In the Know

Minnesota DFL
March 18, 2016
188 days until people can begin to vote by no excuse absentee ballot, Sept. 23
244 days until Election Day, Nov. 8
 
Events today

• Gov. Dayton and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman will travel to Dearborn, Michigan to meet with Ford Motor Company executives about the future of the St. Paul Ford Plant site.
• 9:30 a.m. – Sen Franken’s staff will hold a meeting as part of the “Prescription Drug Cost Listening Tour” in communities across the state to collect stories from older Minnesotans who have been hard hit by skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs. Rochester Senior Center, 121 N Broadway Ave, Rochester.
• 12:30 p.m. – Lt. Gov. Smith will convene a roundtable discussion about the Prairie Island rail grade crossing. Prairie Island Community Center, 1158 Island Blvd., Welch.
• 2 p.m. – Sen Franken’s staff will hold a meeting as part of the “Prescription Drug Cost Listening Tour” in communities across the state to collect stories from older Minnesotans who have been hard hit by skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs. Mower County Seniors, Inc, 400 3rd Ave NE, Austin.
• 4 p.m. – Lt. Gov. Smith and Transportation Commissioner Zelle will participate in a transportation roundtable discussion hosted by the Greater Mankato Growth. Greater Mankato Growth Conference Room, 1961 Premier Drive, Suite 100, Sakatah Trail Room, Mankato.

 
Event Saturday

• 10:30 a.m. – Martin Olav Sabo memorial service, Central Lutheran Church, 333 S. 12th St., Minneapolis.

 
Mark your calendars

• March 21 – 9:30 a.m. – Sen Franken’s staff will hold a meeting as part of the “Prescription Drug Cost Listening Tour” in communities across the state to collect stories from older Minnesotans who have been hard hit by skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs. Snell Motors, 900 Madison Ave., Mankato.
• March 21 – 2:30 p.m. – Sen Franken’s staff will hold a meeting as part of the “Prescription Drug Cost Listening Tour” in communities across the state to collect stories from older Minnesotans who have been hard hit by skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs. Kandiyohi County Health and Human Services (Room 1020), 2200 23rd St NE, Willmar.
• March 24 – The DFL will host a VAN webinar training session at 3 p.m. The sign up form is foundhere. For more information contact Michael Crusinberry, date file manager, at.
• March 26 – The DFL African American Caucus will meet at 10 a.m. at the Pierre Bottineau Library, Minneapolis.
• March 29 – 9 a.m. – Sen Franken’s staff will hold a meeting as part of the “Prescription Drug Cost Listening Tour” in communities across the state to collect stories from older Minnesotans who have been hard hit by skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs. Essentia Clinic, 4855 West Arrowhead Rd, Duluth.
• March 29 – 1:30 p.m. – Sen Franken’s staff will hold a meeting as part of the “Prescription Drug Cost Listening Tour” in communities across the state to collect stories from older Minnesotans who have been hard hit by skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs. Senior Dining, 313 Elm Ave., Moose Lake.
• March 30 – Congressional District 2 DFL and the DFL Senior Caucus will host a “Day on the Hill.”8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Minnesota AFL-CIO.
• March 31 – The DFL will host a VAN webinar training session at 3 p.m. The sign up form is foundhere. For more information contact Michael Crusinberry, date file manager, at.
• April 30 – CD 2 DFL Convention, 10:30 a.m., Shakopee West Junior High School, 200 10th Ave. E, Shakopee.
• April 30 – CD 7 DFL Convention, 1 p.m., Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 1080 28th Ave. S, Moorhead.
• May 7 – CD 5 DFL Convention, 10:30 a.m., South High School, 3131 S 19th Ave., Minneapolis.
• May 7 – CD 8 DFL Convention, 10 a.m., Duluth Holiday Inn, 200 W 1st 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 2nd Ave. NW, Osseo.
• May 21 – CD 6 DFL Convention, noon, St. Cloud Apollo High School, 1000 44th Ave. N, St. Cloud.
• May 22 – CD 4 DFL Convention, noon, Carpenters Union Hall, 700 Olive St., St. Paul.

