Timberwolves beat the Clippers. Gopher MBB take Ohio State to OT but lose.
Wild host St. Louis today. Wolves in New Orleans.
Flight data indicates that, Fluence client-partner Delta had the most on-time flights in North America in 2024. FOX: https://fluence-media.co/3BKthec
The Biden Administration awarded two U of M professors with a National Medal of Science for work in geochemistry and ecology. KSTP: https://fluence-media.co/4gFioJR
A eulogy written by Walter Mondale before his passing will be read at Jimmy Carter’s funeral Thursday. WCCO: https://fluence-media.co/4h2Zkor
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will resign after nearly a decade in office. AP: https://fluence-media.co/3W9J5hg
Fifty-four percent of U.S. adults believe Biden will be remembered as a “below average” (37%) or “poor” (17%) president, while 19% say he will be evaluated as “outstanding” (6%) or “above average” (13%). GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4fHiS0A
Happy National Bobblehead Day!
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
Today’s morning take at 6:20 on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Ps80sE
Sunday Take had new GOP Alex Plechash to discuss how he feels about primaries, fundraising and the GOP opportunity. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3WaJ8cL
PRESSURE: Renew Minnesota, the political fund connected to the Minnesota Private Business Council began sending text messages to activate people to call on House DFLers to “…stop the games, show up for work or step aside” Here is one targeting Rep. Dan Wolgamott. TEXT: https://fluence-media.co/409690S
ATTENDANCE: I issued a flash poll to all 133 House legislators eligible to be seated yesterday. Seventeen responded Republicans responded that they will be in attendance. No DFLers answered the survey.
Rep. Dave Baker
Rep. Danny Nadeau
Rep. Harry Niska
Rep. Jim Nash
Rep. Paul Novotny
Rep. Jeff Backer
Rep. Andrew Myers
Rep. Issac Schultz
Rep. Patty Anderson
Rep. Bjorn Olson
Rep. Nolan West
Rep. Eliot Engen
Rep. Marj Fogelman
Rep. Wayne Johnson
Rep. Nathan Nelson
Rep. Matt Bliss
Rep. Steve Gander
Over 2/3 of House members, including over 25 DFLers., pened the email, and nearly 20 DFLer’s clicked the link to the survey but didn’t complete the survey.
TAKE: In the next week, pressure will build for House DFLers to indicate they are going to show up. There are several questions and scenarios that each member will have to consider. The legal angles seem endless. The pressure points are plentiful. At some point serving their district and constituents must win over partisan power clenching. The text message ad noted above, is only the first step. Meanwhile, the rest of the session will be a stare down of charades.
MNLEG: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “House Republicans plan to fully exercise their rights as the majority on the first day of the 2025 legislative session, but House DFLers plan to not be in the Capitol if a power-sharing agreement isn’t in place. Republican House Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) reiterated at a Monday press conference that with a 67-66 split in the House, the tie following the general election no longer exists. … At a later press conference, DFL House Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) said DFL members aren’t planning to be present at the Capitol on the first day of the legislative session if Republicans don’t honor the power-sharing agreement negotiated after the Nov. 5 election. … Demuth said she expects to be elected House speaker with 67 votes, [but] Hortman said a quorum in the House is 68 members.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3W9187z
MORE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Republicans said they would organize as a majority caucus and they would take steps to penalize Democrats who don’t show up for work next week. … But [Melissa] Hortman said even if lawmakers weren’t in St. Paul in the first days of the legislative session to put up votes, they would not be off the job. … Hortman said that she and [Lisa] Demuth met Sunday to discuss a power-sharing agreement, but Demuth rejected an offer that Hortman put forward. It wasn’t clear whether additional meetings were scheduled.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40iYXk5
MORE: Axios’ Torey Van Oot reports that Rep. Lisa Demuth told reporters she asked Gov. Tim Walz for a “standing meeting,” but she hasn’t heard back from him “besides confirmation that the request was received.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/40xACaB
