Wolves win. Twins lose.
Wild in Winnipeg tonight.
NCAA Hockey final is Western Michigan vs. Boston University
Adoptions are free at Minneapolis Animal Care and Control today from noon to 5:00. KARE: https://fluence-media.co/42rq7VE
Elon Musk’s DOGE is reportedly being audited by the Government Accountability Office. WIRED: https://fluence-media.co/4lmCqvr
This weekend on Sunday Take, Rep. Dave Baker and Sen. Nick Frentz, listen at 9AM on WCCO Radio Sunday. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/WCCOLive
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Today’s morning take on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4i5a4me
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Medicaid Supports Health Care for All of Us. It 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: Medicaid in Minnesota – Protect MN Patients (SPONSORED: Minnesota Hospital Association)
TODAY: The final deadline for major appropriation and finance bills in the Minnesota Legislature is today at 12:00 noon. Any bills not acted on by committees before the deadline will be unlikely to pass this session. After the deadline, the Legislature will spend a week in recess to recognize Easter and Passover, reconvening on Monday, April 21 at 12:00 noon.
PREVIEW: Legislative leaders have been working on a budget deal, and House and Senate targets alongside the Governor’s budget begin to show an architecture that most veteran legislators believe can lead to a deal, perhaps even by the May 19th deadline. The complicating factors are the policy and proposals to raise revenue. In the House and the Senate, some DFLers continue to try to increase taxes or fees. That’s a non-starter and is unlikely to get a single vote from Republicans in the Minnesota House.
The other piece of leverage that House Republicans have is that they want changes on major policy bills that DFLers passed during the trifecta. House DFLers to date seem unwilling to budget on any tweaks, while their Senate DFL brothers and sisters are open minded to policy tweaks on issues like Paid Family Leave, Earned Safe and Sick Time. Gov. Tim Walz has also indicated that he is open to tweaks that align elements of policy.
For perspective, Walz who has said that Minnesota should be a data center hub and has supported state policy on the topic, faces opposition within his own party. Just this week, Sen. Erin Maye Quade proposed an amendment that would revoke the tax exemptions for data centers and Rep. Patty Acomb is proposing further regulations on future data centers. Minnesota’s regulatory environment could deter future growth for data centers – which the Governor will have a challenge explaining. So in a “budget session”, it may be policy that creates the stalemate and stare down before June 30th.
IMMIGRATION: via Politico, VERBATIM: “House Oversight Chair James Comer wants Democratic Govs. JB Pritzker of Illinois, Tim Walz of Minnesota and Kathy Hochul of New York to testify before his committee about their states’ immigration policies. The Kentucky Republican invited the three governors to appear at a May 15 hearing on so-called sanctuary states, which limit law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. … A spokesperson for Walz said in a statement [that] ‘Governor Walz is happy to work with Congress, but since Minnesota is not a sanctuary state, one can’t help but wonder if this is, perhaps, politically motivated.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42FCGhx
CD2: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Rep. Angie Craig [is] weighing her swing seat as she decides whether to run for retiring U.S. Sen. Tina Smith’s seat instead, a statewide contest that could prove risky for the safe House Democrat. She’ll have to battle it out in what could be a three person or more DFL primary. … [Craig] says she plans to make a final decision this month. … If she does run, it’s likely to put the Second Congressional District back on the GOP’s target list and create a crowded Democratic primary. … [However], Craig believes she’s made the seat safe enough to leave if she needs to.” CRAIG: “I think 2026 is the best chance for us to hold my House seat if I were to step away.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FZJzBF
MORE: Multiple Democrats and Republicans from CD2 were interviewed by the Star Tribune to discuss potential candidates for the 2026 House election if Rep. Angie Craig decides to run for Senate.
DFL: Former state Sen. Matt Little confirmed he is planning to run if Craig drops out, but he’ll “support her in whatever she chooses to do.” State Sens. Matt Klein and Erin Maye Quade did not rule out a run when asked — the Star Tribune notes that they have both registered campaign website domains.
GOP: Craig’s two-time opponent Tyler Kistner is said to be “very likely” to run again, while her 2024 opponent Joe Teirab said he is “keeping my options open” when asked. State Sen. Eric Pratt also said he hasn’t “made a decision” yet, not ruling out a run.
CD5: As seen in yesterday’s lunch take, Rep. Ilhan Omar announced that she is running for reelection to the U.S. House, therefore ending her previous consideration of a run for U.S. Senate. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RHHqwL
SD6: via a Women Winning press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Women Winning, Minnesota’s largest women’s political organization, announced the endorsement of [DFLer] Denise Slipy for the Minnesota Senate special election in Senate District 6. … Women Winning will make additional endorsements in 2025 and will continue organizing to ensure reproductive rights are protected by electing pro-choice women.”
