Frost win. Girls State High School Hockey Tourney starts today.
A conversation with the new Twins GM Jerry Zoll. WCCORADIO: https://fluence-media.co/4hJziar
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Paul Simon will play three nights at the Orpheum in April. PIPRESS: https://fluence-media.co/3CWxkV8
St. Paul Schools banned cell phones in class. WCCO: https://fluence-media.co/3CNr0zo
Key takeaways from the Fox News Sean Hannity interview with President Trump and Elon Musk. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/3EH91eh
A plurality of Democrats would like their party to become more moderate, while a similar plurality of Republicans favor the status quo for their party. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/3EGGXHY
Happy National Chocolate Mint Day!
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
Adam Schwarze, a former congressional candidate in the 3rd Congressional District, was the guest on Sunday Take this week. Schwarze declared his candidacy for the open Senate seat on Thursday. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gNCzUW
Sponsorships available – to reach over 25,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
FEED FRAUD: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Allegations of witness tampering in the federal Feeding Our Future trial rocked the courtroom Tuesday, leading to new security measures and a new investigation into the role one of the defendants may have played in the incident. … ‘Witness tampering is a crime — and a serious one,’ said U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel. … At the urging of federal prosecutors, Brasel agreed to look into allegations that one of the defendants on trial, Salim Said, improperly invited some of his co-defendants to attend certain portions of the trial in an attempt to ‘corrupt’ the proceedings. … Last year’s [trial] ended with an attempted bribe of a juror, a rare incident that drew international media attention and resulted in jurors being sequestered for their safety.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4b589MS
DETAILS: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “A prosecution witness in the Feeding Our Future trial alleged that a defendant’s relative approached him outside of the courtroom Tuesday afternoon and told him to accompany him to the bathroom. The witness, Sharmake Jama, declined the invitation and shared the encounter with his attorney, who reported it to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He was scheduled to testify shortly after the encounter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson shared details of the incident with the court on the fifth day of testimony in the trial of Feeding Our Future’s former executive director. … Jama believed that the man who approached him Tuesday was a relative of defendant Salim Said [and] the man was accompanied by Abdinasir Abshir, another defendant.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ETu9Ow
OSMAN: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Federal prosecutors showed the jury in the Feeding Our Future trial on Tuesday evidence that Minneapolis City Council Member Jamal Osman turned over his ‘shell company’ nonprofit to others who used it to commit fraud. … The state Department of Education changed the rules in 2020 so for-profits could no longer be food distribution sites. So some of the players turned to nonprofits to continue the fraud, prosecutors say. One of those, they say, was a nonprofit Osman founded called Stigma-Free International. … Osman has said he did mental health outreach before leaving the nonprofit. But Postal Inspector John Western testified Tuesday that Stigma-Free had no employees, office or apparent activity.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/414wYUD
From yesterday’s health take:
MEDICAID FRAUD: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Thousands of Minnesotans a year rely on NUWAY’s program that pairs addiction treatment with a monthly housing subsidy, but it might not be around much longer. The state Department of Human Services plans to halt Medicaid payments for the service on Friday, citing a ‘credible allegation of fraud’ amid a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the nonprofit. NUWAY recently sued DHS and is seeking an injunction to block the state from stopping payments, which it says would result in the ‘swift demise’ of the state’s largest outpatient substance use disorder treatment program.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CRQv2t
Sign up for health take or read it at The Daily Agenda: https://fluence-media.co/4eZwLa7
OIG: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Targeting fraud has been a target for House Republicans, a point emphasized by the first bill introduced in the 2025 session. HF1 calls for an Office of the Inspector General to be created in the legislative branch and overseen by the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Commission. … Approved Tuesday by the House State Government Finance and Policy Committee on a split-voice vote, the bill was sent to the House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee. … Rep. Patti Anderson (R-Dellwood), who sponsors the bill, [said] the bill remains a work in progress and she has plans to meet with other interested parties in developing a final product. … Rep. Mike Freiberg (DFL-Golden Valley) expressed frustration that the bill received a vote when it is far from finished.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EL8vfo
54A: via a Rep. Brad Finstad press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), and Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting a formal investigation into the mishandling of the 2024 election in Scott County under Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon. … Today’s request is the latest effort by the Minnesota Republican Congressional delegation to hold Minnesota’s highest election official accountable for the illegal disposal of [20] lawfully cast ballots.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/4b3dkgh