DEMUTH: House GOP Leader Lisa Demuth spoke to WCCO Radio yesterday about the quorum question in the state legislature. DEMUTH: “Our voters and the people of Minnesota expect those elected to show up, and so we will be there. To put this veiled threat out there — saying 'If we don't have a power sharing agreement, we're not going to show up to work' — is a terrible thing to say to Minnesotans.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/403IfEc
ICYMI: Yesterday’s lunch take had further coverage of the quorum situation in the Minnesota House plus full statements from Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman and the House DFL. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3C1mdK7
OFFICES: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Due to a massive construction project in the Capitol’s shadow, Minnesota House members will be displaced throughout the session that starts next Tuesday. They’ll be working from cubicles down the street and have to find other ways to hold private meetings with constituents and others trying to sway them…State representatives will spend the next two years — and maybe longer — in the Centennial Office Building down the hill from their Capitol building. And that means a move from private offices for each legislator to an array of cubicles spread out across broad open office floors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40kVfGC
HD40B: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A lawsuit filed with the Minnesota Supreme Court aims to halt a Jan. 28 special election, [and] the high court signaled Monday it would move fast to decide the case. … Gov. Tim Walz invoked a seldom-used state law, [MN Statute 351.055], to schedule the special election even before the House convened. … Republicans don’t dispute that a special election is needed, [but] they say Walz should have waited longer to schedule the race. … The Minnesota Supreme Court set short deadlines for the parties to submit briefs in the case, with the final one due on Friday. Justices plan to hold an oral argument in the case on Wednesday, Jan. 15.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/424Olqm STATUTE: https://fluence-media.co/404qUeb
MORE: Libertarian Party of Minnesota vice chair Chip Tangen issued a statement saying the party “agrees” with the Minnesota GOP’s special election lawsuit, claiming Gov. Tim Walz “improperly issued a writ of special election” and “the governor should re-issue the writ on Feb. 5.” TANGEN: “MN Statute 204D.19 Subd. 4 sets forth precisely when the governor ‘shall’ issue a writ calling for a special election: 22 days after the first day of the legislative session. It could be issued earlier, but only if the House passes a resolution after it convenes on Jan. 14. Governor Walz and Secretary of State [Steve] Simon should follow the law as written.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4a8VxUc STATUTE: https://fluence-media.co/406U2RT
HD54A: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “House Republicans indicated they’re likely to use their momentary advantage to refuse to seat a Democratic representative whose 14-vote election victory has been contested in court. … Republicans want the court to declare a vacancy for the seat held by Rep. Brad Tabke, DFL-Shakopee, which would trigger a special election. The judge is expected to rule on the request this week. [But] regardless of what the judge says, the House and Senate have the constitutional power to seat their own members. … Asked directly if Republicans would refuse to seat Tabke when the session begins, [Lisa] Demuth didn’t rule it out. … Declining to seat Tabke could potentially further the duration of the GOP’s narrow House control, since a special election wouldn’t occur until February.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40mPCI9
EXPECT: Expect the judge to rule in the Tabke-Paul race as early as today.
SD60: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Another Democratic candidate faces a residency challenge, but this time in the race for the Senate District 60 seat to replace former Majority Leader Kari Dzeidzic. … Mohamed Jama, a potential top contender in a crowded special election to represent the safely Democratic district in northeast Minneapolis and Cedar-Riverside, likely does not meet the residency requirements according to state voter data. Sonia Neculescu, a former DFL House candidate and resident of the district, filed a challenge to his candidacy with the state Supreme Court on Monday alleging Jama registered to vote on Election Day in neighboring Senate District 63 in November.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3W833sU
MORE: via news release from, Women Winning, Minnesota’s largest women’s political organization, announced the endorsement of Monica Meyer for the Minnesota Senate Special Election in Senate District 60.
