Wolves win and advance. Tickets go on sale tomorrow
Wild must win tonight versus Vegas.
PWHL is adding an 8th team in Seattle, with two more teams coming next year. AP: https://fluence-media.co/3RHl8ve
Maybe the hottest Sports Take later today. The Wolves take care of business with the Lakers. J.J. McCarthy describes himself in three words that aren't what you'd expect. And former Strib horse racing expert Jay Lietzau tells you who's going to win Saturday's Kentucky Derby. His $10 win bet would bring a triple-digit return -- and Jay has a few other ways to bet a little and maybe win a lot.
Another shooting in Minneapolis yesterday, could be gang related. FOX9: https://fluence-media.co/4jCgWJC
The nation’s GDP decreased by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025. It’s the first quarter of negative growth since Q1 2022. CNBC: https://fluence-media.co/44iZGEn
Tesla’s board of directors reportedly opened a search to replace Elon Musk as CEO. WSJ: https://fluence-media.co/4jCCupv
Happy National Chocolate Parfait Day.
Blois
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
Our first premium publication. The Fluence Brief, will be released 3-4 times a month and dive deeper into the business, economic and political dynamics of the Midwest. . READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cQw43r
KSTP’s Tom Hauser was on Sunday Take to discuss how Minnesota politics and media have changed since morning take began 15 years ago. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4jvVJRy
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FIRST: via news release later this morning from Angie Craig for Senate, VERBATIM: “Today, 10 labor unions representing over 150,000 Minnesotans endorsed Angie Craig in the U.S. Senate race….The full list of unions endorsing Craig in (alphabetical order) include:
American Federation of Government Employees District 8 (AFGE)
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 (IUOE 49)
International Union of Painters & Allied Trades District Council 82 (IUPAT)
Iron Workers Local 512
Minnesota Pipe Trades Association
Minnesota State Building & Construction Trades Council
North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters
Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Union-Transportation Division (SMART-TD)
Sheet Metal Workers Local 10 (SMART Local 10)
Teamsters Joint Council 32
Full release coming out later this morning.
SCHOOLS: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Minnesota schools are dealing with budget shortfalls and staffing cuts as they face inflation, uncertainty from possible federal cuts and the rising costs of recent state legislation…A recent survey of more than 50 metro-area school districts showed the vast majority expect budget shortfalls for the upcoming academic year. Some rural and suburban districts are also struggling to close gaps…School boards must have their district budgets approved and in place by the end of June, so their window to act is closing… A Minnesota House bill to offer a 2.7 percent increase to the state’s per-pupil funding formula, coupled with $40 million in spending to help support the state’s Read Act would help reduce metro-area districts’ $280 million collective shortfall projected for next year, but wouldn’t “significantly reduce the shortfalls that they're facing,” Croonquist said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GuGpWz
MNLEG: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “A power-sharing agreement between DFLers and Republicans has largely worked in advancing bills that will then be reconciled with the DFL-controlled Senate. But it has not worked at all for the state’s Department of Education budget, which was weeks late in getting hearings on a final bill. The stated holdup is entirely around an unemployment insurance fund. … On Wednesday, the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee met to advance the biennial education spending bill to the House floor. … Getting through Rules is almost always a procedural formality. But committee co-chair Jamie Long, DFL-Minneapolis, had other ideas. … Long and his seven DFL colleagues then voted to not put the bill on the House floor schedule. … With neither party enjoying a legislative majority, the spending package is indefinitely stuck in the Rules committee. … [DFL Leader Melissa] Hortman said that in a closed door session with [Gov. Tim] Walz and other legislative leaders today, compromises are starting to be reached on overall spending targets for each budget bill. A compromise on education spending, though, is not exactly imminent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42AUGd2
MORE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The coverage for [summer] workers was a key achievement for Democrats under full DFL control at the Capitol in 2023. Under a current House tie, committee co-chairs — one Democrat and one Republican — proposed to sunset it in 2029. But Democrats derailed the broader education funding bill, saying the move to strike the policy should be reconsidered. … GOP leaders said the slowdown on the education spending plan could eat into the roughly 19 days left in the legislative session. NISKA: ‘That's a big setback in terms of being able to get our work done by May 19,’ said House GOP Floor Leader Harry Niska, R-Ramsey.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iH80kP
NEXT: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The education bill debate will likely slide to next week at the earliest. Despite that impasse, Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth says she remains optimistic the May 19 budget deadline can be met now that the governor is meeting with legislative leaders on a more regular basis.” DEMUTH: “The fact the governor has started calling regular meetings is a really good sign of the desire for all of us to come together and work.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44NTa8I
