In the Know: June 16, 2021

Governor Tim Walz
McFeely: GOP’s attempts to dent Walz keep falling away, Inforum

Minnesota Legislature
MN legislature clashes over governor’s emergency power, KAALTV
Minnesota Legislature’s special session starts…with a proposal to potentially sidestep threat of July 1 shutdown, MinnPost

Minnesota News
Minnesota reports fewer than 100 new single-day COVID-19 cases for 1st time since spring 2020, FOX 9
More cities implement watering bans as drought conditions worsen across Minnesota, FOX 9
2 Minnesota hospitals recognized on list of best children’s hospitals for 2021-22, KSTP

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris News
Biden Names U.S. Ambassador Nominees to Israel and Mexico, New York Times
Biden Names Lina Khan, a Big-Tech Critic, as F.T.C. Chair, New York Times
Biden and Putin begin talks at highly anticipated Geneva summit, The Guardian
Vice President Kamala Harris and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announce $1.25 billion aid program for small businesses, CBS
Harris hosts female senators for ‘evening of relationship building’ at vice president’s residence, CNN
Harris calls for pathway to citizenship for Dreamers on DACA anniversary, The Hill

Republican Party News 
G.O.P. Bills Rattle Disabled Voters: ‘We Don’t Have a Voice Anymore’, New York Times
How the Anti-Abortion Movement Used the Progressive Playbook to Chip Away at Roe v. Wade, Politico
In Congress, Republicans Shrug at Warnings of Democracy in Peril, New York Times
The Wreckage Donald Trump Left Behind, The Atlantic
Republicans plot an infrastructure 2-step: Spend more, then kill Biden’s agenda, Politico
GOP Senator Says Democracy, Majority Rule Aren’t What Our Country Stands For Rand Paul gets a little too honest about his beliefs, Intelligencer

U.S. News
Cases of a dangerous Covid-19 variant are ‘rapidly increasing’ in US, expert says, CNN
U.S. Nears 600,000 Virus Deaths Despite Progress From Vaccines, New York Times
U.S. to allow more parents to petition for their children to immigrate legally from Central America, CBS
Attorney General Merrick Garland unveils plan to combat domestic terrorism, CBS

U.S. Representative Angie Craig
Opinion: America won’t be ‘back’ as long as inequality is still a problem, The Washington Post

U.S. Representative Betty McCollum (CD4, D)
A majority Democratic voters support McCollum’s bill, Mondoweiss

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
The Technology 202: Amy Klobuchar gets personal on smart speakers, Washington Post
House, Senate strike deal to give Congressional Gold Medal to all officers who responded on Jan. 6, not just Goodman, Washington Post
Senators Klobuchar, Cornyn Call on SBA to Speed Up Grants to Shuttered Venues, Rolling Stone

U.S. Senator Tina Smith
Senate passes bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, USA Today
Democrats plot a path forward on infrastructure—with or without Republicans, NBC

Upcoming Events:

You can find non-DFL events on our Action Alert post.

• June 18, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM — Minnesota DFL Juneteenth Supply Drive supporting Don’t Complain, Activate. Visit this website for information on needs and to RSVP with what you’re able to bring.
• June 19 — Juneteenth
• June 20 — Father’s Day
• June 27, 12:00 to 4:00 PM — SD45 DFL Community Picnic, 8130 Bass Lake Rd, New Hope, MN 55428, more information here.
• June 28, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD47 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
• July 29, 5:30 PM — Minnesota DFL LGBTQ Leadership Pride Month Event with Gov. Kate Brown, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, State Sen. Scott Dibble and State Rep. Heather Keeler. More information and RSVP here.

• July 1 — Somali Independence Day
• July 3
  • 9:30 to 11:30 AM — SD49 DFL Marching in the Edina Independence Day Parade, contact them for more information or to volunteer.
  • 10:00 AM — Coffee with Hennepin County Commissioner LaTondresse, first Saturday of each month. Log in here.
• July 4 — Independence Day
• July 5 — Independence Day (observed)
• July 7
  • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
• July 8
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
• July 12
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
• July 14, 6:00 to 8:00 PM — SD48 DFL Electric Vehicle Event, location coming shortly
• July 17, 12:00 to 3:00 PM — SD49 DFL Picnic, Rosland Park Shelter, 4300 W 66th St, Edina, MN 55435. Join them for a great opportunity to meet statewide, legislative officials as well as local office holders and candidates in Bloomington and Minnetonka

• August 26 through September 6 — Minnesota State Fair
• August 28 — DFL Volunteer Day at Minnesota State Fair, more information to come