RESIDENCY: via Axios’ Torey Van Oot, VERBATIM: “[Minnesota Reformer reporter] Max Nesterak asked both [Melissa] Hortman and [Lisa] Demuth today whether all their members live in their respective districts in light of last month's court ruling booting a Roseville rep-elect over a residency issue. Both said yes.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/3C1pPf9
MPD: via City of Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “Today, Mayor Jacob Frey announced the City of Minneapolis has agreed to a federal consent decree with the United States Department of Justice. The consent decree outlines policy, resource, and training requirements that will continue to help guide the City’s and Minneapolis Police Department’s reform efforts over the next several years. … The City and MPD have already begun to implement many of the agreed-upon changes. … The MPD will now work with the court-appointed independent monitor, Effective Law Enforcement for All (ELEFA), to evaluate these changes and work toward full compliance.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PrF8kq
MORE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis leaders spent hours in a closed meeting Monday reviewing the proposed consent decree that could mean major changes in the city’s police department before voting 12-0 to approve the agreement in a brief open session. … Next, the agreement is expected to be filed in federal court. … Advocates for a consent decree are hoping to see it finalized before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who opposed federal oversight of police departments.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PoGGLZ
MORE: The full consent decree can be read on the City of Minneapolis website. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3W9G4xs
POT: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced today that Charlene Briner will step down after building the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) from the ground up. OCM General Counsel Eric Taubel will serve as interim director. … Taubel will assume the role as Interim Director of OCM after Briner’s last day on January 17, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/428E5xv
MORE: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The nation’s marijuana industry is optimistic that President-elect Donald Trump will take steps to legalize pot on the national level, but some who hope to develop the industry in Minnesota say that could severely hamper their efforts. … The state’s nascent marijuana industry would have to compete for market share with growers in more established states who would be able to, for the first time, sell their products across state lines if the federal government no longer considers cannabis an illegal drug.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DI6wIi
‘MY WHOLE LIFE CHANGED’ — EMPOWERMENT TRAINING OPENS PATHWAY INTO THE TRADES: Since 2019, a partnership between Five Skies Empowerment Training and Enbridge has broadened as unions, contractors and other groups look to connect Native American job seekers to meaningful careers. “They’re gonna open the door for you,” says Joel, a program graduate. “Before the 5 Skies program, I wasn’t aware there were so many opportunities,” explains Ashley. “My whole life changed,” says Melissa. Click here to submit an application, and find out more on upcoming training. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3XoPg0D (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
JAN 6: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s 10 members of Congress gathered in the House chamber Monday to certify President-elect Donald Trump’s 2024 victory. No members objected to the results. Democratic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar was one of four lawmakers who helped count the electoral votes by state, including reading Minnesota’s results. Monday’s show of unity amid a snowstorm and heightened security was a complete turnaround from the chaos rioters caused during the Jan. 6, 2021 certification that sent lawmakers into hiding and delayed the count.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h1QFTl
MORE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Four years after the unprecedented attack on the U.S. Capitol, 15 Minnesotans would be pardoned for their charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021 riot that left five people dead and more than 140 law enforcement officers injured [if] President Donald Trump [follows] through with the promise of pardoning everyone charged. … Seven Minnesota defendants have been sentenced [and] eight Minnesota residents await trial.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/40mO5ld
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Dissatisfied with revised plans for a ‘strip mall’-like series of squat, one-story commercial buildings along Ford Parkway, the St. Paul Board of Zoning Appeals voted 4-2 on Monday to deny a developer’s requested zoning variances at the Highland Bridge development. The Minneapolis-based Ryan Cos. had planned four one-story commercial buildings. … Board member Chris Schweitzer likened the company’s proposal to a strip mall. In contrast, ‘the city is starving for high-density housing,’ he said. … Ryan indicated through a spokesperson on Monday that it planned to appeal the Board of Zoning Appeals decision to the St. Paul City Council.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h0iEmj
METRO TRANSIT: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Metro Transit launched a new bus transportation service called ‘Metro micro’ this week in Woodbury and Roseville, offering affordable rides to any location within its mapped areas. Metro micro uses ADA-accessible minibuses that allow door-to-door trips connecting to fixed Metro Transit routes, according to the transportation agency. The new service is now available to riders in the designated Roseville and Woodbury areas and has [previously] been available to north Minneapolis residents since September 2022.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3W6LhGm
PERMITTING REFORM FOR RESPONSIBLE INDUSTRIES: Jobs for Minnesotans is committed to advancing responsible industrial projects through a predictable, timely and transparent permitting process. Broad permitting reform for all responsible industries is essential to strengthening Minnesota’s communities and advancing our state’s clean energy future. (SPONSORED: Jobs for Minnesotans)
BIRD FLU: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has approved $1.27 million in state funds to put more effort into studying the impact avian influenza, otherwise known as ‘bird flu,’ has on state wildlife. … [Funding] comes from the Environment and Natural Resources Fund for researchers at the University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine. The researchers will partner with the Humane Society and other organizations in the state to expedite testing and better understand the threat the H5N1 virus poses to Minnesota's wild and bird populations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PsKr37
TECH: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “3M’s role in electronics is largely hidden — lots of films, adhesives and tapes. So every year, the Maplewood-based company tries to make as big a splash as it can at the world’s largest personal tech expo, the Consumer Electronics Show. … Several other Minnesota companies are showcasing their latest breakthroughs, some aimed at consumers and others at the brands building the next big thing. GrandPad will bring its senior-focused communication tablets, while Bloomington-based Omcare will be showing off its Home Health Hub meant to manage complex medication regimens.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fMd8Te
MOVE: via an Essentia Health advisory, VERBATIM: “Essentia Health is proud to welcome Nathan Svihovec as our new director of North Dakota government relations. In this role, Svihovec will lead Essentia’s advocacy efforts across the state. … He previously served as general counsel to Gov. Doug Burgum and as North Dakota labor commissioner.”