NOTE: MinnPost’s Matthew Blake points out that the two main items delaying passage of the education budget omnibus — unemployment insurance and public funding for private schools — represent less than 1% of total education spending combined. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SeFT1z
LIFELINE OF RURAL HEALTH CARE — WHY LOCAL PHARMACIES MATTER IN 340B: In the heart of Greater Minnesota, access to local 24/7 health care services isn’t just a necessity – it’s the cornerstone to vibrant rural communities. The 340B Drug Pricing Program has been instrumental in enabling nonprofit hospitals like Essentia Health to provide comprehensive, high-quality care to the state’s rural and underserved communities. Unfortunately, out-of-state pharmaceutical companies continue to blatantly ignore Minnesota’s law that protects safety net providers’ access to 340B discounted drugs. Legislators should stand up to these drug manufacturers and protect the 340B Program, ensuring that Minnesota’s rural communities continue to have access to life-saving — and community sustaining — health care services. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/42D8kLo (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
PAINTER: UMN law professor and Bush Administration alum Richard W. Painter announced on social media that he is considering a run for the 2nd Congressional District seat as an independent candidate. Painter has previously run for U.S. Senate and the 1st Congressional District seat. PAINTER: “I will be forming an exploratory committee looking at a possible run for Congress as an independent in [CD2]. We need more attention to the public interest, less corruption, and a lot less partisanship in Washington.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4k24suK
From yesterday’s lunch take:
CD2: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Matt Little, the former DFL state senator and Lakeville mayor, is entering the race to replace Rep. Angie Craig in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District. Craig announced on Tuesday that she will not run for re-election in 2026 as she intends to run for the Democratic nomination to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Tina Smith.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cYS7Fl
SPACEX: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “A political fund associated with SpaceX — the company founded by the world’s richest man, Elon Musk — has donated thousands of dollars to Democratic U.S. Rep. Angie Craig. … The [PAC] has donated generously to Republican and Democratic members of Congress across the country, including U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum and Minnesota Republicans, in addition to Craig. The SpaceX PAC hasn’t received donations from Musk, though he is the company CEO. … Craig’s Senate campaign said she has donated the SpaceX donations to Every Third Saturday, a veterans organization.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lQIWe9
WALZ: DFL Gov. Tim Walz joined Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) last night for a livestreamed discussion hosted by the progressive advocacy group MoveOn. Walz and Booker shared what they’ve learned during the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s presidency and how Democrats can respond. QUOTE: “The issue is [in] their political future, [Republicans] are far more worried about Donald Trump than they are about their constituents. … Pressure and phone banking calls are the one way you can get to a Member [of Congress], especially one who’s not doing anything public, so it matters.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4k0L6Gg
MEDICAID SUPPORTS HEALTH CARE FOR ALL OF US: Medicaid keeps Minnesota’s hospitals strong and ensures communities across the state have access to care. Policymakers must protect Medicaid so every Minnesotan — regardless of income or health status — can get the care they need, when they need it. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3FtrCuH (SPONSORED: Minnesota Hospital Association)
IRRR: via an IRRR Board press release, VERBATIM: “The Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Board will welcome a new member, Sen.-elect Keri Heintzeman, following the special election in Minnesota Senate District 6 on April 29. The IRRR Board consists of the state senators and representatives elected from state senatorial or house districts in which one-third or more of the residents reside within the agency's service area.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42ASp1u
SIGNED: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today signed seven bills into law. … House File 1058 amends the jurisdiction of the North Koochiching sanitary sewer board. … House File 124 permits certain public safety officers, state agencies, and political subdivisions to receive gifts that honor or commemorate a public safety officer related to a line of duty death. … House File 1792 updates terms, definitions, and notices for contracts for deed. … House File 2184 exempts the Office of Ombudsperson for American Indian Families from paying court fee requirements in certain cases. … House File 747 makes several changes to Chapter 302A, the Minnesota Business Corporation Act. … House File 129 requires the state’s Director of Child Sex Trafficking Prevention to submit a biennial report to the legislature and the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health evaluating the Safe Harbor program. … House File 1346 enforces training requirements for mandated reporters to better identify signs of child abuse.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cVCxKp
