DFL48 | Restoring Common Sense Minnesota Values

Jan/16

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Daily Brief: Monday, Jan. 4th, 2016 ~ 57 days until the DFL SD48 Caucus

In the Know

Minnesota DFL
Jan. 4, 2016
57 days until the DFL SD48 Caucus
309 days until the election
 
Events today

  • Gov. Dayton will meet with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović. The first female president of Croatia, at 46, she is also the youngest.
  • 10 a.m. – The Capitol Preservation Commission- Art Subcommittee meets at the Minnesota Judicial Center.
  • 6 p.m. – Lt. Gov. Smith will attend Duluth Mayor-Elect Emily Larson’s swearing in ceremony.

 
Mark your calendars

  • Jan. 6 – The Governor’s Task Force on Broadband meets at 10 a.m.
  • Jan. 7 – The Minnesota State Retiree Council, AFL-CIO will host a workshop for people who want to know more about Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and how to talk with others about the future of these important Safety Net programs. 1 – 4 p.m., AFL-CIO office. Information about the event is available here.
  • Jan. 9 – Stonewall DFL membership meeting, 11 a.m., DFL HQ.
  • Jan. 12 – President Obama’s last State of the Union address.
  • Jan. 14 – The next GOP debate, in South Carolina, airs on Fox Business.
  • Jan. 15 – Gov. Dayton releases his bonding proposal.
  • Jan. 17 – The next Democratic debate, also in Charleston, airs on NBC. It’s being sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Institute.
  • Jan. 19 – Angie Craig, Mary Lawrence and Roger Kittelson will appear at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School from noon to 1:15 p.m. Details are available here.
  • Jan. 21 – Pam Myhra, John Howe and Jason Lewis will appear at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School from noon to 1:15 p.m. Details are available here.
  • Jan. 28 – Republicans debate for the last time before voting begins. The Des Moines debate airs on Fox News. It’s the same trio of moderators who got good reviews for their performance in Cleveland.
  • Feb. 1 – The Iowa caucuses could tell us a lot.
  • Feb. 2 – Minnesota’s state candidates, parties and political groups will release 2015 spending and fundraising reports.
  • Feb. 6 – Republicans debate at St. Anselm College on ABC the Saturday night before the New Hampshire primary.
  • Feb. 9 – The New Hampshire primary.
  • Feb. 9 – Senate District 35 special election. Roger Johnson is the DFL-endorsed candidate.
  • Feb. 9 – House District 50B special election. Andrew Carlson is the DFL-endorsed candidate.
  • Feb. 11 – Democrats debate in Wisconsin, to air on PBS.
  • Feb. 13 – Republicans debate in South Carolina on CBS.
  • Feb. 26 – Republicans debate in Houston on NBC. The co-sponsors are Telemundo and National Review.
  • March 1 – Super Tuesday, aka the SEC Primary. Minnesota, along with Alaska, Colorado and Wyoming, hold caucuses. Primaries take place in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Vermont.
  • March 8 – The 2016 Legislative Session gets underway. The House and Senate must adjourn by May 23.
  • March 9 – The Washington Post and Univision sponsor a Democratic debate in Miami.
  • April 22 – All Republican congressional district conventions must be held between April 22 and May 7.
  • April 30 – CD 2 DFL and CD 7 DFL hold their endorsing conventions.
  • May 17 – Candidate filing opens for legislative candidates. All candidates must file by May 31.
  • May 20 – The Minnesota GOP opens its state convention in Duluth.
  • May 22 – CD 4 DFL holds its endorsing convention.
  • May 23 – Last day the Legislature can meet.
  • June 4 – Minnesota DFL State Convention in Minneapolis.
  • Mid-June – The Supreme Court finishes its term by handing down potentially landmark decisions on abortion, affirmative action, immigration and other hot-button issues that could shake-up the presidential campaign.
  • July 18-21 – The Republican National Convention is in Cleveland.
  • July 25-28 – The Democratic National Convention is in Philadelphia.
  • August 5-21 – The summer Olympics in Rio will suck up a lot of the oxygen from the presidential campaign, distracting most people for two weeks.
  • Aug. 9 – Minnesota’s primary election.
  • Sept. 26 – The first general election debate takes place on a Monday night in Dayton, Ohio.
  • Oct. 4 – Who will be the candidates on stage for the one and only vice presidential debate? TheTuesday night event happens at Longwood University in Farmville, Va.
  • Oct. 9 – The second presidential debate is on a Sunday night at Washington University in St. Louis.
  • Oct. 19 – The third and final general election debate is at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas on aWednesday.
  • Nov. 8 – Election Day

 
Fundraisers

  • Jan. 27 – The Minnesota Young DFL will kick off 2016 with a debate watch party and fundraiser at Legends Bar and Grill in Minneapolis.
  • Jan. 29 – Congressional District 2 DFL will host A Taste of Mardi Gras. The event takes place from 7 – 11 p.m. at Neisen’s Bar & Grill, 4851 W 123rd St., Savage. Suggested contribution is $40 and tickets can be purchased online at www.dflcd2.com.
  • Feb. 12 – Humphrey-Mondale Dinner featuring Hillary Clinton, Martin O’Malley and Bernie Sanders. St. Paul RiverCentre. Tickets available here.
  • Feb. 19 – Congressional District 5 DFL will host its Heart of the Party fundraiser. 7 p.m., 301 on Main, Minneapolis. There is free parking adjacent to the building in an open surface lot. Tickets are $35.
  • March 12 – Senate District 63 DFL hosts its annual Spaghetti Dinner. 5 p.m., location TBD.

