In the Know: March 18, 2019

Attorney General Keith Ellison

AG backs ACLU’s detention policy lawsuit against Nobles County, KSTP

Congress
How They Voted: Mueller, Yemen, border emergency, nominations, Mankato Free Press
FEC fines Cruz campaign $35k for not disclosing 2012 loans, AP
Mississippi gov called ‘despicable’ for ignoring black rep, The Congressional Black Caucus chairwoman says Mississippi’s governor is “clearly despicable” for not acknowledging work by the state’s only black congressman to get the home of a slain civil rights leader named a national monument, ABC News
Representatives should fight to maintain election integrity, St. Cloud Times
Reader’s View: Members of Congress need to work together, Duluth News Tribune
At filing time, Stauber hears ‘mixed bag’ from taxpayers, Duluth News Tribune
The 31 Trump districts that will determine the next House majority, The Hill

Governor Tim Walz
Impasse at Minnesota Capitol on taxes, guns brings 2020 into focus, Republicans are using their three-seat majority in the state Senate to block the ambitious agenda of newly elected DFL Gov. Tim Walz., Star Tribune
Walz, Klobuchar get update on spring flood preparations, Star Tribune
Gov. Tim Walz faces high budget demands in rural Minnesota, Star Tribune
Tax filing season headache: Gov. Tim Walz, GOP Senate far apart on a fix, Star Tribune
Governor Walz Expects To Sign Disaster Loan Expansion For Farmers, Voice Of AlexandriaMinnesota
Minnesota Muslim leaders condemn New Zealand mosque attacks, St. Cloud Times
Muslim Leaders Call For ‘Average Minnesotans’ To Stand Against Bigotry, WCCO
Vigil attendees denounce white supremacy, Rochester Post-Bulletin
Faith Communities Band Together In Solidarity Against Hate, WCCO
Twin Cities Muslims gather after New Zealand shooting, KARE11
Hundreds gather at Bloomington mosque to show support for Muslim Minnesotans, Star Tribune
‘We need to cause an uproar’: Minnesota students ‘strike’ over climate change, Star Tribune
Teens rally for climate at State Capitol, KARE11
Minnesota’s new DNR commissioner: Cool hand for a hot seat, Star Tribune
Ice jams and melting snow compound flooding problems in Minnesota, Star Tribune
Minnesota suicides and other ‘preventable deaths’ rose again in 2017, Star Tribune
Pothole repairs on I-35W to reduce traffic to one lane in Minneapolis, MPR
MN Human Rights Commissioner grew up aware of injustice, MPR
Access clinic: a win-win for Minnesota’s rural immigrants and U of M law students, MinnPost
Attention stoners: Hennepin County won’t prosecute weed cases under 100 grams, CityPages
Wealthy people will not be kicking you off the train during Final Four, CityPages
A long shot, but Minnesota could face potentially historic floods, Winona Daily News
MNDOT Works To Keep Water Off I-35 Near Faribault, KRFO
Thousands of Minnesota students strike to save the planet, CityPages

Minnesota Legislature

Why the MN medical marijuana task force didn’t meet for two years, Pioneer Press
License immigrants before they get behind the wheel, Star Tribune
Dan Sparks: With first deadline, session picks up steam, Austin Daily Herald
Mid-session update: Sen. Kent, Rep. Xiong talk state budget, MNLARS, paid family leave, Woodbury Bulletin
Missing Minnesota — and the quality of life its taxes help support, MinnPost
State legislative deadline calls for action, The Globe
Minn. House hears bills to boost LGA, Wahpeton Daily News
Why there’s nothing more partisan at the Minnesota Legislature than a nonpartisan audit, MinnPost
MN Capitol Notebook: Recreational pot bill goes down, gun control and abortion measures force impasse, Red Wing Republican Eagle
Debate over election security money in Minnesota Legislature at deadlock, Star Tribune
Lawmakers poised for a pay bump, MPR
How Minnesota can fix its medical marijuana market, Pioneer Press
Lawmaker seeks $250K for Prince mural, KARE11
Seeking solutions for Minnesota school counselor shortage, Duluth News Tribune