ESSENTIA HEALTH NURSES ARE A VALUED PART OF OUR PATIENT CARE: Acute care nurses in the Duluth area earn $100,000 on average, working just four days a week. In fact, 94% of these nurses choose to work part-time because Essentia Health offers full benefits starting at 24 hours a week. Our nurses overwhelmingly choose to remain at Essentia Health, bucking national turnover trends. To join our team at Essentia Health, search for openings HERE: https://fluence-media.co/3D5rO2s (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
RECALL: via an MN GOP press release, VERBATIM: “Today, the Minnesota Republican Party officially submitted recall petitions for 21 additional DFL House members, bringing the total number of filed recall petitions to 29 so far. … The MN GOP and grassroots activists are on track to file recall petitions against all 66 DFL House members.” A full list of all 20 DFL representatives facing new recall petitions is available in the press release. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4i6ihqH
MITCHELL: via a Senate GOP press release, VERBATIM: “Today Senate Republicans held a press conference to announce two developments in their pursuit to restore integrity to the Senate and remove Sen. [Nicole] Mitchell from office. … Senate Republicans [have] presented a new ethics complaint against Sen. Mitchell, citing her vote on a floor motion on January 27, 2025 as a direct conflict of interest according to Senate Rule 56.4. … The vote in question was to [expel Mitchell]. … [Republicans] also explained they have updated an existing ethics complaint against Sen. Mitchell to include the second felony charge that prosecutors filed last week for possession of tools used in a burglary or theft. … The complaints will be filed this week with Senate President [Bobby Joe] Champion, and the Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct must meet to review them within 30 days of filing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QJJILH
DFL CHAIR: Attorney General Keith Ellison has endorsed Richard Carlbom, the governor’s deputy chief of staff, to be the next DFL chair. Carlbom is the current frontrunner and was previously endorsed by Gov. Tim Walz and Rep. Angie Craig, as seen in Jan. 30’s morning take. ELLISON: “Our DFL Party needs a chair dedicated to organizing in every county and every corner of our state. Richard Carlbom is an organizer ready to activate our grassroots and ignite our DFL advocates as we come together to protect Minnesotans from [Donald] Trump and win in 2025 and 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kjbxrN
SENATE RACE: Sen. Tina Smith publicly questioned Rep. Pete Stauber during a spat on social media. Smith is not running for reelection, and Stauber is a potential GOP candidate for her seat. Their comments are in chronological order below:
SMITH: “Minnesotans deserve an explanation when the federal government puts our jobs in jeopardy. The Trump Administration needs to reconsider the decision to close the Federal Prison Camp in Duluth.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/3QqAfsc
STAUBER: “This is a desperate lie from Senator Smith. To be clear, the Biden Administration made the decision to close this prison. Joe Biden put these federal jobs on the chopping block. I am talking to the Trump Administration to see if this decision can be reversed.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4b8O3kD
SMITH: “I called this out under Biden [and] I’m calling it out again for Trump. It’s called follow up. How about you put aside the politics, and don’t hesitate to pick up the phone if you have something to say to me. Calling me a liar isn’t very senatorial or gubernatorial.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/3Xa2dwm
PROTEST: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “About 60 people gathered inside and outside Republican U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad’s Rochester office Tuesday morning with the message that ‘Medicaid Matters.’ … At 9 a.m., half of the group stood outside Finstad’s office [while] it was 10 degrees below zero. The other half gathered inside the office, where they presented a letter to Finstad’s staff. ‘Your colleagues in Congress are proposing devastating cuts and changes to Medicaid, impacting up to one-third of its budget, in order to pay for tax cuts for corporations and very wealthy Americans,’ reads the letter, signed by 570 people in Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4k3zvac
OMNIBUS: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Legislature’s love of the omnibus bill — and whether it will ever push the state Supreme Court to enforce the constitution’s ‘single-subject’ rule — could get its biggest test in a lawsuit filed last week. In Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus v. Tim Walz et al, the plaintiffs argue that if any bill violates the provision that bills only cover a single subject, the record-setting 1,400-plus-page bill that ended the 2024 session might be the one. … The suit asks the courts to toss out the entire law. Short of that, it asks that the sections dealing with binary triggers be invalided. Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office has not yet responded to the suit.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/411XDBf
NONPROFIT: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “A small Minneapolis nonprofit that would receive $15 million under a proposed bill at the Legislature says it made a mistake by listing Sen. Zaynab Mohamed, DFL-Minneapolis, as a board member on its tax filings. A DFL Senate spokesman said Mohamed was never a board member of WE WIN Institute. … The organization asked Mohamed to serve on the board, but she declined. Mohamed’s name was mistakenly included on a tax filing [and] the organization is taking steps to amend the filing to remove her name. … WE WIN Institute is seeking $15 million under a bill (SF1140) authored by Sen. Omar Fateh, DFL-Minneapolis. … A spokesman said Fateh plans to pull the bill.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4i7fb65
