17 days until early voting opens, Sept. 21
63 days until Election Day
2018 Election
2018’s most volatile candidate (Trump) isn’t on the ballot this fall, Star Tribune
Trump and Pence visits show national attention, especially by GOP, on Minnesota races, Star Tribune
$30 million devoted to efforts to energize young voters, WCCO
2018 Election — U.S. Senate
Talking Points: High stakes races for Smith and Housley, WCCO
In an alarming and deeply concerning interview with the Star Tribune, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Karin Housley said that she did not have or know of any proposals to preserve and protect Social Security, which provides economic security to millions of Minnesotans and Americans, saying, “I haven’t sat down to look at any of them. I haven’t seen them.” The exchange, which took place last week at the State Fair, raises the question whether Housley has thought at all about this critical lifeline for seniors and families…Then, later that day in an off-mic moment on AM1280, Housley can be heard mocking the exchange on Social Security, admitting, “Well I found the issues I need to brush up on” and then laughing after telling the AM1280 host that the Star Tribune wanted to know “How I would fix social security.” VIDEO: http://bit.ly/2LPNaAp morning take
2018 Election — Congress
Jason Lewis and Angie Craig are squaring off again in the 2nd. What’s different this time? MinnPost
Koch-backed political group unveils House endorsements, CBS
Koch network endorses eight GOP house members in tight races, Roll Call
Truth Test: TV ad supporting Paulsen makes tax cut claims, KSTP
Political Brew Part II: Conversation about the 2nd Congressional District race in Rosemount, KSTP
2018 Election — Governor
Gov. candidates air differences on taxes, spending during Minnesota State Fair debate, Star Tribune
Johnson, Walz spar over Trump, schools, spending at State Fair debate, MPR
On the campaign trail, Walz makes big but expensive promises, Star Tribune
It’s fair time, so Minnesota governor’s race hits high gear, Star Tribune
How much would Tim Walz cut? And how much would Jeff Johnson cut? Question lingers at debate, Pioneer Press
2018 Election — Attorney General
Tensions rise as Minnesota AG candidates ratchet up attacks, MPR
2020 Election
CBS: Ex-Secretary of State John Kerry not ruling out 2020 presidential bid, Star Tribune
Advises say Joe Biden to decide on 2020 run by January, AP
Affordable Care Act
Pence: GOP will try again to repeal ObamaCare if election goes well, The Hill
Economy
Two cheers for a mixed economy, Star Tribune
Daikin plans $40.3 million expansion in Faribault, adding 132 jobs, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
Minnesota increasing employment for disabled, KEYC
Trump’s pollution rules rollback to hit coal country hard, MPR
‘Dying communities’ in small-town Minnesota find aid from federal grants, Star Tribune
Education
In a historic move, Los Angeles educators vote to strike, Workday Minnesota
Elections
People don’t vote for what they want. They vote for who they are, Washington Post
Add absentee voting to precinct caucuses in Minnesota, Star Tribune
GOP
Klobuchar: It’s a problem when GOP won’t work with Dems because they’re ‘afraid of pissing off Trump,‘ The Hill
Health Care
U.S. entitlement spending is increasingly going to the middle class, according to a Brookings Institution report. And health care is the main driver, Axios’ Stef Kight reports.
Between the lines: Medicaid expansion has made more lower-middle income Americans eligible for the program, and now less than half of Medicaid spending goes to the lowest quintile.
- Medicare Part D subsidies increased the share of health spending going to the middle class among the elderly.
- Medicaid spending on elderly households (65 years or older) has tripled since 1979, and around 60% of it went to the middle class in 2014.
- The Affordable Care Act’s cost-sharing subsidies, designed to lower out-of-pocket costs,have contributed to the overall trend.
Why it matters: As wages have remained stagnant and income inequality grows, the middle class is increasingly relying on the federal safety net. Changes to the ACA or Medicaid would thus touch sectors of the electorate well beyond the poor. Axios
Kaepernick, Colin
Kavanaugh Hearings
The Kavanaugh hearings: They key players, and what’s at stake for them, Star Tribune
Questions that senators might ask Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, Star Tribune
Democrats raise alarm as 42,000 Kavanaugh documents are released the night before hearing, ABC
Labor Day
Bobby Kasper: Our movement is on the rise, but we can’t stop now, Union Advocate
As Minnesota governor, Tim Walz will be state’s ‘organizer in chief,‘ Workday Minnesota
Trump attacks union leader on Labor Day, MPR
Immediate impact of Janus decision limited, though challenges remain, Duluth News Tribune
All the mines on Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range run hot today, despite the expiration of labor contracts at facilities owned by U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal last night.
The United Steelworkers of America agreed to stay on the job while negotiations continue. The union represents workers at mines and mills throughout the North American steel industry.
Those negotiations aren’t going well, according to the union. Just today, the USW issued a statement saying that another offer from U.S. Steel still calls for concessions, despite signs of strength in the domestic steel industry.
The union argues that expensive concessions in health care coverage would negate the small pay increases offered by the company. Further, the union already gave concessions during the steel industry downturn three years ago. They want the new contract to reflect changes in the bottom line.
As a result, negotiations continue. The Steelworkers are officially preparing for a strike or a company lockout, which are possible outcomes if contract talks don’t improve soon.
