Twins win. Happy opening day of the US Open.
An air India flight to London crashed overnight. AP: https://fluence-media.co/43YQgvZ
BCA is investigating an officer involved shooting last night in Brooklyn Center.
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys has died at 82. The Star Tribune reports he had family connections in Minnesota. STRIB: https://fluence-media.co/3ZoMKtp
APM Research finds that Minnesota has lost 400 federal jobs since January, or 1.2% of its federal workforce. In the Twin Cities metro specifically, there has been a net loss of zero federal jobs. DATA: https://fluence-media.co/4k5sfJT
A Quinnipiac poll finds Donald Trump’s job approval at 38%, while his “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” has 27% approval. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/3ZoFr4X
Happy National Peanut Butter Cookie Day!
Blois
TIPS: bloisolson@gmail.com
Today’s morning take on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN:https://fluence-media.co/4e2SwXR
All four legislative leaders — Speaker Lisa Demuth, Rep. Melissa Hortman, Sen. Erin Murphy and Sen. Mark Johnson — were guests on Sunday Take to discuss the latest developments in the Capitol. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3HLdCxv
Sponsorships available – to reach over 25,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz will testify at a U.S. House Oversight Committee hearing about “sanctuary states” on Thursday, June 12. Walz will appear alongside Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. The event is at 9:00 a.m. central in Washington, D.C. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4dZtDfl
MORE: GOP candidate for governor Kendall Qualls will host a virtual press conference today at 3:30 p.m. to discuss Gov. Tim Walz’s testimony before the U.S. House Oversight Committee, per a release.
POLL: A KSTP poll of voters in Minnesota finds that Gov. Tim Walz has a net positive approval rating of +19% — 58% approve, 39% disapprove, 3% unsure. However, voters are split on whether Walz should run for a third term as governor next year, with “yes” and “no” tied at 43% while 13% are unsure. Nearly 1 in 4 Democrats don’t support a third term, and a majority of Independents (54%) say Walz should not run again. RESULTS: https://fluence-media.co/3T8GySV
MINING: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The ‘big beautiful’ budget bill approved by the U.S. House last month would have removed a Biden Administration moratorium on 225,000 acres of the Superior National Forest, [but] it was scrapped in a technical corrections bill the House released late Tuesday. … [However], the change appeared short-lived on Wednesday afternoon after U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said that she and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum are taking the ‘first step’ toward lifting the mining moratorium through President Donald Trump’s executive authority.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45lGbvw
RESPONSE: via a Rep. Pete Stauber statement, STAUBER: “This announcement is great news for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District, and the nation. … As the demand for critical minerals continues to skyrocket, I look forward to seeing Minnesota’s skilled miners safely deliver our vast mineral wealth to the nation using the best labor and environmental standards in the world.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HQMzks
ELECTIONS: via news release from the Minnesota GOP, VERBATIM: “Today, the Minnesota Republican Party, led by Chair Alex Plechash, filed a critical brief in Minnesota Alliance for Retired Americans v. Simon, opposing left-wing efforts to dismantle Minnesota’s proven absentee ballot witness requirement. This latest action continues a robust record of successful challenges to protect electoral integrity across the state—from the U.S. Supreme Court siding with the GOP on Hennepin County's absentee ballot board to halting Governor Walz's illegal attempt to call a premature special election…Previously, the Minnesota Supreme Court sided with the Minnesota GOP, ruling that Hennepin County improperly bypassed the party’s list when appointing election judges to its absentee ballot board—a landmark victory for transparent, bipartisan oversight…Additionally, when Governor Tim Walz attempted to issue an unlawful writ calling for a January 28 special election in House District 40B—ignoring statutory timelines—the Minnesota GOP aggressively sued. The state Supreme Court struck down the writ, affirming that Plechash’s party will not stand by when procedural rules are cast aside.”
