In the Know
Minnesota DFL
Feb. 18, 2016
218 days before people can begin to vote by no excuse absentee ballot, Sept. 23
263 days until Election Day, Nov. 8
 
Events today

• 8 a.m. – Lt. Gov. Smith will provide remarks at the 2016 Minnesota Broadband Conference. 317 on Rice Park, 317 Washington Ave. S, St. Paul. Also attending the Minnesota Broadband Conference are Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Rep. Tom Emmer, State Reps. Ron Kresha, Tim Sanders, Paul Thissen along with Sens. Matt Schmit and Carrie Ruud.
• 9 a.m. – Secretary of State Steve Simon will meet with Shakopee Chamber of Commerce President Angie Whitcomb, 1801 East County Road 101, Shakopee.
• 9 a.m. – The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources meets in Room 200 of the State Office Building.
• 9:30 a.m. – Lt. Gov. Smith will provide remarks at the 2016 Children and Youth Issues Briefing. Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront Hotel, Great River Ballroom, 11 E Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul.
• 10:30 a.m. – Secretary Simon will meet with Le Sueur County Auditor-Treasurer Pam Simonette and Finance Director Carol Blaschko. This meeting will be an opportunity to hear from local officials and discuss several of Secretary Simon’s priorities, including his work to replace Minnesota’s aging election equipment, as well as make sure Minnesota is prepared if a natural disaster, disease outbreak, or other large-scale emergency affects an election.
• 11:30 a.m. – Gov. Dayton will provide remarks at an event commemorating the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 7^th Anniversary with Vice President Joe Biden. Union Depot, 214 4^th St. E., St. Paul.
• Noon – Lt. Gov. Smith will provide remarks at the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting. Minneapolis Marriott City Center, Ballroom 1 & 2, 30 S 7^th St., Minneapolis.
• Noon – Secretary of State Steve Simon will speak at the Greater Mankato Growth’s Public Affairs Forum Series Luncheon. Abdo, Eick & Meyers, LLP, Mankato.
• 12:30 p.m. – The South Hennepin County DFL Senior Caucus will meet at Davanni’s at 12th and Hennepin in Minneapolis. The speaker is Janet Conn from the National Association of Compassion and Choices.
• 1 p.m. – The Legislative Water Commission meets in Room 5 of the State Office Building.
• 1:30 p.m. – Secretary Simon will speak to college students at Gustavus Adolphus College. This is going to be a big election year in Minnesota and Secretary Simon has made increasing civic engagement amongst young people a top priority. In addition to discussing the 2016 election and Precinct Caucuses on March 1, Secretary Simon will highlight new voter outreach efforts and the importance of getting involved and voting. Gustavus Adolphus College, Old Main 205, 800 W College Ave., St. Peter.
• 2 p.m. – The House State Government Finance Committee meets, Pine City VFW, 305 8th St SW, Pine City.
• 3:30 p.m. – Secretary of State Steve Simon will meet with Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amy Newsom, Gaylord Public Library, 428 Main Ave., Gaylord.
• 5 p.m. – Secretary Simon will visit the McLeod Alliance for Victims of Domestic Violence and meet with a Safe at Home Application Assistant. The visit will be an opportunity for Secretary Simon to hear from Minnesotans working with the Secretary of State’s Safe at Home address confidentiality program and to discuss the work he’s doing to strengthen the program in an effort to further protect victims of domestic violence. 101 Main Street S., Ste. 201, Hutchinson.

Precinct caucuses March 1

• 7 p.m. – Help spread the word that people can find their precinct caucus locations here.