AG OFFICE: via a House GOP press release, VERBATIM: “Today, House Republicans voted to take HF 20 from the table and [attempt to] pass it to restore transparency in how the Attorney General operates. The vote comes in light of yesterday's breaking news about AG [Keith] Ellison [speaking] with Feeding our Future defendants who later donated to his campaign. House Democrats once again voted against transparency along party lines.” The vote failed, 67-67. BILL: https://fluence-media.co/3RJ3EP3
CHAMPION: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “On Thursday afternoon, Republican Senate Leader Mark Johnson said his party is reviewing the allegations [against Sen. Bobby Joe Champion] to see if they will take any action, including a possible ethics complaint. … Champion faces questions about a possible conflict of interest related to his work as a private attorney.” JOHNSON: “You have a specific group that a legislator funds money to — and they have connections, real close ties to it — we have some real concerns about that and the allegations brought up. Stay tuned, we are looking into that.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44oH4CT
MORE: via an MPR newsletter, VERBATIM: “Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy says the chamber should take a deeper look at its rules around disclosing potential conflicts of interest. … Murphy declined to comment on [Bobby Joe Champion’s] situation specifically, but said the issue is worth another look when the budget gets wrapped up.” MURPHY: “When your integrity is challenged, you want to make sure you're on firm ground — and I want to make sure that is the case for the Minnesota Senate and for the Legislature, because it is important that Minnesotans have faith in our work.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RbAp7i
INTERVIEW: Gov. Tim Walz was once again interviewed by a national media outlet during a stop on his town hall tour. Speaking to the Washington Post in Ohio, Walz discussed lessons learned from the 2024 campaign and why he wants to host these town halls. WALZ: “I do think it’s irresponsible to not look back and say, ‘Okay, what could we do to win?’ It’s not enough to blame something else. I don’t blame the voters. I blame: What did we not do? … I don’t want a think tank to figure out and say what we wanted to do. I want it in the laboratory of the people to tell us.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FYXsjh
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)
VOTING: via AP News, VERBATIM: “The U.S. House on Thursday approved legislation requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for anyone registering to vote, something voting rights groups have warned could disenfranchise millions of Americans. … It’s already illegal under federal law for people who are not U.S. citizens to cast ballots. … The bill, known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or the SAVE Act, now heads to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain because Republicans don’t have a large enough majority to avoid a filibuster.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RIoVZ9
REACTIONS: Minnesota officials responded to the House passage of the SAVE Act along partisan lines.
Via a Rep. Angie Craig post, CRAIG: “Minnesotans have made their position clear – they oppose restrictive voter ID laws that make it harder for eligible voters to vote. The Republicans will try to dress up their so-called ‘SAVE Act’ as something it's not – but the reality is, it’s already illegal for noncitizens to vote in U.S. elections. I voted no. Again.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/3EdLjXo
Via a Rep. Tom Emmer post, EMMER: “The House voted to pass the SAVE Act, a major step forward in the fight to secure integrity in our elections. Yet, 208 Democrats voted against [voter ID, which] the majority of Americans overwhelmingly support. Showing your ID to vote isn’t controversial; it’s common sense—but Democrats continue to ignore reality.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/44rU4aK
Via a Sec. Steve Simon statement, SIMON: “The SAVE Act would cause unprecedented chaos in the U.S. election system – preventing millions of Americans from voting, slowing or stopping work in elections offices, and threatening election workers with criminal prosecution. … I strongly encourage the U.S. Senate to reject this proposal.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3G5b38Y
US BUDGET: via CBS News, VERBATIM: “The House on Thursday adopted a budget blueprint for President Donald Trump’s agenda after Republican leaders scrambled to convince GOP holdouts who want deeper spending cuts to back it. The resolution was adopted in a 216-214 vote, with two Republicans…joining all Democrats to vote against it. About a dozen House conservatives ultimately flipped their opposition after receiving assurances from leaders that the Senate would pursue $1.5 trillion in savings, at a minimum.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Raawov
REACTIONS: Minnesota’s House delegation again responded on a partisan basis to the passage of the GOP budget.
