VoteBlueMN.org
Greetings, DFL Friends–
High summer is upon us — many are getting away from the heat to lakes, cabins, rivers like our own Rum, or even just lawn sprinklers! And the news from DC continues to be hot and heavy. It can be a real relief to focus on things closer to home. Among the main challenges locally are school board races — more on that below.
Also, a number of picnics, parades, and similar events are on tap for late summer, and many need more support — so check the lists below and on our website, and get out with other progressives.
It is amazing to see that truth and facts now are seen as having a liberal bias. As this is being written, the EPA is planning to revoke its finding that greenhouse gases are dangerous. As portrayed in the book “1984,” we are being told that black is white, hot is cold, and wrong is right. A test of MAGA membership is the ability to “believe” something you know is false. (By the way, “1984” is now being banned by MAGA groups, just as was done by the Soviet Union. And it is easy to see why.)
To counter that, here is a recent reminder from Thom Hartmann.
The problem, of course, is that reality has a well-known leftwing bias. That’s because reality, unlike rightwing ideology, is rooted in facts. For example:
Trickle-down economics has never helped the working class; it’s a scam to transfer wealth to the rich.
Immigrants are not more likely to commit crimes; they’re less likely.
Late-term abortions are rare and almost always involve severe fetal abnormalities or risks to the mother; women don’t “love getting abortions” or do so with little thought.
Unions raise wages and reduce inequality; they don’t “steal from workers.”
Climate change is real and accelerating, and fossil fuel companies and Republicans have known it — and spent billions to cover it up — for decades.
Renewable energy is cheaper than coal, gas, or oil in most of the world.
People on public assistance are usually not “lazy” but are either disabled, working or actively seeking work, or living in areas where there is no work.
Raising the minimum wage doesn’t increase unemployment; it boosts the economy which increases employment.
Universal healthcare works in every other developed nation; it’s not “impossible” to implement here in America.”
The U.S. was not founded as a Christian nation, but as a secular republic.”
So let’s hold on to the truth, verifiable facts, and to our connections with each other — to weave a community fabric that can resist all the lies, hate, and corruption. We need each other, every one of us, to make it through this difficult time!
Major Events for SD-31– and some volunteer opportunities too…
Take a look at these opportunities and sign up — enjoy the company of fellow progressives and speak out to our community.
July 30, Wednesday
ABBEY PAYEUR for Anoka-Hennepin School Board
Reading Book Fundraiser
9 am to 6 pm
14001 Silverod St. NW, Andover, MN 55304
Meet Abbey and choose from hundreds of free, gently used books for kids and adults. Then make an optional donation to Abbey Payeur for Anoka-Hennepin School Board. Book donations are also accepted at DFL Saturday Morning Coffee every Saturday from 8:30am to 11:00am at Starbucks inside Andover’s Target. Donated books are also accepted at 16381 Inca St. NW, Andover. (Leave them on the porch if no one is home.)
Event:
https://dflneighborhoodnetwork.net/event/abbey-payeur-book-fundraiser/
Abbey’s Website:
https://www.abbeypayeurforschoolboard.com/
July 31, Thursday
CD6 DFL Candidate Forum
6:30- 8:30 pm
Buffalo, MN
From CD6: “Join us for the second event in our CD6 Candidate Forum Series as we work together to find the strongest candidate to unseat Congressman Emmer in 2026.”
Several potential candidates will be on hand.
Topics will include:
- Rural and Farming Issues
- Second Amendment Issues
- Justice and Public Safety
- The Role of a Member of Congress
“Bring a friend, come with questions, and be ready to engage. Let’s build a campaign rooted in grassroots energy, informed decisions, and collective strength.”
Sign up and get more info here:
https://www.mobilize.us/dfl/event/799947/
August 12, Tuesday
NORTH METRO PICNIC and SILENT AUCTION
3-7 pm
Our biggest fundraiser of the year, and a chance to get together with other DFL’ers from nearby districts. Lots of good food and good friends. Sign up to volunteer, and/or send us your info for silent auction items. Every cent from these items goes to SD31, so submit an item or two to the auction!
To Volunteer:
https://volunteersignup.org/LHALQ
For Silent Auction — print and fill in the Bid Sheet (below). We need name, address, and value of the item to be donated (for our reports). This can be dropped off with the item at the Picnic.
Bidsheet for SD31 DFL at North Metro Picnic —Tuesday August 12
https://mcusercontent.com/
August 20, Wednesday
5-8 pm
Kari Rehrauer Summer Launch Party
Kari is the DFL representative from our neighbor district, SD35. She is running again and is working to be sure the DFL re-takes the MN House.