CHILDCARE: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Rep. Danny Nadeau (R-Rogers) is trying to alleviate the financial burden for licensed in-home child care providers. He sponsors HF633, which would establish a 50% market value exclusion for in-home family day care or group family day care providers. … The House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee on a split-voice vote approved the bill, as amended, Tuesday and moved it to the House Taxes Committee.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/431z1eB
ETHNIC STUDIES: via a House DFL press release, VERBATIM: “[Yesterday], the Minnesota House of Representatives Education Policy Committee [heard] legislation authored by Rep. Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls) repealing Minnesota’s ethnic studies program passed last biennium. … The Republican bill suspends implementation of the most recent revision of the social studies standards and benchmarks. … It also repeals all requirements related to ethnic studies.” BILL: https://fluence-media.co/4i512Gw
RESPONSE: via DFL Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura, author of the ethnic studies requirement bill, STATEMENT: “Passing the Ethnic Studies for All bill in 2023 was a testament to the students across our state who have been fighting for representation in the classroom for decades. Republicans are now trying to roll back this progress and stifle student voices. … Students deserve age-appropriate and accurate information about our history.”
MORE: via DFL Rep. Cedrick Frazier, co-chair of the House POCI Caucus, STATEMENT: “When all students learn about different cultural experiences and viewpoints, they develop the critical thinking and cross-cultural understanding essential for leadership in our interconnected global economy. Limiting this knowledge doesn't protect our students — it puts them at a disadvantage in an increasingly diverse world and workplace.”
DRIVERS: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Sue Vanek has been fighting for her daughter and granddaughter since Jan. 15, 2015. That’s the day her loved ones were in a car that was hit head-on near Brainerd by an unlicensed driver. … Vanek told her story to the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee Tuesday, which approved HF341. [The bill] would, under certain conditions, lead to higher penalties for driving with a license that was suspended, revoked, or cancelled, or the person was disqualified from holding a license. The bill’s next stop is the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41juhQj
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)
POT: MPR News interviewed Eric Taubel, interim director of the Office of Cannabis Management, on Tuesday — the same day OCM began accepting applications for licenses to grow and sell cannabis. OCM also released its expected 2025 timeline for licensing, seen below. TAUBEL: “Other states that have legalized for adult use often have pretty substantial cannabis infrastructure. They have tens, twenties, hundreds of licensees who are growing cannabis and selling cannabis. Minnesota only had two registered medical cannabis providers with just 16 retail locations, so we've always known it's going to be a slow build to a full market. … [However], we anticipate some of those early moving tribes will likely be setting up their shop sooner rather than later.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/417BJwm
WHIPPETS: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Prompted by a social media trend, Minnesota legislators are moving to make the state the second to ban nitrous oxide sales. Car repair shops, restaurants, and dentists use nitrous oxide legitimately, but the gas has attracted recreational use as well. … The nitrous canisters are also called ‘whippets.’ … Prolonged use can cause Vitamin B12 deficiencies and have serious consequences on your nervous system, even potentially causing paralysis.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hIeJvc
CANADA: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesotans who have a special permit to work, play or spend summers just north of the Ontario border may continue to cross the line in remote areas throughout 2025, even if their permits recently expired or are set to expire, Canada’s border service agency announced Tuesday. … The agency said Tuesday it is extending — effective immediately — the validity of any remote area border crossing permit issued after Sept. 1, 2023. Even if a permit recently expired, it is now good until Dec. 31, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QrNgSx
FARMERS: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Tom Smude is a farmer who operates a sunflower processing plant in Morrison County. Last year, his business was awarded a $500,000 grant through the USDA’s Resilient Food Infrastructure Systems Program to bulk up their processing. … Smude has already ordered much of the equipment for the expansion, taking out a temporary loan to cover the cost while waiting for the federal reimbursement to come in. But now, thanks to the Trump Administration’s chaotic freeze on loan and grant programs, that reimbursement is in limbo. … Smude was among the farmers, food manufacturers and food bank representatives who testified [at] a state Senate agriculture committee hearing this week.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4k65qql
