Wild and Wolves play tonight.
Twins host the White Sox.
Twins fans are avoiding home games due to weather and a slow start to the season. MINNPOST: https://fluence-media.co/3YBULun
The governor has ordered flags at half-staff in memory of Pope Francis.
The Pioneer Press announced the winners of its annual Peeps Diorama Contest. PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/3YHJBUZ
Americans’ six-month outlooks for economic growth and the stock market have turned from positive to negative, while their forecasts for inflation, interest rates and the job market have dimmed. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/44EmLBx
Some may celebrate Earth Day today, it’s also National Jelly Bean Day in case you need an alternative.
Blois
NOTE: This coming Saturday, we will publish a 15-year take to honor the launching of morning take in April 2010. Please send any good memories, or significant takes that you appreciated – bloisolson@gmail.com
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
On Sunday Take, DFL Chair Richard Carlbom says he believes Gov. Tim Walz will run for re-election and shares plans the DFL has to organize in greater Minnesota. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Y7faYd
Sponsorships available – to reach over 25,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
15YRS: This week and next, we will take some space in the tip sheets to share and reflect on the idea that was born one weekend, launched on a Monday morning without much planning or strategy, but rather an idea that winning the morning news cycle in Minnesota politics, providing some analysis and insight. The simple stated goal, was “make you smarter before breakfast”.
While it’s 15 years of morning take, the first publication (MN-Politics.com) started in 1998 with David Erickson the confidence to launch the take wouldn’t have been possible without the years of doing that and the merger with Politics in Minnesota.
In 2010, inspired by Politico’s Playbook and sensing there was an audience, I woke up a little earlier on Monday, April 26th and sent the first email to under 100 people. From April to November the Governor’s race was the biggest story. An open seat, with a DFL primary and the general between Mark Dayton and Tom Emmer. The race had many angles of drama, and the emergence of major outside spending. It was the first Obama midterm, and so Republicans had momentum. Dayton won in a recount, as I predicted the Friday before the election on the Almanac couch. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ix79mP
The truth is that was a pivot point, my gut was Emmer was going to win, but as a then-DFL analyst, I didn’t want to disrupt my weekend or get flamed on social media. So I just couched my pick. The following week, people praised the call.
However, for me it was a sign that in my heart and my gut, that I was not a partisan, that I wanted the freedom to “call it like I saw it”. I declined any partisan appearance since then, starting with KSTP’s Tom Hauser who asked me to be on At Issue that week. His reaction when I said I was done being a partisan had some strong doubt, but he wished me luck.
That decision matched the “take”, brand which was not a highly researched or thought-out brand, but rather the subject line with a date I simply chose with an instinct that first day. The lesson of morning take, as a business and as a newsletter should be – trust your gut. You might create something that lasts 15 years. Tomorrow, life doing the take, and how my kids observed and absorbed it.
STRIB: Today the Star Tribune will name Kathleen Hennessey as its new Editor-in-Chief. Hennessy, lives in St. Paul, and is currently the Deputy Politics Editor at the New York Times. Her X, profile states she’s an “evangelist for Minnesota”, and her last post was reposting a congratulatory note from Star Tribune publisher Steve Grove congratulating Minnesota graduates. Hennesy was previously with AP and a White House correspondent for the LA Times. Hennessy grew up in St. Paul, her grandfather was Mayor Thomas Byrne.
Driving the week…
CHAMPION: Today, the Senate Subcommittee on Ethics will meet to discuss a conflict-of-interest complaint against Senate Pres. Bobby Joe Champion.
SOTS: Tomorrow, Gov. Tim Walz will give his annual State of the State address — Walz told reporters last week he will call for bipartisan budget negotiations and discuss how the Trump Administration could impact Minnesota.
