In the Know: June 1, 2021

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Minnesota moves toward taking police prosecutions out of the hands of local officials, Pioneer Press
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison weighs in on plea deals offered in response to innocence claims, KARE 11

Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
Walz appoints first Black judge in Duluth, Star Tribune
Gov. Walz launches ‘Your Shot to Summer’ incentives to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations by July 1, MN Spokesman Recorder
Walz, Klobuchar and Smith visit Fort Snelling for wreath laying ceremony, KARE 11

Minnesota Legislature
Minnesota legislators decide details of $52 billion budget in private, Star Tribune
Minnesota lawmakers agree to spend $70 million on improving broadband access across the state, MinnPost

Minnesota News
A brief overview of queer and trans history in Minnesota, MinnPost
University of Minnesota research could change future of vaccines, KEYC
Northern Minnesota counties could be on the hook for millions after state’s latest move in Enbridge property tax saga, MinnPost

National News
Four more indicted in alleged Jan. 6 Oath Keepers conspiracy to obstruct election vote in Congress, Washington Post
Biden to announce new steps to close racial wealth gap while marking 100th anniversary of Tulsa Race Massacre, CNN
After Dramatic Walkout, a New Fight Looms Over Voting Rights in Texas, New York Times
Democrats set for filibuster brawl amid escalating tensions, Politico
Push to review 2020 votes across US an effort to ‘handcuff’ democracy, The Guardian
Biden clings to the possibility of a bipartisan infrastructure breakthrough, Politico

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
A message from Sen. Amy Klobuchar for Memorial Day, Hometown Source
Amy Klobuchar: Honoring our fallen heroes – a message for Memorial Day, West Central Tribune
Minnesota Democrats back Jan. 6 bill blocked by Senate GOP, Star Tribune

U.S. Senator Tina Smith
Sen. Tina Smith signs on to letter requesting DOJ antitrust investigation into beef processing industry, MN Reformer
Sen. Tina Smith Introduces Mental Health Legislation As Demand For Therapists Skyrockets, Fox 21
The strong case for D.C. statehood, Star Tribune
Bill would help students develop workforce readiness skills, International Falls Journal

U.S. Representative Betty McCollum (CD4, D)
Groundbreaking celebrated for Highway 36-Manning Avenue project, Hometown Source
Apple Valley resident among winners of 2021 Congressional Art Competition, Sun This Week

U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5, D)
He easily found hundreds of death threats against Rep. Ilhan Omar. He wants Twitter to stop them, Washington Post

Republican Party News
Texas Republicans finalize bill that would enact stiff new voting restrictions and make it easier to overturn election results, Washington Post
Republicans fear Trump will lead to a ‘lost generation’ of talent, Politico
Flynn says he didn’t endorse Myanmar-style coup after he appears to back plan in video exchange, CNN
Disputing Racism’s Reach, Republicans Rattle American Schools, New York Times

Republican Party in Minnesota News
MN Conservatives Continue to Undermine Democracy, Red Lake Nation

Upcoming Events:

You can find non-DFL events on our Action Alert post.

• June 2
  • 6:30 to 9:00 PM— SD50 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
• June 3, 4:30 PM — DFL Virtual Flounders Day Celebration, more information and tickets here.
• June 5, 10:00 to 11:00 AM — Coffee with Hennepin County Commissioner LaTondresse, first Saturday of each month. Log in here.
• June 9, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Virtual Convention, postcards being mailed to delegates and alternates. People registering will receive log in information.
• June 10
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
• June 14 — Flag Day
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM – SD44 DFL Virtual Central Committee, contact them for more information
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Virtual Central Committee, contact them for more information
• June 16, 7:00 PM — REPLACED BY CD3 CONVENTION CD3 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting
• June 19 — Juneteenth
• June 20 — Father’s Day
• June 27, 12:00 to 4:00 PM — SD45 DFL Community Picnic, 8130 Bass Lake Rd, New Hope, MN 55428, more information here.
• June 28, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD47 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information

• July 1 — Somali Independence Day
• July 3, 10:00 AM — Coffee with Hennepin County Commissioner LaTondresse, first Saturday of each month. Log in here.
• July 4 — Independence Day
• July 5 — Independence Day (observed)
• July 7
  • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
• July 8
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
• July 12
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information