2015
The 6 biggest Minnesota political stories of 2015, MinnPost
The 7 biggest congressional stories for Minnesota in 2015, MinnPost
The top 10 stories of 2015, The Hill
You don’t want to miss these ‘worker wins’ stories of 2015, AFL-CIO
The Top 10 Best Political Persons in Minnesota – 2015 mnpACT!

10. Commissioner of Health Ed Ehlinger
9. Congressman Tom Emmer
8. State Auditor Rebecca Otto
7. Duluth Mayor Don Ness
6. R.T. Rybak
5. Congressman Rick Nolan
4. Nekima Levy-Pounds and Black Lives Matter
3. Congressman Keith Ellison
2. DFL Chairman Ken Martin
1. Gov. Mark Dayton

 
2016 election
Rep. Keith Ellison hones new voter-turnout strategy for Democrats, Star Tribune
What to expect in Minnesota politics in 2016, Pioneer Press
What surprises will hit the political world in 2016? Star Tribune

Legislature
Minnesota Sen. Kathy Sheran, DFL-Mankato, retiring from Senate, Star Tribune
Frentz announces Democratic run for Senate, Mankato Free Press
Fourth DFL senator announces retirement; Reinert will not run again, Pioneer Press
Reinert won’t run for re-election to Minnesota Senate this year, Duluth News Tribune
Lakeville mayor crashes New Year’s Eve parties for great cause, WCCO
Share of women in Minnesota Senate could fall below 30 percent, Star Tribune
Simonson tells supporters he plans Senate run, Minnesota Brown

U.S. House
Spend some January hours with the Second District candidates, Pioneer Press
Nine House races to watch, The Hill
Minnesota’s 2nd District
In September, Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.) decided to vacate his swing-seat and retire from Congress. It’s a critical seat for Democrats if they expect to win back the majority. The Republican-controlled seat went to Obama in both 2008 and 2012.

On the Democratic side, things are starting to heat up between former medical executive Angie Craig and physician Mary Lawrence. The DCCC and EMILY’s List are both staying out prior to the general election. But Craig has already landed key endorsements from labor groups and two congressman. Roger Kittelson, a little known candidate, is also running for the nomination.

Republicans are also seeing a crowded field take shape including 2014 GOP candidate David Gerson, state Sen. John Howe, former state Rep. Pam Myhra, and former radio show host Jason Lewis.

U.S. Senate
RNC chairman gears up for ‘tough’ battle to hold onto Senate, The Hill
GOP’s 2016 challenge: Keeping the Senate, The Hill

President
Happy 2016. Ready for a presidential election? Pioneer Press
Colbert: Trump is playing my old character better than I could, The Hill
Still struggling to rebound, Bush cancels ad buys in Iowa and South Carolina, redeploys staff, Washington Post
Things to watch on the way to Iowa’s caucuses and the start of 2016 presidential voting, Star Tribune
Trump leads ’16 GOP rankings one month from Iowa, The Hill
Big question 4 weeks out: What will caucus avoiders do? Des Moines Register
Five donors you’ve never heard of who could shape the 2016 race, The Hill
Cruz: GOP race over in March, The Hill
The Trump conundrum for Democrats and a following follow-upmn progressive project
Bernie Sanders, needing early lift, builds Iowa ground operation, New York Times

Campaigns will not need to officially file their reports with the Federal Election Commission until Jan. 31. Super PACs also have until the end of the month to submit their end-of-year reports, though most of the numbers will trickle out in the coming days. After that, super PACs file monthly, beginning Feb. 20. Campaigns continue filing quarterly. So we’ll get batches of numbers in the run-up to April 15, July 15 and Oct. 15.Washington Post

What will be this year’s “October Surprise,” and will it come in October? Mitt Romney’s “47 percent” video emerged on Sept. 17, 2012. The CDC announced that someone inside the United States had been diagnosed with Ebola on Sept. 30, 2014. Those developments threw late curveballs in the last presidential and midterm elections, respectively, and something we cannot foresee will this year too. Washington Post

