19 days until the Aug. 14 primary
58 days until early voting opens
104 days until Election Day
2018 Election
Voting is now open! Go to dfl.org/voteearly to request an absentee ballot to vote by mail or vote in person. Click here for early voting locations.
There are so many great reasons to vote in the Aug. 14 primary. What’s yours?
2018 Election — U.S. House of Representatives
Dean Phillips takes his campaign on the road – and on the lakes – hoping to unseat Rep. Paulsen, Star Tribune
Paulsen-Phillips race for Congress shaping up to be one of the most expensive in Minnesota, Star Tribune
For Erik Paulsen-Dean Phillips debate, the price of witnessing democracy is $60, City Pages
Blue, green or both: 8th district DFLers spar on mining, environment, Brainerd Dispatch
9 women to watch from this year’s midterm: Meet the breakout stars of the 2018 election, Vox
2018 Election — Governor
Erin Murphy: 2018 Election Guide, WCCO
Pawlenty to Wisconsin business leaders: We need more tax relief in Minnesota, Winona Daily News
If elected, Jeff Johnson plans to radically restrict abortion in Minnesota, City Pages
Available on the DFL Facebook page for you to share.
Don’t be a dummy, read up on the candidates and vote, Star Tribune
As more Muslims run for office in Minnesota, some encounter backlash, MinnPost
Agriculture
Bonding Rating
Minnesota’s credit rating improves on the eve of bond sale, MPR
Broadband
Erin Murphy, DFL-Endorsed candidate for governor released the Connect MN plan which aims to provide border-to-border broadband internet access to all Minnesotans by 2026. Murphy’s plan will use the new sales tax revenue generated by the Supreme Court’s decision allowing Minnesota to collect sales tax from select out of state online retailers to provide a dedicated investment of more than $100 million each year into Minnesota’s Broadband Development Grant Program. The plan leverages additional private investments to connect Minnesota families, farmers, business owners, and schools to high-speed internet to further growth and opportunity.
DFL Victory Plaza
Help celebrate the upcoming 75th anniversary of the DFL by purchasing a brick in the DFL Victory Plaza. Information is available here.
Economy
Despite the promises Donald Trump made to the American people, the Trump tax law simply isn’t helping American workers. Corporations have used the tax windfall to line the pockets of their rich executives while workers like the ones at this Harley-Davidson plant have lost their jobs. Watch the video below by clicking here.
Education
Minn. Supreme Court says school segregation case can proceed, Star Tribune
Instead of going after predatory, for-profit schools that defraud students, Betsy DeVos is making life more difficult for those who have fallen victim to them. This new proposal will cut billions of dollars in debt relief for defrauded students and would encourage for-profit colleges to take part in even more abusive practices. While the Trump administration refuses to hold predatory institutions accountable, Democrats are fighting to ensure all students can receive a good education without being cheated out of their savings. DNC
Endangered Species
Emmer and Republicans go for the kill on endangered species, City Pages
Environment
Minnesota DNR releases first statewide deer plan, sets annual harvest goal, Pioneer Press
Health Care
The 64 health care CEOs in the S&P 500 cumulatively made almost $1.7 billion in 2017, according to a new Axios analysis of their compensation. That total is 74% higher than the $949 million that is normally highlighted in company proxy documents. Axios
Young people have more medical debt than older people, even though they tend to spend much less on health care, according to a new study published in Health Affairs. “Medical debt,” in this case, means an unpaid medical bill that has been referred to a collection agency. Axios
History
Newsweek cover 45 yeas ago this week:
Lewis, Jason
Former Minnesota state rep says Jason Lewis lied about him on radio show, City Pages
Polls
Trump’s approval rating sags in MN, WI, KARE
Majority of Americans do not want Roe v. Wade overturned, MPR
Fresh NBC-Marist polls published yesterday show that Trump has become a major drag on Republican candidates in three Midwestern states that are heavily dependent on agriculture and host marquee races this year. The president’s job approval rating is 36 percent in both Michigan and Wisconsin, states he narrowly carried in 2016. It’s 38 percent in Minnesota, which he came within two percentage points of winning.
- Democrats enjoy a lead in the generic ballot for congressional preference from 8 points to 12 points across those three battlegrounds.
- In Michigan, only 28 percent of registered voters believe Trump deserves a second term; 62 percent say it’s time to give another person a chance. In Minnesota, it’s 30 percent vs. 60 percent on that question. And in Wisconsin, it’s 31 percent who say the president should be re-elected and 63 percent who say he should not.
- “Majorities in all three states say their vote in November will be a message that more Democrats are needed in Congress to be a check and balance on the president,” NBC’s Mark Murray reports. Trade is a top concern. NBC
Public Safety
MN rape survivor and others call for better police work statewide, Pioneer Press
Tariffs
Tariffs tear into Trump support, Star Tribune
Trump, European Union leaders pull back from trade war, Star Tribune
President Trump took a victory lap in the Rose Garden after achieving at least a rhetorical de-escalation of his trade war during a visit by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. Jonathan Swan reads between the lines:
- Critics will say Trump was taking credit for solving a problem he caused.
- But free traders were relieved that at least for now, there’s a pause in new tariffs for the Continent.
- And they hope that Trump has found an exit ramp — a face-saving way to back out of an escalating round of tit-for-tat sanctions that have already begun to hurt Trump Country farmers. Axios
Taxes
Reality Check: Your paycheck and the GOP tax cuts, WCCO
Minnesota to e-retailers: Start collecting taxes, soon, MPR
How the Trump tax cut is helping push the federal deficit to $1 trillion, New York Times
Trump
Trump hotel ruling could open the door to his financial records, Star Tribune
Upcoming DFL Events
- Today through August 13 — Primary early voting. More information here.
- July 27, 12:00 PM — Stand Against Trump, SD40 DFL Treasurer John Schafer is holding a weekly hour of protest and resistance on Fridays from 12pm to 1pm at the corner of Brookdale & Xerxes in Brooklyn Park.
- July 28 and 29 — DFL 100 Days Out Days of Action, our goal is to knock 20,000 doors this weekend. Be part of this #trueblue weekend to elect #mndfl candidates dedicated to moving Minnesota forward. Volunteer here.
- July 31, 6:30 PM — State DFL OIC Meeting, DFL Headquarters, 255 Plato Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55107.
- July 31, 7:00 PM — SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, check their Facebook page for location
- August 1, 6:00 PM — Ethiopian Coffee Hour Hosted at the DFL Field Office, 4407 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
- August 1, 7:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, location TBD
- August 3, 12:00 PM — Stand Against Trump, SD40 DFL Treasurer John Schafer is holding a weekly hour of protest and resistance on Fridays from 12pm to 1pm at the corner of Brookdale & Xerxes in Brooklyn Park.
- August 4 — SD34 DFL at Lions’ Park, Maple Grove, MN, more information as it becomes available.
- August 7 — National Night Out, check your local municipality’s website for locations
- August 8, 6:00 PM — Ethiopian Coffee Hour Hosted at the DFL Field Office, 4407 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
- August 9, 7:00 PM — SD34 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Maple Grove Library, 8001 Main St N, Osseo, MN 55369
- August 9, 7:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- August 10, 12:00 PM — Stand Against Trump, SD40 DFL Treasurer John Schafer is holding a weekly hour of protest and resistance on Fridays from 12pm to 1pm at the corner of Brookdale & Xerxes in Brooklyn Park.