ELECTRIC CARS: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Electric vehicle owners aren't paying at the gas pump, but they'll soon see higher fees in Minnesota, thanks to a new law doubling the surcharge for those cars to shore up funding for roads and bridges. The current $75 annual fee will double to at least $150. How much someone pays could be steeper if they have a more expensive, newer vehicle, similar to how the state calculates registration fees, which EV owners must still pay. For example, a new EV with a $50,000 retail price would mean a $250 fee based on that calculation, which is more than three times the current rate.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Tiy7nR
THE X: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “For the second year in a row, the Xcel Energy Center came out of the legislative session with nothing — a frustrating shut-out for both the Minnesota Wild and the St. Paul mayor’s office. … [Requests] for $395 million in state appropriations bonds drew skepticism from key lawmakers, including state Rep. Maria Isa Perez-Vega, who represents the district. Some lawmakers [have] questioned why the city didn’t request the money in 2023, when a nearly $18 billion state budget surplus loomed large. … State Sen. Sandy Pappas, DFL-St. Paul, [said] she was willing to carry a bill that would extend the city’s existing half-cent sales tax…to pay for some of the proposed arena improvements. To her knowledge, the proposal never found a House sponsor. Perez-Vega, a logical partner, was not on board.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ngddnp
BUDGET: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz and DFL legislative leaders say they may have to return for a second special session later this year to respond to possible federal budget cuts. … Walz's administration has said the tax and spending cuts being considered by Congress would cost Minnesota $844 million per year in federal funding and tax credits. ‘If the bill passes anywhere near what it looks like now, we will be back,’ Walz said. … House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, said the Legislature should focus on the budget it just set rather than worrying about federal cuts that haven’t happened yet.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FVnGU8
MORE: via a joint press release, VERBATIM: “Today, more than 100 Minnesota-based organizations — including many of the state’s largest healthcare providers and community nonprofits — sent [a] letter urging Minnesota’s Congressional delegation to vote against the largest cuts to Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and housing supports in history. … According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Medicaid cuts included in the [budget bill] would cause more than 16 million Americans to lose health insurance, including 253,000 Minnesotans.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/4dZyBZv
SCHOOLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s public schools entered this year’s legislative session with a guaranteed inflationary increase in per-pupil funding, [while] private schools had to fight a proposal to yank their pupil aid. Other legislation brought agreements on unemployment insurance for hourly school workers and improved teacher pensions. … The result of this year’s talks: Private schools skirted the threat and lawmakers managed to keep most of the cuts they were forced to make ‘out of the classroom,’ said Sen. Mary Kunesh, DFL-New Brighton.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43V7sCv
TAXES: via a Rep. Nolan West press release, VERBATIM: “State Rep. Nolan West, R-Blaine, issued the following statement after the House passed a tax bill…containing a [5%] increase to the cannabis tax and eliminating the dedication to local governments from the cannabis tax. He offered an amendment to the bill that would have placed a sunset to end the [increase] in FY2027. However, West said he withdrew the amendment due to lack of support across the aisle.” WEST: “This tax bill benefits the illicit cannabis market, by making legal cannabis uncompetitive, and it also directly harms cities, like Blaine, by taking away their share of the cannabis revenue. It is a shame every single House and Senate Democrat voted for this.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43N70Gg
REGENTS: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “The Governor's Office today announced four vacancies for the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. The application process is now open for these vacancies. … Interested and eligible applicants must submit application materials via the Secretary of State’s website by July 2.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4jHpU7v
DATA CENTERS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “For the first time, data centers coming to Minnesota will have to comply with guidelines aimed at protecting the state’s climate goals, water and household electric bills. They will also have to pay for conservation projects that help low-income families. [However], data centers will keep most of the lucrative tax breaks that the country’s largest tech companies say are vital. … That was the outcome of months of negotiations at the Minnesota Legislature over how to treat an entirely new industry in the state. Data centers serve the skyrocketing demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence products, but also raise concerns that the energy-hungry facilities will drain the state’s resources.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dYGz5j
