Latest news with #MinnesotaDemocratic-Farmer-LaborParty
Politico
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Democratic governors face off with unions at home
With help from Nick Niedzwiadek QUICK FIX WHAT HAPPENS IN THE HOUSE…: Democratic governors who may be eyeing 2028 presidential runs have been at odds with public sector-unions in their states over a variety of issues, including return-to-office policies and the impact of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. In Colorado, state workers sought to join a lawsuit after Gov. Jared Polis allegedly instructed employees to provide Immigration and Customs Enforcement with information on undocumented immigrants. Unions have also sparred with California Gov. Gavin Newsom over his order calling state workers back to the office for at least four days a week, with three of them securing eleventh-hour temporary exemptions. And Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's office has been engaged in a tense bargaining process with state employees over health care benefits and paid parental leave. President Donald Trump's appeal among working-class voters was already upending the historical alliance between Democrats and unions. Now, a tough budget season has put some of the party's aspiring talent deep into negotiations that are creating new fissures in a Democratic coalition that hasn't yet coalesced around a message for 2026, let alone 2028. Newsom and Polis are seen as contenders for 2028. Walz, who was his party's vice presidential nominee last year, has waffled on whether he'll do a top-of-the-ticket run. 'Democrats are going to have a hard time getting elected if unions are not ... supporting them actively and vocally,' said Brian Melendez, former chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. Unions, which often play difficult with Democrats before backing them anyway, are warning that workers are increasingly cynical of both parties. Some high-profile unions stopped short of endorsing presidential candidates last election cycle. 'If Democrats want to be the party of working people, they can't just show up at Labor Day parades,' said Megan Dayton, president of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees. 'They have to be at the table. They have to bargain in good faith.' Walz's office and Newsom's office did not respond to requests for comment. Ally Sullivan, deputy press secretary for Polis, said in a statement that the governor is 'proud of the work his administration has done' to expand wages and benefits for state employees. Lawrence has more for Pro subscribers. GOOD MORNING. It's Monday, July 21. Welcome back to Morning Shift, your go-to tipsheet on labor and employment-related immigration. Send feedback, tips and exclusives to nniedzwiadek@ lukenye@ rdugyala@ and gmott@ What if I told you AI talent is making more than some NBA players? Follow us on X at @NickNiedz and @Lawrence_Ukenye. And Signal @nickniedz.94. Want to receive this newsletter every weekday? Subscribe to POLITICO Pro. You'll also receive daily policy news and other intelligence you need to act on the day's biggest stories. AROUND THE AGENCIES G-G-G-G-UNIT: Trump last week signed an executive order creating another class of federal employees who are exempt from civil service protections and are expected to leave their positions at the end of a president's term. The new Schedule G will only apply to 'non-career' workers whose roles entail 'policy-making or policy-advocating work.' It is unclear how many roles or federal employees would fall under this new classification, but the White House specifically references the Department of Veterans Affairs as an agency that will benefit from the change. A number of public policy experts say it appears largely duplicative of the long-established Schedule C, as FedScoop reports. F for simplicity: The creation of a Schedule G further underscores the gangliness of the Trump administration's Schedule Policy/Career designation for career staffers. That category was formerly known as Schedule F when it was conceived in Trump's first term, but was rebranded in a January executive order after becoming a Democratic talking point on the campaign trail. Now there are Schedules A, B,C, D, E, and G with the proposed P/C squeezed in where F logically would sit. In the States RIPPLE EFFECT: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned that the cancellation of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' could risk hundreds of local jobs after the state gave CBS $16 million in tax breaks and grants in 2014 to keep the show in the city. 'The loss of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is more than just the end of a television show,' a Hochul spokesperson told Gothamist. 'It means the loss of hundreds of good-paying production jobs, lost income for dozens of vendors, and a hit to the local businesses that rely on the show's daily audiences.' The deal was inked amid the show's transition from former host David Letterman to Colbert and included $5 million to restore the Ed Sullivan Theater where the show is recorded. Gothamist has more. CAL/OSHA REVIEW: California's workplace safety arm does not have enough staff to keep workers safe at work, a report released last week from the state auditor general found. Nearly a third of jobs at the state's Division of Occupational Safety and Health, also known as Cal/OSHA, were vacant last fiscal year. The report also noted that the agency closed a number of complaints before conducting on-site inspections. A spokesperson for Cal/OSHA told the Los Angeles Times that they have taken steps to improve staffing and operations at specific offices. More state news: "From green icon to housing villain: The fall of California's landmark environmental law,' from our Jeremy B. White. Even more: "Prison staffing woes spiked New York's overtime costs,' from our Nick Reisman for Pro subscribers. Unions BUILDING SUPPORT: 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East voted last week to endorse Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani for mayor. The union, which represents 200,000 health care workers, backed former Gov. Andrew Cuomo during the Democratic primary and is the latest of several unions pivoting toward endorsing Mamdani's upstart bid for mayor. The New York State Nurses Association, the United Federation of Teachers and District Council 37 — which represents municipal workers — have also endorsed Mamdani. Our Maya Kaufman and Emily Ngo have more for Pro subscribers. HEADING FOR THE EXIT: Lloyd Howell Jr. resigned as executive director of the NFL Players Association last week after documents revealed he expensed the union for two trips to strip clubs, ESPN reported. His resignation comes amid a flurry of damaging news reports that claimed he worked part-time for a private equity firm seeking ownership in NFL teams and that he was a defendant in a gender discrimination lawsuit at his former employer Booz Allen. Howell could not be immediately reached for comment by ESPN. Quite the transition: 'ChatGPT-maker OpenAI brings on former Sen. Laphonza Butler,' from our Christine Mui. In the Workplace AI MAX DEALS: Some of the offers that artificial intelligence companies are doling out massive amounts of money to recruit highly-coveted talent to get ahead of competitors. Alexandr Wang, an entrepreneur hired by Meta to lead its new AI lab, has extended offers to AI researchers and investors that mirror NBA offseason contracts. 