To get more info about her party and to RSVP, click this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzbdCFRS2qR4GiYq5jlPaVp9xQCRQ3miWQBM5472T8XXAkvQ/viewform
Kari’s Website:
August 23-28 (Saturday through Thursday)
State Fair DONUT BOOTH
This year SD31 is working with other DFL Districts to run a Donut Booth at the State Fair. And we share in the proceeds. Shifts are 5-6 hours in length. We have openings on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of Fair week — one morning and 3 afternoon times are available. Sign up here:
https://www.grandstanddonuts.com/sd-31-volunteers
Other upcoming and ongoing events…
Daily @ 10:45 AM
DFL Statewide Call (see below)
Weekly:
Protests at Emmer’s Office, Otsego
Tuesdays 4-5 pm
Saturdays 11 am- Noon
Weekly:
SD31 DFL Coffee Break- DFL Neighborhood Network
Saturdays 8:30- 11:00 AM
Starbucks Inside Andover Target
Bi-Weekly:
Coffee Break at Coburn’s in Ramsey
Each 2nd + 4th Saturday
Monthly:
SD31 DFL Monthly Meeting
[NO SD31 MEETING IN AUGUST DUE TO NORTH METRO PICNIC]Next: Tuesday, September 9
6 pm Social Gathering; 6:30 Business
August- 2nd & 3rd Weekends
Ramsey Game Fair
September 6, Saturday
Ramsey Happy Days – Parade!
And
Linwood Family Fun Days
School Board Meetings
Anoka-Hennepin
Work Sessions allow for observation only— but we need people to watch what is happening! Major decisions are often made in these meetings, without a written record.
Work Sessions- Second Mondays, 5:30 pm
Education Services Center, 2727 Ferry St, Anoka
Next: 8/11
Regular School Board Meetings- Fourth Mondays, 6:30 pm
Sandburg Ed. Center, Anoka 1902 2nd Ave
Next: 8/25
If you cannot make the meetings in person you can also watch live. The agenda and streaming link are posted here:
https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/2720
St Francis
2nd and 4th Mondays , 6:30 PM, Community Room, District Office
4115 Ambassador Boulevard NW, St Francis MN 55070
NEXT: 8/11, 8/25
See our calendar page at VoteBlueMN.org for more events. And look for additional sign-ups at the DFL Neighborhood Network website:
https://dflneighborhoodnetwork.net/
Links You Can Use
Keep checking our SD31 DFL Website: VoteBlueMN.org
Indivisible North Metro on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/indivisiblenmh/
Common Cause Minnesota
https://www.commoncause.org/minnesota/
Brennan Center for Justice
https://www.brennancenter.org/
Clean Elections MN
Heather Cox Richardson
Heather Cox Richardson Posts
https://heathercoxrichardson.
The website states that there is a free Subscription option; access to comment requires a paid Subscription.
Thom Hartmann- The Hartmann Report
You can also hear Thom Hartmann from 11am to 2 pm daily on the radio (and lots of other progressive programs) on the Twin Cities progressive radio station, AM 950 (KTNF)
FREE! CONTRIBUTE to SD31— FOR FREE!
Make a donation of any size to SD31 and get a full refund— before the legislature takes it away!
Contribute whatever you can– and then GET A FULL REFUND for any amount up to $75 per person. If you make smaller donations, save your receipts and submit them together— this is a one-time refund per person. Each member of a couple can get the full $75 refund.
After donating at VoteBlueMN.org, just print and fill the following document and send it in with your receipt. The address is on the form.
https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/2024-12/pcr-25.pdf
Email Updates and Submissions
Newsletters and other Emails from SD31 DFL will typically be sent out on Monday or Tuesday, once or twice a month. If you have an item to share, please submit it by noon on Friday to:
We also welcome longer items for our website if you have articles, blogs, or letters that you would like to share! Check the site out at VoteBlueMN.org.
THANK YOU for every effort you are able to make— no matter how large or small. Stay connected with us as we struggle to resist the authoritarian extremists and to make our communities, state and country better.
Let your voice be heard!
SD31 DFL Core Values and Guideposts:
A Good Economy for Working Families
Fighting Hatred and Racism
Liberty and Justice for ALL— including Women’s rights and reproductive freedom
Taking care of our Home– the Earth
Love Your Neighbor
Truth, Justice and Compassion
Non-Violence
Showing up to Do Your Part
… and because even though it should be obvious in the USA, they seem to have forgotten:
The Rule Of Law
The Constitution Of The United States
SD31 DFL Communications
sd31dfl@gmail.com
