In the Know: December 4, 2020


Agriculture/Labor News 
New candidates for Agriculture secretary emerge as Biden faces pushback on Heitkamp, Politico 
Funds available to encourage urban agriculture, The Globe 
Covid Shrinks the Labor Market, Pushing Out Women and Baby Boomers, Wall Street Journal 
Southwest warns nearly 7,000 workers of possible furloughs, East Oregonian 

Environmental News
A huge oil pipeline is coming to Minnesota – and with it the risk of Covid, The Guardian 
Minn. Agency Erred In Approving Pipeline, Tribes Say, Law 360 
Meet Biden’s Energy and Climate Cabinet Contenders, New York Times  

Governor Tim Walz
Walz, Flanagan discuss issue of housing security during COVID-19 pandemic, KSTP 
Minnesota will initially receive COVID-19 vaccine for 24,000 residents, Star Tribune 
Gov. Tim Walz Certifies Minnesota’s Electors For 2020, Patch  

Immigration/Education News 
Activists organizing vehicle caravan to call for immigration reform, suspension of deportations, 10Wavy 
Senate Passes Bill to Clear Green-Card Backlog for Indian Immigrants, Wall Street Journal 
Ex-teacher’s union boss makes play to be Biden’s Education chief, Politico 

Minnesota Legislature 
State Rep. Steve Drazkowski, who voted against COVID-19 relief, received PPP loan for his business, data show, Minnesota Reformer
COVID relief plan snagged on $500 payment to families, MPR News 
Minnesota Legislative Update: November Update and Economic Forecast, JDSUPRA 
U.S. Bank Stadium reserve predicted to balloon to nearly half a billion dollars by 2025, Star Tribune 

Minnesota News
First highway crossing dedicated to wildlife coming to Minnesota, KSTP
Minnesota-based company will protect COVID-19 vaccines on supply chain, KARE 11
New jobless claims in Minnesota spike amid renewed restrictions, Star Tribune

Representative Dean Phillips (CD3)
Rep. Dean Phillips Among Bipartisan Group Pitching New COVID-19 Relief Bill, Patch  

Republican Party News 
Still no word from top Minnesota Republicans on Biden win, Star Tribune 
As Trump’s Election Pressure Campaign Hits Republican Officials, Some Hit Back, NPR
Can dozens of new Republican congresswomen change the face of the GOP?, Guardian
Scope of GOP senator’s ‘prolific’ stock trades comes into view, MSNBC 

Secretary of State Steve Simon
Election fraud claims ‘foolish and irresponsible,’ says Minnesota secretary of state, Star Tribune 

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Sen. Amy Klobuchar Pushes For Vaccine Distribution Funding, KIMT3 
‘We need funding from Washington’: Sen. Klobuchar says rural communities must be a priority in vaccine distribution, KTTC  

Senator Tina Smith
Sen. Tina Smith pushes bill for free COVID-19 treatment, vaccine, KEYC
Senate Passes Tina Smith’s, Marco Rubio’s Resolution on National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Florida Daily  

Trump News 
Trump mulls preemptive pardons for up to 20 allies, even as Republicans balk, Politico
Trump is holding out on supporting the $908 billion COVID-19 stimulus bill despite more lawmakers rallying round it, Business Insider
Trump has raised $207.5 million since Election Day combined with the Republican Party, New York Times

U.S. News
Biden says he plans to ask Americans to wear masks for his first 100 days in office, CBS
Southern California wildfire burning out of control — and will for days to come, NBC
House of Representatives to vote on marijuana legalization bill, USA Today 

World News 
Brexit talks reach critical point as UK says chances of deal are receding, CNBC
Indian Farmers’ Protests Spread, in Challenge to Modi, New York Times
Ethiopia, U.N. Reach Deal To Allow ‘Unimpeded’ Access For Aid Groups In Tigray, NPR
Yemen ‘one step away from famine’ as donors dry up amid Covid, UN warns, Guardian

Upcoming Events:

You can find non-DFL events on our Action Alert post.

  • Today to December 18 — Minnesota Stay at Home Order
  • December 7 — Pearl Harbor Day
  • December 9, 5:30 to 8:00 PM — CD3 DFL Virtual Holiday Party with Rep. Dean Phillips, State DFL Chair Ken Martin, State Vice Chair Marge Hoffa, a Biden Transition update from Ron Pierce, DNC Veterans and Military Council, State Auditor Julie Blaha, elected officials and DFL activists, email us at info@dfl3cd.org for log in information
  • December 10 through 18 — Chanukah
  • December 10
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
  • December 14
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
  • December 21 — Winter Solstice
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Virtual Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
  • December 24 — Christmas Eve
  • December 25 — Christmas Day
  • December 31 — New Years Eve
  • January 1 — New Years Day
  • January 2 — 116th U.S. Congress ends
  • January 3 — 117th U.S. Congress begins
  • January 5 — 92nd Minnesota Legislative Session Convenes