Category: DFL In the Know

Governor Tim Walz
Minnesota Governor Calls Alleged Assaults on Journalists ‘Chilling’, New York Times 
Governor Walz’s ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves, MN’ Vaccine Outreach Campaign Focuses on Manufacturing Workers, Red Lake Nation News 
Flags half-staff for victims of COVID-19, Indianapolis victims, International Falls Journal 
Interview: Gov. Tim Walz On Brooklyn Center Protests And Law Enforcement Response, WCCO

Minnesota Legislature 
Minnesota lawmakers propose major changes to traffic stop laws, KSTP
Lawmakers tussle over public safety practices as Chauvin verdict nears, MPR
Minnesota film tax credit bills could bring movie, TV production boom to Northland, Bemidji Pioneer  

Continue reading “In the Know: April 19, 2021”

DFL Party News
As Failed Candidate Tyler Kistner Prepares to Launch His Second Misguided Campaign, Here Are the 5 Questions He Must Answer, DFL.org 

Governor Tim Walz
WATCH: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan highlight efforts to increase access to COVID-19 vaccine for all Minnesotans, Pine Journal 
Walz offers condolences in call with Daunte Wright’s mother, calls for protesters to remain peaceful, KSTP 
Walz appoints new Department of Commerce commissioner, KSTP 
GOVERNOR WALZ VISITS POP-UP VACCINATION CLINIC IN GOLDEN VALLEY, CCX 

Minnesota Legislature 
Legislative proposal: Up to 24 weeks of paid leave from work in Minnesota, ABC 6 News 
Sen. Putnam, Other DFL Senators Speak in Favor of Ranked-Choice Voting, KNSI 
Bill At Capitol Would Repeal Law Banning Objects Hanging From Rearview Mirror, An Issue In Daunte Wright’s Case, WCCO 
Climate politics: Key takeaways from climate change action at the Legislature, MPR 
House, Senate remain at odds over public safety, MPR 

Minnesota News 
Preventable alcohol deaths rose in Minnesota in 2020, Pine Journal 
Live updates: MDH warns of COVID outbreak linked to South Dakota youth wrestling tournament, KARE 11 
Minnesota Has Regained 225,000 Jobs Lost in COVID Shutdown, KROC 
Minnesota Police Officer Charged In Death Of Daunte Wright, NPR 

Republican Party News 
Republicans Still Sympathize With the Insurrection, Slate 
The GOP-Big Business Divorce Goes Deeper Than You Think, Politico 
In Texas, GOP voting bills zero in on Democratic Houston, ABC 

U.S. News 
Report: U.S. Expected to Have 300 Million Extra Coronavirus Vaccine Doses in July, U.S. News & World Report 
US has been wracked with several mass shootings in 2021, ABC 
Nearly half of US states reported an increase in Covid-19 cases this week. Here’s what experts say can help stop another surge, CNN 
US Allies Announce Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal, Voice of America 

U.S. Representative Betty McCollum (CD4, D)
Rep. McCollum Intros Bill Barring Israel from Using U.S. Aid to Violate Palestinian Rights, Democracy Now! 

 U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5, D)
Rep. Ilhan Omar shares details about her warm relationship with ‘Auntie’ Nancy Pelosi, Insider 
Ilhan Omar and Democratic members urge Biden to act swiftly on raising refugee caps: ‘Lives depend on it’, KEYT 
Bernie Sanders and Ilhan Omar Introduce Bill to Stop Fossil Fuel Subsidies, Gizmodo 

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
Amy Klobuchar has a plan to build more housing, VOX 
Klobuchar pledges support for NG911 funding, does not address specifics of proposal, Informa 

U.S. Senator Tina Smith
Sens. Warren, Smith urge Labor Department not to provide Goldman Sachs with EBSA exemption, Financial Regulation News 

Upcoming Events:

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

• April 20, 7:00 to 8:00 PM — DFL Virtual Train the Trainer, contact the State DFL for more information.
• April 21
  • 5:00 to 6:00 PM — State DFL Virtual Weekly Party Leader Call, contact the State DFL for more information.
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, more information as it becomes available
• April 22 — Earth Day
  • 7:00 to 8:00 PM — DFL Virtual Train the Trainer, contact the State DFL for more information
• April 28
  • 5:00 to 6:00 PM — State DFL Virtual Weekly Party Leader Calls, contact the State DFL for more information.
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD47 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information.