McCain, John
John McCain exemplified public service at its best, MinnPost
Minnesota State Fair
On display at the Minn. State Fair: An ugly political divide, Star Tribune
Tibbetts, Mollie
From Mollie Tibbetts’ father: Don’t distort her death to advance racist views, Des Monies Register
Trump
Trump attacks Sessions, suggests DOJ hurt GOP in midterms, MPR
Upcoming DFL Events
- September 4
- 9:00 AM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Bloomington Campaign Office Staffing Help, 2950 Metro Dr, Suite 117, Bloomington, MN 55425. Email Jens at jundin@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Brooklyn Park Office Staffing Help, 2937 Brookdale Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444. Email Decontee at dsawyer@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Eden Prairie Campaign Office Staffing Help, 10165 Hennepin Town Rd, Unit 109, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Email Laura at lhelgen@dfl.org if you can help.
- September 4, 1:30 PM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- 5:30 PM — SD40 DFL Door Knock with Erin Koegel, Coon Rapids DFL Office,2923 Coon Rapids Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
- 6:00 PM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- 7:00 PM — SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, check their Facebook page for specifics, locations change from month to month.
- 7:00 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Blaine Community Center 12175 Aberdeen St NE, Blaine, MN 55449 LOCATION CHANGE)
- September 5,
- 9:00 AM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Bloomington Campaign Office Staffing Help, 2950 Metro Dr, Suite 117, Bloomington, MN 55425. Email Jens at jundin@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Brooklyn Park Office Staffing Help, 2937 Brookdale Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444. Email Decontee at dsawyer@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Eden Prairie Campaign Office Staffing Help, 10165 Hennepin Town Rd, Unit 109, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Email Laura at lhelgen@dfl.org if you can help.
- 1:30 PM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- 6:00 PM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- 6:00 PM — Ethiopian Coffee Hour hosted at the DFL Field Office, 4407 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406.
- 7:00 PM — Brooklyn Park DFL Central Committee Meeting, Mississippi Room, Brooklyn Park Library, 8500 W Broadway Ave, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443.7:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, check their website for more information.
- September 6
- 9:00 AM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Bloomington Campaign Office Staffing Help, 2950 Metro Dr, Suite 117, Bloomington, MN 55425. Email Jens at jundin@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Brooklyn Park Office Staffing Help, 2937 Brookdale Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444. Email Decontee at dsawyer@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Eden Prairie Campaign Office Staffing Help, 10165 Hennepin Town Rd, Unit 109, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Email Laura at lhelgen@dfl.org if you can help.
- 1:30 PM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- 6:00 PM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- 7:00 PM — SD34 DFL Central Committee, location TBD
- September 7
- 9:00 AM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Bloomington Campaign Office Staffing Help, 2950 Metro Dr, Suite 117, Bloomington, MN 55425. Email Jens at jundin@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Brooklyn Park Office Staffing Help, 2937 Brookdale Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444. Email Decontee at dsawyer@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Eden Prairie Campaign Office Staffing Help, 10165 Hennepin Town Rd, Unit 109, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Email Laura at lhelgen@dfl.org if you can help.
- 12:00 PM — Stand Against Trump, corner for Brookdale Dr and Xerxes Ave in Brooklyn Center, join SD40 DFL Treasurer John Schafer to hold a weekly hour of protest and resistance.
- 1:30 PM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- 5:30 PM — 2018 Minnesota DFL Women’s Leadership Event, Mansion at Uptown, 2901 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408. More information and RSVP to Tayler Blackmon at tblackmon@dfl.org.
- 6:00 PM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- September 8
- 9:00 AM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Bloomington Campaign Office Staffing Help, 2950 Metro Dr, Suite 117, Bloomington, MN 55425. Email Jens at jundin@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Brooklyn Park Office Staffing Help, 2937 Brookdale Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444. Email Decontee at dsawyer@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Eden Prairie Campaign Office Staffing Help, 10165 Hennepin Town Rd, Unit 109, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Email Laura at lhelgen@dfl.org if you can help.
- 1:30 PM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- 5:30 PM — 2018 Minnesota DFL Women’s Leadership Event, Mansion at Uptown, 2901 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408. More information and RSVP to Tayler Blackmon at tblackmon@dfl.org.
- 6:00 PM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- September 9
- 9:00 AM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Bloomington Campaign Office Staffing Help, 2950 Metro Dr, Suite 117, Bloomington, MN 55425. Email Jens at jundin@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Brooklyn Park Office Staffing Help, 2937 Brookdale Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444. Email Decontee at dsawyer@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Eden Prairie Campaign Office Staffing Help, 10165 Hennepin Town Rd, Unit 109, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Email Laura at lhelgen@dfl.org if you can help.
- 1:30 PM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- 6:00 PM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- September 10
- 9:00 AM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Bloomington Campaign Office Staffing Help, 2950 Metro Dr, Suite 117, Bloomington, MN 55425. Email Jens at jundin@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Brooklyn Park Office Staffing Help, 2937 Brookdale Dr, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444. Email Decontee at dsawyer@dfl.org if you can help.
- 10:00 AM — CD3 Eden Prairie Campaign Office Staffing Help, 10165 Hennepin Town Rd, Unit 109, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Email Laura at lhelgen@dfl.org if you can help.
- 1:30 PM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- 6:00 PM — CD3 Plymouth Campaign Office Staffing Help, 187 Cheshire Ln, Plymouth, MN 55441. Email Mia at mberman@dfl.org if you can help.
- 7:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 7001 Cahill Rd, Suite 21, Edina, MN