In the Know: December 13, 2019

Agriculture
‘Post-Chemical World’ Takes Shape as Agribusiness Goes Green, Bloomberg

Congress
Mitch McConnell Brags About Blocking Obama For 2 Years, Then Laughs About It, Huffington Post
Senate Republicans air complaints to Trump administration on trade deal, The Hill
McConnell: In ‘total coordination’ with White House for impeachment trial, USA Today
Senate defies earlier White House block to unanimously recognize Armenian genocide, Politico

Corruption Watch
Heavily redacted communications on withholding of Ukraine aid released by Trump administration, ABC News
Former Kentucky governor pardoned convicted killer whose brother hosted campaign fundraiser: report, The Hill

Donald Trump
Trump just went on the biggest tweet storm of his presidency, The Week
Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani spotted at White House amid House Judiciary impeachment vote, USA Today
Donald Trump keeps making history — but not how he wants to, CNN
The rationale behind Trump’s latest bogus claim about Pelosi, MSNBC

Donald Trump’s Impeachment
Panel Approves Impeachment Articles and Sends Charges for a House Vote, New York Times
Rep. Eric Swalwell reminds Republicans as they throw Sondland ‘under the bus’: ‘He is your guy!’, The Week
House Judiciary Republicans Tried To Protect Nixon Too, And Got Crushed For It, Huffington Post
Gaetz’s effort to make the impeachment hearing about Hunter Biden’s problems backfired spectacularly, Vox

Donald Trump’s Trade War
Trump says US, China have reached deal; Sunday tariffs off, Associated Press
China and US reach phase one trade deal that includes some tariff relief and agriculture purchases, CNBC

Economy
U.S. Business Debt Exceeds Households’ for First Time Since 1991, Bloomberg

Education
District 191 votes to close 3 schools amid budget shortfall, KSTP

Elections
DNC announces 2020 debates in four early states, Politico

Environment
Facing catastrophic climate change, they still can’t quit Big Oil, Washington Post
Countries Scramble to Reach Agreement at U.N. Climate Conference, Time

Governor Tim Walz
Walz takes charge on climate change, Star Tribune
Walz signs order to make Minnesota ‘Age-Friendly’, KAAL

Health
Medicare would cover dental, vision — if Senate OKs House bill, CNBC
House passes bill requiring drug price negotiations, Politico

Immigration
The House passed a bipartisan bill that could legalize 325,000 unauthorized immigrants, Vox
Minnesota Liberians would get permanent status under defense bill, Star Tribune
ICE Destroyed Footage Of A Trans Asylum-Seeker Who Died In Custody Despite A Request To Save It, Buzzfeed

Minnesota Legislature
Decade’s dozen: The top 12 Minnesota politics stories of the past 10 years, MPR

Minnesota News
Financial snag hits Fort Snelling Upper Post affordable housing project, MPR
Hennepin County approves nearly 5% levy increase, adds funding for housing, Star Tribune
No delay for Minnesota probation reform hearing, MPR
Minneapolis-St. Paul traffic commutes are longer than ever, City Pages

Representative Dean Phillips (CD3, D)
Rep. Dean Phillips trying to repeal cap on state and local tax deductions that particularly hurt his district, Bring Me The News

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Klobuchar goes full Minnesota on Ted Cruz, asks to ‘tone things down a bit’, City Pages

Senator Tina Smith
U.S. Senators Klobuchar, Smith announce the extension of the Dairy Margin Coverage Program enrollment, Austin Daily Herald

State Auditor Julie Blaha
State auditor touring Minnesota’s counties, Redwood Fall Gazette
SE Minnesota municipal liquor stores pour profits back into cities, Rochester Post Bulletin

U.S. News
Pentagon watchdog plans to review award of $400M border wall contract to firm pushed by Trump, NBC News
Congress Learns Pentagon Wasted $1 Trillion, Promptly Gives It Bigger Budget, The New Yorker
Kosher Deli Attack Being Investigated As An Act Of Terrorism, Talking Points Memo

World News
UK’s Johnson claims Brexit mandate as Tories secure majority, Associated Press
Boris Johnson campaigned for Brexit and against the E.U. Now Europe’s leaders are delighted by his victory., Washington Post
China’s Foreign Minister Calls U.S. the ‘Troublemaker of the World’, Time

Upcoming DFL Events:

  • December 18, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Holiday Party, The Nelson Home, 15440 Boulder Pointe Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55347. Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. Beverages will be provided.
  • December 19, 8:00 to 10:00 PM — DNC Presidential Debate, Loyola Marymount. You can view on PBS stations and CNN television stations, as well as on their websites.
  • December 22 through 30 — Chanukah
  • December 24 — Christmas Eve
  • December 25 — Christmas Day
  • December 31 — New Year’s Eve
  • January 1 — New Year’s Day
  • January 2, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416
  • January 4, 1:00 PM — Stonewall DFL Annual Membership Meeting, John B. Davis Lecture Hall, Macalster College, 1600 Grand Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105. 1:00 social hour, 2:00 meeting.
  • January 7
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, check their FaceBook page for specifics.
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Brooklyn Park Library, Mississippi Room, 8500 W Broadway Avenue, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
  • January 8
    • 6:30 to 9:00 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, 9701 Nicollet Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420. Meeting moved back one week due to New Year’s Day holiday.
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Social, Home of Dave and Cathy Olson, 3415 Warner Ln, Minnetrista, MN.
  • January 9, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • January 13
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, Council Chambers, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 7001 Cahill Rd, Suite 21, Edina, MN
  • January 15, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, Council Chambers, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • January 18, 6:00 to 9:00 PM — SD37 DFL Winter Gala, Crooners Lounge and Supper Club, Dunsmore Room, 6161 Highway 65 NE, Minneapolis, MN 55432. With Rep. Dean Phillips, other speakers silent auction and live band Victoria and the Acts of Persuasion.
  • January 20 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • January 25, 9:00 to 10:30 AM — CD3 DFL National Delegate Selection Training, Hennepin County Library, Robert H. Rohlf Room, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • February 25, 7:00 t0 9:00 PM — Minnesota DFL Precinct Caucuses, more information as it becomes available
  • March 3 — Minnesota Super Tuesday Primary, more information as it becomes available.