INFRASTRUCTURE: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL-Shakopee) wants to save Minnesota time and future money by encouraging municipalities to have a plan for maintaining capital projects for which they receive funding. Tabke sponsors HF2418 which, as amended, would require applicants for capital project funds to share whether they have a plan for maintenance and preservation of the project. … The committee laid the bill over Wednesday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44jBPo2
DATA CENTERS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Concern over plans for a massive and controversial data center in the city of Farmington has made it to the State Capitol. A group of residents in Farmington recently sued the city as it moves forward with Denver-based development company Tract’s plans to build a more than 340-acre facility on the city’s east side, comprising several warehouse-sized buildings full of computing equipment. … Sen. Bill Lieske (R-Lonsdale) said [the issue] is its proposed proximity to residential homes. … Lieske penned a bill that would only allow data centers larger than 800,000 square feet on industrially zoned land. If passed, Tract’s plans to build a nearly 15 million square foot facility [on] former residential land in Farmington wouldn’t fly.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ETTFUb
HOUSING: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “For more than 30 years, Joyce Adams has lived at Brandondale Estates, a manufactured home park in Chaska. … However, within the last few years, the property was purchased by an out-of-state company. Adams has looked on as other lot rents at Brandondale Estates skyrocketed, nearly 70 percent higher than what she is paying now. … [Adams] went to the Minnesota State Capitol Tuesday, joining other manufactured home residents, in a fight against what organizers said are unsustainable costs. … DFL Rep. Matt Norris…has introduced a bill that caps lot rent increases at 3% annually and gives residents a chance to purchase the park where they live.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4iIEP0G
MINNESOTA INSURANCE COVERAGE TAX WILL COST FAMILIES, SMALL BUSINESSES AND SENIORS MORE: Governor Walz and the Department of Commerce want to create a new tax that will, at a minimum, double the tax rate paid on supplemental non-medical insurance coverage including dental, vision, private paid family medical leave, long-term care, and wage replacement insurance products to fund reinsurance. This tax hike will make these critically important products more expensive for consumers, force more seniors onto Medicaid and public programs, make Minnesota-based insurers less competitive nationally, and make it more difficult for employers to provide competitive benefits. These products provide Minnesota families with peace of mind and everyday security, and we should not ask them to pay more to subsidize other insurance products. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4lNcE3n (SPONSORED: Minnesota Insurance and Financial Services Council)
UMN: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota, swept up like other schools in the maelstrom of Trump Administration policies they say erode academic freedom, is undergoing intense internal debate on what to do about it. The questions that have pitted students and faculty members against the university’s administration are whether and how the state’s largest institution of higher learning should fight back. … The leaders of about a dozen Minnesota schools [have] signed on to a letter [condemning political interference]. Yet the University of Minnesota’s new president, Rebecca Cunningham, took a pass. … Those who’ve spoken with Cunningham about the issue say she’s taken a ‘neutral’ and ‘non-committal’ stance [and] is, in general, trying to avoid conflict and involvement of the school in politics.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iDLhpO
SENIORS: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Hundreds of seniors concerned about potential Medicare and Social Security cuts under President Donald Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress gathered outside the Minnesota Capitol Wednesday to protest and hear from Democratic-Farmer-Labor elected officials. … Speakers at the rally included Attorney General Keith Ellison, Secretary of State Steve Simon and DFL state lawmakers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EFZ5Cl
CLIMATE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “At least three Minnesota scientists were slated to be authors on the nation's flagship climate report, the National Climate Assessment. But on Tuesday, President Donald Trump’s administration dismissed all 400 scientists from the report — including Melissa Kenney, Director of Research at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment. Kenney said her dismissal was somewhat unexpected. The National Climate Assessment has been mandated by Congress since 1990, [and] scientists contribute as unpaid volunteers.” KENNEY: “This is the authoritative source of [climate] information that's used by the federal government, state and local governments. It's used by businesses.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RKpnGy