Representative Collin Peterson
VA to hold town hall at Grand Arbor, Echo Press
Peterson, Craig talk farm issues in Red Wing, Minn., MPR
Peterson to host veterans’ meeting with Fargo, St. Cloud VA officials, KFGO
Rep. Peterson Holding Town Hall on Issues Facing Veterans in Alexandria, KVRR

Representative Ilhan Omar
Ilhan Omar calls for solidarity with Muslims in wake of New Zealand mosque terror attacks, CNN
Ilhan Omar is the lone lawmaker to address student climate ‘strikers’ on Capitol Hill, Washington Examiner
‘I tried to hold back tears’: First two Muslim congresswomen react to New Zealand tragedy, USA Today
Syrians welcome Rep. Ilhan Omar’s support for their struggle against Assad’s regime, The New Arab

Senator Amy Klobuchar

Klobuchar after New Zealand attack: Trump’s ‘rhetoric doesn’t help’, CNN

Senator Tina Smith

Smith, Klobuchar call for FCC investigation into Frontier Communications, Brainerd Dispatch

Trump
Trump goes after John McCain seven months after he died of brain cancer, Star Tribune
NY attorney general wants Trump fined $5.6M over charity, The Seattle Times
Virginia’s Corey Stewart to lead pro-Trump super PAC, AP
Ex-Romney aide is working for likely GOP challenger to Trump, AP
Trump downplays white nationalism threat after massacre, AP
AP FACT CHECK: Trump plays down white nationalist threat, AP
Trump administration cuts the size of fines for health violations in nursing homes, MPR
Trump vetoes congressional effort to limit border wall funding, MPR

U.S.
Supreme Court expands April 23 census arguments, AP
Tech companies scramble to remove New Zealand shooting video, AP
University of Tennessee announces free tuition for lower-income students, The Hill
Former coal baron Blankenship sues media, claims defamation, Seattle Times
The Latest: Yale to review school admission amid scandal, AP
Gore: US getting close to political shift on climate change, AP
U.S. limits access to refugees from nations it accuses of rights abuses, Star Tribune
Native Americans say movement to end ‘redface’ is slow, AP
Facebook says service hindered by lack of local news, MPR
Puzzling number of men tied to Ferguson protests have died, Pioneer Press

Upcoming DFL Events

  • March 19, 6:00 to 8:00 PM — SD44 DFL 4th Annual Chili Cook-Off and Silent Auction, Back Channel Brewing Company, 4787 Shoreline Dr, Spring Park, MN 55384. Enjoy the delicious entries and all the fixings.  Wonderful silent auction items.  All are welcome.  $10 suggested donation and PCR receipts provided.  More information and tickets here.
  • March 20, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Council Chamber, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • March 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.
  • March 26
    • 6:00 to 8:00 PM — CD3 Leadership Screening Session, Davanni’s Meeting Room, 8061 Flying Cloud Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD34 DFL Executive Committee Meeting, contact them for more information.
  • March 27, 6:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 Leadership Screening Session, Lunds & Byerlys Meeting Room, 13081 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • March 29, 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.
  • April 1 — April Fools’ Day
  • April 2
    • 5:30 to 7:30 PM — Minnesota DFL Young Professionals Fundraiser and Social Hour with Mayor Jacob Frey and Council Member Jalali Nelson, Lake Monster Brewing, 550 Vandalia St, Unit 160, Saint Paul, MN 55114. More information and RSVP here.
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, check their Facebook page for specifics
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Mississippi Room, Brooklyn Park Library, 8500 W Broadway, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
  • April 3
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Ave, Bloomington, MN 55420
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • April 5, 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.
  • April 8
    • 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
  • April 10, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD45 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Crystal City Hall, 4141 Douglas Dr N, Minneapolis, MN 55422
  • April 11, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, Minnetonka Mills Room, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • April 12, 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.
  • April 14, 1:00 to 2:00 PM — SD40 DFL Book Club Meeting
  • April 16, 6:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Convention, Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka MN 55305
  • April 17, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Business Meeting, Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • April 19 — Good Friday
    • 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.
  • April 19 through April 27 — Passover