In the Know: January 16, 2020

2020 Election
Minnesota’s 2020 presidential primary: Pick a party, then a candidate, MPR
Koch network plans its biggest election-year effort in 2020, CNN
Liz Cheney says she won’t run for Senate seat, Politico

Affordable Housing
New affordable housing rules aim to protect tenants from mid-lease rent increase, MPR

Agriculture
EARLY SIGNS OF SPRING FOR THE FARM ECONOMY, Successful Farming
WHEN USDA STOPS PAYING RENT, IDLED LAND USUALLY GOES BACK INTO CROPS, Successful Farming

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Attorney General Keith Ellison settles Comcast lawsuit; 30K customers had been overcharged, Pioneer Press

Corruption Watch
White House hold on Ukraine aid violated federal law, congressional watchdog says, Washington Post

Donald Trump’s Impeachment
Trump impeachment moves to Senate ahead of historic trial, CBS News
Trump impeachment: Democrats announce new evidence ahead of vote, BBC
Meet the Democrats prosecuting Trump’s impeachment, Politico

Donald Trump’s Trade War
Was Trump’s China trade war worth it?, Washington Post
A world trade war is brewing. The US-China deal won’t stop it, CNN
China just agreed to buy $200 billion worth of US products, CNN

Economy
Energy Companies Have a Great Friend At Trump’s Interior Department: Their Former Lobbyist, Mother Jones
There Was No Housing Bubble and Everyone Agrees We Have to Crack Down On China’s Practices on Intellectual Property, Beat the Press

Environment
Trump’s rollback of environmental protections will cost us., CNN
2019 capped world’s hottest decade in recorded history, Washington Post
A blob of hot water in the Pacific Ocean killed a million seabirds, scientists say, CNN

Governor Tim Walz
Here’s what’s included in Gov. Walz’s $2 billion bonding plan, Bring Me the News
Walz rolls out $2.03 billion bonding package for 2020, Rochester Post Bulletin

Health
Waiting game on the Affordable Care Act isn’t healthy, Star Tribune
Progress stalled on closing racial gap in health insurance since Trump took office, ABC News

Immigration
In tiny town, immigration detainees outnumber residents, Star Tribune
Judge’s order on refugee resettlement could invalidate Minn. county votes, MPR
AP visits immigration courts across US, finds nonstop chaos, Star Tribune

Labor
Game Makers Stare Down Major Union Drive, Hollywood Reporter

Minnesota Legislature
Will the Minnesota Legislature take up recreational marijuana in 2020?, MinnPost
Gazelka cites bonding, tax relief, infrastructure as primary issues in 2020 session, Brainerd Dispatch

Minnesota News
Clean energy works for Minnesota; state should accelerate the transition, MinnPost
Our climate is warming in the Red River Valley, Inforum
Senators take heat on waste-burning energy, Rochester Post Bulletin
CWD positive deer tracked to Pine County, Pine City Pioneer
How the U of M should prepare for the coming demographic changes, MinnPost

Representative Angie Craig (CD2, D)
2 GOP women join race to unseat Rep. Angie Craig, Austin Daily Herald

Representative Betty McCollum (CD5, D)
Rep. McCollum introduces bill that would restrict 234,000 acres in northern Minnesota from mining, Star Tribune

Representative Dean Phillips (CD3, D)
Rep. Dean Phillips launches student essay competition, Sun Sailor

Republicans
Collins lies about Sackler contribution, won’t return Eli Lilly money, Maine Beacon

Republicans in Minnesota
Senate leader tells televangelist he’s in a ‘spiritual battle’, Minnesota Reformer

Senator Tina Smith
U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement Advances Through More Senate Committees, KVRR

State Auditor Julie Blaha
Minnesota State Auditor Blaha makes first stop on tour in Thief River Falls, Grand Forks Herald

U.S. News
The drive to pass the Equal Rights Amendment, explained, Vox
White House hold on Ukraine aid violated federal law, congressional watchdog says, Washington Post
Trump trade advisor Peter Navarro lists what the US wants from China in ‘phase two’ trade deal, CNBC

World News
Putin’s party backs president’s pick for prime minister, Al Jazeera
Japanese official’s decision to take paternity leave draws applause — and scorn, CBS
Ukraine Investigates Reports of Surveillance of Marie Yovanovitch, New York Times

Upcoming DFL Events:

• January 17 through March 2 — Super Tuesday Presidential Primary Early Voting, more information here.
• January 18, 6:00 to 9:00 PM — SD37 and SD41 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
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
• January 23, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Cocktails and Conversation: Changes in Precinct Caucuses and Presidential Primary, Unmapped Brewing Company, 14625 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
• January 25
  • 9:00 to 10:30 AM — CD3 DFL National Delegate Selection Training, Ridgedale Library, Robert H. Rohlf Room, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305.
  • 9:30 to 10:30 AM — DFL Train to Win Call:  Caucus and Convention Training, contact us at info@dfl3cd.org for specifics.
• January 28, 6:00 to 8:00 PM — SD33 DFL Caucus Convener Training, Maple Plain Library, 5184 Main St E, Maple Plain, MN 55359.
• February 1, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM — SD33 DFL Caucus Convener Training, Ridgedale Library, Ladyslipper Room, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305.
• February 2 — Groundhog Day
• February 4
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM —  SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Teamsters’ Local 120, 9422 Ulysses St NE, Blaine, MN 55434
  • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
• February 5
  • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Room C120, Kennedy  High School, 9701 Nicollet Ave, Bloomington, MN 55420
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM —SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Room 172, Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
• February 6, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City  Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
• February 7, 8:00 to 10:00 PM — New Hampshire Democratic Presidential Debate, view on ABC’s platforms
• 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
  • 5:30 to 8:00 PM — SD37 DFL Caucus and Convener Training, Jonsville Library, 12461 Oak Park Blvd NE, Blaine, MN 55434
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • 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 Road, Blaine, MN 55434.
• 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 — Pruim and Holi
• 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 too 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
• 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, 9:00  to  12:00  PM — SD48 DFL Convention, Minnetonka Community Center, Minnetonka, MN 55345.
• March 28, 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM — SD40 DFL Convention, North View Middle School, 5889 69th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55429