In the Know: February 10, 2020

Days to the 2020 Election:  267

Agriculture
Planning, training, challenge and hope: Passing the family farm to the next generation, MPR
Can Farming Make Space For Nature? The New Yorker

Attorney General Keith Ellison
‘Revenge porn’ cases have lawmakers looking for a fix, Star Tribune

Congress
Congress split over how to solve surprise medical bills, CNN
Transparency Is Killing Congress, The Atlantic
Chinese diplomat pushes back against coronavirus ‘rumors’ from GOP senator, Politico

DFL News
Jason Lewis Can’t Name One Policy (or Tweet!) Where He Disagrees With Trump, DFL.org

Donald Trump
Trump weaponizes the Presidency after impeachment victory, CNN
Trump ‘Is Not a Racist’ Because the ‘People Who Wash Dishes’ at Mar-a-Lago ‘Love Him,’ Says Ben Carson, Rolling Stone
Trump tells advisers he doesn’t want another summit with North Korea’s Kim before the election, CNN
President Donald Trump’s budget reflects campaign priorities such as immigration, defense spending, USA Today

Donald Trump’s Trade War
U.S.-China Trade War Reshaped Global Commerce, Wall Street Journal

Economy
We’re facing the ‘great American slowdown.’ Should we celebrate? Washington Post
Trump to Propose $4.8 Trillion Budget With Big Safety-Net Cuts, Wall Street Journal
The US economy and asset markets are underpinned by strong growth drivers, CNBC

Education
Disparities seen in special education services, Politico
Trump Budget Proposes Cuts To Education, Forbes

Environment
Ranchers Feel Blindsided by Trump’s Wall, Mother Jones
Big polluters again allowed to lift emissions without penalty, The Guardian
Thanks to Trump, Keystone XL Is Back. The Anti-Pipeline Movement Is Ready. Mother Jones

Governor Tim Walz
St. Paul community rallies around father facing deportation, KSTP-TV

Health
Red and Blue America see eye-to-eye on one issue: the nation’s health care system needs fixing, USA Today

Immigration
Thousands of Hmong and Lao Americans face deportation under Trump proposal, MPR
Sacred Native American burial sites are being blown up for Trump’s border wall, lawmaker says, Washington Post
Why Immigration Judges Opt To Leave Over Trump Policies, NPR
Trump seeks more cash for immigration enforcement, Politico

Labor
House approves pro-union labor bill, The Hill
Unions shrinking but Minnesota worker activism is alive and well, Star Tribune
Hiring Picks Up As Employers Add 225,000 Jobs In January, NPR

Minnesota Legislature
Following Cedar-Riverside fire, state lawmakers introduce high-rise sprinkler bill, MN Daily
Where should Minnesota’s $1.3 billion surplus go — tax cuts or preschool? Pioneer Press
MN House Democrats Unveil Priorities For 2020, WCCO
Coalition of Greater MN Cities to fight for bonding bill, Bemidji Pioneer

Minnesota News
Anti-vaccine movement finding allies among Minnesota GOP lawmakers, MN Reformer
As Minnesota River expands, erosion damage grows, Star Tribune
Como facility confronts toxic chemical emissions, Minnesota Daily
2020 Minnesota legislative session starts Tuesday, KARE11
Susan Kimberly left her life as businessman and power broker in the 1980s. Now she tells her story on stage., Pioneer Press

Representative Angie Craig (CD2)
Rep. Angie Craig might actually get a bill signed by President Trump. Why that’s such a notable accomplishment, MinnPost
Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig’s bill on payment reforms lands on Trump’s desk, Star Tribune

Representative Betty McCollum (CD4)
Trump administration proposal to deport Hmong, Lao immigrants draws McCollum’s ire, Star Tribune
Thousands of Hmong and Lao Americans face deportation under Trump proposal, MPR
Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Speaks Out, Hibbing Daily Tribune

Republicans
Sheldon Adelson to donate $100m to Trump and Republicans, fundraisers say, The Guardian
CPAC Chair: Mitt Romney’s ‘Physical Safety’ Would Be At Risk At Conference, Huffington Post
What Happens When QAnon Seeps From the Web to the Offline World, New York Times

Senator Tina Smith
Klobuchar, Smith co-sign letter urging studies of K-12 enrollment spending, Brainerd Dispatch

U.S. News
Four members of Chinese army charged with stealing 145 million Americans’ data in 2017 Equifax hack, USA Today
Defense Department expected to announce billions more will go to border wall, CNN
Instead of a war on hunger, Trump is waging a war on hungry people—including a million kids, Daily Kos

World News
40,000 coronavirus cases may be ‘tip of the iceberg’ as death toll nears 1,000, USA Today
Sinn Fein surged in Ireland’s election. Here’s why that’s so controversial, CNN
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s would-be successor resigns, Washington Post
Global Fight Against Coronavirus., BBC

Upcoming DFL Events:

• Today through March 2 — Super Tuesday Presidential Primary Early Voting, more information here.
• February 10
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 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
• February 11 — Minnesota Legislative Session Starts
• February 13
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Normal Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 5533
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
• February 14 — Valentine’s Day
• February 15, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM — SD33 DFL Caucus Convener Training Make Up, Chanhassen Library, 7711 Kerber Blvd, Chanhassen, MN 55317
• February 17 — Presidents’ Day
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
• February 19
  • 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM — DFL Senior Day on the Hill, Minnesota State Capitol, Room 316, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, St. Paul, MN 5515.
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD40 DFL Caucus Training, 1512 Woodbine Ln, Brooklyn Center, MN
  • 8:00 to 10:00 PM — Democratic Presidential Debate in Las Vegas, NV, watch on the NBC and MSNBC platforms
• February 22
  • 1:00 to 3:00 PM — SD37 DFL Caucus Convener Training, Northtown Library, 707 County Hwy. 10 Frontage Rd, Blaine, MN 55434
  • 3:00 to 5:00 PM — SD40 DFL Caucus Convener Training, Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
• February 25 — Mardi Gras
  • 7:00 t0 9:00 PM — Minnesota DFL Precinct Caucuses, more information here.
• February 26 — Ash Wednesday
• March 3
  • 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM — Minnesota Super Tuesday Primary, more information here.
• March 4
  • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Avenue S, Bloomington, MN 55402
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55305
• March 5
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Teamsters’ Local  120, 9422 Ulysses St NE, Blaine, MN 55434
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD40 DFL Pre-Convention Committee Meetings (Tentative), Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
• March 7
  • 1:00 to 3:00 PM — SD33 DFL Pre-Convention Committee Meetings, Plymouth Library, 15700 36th Ave N, Plymouth, MN 55446
  • 1:00 to 4:00 PM — SD37 DFL Pre-Convention Committee Meetings, Northtown Library, 707 County Hwy. 10 Frontage Rd, Blaine, MN 55434
• March 8 — Daylight Saving Time Begins
• March 9
  • 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
• March 10 — Purim and Holy
  • 6:00 to 8:30 PM — SD44 DFL Chili Cook Off and Silent Auction, Under Pressure Brewing, 8806 7th Ave N, Golden Valley, MN 55427. Suggested donation of $15. Tickets available at the door or here.
• March 12
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN55433.
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
• March 14, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM — SD46 DFL Convention, St. Louis Park High School, 6425 W 33rd St, St. Louis Park, MN 55426
• March 16, 7:oo to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
• March 17 — St. Patrick’s Day
• March 18, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meting, Council Chamber, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600  Minnetonka, Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
• March 19 — Spring Equinox
• March 21
  • 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM — SD34 DFL Convention, Maple Grove Senior High School, 9800 Fernbrook Ln N, Maple Grove, MN 55369
  • 8:30  to  1:00  PM — SD48 DFL Convention, Minnetonka High School, 18301 Highway 7, Minnetonka, MN 55391
  • 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD33 Precinct Chairs Welcome Brunch, 3415 Warner Ln, Mound, MN 55364
• March 28
  • 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM — SD40 DFL Convention, North View Middle School, 5889 69th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55429
  • 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD50 DFL Convention, Oak Grove Middle School, 1300 W 106th St, Bloomington, MN 55431
• April 1 — April Fools’ Day
  • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Avenue S, Bloomington, MN 55402
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55305
• April 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
• April 4— SD37 DFL Convention, Teamsters Local 120, 9422 Ulysses St NE, Blaine, MN 55434. Contact them for specifics and timing at petersengm@gmail.com.
  • 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD45 DFL Convention, Cooper High School, 47th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55428
  • 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — SD36 DFL Convention, Coon Rapids High School, 2340 Normal Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
  • 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM — SD44 DFL Convention, Minnetonka High School, 18301 Highway 7, Minnetonka, MN 55391
• April 7, 7:00 to 8:30 PM – SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
• April 9 through 13 —  Passover
• April 9
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Normal Blvd NW, Coon  Rapids, MN 55433.
  • 7:00 to  9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345.
• April 10 — Good Friday
• April 11, 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM — Brooklyn Center DFL Endorsing Convention, Brookdale Library 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430.
• April 12 — Easter
• April 13
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 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
• April 15 — Tax Day
• April 18
  • 8:15 AM to 2:00 PM — SD49 DFL Convention, Valley View Middle  School, Auditorium, 6750 Valley View Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55439.
  • 10:00 AM  to 3:00 PM —  SD33 DFL Convention, Orono High School, 795 Old Crystal Bay Rd N, Long Lake, Mn 55346.
  • 12:00 to 5:00 PM — Hennepin County DFL Convention, Hopkins North Junior High School, Cafeteria, 10700 Cedar Lake Rd, Hopkins, MN 55305.
• May 9, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — CD3 DFL Convention, Park Center High School, Performing  Arts Center, 7300 Brooklyn Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55443.