Traditional candidates typically use their first commercial to introduce themselves to voters, going heavy on biography. Not Donald Trump. His first ad fully embraces the most incendiary of his proposals. It notes that he’s called for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country. “He’ll quickly cut the head off ISIS and take their oil,” the narrator says over an ominous montage. “And he’ll stop illegal immigration by building a wall on our southern border that Mexico will pay for.” Washington Post
 
Bernie Sanders said Saturday that he raised $33 million for his primary campaign in the final quarter of 2015, just shy of the $37 million that Hillary Clinton reported a day earlier. Hillary raised $55 million overall when $18 million earmarked for the DNC in the general election is included. Washington Post

2016 special election
MN SD35: GOP “moderates” and crazies clash, mn progressive project
 
2016 session
Groups push to make prison reform an issue in 2016, MinnPost
Challenges new and old on Minnesota politicians’ 2016 agenda, MPR
 
2016 special session
Dayton wants special session answer by next Friday, Star Tribune
Senate DFL, House GOP plot possible special session agenda, Star Tribune
In the wake of the Jamar Clark shooting, Minnesota lawmakers look to address racial inequalities, MinnPost
 
2018 election
Democrats look to make governor history, Grand Forks Herald

Congress
Six fights to erupt in Congress, The Hill
People say Congress doesn’t get anything done; what do the numbers say? MinnPost
 
Dayton, Mark
A rough start to second term for Dayton, once again sharing power with Republicans, Star Tribune
Capitol Chatter: Dayton thrilled with Minnesota’s economic progress, Fargo Forum

Demographics
Minnesota’s retiree population about to explode. Are we ready? Pioneer Press
Hennepin County finding new ways to fill rash of upcoming job openings, Star Tribune
 
Elections
The partisanship of every county in every presidential election since 1960, Washington Post
 
Environment
Copper-nickel mining, water quality & carbon lead state’s environmental agenda, WCCO
Fully funded Great Lakes Restorative Initiative is a boost for St. Louis River clean-up. Star Tribune
 
Energy
Enbridge settles $18.5M dispute with Red Lake, MPR
 
Franken, Al
Senator’s view: Hopefully we’ll see bipartisanship 2016, with real progress, Duluth News Tribune
 
GOP
How Donald Trump destroyed the Republican Party in 2015, Washington Post
Who’s most likely to be the 2016 Republican nominee? Washington Post
 
Guns
Texas businesses adapt to open carry law, MPR
Obama plans curbs on guns, Washington Post
NRA builds citizen army to fight anti-gun ‘extremists, gun-hating politicians,’ Washington Examiner
Obama starts 2016 with a fight about gun control, KSTP
 
Hate speech
Forget Nazi comparisons — find other ways to reject hateful speech, Star Tribune
 
Health care
Minnesota is saving hundreds of millions on health care – for now, Pioneer Press
 
Klobuchar, Amy
Senator’s view: With bipartisan effort, we can rebuild, invest in workers, Duluth News Tribune
 
Mining
Essar Steel agrees to Minnesota loan payback plan, Mark Dayton says, Pioneer Press
Essar accepts state’s final offer on repayment terms, Star Tribune
New year will be uncertain for many Iron Range families, Workday Minnesota
 
Nolan, Rick
U.S. REP. RICK NOLAN; top 10 in congress, Mesabi Daily News
Nolan ranked among most effective U.S. House members, Star Tribune
In Nolan, Minnesota actually has an effective congressman, City Pages
Radinovich will lead Nolan campaign, Star Tribune
Former state legislator will lead Nolan campaign, Duluth News Tribune
 
Oregon
Armed activists in Oregon touch off unpredictable chapter in land-use feud, Washington Post
Republican candidates stay quiet on events in Oregon, Washington Post
Who are the Bundys, the family at the center of the Oregon occupation? Washington Post
Ammon Bundy, rancher’s rights protesters occupy Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, NBC
The roots of the armed occupation in Oregon, MPR
Why aren’t we calling the Oregon occupiers ‘terrorists?’ Washington Post
 
Poll
Poll: Republicans angrier than Democrats, The Hill
 
President Barack Obama
Jerry Seinfeld’s interview with President Obama has been posted. The 19-minute edition of “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” includes footage of POTUS driving a 1963 Corvette Stingray, chatting about his morning routine.
 
Rural broadband
Mark Dayton wants $10 million for rural Minnesota web access, Pioneer Press
 
Taxes
Cabin property taxes could end under House Republicans’ tax plan, Star Tribune
Minn. medical device firms spent millions to get the device tax to go away, Star Tribune

Terrorism recruitment video
Terrorist recruitment video features Minnesota men, Donald Trump, KSTP
Twin Cities Muslim leader responds to new terror recruitment video, KSTP
Trump on being in militant recruitment video: ‘I have to say what I have to say,’ Washington Post
 
White Earth Band
Winona LaDuke to run for White Earth chair, MPR

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©2014 DFL SD 48. Prepared and paid for by Senate District 48 DFL, Sharon Borine, Chair, 18285 Croixwood Ln, Eden Prairie, MN 55347