In the Know: December 3, 2018

2019 Legislative Session
Minnesota House Republican leaders prepare for minority role, Star Tribune
Hortman brings consensus-building background to House speaker’s job, Star Tribune

2020
Possible 2020 candidate Amy Klobuchar talks ‘heartland economics’ in Iowa, Des Moines Register
Klobuchar returns to Iowa as she mulls 2020 bid, MPR


Bush, George H.W.
Former President George H.W. Bush dies at 94, Star Tribune
Bush mourned as statesman, man of uncommon decency, Star Tribune
‘Mission complete’: In photo, Bush’s service dog honors late president, MPR




Congress
Republicans prepare to move ahead with lame-duck session, Star Tribune
Lawmakers discuss deal to push back shutdown deadline while mourning Bush, Star Tribune


Economics
Women earn just half of what men earn over 15 years, Institute for Women’s Policy Research


Franken, Al
A year after resigning, Al Franken tests the waters of public life again, Pioneer Press

Health care
The MinnesotaCare buy-in explained, Austin Daily Herald

We’re just weeks away from this year’s Dec. 15 deadline to sign up for health coverage at HealthCare.gov. Not enough people know that Open Enrollment is happening. In fact, in the latest Kaiser Health Tracking Poll 3 out of 4 people who are uninsured or buy their own insurance don’t know the deadline is Dec. 15. It’s why enrollment this year is lagging behind last year. While the administration refuses to do their job, we can step in and raise the alarm. Help spread the word; check out the Open Enrollment toolkit.


Labor
Labor ascendant at the Capitol, Star Tribune

Phillips, Dean
Esme Murphy interview Dean Phillips, WCCO

Smith, Tina
Sen. Tina Smith talks about her whirlwind last year and finding common ground in politics, Fox 9

Tariffs
Tariff tensions shadow US, Canada, Mexico trade pact signing, Star Tribune
The story behind tariffs, steel and the Iron Range, Minnesota Brown

Training
The DFL Train to Win Conference Calls this month, “Keeping Your Activists Active,” provided some ideas for how you can engage your volunteers now and throughout 2019. If you weren’t able to join the calls, please listen to these recordings and share them with other DFLers! TO LISTEN TO RECORDED CALLS: Dial the playback number, then enter the access code and reference number for the recording.

Playback number: (515) 604-9890
Access code: 991792#
Reference number:
31 – “Keeping Your Activists Active” (recorded on Nov. 17)
32 – “Keeping Your Activists Active” (recorded on Nov. 19)

Transit
New milestone for Southwest Light Rail Project, KARE
Feds finalize funding for Orange Line, SunThisWeek
Could DFL victories bring passenger-rail improvements to Minnesota? Maybe. High-speed rail? Probably not. Pioneer Press

Trump
Government watchdog finds six  Trump staffers violated the Hatch Act, The Hill

Walz
Gov.-elect Tim Walz kicks off listening tour in Rochester, KAAL
Gov.-elect Walz holds listening tour stops in Red Lake, Bemidji, Bemidji Pioneer
Lt. Gov.-elect Flanagan hears about education, health care in St. Cloud, St. Cloud Times

Upcoming DFL Events

  • Today through 10 — Chanukah
  • December 4
  • December 5
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee meeting, more information as it becomes available
  • December 7
    • Pearl Harbor Day
    • 12:00 to 1:00 PM — Stand Against Trump, SD40 DFL Treasurer John Schaefer is holding a weekly hour of protest and resistance at the corner of Brookdale Blvd. and Xerxes Avenue in Brooklyn Park. Join him if you can.
    • 5:30 to 7:30 PM — SD50 DFL Party, David Fong’s Restaurant, 9329 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420
  • December 8
    • 8:30 AM — Registration opens for the DFL State Central Committee meeting at the Mankato West Senior High School, 1351 S Riverfront Dr, Mankato, MN 56011
    • 10:30 AM — Community Caucuses and Outreach Organizations and Keeping Your Activists Involved training sessions prior to the DFL State Central Committee Meeting, Mankato West Senior High School, 1351 S Riverfront Dr, Mankato, MN 56011
    • 12:00 PM — DFL State Central Committee Meeting will be gaveled to order at the above location
  • December 9
    • 1:00 to 2:00 PM — SD40 DFL Book Club meeting, m ore information as it becomes available
  • December 10
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Council Chambers, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55435
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 7001 Cahill Rd, Suite 21, Edina, MN
  • December 11
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD34 DFL Executive Committee Meeting, location TBD
  • December 12
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Room C102, Kennedy High School, 9701 Nicollet Ave, Bloomington, MN 55420. 6:30 to 7:00 social time.  Meeting convenes at 7:00 PM.
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD45 DFL Central Committee Meeting, City of Crystal, 4141 Douglas Dr N, Crystal, MN 55422
  • December 13
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345.
  • December 14
    • 12:00 to 1:00 PM — Stand Against Trump, SD40 DFL Treasurer John Schaefer is holding a weekly hour of protest and resistance at the corner of Brookdale Blvd. and Xerxes Avenue in Brooklyn Park. Join him if you can.
  • December 17
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — Brooklyn Park DFL meeting, Brooklyn Park Public Library, 6500 W Broadway Ave, Brooklyn Park, MN
  • December 19
    • 6:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Holiday Celebration, Nelson Residence, 15440 Boulder Pointe Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55347. Bring an appetizer, dessert or beverage to share (no red wine, please). We’ll be honoring all our DFL candidates, their families and campaign members.
  • December 21
    • 12:00 to 1:00 PM — Stand Against Trump, SD40 DFL Treasurer John Schaefer is holding a weekly hour of protest and resistance at the corner of Brookdale Blvd. and Xerxes Avenue in Brooklyn Park. Join him if you can.
  • December 25 — Christmas
  • December 28
    • 12:00 to 1:00 PM — Stand Against Trump, SD40 DFL Treasurer John Schaefer is holding a weekly hour of protest and resistance at the corner of Brookdale Blvd. and Xerxes Avenue in Brooklyn Park. Join him if you can.
  • December 31 — New Year’s Eve
  • January 1 — New Year’s Day
  • January 2
    • SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, location TBD
  • January 3
    • First Day of Minnesota Legislative Session
    • First Day of U.S. Congressional Session
  • January 4
    • 12:00 to 1:00 PM — Stand Against Trump, SD40 DFL Treasurer John Schaefer is holding a weekly hour of protest and resistance at the corner of Brookdale Blvd. and Xerxes Avenue in Brooklyn Park. Join him if you can.