Healthcare

University of Minnesota Makes Moves, Announces Intention To Re-Acquire Assets from Fairview 🏥

The Summary: The University of Minnesota regents have voted to approve a nonbinding letter of intent to buy back its teaching hospital in Minneapolis from Fairview Health Services. The U of M sold the medical center to Fairview amid financial challenges in 1997.

Transaction Details: The deal is expected to close by the end of 2027, with key elements, including the purchase price, yet to be finalized. 

The Context: The move follows Fairview's failed merger proposal with Sanford Health in 2023. Since the failed merger attempt, Fairview and the U of M announced their current partnership would not be renewed in 2026.

Ownership Transition: The letter of intent outlines a majority stake transfer by the end of the year, with the U initially paying Fairview for 51% of the hospital's assets.

Government

Minnesota Legislature Kicks Off 2024 Session 🏛

The Summary: After a busy 2023 session dominated by Democrats' ambitious agenda, Minnesota lawmakers are gearing up for a potentially more typical legislative session in 2024.

Focus on Infrastructure: Last month, Gov. Walz proposed the state spend nearly $1 billion this year on infrastructure, with almost half going toward maintaining and rebuilding already existing, taxpayer-funded facilities. Passing a bonding bill will require bipartisan support. 

Other Legislative Priorities: Some of the major issues on the docket include abortion rights and gender identity protections, revisions to laws regarding school resource officers, sports betting, assisted suicide, and the new state flag. . 

Leadership Changes: Democratic Sen. Erin Murphy is taking over as Senate majority leader after Sen. Kari Dziedzic stepped down due to recurring cancer.

Housing

❯ Plan For Homeless Encampments: Minneapolis City Council members are introducing three proposed ordinances to revamp the city's management of homeless encampments. The ordinances aim to mandate advance notice of evictions like that of Camp Nenookaasi, as well as establish around-the-clock temporary shelter spaces. 

❯ MN Sales Tax for Housing: DFL lawmakers are proposing a constitutional amendment to raise the state sales tax by three-eighths of 1%, with funds allocated to support homebuyers, renters, and those facing homelessness and housing insecurity.

❯ Minnesota Homebuyer Aid: State leaders are finalizing two programs, approved and funded by last year’s Legislature, to assist homebuyers. Qualified buyers will soon have access to funds aimed at addressing down payment barriers, with forgivable, zero-interest loans of up to $35,000 available for first-generation and foreclosure-affected buyers.

Healthcare

❯ Medical Debt Proposal: Gov. Tim Walz and DFL lawmakers are leading a legislative effort to enact permanent restrictions on medical collections and prevent hospitals from denying non-emergency care to patients with significant overdue bills. The proposed legislation would also focus on banning medical debt from affecting credit scores.

❯ Nurses Union Pushes for Hospital CEO Pay Cap: The Minnesota Nurses Association is advocating for a limit on CEO pay at nonprofit hospitals as part of its "Healing Greed Agenda" for the 2024 legislative session. The announcement comes on the heels of a new report showing Minnesota non-profit health system CEO pay has continued to increase.

What Else We’re Reading…

Could beer be coming to Minnesota grocery stores? 🍺

The Summary: According to the MinnPost, a bipartisan bill is in the works to allow the sale of “strong” beer in Minnesota grocery stores.

Current Alcohol Sales Restrictions: Minnesota is currently the only state that limits alcohol sales to liquor stores, with supermarkets and convenience stores only allowed to sell low-alcohol three-two beer.

Opposition: While Klein and some legislators support the expansion of beer sales in grocery stores, others, like State Rep. Zack Stephenson, have expressed concerns about its potential impact on small businesses and craft breweries.

Sports

🏀 Gopher Men’s Basketball Blows Lead: The Gophers led by as many as 20 points against the Iowa Hawkeyes but struggled down the stretch in a 90-85 loss on the road. 

🏒 Gopher Men’s Hockey Sweep: The #8 Gophers delivered two shut-outs of Penn State led by goaltender Justen Close.

💰 Justin Jefferson Contract Talks: In an interview last week, the Vikings star wide receiver told Adam Schein that he wants to “break the bank” with his next contract. Jefferson has one more year on his rookie contract. 

🏒 Wild Win: The Minnesota Wild have won two straight games coming out of the All-Star break with wins over the Penguins and Blackhawks.

🏈 PJ Fleck Staying Home: After rumors that PJ Fleck may be in consideration for the open UCLA football head coach job, Fleck tweeted that he is staying in MN.. 

Quick hits

Headlines From Around The Twin Cities ✔

❯ University of Minnesota names three finalists for president (MPR)

❯ Minneapolis Park Board explores building new bridge spanning the Mississippi River for the first time in 50 years (Star Tribune)

❯ University of Minnesota student sues school and landlord, alleging calls for help went unanswered (Kare11)

❯ $15K reward offered for information on arson of conservative businesses in Golden Valley (Fox9)

❯ Minnesota Supreme Court hears lawsuit challenging Gov. Walz's COVID-19 emergency powers (WCCO)

Beyond the Twin Cities

Headlines From Greater Minnesota ✔

❯ A Tesla driver suspected in a hit-and-run that resulted in the death of one person may have been 'checking work emails' (Bring Me The News)

❯ State officials say North Shore lodge that burned had 3 unresolved inspection violations (MPR)

❯ A southern MN mayor has been charged in cannabis growing operation (Fox9)

The Final Word: Kirko has moves!

The Vikings may not have been in the Super Bowl, but something else happened over the weekend to give us hope. Coming off a season-ending injury, Kirk Cousins was moving pretty well on stage at the NFL Awards where he danced to the song “Pony.” You can watch the video here.

Next year is our year….

-Patrick