In the Know

Minnesota DFL
Dec. 4, 2015
 
Events today

• Gov. Dayton has ordered all United States flags and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota, until sunset on Monday, Dec. 7, in honor of the victims of the attack in San Bernardino, California.
• 2 p.m. – Lt. Gov. Smith and Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson will honor winners at the 5th Annual Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Awards, Elmer L. Andersen Human Services Building, Room 2370/2380, 540 Cedar St., St. Paul.

 
Event Saturday

• 11 a.m. – The Minnesota DFL State Central Committee meets, Maple Grove.

 
Events Sunday

• 10 a.m. – DFL Chairman Ken Martin will appear on KSTP’s “At Issue.”
• 1 p.m. – DFL Disability Caucus social, 1 – 5 p.m., Eagles Club, 2507 E 25th St., Minneapolis. Hot dish, dessert, and coffee or tea available for $5, or order from the menu.

 
Mark your calendars

• Dec. 8 – Special election in Dist. 3A.
• Dec. 13 – Moms Demand Action: How to Keep Our Kids Safe. This free forum on preventing gun violence will be held at 2 p.m. at the Dakota County Library, 1340 Wescott Rd., Eagan. Guest speakers include Sen. Jim Carlson and Rep. Dan Schoen.
• Dec. 13 – MYDFL will hold a central committee meeting. Noon, St. Louis Park Library.
• Dec. 15 – Hillary Clinton will visit Minnesota.
• Dec. 16 – Congressional District 3 DFL Winter Party. 7 p.m. Nelson home, 8983 Preserve Blvd., Eden Prairie.
• Dec. 17 – South Hennepin County DFL Senior Caucus will be meeting at 12:30 p.m. atCurran’s, 4201 Nicollet, Minneapolis.

 
Fundraisers

• Dec. 8 – Erin Maye Quade for State House-Campaign Kick Off [Dist. 57A], 6 p.m., Rascals Bar and Grill, 7721 147th St. W, Apple Valley.
• Dec. 13 – Senate District 58 DFL will host its winter fundraiser from 4 – 7 p.m. at Carbone’s, 10 N 8th St., Farmington. The tickets, which are $20, are available by mail: SD 58 DFL, 8251 166th St. W, Lakeville, MN 55044.
• 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.

2016 election
After grumbling, Trump says he will participate in CNN debate, Washington Post
 
Affordable Care Act
Senate approves bill repealing much of ObamaCare, The Hill
Senate passes bill to defund Planned Parenthood, repeal health law, MPR

Clinton secures major labor endorsements from building trades, Reuters
Clinton confidence grows with national security at forefront, The Hill
Iowa wracked by indecision as presidential caucuses near, Bloomberg News

From James Hohmann, Washington Post – I spent nine hours at the Republican Jewish Coalition meeting yesterday, watching 13 of the GOP presidential candidates make 30-minute pitches to a crowd of 700 deep-pocketed donors and pro-Israel activists. Here are six takeaways from the cattle call at the Ronald Reagan Building:

• Ben Carson is not getting better on foreign policy.
• Donald Trump was the only candidate who didn’t try to pander, but it didn’t come across as courageous.
• There are two kinds of Republicans: those who think foreign policy is easy and those who know it’s hard.
• Pro-Israel Republicans are not all full-spectrum conservatives.
• Jeb Bush benefits from George W. Bush’s rock star status with the pro-Israel crowd.
• Chris Christie is effectively capitalizing on the post-Paris, post-California climate.

Broadband
Dayton seeking $100M for broadband expansion, WCCO
 
Budget (state)
Positive budget forecast offers chance for broader prosperity, greater fairness in tax system,Minnesota Budget Project
Minn. forecast: $1.9 billion budget surplus; ‘modest’ job, wage growth, MPR
House/Senate Republican response to the November Economic and Budget Forecast,House Information Services
Dayton, lawmakers split on what to do with $1.87B surplus, Star Tribune
Minnesota’s budget forecast, annotated, Pioneer Press
Minnesota’s $2 billion budget surplus, the how and why, Pioneer Press
As Minnesota’s budget surplus grows, so should reserve fund, Star Tribune
As $1.9B surplus announced, budget battle begins, WCCO
Tax cuts, transportation dominate Minnesota budget surplus talk, KSTP

Black Lives Matter
4 views on news coverage of Jamar Clark shooting and protests, MPR
Protesters leaving after City Hall rally over clearing of 4th Precinct encampment, Star Tribune
Despite shared goals with protesters, Hodges and Ellison preferred strategy of coalition-building, MinnPost
Protesters rally at City Hall after Minneapolis police clear Fourth Precinct encampment,Star Tribune
Mayor Hodges: ‘It was time,’ as police tear down protest camp, WCCO
Protesters hold ‘eviction rally,’ march through Mpls., KARE
 
California shooting
Officials: California gunman was in touch with Islamic extremists, but attack motive unclear, Star Tribune
A day after the San Bernardino shootings, GOP candidates talk of a terror war at home,Washington Post
Motive elusive in deadly San Bernardino rampage as FBI takes over probe, Washington Post
 
Chaney, Dick Capitol bust ceremony
George W. Bush, in a playful mood, joked about the bust being displayed “in an undisclosed location.” He said that his dad told him, “Send my best regards to ole Iron Ass.” And he quipped, “I must confess I’m somewhat reluctant to come back to Washington. The last time I showed up here, I was hanged in the White House. This time, I’ve returned only to find my vice president getting busted in the Capitol!” Washington Post
 
Economy
The U.S. economy added 211,000 jobs in November, and the unemployment rate remained steady at 5 percent, the government says. The report is another sign of an improving labor market and further indication that the Federal Reserve will soon raise interest rates, which have been kept near zero since the Great Recession. CNN
 
Education (E-12)
Challenge filed in South Washington County school levy vote; five disputed votes could defeat the measure, MinnPost
 
GOP
Ryan previews life under GOP rule, MPR
Ryan hopes his agenda can buoy GOP at the polls, Politico
 
Guns
Senate votes down gun curbs in wake of CA attacks, MPR
Obama: ‘We all have a part to play’ in stopping gun violence, MPR
Mass shootings stir congressional debate over guns and extremism, Star Tribune
From our archives: When is an act of violence an act of terrorism? NPR
Mass shootings: Call for action, KARE
 
Labor
Home care workers praise dismissal of anti-union lawsuit, Workday Minnesota
Minnesota Nurses Association elects new officers, Workday Minnesota
Federal appeals court upholds Minnesota law that helped unionize personal care attendants,Star Tribune

Mining
Mining on the brink? Ely Timberjay
Royalty rates cut for taconite producers, WCCO
The State Executive Council voted 4-1 for the rate break, with Auditor Rebecca Otto the lone dissenter. She questioned whether money would go to company shareholders and executives rather than to keep mine workers on the job.

University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota spending is arrogant, out of control, Star Tribune

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