• May 2 — Orthodox Easter
• May 5 — Cinco de Mayo
  • 5:00 to 6:00 PM — State DFL Virtual Weekly Party Leader Call, contact the State DFL for more information.
  • 6:30 to 9:00 PM — SD50 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
• May 6, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
• May 9 — Mother’s Day
• May 10
  • 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
• May 12 — Eid al-Fitr
• May 16 through 18 — Shavout
• May 22, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM — State DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, more information as it becomes available
• May 31 — Memorial Day

DFL Party News
DFL Party Postpones Founders Day Dinner, dfl.org

Governor Tim Walz
Gov. Tim Walz says he’s not considering new restrictions as Minnesota extends COVID-19 emergency, Duluth News Tribune
Gov. Walz addresses Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause, KEYC
Minnesota nets $135M in federal child care funding, KSTP

Minnesota Legislature 
Lawmakers disagree over infrastructure funding in Minnesota, Washington, Star Tribune
DFLers demand more police reform, GOP says it’ll hold hearings on proposals, Bring Me The News
DFL lawmakers threaten to hold up budget to tighten police restrictions, Fox 9
Will the Minnesota Legislature’s plan to fix the sexual assault ‘intoxication loophole’ actually help?, MinnPost

Continue reading “In the Know: April 15, 2021”

DFL Party News
DFL Party Postpones Founders Day Dinner, dfl.org

Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
Gov. Walz not considering new restrictions as he extends emergency powers, Star Tribune 
As CDC urges Michigan to shut down, Gov. Tim Walz watches closely, Bring Me The News

Minnesota Legislature 
‘How the killing of Daunte Wright is affecting police reform efforts at the Minnesota Legislature, Minn Post 
Minnesota’s Divided Legislature Stakes Out its Positions, Twin Cities Business Magazine 
State Caucuses Outline Police Accountability Measures After Fatal Police Shooting in Brooklyn Center, KNSI

Continue reading “In the Know: April 14, 2021”

Attorney General Keith Ellison
AG Keith Ellison, Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott address crowd outside police station, KARE 11

Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
Walz calls on lawmakers to institute police reform, KEYC
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz addresses shooting in Brooklyn Center, provides update on Operation Safety Net, Duluth News Tribune
Curfew in effect in Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Dakota counties, by order of Gov. Walz, Star Tribune

Minnesota Legislature
‘Another Black life lost’: Trauma and frustration grow after death of Daunte Wright, but police reforms remain stalled in Minnesota legislature, Sahan Journal
As budget discussions get under way, Minnesota’s divided Legislature stakes out its positions, MinnPost
Minnesota Senate green-lights eviction moratorium ‘off-ramp’, Park Rapids Enterprise

Continue reading “In the Know: April 13, 2021”

DFL Party News
DFL Party Hires New Executive Director, DFL.org 

Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
Statewide small business program offers many benefits, Southern Minn Biz
ROLLING AVERAGE OF NEW COVID CASES UP ALMOST 50% IN MINNESOTA, KIMT3 
More Than 2 Million Minnesotans Have Received At Least One Dose Of A Covid-19 Vaccine, Valley News Live 
Protests, looting after police shoot Black man in Brooklyn Center, KARE 11

Minnesota Legislature
The session slog: Legislature to start voting on budget, MPR 
MN Asian American Leaders Push for Hate Crime Reforms, Public News Service
Bipartisan Bill Seeks Reforms To MN Sexual-Assault Laws, Patch 

Minnesota News 
Daunte Wright death in Minnesota traffic stop sparks unrest, ABC 
2 Minnesota colleges will not require COVID vaccinations this fall, but it could change, KARE 11 
Minnesota students will take annual math, reading tests, but state won’t use results, Duluth News Tribune 
Minnesota campaign aims to address vaccine hesitancy, Grand Forks Herald 

Republican Party News 
Trump goes after Pence, McConnell in speech to Republican Party donors, KTLA
Nevada GOP censures elections official who defended 2020 result, WIS10 
How the corporate backlash to Georgia’s new voting law is shaping other fights around the country over access to the polls, The Washington Post 
Some GOP-led States Target Abortions Done Through Medication, Flathead Beacon 

U.S. News 
US colleges divided over requiring student vaccinations,  ABC 
U.S. Has Administered 187 Million Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines, CDC Says, U.S. News & World Report 
Recent Rise in U.S. Covid-19 Cases Driven by Younger People, The Wall Street Journal 
Biden to host bipartisan group of lawmakers for infrastructure meeting as he faces pressure on both sides of the aisle, CNN 

U.S. Representative Angie Craig (CD2, D)
House members still reeling from Capitol siege, Axios 

U.S. Representative Dean Phillips (CD3, D)
Calls Mount For Daunte Wright Bodycam Footage to Be Released, Newsweek 

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
Senator Amy Klobuchar Makes Her Antitrust Case to Jamie Lee Curtis, Interview
Susan Collins, Amy Klobuchar propose support for dementia caregivers, Bangor Daily News 
Klobuchar advocates for Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act in St. Paul, Fox 9 
Senator Visits Alexandria to Talk About Restaurant Revitalization, Voice of Alexandria 

Upcoming Events:

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

• Today through May 12 — Ramadan
• April 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.
• April 13, 7:00 to 8:00 PM — DFL Virtual Train the Trainer, contact the State DFL for more information.
• April 14, 5:00 to 6:00 PM — State DFL Virtual Weekly Party Leader Call, contact the State DFL for more information.
• April 15 — Tax Day, delayed until May 17, 2021
  • 5:30 to 7:30 PM — 2021 DFL Founders Day Celebration with Special Guest Gov. Gretchen Whitmore, more information and tickets here.
  • 7:00 to 8:00 PM — DFL Virtual Train the Trainer, contact the State DFL for more information
• April 20, 7:00 to 8:00 PM — DFL Virtual Train the Trainer, contact the State DFL for more information.
• April 21
  • 5:00 to 6:00 PM — State DFL Virtual Weekly Party Leader Call, contact the State DFL for more information.
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, more information as it becomes available
• April 22 — Earth Day
  • 7:00 to 8:00 PM — DFL Virtual Train the Trainer, contact the State DFL for more information
• April 28
  • 5:00 to 6:00 PM — State DFL Virtual Weekly Party Leader Calls, contact the State DFL for more information.
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD47 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information.