Via a Rep. Brad Finstad statement, FINSTAD: “By passing today’s resolution, we have opened the door for House and Senate committees to begin drafting legislation that aligns with the Trump Administration’s overall goal of reducing our massive deficit. The budget blueprint that the House voted on today is the next step in advancing a fiscally responsible budget.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4j4oQej
Via a Rep. Betty McCollum statement, McCOLLUM: “The Republican budget is a framework that instructs the Energy and Commerce Committee to cut Medicaid by as much as $880 billion and cut SNAP by as much as $230 billion, yet it fails to save any money. The reality is that by giving away massive tax cuts for giant corporations and billionaires like Elon Musk, their budget burdens Americans with trillions of dollars in new debt.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jwtxxB
DFL LEADERS: via an MN DFL press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Minnesota DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom announced the party’s new leadership and transition team. Executive Director Heidi Kraus Kaplan will stay on as Executive Director through the end of May before stepping down to pursue a new opportunity. In June, Jim Heighington will assume the role of Executive Director at the party. … Charlene Briner, a veteran operative and trusted advisor, will serve as Transition Director to support the incoming and outgoing leadership team.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43PKbn8
BIPARTISAN: via a Citizens League press release, VERBATIM: “Citizens League — Minnesota’s leading nonpartisan, nonprofit civic engagement and public policy organization — today announced the creation of the Minnesota Legislative Exchange (MLE), a program focused on forging authentic relationships and building trust across the political aisle and across the state. … MLE will be a first-of-its-kind state-based exchange program, pairing up one Republican and one Democratic member of the Minnesota State Legislature to visit each other’s districts [and] spend time together. … The first legislative pairings in 2025 will include: Reps. Dave Baker (R-Willmar) and Mary Frances Clardy (D-Inver Grove Heights); [and] Reps. Sandra Feist (D-New Brighton) and Bernie Perryman (R-St. Augusta). Additional pairings are expected later this year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EhYSF5
MN BUDGET: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, introduced Senate File 3054 to the Senate Human Services Committee, which he chairs. … But there was seemingly one hitch: No one else on the committee had read the bill. ‘It came out right before the hearing, so we were starting from scratch,’ said Jim Abeler, R-Anoka. … Hoffman’s timing was not unusual. Budget bills are often hammered out on evenings and weekends and given to lawmakers just prior to the hearings. … The second week of April is late to have significant gaps in targets. According to the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, [Gov. Tim] Walz and the DFL-controlled Legislature agreed to targets by the third week of March in each of the last two legislative budget sessions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lvmoiU
TABKE: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Any doubt about House membership staying at 67 DFLers and 67 Republicans may have finally been allayed. The House Ethics Committee heard oral arguments Thursday and had member deliberations regarding the District 54A election contest narrowly won by Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL-Shakopee). Ultimately, after a party-line vote defeated a motion to reject the election returns and declare a vacancy, a vote was approved by all four members for no recommendations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cw6Vec
SIGNED: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today signed two bills into law. Senate File 823 streamlines a construction project on US 169 and HWY 182 by giving the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) authority to spend grant funding. … Senate File 1360 standardizes the speed limit for certain farm equipment at 35 mph. Under current law, some implements of husbandry have a speed limit of 30 mph and others have a speed limit of 35 mph. Standardizing the speed limit does not compromise safety and makes both compliance and enforcement easier.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YlZwIn
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)
MED FRAUD: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota couple cheated health insurers out of $15 million with an avalanche of overbillings for mental health therapy and used some of the money to buy a suburban Twin Cities mansion, according to federal charges unsealed Thursday. … [They] were each charged in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis with six counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering in connection with the scheme to defraud Medicare, Medicaid and other insurers dating back to 2018. … QUOTE: ‘Minnesota has a fraud problem,’ acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick said in a statement. ‘This case is yet another example of defendants defrauding government programs out of millions.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Rfb3p8
FED JOBS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “National data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates there were around 15,000 fewer federal workers in mid-March compared to the start of the Trump Administration. … The federal workforce includes nearly 34,000 jobs in Minnesota, [and] the bureau’s jobs report shows a loss of 100 federal jobs throughout Minnesota from January to February. Surprisingly, the report showed a gain of 100 federal jobs in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro — making it one of only eight metropolitan areas in the nation with federal job gains in that month.” READ/DATA: https://fluence-media.co/4lses1B
