State Issues 20 , CD3 DFL

Minneapolis police chief gives dramatic testimony on Chauvin trial

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo testified Monday that former city police officer Derek Chauvin was not using the defense tactics taught by his police department with suspects resisting arrest when he pinned George Floyd to the street, placing his knee to Floyd’s neck.

“Once there was no longer any resistance, and clearly when Mr. Floyd was no longer responsive and even motionless, to continue to apply that level of force to in person, proned out, handcuffed behind their back, that in no way shape or form is anything that is by policy, is not part of our training, and it is certainly not part of our ethics,” Arrandondo said in testimony to prosecutor Steve Schleicher.

Asked if he believed that Chauvin, who is white, kneeling on Floyd’s neck for an extended period of time followed the department’s de-escalation policy, Arradondo, who like Floyd is Black, responded, “I absolutely do not.” Continue reading.

Minnesota GOP media firm is churning out viral hits for emerging figures on the right

Gun-toting Rep. Lauren Boebert, Baltimore-bashing congressional hopeful Kim Klacik, Texas transplant “Big” Dan Rodimer and a slew of the most right-wing politicians in the country have a Minnesota company to thank for a good slice of their fame.

Arsenal Media Group, a relatively new political firm headquartered in the Twin Cities metro, has emerged from obscurity over the past year to become the hottest ad production firm churning out viral videos for the vanguard of conservative politicians and right-wing groups.

The firm came to prominence with a series of highly stylized and formulaic ads for figures as well known as Donald Trump Jr. to local figures with less of a national footprint, like Doug Wardlow, the Republican hoping for a rematch against Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. Continue reading.

Minnesota House DFL Releases Tax, Education, Labor and Workforce Budget Bills

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House DFL leaders and legislators released tax, education, labor, and workforce budget bills today. The legislation includes significant ongoing investments in education, prioritizes economic assistance to those most impacted by COVID-19, and asks big corporations and the wealthiest to pay their fair share in order to fund these needed investments.

“The House DFL budget assists those most impacted by COVID-19: our students, workers, families, and small businesses,” said Speaker Melissa Hortman. “Our budget raises progressive revenue to fund the priorities that Minnesotans value, help them weather what’s left of the pandemic and then thrive once it’s behind us. Minnesotans deserve a budget that will help them recover, not a Republican plan that makes unnecessary cuts and prioritizes those who did the best during COVID.”

“Minnesotans have been working hard and making enormous sacrifices to survive the pandemic, and they need their state government to be there for them so they can emerge stronger,” said Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “The rich and well-connected are doing better than ever, and they can afford to be part of the solution. Under the House DFL budget, the biggest corporations and richest Minnesotans will pay their fair share to help families and workers emerge stronger from the pandemic.”

High demand for COVID-19 vaccine eases fear of hesitancy, but resistance among Republicans, other groups remain

Before a row of cameras, Democratic-Farmer-Labor Gov. Tim Walz and former GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty rolled up their sleeves and relaxed their arms as both men received the one-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday.

The bipartisan effort to encourage Minnesotans to seek innoculation against COVID-19 came on the day all state residents 16 and older became eligible for vaccination.

The photo opportunity, however, wasn’t just a feel-good moment to mark the eligibility expansion: State and health leaders are pulling out all the stops to reach people who are hesitant to take the vaccine for a series of reasons, including skepticism of government, the record-fast development of the vaccines, fear of long-lasting side effects and the preservation of personal liberty. Continue reading.

Anti-Asian hate crimes heighten calls for new legislation in Minnesota, Congress

DFL-backed bills seek better hate-crime reporting, police training.

A troubling rise in anti-Asian incidents reported to Minnesota community groups started a month before COVID-19 appeared in the state last year.

As the pandemic worsened, so did reports to groups like the St. Paul-based Coalition of Asian American Leaders. In one call to the group, a couple said an angry fellow grocery shopper blamed them for the coronavirus and shoved the husband in the parking lot.

