In the Know: March 26, 2020

Days to the November Election:  222

Attorney General Keith Ellison
As state pleaded for people to stay home, courts kept ordering evictions in Minnesota, KSTP
AG Ellison Says: Be Calm Under Stay at Home Order, KTOE

Congress
U.S. Senate offers $58 billion aid to airlines as they struggle to stay airborne, Reuters
Nancy Pelosi begins talk of next coronavirus relief bill as she tells House Democrats to ‘recognize the good’ in stimulus, CNN
Who would get what and when from the $2 trillion stimulus package, ABC News

Donald Trump
Trump charges media wants businesses closed to defeat him, The Hill
What Do the Healthy Owe to the Vulnerable?, The Atlantic
Trump was asked an important question about the coronavirus. He responded by attacking the media, Vox
Trump Wants to ‘Reopen America.’ Here’s What Happens if We Do., NY Times
Donald Trump’s coronavirus pandemic death cult — everyone’s welcome!, Chicago Tribune
Continue reading “In the Know: March 26, 2020”

In the Know: March 25, 2020

Days to the November Election:  223

Agriculture
SONY EXPANDS ITS SMART AGRICULTURE SOLUTION ECOSYSTEM, Successful Farming
Ag Retailers Association: Goal Is to Keep Business Running Smoothly, AgWeb

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Ellison launches crackdown on COVID-19 ‘pandemic profiteering’ on toilet paper and moreAttorney general’s office sends a warning letter to Menards, Brainerd Dispatch

Congress
Congress unlikely to give stimulus deal final approval Tuesday and talks likely to slip into Wednesday, CNN Continue reading “In the Know: March 25, 2020”

In the Know: March 24, 2020

Days to the November Election:  224

2020 Elections
Vote-by-mail is the best way to save the 2020 election from coronavirus, MIT Technology Review
Rhode Island is the latest state to postpone its 2020 primary as coronavirus outbreak spreads, CNBC
Trump is ignoring his top health advisers over 2020 election fears, Vox
Coronavirus suddenly upends campaign themes for both parties, PBS
Wisconsin pushes forward with April 7 primary despite coronavirus, MPR

Agriculture
GET READY, GET SET, ESTIMATE U.S. 2020 CORN, SOYBEAN ACREAGE, Successful Agriculture

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Cyber crimes soar, as scammers use coronavirus as way in, Fox 9 Continue reading “In the Know: March 24, 2020”

In the Know: March 23, 2020

Days to the November Election:  225

Agriculture
PANIC BUYING, LOCKDOWNS MAY DRIVE WORLD FOOD INFLATION-FAO, ANALYSTS, Successful Farming

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison warns of price gouging amid pandemic, FOX 9

Congress
Tensions run high on Capitol Hill as Senate works to advance economic stimulus, CNN
Senators urge Jeff Bezos to give Amazon warehouse workers sick leave, hazard pay, CNBC
Senate to resume talks on massive economic stimulus bill for the coronavirus after Democrats block vote on legislation, Washington Post Continue reading “In the Know: March 23, 2020”

Minnesota Senate Week in Review: Week Six

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Minnesota’s Response to COVID-19
and everything happening in the Legislature this week.

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New measures adopted at Legislature in response to COVID-19

Responding to the impact of the coronavirus strain COVID-19 this past week became more urgent at both the state level and at the Minnesota Legislature. The latest >>

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MN Legislature passes $200 million COVID-19 funding bill

The Legislature passed a bill appropriating $200 million in funding to support our state’s healthcare system this week, in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Learn more >>

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Sales tax deadline extended  for businesses impacted by closure

Businesses such as bars, restaurants, and salons that were required to temporarily close under this week’s Executive Order will have an extra month to remit February’s sales tax collections. Read more >>

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What is Social Distancing?

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Governor closes schools until at least March 27 Gun violence prevention advocates find innovative ways to have their voices heard State, federal income tax deadline remains April 15
Drivers’ License Renewal and REAL ID updates forthcoming due to COVID-19 Supporting disability services and long-term care providers impacted by COVID-19

Insulin Bill: House vs Senate

Employment and economic development resources during COVID-19

Housing support during COVID-19

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Census Day is approaching

The United States Census will be counting every Minnesotan this year.

DFL prioritizes the conversion “therapy” ban for following session

Officially classified as a form of torture by the United Nations, conversion “therapy” is a practice that adheres to the misguided and false belief that sexual orientation is a mental illness that can be changed with “therapeutic” practices.

Metro Transit suspends overnight hours

Metro Transit announced this week it is suspending bus and light rail services between 11 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

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The Minnesota Senate DFL is committed to working together to build the state all Minnesotans deserve with high-quality education, affordable and accessible health care, and increasing support for working families. The values we share bring our communities together and serve as a guide for how we make our state work better for all of us, no matter what we look like or where we come from.

