In the Know: March 12, 2020

Days to the November Election:  236

2020 Election
From handshakes to kissing babies, virus upends campaigning, Associated Press

Agriculture
LABOR SHORTAGES, SNAP CUTS, TRADE DEALS: HOW COULD CORONAVIRUS AFFECT OUR FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN?, Successful Farming

Congress
House Democrats’ coronavirus bill delayed as GOP pushes to include Trump proposals, CNBC
Pelosi To Bring Coronavirus Bill To House Floor Thursday, NPR
Congress shuts down Capitol to the public, White House cancels tours amid coronavirus pandemic, CNBC
Democrats have a new coronavirus relief package. Here’s what’s in it., Vox

Donald Trump
Why Donald Trump Can’t Just Tweet Through the Coronavirus, Slate
Trump’s travel ban sidesteps his own European resorts, Politico
Brazilian official who posed for photo with Trump tests positive for coronavirus, reports say, CNBC
Trump’s radical plan to waive payroll tax could punch hole in Social Security, Medicare budgets, Yahoo News
Coronavirus: E.U. blasts a Trump’s travel ban as it unleashed chaos and confusion, NBC News

Economy
U.S. lawmakers seek to curb Huawei’s access to U.S. banks: document, Reuters
Trump First Proposed a Payroll Tax Cut Six Months Ago, The American Prospect
Oil falls more than 5% after Trump surprises with travel ban, Reuters
What the hell is going on with the stock market? A former Fed economist explains., Vox

Environment
Greenland and Antarctica ice loss accelerating, BBC
Planet is ‘way off track’ in dealing with climate change, U.N. says, USA Today

Governor Tim Walz
Walz proposes slim budget as coronavirus situation worsens, MPR

Health
9 charts that explain the coronavirus pandemic, Vox
China says coronavirus could end by June, Reuters
Obama calls for protecting ObamaCare ahead of Supreme Court battle, The Hill

Immigration
More children face immigration judges through video screens, Associated Press
Supreme Court says Trump administration may continue ’remain in Mexico’ policy for asylum seekers, Washington Post

Labor
St. Paul Public Schools threatens layoffs if strike continues, City Pages
Exclusive: St. Paul public schools send lay-off notices to teaching assistants, Workday Minnesota

Minnesota Legislature
The 2020 Minnesota legislative session is becoming all about coronavirus, all the time, MinnPost
Letter: Vaccinating children protects us all, SWNewsMedia
Minneapolis’ Upper Harbor Terminal request greeted with skepticism by state Senate committee, MinnPost

Minnesota News
Minnesota’s COVID-19 case count now up to 9, Star Tribune
Minnesotans may have a leg up when it comes to social distancing, Star Tribune
Coronavirus forces houses of worship to change some practices, MPR
In multicultural Austin, officials launch plan for census participation, MPR
Mayo Clinic rolls out COVID-19 test, Star Tribune

Representative Dean Phillips (CD3)
Congress livid over lags in coronavirus testing, Politico

Republicans
GOP chairman blocks quick passage of paid sick leave bill, The Hill
GOP senator introduces bill to block lawmakers convicted of felonies from receiving pensions, The Hill

Republicans in Minnesota
The virus lays bare a broken political and economic system., Minnesota Reformer

Senator Tina Smith
Smith says federal funding on the way to help fight COVID-19, KTOE

U.S. News
Stocks extend losses following 15-minute ‘circuit breaker’ halt, S&P 500 drops 8%, CNBC
Fed to pump in more than $1 trillion in dramatic ramping up of market intervention amid coronavirus meltdown, CNBC
State Department warns Americans to reconsider traveling abroad due to coronavirus, USA Today
American, Delta cap Europe-US fares as Trump travel ban sparks demand surge, CNBC
What Does It Mean to Be in a State of Emergency?, New York Times

World News
World Health Organization declares the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic, CNBC
Italy confirms nearly 200 people died from coronavirus in 24 hours: report, The Hill
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s bid to stay in office until 2036 quickly backed by lawmakers, USA Today
Iraq base attack: Strikes ‘kill 25’ Iran-backed fighters after troops killed, BBC

Upcoming DFL Events

With the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation, we suggest you check with the hosting organization to see if meetings, etc. are being held.

  • 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 to 9:00 PM — CANCELLED  SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — League of Women Voters’ South Tonka Mayoral Forum, South Shore Community Center, 5735 Country Club Dr, Excelsior, MN 55331. Hear from mayors of Excelsior, Deephaven, Shorewood, Greenwood, Tonka Bay and Woodland
  • March 14, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD46 DFL Convention
  • March 15 — Democratic Presidential Debate moderated by CNN and Univision view on their channels and streams, more information as it becomes available
  • 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 — CANCELLED FOR NATIONAL DELEGATE TRAINING CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting
  • March 18, 7:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Minnesota National Presidential Nominating Delegate Candidate Training
  • March 19 — Spring Equinox
  • March 21
    • 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD34 DFL Convention
    • 8:30  to  1:00  PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD48 DFL Convention
    • 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD33 Precinct Chairs Welcome Brunch, 3415 Warner Ln, Mound, MN 55364
  • March 23, 7:00 PM —  Gov. Tim Walz State of the State Address, more information as it become available.
  • March 28
    • 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD40 DFL Convention
    • 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD50 DFL Convention
  • 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
    • 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD45 DFL Convention, Cooper High School, 47th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55428
    • 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD57 DFL Convention
    • 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, SD36 DFL Convention
    • 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, SD44 DFL Convention, Minnetonka High Schoo
  • April 7, 7:00 to 8:30 PM – SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
  • April 9 through 13 —  Passover
  • April 9
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Normal Blvd NW, Coon  Rapids, MN 55433.
    • 7:00 to  9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345.
  • April 10 — Good Friday
  • April 11, 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Brooklyn Center DFL Endorsing Convention
  • April 12 — Easter
  • April 13
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 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
  • April 15 — Tax Day
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC CD3 DFL Central Committee Meting
  • April 18
    • 8:15 AM to 2:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC SD49 DFL Convention
    • 10:00 AM  to 3:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC  SD33 DFL Convention, Orono High School
    • 12:00 to 5:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Hennepin County DFL Convention, Hopkins North Junior High School
  • April 20, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr, Coon Rapids, MN 55433.
  • April 22 — Earth Day
  • April 23 through May 23 — Ramadan
  • April 24 — Arbor Day
  • April 25, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM — POSTPONED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, Brooklyn Park DFL Convention
  • May 5 — Cinco de Mayo
    • 7:00  to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, location to be determined
  • May 6
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • May 7, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
  • May 9, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — CD3 DFL Convention, Park Center High School, Performing  Arts Center, 7300 Brooklyn Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55344.
  • May 10 — Mother’s Day
  • May 11
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Council Chamber, 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
  • May  14
    • 7:00  to 9:00 PM —  SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433.
    • 7:oo to 9:00  PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Community Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345