BETTING POLL: Support is surging among Minnesotans who want legal wagering on sporting events. New polling by the Sports Betting Alliance of Minnesota indicates 60% of voters in the state support the legalization of sports betting. The survey of 1,000 Minnesota voters also revealed overwhelming support for legal wagering among 18–29-year-olds, with 75% of females and 73% of males in favor of allowing sports betting in Minnesota — something that is available in 39 states. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/49uj4OF (SPONSORED: Sports Betting Alliance)
ALCOHOL: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Anoka was the first Minnesota city to create a drinking district, allowing residents to enjoy relaxed open container laws in a designated zone. … As Anoka begins the district’s second full season in May, the idea is catching on. Stillwater and Shakopee are following the north metro city’s lead and will launch their own social districts this year. Blaine is seeking legislative approval to start one as well. State lawmakers are considering legislation that could eventually expand the concept statewide, allowing municipalities to more easily establish their own districts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RFO1bl
TARIFFS: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A St. Paul toy store located off Grand Avenue has joined a federal lawsuit against President Donald Trump regarding the legality of his tariffs. The lawsuit was initially filed in New Jersey by lead plaintiff Stonemaier Games last week. St. Paul's Mischief Toy Store joined the lawsuit on Tuesday. … Mischief Toy Store contends that the president's tariffs are ‘illegal,’ with the lawsuit stating that it will increase production costs and ultimately be ‘financially devastating.’ … [Nationwide], retailers are expressing fears over toy shortages at Christmas due to the ongoing trade war, with many pausing orders for the winter due to the fiscal uncertainty.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GAFK64
REAL ESTATE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Business at warehouses around Minnesota and the U.S. has ramped up recently, a sign both companies and consumers are scrambling to stock up on imported goods amid President Donald Trump’s trade war. … Visits to industrial manufacturing facilities in Minnesota increased by about 4% in March since the previous month. … Twin Cities industrial real estate was already in high demand before tariffs triggered the import wave. [Online shopping] made warehouse space across the country a necessity. … In the first quarter of 2025, the Twin Cities had one of the lowest vacancy rates for industrial buildings in the country at 4.2%. … Construction on big projects like industrial warehouses or apartment buildings has come nearly to a halt, [so] demand is unlikely to ease if supply isn’t increasing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EvRy9e
MORE: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Over the last few years, rising mortgage rates have contributed to the decline in housing affordability, while home prices have skyrocketed largely due to a lack of supply. Rents have fared much better. … ‘In the Twin Cities, [the] rental rate increase over the last couple of years has only been about 1% per year,’ said Mike Kaeding, CEO of Norhart. … The average monthly rent in the Twin Cities metro is now $1,669 versus an average monthly mortgage payment of $2,638, a difference of $969 or 58.1%, according to Bankrate. That gap is up 4.3% compared to last year.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cVPNPb
IT’S POSSIBLE TO SIMULTANEOUSLY UPHOLD ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY AND GROW OUR ECONOMY: Minnesota’s lengthy and uncertain permitting process has frustrated businesses for decades. A recent report found that air permitting in Minnesota can take up to six times longer than comparable states. A coalition of business and labor groups are advocating for reform that will shorten timelines and increase certainty while maintaining our strong environmental standards. Contact your legislators and tell them to support streamlining the permitting process. CONTACT: https://fluence-media.co/3Ea5Tbe (SPONSORED: Minnesota Chamber of Commerce)
MPLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A fight over when the Minneapolis [DFL] should hold the Ward 2 convention has spilled over into court. A lawsuit filed in Hennepin County District Court by two delegates seeks to force the DFL to reschedule the Ward 2 convention, now set for Saturday, back to June 1, when it was scheduled at one point. Incumbent Council Member Robin Wonsley is a Democratic Socialist who has not sought DFL endorsement, but the lawsuit contends she has tried to block the DFL’s endorsement of ‘a strong candidate’ in the race. … Minneapolis DFL Chair Conrad Zbikowski…resigned Wednesday from his position due to the litigation, saying he was threatened with a lawsuit over the convention.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42WyfxZ
MORE: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis is set to become the first city in North America to own and operate a biochar production facility. … It's a charcoal-like material made from wood waste that's superheated and used to absorb toxins and carbon dioxide, and is mainly used to promote healthy soil. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says it's set to speed up the city's goal of becoming carbon negative. … ‘For 1,000 years, [biochar] will sequester carbon that would have otherwise been pumped into our atmosphere,’ Frey explained.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/43iHAAr