In the Know: March 20, 2020

2020 Election
Tulsi Gabbard ends 2020 campaign, CNN
What Coronavirus? Trump Campaign Plows Ahead Online With Talk of ‘WINNING Like Never Before’, New York Times
Trump campaign, RNC suspend in-person fundraising events as coronavirus spreads, CNBC

Agriculture
Homeland Security Recognizes Agriculture as Critical Industry, AgWeb
FARMERS AND FOOD GROUPS INNOVATE TO KEEP OPERATIONS VIABLE AS THE CORONAVIRUS SPREADS, Successful Farming

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Amid virus outbreak, Minnesota AG Ellison says retailers are price gouging, FOX 9
Continue reading “In the Know: March 20, 2020”

In the Know: March 19, 2020

Days to the November Election:  229

2020 Election
Alabama Senate runoff postponed until July, Politico
Bill Weld ends Republican presidential campaign, CNN

Agriculture
U.S. SEEKS OPTION TO ALLOW MEXICO GUEST WORKERS ON FARMS AS VISAS SLOWED, Successful Farming

Congress
Congress just passed a bill that will guarantee free coronavirus testing for all Americans, Vox
2 Members Of Congress Test Positive For COVID-19, Others Quarantine After Contact, NPR Continue reading “In the Know: March 19, 2020”

In the Know: March 18, 2020

Days to the November Election:  230

2020 Election
March 17 primaries: Live results, Vox

Agriculture
CORN ADDS TO 38¢ MONTHLY LOSS WEDNESDAY, Successful Farming
LOCAL FARMERS NEED FEDERAL SUPPORT, PINGREE SAYS, Successful Farming

Attorney General Keith Ellison
KARE 11 Investigates: Coronavirus scams spread, KARE11

Congress
Republicans suddenly find a bailout they can back, Politico
GOP senators close to agreement among themselves on coronavirus stimulus package, CNN
Mnuchin Reportedly Warned Senators Of 20% Unemployment Without Coronavirus Rescue, HuffPost Continue reading “In the Know: March 18, 2020”

In the Know: March 17, 2020

Days to the November Election:  231

2020 Election
Ohio’s Governor Postpones Primary as Health Emergency Is Declared Over Virus, New York Times
Coronavirus and the 2020 election: A collapsing economy is a disaster for the incumbent, Vox

Agriculture
DOW HAS WORST POINT LOSS EVER, SOYBEANS LOSE 27¢ MONDAY, Successful Farming
Potential Impact of the Novel Coronavirus on U.S. Agriculture, Agweb

Congress
Paid sick leave sticking point in Senate vote on coronavirus relief bill, CNBC
Congress Weighs New, Massive Wave Of Emergency Funding To Address Coronavirus, NPR

Donald Trump
White House disputes talk of national curfew, The Hill
Trump tweets about Coronavirus using term ‘Chinese virus’, NBC News
Trump claims coronavirus is under control — contradicting reality and his own top expert, CNN
Before Trump’s inauguration, a warning: ‘The worst influenza pandemic since 1918′, Politico
White House Privately Backchannels Its Coronavirus Messaging to Conservative Social-Media Influencers, Daily Beast
“There’s No Boogeyman He Can Attack”: Angry at Kushner, Trump Awakens to the COVID-19 Danger, Vanity Fair
Poll: Most Americans don’t trust Trump on coronavirus information, Politico

Economy
So We’re Working From Home. Can the Internet Handle It?, New York Times
Global markets remain volatile while US futures rebound after historic rout, CNN
Markets settle, but coronavirus fears continue to fuel sell-off, NBC News

Education
How to keep kids learning as Minnesota schools remain closed during coronavirus outbreak, MPR
U.S. Schools Deploy Remote Learning on Unprecedented Scale, Wall Street Journal

Environment
Greenland and Antarctica are now melting six times faster than in the 1990s, accelerating sea-level rise, USA Today
Coronavirus postpones major climate plan in Congress, Grist
Social Distancing? You Might Be Fighting Climate Change, Too, New York Times

Governor Tim Walz
Gov. Tim Walz issues order to stop dining inside bars, restaurants to slow COVID-19 spread, KARE11
Walz says food supply chain is solid as hoarding continues, KTOE
FULL VIDEO: Gov. Walz Closes All Restaurants, Bars, WCCO

Health
Coronavirus vaccine trial administers first dose to participant, CNN
Dire new report forces U.S. and U.K. to change course on coronavirus strategy, Axios
10 tips for talking about COVID-19 with your kids, PBS New Hour

Immigration
When Arizona Elected a Mexican Immigrant Governor, New York Times

Labor
Workers affected by coronavirus can apply for unemployment, MPR

Minnesota DFL
The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party’s Executive Committee met and approved a slate of emergency measures designed to combat the spread of COVID-19. These measures include the postponement of all conventions and DFL sponsored events scheduled from March 14th – May 1st are postponed. To read the full list of changes, visit dfl.org/COVID-19

Minnesota Legislature
Minnesota Legislature sets aside $200 million for emergency COVID response, Star Tribune