“This time it was shoving. What if next time someone wants to run them over with their car?” said Bo Thao-Urabe, the group’s executive director. Continue reading.

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: April 2, 2021

On First Day All Minnesotans are Eligible, Governors Walz and Pawlenty Receive COVID-19 Vaccine

On Tuesday Governor Walz received the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine alongside former Republican governor Tim Pawlenty and former Vikings linebacker EJ Henderson at the Vikings’ Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan.

“I was excited to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine today, alongside my friend and former Republican governor of Minnesota Tim Pawlenty,” said Governor Walz. “It doesn’t matter where you live or who you vote for, we can all agree we need to end this pandemic. The vaccines are how we get there. So roll up your sleeves, Minnesota, the end is in sight.”

Rep. Dean Phillips: Big News This Week

Hi Neighbors,

Happy Passover and a blessed holy week to those who are celebrating, and happy spring to all! I hope you’ll join me in reflecting on the importance of family, community, and working together to overcome adversity.

Right off the bat, I have some exciting news to share: you are now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine! All Minnesotans 16 and older can now register for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. For now, demand will still exceed supply, and it may be frustrating and difficult to get an appointment. Vaccine shipments from the federal government will continue to increase over the coming weeks and safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines will be available at no cost to every Minnesotan who wants one. In the meantime, I urge you to ensure your information is up-to-date with your healthcare provider and to sign up for the Vaccine Connector so that you can get a vaccine as soon as possible.

Minnesota COVID-19 hospitalizations back above 400

But hope is vaccine will blunt most severe illness.

COVID-19 hospitalizations have nearly doubled in the past four weeks in Minnesota, but state health officials remain encouraged that vaccinations will prevent a surge in severe illnesses and deaths.

While doctors have reported younger patients and better outcomes than in the spring and fall pandemic waves, the 411 COVID-19 cases in Minnesota hospitals on Tuesday included 102 who needed intensive care due to breathing problems or other complications. The ICU number hasn’t been that high since Jan. 23.

Gov. Tim Walz offered a stay-the-course message to Minnesotans this week to continue mask-wearing and social distancing practices and to seek the first COVID-19 vaccine available to them — now that everyone 16 or older is eligible under the state’s distribution plan. Continue reading.

After Voting to Deliver Billions in Aid to Minnesota, Phillips to Visit Community Vaccination Site in Bloomington

Phillips will tour the Mall of America Community Vaccination Site as vaccine eligibility expands in Minnesota

BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) will visit the Mall of America Community Vaccination Site as vaccine eligibility expands in Minnesota following American Rescue Plan distribution investments. Phillips will meet with local public health leaders and health care workers at the State-run site, which was created to expand vaccine access and improve equity. Minnesota’s vaccine administration is among the best in the nation, and after a record-setting weekend, nearly one-third of adults have received their first dose.

Earlier this month, Phillips helped pass the American Rescue Plan, a historic COVID-19 relief bill that delivered $4.9 billion in aid to the state of Minnesota and is supported by a wide majority of Americans. According to state officials, more than $850 million will go towards public health, including $85 million to expand and improve COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration. With new funding and additional vaccine supply forthcoming, Gov. Walz expanded eligibility to include all Minnesotans age 16 or older beginning March 30.

Derek Chauvin trial represents a defining moment in America’s racial history

Chauvin case to add to national racial legacy

George Floyd pleading for his life under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer has become a defining moment of our time.

What began 10 months ago at the corner of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue has transformed into nothing less than an American reckoning on justice, racial equity, the proper role of law enforcement and the historical wrongs society has perpetrated on Black people.

Monday morning, that moment leads to the 18th-floor courtroom of the Hennepin County Government Center, where a jury will begin to hear a murder and manslaughter case against since-fired police officer Derek Chauvin. Continue reading.

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On First Day All Minnesotans are Eligible, Governors Walz and Pawlenty Receive COVID-19 Vaccine

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