MORE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Democratic lawmakers at the Capitol have introduced a trio of bills aimed at protecting Minnesota workers from the Trump Administration’s tariffs and sweeping job cuts. One bill would afford unemployment benefits to federal workers who resigned after receiving the infamous ‘Fork in the Road’ email last winter. … A second bill would provide relocation bonuses of up to $10,000 for military veterans who have been fired by the Trump Administration and move to Minnesota for a job. … The final bill would create an ‘action plan’ studying the effect of Trump’s tariffs on the cost of basic goods and on businesses, consumers and workers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RdZs9R
EDUCATION: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison today joined a coalition of 15 states, the District of Columbia, and the governor of Pennsylvania in suing the Trump Administration to restore states’ access to critical Department of Education (ED) programs that support low-income and unhoused students. … Ellison and the coalition argue that ED’s decision to abruptly cut off access to awarded funds violates the Administrative Procedure Act because it reversed its prior decision to allow states to access the funds through March 2026. … With this lawsuit, Attorney General Ellison and the coalition are seeking a preliminary and permanent court order preventing ED from arbitrarily changing its position so the states can continue to access these essential funds.” LAWSUIT: https://fluence-media.co/3XVhgKD
‘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)
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The chief executive officer of the Minnesota Wild weighed in on St. Paul’s rent control ordinance Wednesday, as did a community impact director with the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation and a real estate broker with a background in affordable housing. With St. Paul’s housing construction numbers dragging lower last year than at any time since 2013, the three letter writers joined a cadre of others who say it’s time to end rent control for new housing construction, as well as buildings that received their certificate of occupancy after 2004, as the mayor and three council members have proposed. … The city council held public hearings Wednesday on two hot-button questions likely up for votes in early May.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42EYb1W
(DISCLOSURE: Minnesota Multi Housing is a client of Fluence)
MPLS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis health officials say they’re worried about vaccination rates falling after federal funding cuts prompted the end of a city vaccine clinic program. The Minneapolis Health Department canceled several upcoming community vaccine clinics following the loss of federal funds. Officials said the city had about $1.5 million left in its grant for vaccine clinics.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lpbnPN
WAGE THEFT: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “A Hennepin County District Court judge handed down Minnesota’s first wage theft conviction on Wednesday against a painting contractor…for stealing more than $35,000 in wages from five workers at an affordable housing development in north Minneapolis. Prosecutors and union leaders heralded the conviction as a major step forward in the state’s yearslong effort to crack down on wage theft, which is…rarely prosecuted.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XVeRj5
VAPES: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison today announced that a Ramsey County court has entered an order that bans High Light Vapes, along with its owner and a related entity, from doing business in Minnesota. High Light Vapes agreed to the order as part of a settlement. … That lawsuit alleged that High Light Vapes engaged in e-sales of e-cigarette products that mimic highlighters and are designed to be easily concealable and usable by school-age children, violating state laws against deceptive tobacco marketing that appeal to children.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3G0kCWw
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)
CHILDCARE: via a Sen. Tina Smith press release, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act, legislation to help more working families cover a greater share of the high cost of childcare. … The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act would permanently expand the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC). … The credit would also be indexed to inflation to retain its value over time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42lqJw5
MDH: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Nearly 200 people, many of them Minnesota Department of Health employees, rallied against spending cuts to public health. Many of them carried signs, emphasizing the importance of the behind-the-scenes work of public health employees. … [MDH] is cutting 170 jobs because of the reduction in federal funding.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Ysh2uF
RURAL VETS: via a Sen. Tina Smith press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced a bipartisan bill to combat the scarcity of veterinarians in rural areas. The Rural Veterinary Workforce Act would give veterinarians practicing in underserved communities tax exemptions for student loan payments. This would extend a similar exemption available for physicians to veterinary services, enabling veterinarians to help the Americans who need it the most.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/427OnNN
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)
PLYMOUTH: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday toured a Philips facility in Plymouth, where the Dutch company's Image Guided Therapy division is in the process of a $31 million expansion project after receiving state financial incentives. … The company's expansion is expected to create 158 new jobs in Plymouth over the next four years and will include more manufacturing, research space and a new training center that could bring up to 2,000 visitors to Minnesota per year. … The Walz Administration finalized this deal earlier this year, after the governor and his team personally visited the global Philips headquarters during a business development mission to the Netherlands.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/42mZVeY