Mark your calendars

• Feb. 20 – Caucus Convener Training, 10:30 a.m., Hosmer Library, 347 E 36th St, Minneapolis.
• Feb. 20 – Republican primary in South Carolina.
• Feb. 20 – Democratic caucuses in Nevada.
• Feb. 21 – The DFL Disabilities Caucus will hold a membership meeting at Rondo Library, University and Dale, St. Paul from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, in the Youth Library Room. The Caucus will pass political resolutions, elect a Secretary, and discuss the Compassionate Care bill to be introduced in the MN Legislature this year.
• Feb. 22 – Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-Minneapolis) and other legislators will host a pollinator forum at 7 p.m. at Washburn High, 201 W 49th St., Minneapolis.
• Feb. 23 – Republican caucuses in Nevada.
• 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.
• Feb. 25 – Forum News Service will host a unique preview of the Minnesota legislative session. Gov. Mark Dayton, Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, House Speaker Kurt Daudt, Senate Minority Leader David Hann and House Minority Leader Paul Thissen will sit at the same table to answer questions from Minnesota reporters.
• Feb. 26 – Republicans debate in Houston on NBC. The co-sponsors are Telemundo and National Review.
• Feb. 27 – The Democratic primary in South Carolina.
• Feb. 27 – The DFL African American Caucus will meet, 10 a.m., 3240 Library Ln, Minneapolis.
• March 6 – Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders will debate in Flint, Michigan.
• April 30 – CD 2 DFL Convention, 10:30 a.m., Shakopee West Junior High School, 200 10^th Ave. E, Shakopee.
• April 30 – CD 7 DFL Convention, 1 p.m., Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 1080 28^th Ave. S, Moorhead.
• May 7 – CD 5 DFL Convention, 10:30 a.m., South High School, 3131 S 19^th Ave., Minneapolis.
• May 7 – CD 8 DFL Convention, 10 a.m., Duluth Holiday Inn, 200 W 1^st St., Duluth.
• May 14 – CD 1 DFL Convention, 1 p.m., Worthington Event Center, 1447 Prairie Dr., Worthington.
• May 14 – CD 3 DFL Convention, 10:30 a.m., Osseo Senior High School, 317 2^nd Ave. NW, Osseo.
• May 21 – CD 6 DFL Convention, noon, St. Cloud Apollo High School, 1000 44^th Ave. N, St. Cloud.
• May 22 – CD 4 DFL Convention, noon, Carpenters Union Hall, 700 Olive St., St. Paul.

Fundraisers

• 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. 22 – The DFL Senate District 13, in partnership with the College Democrats of the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University will host “An Evening with Secretary of State Steve Simon.” 6:30 p.m., Gorecki Conference Center on the campus of the College of St. Benedict.
• 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., Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4120 17th Ave. S, Minneapolis.
• March 12 – The Senate District 16 DFL fundraiser will be held at Jackpot Junction, Morton. It kicks off at 5 p.m. and will feather a buffet meal, silent and live auctions and speakers.

2016 election
Legislature
GOP Rep. Tim Kelly to retire from Minnesota House, MPR
Former STMA School Board member seeks GOP endorsement for state representative, North Wright County Today
DFL Rep. Persell seeking another term for District 5A, Bemidji Pioneer

Congress
Lewis facing strong criticism for past comments about women, Star Tribune

President
Fact check: Bernie Sanders promises free college. Will it work? MPR
Man shouts ‘Waterboard Hillary!’ and Rubio doesn’t rebuke him, Washington Post
For Ted Cruz, the 2013 shutdown was a defining moment, Washington Post
Trump says ‘torture works,’ backs waterboarding and ‘much worse,’ Washington Post
How Donald Trump could still lose, explained, Washington Post
Tightening race rattles ClintonWorld’s nerves, The Hill
Debate rages over the cost of Bernie’s government, The Hill
Donald Trump’s voters: Angry, passionate, and new to politics, USA Today
Facing possible loss in Nevada, Clinton focuses on protecting immigrants, Washington Post
Generational divide may complicate courting of African American vote, Washington Post
 
Biden, Joe
Joe Biden to tout stimulus impact at St. Paul’s Union Depot, Pioneer Press
 
Broadband
Greater Minnesota needs to advocate and invest in broadband internet, Faribault Daily News
 