 
Fundraisers

• April 10 – The Winona County DFL will host its 2016 Banquet at the Westfield Golf Club, 1460 W 5th St., Winona. Tickets, which include dinner (chicken, prime rib or vegetarian lasagna), speakers and a silent auction, are $50. Checks, made out to the Winona County DFL, can be sent to DFL, 685 West 5th St., Winona, MN 55987. Please indicate your dinner choice.

2016 election
President
A scoop from The New York Times‘ Maggie Haberman and Michael Shear, who report: “In unusually candid remarks, President Obama privately told a group of Democratic donors last Friday that Senator Bernie Sanders is nearing the point where his campaign against Hillary Clinton will come to an end, and that the party must soon come together to back her. Mr. Obama acknowledged that Mrs. Clinton is perceived to have weaknesses as a candidate, and that some Democrats did not view her as authentic. But he played down the importance of authenticity, noting that President George W. Bush — whose record he ran aggressively against in 2008 — was once praised for his authenticity.” CNN

Ted Cruz is girding for an admittedly long, narrow path to clinching the GOP nomination before the GOP convention in July — or fighting it out on the floor in Cleveland. “It’s very difficult for us to get to 1,237 — we get that,” Cruz’s chief strategist, Jason Johnson, told reporters, “but we can get there — and we plan on getting there.” The Cruz camp will focus on states with caucuses or conventions, or closed primaries that don’t allow independents who tend to support Donald Trump to vote. CNN

(more…)

daily brief · issues · news

In the Know

Minnesota DFL
March 17, 2016
189 days before people can begin to vote by no excuse absentee ballot, Sept. 23
245 days until Election Day, Nov. 8
 
Events today

• Gov. Dayton and Lt. Gov. Smith will host breakfast at the Governor’s Residence for GOP legislative leaders.
• 10:30 a.m. – Sen Franken’s staff will hold a meeting as part of the “Prescription Drug Cost Listening Tour” in communities across the state to collect stories from older Minnesotans who have been hard hit by skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs. R.H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury.
• 11 a.m. – The Senate meets in session.
• Senate Republicans will hold a press conference immediately following session, room 2237, Minnesota Senate Building, to discuss their 2016 agenda: Transportation, tax relief, healthcare, education, bonding.
• 12:30 p.m. – Lt. Gov. Smith and Transportation Commissioner Charlie Zelle will visit the MnDOT facility in Crookston MnDOT District 2 – Crookston Office, 1320 Sunflower St., Crookston, which is a converted horse barn that was built before 1930. Lt. Gov. Smith and Commissioner Zelle will hold a news conference at the site, promoting the Governor’s Jobs Bill proposal.
• 1:20 p.m. – Lt. Gov. Smith will visit North Country Food Bank in Crookston, North Country Food Bank, 424 N Broadway, Crookston. Lt. Gov. Smith will tour the facility, and speak with reporters about the importance of passing the Governor’s Jobs Bill – which would invest in an updated facility for the North Country Food Bank.
• 3 p.m. – The DFL will host a VAN webinar training session at 3 p.m.The sign up form is found here. For more information contact Michael Crusinberry, date file manager, at . You can watch a recording of it here: https://youtu.be/Uqumn6h7rNE.
• 4 p.m. – Lt. Gov. Smith, Commissioner Zelle, and Bemidji Mayor Rita Albrecht will participate in a transportation roundtable discussion hosted by the Bemidji Chamber of Commerce. Mayflower Building, Suite 101, 102 1st St. W, Bemidji.
• 4 p.m. – The House meets in session.