DEMOCRATS: via Punchbowl News, VERBATIM: “In the past month, Senate Democrats have held nearly a dozen ‘spotlight forums’ to draw attention to what they claim are the Trump Administration’s harmful policies. But amid a jam-packed news cycle, [these] hearings struggle to break through the noise. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) [hosted] the latest of these meetings. … Senate Democrats insist the forums [are] a means of oversight at a time when their base is demanding action but they’re only in the minority. … Many of the events struggle to attract national media attention, although Democrats insist D.C. headlines aren’t the goal.” KLOBUCHAR: “It’s about making the case in Washington with our colleagues, because Republicans aren’t doing it. They’re not holding hearings about the impact of this bill, so we’re going to.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/402Fqnn
CRAIG: Rep. Angie Craig was interviewed by Advocate, an organization focused on LGBTQ issues. Craig, who is married to a woman, discussed her Senate campaign, gay rights and transgender athletes. QUOTE: “We have to be clear-eyed that voters don’t understand the trans community as well as we thought they did. But I don’t know how anyone could argue against standing up for and supporting a community that is being targeted for discrimination. … I very much believe that these decisions should be up to our local schools and our local sports associations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FVlCLS
ELLISON: Attorney General Keith Ellison was interviewed by MPR News this week to discuss why he thinks it’s important to fight Pres. Donald Trump’s agenda in court. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/43Df25U
CELEBRATING 70 YEARS: The Pine Bend refinery in Rosemount is a landmark like no other – the tall columns, bright lights and steam during cold winter days can be seen from miles away. Generations of workers have helped operate, maintain and transform the refinery, making it one of the nation’s most innovative and efficient energy facilities of its kind. This year, Flint Hills Resources celebrates 70 years of dedicated employees at the Pine Bend refinery who have produced the fuels that help move us forward. LEARN MORE: About the Pine Bend refinery (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
FEED FRAUD: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Dozens of people, perhaps hundreds, linked to a sprawling child nutrition fraud case will never face criminal charges because federal prosecutors don’t have the resources to go after every participant. The case…has resulted in charges against 72 people. … [But] an attorney for one of the defendants once said federal prosecutors told him about 200 more people could be charged. … ‘We don’t have the resources to charge everyone that commits fraud in the state,’ said Minnesota’s interim top federal prosecutor, Joe Thompson. … Asked whether some people who defrauded the program would likely not face prosecution, Thompson said, ‘Almost certainly.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43Gfi4f
RESPONSE: via a former House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler post, WINKLER: “The state of Minnesota should partner with local police and sheriffs, and with county attorneys, to investigate and prosecute every case of fraud. The Feds led the way and don’t have the resources to do everything. Time to step up.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/43J6k6k
POT: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “A cannabis complication has hemp store owners worried they might have to destroy everything in stock if they want to also operate as a recreational marijuana retailer. Rules that take effect for cannabis licensees include what appears to be an impossible labeling requirement for low-potency hemp-derived THC products that says the label has to include license numbers for every business that had a hand in producing the edible or beverage, from seed to sale. But nobody licenses hemp businesses now, and Minnesota won’t start until October. A spokesperson at the Office of Cannabis Management confirmed to FOX 9 that cannabis retailers will be bound by the rules and nobody will be allowed to sell products without the right labeling.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4mWDuXu
APPRENTICESHIP: via a Sen. Tina Smith press release, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Steve Daines (R-MT) reintroduced legislation to help increase enrollment in apprenticeship programs. The Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act would provide grant funding to help apprenticeship colleges expand outreach to potential students and employers, improve academic advising programs and address common barriers to degree completion like childcare access and support for first-generation students. … The bill is also cosponsored by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45fx5jP