MNLEG: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “State lawmakers returned from a weeklong break on Monday with a two-year budget still in the works and the clock ticking down on the legislative session. … Leaders say they’re optimistic they can wrap up before May 19, [but even if they do], they acknowledge that federal officials could derail their final product and force lawmakers to return for a special legislative session later this year. … E-12 education and health and human services [have] co-chairs in the House split over what should be included in the spending plans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42yBMnf
MORE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The tie between Republican and Democratic lawmakers in the House ‘makes everything harder, slower, more time consuming,’ said Rep. Robert Bierman, DFL-Apple Valley, who co-chairs the House Health Finance and Policy Committee. … [Speaker Lisa] Demuth said the education and health committee co-chairs are working hard to wrap up spending bills. Those two budget areas could be the biggest sticking points in negotiations moving forward.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jkh0gR
TESLAVANDAL: via Fox 9, VERBATIM: “The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office (HCAO) said Monday it will not seek criminal charges against 33-year-old Dylan Adams, who allegedly vandalized at least six Tesla vehicles, causing $20,000 in damage… Instead, HCAO said they will seek "diversion" rather than criminal consequences. However, criminal charges remain on the table, if the vandalism were to continue. STATEMENT: "Our main priorities are to secure restitution for the victims and hold Mr. Adams accountable. As a result, we will file for pre-charge diversion to best facilitate both of those goals," HCAO spokesperson Daniel Borgertpoepping said. "This is an approach taken in many property crime cases and helps to ensure the individual keeps their job and can pay restitution, as well as reducing the likelihood of repeat offenses. Criminal prosecution remains a possibility should unlawful behavior continue."… Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara provided the following statement regarding the Hennepin County Attorney's Office decision: OHARA: "The Minneapolis Police Department did its job. It identified and investigated a crime trend, identified, and arrested a suspect, and presented a case file to the Hennepin County Attorney Office for consideration of charges. This case impacted at least six different victims and totaled over $20,000 in damages. Any frustration related to the charging decision of the Hennepin County Attorney should be directed solely at her office. Our investigators are always frustrated when the cases they poured their hearts into are declined. In my experience, the victims in these cases often feel the same." WATCH/READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ivi54e
HEALTHCARE: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “In 2023, the Minnesota Department of Human Services projected 5,800 undocumented residents would apply [for health insurance] at a cost to taxpayers of $220 million over four years. So far this year, 17,400 have applied, with an estimated 4-year cost of over $600 million — numbers Republicans say will keep growing. ‘This is the closest thing that you will ever see to treason, where taxpayer dollars are going to fund people who are here illegally,’ Rep. Isaac Schultz, R-Elmwood Township, said. … But DFL legislators say healthcare for the undocumented is not a handout. … Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy warns that cutting undocumented care ‘does financial harm, costing people more in the form of increased premiums and uncompensated care.’ … A bill to eliminate state benefits for the undocumented is under consideration at the Minnesota Legislature.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44C6Rrk
The 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. Read more about how 340B is a lifeline for rural health care at: READ: https://fluence-media.co/42D8kLo (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
HEGSETH: via NPR News, VERBATIM: “The White House has begun the process of looking for a new leader at the Pentagon to replace [Minnesota native] Pete Hegseth, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly. This comes as Hegseth is again mired in controversy over sharing military operational details in a group chat. … White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt denied that there's an effort to replace Hegseth, posting on X that President Donald Trump ‘stands strongly’ behind him. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump backed Hegseth and said concerns over the Signal chats are a ‘waste of time.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jJHNDb
RESPONSE: via a Rep. Betty McCollum statement, McCOLLUM: “This type of conduct by a Secretary of Defense is completely unprecedented, unbecoming of the office, and dangerous. … Republicans in Congress are failing to do their job to hold oversight hearings into the Secretary’s conduct and the conduct of President [Donald] Trump’s national security team. They must do so immediately – our national security is at risk. The time has come for Secretary [Pete] Hegseth to resign.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YCxB7i
MORE: via a Sen. Tina Smith post, SMITH: “It was clear from the start that Hegseth was incompetent, and his incompetence would make all of us less safe. Especially those that serve in the military. The question is when will Republicans finally call for him to be gone.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/42pcx6H