Mark your calendars

• March 18 – 9:30 a.m. – Sen Franken’s staff will hold a meeting as part of the “Prescription Drug Cost Listening Tour” in communities across the state to collect stories from older Minnesotans who have been hard hit by skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs. Rochester Senior Center, 121 N Broadway Ave, Rochester.
• March 18 – 2 p.m. – Sen Franken’s staff will hold a meeting as part of the “Prescription Drug Cost Listening Tour” in communities across the state to collect stories from older Minnesotans who have been hard hit by skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs. Mower County Seniors, Inc, 400 3rd Ave NE, Austin.
• March 19 – Martin Olav Sabo memorial service, at 10:30, Central Lutheran Church, 333 S. 12th St., Minneapolis.
• March 21 – 9:30 a.m. – Sen Franken’s staff will hold a meeting as part of the “Prescription Drug Cost Listening Tour” in communities across the state to collect stories from older Minnesotans who have been hard hit by skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs. Snell Motors, 900 Madison Ave., Mankato.
• March 21 – 2:30 p.m. – Sen Franken’s staff will hold a meeting as part of the “Prescription Drug Cost Listening Tour” in communities across the state to collect stories from older Minnesotans who have been hard hit by skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs. Kandiyohi County Health and Human Services (Room 1020), 2200 23rd St NE, Willmar.
• March 24 – The DFL will host a VAN webinar training session at 3 p.m. The sign up form is found here. For more information contact Michael Crusinberry, date file manager, at .
• March 26 – The DFL African American Caucus will meet at 10 a.m. at the Pierre Bottineau Library, Minneapolis.
• March 29 – 9 a.m. – Sen Franken’s staff will hold a meeting as part of the “Prescription Drug Cost Listening Tour” in communities across the state to collect stories from older Minnesotans who have been hard hit by skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs. Essentia Clinic, 4855 West Arrowhead Rd, Duluth.
• March 29 – 1:30 p.m. – Sen Franken’s staff will hold a meeting as part of the “Prescription Drug Cost Listening Tour” in communities across the state to collect stories from older Minnesotans who have been hard hit by skyrocketing prices of prescription drugs. Senior Dining, 313 Elm Ave., Moose Lake.
• March 31 – The DFL will host a VAN webinar training session at 3 p.m.The sign up form is found here. For more information contact Michael Crusinberry, date file manager, at .
• April 30 – CD 2 DFL Convention, 10:30 a.m., Shakopee West Junior High School, 200 10th Ave. E, Shakopee.
• April 30 – CD 7 DFL Convention, 1 p.m., Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 1080 28th Ave. S, Moorhead.
• May 7 – CD 5 DFL Convention, 10:30 a.m., South High School, 3131 S 19th Ave., Minneapolis.
• May 7 – CD 8 DFL Convention, 10 a.m., Duluth Holiday Inn, 200 W 1st 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 2nd Ave. NW, Osseo.
• May 21 – CD 6 DFL Convention, noon, St. Cloud Apollo High School, 1000 44th Ave. N, St. Cloud.
• May 22 – CD 4 DFL Convention, noon, Carpenters Union Hall, 700 Olive St., St. Paul.

Fundraisers

• April 10 – The Winona County DFL will host its 2016 Banquet at the Westfield Golf Club, 1460 W 5th St., Winona. Tickets, which include dinner (chicken, prime rib or vegetarian lasagna), speakers and a silent auction, are $50. Checks, made out to the Winona County DFL, can be sent to DFL, 685 West 5th St., Winona, MN 55987. Please indicate your dinner choice.

2016 election
U.S. House
Stewart Mills is taking on Rick Nolan again — so what’s different this time? MinnPost

President
Clinton, Sanders camps insist they can mend fences, The Hill
Republicans deploy shadow campaigns in bid for loyal delegates, Star Tribune
Here’s what will happen to Rubio’s delegates, Roll Call
Rubio tells Minnesota backers Cruz ‘only conservative left in the race,’Pioneer Press
On The Ides of March, Trump and Clinton see fates pointing to nomination, MPR

(more…)

daily brief · issues · news

In the Know

Minnesota DFL
March 14, 2016
192 days before people can begin to vote by no excuse absentee ballot, Sept. 23
248 days until Election Day, Nov. 8
 