Minnesota News
Minnesota hospitals plan for ‘stages’ of COVID-19 patients, warn of a possible surge, MPR
Walz orders bars and restaurants closed as part of latest effort to slow spread of COVID-19, MinnPost
In-person instruction canceled for the rest of the semester, MN Daily
Tracking coronavirus in Minnesota, Star Tribune

Representative Angie Craig (CD2)
VIDEO: Rep. Angie Craig talks COVID-19 & constituent briefing call, KAAL

Republicans
Romney proposes giving $1,000 to every American adult as coronavirus response measure,CNN
House sends coronavirus relief bill to Senate after delay by Rep. Gohmert, NBC News
RNC agrees to stop using ‘census’ in mailers, online ads, Washington Post

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Klobuchar, Wyden call for expanded mail-in and early voting amid coronavirus outbreak, The Hill

Senator Tina Smith
Sen. Tina Smith nominates two Plymouth students to service academies, Hometown Source

U.S. News
Trump administration seeks roughly $850 billion in emergency stimulus to confront coronavirus economic fallout, Washington Post
Americans told to hunker down as coronavirus claims 90 lives, CBS News
How the San Francisco Bay Area coronavirus ‘shelter in place’ order works, Los Angeles Times
Distilleries using high-proof alcohol to make hand sanitizer, NBC News

World News
Macron Declares France ‘at War’ With Virus, as E.U. Proposes 30-day Travel Ban, New York Times
Coronavirus live updates: China reports 21 new cases, Malaysia shuts borders, CNBC
EU To Shut Borders As France, Germany Tighten Restrictions To Control Coronavirus, NPR
Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong Face Second Wave of Coronavirus Cases, Wall Street Journal

Minnesota Values Podcast
Check out the House DFL’s new podcast, the Minnesota Values Podcast! New episodes weekly! Last weeks episode featured Rep. Jamie Long and Rep. Liz Olson sitting down with Majority Leader Ryan Winkler talking about important issues being worked on in the Capitol. Tune in using this link!

Voter Protection
If you or someone you know has trouble registering to vote or casting a ballot, we encourage you to reach out to the DFL’s new Voter Protection Hotline at 833-DFL-VOTE (833-335-8683).

Upcoming DFL Events

With the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation, we suggest you check with the hosting organization to see if meetings, etc. are being held.

  • March 17 — St. Patrick’s Day
  • March 18, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CANCELLED FOR NATIONAL DELEGATE TRAINING CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting
  • March 18, 7:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Minnesota National Presidential Nominating Delegate Candidate Training
  • March 19 — Spring Equinox
  • March 21
    • 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD34 DFL Convention
    • 8:30  to  1:00  PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD48 DFL Convention
    • 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD33 Precinct Chairs Welcome Brunch, 3415 Warner Ln, Mound, MN 55364
  • March 23, 7:00 PM —  Gov. Tim Walz State of the State Address, more information as it become available.
  • March 28
    • 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD40 DFL Convention
    • 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD50 DFL Convention
  • April 1 — April Fools’ Day
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Avenue S, Bloomington, MN 55402
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • April 2, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
  • April 4
    • 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD45 DFL Convention, Cooper High School, 47th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55428
    • 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD57 DFL Convention
    • 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, SD36 DFL Convention
    • 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, SD44 DFL Convention, Minnetonka High Schoo
  • April 7, 7:00 to 8:30 PM – SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
  • April 9 through 13 —  Passover
  • April 9
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Normal Blvd NW, Coon  Rapids, MN 55433.
    • 7:00 to  9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345.
  • April 10 — Good Friday
  • April 11, 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Brooklyn Center DFL Endorsing Convention
  • April 12 — Easter
  • April 13
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Council Chambers, 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 15 — Tax Day
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC CD3 DFL Central Committee Meting
  • April 18
    • 8:15 AM to 2:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD49 DFL Convention
    • 10:00 AM  to 3:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC  SD33 DFL Convention, Orono High School
    • 12:00 to 5:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Hennepin County DFL Convention, Hopkins North Junior High School
  • April 20, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr, Coon Rapids, MN 55433.
  • April 22 — Earth Day
  • April 23 through May 23 — Ramadan
  • April 24 — Arbor Day
  • April 25, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, Brooklyn Park DFL Convention
  • May 5 — Cinco de Mayo
    • 7:00  to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, location to be determined
  • May 6
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • May 7, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
  • May 9, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — CD3 DFL Convention, Park Center High School, Performing  Arts Center, 7300 Brooklyn Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55344.
  • May 10 — Mother’s Day
  • May 11
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Council Chamber, 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
  • May  14
    • 7:00  to 9:00 PM —  SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433.
    • 7:oo to 9:00  PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Community Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345

In the Know: March 16, 2020

Days to the November Election:  232

2020 Election
Georgia postpones presidential primary due to coronavirus, CNN

Agriculture
95.0 MILLION U.S. CORN ACRES IN 2020? Successful Farming

Congress
Senate scrambles on coronavirus package as U.S. begins to shut down, Politico Continue reading “In the Know: March 16, 2020”