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)
SD6: via an MN GOP press release, VERBATIM: “The Republican Party of Minnesota is going all-in on the SD6 special election, launching an aggressive, tech-powered ground game designed to deliver a decisive Republican victory and set the tone for future elections. At the center of this effort is the debut of Campaign Sidekick Pulsar, the Republican Party of Minnesota’s new voter contact platform. … Pulsar represents the first in a series of strategic upgrades to the party’s ground operation. … The [party] has set a bold goal of achieving an 85% ballot return rate before Election Day. … Beginning Monday, the party will launch a 9-day volunteer call program targeting 10,000 to 15,000 calls to Republican voters in the district.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RuhyVd
MARYMURPHY: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Former Rep. Mary Murphy…received tributes from several of her former House colleagues and a proclamation from Gov. Tim Walz. … With red carnations adorning many a desk in the chamber in honor of a representative who advocated for beautifying the space, members shared stories of Murphy before passing legislation [for] renaming the state’s construction grant program for libraries in her honor. … House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) and Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) presented a signed copy of the resolution to members of Murphy’s family before seven more legislators read a proclamation from Walz that similarly celebrated Murphy’s life and work and declared Monday as Mary Murphy Day in Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GigAsO
VACCINES: via Minnesota Reformer’s Christopher Ingraham, VERBATIM: “This morning, [GOP Rep. Isaac] Schultz and seven of his colleagues introduced a bill banning mRNA vaccines and labeling them ‘weapons of mass destruction.’ It would make manufacturing, possessing or administering them a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4k3anQf BILL: https://fluence-media.co/44mNYZB
HIGHER ED: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Facing a committee base increase of zero, college students could nonetheless get more money for schooling. The omnibus higher education finance and policy bill contains $3.97 billion in spending for the 2026-27 biennium; however, to align with budget targets set by House leaders, its increase over February’s forecast base is zero. HF2312, as amended with a delete-all amendment, was approved Monday by the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee on a split-voice vote. Sponsored by Rep. Marion Rarick (R-Maple Lake), a committee co-chair, the bill next heads to the House Ways and Means Committee.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RtCjR2
CAPITOL: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A gun that fired the U.S. military’s first shot in World War II may soon be moved from the grounds of the Minnesota State Capitol. The gun from the USS Ward could be taken to the future Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley in Little Falls. … The gun has sat outside the Capitol for nearly 70 years. The museum wants to preserve the gun by bringing it indoors. … The Navy owns the gun and gave approval to move it; now, the museum needs approval from the state. The museum hopes to move the gun later this spring or this summer.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cFCPVA
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)
STPAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Mayor Melvin Carter during his annual ‘State of the City’ address Monday urged the city council to adopt a legislative package intended to spur new housing in the city while still protecting tenants from spikes in rent. … The mayor doubled down on a goal he set mid-2023 to draw 20,000 more residents downtown, calling attention to office-to-housing conversions. … Carter promoted few new initiatives Monday, focusing instead on ongoing efforts to stabilize downtown St. Paul, including a proposal to renovate the Xcel Energy Center.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42R0W0h
MORE: via City of St. Paul, VERBATIM: “Today, Mayor Melvin Carter delivered the 2025 State of Our City Address at the North End Community Center, lifting up housing growth and investments into the city’s downtown infrastructure. He also highlighted significant public safety progress, announcing a citywide summit to address fentanyl and the opioid crisis. … Carter [said] a citywide conversation later this year will bring ‘policy makers face-to-face with doctors, neighbors, people with lived experience, and anyone else who can help’ [with opioids].” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44z9WIA
MPLS: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis officials announced more than $225 million in planned infrastructure improvements, including everything from reducing commute times to improving water quality. Overall, the 66 projects represent 9.3 miles of street resurfacing, 1.6 miles of street reconstruction, the reconstruction of two Greenway bridges, the replacement of 823 lead water service lines and the rehabilitation of 16 miles of water main. … Among the city’s highlighted projects: repairing and rehabilitating ‘Bridge 9’ over the Dinkytown Greenway bike trail, the second phase of a massive Hennepin Avenue reconstruction project and adding new sidewalks and other features to First Avenue.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3EuTMWd
