF Health Tracking Poll finds. At the same time, drug prices in Minnesota have increased, on average, more than 37% over the past five years — three times the rate of inflation on medical goods. With 30% of Minnesota’s hospitals operating in the red, immediate relief from the world’s highest drug prices is critical. Lawmakers should pass HF 3609/SF 3769 this session and stop drug companies from robbing resources from rural and safety net hospitals that Minnesotans rely on every day. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3P6gitA (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
NDA: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Efforts to improve transparency around proposed data center projects in Minnesota are earning rare bipartisan support at the state legislature. One bill would prohibit local government officials from entering into non-disclosure agreements, or NDAs. … A second proposal would require local governments to hold public hearings and identify the developer and end-user of data center proposals. They’d also have to disclose the size of the facility, how much electricity it would consume, and other information.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rD5ccU
TICKETS: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Rep. Erin Koegel (DFL-Spring Lake Park) wants to ‘stop making fun too expensive.’ And that’s what she calls HF4250, a bill she sponsors to ban ticket resellers and online ticket marketplaces from reselling tickets for more than 115% of the ticket’s original price, including all fees and surcharges. Tickets for collegiate and pro sports events and Broadway shows would be exempt. … The bill was sent to the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lClwt7
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)
FEDERAL
DHS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “[Oklahoma] Sen. Markwayne Mullin told a Senate committee that he regrets calling Alex Pretti a ‘deranged individual’ in the aftermath of Pretti’s death at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis. ‘Those words probably should have been retracted,’ Mullin told lawmakers on Wednesday, March 18, during his Senate confirmation hearing to lead the Department of Homeland Security. … He stopped short of saying he would apologize now to Pretti’s family. … Minnesota Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith have both indicated they do not plan to support him.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bzv8QT
ASYLUM: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “An immigration judge has ended the asylum claims of Liam Conejo Ramos and his family, according to their Minneapolis lawyer. The 5-year-old boy from Columbia Heights received national attention after he was detained by U.S. immigration authorities along with his father. … The firm is appealing the decision, [but] an appeal could take months or years. … If the family loses the appeal, they are expected to be deported to Ecuador, their country of origin.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sQW4lQ
CANADA: via Sen. Amy Klobuchar advisory, VERBATIM: “Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) met with a delegation of Canadian Members of Parliament who participate in the Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group (IPG). … Klobuchar serves as co-chair of the group.” KLOBUCHAR: “This productive meeting focused on key issues, including the Administration’s tariffs that are threatening our relationship with Canada and hurting the economy on both sides of the border. I will continue to oppose these tariffs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lCfqc0
ECONOMY
REAL ESTATE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Homebuyers across the state tapped the brakes last month, causing home prices to dip for the first time in nearly three years. The decline was small: The median price of sales during February fell 1.5% to $339,900. … But it was a clear sign the balance of power between buyers and sellers is shifting back toward the former, as sales lag and listings rise amid would-be buyers fretting about the state of the economy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lBIC2Z
FOOD BANKS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Demand for assistance putting food on Minnesotans’ tables is at a record high level, as the state’s residents made more than 9 million visits to food shelves last year. … That’s 2.5 times more food shelf visits than in 2019, and 2025 was the fourth consecutive year of record demand for food assistance.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bxEwo1
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)
IRAN
MN SOLDIER: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Another soldier from Minnesota was injured in the drone strike in Kuwait that killed Master Sgt. Nicole Amor and five others at the start of the war with Iran. Sgt. 1st Class Cory Hicks of Princeton was ‘severely wounded’ in the March 1 attack [and] ‘faces a very long and difficult road to recovery,’ according to a GoFundMe for his family. … Hicks, 37, suffered a lacerated kidney, a severed spleen, shrapnel injuries and facial fractures and was transported to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland, where he hopes to be released in late March or early April.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uxLwKc
MEMORIALS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Two public gatherings to honor and remember Master Sgt. Nicole Amor, the soldier from White Bear Lake who was killed in the Iran war, are set for later this week. Amor and five other U.S. soldiers died on March 1. … A public visitation for Amor is scheduled from 2-6 p.m. on Thursday at Mueller Memorial in White Bear Lake. Additionally, a memorial service will be held at Eagle Brook Church, also in White Bear Lake, the following day at noon. A private interment with just Amor’s family will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/41cU1wK
