In the Know: January 30, 2020

2020 Election
In a nod to Spanish-speaking Latino voters, Iowa caucus will feature bilingual sites, NBC News

Agriculture
HOW THE NORTH AMERICAN TRADE DEAL WILL AFFECT DAIRY, CHICKEN, EGGS, AND MORE, Successful Agriculture

Attorney General Keith Ellison
‘It does absolutely pay to complain’: Feds help some Minnesota phone scam victims collect, MPRCongress
Trump impeachment: ‘You cannot be acquitted if you don’t have a trial,’ says Pelosi, The Guardian

DFL News
Minnesota DFL Response to Rep. Scott’s Press Conference, DFL.org

Donald Trump
Trump administration expected to loosen restrictions on use of landmines, CNN
Trump Administration Moves to Ease Rules Against Killing Birds, New York Times
Trump’s wall: High winds blow over section of US-Mexico border fence, BBC
The US economy grew at the weakest pace of Trump’s presidency in 2019, Insider

Trump Health Care Policy
Trump pushes forward conservative transformation of Medicaid, Politico
Trump’s audacious new plan to cut Medicaid, explained, Vox
A $41,212 surgery bill compounded a patient’s appendicitis pain, MPR

Trump Immigration Policy
Immigrants who rely on public benefits are actually essential to the US economy, Quartz

Trump Impeachment
Senators grill impeachment managers and Trump defense in daylong question session, CNN
Bolton alerted top Democrat to ‘improper’ Yovanovitch’s ouster after he left White House, USA Today
John Roberts blocks mentions of alleged whistleblower’s name, Politico
Trump lawyer Dershowitz argues president can’t be impeached for an act he thinks will help his re-election, USA Today
What happens if there’s a tie vote on witnesses at Trump’s impeachment trial?, CNN

Trump Trade Policy
AS TRUMP TAKES VICTORY LAP, CANADA BEGINS USMCA APPROVAL, Successful Agriculture

Economy
You Should Be Absolutely Furious Over Donald Trump’s $1 Trillion DeficitSlate

Education
Science helps Minneapolis school turn the page on reading skills, MPR

Environment
Social tipping points are the only hope for the climate, Vox
Federal grand jury subpoenas 3M over chemical discharges, MPR

Governor Tim Walz
Walz on bonding budget: ‘Our goal is to start clearing off that queue’, Rochester Post Bulletin
Gov. Walz, lawmakers introduce compromise bill to boost affordable insulin access, KSTP
Gov. Walz listens to student concerns at Rochester school, KTTC

Housing
New landlord forces out tenants in New Brighton, raising issues about renters’ rights, Star Tribune
Tapped to lead Minneapolis housing system, Warsame makes history again, MPR

Minnesota Legislature
Minnesota lawmakers aim to halt voter preference data collection, Star Tribune
Tangle over voter data splits Republican lawmakers, MPR

Minnesota News
Minneapolis police no longer to ticket for equipment violations under new policy, Star Tribune
Women mayors twice as likely than men to face online abuse, threats of violence, MN Reformer
Twin Cities get a taste of California ‘exodus,’ as Shutterfly moves jobs here, Minneapolis-St.Paul Biz Journal
Record high water, ice jams on Mississippi River could bring rare winter floods to southern Minnesota, Star Tribune
In sermon, Minnesota pastor calls Muslims a ‘threat’, MPR

Representative Collin Peterson (CD7, D)
As hemp production booms, Rep. Collin Peterson works to expand the CBD market, MinnPost

Representative Dean Phillips (CD3, D)
Rep. Phillips hosts conversation on affordable housing, Press & News

Secretary of State Steve Simon
Absentee ballots available to those looking to vote early, Bemidji Pioneer

Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5, D)
Ilhan Omar Asked About the Dreams Student Debt Kills, and the Internet Answered, Teen Vogue
AOC and Squad’s People’s Housing Platform: Tenant rights, tax credits, and more, Curbed

Republicans
GOP senators know Trump’s defense is based on lies. Here’s proof., Washington Post

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Sen. Amy Klobuchar Sees Signs Of ‘Cracks’ Within Some GOP Senators On Witnesses In Impeachment Trial, WBUR

Senator Tina Smith
The Ukraine scandal comes to Minnesota, CNN
Sen. Tina Smith pushes for witnesses in impeachment trial, KVRR

State Auditor Julie Blaha
Digging into the data, Marshall Independent

U.S. News
Dylann Roof believed he’d be freed from prison after a race war, attorneys say in appeal, CNN
Wilbur Ross Roundly Ripped For Predicting Coronavirus Will Be Good For U.S. Jobs, Huffington Post
Three Democratic attorneys general sue to have Equal Rights Amendment added to Constitution, CNN