MORE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Feedback from the public is helping city leaders pinpoint where to focus projects designed to reduce speeding and make neighborhoods safer. It’s called traffic calming, and this is the third season of construction for projects that include speed bumps and traffic circles. … Tim Sexton, Minneapolis Public Works director, [said] this year, they’ll spend $1.5 million on projects. The city is expected to address 120 requests from the public, up from 50 last year. … Work is set to begin this summer and fall.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4it1YUV
MPRB: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “A century-old city park in south Minneapolis is getting a new name. … The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) voted to strip the name ‘Sibley’ from Sibley Park and its facilities, and tentatively rename the site as 40th Street Park. … It was named for Gen. Henry Hastings Sibley, the first regional governor of Minnesota. … A campaign to rename the park began in 2016…due to the former governor's support of violence against the Dakota people.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3RZBGyC
ST PAUL: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “For the second time in five months, the St. Paul City Council was unable to take an override vote on a veto issued by Mayor Melvin Carter due to a timing snafu. [Last week], Carter vetoed the council’s move to block trash services company FCC Environmental from using and developing a site at 560 Randolph Ave. … Generally, the council has 30 days to override a veto. That clock was still ticking, but there was a lesser-known deadline linked to a state law over zoning appeals that was fast approaching. And on the same day Carter issued his veto, that 60-day window lapsed. This means the council cannot act any more on the zoning dispute around the FCC Environmental site.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jLrS7w
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)
VISAS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Five non-citizen graduates of Concordia University in St. Paul are suing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after their student visas were canceled. According to the lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court, the five plaintiffs are citizens of India who attained master's degrees in information technology and management. The suit says each of the graduates were working for tech companies as part of authorized post-graduate training and it says each of them had to quit their jobs because they couldn’t hold the positions without student visas.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ioqG8L
TRIBES: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Johnathon Carlson was driving home from a weeklong family vacation in Florida with three of his children when he was pulled over on State Highway 95 by a county sheriff south of Atlanta. Carlson said he was told by a Crisp County Sheriff that his tribally issued license plates weren’t allowed on Georgia roads. … [The county] said the state of Georgia recognizes license plates issued by other U.S. states, the District of Columbia and foreign countries, but Georgia does not have an agreement in place with Red Lake Nation. … Red Lake Nation attorney Joe Plumer, who is not representing Carlson in the matter, said [that] Minnesota’s recognition of tribally issued plates should be enough for the state of Georgia to do the same. He says federal law requires states to respect the public records and court proceedings of every other state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44DUFGz
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)
TARIFFS: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Congresswoman Kelly Morrison [held] a press conference with a Zumbrota small business owner Monday afternoon highlighting the challenges they face by what she calls the 'Trump Administration's reckless, unnecessary and unpredictable trade wars.' Morrison says it's hurting these businesses unnecessarily. … Morrison is pushing for an exemption from tariffs for U.S. small businesses, adding it has made it nearly impossible to plan and make decisions.” MORRISON: “This is just not good economic policy. It's very disorienting, and it makes it nearly impossible for businesses to plan and make decisions. Many are in an existential moment where they really think that they're going to have to close their doors." READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3YcfPHX
MORE: As seen in yesterday’s lunch take, Rep. Kelly Morrison’s letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding tariffs is available to read online. LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/4lMTlrd
CANADA: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “International tourism to the U.S. [has fallen] nearly 12% compared with the same time last year. … In 2023, more than 500,000 international tourists visited Minnesota, according to Explore Minnesota, spending a little over $500 million in the state. The agency had been forecasting 2025 would bring 700,000 international visitors and $700 million in spending, but that’s now unlikely. More than half of Minnesota’s international tourists hail from Canada, [and] Minnesota businesses relying on those visitors are likely to be especially hard hit.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cFEmei