Education (E-12)
St. Paul teachers hold ‘walk-ins,’ Star Tribune
 
Energy
Dayton among 17 governors backing clean power, Fargo Forum
 
Federal Reserve Bank
New Mpls. Fed chief: U.S. should look at breaking up biggest banks, MPR
Washington’s former bailout czar has a new job at the Federal Reserve, Washington Post
Neel Kashkari oversaw the bailout of the big banks. Now he wants to break them up. Washington Post
 
Infrastructure
Minnesota rolls out new way to see infrastructure age, safety, WCCO
 
Immigration
Why it often takes years for eligible immigrants to become U.S. citizens, MinnPost

Labor
Twin Cities janitors conduct rolling walkouts, Workday Minnesota
Retail cleaners recover over $400,000 through lawsuit, Workday Minnesota
SEIU janitors begin pickets over wages, sick time, MPR
Janitor walkout could affect some of the Twin Cities’ most prominent workplaces, MinnPost
Janitors walk off of jobs seeking higher pay, Star Tribune
St. Paul teachers hold walk-ins ahead of contract talks, Pioneer Press
 
Legislature
Newest GOP House member takes his oath, MPR
 
Mining
Dayton wants other governors to join steel fight, MPR
Dayton aims to pressure Obama for steel industry help, KSTP

Sen Klobuchar and Sen. Franken, along with Representative Rick Nolan, have introduced legislation to ensure laid-off workers affected by steel dumping receive the support they deserve. On average the Department of Labor (DOL) takes nearly 50 days to review and approve Trade Adjustment Assistance for Workers (TAA) petitions. The Workforce Training Enhancement Act would allow the DOL to reimburse states that provide TAA benefits to workers while their petition to receive benefits is pending. TAA provides vital training and education benefits for laid-off workers.” morning take
 
MNsure
Data show MNsure shoppers are getting older, MPR
‘We can do better,’ MNsure board member says of Medicaid liens, Pioneer Press
MNsure shoppers are older, which could signal cost increases, Pioneer Press
 
Muslims in Minnesota
Anti-Muslim billboard posted near St. Cloud taken down, Star Tribune
 
Nevada
What you need to know about Nevada’s Democratic caucuses, MPR

Likely Democratic caucus goers in Nevada are split almost evenly between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sandersahead of Saturday’s caucuses, according to a new CNN/ORC Poll. Though Clinton holds an edge over Sanders on handling a range of top issues, the results suggest the extremely close race hinges on divided opinions on the economy. Overall, 48 percent of likely caucus attendees say they support Clinton, 47 percent Sanders. CNN
 
Polls
Trump surges to 2 to 1 lead among Republicans nationwide, Quinnipiac University National Poll finds; Clinton, Sanders locked in tie among Democrats, Quinnipiac University
Poll finds bleak outlook for a Bloomberg independent bid, USA Today
Surprise: Cruz tops Trump in national poll, The Hill

The streak of good South Carolina polls for Donald Trump continued today with Bloomberg and Monmouth polls that again indicated a 15-20 point gap between him and the rest of the field — with Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio continuing their own South Carolina streak of statistical ties. The current average has Trump at 35, with Cruz and Rubio at 16-17. Washington Post

An NBC/Wall Street Journal national poll out shows Cruz topping Trump, 28 percent to 26 percent, followed by Rubio at 17 percent, Kasich at 11 percent, Carson at 10 percent and Bush at 4 percent. CNN
 
Property taxes
Land transfer cultivates tax worries in NW Minnesota, MPR
 
Racial disparities
Three Minnesota bills addressing racial disparities you need to follow, TC Daily Planet

South Carolina
In South Carolina, Clinton and Sanders compete for black votes, Washington Post
Nikki Haley to endorse Marco Rubio, CNN
In S.C., Ted Cruz struggles to be the winner conservatives hoped for, Washington Post
Why South Carolina is Jeb Bush’s last stand in the 2016 race, Washington Post
Where the GOP candidates need to finish in South Carolina, The Hill

Transportation
Union Depot’s $243 million renovation helps spur growth in St. Paul, Star Tribune

Vikings
Dayton: Vikings would be in LA without new stadium, WCCO

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