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Community members on Tuesday shared feedback on the St. Paul school district’s cash-strapped 2025-26 budget, with some objecting to proposed cuts to early childhood programming and family resources. The school board will see a proposed budget at its May 20 meeting. … Board members have until June 30 to finalize the budget for the 2025-26 school year and will vote on the proposal June 10. The district estimates $732.1 million in expenses in the coming school year, with an estimated $51.1 million budget shortfall. The board has agreed to use $34.9 million in reserve funds for the shortfall, with the remaining $16.2 million to come from budget cuts and new revenue.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lQyi77
SUPPORT SF 2929 AND HF 2677: Third-party lawsuit funding (TPLF) — or “lawsuit lending” — is a growing and extremely concerning trend in courts across the state and throughout the country that encourages frivolous lawsuits and threatens to drive up the costs of products, services, and insurance for Minnesota consumers. Fortunately, lawmakers are considering legislation — the Consumers in Crisis Protection Act (SF 2929 & HF 2677) — to increase transparency around this highly secretive practice and reasonably regulate third-party lawsuit funders to protect consumers and help keep premiums low. MORE INFO: https://fluence-media.co/4jivOfT (SPONSORED: ASPCIA)
MPD: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “As Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara and Mayor Jacob Frey gathered to give an update on last night's triple killing, another fatal shooting was reported just three blocks away [and] the media call was delayed. … Officials say the shooting victim on Wednesday, along with the three victims from Tuesday night's shooting, are all believed to be Native American. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said ‘our entire city is grieving right now,’ adding that the Native community ‘is feeling that trauma quite acutely.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44jw5L0
SPPD: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Members of the public who listen to St. Paul police’s emergency radio dispatches will be met by radio silence beginning this fall. The police department is moving to encrypt its communications with dispatchers and officers. They say it’s to meet privacy requirements and for the safety of officers. … The move to encryption has been seen around the Twin Cities: Minneapolis [will] become fully encrypted Thursday, [and] Anoka County is making plans to do so.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YRAZLG
OFFICERS: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Across Minnesota, there's a new training program to help agencies experiencing staffing shortfalls. It's called Intensive Comprehensive Peace Officer Education and Training (ICPOET), which provides grant funding to help with hiring. The Minnesota Legislature created the program, and so far, 46 law enforcement agencies across the state have received funding to sponsor 94 candidates. … Governor Tim Walz is proposing an additional $2 million in this year's biennium budget bill for the program, [which] could add another 80 law enforcement officers throughout the state.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4iDNj9m
PUSH BACK AGAINST TAX BREAKS FOR BIG TECH DATA CENTERS: Our tax money should be going to essential services for Minnesotans, like education, health care, and infrastructure — not subsidies for billionaire owned data centers. The current tax credit has already cost our state an estimated $5 million a year since 2011. In 2025 it will be over $100 million. It’s time to stop these skyrocketing numbers. Tell your legislators, ‘No big tax breaks for Big Tech.’ LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3ErmQh8 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy)
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Burglaries occurring at Rochester businesses’ ATMs have been on the rise. In total, RPD has responded to 73 reports of burglaries since the start of the year. According to the Rochester Police Department’s Amanda Grayson, there has been an uptick in burglary activity involving ATMs over the past several weeks. From March 5 through April 17, Rochester police reported a string of early morning burglaries where six local businesses had ATMs tampered with or broken into.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cWzmSD
DULUTH: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “By early next year, 90 units of low-cost housing should be ready for residents to move in next door to the West Duluth Menards store. Construction crews were hard at work Wednesday morning as local advocates and officials gathered to celebrate the progress. … The larger of the two apartment buildings, Wadena West, will house 60 one-bedroom and studio apartments. And its companion to the east, Welch Place, will provide homes for 30 individuals. The two projects represent about a $32.5 million combined investment in Duluth’s inventory of affordable housing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jAyhCM
STEWARTVILLE: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “As part of a larger collection of budget cuts that will affect the district, Stewartville Public Schools is eliminating its gymnastics program. The Stewartville School Board approved the decision during a meeting earlier this month. The total cost savings from the combined cuts to multiple programs will amount to $849,684.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/439c8p5
FRESH15: The latest season of Fresh15 includes interviews with new Minnesota House members. So far, five new members have shared their goals, background and fun facts before they take office in a historic session this January.