MORE: MPR News has a report on how Minnesotans and Canadians near the border feel about tariffs, tourism, immigration enforcement and more. Many interviewees said they have already noticed declines in travel and business on both sides of the border. READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/42pZW3b
LISTENING, LEARNING AND REDEFINING INDIGENOUS PARTNERSHIPS: “We want to build partnerships with Indigenous Nations. We continue to listen to and learn from Indigenous leaders and communities, and that’s informing how we engage communities in B.C. and across North America,” said CEO Greg Ebel of Enbridge’s approach to be the “first-choice partner” for Indigenous Nations interested in pursuing energy infrastructure opportunities. READ MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3Yht20R (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
FED FUNDS: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Several local climate and environmental advocacy organizations will have to make due with less after President Donald Trump’s administration made sweeping cuts and cancelled climate-related contracts, many specifically aimed to serve diverse, historically polluted communities like Frogtown known as environmental justice areas. … At least $42 million dollars dedicated to environmental justice in Minnesota have been cancelled as of April 15, [and] another $3.6 million awarded to the state for climate resiliency infrastructure is paused.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YFNeLa
HOMESCHOOL: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “More and more Minnesota families are opting out of the traditional classroom, and POD days at Christian Homeschool Academy Tutoring (CHAT) keep getting busier. … At the start of the 2018-2019 school year, there were under 20,000 Minnesota students in homeschooling. That number skyrocketed to over 30,000 at the height of the pandemic. In all, Minnesota homeschool totals are up nearly 40% from pre-pandemic and 7% since last year.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jfdFj6
MEASLES: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Minnesota has reported a second measles case this year, as health officials are urging parents to get their children vaccinated amid a nationwide outbreak. Minnesota health officials say the new case involves an infant who was diagnosed while in another country. Health officials said the child is too young to receive the MMR vaccine.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jnRnfh
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)
POPE: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “As Catholic congregations across the world mourn the passing of Pope Francis, a mass at the Cathedral of Saint Paul honored his life and accomplishments. Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Bernard Hebda, says Pope Francis paved the way for inclusion in the church that he hopes to see a new pope with similar values. … The mass Monday is just the first of nine traditional masses that will honor the Pope in the coming days.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3EIzqZw
MORE: Yesterday’s lunch take featured extensive coverage of reactions to the Pope’s death from Minnesota officials. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RsLfWM
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:
SCOTUS: via NBC News, VERBATIM: “The Supreme Court on Monday delivered a blow to Minnesota’s attempt to prevent young adults from obtaining permits to carry firearms in public. The court, which frequently backs gun rights, rejected the state’s appeal of a ruling that said a law banning 18-to-20-year-olds from applying for such permits violated the Constitution’s 2nd Amendment, which protects the right to bear arms. Although the court did not issue a ruling in the case, it sends a signal that similar laws, including one at the federal level, could be under threat in future.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jAuiWm
CHAMPION: via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “A Senate ethics committee will meet Tuesday to take up the case involving DFL Senate President Bobby Joe Champion. The hearing will not address the specific complaint filed against Champion, but instead consider his request for an advisory opinion on whether he violated conflict of interest rules.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3RWBkJ8
TRASH: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “Mayor Melvin Carter's staff dismissed at least three other locations where St. Paul's new garbage-hauling company might store its truck fleet, according to emails from earlier this year Axios obtained through a records request. The dispute over where to keep the trucks nearly halted citywide trash collection this month — and some City Council members want to solve it by forcing the hauler, FCC Environmental, to find a new truck storage yard.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jhVARo
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 Friday’s Fluence newsletters:
MNLEG: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The 2025 Minnesota Legislature got off to a slow start with a nearly month-long boycott by DFL House members, [but] that slow start will have to result in a rapid-fire finish if lawmakers are going to finish work on the budget by the May 19 deadline. So far, they’ve only passed four bills in three months. … In 2023, the previous budget year, 26 bills had passed by mid-April. … When lawmakers return to work after the Easter/Passover break next week, they’ll have 28 days left to craft a nearly $70 billion two-year budget for 2026-27. At this point, none of the budget bills are in conference committees where compromises will be worked out. … Since 2015, every legislative session where there has been divided government [has needed] a special session.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4is2qTj