WILD ABOUT READING: Join more than 800 Minnesota classrooms and 30,000 students participating in the “Wild About Reading” program, a partnership with Flint Hills Resources which encourages students to read more using Minnesota Wild-branded posters, reading logs, and bookmarks. Teachers set weekly reading goals and give certificates to students who complete the four-week program. Fun program incentives include: classroom visits from the Wild’s mascot, Nordy, and the team dog, Paulie; a pair of tickets to a Wild home game, player-signed pucks and photos; and a pizza party for a classroom. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/49AHNSE (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
AROUND MN
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The blighted Midway CVS Pharmacy is coming down. Contractors with Veit & Co. rolled an excavator through the western wall of the long-vacant drugstore at Snelling and University avenues in St. Paul on Wednesday, biting a doughnut hole deep into its center — the first major stage of what may be a multiday demolition effort that many in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood have long demanded.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Per0hG
MPLS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Commercial property values in downtown Minneapolis are dropping, potentially impacting local homeowners’ taxes. The Minneapolis Downtown Council reports that the city’s five highest valued buildings are now valued at 20% less than last year. … In general, the city assessor’s office indicated that the average taxpayer increase will be about $240 this year.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4bSfv8c
WASH CTY: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “An anonymous donor who has given the Washington County Library system more than $500,000 over the past 20 years has sent another $30,000 check. Library officials plan to use half of the money to purchase digital e-books and audiobooks and the other half to purchase physical items to lend. … The Washington County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit also recently received a sizable [$10,000] donation, county officials said. … The funds will be used for equipment needs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cWGeli
STEARNS CTY: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “Stearns County Administrator Mike Williams, who was unanimously appointed in 2016, will retire this summer after 40 years of working in local government. … Before working for Stearns County, Williams spent 13 years as St. Cloud’s city administrator. … His retirement is effective July 17.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Pr8XVp
OLMSTED CTY: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “A split Olmsted County Board of Commissioners has opted to allow deer hunters to use rifles for the first time in eight decades. … The decision comes in the wake of 2025 Minnesota legislation ending a shotgun-only zone for deer hunting in roughly half of the state. The legislation also gave counties the ability to pass ordinances banning the use of rifles for deer hunting within their boundaries.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47BPzva
BRAINERD: via Brainerd Dispatch, VERBATIM: “The Brainerd School Board continues to be at a stalemate when it comes to appointing officers for 2026. Another split vote [this week] saw three votes for 2025 Chair Sarah Speer to continue in the role and three votes for Clerk DJ Dondelinger to take over. Speer’s title is currently acting chair, as she continues in the role while the board is deadlocked.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PjmjmH
DAYBOOK
SESSION: The House is on break until Monday due to Eid al-Fitr, while the Senate has a lighter schedule. SENATE: Judiciary & Public Safety hears numerous technical changes and increased criminal penalties for impersonating an officer, concealing a dead body, election interference, violence to animals and more. State & Local Govt. hears a ban on municipalities signing NDAs, an amendment to modify the permanent school fund, and more. Rules & Admin. hears a resolution urging federal officials to reject the Border Lands Conservation Act and a bill on sports betting. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4rB5KQJ
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will be interviewed by Vineeta Sawkar on WCCO Radio, attend the Duluth and St. Louis County Day at the Capitol breakfast, and visit Angry Catfish Bicycle in memory of Alex Pretti.
TODAY: via MNA advisory, VERBATIM: “Nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association have filed a 10-day notice to hold an informational picket on Thursday, March 19, outside North Memorial Health Maple Grove Hospital.” The event is at 7:30 a.m.
TODAY: DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek and other DEED leaders will provide updates on the state’s paid leave program at 11:30 a.m.
TODAY: All four DFL candidates for State Auditor — Zack Filipovich, Adam Jennings, Ben Schierer and Dan Wolgamott — will attend a candidate forum in Rochester on Thursday, March 19 at 7:00 p.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/472LnEw
NEXT WEEK: MN Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (MNASCA) will host its “Day at the Capitol” on Tuesday, March 24.
NEXT WEEK: A “flagship” No Kings protest will be held in Minneapolis on Saturday, March 28. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4q6reE4
MARCH 31: via MDA advisory, VERBATIM: “Network with agricultural leaders at the 28th annual Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference (WALC) on Tuesday, March 31 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. This year’s WALC theme, ‘Local Leadership: Global Impact,’ will focus on developing and uplifting women in agriculture.”
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BDAYS: House comms pro and hockey dad Troy Young, former Star Tribune scribe Glenn Howatt, content pro Tina Nguyen
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.