In the Know: April 10, 2020

Days to the November Election:  207

2020 Election
Voter suppression in Wisconsin could go nationwide in 2020, MN Reformer
Trump: Absentee Voting Is Fraud Unless It’s My Supporters, New York Mag
Arizonans Love Postal Voting. But Even With the Coronavirus, Its GOP Lawmakers Don’t. , Mother Jones
Wisconsin: the state where American democracy went to die, The Guardian

Agriculture
The Farm-to-Table Connection Comes Undone, New York Times
SBA OFFERS RELIEF DUE TO COVID-19, Successful Farming

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Minnesota attorney general warns businesses that violate stay at home order could face fines, Fox 9
Minnesota Supreme Court Rules Some Voter Data Private, WCCO

DFL News
DFL Legislators Announce Plan to Protect Elections from COVID-19, DFL.org
MN DFL releases voting protection plan amid COVID-19 pandemic, KBJR
DFL members introduce COVID-19 election proposal, KEYC

Donald Trump
Pence’s Office Blocked Health Officials From TV So Trump Has Better Ratings: Report, New York Mag
PPE and Ventilators Becomes Patronage in Trump’s Hands, Talking Points Memo
A Company Promised Cheap Ventilators to the Government, Never Delivered and Is Now Charging Quadruple the Price for New Ones, ProPublica
Trump Removed the Head of the Coronavirus Bailout Oversight Board. Its Members Could Be Next., ProPublica
Trump’s wild claims of voter fraud blow back on campaign aide, Politico

Economy
Another Week, Another Seven Million Unemployed, The American Prospect
What Was the Last Time an Economy Froze Like This? New York Times
I’ve read the plans to reopen the economy. They’re scary., Vox
We call them “essential” workers now, but they’ve always been, MN Reformer
Coronavirus: ‘Drop in global trade to be worse than 2008 crisis’ BBC

Education
U of M considers budget cuts due to COVID-19 pandemic, MPR News

Environment
Cities Are Flouting Flood Rules. The Cost: $1 Billion, New York Times

Governor Tim Walz
Republican Gazelka: ‘I do not approve’ of Walz’s stay-at-home extension. Walz: Show me some science., Pioneer Press
Coronavirus In Minnesota: Gov. Tim Walz Defends Extending Stay-At-Home Order Until May 4, WCCO
Coronavirus In MN: Walz Signs Bill To Protect First Responders, Workers On COVID-19 Front Lines, WCCO

Health
Thousands Of US Health Care Workers Have Been Infected By The Coronavirus. This Is How Each State Stacks Up., Buzzfeed
How long does coronavirus live on different surfaces?, The Guardian

Immigration
Coronavirus Pandemic Slows Illegal Migration to U.S. Wall Street Journal
Trump administration has expelled 10,000 migrants at the border during coronavirus outbreak, leaving less than 100 in CBP custody, Washington Post

Labor
10% of US labor force now out of work since virus slammed economy as 6.6 million file for jobless aid, Washington Post
Labor Department vows to protect workers who report unsafe conditions, The Hill
Labor groups urge Congress to reject Uber’s push for new labor classification, The Hill
Senators are demanding answers from Amazon about how it treats warehouse workers, Vox
What Does A Furlough Mean For Your Employment Rights During The Coronavirus Crisis? Newsweek

Minnesota News
Tracking coronavirus in Minnesota, Star Tribune
Traffic deaths spike in Minnesota despite low vehicle volume, MPR
COVID-19’s spread fuels record run on guns in Minnesota, Star Tribune
MN corrections commissioner: Early inmate releases possible for COVID-19, MPR
MN reports 12 more long-term care facilities with coronavirus exposures. Here’s where they are., Pioneer Press

Republicans
GOP Justices Decree Capital Punishment for Voting, The American Prospect
New round of stimulus talks face GOP roadblock, The Hill
Florida Gov. DeSantis mulls reopening schools: Coronavirus ‘doesn’t seem to threaten’ kids, The Hill
Barr Defends Trump’s Firing Of Intel IG, Says POTUS Wants ‘Responsible’ Watchdogs, TPM

Secretary of State Steve Simon
Minnesota elections official urges changes after Wisconsin’s meltdown amid pandemic, Pioneer Press

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Klobuchar, Grassley urge DOJ to prevent price gouging, Brainerd Dispatch

Senator Tina Smith
Smith: Minnesotans can expect COVID-19 relief funds ‘soon’, KEY C

U.S. News
New York now has more coronavirus cases than any other country, The Hill
Coronavirus is not just a tragedy. It’s an opportunity to build a better world., Vox
The Pandemic Will Cleave America in Two, The Atlantic
Racial slurs and swastikas fuel civil rights pressure on Zoom, MPR
Grocery stores step up safety measures amid COVID-19 outbreak, MPR
The FBI issued a warning advising users to make Zoom meetings private for increased security, Market Watch

World News
A New Front for Nationalism: The Global Battle Against a Virus, New York Times
Coronavirus: Why India cannot afford to lift its lockdown, BBC
Yemen Cease-Fire Is, at Best, First Step on Long Road to Peace, New York Times
China is on a knife edge between recovery and another wave of coronavirus cases, CNN
Sweden’s government has tried a risky coronavirus strategy. It could backfire., Vox
Europe has a rescue package. But who’s going to pay for its coronavirus recovery?, CNN
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson Leaves Intensive Care, Wall Street Journal

Upcoming DFL Events

With the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation, we suggest you check with the hosting organization to see if meetings, etc. are being held.

All DFL conventions will now be held virtually. If you were elected as a Delegate or Alternate at Caucuses, you will be hearing from your district with specifics.  If you don’t, please check with the hosting organization.

  • Today through May 4 — Minnesota Stay at Home Order
  • Today through 13 —  Passover
  • April 10 — Good Friday
  • April 12 — Easter
  • April 13
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact the Chair for more information
  • April 15 — Tax Day
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meting, contact the Chair for more information
  • April 17, 5:00 PM — Deadline for DFL local units to provide a roster to delegates/alternates and ballot content
  • April 18
  • April 20, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, contact them for more information on how the meeting will be held
  • April 22 — Earth Day
  • April 23 through May 23 — Ramadan
  • April 23 — Deadline for DFL local units to certify their ballot in writing to DFL Staff
  • April 24 — Arbor Day
  • April 25 – May 4 — DFL Virtual Convention Balloting Window
  • May 5 — Cinco de Mayo
    • 7:00  to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, location to be determined
  • May 6
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • May 7, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
  • May 9, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — CD3 DFL Convention, Park Center High School, Performing  Arts Center, 7300 Brooklyn Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55344.
  • May 10 — Mother’s Day
  • May 11 — deadline for certification of DFL local unit balloting results
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Council Chamber, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 7001 Cahill Rd, Suite 21, Edina, MN
  • May  14
    • 7:00  to 9:00 PM —  SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433.
    • 7:oo to 9:00  PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Community Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • May 30 -30 — State DFL Convention, Rochester, MN, more information as it becomes available.