ICE: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota, where a graduate student was detained and stripped of his student visa late last month, is the country’s only university actively contracted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, having leased its gun range to the agency since 2022 according to public federal spending data. A Minnesota Reformer analysis of ICE contracts also found that a gun range jointly owned by the cities of Cottage Grove and Woodbury holds one of the largest contracts for gun range leasing to ICE in the country, while a manufacturer in Anoka, Minn. provides more ammunition to the agency than any other contractor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jxDPgM
EYEWITNESSES: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “FOX 9 has obtained a copy of the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office new policy on Eyewitness Identification Evidence. The 10-page policy is the first time County Attorney Mary Moriarty has put the office’s best practices into writing. Experts say faulty eyewitness identification is the leading cause of sending innocent people to prison. Moriarty tells FOX 9 her team has learned from past mistakes, including the first-degree murder conviction of Marvin Haynes that was eventually tossed out. Haynes spent nearly 20 years in prison for a Minneapolis murder he did not commit.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42wIlFu
SESSION: House floor session at 11:00 a.m. Senate floor session at 2:00 p.m. HOUSE: Ways & Means will hear omnibus bills for public safety, housing, commerce, cannabis and more. SENATE: Finance hears omnibus legacy appropriations. Taxes will hear bills on tax credits for teachers, e-bike rebate changes, local sales taxes and more. The Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct will discuss Senate Rule 55.2 and advisory opinions. Commerce & Consumer Protection hears a stewardship program for electric products. Environment, Climate & Legacy hears a bill on data centers. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/42GN4V0
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will speak at the 70th Minnesota State Patrol academy graduation and interview candidates for a vacancy in the Second Judicial District.
TODAY: via People Not Polluters, VERBATIM: “To mark Earth Day, People Not Polluters, a partnership of 19 organizations, will deliver over 1,000 petitions to state legislative leaders at the state capitol. … On Tuesday, April 22 at 2:00 p.m. we will pull Minnesota Senate leaders off the floor and then will join the Earth Day Rally afterwards.”
TODAY: via a Rep. Ilhan Omar advisory, VERBATIM: “On Tuesday, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar will hold a press conference on protecting Social Security, which over 1.1 million Minnesotans rely on. She will be joined by Minnesota seniors from the Fifth District who will share personal testimonies on the potential impact of these proposed cuts.” The event is at 5:30 p.m. in St. Anthony.
TODAY: The DFL will host local lawmakers at a town hall in Stillwater as part of a statewide tour. Rep. Betty McCollum, House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman and state Rep. Josiah Hill will attend. The event is at 6:30 p.m.
TOMORROW: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “On Wednesday, April 23…Governor Tim Walz will deliver the State of the State Address to a joint session of the Minnesota State Legislature, beginning at 7:00pm.”
WED-FRI: Rep. Angie Craig announced that she will host in-person town halls outside her district next week. She will visit St. Cloud on Wednesday, Willmar on Thursday and Mankato on Friday. All events are at 6:00 p.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/43WhWTP
THURSDAY: The Council on Latino Affairs announced they will be hosting the 2025 Latino Day at the Capitol on April 24. This year’s speakers include Attorney General Keith Ellison, Sen. Alice Mann and Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega. The event is at 2:00 p.m.
SATURDAY: Via a joint press release, Iron Range officials — including Sen. Robert Farnsworth, Sen. Grant Hauschild and Rep. Cal Warwas — will host an event to oppose moving the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame from Eveleth, MN to the Twin Cities. The event is at 4:00 p.m. in Eveleth.
APRIL 28-29: via an FFA advisory, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota FFA State Convention takes place at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Fairgrounds Monday and Tuesday, April 28 and 29. This year’s theme is Stand as One, selected by the FFA’s State Officers.”
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.”
MAY 12: The MN GOP announced its annual Lincoln Reagan Dinner will be held on Monday, May 12 with presidential adviser Alina Habba as the keynote speaker. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/41WJ7LK
JUNE 13: The MN DFL announced its annual Humphrey-Mondale Dinner will be held on Friday, June 13 with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker as the keynote speaker. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4iiEa5R
BDAYS: attorney Jennifer Harper, photojournalist Matt Passolt, Tunheim’s Bess Ellenson, public affairs pro Jodi Boyne
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