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.-Elect Kari Rehauer
Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson
Rep. Elect Julie Greene
Rep. Elect Keith Allen
Rep. Elect Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
ANNANDALE: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “In November, dozens of school referendums and levies were on the ballot in Minnesota, but fewer than half of them passed. Annandale's $1.5 million levy was among the failures. … But instead of accepting defeat, a group of parents went back to the drawing board. … In late December, they launched the Facebook page Cardinals Rising, named after Annandale's mascot, with the hope of raising awareness and money before cuts are made. Their grassroots goal is $500,000. The group is worried that if they can't come up with the money, as many as 10 teachers could lose their jobs.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4j6DSkf
DULUTH: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Duluth School Board has its first new chairperson in five years. Jill Lofald [said] during the reorganizational meeting Monday she was not seeking reelection to the position. Calling it a ‘great time to have some new energy,’ she nominated Kelly Durick Eder, one of three at large board members. … All board positions were voted by acclamation, meaning members were automatically elected because it was uncontested.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40nqEs4
WINONA: via Winona Daily News, VERBATIM: “The Winona City Council decided it will not limit how many cannabis retailers are allowed in the city. It was a change of mind for the council, which previously supported the idea of only allowing three retailers to sell cannabis. City staff recommended at that time no limit on how many businesses were allowed, similar to how liquor retailers are regulated, but after hearing concerns from citizens during a public hearing, the council supported the limit. [However], when it came time to consider the measure, the council chose not to impose the restriction after hearing more feedback from community members.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4j2ctA3
WILD ABOUT READING: More than 500 Minnesota classrooms and 15,000 students are 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, Rookie; 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/3O2nzH0 (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
VACCINES: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Vaccination rates for school-aged children have declined in Minnesota and across the nation as more families seek to exempt their kids from required vaccinations. Medical professionals say those exemption counts are near the point where Minnesotans should be extremely concerned, especially when it comes to schools. In 2024, Minnesota cases of pertussis, a highly contagious disease also known as whooping cough, hit an eight-year high. The Twin Cities last year also saw a measles outbreak as the immunization rate for the MMR — measles, mumps and rubella — vaccine continues to drop.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fRSocF
QUALLS: A former GOP candidate for the 3rd Congressional District and the governor’s office, Kendall Qualls, is expected to announce another run for governor in 2026 in the coming weeks.
SUPPLY CHAIN: via an MDA press release, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has partnered with Minnesota to award $9.5 million through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems. Through this program, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) will fund 11 Infrastructure Grant projects to support [the] middle of the supply chain infrastructure.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4a583nO
ALL THE TAKES: Every day, we’re sharing significant political, business and other news in your inbox and on our new website, The Daily Agenda. If you love morning take, sign up for the other Fluence tip sheets and share our web content with your friends. VISIT: https://fluence-media.co/4eZwLa7
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz has no public events scheduled.
TODAY: St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis will hold his final State of the City address at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday after two decades in the role.
JAN 14: The Minnesota Legislature will begin its 2025 session on Tuesday, Jan. 14.
JAN 14: Primaries will tentatively be held for the special election in Senate District 60.
BDAYS: Capitol historian John Kaul, PR Pro Jenny Steingas
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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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about morning take: Founded in 2010, morning take has grown to become the leading Minnesota morning newsletter on politics and news of the day. Published by Fluence Media since 2012 the mission is to "make you smarter" before breakfast.
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