In the Know: July 21, 2020

Days to the November Election:  105

2020 Election
A definitive case against the Electoral College, Vox
Top Democrats Send Letter on Possible Foreign Meddling in November Election, New York Times
How low can Donald Trump go?, CNN
Georgia state Sen. Nikema Williams picked to replace Lewis on November ballot, CNN
Big Polling Leads Tend to Erode. Is Biden’s Edge Different?, New York Times

Agriculture
From cotton to hogs, agriculture groups seek billions more in coronavirus aid, Roll Call
POTENTIAL PROPANE SHORTAGE THIS FALL, Successful Farming
USDA Announces Changes To Livestock Gross Margin Insurance Program, AgWeb

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Attorney General Ellison sues Trump Administration to block health care discrimination, Red Lake Nation

Check out our brand new Biden for President merchandise in the DFL Store!
Click here to see our new shirts, signs, and stickers!

Congressional News
White House, Senate Republicans kick off crucial day of virus negotiations, Politico
Dems eye voting rights package to honor John Lewis, Politico
Dems seek DHS docs on protester detentions, Politico
House proposes billions of dollars for technology throughout government, Roll Call

DFL Action Center
Take Action:
We’re roughly 4 months out from election day and every minute counts. If you’d like to help the DFL Party fight for criminal justice reform, better schools, wages, our environment, and health care, then join us in taking action today! Click here to get more involved!

Donald Trump
Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ Latest Claim About Trump Has People Scratching Their HeadsHuff Post
At This Trump-Favored Charity, Financial Reporting Is Questionable and Insiders Are Cashing In, ProPublica
Trump once flirted with white nationalism. Now it’s a centerpiece of his White House., Vox

Economy
Will there be a second $1,200 stimulus check? Here’s what we know, CNBC
Biden Proposes $775 Billion Child and Elder Care Plan Funded by Real Estate Taxes, Bloomberg

Environment
Climate Change Poses ‘Systemic Threat’ to the Economy, Big Investors Warn, New York Times
Arctic sea ice is in a downward spiral, and may break a record in 2020, Washington Post
Global warming shrinks bird breeding windows, potentially threatening species, Science Magazine

Governor Tim Walz
These MN bars and restaurants were warned to follow rules to slow the coronavirus spread, Pioneer Press
Child care relief funding proposal, Redwood Falls Gazette

Health
Politicians and Business Interests Pushed Health Officials Aside to Control Reopening. Then Cases Exploded., ProPublica
Why America’s public health system can’t withstand Trump, Vox
What are the pros and cons of reopening schools this fall?, MN Reformer

Immigration
More than 300,000 immigrants may not become citizens in time to vote as COVID-19 stalls process, Arizona Central
Four-Month Processing Delays for Work Permit Applications, USCIS Says, NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
Trump Cuts Legal Immigrants By Half And He’s Not Done Yet, Forbes
Trump is considering a loophole, which he found in a conservative magazine article, to bypass Congress to impose new immigration policies, Business Insider

Minnesota Legislature
Legislature passes policing bill, ends special session, MPR
Public works bonding bill stalls in second special session, Pioneer Press
Minnesota’s Community Solar Garden Initiative Maintains Growth Amid Challenges, WCCO

Minnesota News
July 20 update on COVID-19 in MN: 9-month-old dies; record spike in new case counts, MPR News
Minnesota lawmakers pass sweeping package of police accountability measures, Star Tribune
DPS Warns 14 Minnesota Bars And Restaurants About COVID-19 Safety Violations, WCCO TV
U.S. Senate confirms Minnesotan as next Army National Guard director, Star Tribune
Duluth airport to begin construction projects, Duluth News Tribune

Representative Collin Peterson (CD7)
Peterson Announces Veteran Treatment Court Act of 2019 is On Its Way to President’s Desk To Be Signed Into Law, Red Lake Nation

Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5)
Ilhan Omar, Keith Ellison Among Muslim American Officials To Endorse Joe Biden, WCCO

Republicans
American Death Cult, New York Magazine
GOP Official Admits He’s ‘No Medical Expert,’ Urges People To Ditch Masks Anyway, Huff Post
Ocasio-Cortez accosted by GOP lawmaker over remarks: ‘That kind of confrontation hasn’t ever happened to me’, The Hill
Will the Republican Party Implode?, The American Prospect
What the Return of Allen West Says About the Delusional State of the Republican Party, Mother Jones

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Oregon, other state leaders introduce legislation to block federal officers, News Break
Senators Try to Restrain Trump’s ‘Secret Police’ as President Threatens Democrat-Run Cities, Newsweek

Senator Tina Smith
Investment in child care can’t wait until there’s a coronavirus vaccine, Washington Post

U.S. News
The unmarked federal agents arresting people in Portland, explained, Vox
Biden Must Bring an End to the Bush Era, The American Prospect
Axios-Ipsos poll: The skeptics are growing, Axios
Militarized Agents Seen in Portland Are Deploying to Chicago — and Perhaps Further., New York Magazine
Who Actually Wants Trump to Send in the Feds? Police Unions., Daily Beast

Voter Protection
If you or someone you know has trouble registering to vote or casting a ballot, we encourage you to reach out to the DFL’s new Voter Protection Hotline at 833-DFL-VOTE (833-335-8683).

World News
EU leaders strike ‘historic’ $2 trillion deal to rebuild Europe’s economy, CNN
Spying, election hacks, assassinations: British report details scale of Russian subversion campaigns, USA Today
Brazil Tops 80,000 COVID-19 Deaths As 2 Government Ministers Test Positive For Virus, NPR News
U.K. government ignored Russian interference for years, report finds, Axios
A Plague Is an Apocalypse. But It Can Bring a New World., New York Magazine

Upcoming DFL Events

With the COVID-19 situation, we suggest you check with the hosting organization to see if meetings, etc. are being held.

  • Today through August 10 — Primary Election Early Voting Window, more information here.
  • July 21, 5:00 PM — DFL LGBTQ Leadership Event, more information and RSVP here.
  • July 28 through August 11 — Window for Candidates to Register with State for City Offices with No Primaries to Register
  • July 29, 7:00 PM — CD3 Virtual Central Committee Meeting and Election of Directors, more information as it becomes available.
  • July 30, 7:00 PM — DFL Environmental Caucus Virtual Meeting with endorsed candidates, more information and RSVP here.
  • August 4, 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • August 5
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meetings, contact them for specifics.
  • August 6, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • August 10
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • August 13
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • August 17, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • August 19, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, tentative virtual meeting, specifics decided at July meeting
  • August 29 — DFL State Central Virtual Meeting, this will be a full agenda meeting, more information as it becomes available.