In the Know
Minnesota DFL
Jan. 28, 2016
238 days before people can begin to vote by no excuse absentee ballot, Sept. 23
284 days until Election Day, Nov. 8
 
Events today

• 10 a.m. – Gov. Dayton will visit MNsure to proclaim it “MNsure Enrollment Day” in Minnesota. MNsure, 81 E 7th St, St. Paul.
• 5 p.m. – The Legislative Energy Commission meets. Room 10, State Office Building.
• 8 p.m. – The Republicans debate from Des Moines on Fox News.
• 8 p.m. – Trump holds a rally in Des Moines.

Mark your calendars

• Jan. 31 – The MN DFL Disability Issues Forum will hold an event from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. at the Wentworth Library, 199 E. Wentworth, West St. Paul. Rep. Joe Mullery (DFL-Minneapolis), Sen. Greg Clausen (DFL-Apple Valley) and Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) will discuss 2016 Legislative possibilities for people with disabilities. The event is free and open to all.
• Jan. 31 – The DFL Progressive Caucus will meet at The DFL Progressive Caucus will meet beginning at 1 p.m. and again / continued at 3 p.m. with web meeting participation available. For more information, contact.
• Feb. 2 – Minnesota’s state candidates, parties and political groups will release 2015 spending and fundraising reports.
• Feb. 4 – Jim Wallis, public theologian, political activist, author and commentator on ethics and public life, and founder and editor-in-chief of Sojourners magazine, will speak on “America’s Original Sin: Racism and White Privilege,” noon, 1200 Marquette Ave., Minneapolis. Free and open to the public.
• 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. 9 – North Metro Chapter of the DFL Senior Caucus will meet at 11:30 at the Little Venetian Inn, Little Canada, to hear a presentation on the Compassionate Care legislation that is currently pending in the Minnesota legislature. Sen. Chris Eaton, the Senate bill author, and Dr. Rebecca Thoman will speak at the event.
• 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.
• Feb. 25 – Secretary of State Steve Simon will host the “Secretary’s State on the State of Elections” at noonat the Wellstone Neighborhood House, St. Paul. After the speech, participants can attend one of two workshops, “What happens at a precinct caucus,” or “Building the next generation of poll workers.” For more information, click here.
• March 3 – The Women’s Consortium will host the 3rd Annual Women’s Economic Summit. This half-day conference focused on the current women’s economic security issues most affecting Minnesota. Exact time and place to be determined.

Fundraisers

• 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.org.
• Jan. 30 – Senate District 47 DFL will host a fundraiser from 5-7 p.m. Secretary of State Steve Simon is a guest speaker. The $15 event, which includes a light dinner with beverages available for purchase, will be held at a private residence in Victoria, so a RSVP is required due to space limitations. Information about the event can be obtained from Mary Leizinger at  or .
• Feb. 6 – The Brooklyn Park DFL will host a GOP debate watching party. 7 p.m. Kelly’s Ninth Hole, 8432 Noble Ave. N, Brooklyn Park. Suggested donation is $10.
• 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.
• Feb. 27 – SD36 DFL Fundraiser and Elections Pre-Caucus Rally. North Hennepin Community College, College of Business & Technology, Grand Hall, 7411 85th Ave N, Brooklyn Park. Participants will discuss the importance of Elections in Minnesota and your local Senate District. Keynote speakers are Minnesota Secretary of State,
  Steve Simon and Minnesota Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey. Suggested donation $20. All donations appreciated. Please RSVP with Reva Chamblis at  or call Reva at .
• March 12 – Senate District 63 DFL hosts its annual Spaghetti Dinner. 5 p.m., location TBD.

2016 election
U.S. House
House Democrats gleeful at rise of Trump and Cruz, predicting cost for congressional Republicans,Washington Post

President
Clinton campaign busy in Minnesota ahead of caucuses, MPR
Why more members of the Republican establishment aren’t attacking Trump, MinnPost
Debate feud injects fresh chaos into GOP primary, Star Tribune
Al Gore? George Bush? Presidential candidates who drew biggest Twin Cities crowds, Pioneer Press
Playing Politics podcast: Down to the wire in Iowa; Minnesota poll, Star Tribune
Obama, Sanders at the White House: Nice chat but that’s all, Star Tribune
For Donald Trump, it’s always about control, Washington Post
6 questions ahead of the Trump-Fox split-screen squirmish, MPR
Good Question: Why do Iowa and New Hampshire vote first? WCCO

2016 session
Legislature’s debate on rural issues involves Brainerd area, Brainerd Dispatch
 
Debates
Donald Trump’s fans saying skipping debate will help, not hurt, his campaign, Washington Post
Trump announces event to benefit veterans during Fox debate, CNN
How many people would tune in to a Trump-less debate? It’s hard to say. Washington Post
The Latest: Super PACs offer $1.5M for Cruz-Trump debate, Star Tribune
Trump refuses to reconsider debate in fiery Fox interview, The Hill
GOP slashes Feb. debate undercard contest, The Hill
Bernie Sanders calls for an additional three Democratic debates, Washington Post

Tonight we could theoretically see what the Republican race would have looked like if Donald Trump had not run. The debate on Fox News has the potential to be like the scene in “It’s a Wonderful Life” when Clarence the angel shows George Bailey how different Bedford Falls would be if he never lived. But that won’t happen. His shadow will loom ominously over the hall. It will not be like he never existed. Some of the GOP presidential candidates will be asked to weigh in on what Trump has said about this or that — or his decision not to debate. Others will highlight their differences without being asked. And, whether he wins the nomination or not, Trump has already remade the Republican Party in his image, at least to some degree.Washington Post