BREWERS: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump is, again, planning to impose tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. The plan revealed last week for 25% tariffs beginning March 12 echoes a similar move made in 2018 during his first term. It's familiar territory for many businesses, including brewers, who worry that tariffs will impair an industry already running on narrow margins. In Minnesota, many breweries are on edge as they prepare to relive the production pains experienced in 2018 and again during the pandemic as can shortages drove up prices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EJgidM
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)
SCHOOLBUSES: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “School districts that cover large geographical areas in Minnesota face a funding gap between their transportation expenses and the dollars they receive from the state, an issue that more densely populated districts don’t face. … A transportation sparsity component provides additional funding to help schools with the higher expenses of transporting students over large geographic areas, but it’s still nowhere near enough. Two bills, HF52 and HF53, set out to correct that discrepancy by increasing the sparsity aid large geographical districts receive from 35% to 70% of a school district’s unfunded amount. … The House Education Finance Committee laid both [bills] over for possible inclusion in a larger omnibus bill.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QrOsW1
DAMS: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Is hydroelectric power ‘renewable’? Minnesota law says that it is — up to a point. And that point is 100 megawatts. … Utilities [can] claim as carbon-free any electricity from a facility with a capacity under 100 megawatts. Rep. Paul Anderson (R-Starbuck) would like to see that restriction lifted. He’s the sponsor of HF75, which would…allow power from hydroelectric facilities of any size to be counted toward satisfying a utility’s renewable energy standard requirement. … On Tuesday, the House Energy Finance and Policy Committee approved the bill on a voice vote and sent it to the House Floor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4i1IuXC
E15: via a Sen. Amy Klobuchar press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, joined Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and 11 other Senators to introduce bipartisan legislation to make E15 available year-round. The Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025 would enable the year-round, nationwide sale of ethanol blends higher than 10 percent, helping to lower fuel prices and provide certainty in fuel markets for farmers and consumers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41mDwiA
RAW MILK: via an MDA press release, VERBATIM: “Beginning the week of February 24, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), working with state government and industry partners, will begin sampling and testing raw cow’s milk for the H5N1 flu virus to identify where the virus is present, monitor trends, and prevent its spread to unaffected dairy herds and poultry flocks around the state. … People and pets should not consume unpasteurized (raw) milk, raw milk cheeses, or raw or undercooked meat from animals with suspected or confirmed H5N1 virus infection.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4i4genm
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)
MPLS: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Due to the Trump Administration's crackdown on immigration, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey today emphasized supporting the Latino community and their businesses. … Frey says the state relies heavily on Latinos for the economy. Since the Trump Administration took over in late January, there has been a much more widespread crackdown on illegal immigration. Many Latinos, whether documented or not, are terrified to go out in fear they might get picked up by ICE. … The Mayor announced that Feb. 22 would be Un Dia Con Latinos — A Day With Latinos — in which people are encouraged to shop at Latino businesses.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3QJQml7
ST PAUL: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “St. Paul civic leaders recently launched a nonprofit to raise money to redevelop the capital city’s downtown, with a focus on the central business district that has struggled to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. The new St. Paul Downtown Development Corp. is a real estate-focused subsidiary of the nonprofit St. Paul Downtown Alliance. … Though the organization’s early work will likely focus on evaluating the state of downtown assets, it’s possible it could buy or redevelop property down the road.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Qog66d
BURNSVILLE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The lives of three fallen Burnsville first responders killed in the line of duty last year [were] honored and remembered Tuesday. Feb. 18, 2025, has been designated as Public Safety Memorial Day in the city to honor the lives of fallen officers Paul Elmstrand, 27, and Matthew Ruge, 27, as well as firefighter and paramedic Adam Finseth, 40. … Wreaths are on display at City Hall, where community members are invited to pay their respects. City leaders [spoke] at 2 p.m. in the Burnsville City Council Chambers.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hzIHBv
ORONO: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Former Orono Mayor Dennis Walsh has asked a court to halt a May special election that could unseat a City Council member he appointed. In one of his final meetings as mayor, Walsh appointed Claire Berrett to serve in a City Council seat vacated by Matt Johnson, who resigned one week after the November election ushered in new Orono leaders. The Orono City Council voted 4 to 1 last week to hold a May 13 special election for Berrett’s seat, arguing it was required under state law and in the best interest of the voters. But Walsh argues in a new lawsuit, filed last week and accepted by the court Tuesday, that Berrett should serve the remainder of Johnson’s term, which runs through 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4i6h8PV
