In the Know: February 6, 2019

Congress
Minnesotans make statements with State of the Union guests, MPR
Minnesota lawmakers announce State of the Union guests, Grand Forks Herald

Economy
With Minnesota unemployment so low, why aren’t wages going up more?, MinnPost
The ‘angel’ tax credit for investors in startups could be on its way back to Minnesota, MinnPost

Environment
Feedlot dilemma: Local entities consider whether to set caps on size, MinnPost

Governor Tim Walz
Commentary: We have big challenges ahead, Eden Prairie News
Walz offers support for statewide veterans court legislation, KBJR
Walz warns opioid manufacturers not to repeat ‘lobbying blitz’ on treatment bill, Duluth News Tribune

Healthcare
Blackface photo reopens long history of bigotry in medicine, AP

Minnesota Legislature
Tobacco 21 movement gains momentum, The Globe
Climate change activists carry clean energy push to Minnesota Capitol, Grand Forks Herald
Leave Proposal Would Offer Partial Wage Replacement, KNSI
Lawmakers want Minnesota’s energy to be carbon-free by 2050, Star Tribune
Jason Rarick wins Minnesota Senate District 11 special election, Duluth News Tribune

Minnesota News
Calling probation for rape ‘slap on the wrist,’ Ramsey County prosecutors turn to MN Supreme Court, Pioneer Press
Feds approve disaster assistance after Duluth storm damage last fall, Pioneer Press

Representative Angie Craig
Rep. Craig Named Co-Chair of New Democrat Coalition Health Task Force, Voice of Alexandria

Rep. Betty McCollum
Democrats To Hold Hearing Scrutinizing Funding National Parks During Shutdown, Southern Colorado NPR

Rep. Collin Peterson
New House Agriculture Chairman Casts an Eye on USDA, Farm Economy, Successful Farming
Reader’s View: Need help? Call on Rep. Peterson, Duluth News Tribune

Representative Dean Phillips

Rep. Ilhan Omar
Ilhan Omar On Being Unapologetically Muslim, Bklyner
Congresswoman urges USA Powerlifting to lift its ban on trans women after constituent barred from competing, Outsports

Secretary of State Steve Simon
Steve Simon: The Voter’s Guard Dog, CityPages

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Klobuchar staff to hear comments on prescription drug prices, Austin Daily Herald

Trump
AP FACT CHECK: Trump’s claims in his State of Union address, MPR
Democratic women send political message by wearing white to State of the Union, USA Today
President Trump preaches unity in SOTU speech, local lawmakers respond, Fox47
Minnesotans in Congress find reason for optimism in Trump speech, Star Tribune
Trump faces uphill USMCA battle in Congress, Agri-Pulse
House panel votes to send Russia transcripts to Mueller, AP
Pelosi’s pointed reaction to Trump’s SOTU, Star Tribune
Trump’s State of the Union: A celebration of exaggerated ‘successes’ and denial of the opposite, MinnPost
Stacey Abrams, first black woman to give Democratic rebuttal, offers tough rebuke of Trump, GOP leaders, CNN
A border fence did not lower crime rates in El Paso. In fact, crime went up a bit., Vox
“This is the next battle for our democracy”: Stacey Abrams answers Trump with voting rights, Vox

Upcoming DFL Events

  • February 6, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • February 8, 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.
  • February 10, 1:00 to 2:00 PM — SD40 DFL Book Club Meeting, contact SD40 DFL for more information
  • February 11
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, Council Chamber, 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 12, 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD34 DFL Central Committee Meeting,  more information as it becomes available
  • February 13
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, Kennedy High School, 9701 Nicollet Ave, Bloomington, MN 55420
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD45 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Crystal City Hall, 4141 Douglas Dr N, Crystal, MN 55422
  • February 14 — Valentine’s Day
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, Minnetonka Mills Room, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345.
  • February 15, 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.
  • February 18 — Presidents’ Day
    • 9:00 AM — DFL Senior Caucus Day on the Hill, AFL-CIO Capitol Office Building, 175 Aurora Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55103. Registration at 9:00 AM. Program at 9:30 AM. Light breakfast and lunch available for a $5.00 donation. The event will focus on elder health justice
  • February 20, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Council Chamber, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • February 22, 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.