Rep. Kari Rehrauer
Rep. Wayne Johnson
Rep. Julie Greene
Rep. Keith Allen
Rep. Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
HOUSING: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota House passed a housing budget bill Tuesday, featuring funding boosts for homelessness prevention and affordable housing development, plus $100 million in bonds for financing housing developments statewide. But the Senate’s housing budget, which passed the chamber last week, is about $62 million smaller than the House version and it doesn’t include bonds.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lZAeKA
LICENSES: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lawmakers are weighing whether to give a green light to renewing your driver's license online. … A proposal directing the Department of Public Safety to establish a process for online renewals of regular and Real ID-compliant driver's licenses sailed through the divided House as part of a broader transportation spending and policy bill this week.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GwgsWC
AGRICULTURE: via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The House has passed a $172 million ag finance bill as the Minnesota Legislative Session hits the home stretch. Minnesota Farmers Union government relations director Stu Lourey [said] MFU welcomes proposed funding for the state’s ag emergency account, new investments for farm-to-school, and further investments in farm business management, as well as farm safety and rural mental health. He expects the Senate to pass its ag finance bill soon, setting the stage for a conference committee to finalize details.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3YR4VaM
PRODUCING THE FUELS THAT HELP KEEP MINNESOTA MOVING: Flint Hills Resources, one of the Midwest’s leading producers of transportation fuels is hiring! With openings in IT, accounting, engineering, operations, procurement and asset management, Flint Hills Resources’ goal is to match talented individuals with their passions and interests to truly shine. APPLY TODAY: Flint Hills jobs (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
HOUSING: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota House passed a housing budget bill Tuesday, featuring funding boosts for homelessness prevention and affordable housing development, plus $100 million in bonds for financing housing developments statewide. But the Senate’s housing budget, which passed the chamber last week, is about $62 million smaller than the House version and it doesn’t include bonds.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lZAeKA
LICENSES: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lawmakers are weighing whether to give a green light to renewing your driver's license online. … A proposal directing the Department of Public Safety to establish a process for online renewals of regular and Real ID-compliant driver's licenses sailed through the divided House as part of a broader transportation spending and policy bill this week.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GwgsWC
AGRICULTURE: via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The House has passed a $172 million ag finance bill as the Minnesota Legislative Session hits the home stretch. Minnesota Farmers Union government relations director Stu Lourey [said] MFU welcomes proposed funding for the state’s ag emergency account, new investments for farm-to-school, and further investments in farm business management, as well as farm safety and rural mental health. He expects the Senate to pass its ag finance bill soon, setting the stage for a conference committee to finalize details.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3YR4VaM
SESSION: House floor session at 11:00 a.m. No Senate floor session. HOUSE: No House committee meetings. SENATE: State & Local Govt. hears omnibus bills on housing and permitting. Environment, Climate & Legacy hears the environment policy omnibus. Finance hears the OIG creation bill. Labor hears a bill for rideshare driver bargaining rights. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4izTATr
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will purchase his fishing license and highlight the impact of fishing on Minnesota’s tourism economy. Later, he will have calls with leadership from Lifecore Biomedical, 4H2 Inc., and BioLabs. In the afternoon he will meet with legislative leaders.
SATURDAY: via an MN DFL advisory, VERBATIM: “Senator Erin Maye Quade (DFL-Apple Valley), Representative John Huot (DFL-Rosemount) and Representative Robert Bierman (DFL-Apple Valley) invite residents of Senate District 56 to join their legislators at a town hall on Sunday, May 3 to hear updates from the Capitol and ask questions about Minnesota’s legislative session.” The event is at 11:30 a.m.
MAY 6: via City of Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “On Tuesday, May 6, Mayor Jacob Frey will give his 2025 State of the City address at 11:30 a.m. in Minneapolis. … The address will be hosted in person and will be live streamed on the City’s YouTube page.”
BDAYS: insurance leader Shalin Johnson, Politifact’s Louis Jacobsen, attorney Heidi Silton, organizer Katie Humprhey, veterans advocate John Baker
TIPS: How do we get the best news and most buzzed about stories? Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
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