CRYPTO: via a Rep. Tom Emmer press release, VERBATIM: “Congressman Tom Emmer’s Securities Clarity Act and elements of the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA) passed out of the House Financial Services Committee markup after being included in the CLARITY Act. The CLARITY Act was reported favorably to the House floor, an important step toward passing the legislation through Congress.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l2fMHC
DNA: via a Sen. Amy Klobuchar press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, raised concerns about what will happen to the genetic data collected by 23andMe following the company’s bankruptcy during a hearing.” KLOBUCHAR: “It is my belief that the privacy policies [of 23andMe] aren't meeting the privacy needs of consumers during bankruptcy. … [Let’s] give consumers control over their genetic data with our bill, Don't Sell My DNA Act.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Hz1KP9
DMV: via a Sen. Tina Smith press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senator Tina Smith is pressing the Trump Administration to take action to combat a widespread text message scam affecting Minnesotans. Thousands of Minnesotans are reporting fake text messages from senders impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). These impersonators urge Minnesotans to make an online payment for an unidentified traffic violation or risk prosecution, a loss of driving privileges, and a damaged credit score, in addition to costing Minnesotans money.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FYgcjf
PROTESTS: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Protesters plan to march through Minnesota's capital city on Saturday as part of nationwide counterprogramming to President Donald Trump's planned military parade. … Protests are planned across the country, with the St. Paul event set to start at St. Paul College at 11 a.m. … Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan plan to attend, along with Attorney General Keith Ellison. … The event is organized locally by Indivisible Twin Cities, MN 50501, Women's March Minnesota and the Minnesota AFL-CIO. Other ‘No Kings’ events are planned across Minnesota, as well.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4dVO10Y
MORE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A protest of the Trump Administration's immigration enforcement actions drew around 200 people to the Lake Street-Marshall Avenue bridge between Minneapolis and St. Paul Wednesday afternoon. Organizers of the protest said they wanted to show solidarity with similar demonstrations in Los Angeles, where President Donald Trump has deployed the California National Guard and Marines over the objections of Gov. Gavin Newsom.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Hw4KvU
MPS/SPPS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “With deadlines drawing near, school district leaders in Minneapolis and St. Paul this week pushed ahead on plans to close budget gaps for next school year. St. Paul officials said they’d ask city voters this fall to approve additional funding in a referendum. … Board members in St. Paul, Minnesota’s second largest district, finished their budget Tuesday, agreeing to draw down reserves to close more than two-thirds of a $51 million deficit projected for the upcoming academic year. The rest will come from cuts and planned new sources of revenue. … The Minneapolis school district, the state’s fourth largest, is also facing a shortfall.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kCWt7T
TODAY: State Auditor Julie Blaha announced she will join Americans for Responsible Growth on a press call today. Blaha and several state treasurers will advocate against the GOP’s federal budget bill. The event is at 11:00 a.m.
TOMORROW: Gov. Tim Walz is scheduled to speak at a Center for American Progress event on Friday, June 13. The event is at 9:30 a.m. central in Washington, D.C. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/3FEYUrr
TOMORROW: Rep. Kelly Morrison and former VA Sec. Denis McDonough will be the special guests at a DFL town hall in Bloomington on Friday, June 13, per a release.
TOMORROW: The MN DFL will hold its annual Humphrey-Mondale Dinner will be held on Friday, June 13 with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker as the keynote speaker.
SATURDAY: Sen. Amy Klobuchar will be the keynote speaker at a New Hampshire Democratic Party dinner on Saturday, June 14. She is reportedly traveling to support Chris Pappas’ Senate campaign.
SATURDAY: via Indivisible Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “On June 14th, a local coalition including Indivisible Twin Cities, MN50501, Women’s March Minnesota, and MN AFL-CIO are organizing No Kings — Twin Cities, the largest rally in Minnesota to support this all-in moment for the pro-democracy, pro-worker movement. NO KINGS is a national day of action and mass mobilization.” The event is at 11:00 a.m. in St. Paul.
JULY 12: Gov. Tim Walz will be the keynote speaker at the South Dakota Democratic Party’s annual McGovern Day dinner on July 12 in Sioux Falls, SD.
BDAYS: Fluence managing editor Mike Maybay, meteorologist Paul Douglas, GOP operative Nick Majerus, Housing First’s James Vagle
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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