LAKEVILLE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The Upper Midwest Law Center on Thursday announced that its clients agreed to dismiss their lawsuit against Lakeville Schools over Black Lives Matter posters. The plaintiffs…say the school district engaged in viewpoint discrimination by allowing Black Lives Matter posters but prohibiting ones with other political expressions such as ‘All Lives Matter’ and ‘Blue Lives Matter.’ The Lakeville School Board voted to remove its diversity and inclusion posters in January.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4i86Ez9
MARSHALL: via Marshall Independent, VERBATIM: “Recommendations about fluoride are something Marshall Municipal Utilities is keeping an eye on, MMU Water Operations Manager Jeff Larson said this week. … But even if federal recommendations change, southwest Minnesota residents would likely still be getting fluoride in their water. The mineral is naturally present in the region’s groundwater, Larson said. … Minnesota laws require cities to fluoridate their municipal water supply, [but] communities that naturally have enough fluoride in their water supply aren’t required to add more.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cz0s2i
PRODUCING THE FUELS THAT HELP KEEP MINNESOTA MOVING: Flint Hills Resources, one of the Midwest’s leading producers of transportation fuels is hiring! With openings in IT, accounting, engineering, operations, procurement and asset management, Flint Hills Resources’ goal is to match talented individuals with their passions and interests to truly shine. APPLY TODAY: Flint Hills jobs (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
CD5: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Rep. Ilhan Omar will run for re-election to her House seat next fall, closing the door on a possible run for retiring Sen. Tina Smith’s U.S. Senate seat.” OMAR: “At a time when our rights are under attack, it is more important than ever to fight back against the chaos, corruption, and callousness of the Trump Administration. I am excited to announce I am running for reelection for Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District to keep standing up for our rights in the face of authoritarianism.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jkBLIS
SD6: via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Republican candidates for the Minnesota Senate District 6 special election were at Forestview Middle School [this week] for a public forum, where the candidates responded to three prepared questions, as well as two questions that were written by audience members. Seven of the eight candidates were in attendance, with Jennifer Carnahan not present due to an illness. A major topic of the night was bipartisanship and working across the aisle.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3XSC5Gy
TARIFFS: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) believes President Donald Trump's tariffs strategy is about making world leaders ‘grovel’ to him. While speaking to reporters Wednesday, Walz was asked about Trump's decision to implement a 90-day pause on most ‘reciprocal’ tariffs, with the exception of China. It was a reversal after Trump claimed the increased tariffs were here to stay. … Walz believes Trump's reversal ‘makes it worse.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42oVrEx
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: No House floor session. No Senate floor session. HOUSE: Education Finance will hear an education budget bill with forecast adjustments. Transportation will hear its finance omnibus bill. SENATE: Judiciary & Public Safety hears its finance and policy omnibus bills. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4ieS214
TODAY: The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is hosting public hearings throughout the Northland during the week of April 7 on Minnesota Power’s proposed private equity acquisition. Friday’s hearing is in Little Falls at 12:00 noon.
TOMORROW: via a MNLEG advisory, VERBATIM: “The House DFL, Senate DFL, and Congresswoman Betty McCollum announced a [joint] town hall meeting to fight back against federal government actions that are hurting Minnesotans. The event will take place in St. Paul on Saturday, April 12 at 1:00 p.m.” Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and Reps. Kaohly Her, Samakab Hussein, Liz Lee, María Isa Pérez-Vega, Dave Pinto and Jay Xiong will also attend.
MONDAY: Rep. Angie Craig announced that she will host her first in-person town hall of the year in Lakeville on Monday, April 14 at 6:00 p.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/3GcWwI5
TUESDAY: via an MN DFL advisory, VERBATIM: “The House DFL and Senate DFL announced a Duluth town hall meeting to fight back against federal government actions that are hurting Minnesotans. The event will take place in Duluth on Tuesday, April 15 at 7:00 p.m. and feature DFL state legislators.”
WEDNESDAY: via an MN DFL advisory, VERBATIM: “The House DFL and Senate DFL announced a Moorhead town hall meeting on how federal cuts and actions are hurting families. The event will take place in Moorhead on Wednesday, April 16 at 4:00 p.m. and feature DFL state legislators.” Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, Sen. Rob Kupec and Rep. Heather Keeler will attend.
APRIL 21: via City of St. Paul, VERBATIM: “Mayor Melvin Carter will deliver his 2025 State of Our City Address Monday, April 21, 10 a.m., at the new North End Community Center. … His address will highlight the city’s shared success and outline key initiatives that will guide the future of our community. Following the address, all are welcome to stay for tours of the new North End Community Center, which will begin at approximately 11:30 a.m.”
APRIL 23: 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.”
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 May 12 with presidential adviser Alina Habba as the keynote speaker. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/41WJ7LK
BDAYS: fmr. Congressman Mark Kennedy, journalist Chris Polydorf SAT: Freedom Foundation’s Annette Meeks, Rep. Dave Pinto. SUN: fmr. Rep. Jim Davnie, Land O Lakes comms pro Abby Duininck, advisory to Rep. Angie Craig – Les Anderson, Canterbury’s Randy Sampson, MN Corn’s Nate Gotlieb, Ramsey County Commissioner Rena Moran, House staffer Joe Marble, fmr. KARE photographer Aethan Hart
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