• May 2 — Orthodox Easter
• May 5 — Cinco de Mayo
  • 5:00 to 6:00 PM — State DFL Virtual Weekly Party Leader Call, contact the State DFL for more information.
  • 6:30 to 9:00 PM — SD50 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
• May 6, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
• May 9 — Mother’s Day
• May 10
  • 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

Governor Tim Walz & Lt .Governor Peggy Flanagan
Governor Walz says Minnesota will not implement ‘vaccine passports’, KEYC 
WALZ SAYS MINNESOTA HITS 3 MILLION MARK IN COVID VACCINATIONS, KIMT 
COVID In MN: Gov. Walz Announces Community Vaccination Site In Lino Lakes, WCCO 

Minnesota Legislature
Minnesota Senate GOP elections bill would add restrictions to same-day voter registration, Bring Me The News 
Launch Minnesota Awards over $376,000 in Innovation Grants to Startups, Red Lake Nation News 
Minnesota Democrats want to answer calls for reform with $1.58 billion public safety bill package, Pine Journal 
Where big issues stand at the Minnesota Legislature, Star Tribune 

Minnesota News 
Minnesota prepares for any dropoff in COVID-19 vaccine demand, Star Tribune 
New Cases Trending Up as Minnesota Doles Out More than 3 Million COVID Vaccine Doses, KNSI 
Minnesota public colleges expecting more than $400 million in stimulus funds, yet budget deficits remain, Star Tribune 
State outlines $103 million in road work beginning soon in Northeastern Minnesota, Duluth News Tribune 
10,000 Minnesota Twins Fans Fill Target Field For Unprecedented Home Opener, WCCO 

Continue reading “In the Know: April 9, 2021”

Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
Walz: Minnesota will not adopt COVID-19 vaccine passports, KSTP
Walz: Minnesota won’t implement ‘vaccine passports’, KEYC
Newly appointed education commissioner off and running, KTOE

Minnesota Legislature
Activist turned Minnesota lawmaker ‘unapologetic’ about fighting racism in shadow of Derek Chauvin trial, Star Tribune
Key MN House committee to vote on proposed top-income tax increase, KTOE
40 days left in legislative session with big differences between Senate, House, MN Reformer

Minnesota News 
St. Cloud ‘Boogaloo Bois’ member charged with planning attack on Minnesota Capitol, Star Tribune
It’s time to find an alternative to Minnesota’s current standardized testing regime, MN Reformer
Expert says Floyd died from a lack of oxygen, Associated Press
Biden taps expert in Native American law from Minnesota as top lawyer at Interior, MN Reformer
Sick AG revives plan for $100 million technology campus in Bloomington,Minneapolis/St.Paul Biz Journal
‘The Honor of a Lifetime’: OutFront Minnesota leader Monica Meyer is stepping down, MinnPost

Continue reading “In the Know: April 8, 2021”

Governor Tim Walz & Lieutenant Gov Peggy Flanagan
WALZ APPOINTS WEBBER TO FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT, KDUZ 

Minnesota Legislature
Lawmakers in Minnesota, Canada search for border solutions, Star Tribune 
Minnesota House DFL releases tax, education, labor, and workforce budget bills, Herald Review 
Gas Tax Debate Fuels Up Again, KTOE 
Minnesota lawmakers ready to tackle budget, Austin Daily Herald 

Minnesota News 
Three in the Frozen Four: Minnesota schools celebrate their men’s hockey success, Star Tribune  
For food industry workers, getting vaccinated easier said than done. Minnesota health officials aim to help., Pioneer Press 
Report: Minnesota 7th-most financially literate state, KARE 11 
Latest on COVID-19 in MN: ‘Definitely not out of the woods yet’, MPR 

Continue reading “In the Know: April 7, 2021”

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Attorney General Ellison holds assisted-living facility accountable for breaking promise to residents, Red Lake Nation News 

Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
Minnesota Declares April ‘Month of the Military Child’, KNSI 
WALZ ORDERS FLAGS FLOWN AT HALF-STAFF TO HONOR VICTIMS OF U.S CAPITOL ATTACK, KDUZ 

Minnesota Legislature 
MN lawmakers pressured to strengthen laws after overturned rape conviction, Pioneer Press  
After George Floyd’s death, Minnesota lawmakers grapple with demands for more police reforms, Pioneer Press  
Lawmakers return to MN Capitol Tuesday, begin final push to finish state budget, KTOE  
The Docket: final committee deadline approaching at Minnesota State Capitol, KEYC 

Continue reading “In the Know: April 5, 2021”