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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: March 19, 2021

Governor Walz Announces More Than 2 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Administered

First million doses took more than two months to administer, second million doses took less than one month to administer



On Thursday, Governor Walz announced that Minnesota has administered more than two million COVID-19 vaccine doses. While it took more than two months for the state to administer the first million doses, it took less than one month to administer the second million doses. Minnesota has been able to increase vaccination rates as supply has increased from the federal government and Governor Walz continues to expand capacity in the state’s vaccine distribution network.

Minnesota is a national leader in getting vaccines into arms and continues to rank in the top ten among states for the percentage of doses received that have been administered.


Governor Walz Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff to Honor Victims of Atlanta Tragedy


Governor Walz has ordered all Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state buildings in the State of Minnesota from sunrise until sunset on Monday, March 22, 2021 to honor the eight victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area on Tuesday, March 16, 2021.

“Tuesday’s shooting in Atlanta targeting the Asian Pacific Islander community was heartbreaking and abhorrent,” said Governor Walz. “Tragically, it was not an isolated event. It follows an unacceptable rise in discrimination and racism targeting our Asian Pacific Islander communities. We mourn the loss of the victims and stand in solidarity with Asian Pacific communities during these difficult times.”

“We stand in solidarity with Minnesota’s Asian American Pacific Islander community against white supremacy and violent attacks,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “The uptick in attacks on the AAPI community in our country is frightening but not surprising. It is the result of unchecked hate speech and rhetoric. If you witness or experience discrimination, contact @mnhumanrights at 1-833-454-0148.”


NEW: Photo Frames + Cover Photos for Social Media


Help mobilize Minnesotans in the largest vaccination effort in our state’s history by sharing your enthusiasm to get vaccinated, showing when you get your shot, and encouraging your network to roll up their sleeves when it’s their turn.

Get your Facebook frame here and here. You can also find cover photos for Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and more in our social media toolkit.


Governor Walz Announces New COVID-19 Community Vaccination Sites in St. Cloud and Mankato 

State encourages all Minnesotans to sign up for the Vaccine Connector to learn when and where to get vaccinated


As part of the State of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program, Governor Walz announced a new community vaccination site to launch this week at River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. Governor Walz also announced that the State of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program is expanding next week with a new permanent site at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in Mankato. The large-scale, permanent sites will be the sixth and seventh of their kind, joining sites in Minneapolis, Duluth, Rochester, Bloomington and Saint Paul. 

The best way to find out when, where, and how to get a COVID-19 vaccine is to sign up for the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector. The Vaccine Connector will alert you about your eligibility and opportunities to get shots near you — and by signing up you’ll also be entered into the random selection process for the state’s Community Vaccination Program sites.


Governor Walz Establishes Community Council on Inclusion and Equity


On Thursday, Governor Walz signed Executive Order 21-13 establishing the Governor’s Community Council on Inclusion and Equity, which will develop and implement policies for the State to address inequities across Minnesota. The Community Council will inform and collaborate on long-term planning for systemic change within state government.

“Today we face multiple crises that have exposed and exacerbated existing disparities and systemic racism,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “We remain committed to centering the people most impacted by disparities based on race, geography, and economic status, and making sure that they are part of developing solutions to address those disparities. We will not “Minnesota Nice” our way through tackling the systemic inequities that plague our state. This work requires us to be vulnerable and lean into our discomfort.”


Governor Walz Releases Balanced Budget Prioritizing Working Families, Students, Small Businesses



On Thursday, Governor Walz released his revised budget for the next biennium. Minnesota’s Revised COVID-19 Recovery Budget accounts for the recent economic forecast released last month by Minnesota Management and Budget, while continuing to make smart investments to support Minnesota’s working families, students, and small businesses and maintaining a full budget reserve.

“Minnesotans have met the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic as they always do when faced with hardship—with grit and resiliency,” said Governor Walz. “But we know that our students, working families, and small businesses have borne the brunt of this pandemic. That is why, with the recent good news that Minnesota now projects a positive budget balance, we’re recommending additional investments to support working families, ensure students catch up on learning, and help small businesses stay afloat while driving economic recovery. Our revised budget also maintains a full state savings account by restoring $491 million to the budget reserve, so we can be prepared for whatever lies ahead.”


Governor Walz Establishes Governor’s Committee on the Safety, Health, and Wellbeing of Agricultural and Food Processing Workers


On Friday, Governor Walz signed Executive Order 21-14 establishing the Governor’s Committee on the Safety, Health, and Wellbeing of Agricultural and Food Processing Workers.

“Agriculture and food processing are foundational to Minnesota’s economy, and yet, workers in these industries face immense challenges, particularly regarding workplace safety, employment protections, and access to safe housing, health care, and transportation,” said Governor Walz. “We all share responsibility for addressing these challenges, and I am grateful to the leaders from across the state who stepped up to serve on this committee.”


Walz, Flanagan Applaud Selection of Tax Court Chief

For the first time in state history, all chief judges serving on Minnesota’s appellate and executive branch courts are women 


On Tuesday, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced that the Minnesota Tax Court has unanimously voted for Wendy S. Tien to assume responsibility as Chief Judge. Judge Tien has served on the Tax Court since her appointment by Governor Walz on November 13, 2019. Now, for the first time in Minnesota history, the chiefs of the Minnesota Supreme Court, the Minnesota Court of Appeals, and all three Executive Branch Courts are all women: Chief Justice Lorie Gildea, Minnesota Supreme Court; Chief Judge Susan Segal, Minnesota Court of Appeals; Chief Judge Jenny Starr, Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings; Chief Judge Patricia Milun, Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals; and Chief Judge Wendy Tien, Minnesota Tax Court.

“For the first time in our state’s history, these Minnesota courts are all led by all women at the same time,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “Representation on the bench matters, and a more diverse judicial branch equates to a more representative government for our communities. I am proud to see such distinguished women serving Minnesotans as chief judges.”


Categories: State Issues
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