Events today

• 9 a.m. – Senate Transportation Committee Chair Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) will be joined by members of the Senate DFL caucus to call for the passage of a transportation bill that provides dedicated and sustainable funding for Minnesota’s transportation network. Room 2237, Minnesota Senate Building.
• 9 a.m. – Gov. Dayton will provide remarks and participate in a Q&A with students at the Climate Generation Youth Summit. Governor’s Press Briefing Room, Veterans Service Building, 20 W 12th St., St. Paul.
• 10 a.m. – DFL Chairman Ken Martin will hold a press conference on Monday, March 14, to call on Speaker Kurt Daudt to release details of his special debt deal. While families of unemployed steelworkers continue to wait for Daudt to pass an unemployment insurance extension, Kurt helped himself to a special deal to get out of debt. It’s time for Daudt to disclose the details of his special deal. Minnesota Senate Building Room 2237.
• 11 a.m. – The Senate is in session.
• Noon – Gov. Dayton will meet with editors and reporters in Edgerton for a forum on water quality in southwest Minnesota. Edgerton City Hall, 801 1st Ave. W, Edgerton.
• 2 p.m. – Gov. Dayton will provide remarks at the opening of the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System in Luverne (Lewis & Clark Meter House, behind the Public Works Building at 202 N Blue Mound Ave, Luverne.
• 4 p.m. – The House is in session.
• In the evening, Gov. Dayton will provide remarks at a farewell reception for Brian Rusche, Executive Director of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition.
• 7 p.m. – Lt. Gov. Smith will participate in the Leadership, Gender and Public Policy event at the College of St. Benedict, 204A Gorecki Center, 37 S College Ave, St. Joseph.

Mark your calendars

• March 16 – Sen. Franken will host his sixth annual bipartisan competition to determine which member of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation makes the best hotdish casserole. 11:30 a.m. (EST), Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room 430, Washington, D.C.
• March 17 – The DFL will host a VAN webinar training session at 3 p.m. The sign up form is found here. For more information contact Michael Crusinberry, date file manager, at .
• March 24 – The DFL will host a VAN webinar training session at 3 p.m. The sign up form is found here. For more information contact Michael Crusinberry, date file manager, at .
• March 26 – The DFL African American Caucus will meet at 10 a.m. at the Pierre Bottineau Library, Minneapolis.
• March 31 – The DFL will host a VAN webinar training session at 3 p.m. The sign up form is found here. For more information contact Michael Crusinberry, date file manager, at .
• April 30 – CD 2 DFL Convention, 10:30 a.m., Shakopee West Junior High School, 200 10th Ave. E, Shakopee.
• April 30 – CD 7 DFL Convention, 1 p.m., Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 1080 28th Ave. S, Moorhead.
• May 7 – CD 5 DFL Convention, 10:30 a.m., South High School, 3131 S 19th Ave., Minneapolis.
• May 7 – CD 8 DFL Convention, 10 a.m., Duluth Holiday Inn, 200 W 1st 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 2nd Ave. NW, Osseo.
• May 21 – CD 6 DFL Convention, noon, St. Cloud Apollo High School, 1000 44th Ave. N, St. Cloud.
• May 22 – CD 4 DFL Convention, noon, Carpenters Union Hall, 700 Olive St., St. Paul.

Fundraisers

• April 10 – The Winona County DFL will host its 2016 Banquet at the Westfield Golf Club, 1460 W 5th St., Winona. Tickets, which include dinner (chicken, prime rib or vegetarian lasagna), speakers and a silent auction, are $50. Checks, made out to the Winona County DFL, can be sent to DFL, 685 West 5th St., Winona, MN 55987. Please indicate your dinner choice.

(more…)

daily brief · issues · news

In the Know

Minnesota DFL
March 10, 2016
196 days before people can begin to vote by no excuse absentee ballot, Sept. 23
242 days until Election Day, Nov. 8
 
Events today

• 10 a.m. – DEED will announce the January job figures.
• 10 a.m. – Volunteers with the Minnesota chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, along with members of the Everytown Survivor Network, both a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, will join gun owners, faith leaders, law enforcement officers, county attorneys and members of the medical community at a press conference to support Sen. Ron Latz and Rep. Dan Schoen’s introduction of a new comprehensive gun safety bill.
• 11 a.m. – The Senate meets in session.
• 4 p.m. – The House meets in session.
• Gov. Dayton will travel to Washington, D.C. to attend the White House State Dinner in honor of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
• 8 p.m. – Republican candidates for president debate in Florida. It will be broadcast on CNN.

Mark your calendars

• April 30 – CD 2 DFL Convention, 10:30 a.m., Shakopee West Junior High School, 200 10th Ave. E, Shakopee.
• April 30 – CD 7 DFL Convention, 1 p.m., Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 1080 28th Ave. S, Moorhead.
• May 7 – CD 5 DFL Convention, 10:30 a.m., South High School, 3131 S 19th Ave., Minneapolis.
• May 7 – CD 8 DFL Convention, 10 a.m., Duluth Holiday Inn, 200 W 1st 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 2nd Ave. NW, Osseo.
• May 21 – CD 6 DFL Convention, noon, St. Cloud Apollo High School, 1000 44th Ave. N, St. Cloud.
• May 22 – CD 4 DFL Convention, noon, Carpenters Union Hall, 700 Olive St., St. Paul.