World News
Pompeo to visit Ukraine at height of Trump impeachment trial, NBC News
What Brexit will mean for travelers, CNN
As death toll from coronavirus hits 170, countries scramble to protect citizens, increase screenings, USA Today

Upcoming DFL Events:

  • Today through March 2 — Super Tuesday Presidential Primary Early Voting, more information here.
  • February 1, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM — SD33 DFL Caucus Convener Training, Ridgedale Library, Ladyslipper Room, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305.
  • February 2 — Groundhog Day
  • February 4
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM —  SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Teamsters’ Local 120, 9422 Ulysses St NE, Blaine, MN 55434
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
  • February 5
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Room C120, Kennedy  High School, 9701 Nicollet Ave, Bloomington, MN 55420
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM —SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Room 172, Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • February 6, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City  Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
  • February 7, 8:00 to 10:00 PM — New Hampshire Democratic Presidential Debate, view on ABC’s platforms
  • February 10
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 7001 Cahill Rd, Suite 21, Edina, MN
  • February 11 — Minnesota Legislative Session Starts
  • February 13
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Normal Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 5533
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • February 14 — Valentine’s Day
  • February 15, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM — SD33 DFL Caucus Convener Training Make Up, Chanhassen Library, 7711 Kerber Blvd, Chanhassen, MN 55317
  • February 17 — Presidents’ Day
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
  • February 19
    • 5:30 to 8:00 PM — SD37 DFL Caucus and Convener Training, Johnsville Library, 12461 Oak Park Blvd NE, Blaine, MN 55434
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
    • 8:00 to 10:00 PM — Democratic Presidential Debate in Las Vegas, NV, watch on the NBC and MSNBC platforms
  • February 22
    • 1:00  to 3:00 PM — SD37 DFL Caucus Convener Training, Northtown Library, 707 County Hwy. 10 Frontage Road, Blaine, MN 55434.
    • 3:00 to 5:00 PM — SD40 DFL Caucus Convener Training, Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
  • February 25 — Mardi Gras
    • 7:00 t0 9:00 PM — Minnesota DFL Precinct Caucuses, more information here.
  • February 26 — Ash Wednesday
  • March 3
    • 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM — Minnesota Super Tuesday Primary, more information here.
  • March 4
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Avenue S, Bloomington, MN 55402
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • March 5
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Teamsters’ Local  120, 9422 Ulysses St NE, Blaine, MN 55434
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD40 DFL Pre-Convention Committee Meetings (Tentative), Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
  • March 7
    • 1:00 to 3:00 PM — SD33 DFL Pre-Convention Committee Meetings, Plymouth Library, 15700 36th Ave N, Plymouth, MN 55446
    • 1:00 to 4:00 PM — SD37 DFL Pre-Convention Committee Meetings, Northtown Library, 707 County Hwy. 10 Frontage Rd, Blaine, MN 55434
  • March 8 — Daylight Saving Time Begins
  • March 9
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, Council Chambers, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 7001 Cahill Rd, Suite 21, Edina, MN
  • March 10 — Purim and Holy
  • March 12
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN55433.
    • 7:00 too 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • March 14, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM — SD46 DFL Convention, St. Louis Park High School, 6425 W 33rd St, St. Louis Park, MN 55426
  • March 16, 7:oo to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
  • March 17 — St. Patrick’s Day
  • March 18, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meting, Council Chamber, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600  Minnetonka, Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • March 19 — Spring Equinox
  • March 21
    • 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM — SD34 DFL Convention, Maple Grove Senior High School, 9800 Fernbrook Ln N, Maple Grove, MN 55369
    • 8:30  to  1:00  PM — SD48 DFL Convention, Minnetonka High School, 18301 Highway 7, Minnetonka, MN 55391
    • 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD33 Precinct Chairs Welcome Brunch, 3415 Warner Ln, Mound, MN 55364
  • March 28
    • 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM — SD40 DFL Convention, North View Middle School, 5889 69th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55429
    • 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD50 DFL Convention, Oak Grove Middle School, 1300 W 106th St, Bloomington, MN 55431
  • April 1 — April Fools’ Day
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Avenue S, Bloomington, MN 55402
      • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55305
    • April 2, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
    • April 4— SD37 DFL Convention, Teamsters Local 120, 9422 Ulysses St NE, Blaine, MN 55434. Contact them for specifics and timing at petersengm@gmail.com.
      • 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD45 DFL Convention, Cooper High School, 47th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55428
      • 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — SD36 DFL Convention, Coon Rapids High School, 2340 Normal Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
      • 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM — SD44 DFL Convention, Minnetonka High School, 18301 Highway 7, Minnetonka, MN 55391
    • April 7, 7:00 to 8:30 PM – SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, more information as it becomes available.