ELY: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A citywide power outage was reported in Ely on Tuesday morning, at a time the entire state was under an extreme cold warning. In a Facebook post, the city said that Minnesota Power is working to repair a broken transmission line that crosses Highway 169, near the Ely water tower. The transmission line reportedly fell and broke on Monday night, causing the major power outage.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gPEKHN
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: Wild About Reading SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
REFUGEES: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Almost exactly a year ago, Rahima Frogh, her husband and their five children left their homeland and arrived in the U.S. Frogh’s husband, Hamayoun Ali Babur, got a special immigration visa because of his work for the State Department. It grants permanent residency to Afghans who helped the U.S. during its 20-year war in Afghanistan. … Frogh is grateful her family is safe, and now living in St. Cloud. But she worries about the relatives she left behind. One of President Donald Trump’s first actions after taking office was an executive order indefinitely suspending the U.S. refugee resettlement program.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gJ5Xf3
ERA: via Gender Justice, VERBATIM: “A new statewide poll conducted between January 23-27, 2025, confirms that Minnesotans overwhelmingly support the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and want lawmakers to act. Two-thirds of voters polled (67%) support adding an inclusive ERA to the state constitution.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41ld9d2 POLL: https://fluence-media.co/41mFsHK
RESTAURANTS: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “The recent wave of restaurant closures is not abnormal during Minnesota winter, but it's revealed an industry facing serious challenges beyond the normal ebbs and flows. Several restaurants have closed their doors over the last six weeks, including all four Revival locations, St. Paul's Dark Horse, Rosemount's The Clover and Lake Elmo's Machine Shed. Restaurateurs say rapidly rising labor and food costs are forcing them to shut down or change the way they do business.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QoQ96I
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. SIGNUP: https://fluence-media.co/4eZwLa7
SESSION: House floor session at 12:15 p.m. No Senate floor session. HOUSE: Veterans & Military Affairs will hear two charitable gambling bills. Workforce, Labor & Economic Dev. hears a bill funding therapy horses for first responders with PTSD. Education Policy hears a bill banning transgender students from participating in women’s K-12 athletics. Housing hears a new tax credit for conversion of underutilized buildings. Public Safety hears harsher penalties for fleeing police in a vehicle. SENATE: Health & Human Services will hear five food assistance bills. Taxes will hear a repeal of the illegal drug tax. Education Policy hears changes to math standards, dementia education, direct admissions, and language assistance policies. Jobs & Economic Dev. hears a ban on sending grants to nonprofits with highly compensated employees. Judiciary & Public Safety hears a ban on “nudification” technology. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/3X8qX7Y
TODAY: Rep. Ilhan Omar announced she will “host a Black Women’s Heart Health Resource Fair and Panel Discussion with local experts about racial and gender equity in cardiovascular health…and provide health resources to the community,” per a release. The event is at 4:00 p.m. in Minneapolis.
TODAY: via a House GOP advisory, VERBATIM: “Rep. Bjorn Olson, R-Fairmont, and stakeholders including the American Legion, Allied Charities, and others [will host a] press conference on House File 733 to discuss the importance of restoring the use of electronic gaming devices to support charitable organizations across the state.” The event is at 10:00 a.m.
TOMORROW: Rep. Ilhan Omar announced she will “host her February Town Hall meeting in St. Louis Park where she will take questions from the community and share updates about her recent work in D.C.,” per a release. The event is at 6:00 p.m.
SATURDAY: via MN Farm Bureau, VERBATIM: “The second annual Urban Ag Conference, hosted by the Minnesota Farm Bureau, is set to welcome over 100 participants this weekend. This free event will take place at St. Paul College, offering urban farmers the chance to connect with peers and engage with local and state leaders on key issues facing urban agriculture and food systems. The event begins at 9 a.m.” SCHEDULE: https://fluence-media.co/3REjMSK
NEXT WEEK: Axios energy and climate reporters will host a conversation with Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith and Ohio Rep. Bob Latta for their “Powering the Electric Future” event on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 a.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/3WY8vz0
MARCH 3: via an ISAIAH press release, VERBATIM: “Hundreds of childcare providers, parents, teachers and community members across Minnesota will be hosting or participating in Day Without Childcare events on Monday, March 3 to demonstrate how many people truly rely on childcare in our state. Several childcare centers that serve hundreds of children and families across the state will be closed to elevate the need to fund childcare and early learning.” Centers in Virginia, Bemidji, Duluth, St. Paul and Rochester, and Elk River will participate.
BDAYS: TV’s Guy Still, labor leader Rick Varco, Allianz’s Rodney Meyer
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