Fundraisers

• 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
District 9A candidates talk stances at GOP event, Brainerd Dispatch

U.S. House
AAN targets Congressman Rick Nolan on cuts to Medicare, Star Tribune

President
Carly Fiorina says she’s ‘horrified’ by Trump, endorses Ted Cruz, MPR
GOP lawmakers face agonizing choice between Trump and Cruz, The Hill
How Donald Trump can still be stopped, according to the folks in charge of doing it, Washington Post
Clinton and a reinvigorated Sanders will keep battling, Washington Post
Trump’s momentum continues, and Sanders shows new life, Star Tribune

(more…)

daily brief · issues · news

In the Know

Minnesota DFL
March 2, 2016
204 days before people can begin to vote by no excuse absentee ballot, Sept. 23
250 days until Election Day, Nov. 8
 
Events today

• 10 a.m. – A joint Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy and Finance meets. Room 1200, Minnesota Senate Building.
• 10 a.m. – Gov. Dayton and Lt. Gov. Smith will participate in meetings of the Executive Council, State Board of Investment, and Land Exchange. Retirement Systems of Minnesota Building, 60 Empire Dr, Room 106, St. Paul.
• 1 p.m. – The Senate Committee on Health, Human Services and Housing meets. Room 1100 Minnesota Senate Building.
• 1 p.m. – The Senate Capital Investment Committee meets. Room 1100 Minnesota Senate Building.
• 6 p.m. – The Select Committee on Affordable Child Care meets. Waite Park City Hall (Chamber Room), 19 13th Avenue North, Waite Park.

Mark your calendars

• March 3 – Republican candidates for president debate at the Fox Theatre in Detroit and be broadcast on Fox News at 8 p.m.
• March 6 – Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders will debate in Flint, Michigan at 7 p.m. on CNN.
• March 8 – The 2016 Legislative Session gets underway.
• March 8 – The United Steelworkers will host a rally at 11 a.m. on the State Capitol Lower Mall steps to tell legislators to do the right thing and extend the unemployment benefits for laid off workers! Job 1 on Day 1!
• March 8 – The North Metro Chapter of the DFL Senior Caucus will meet at 11:30 a.m. at the Little Venetian Inn, Little Canada.
• March 9 – Gov. Dayton will give his State of the State.
• April 30 – CD 2 DFL Convention, 10:30 a.m., Shakopee West Junior High School, 200 10th Ave. E, Shakopee.
• April 30 – CD 7 DFL Convention, 1 p.m., Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 1080 28th Ave. S, Moorhead.
• May 7 – CD 5 DFL Convention, 10:30 a.m., South High School, 3131 S 19th Ave., Minneapolis.
• May 7 – CD 8 DFL Convention, 10 a.m., Duluth Holiday Inn, 200 W 1st 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 2nd Ave. NW, Osseo.
• May 21 – CD 6 DFL Convention, noon, St. Cloud Apollo High School, 1000 44th Ave. N, St. Cloud.
• May 22 – CD 4 DFL Convention, noon, Carpenters Union Hall, 700 Olive St., St. Paul.

Fundraisers

• March 5 – DFL Senate District 8 DFL Fundraiser. Afternoon social begins at 3 p.m., dinner is at 4:30 p.m. Grand Arbor, 4403 Pioneer Rd. SE, Alexandria. $35 per person. RSVP to LaRon Adkins,  or Beth Jansen 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
Why Democrats didn’t feel the Bern, Washington Post
Campaign 2016: Who is winning the race for delegates? Star TribuneBill Kristol, the executive editor of the Weekly Standard, was a little more sanguine. “Cruz and Rubio together have won more votes and more delegates than Trump so far,” he said. “So they just have to combine. Simple. Cruz-Rubio 2016.” Washington Post
 
2016 session
Minnesota’s prospect for tax cuts? Shrinking, Pioneer Press

(more…)

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