Washington Post on why Trump will skip the debate:

• Debates don’t help Trump that much
• Blowing off Fox News — and the whole process — fits his brand
• He’s getting more attention rather than less by skipping

Demographics
Fast-growing numbers of blacks, many from other countries or states, serving to widen income gap, Star Tribune
 
Education (higher)
19 of 31 MnSCU schools fail financial stress test, Pioneer Press
MnSCU chief’s new salary: $390,000, Pioneer Press
 
Environment
It’s not just Flint: Poor communities across the country live with ‘extreme’ polluters, Washington Post
 
Iowa
About that Donald Trump ground game: Twice as many Iowans say Ted Cruz has contacted them, Washington Post
It’s almost game time for Iowa voters, Des Moines Register
In Iowa’s final stretch, Clinton pivots away from attacking rival Sanders, Washington Post
The steep cost of Cruz’s 99-county Iowa strategy, Politico
 
Immigration
Letter: Kudos on defending Willmar immigrants, West Central Tribune
 
Infrastructure
Flint water crisis reveals vulnerability of all old water pipes, Star Tribune
 
Labor
St. Paul will explore making earned sick and safe time mandatory, MPR
 
Legislators
At State Capitol, lawmakers’ per diem expenses add up, WCCO
 
Mining
Upbeat Cliffs CEO: Iron Range mines stay idled but better times near, MPR
 
Oregon
Ammon Bundy tells Oregon occupiers to stand down and go home, The Hill
3 arrests in Oregon as more militants leave wild life refuge, MPR
 
Polls
A newly released poll shows the populist power of Donald Trump, Washington Post
Most Minnesotans have faith in U.S. to meet terrorist threat, poll finds, Star Tribune

Trump leads in all three early primary states – Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina – with Cruz placing 2nd and Rubio coming in 3rd, according to an NBC/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll released this morning. The race is closest in Iowa, where The Donald has retaken the lead over Cruz among likely Iowa GOP caucus-goers, with Trump topping Cruz by 7 points there by 32 to 25 percent, gaining 8 points since last month while Cruz dropped 3 points. Rubio spiked 5 points and stands at 15 percent. The businessman has gained ground in Iowa among tea-partiers, white evangelical Christians and conservatives. Washington Post

The Donald continues to handily beat the competition in New Hampshire, leading by 19 points, with 31 percent, compared to 12 percent for Cruz, with Rubio and John Kasich tying for 3rd at 11 percent. Christie’s support declined from 12 to 7 percent from one month ago, and he now places behind Jeb, who takes 8 percent of likely GOP primary voters. In South Carolina, things are much the same, with Trump leading Cruz by 16 points, 36 to 20 percent, and Rubio placing 3rd at 14 percent (he’s the only other candidate with double-digit support). Read the full results here. Washington Post

Precinct caucus
Stassen-Berger: You could caucus. But probably won’t. Pioneer Press
Trump may loom large in retooled Minnesota GOP caucuses, MPR
 
Transportation
Work halted on Minneapolis-Rochester rail line, MPR

Volunteer opportunities for the Andrew Carlson, the DFL-endorsed candidate for Dist. 50B, Feb. 9 special election

DFLers – our first chance to take back the majority in the Minnesota House of Representatives starts with theFeb. 9 special election in Dist. 50B. We must retain this seat if we plan to return the House to a DFL majority. Door knocks and phone banks are listed below. Volunteering for one shift could make the difference. Please RSVP to  or 

Saturday, 1/30, 10 a.m.
Doorknock for Andrew
Meet at 4642 Heritage Hills Dr, Bloomington, MN

Sunday, 1/31, noon
Doorknock for Andrew
Meet at Meet at 4642 Heritage Hills Dr, Bloomington, MN

Tuesday, 2/2, 5:30 p.m.
Phone Bank for Andrew
SD49 Office, Edina Community Center, Room 320, 5701 Normandale Rd, Edina

Wednesday, 2/3, 5:30 p.m.
Phone Bank for Andrew
SD49 Office, Edina Community Center, Room 320, 5701 Normandale Rd, Edina

Thursday, 2/4, 5:30 p.m.
Phone Bank for Andrew
SD49 Office, Edina Community Center, Room 320, 5701 Normandale Rd, Edina

Saturday, 2/6, 10 a.m. 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Doorknock for Andrew
Meet at 4642 Heritage Hills Dr, Bloomington, MN

Sunday, 2/7, noon and 2:30 p.m.
Doorknock for Andrew
Meet at 4642 Heritage Hills Dr, Bloomington, MN

Sunday 2/7, noon – 6 p.m.
Phone Bank for Andrew
SD49 Office, Edina Community Center, Room 320, 5701 Normandale Rd, Edina

Monday, 2/8, 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Doorknock for Andrew
Meet at 4642 Heritage Hills Dr, Bloomington, MN

Monday, 2/8, 5 – 8:30 p.m.
Phone Bank for Andrew
SD49 Office, Edina Community Center, Room 320, 5701 Normandale Rd, Edina

Tuesday, ELECTION DAY, 2/9, 10 a.m., 1 pm. and 3 p.m.
Doorknock for Andrew
Meet at 4642 Heritage Hills Dr, Bloomington, MN

Tuesday, ELECTION DAY, 2/9, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Phone Bank for Andrew
SD49 Office, Edina Community Center, Room 320, 5701 Normandale Rd, Edina

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