'He's offered more than 10 of OpenAI's researchers eye-watering pay packages of $300 million over four years, including $100 million the first year, according to people familiar with the matter,' WSJ's Berber Jin, Keach Hagey and Ben Cohen write. More workplace news: ''United' WNBA All-Stars wear 'Pay Us What You Owe Us' shirts,' from ESPN. Even more: 'Maryland had largest single-month decrease in federal government jobs in almost 3 decades, report finds,' from WTOP. Immigration A TOUGH SELL: The Trump administration is working to tap retired immigration officers amid plummeting morale and grueling hours that have made the job a tough sell for recruiters, The New York Times reported. Officials have reached out to former officers directly in addition to posting openings on LinkedIn, while offering large bonuses to individuals who apply within the next two weeks. The hiring push comes just after Congress approved roughly $170 billion in funding for immigration-related enforcement and as the Trump administration announced a goal of hiring 10,000 ICE officers. WHAT WE'RE READING — 'The Cities Where College Grads Are Actually Landing Jobs,' from The Wall Street Journal. — 'Nantucket's Workers Are Living on the Margins,' from The New York Times. — 'How the 2017 Trump tax cuts ballooned the 'big, beautiful bill',' from our Taylor Miller Thomas, Paula Friedrich and Jonathan Lai. THAT'S YOUR SHIFT!
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman, husband and dog to lie in state
Rep. Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark and their golden retriever Gilbert will lie in state at the Minnesota State Capitol on June 27 after they were killed in what officials have called a 'politically motivated assassination.' Hortman and her husband were shot and killed inside their home on June 14. After what has been described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota history, Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was arrested and charged in state and federal court in connection with the shooting. Prosecutors say Boelter also went to the home of Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman disguised as a law enforcement officer and wounded Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. He then traveled to two other unnamed lawmakers' homes before entering the Hortmans' home and killing them, according to a federal affidavit. The affidavit says Boelter wanted to 'kill, injure, harass and intimidate'' more than 45 Minnesota state and federal officials and prosecutors say he also intended to target several other Midwestern lawmakers. Hortman will be the first woman and one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans to lie in state at the Capitol, according to a release from the state's House of Representatives. Members of the public will be able to pay their respects from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. The tribute will come on the same day Boelter is expected to appear in federal court, where he faces half a dozen charges, including multiple counts of murder and stalking. A private funeral for the Hortmans, which will be livestreamed, will follow on June 28, officials said. The couple had two children and lived in Brooklyn Park, a suburban city about 10 miles north of Minneapolis, according to Hortman's profile. Hoffman and Hortman are both members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), a political party exclusive to the state. Hortman was elected in 2004 and was speaker-emerita of the House of Representatives, which is narrowly controlled by Republicans. Police: Break-in at home of slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman Hortman served the people of Minnesota with compassion and grace, Gov. Tim Walz previously said. 'Our state lost a great leader and I lost the dearest of friends," Walz said. "She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place.' Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, Eduardo Cuevas, Christopher Cann, Terry Collins and Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Slain Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman, husband and dog to lie in state
The Herald Scotland
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Slain Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman, husband and dog to lie in state
Prosecutors say Boelter also went to the home of Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman disguised as a law enforcement officer and wounded Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. He then traveled to two other unnamed lawmakers' homes before entering the Hortmans' home and killing them, according to a federal affidavit. The affidavit says Boelter wanted to "kill, injure, harass and intimidate'' more than 45 Minnesota state and federal officials and prosecutors say he also intended to target several other Midwestern lawmakers. Hortman will be the first woman and one of less than 20 Minnesotans to lie in state at the Capitol, according to a release from the state's House of Representatives. Members of the public will be able to pay their respects from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. The tribute will come on the same day Boelter is expected to appear in federal court, where he faces half a dozen charges including multiple counts of murder and stalking. A private funeral for the Hortmans, which will be livestreamed, will follow on June 28, officials said. The couple had two children and lived in Brooklyn Park, a suburban city about 10 miles north of Minneapolis, according to Hortman's profile. Hoffman and Hortman are both members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), a political party exclusive to the state. Hortman was elected in 2004 and was Speaker-Emerita of the House of Representatives, which is narrowly controlled by Republicans. Police: Break-in at home of slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman Hortman served the people of Minnesota with compassion and grace, Gov. Tim Walz previously said. "Our state lost a great leader and I lost the dearest of friends," Walz said. "She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place." Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, Eduardo Cuevas, Christopher Cann, Terry Collins and Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY
USA Today
24-06-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman, husband and dog to lie in state
Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband will lie in state after they were killed in what authorities called a political assassination. Rep. Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark and their golden retriever Gilbert will lie in state at the Minnesota State Capitol on June 27 after they were killed in what officials have called a 'politically motivated assassination.' Hortman and her husband were shot and killed inside their home on June 14. After what has been described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota history, Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was arrested and charged in state and federal court in connection with the shooting. Prosecutors say Boelter also went to the home of Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman disguised as a law enforcement officer and wounded Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. He then traveled to two other unnamed lawmakers' homes before entering the Hortmans' home and killing them, according to a federal affidavit. The affidavit says Boelter wanted to 'kill, injure, harass and intimidate'' more than 45 Minnesota state and federal officials and prosecutors say he also intended to target several other Midwestern lawmakers. Hortman will be the first woman and one of less than 20 Minnesotans to lie in state at the Capitol, according to a release from the state's House of Representatives. Members of the public will be able to pay their respects from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. The tribute will come on the same day Boelter is expected to appear in federal court, where he faces half a dozen charges including multiple counts of murder and stalking. A private funeral for the Hortmans, which will be livestreamed, will follow on June 28, officials said. The couple had two children and lived in Brooklyn Park, a suburban city about 10 miles north of Minneapolis, according to Hortman's profile. Hoffman and Hortman are both members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), a political party exclusive to the state. Hortman was elected in 2004 and was Speaker-Emerita of the House of Representatives, which is narrowly controlled by Republicans. Police: Break-in at home of slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman Hortman served the people of Minnesota with compassion and grace, Gov. Tim Walz previously said. 'Our state lost a great leader and I lost the dearest of friends," Walz said. "She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place.' Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, Eduardo Cuevas, Christopher Cann, Terry Collins and Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY
AFP
18-06-2025
- Politics
- AFP
Image shows Texas couple, not alleged killer of US politician
"New photo out of Vance Boelter and his wife Jenny at a recent rally," a June 15, 2025 Facebook post claimed. The picture shows a man posing with a woman in a shirt that says: "I think therefore I am... a DEMOCRAT." It rocketed across platforms in posts claiming it showed the man wanted for shooting lawmakers in Minnesota, who was captured on June 15. Image Screenshot of a Facebook post taken June 17, 2025 Image Screenshot of an Instagram post taken June 17, 2025 Boelter allegedly killed Melissa Hortman, leader of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, and her husband Mark. Boelter also allegedly shot state senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who are recovering in the hospital from multiple gunshot wounds. Acting US Attorney for the District of Minnesota Joe Thompson told a press conference on June 16 that Boelter faces six federal charges, including two counts of murder by firearm -- punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty (archived here). Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the shooting spree, which Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called a "politically motivated assassination" (archived here). A notebook containing the names of other lawmakers and potential targets was found inside a car left by Boelter at the Hortmans' home, renewing fears of growing political violence in the United States. Certain social media posts initially claimed close ties between Boelter and Walz, despite a lack of evidence supporting a connection to the progressive governor who ran for the White House with Kamala Harris. Additionally, the circulating photo is not of the suspected shooter or his wife. Reverse image searches surfaced several posts on X saying the picture actually shows Lillie Schechter, former chair of the Texas Democratic Party, posing with her husband (archived here, here and here). fran, a member of the Texas State Democratic Executive Committee (archived here), posted on X to debunk the claim saying: "That's @lillieschechter and her husband in front of Houston City Hall. They have literally no relation to Vance Boelter whatsoever" (archived here). Further keyword searches found a June 16 Facebook post (archived here) from Brian Trachtenberg stating that he is the person pictured in the "pro-gun, pro-resistance" shirt, which he says he wore to a "No Kings" rally in Houston. "Someone took that pic, said it was a pic of the MN shooter of Dem lawmakers, and launched it far and wide. All over the right wing social sphere, I am Vance Boelter, and Lillie Schechter, who has devoted her life to peace, love, and Democracy (and who doesn't share my views in guns), is his allegedly complicit wife," he wrote. Image Screenshot of a Facebook post taken June 17, 2025 Photos of city hall in Houston match the color and window pattern of the behind Schechter and Trachtenberg. Image Screenshot of the image circulating on social media (L) next to an AFP photo taken by Cécile Clocheret of a May 2024 protest in front of Houston city hall with the same windows outlined by AFP in both images The picture at the demonstration also matches Schechter's appearance in photos on her website (archived here). Image Screenshot of a photo on Lillie Schechter's website (L) and the image shared on social media AFP reached out to Schechter and Trachtenberg for additional information, but no response was forthcoming. appeared in a federal court in Saint Paul, Minnesota on June 16 and a federal judge ordered him to remain in custody, according to local media (archived here).
