Governor Walz, Legislature Reach Bipartisan Budget Agreement
On Monday, Governor Walz announced that he has reached a bipartisan budget agreement with Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka and House Speaker Melissa Hortman that supports working families, ensures students continue to catch up on learning, and helps small businesses to drive Minnesota’s economic recovery.
“This bipartisan budget confronts the challenges we face today while investing in the future to help Minnesotans emerge from this crisis stronger than before. Not every Minnesotan was hit by COVID-19 equally – many families and small businesses have struggled tremendously over the past year. That is why it’s so important that we make it easier for families to get by, ensure our students catch up on learning loss, and provide support to our small businesses.”
“I’m proud that the agreement we reached makes historic investments in education while providing tax cuts for Minnesotans across the state. This demonstrates that, despite a divided legislature, Minnesotans are united by our shared values: We look out for our neighbors, we want everyone to have an opportunity to succeed, and we all do better when we all do better,” said Governor Walz.
Governor Walz Announces Plan to Fund Summer Learning, Help Students Recover from COVID-19 Pandemic
On Tuesday, Governor Walz today announced a plan to fund enhanced summer learning programs in Minnesota to help students recover from the learning challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor will allocate $75 million of the state’s flexible American Rescue Plan funds to provide academic enrichment and mental health support this summer and beyond for Minnesota’s students, families, educators, communities, and schools. Governor Walz made the announcement at Otter Lake Elementary School in White Bear Lake.
Governor Walz, Pro Sports Teams Announce New Vaccination Opportunities at Upcoming Games
Governor Walz and Minnesota’s professional sports franchises announced a series of on-site vaccination opportunities for fans attending games in the weeks ahead.
The upcoming events are part of the ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves, Minnesota Fans’ campaign. These efforts continue the strong partnership between the Walz-Flanagan Administration and Minnesota’s professional sports teams to meet Minnesotans where they are, offer convenient vaccination opportunities, and build the broad community protection needed to keep their fans and our state safe.
Governor Walz Highlights ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves, Minnesota Families’ Outreach Campaign Focused on 12- to 15-Year-Old Vaccinations
Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation to use Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds, Governor Walz announced that the ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves, MN’ campaign will focus its efforts on outreach to Minnesota families and their children this week.
Roll Up Your Sleeves, Minnesota Families’ week will extend through Saturday, May 22. During this week, 12- to 15-year-olds and their families will be prioritized for shots at the Mall of America community vaccination site. Walk-ins are welcome and appointments can be made online through the Community Vaccination Program.
Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Highlights Success of Minnesota’s Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
On Thursday, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan visited a mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the HmongTown Marketplace in Saint Paul to highlight the State’s successful efforts to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines for all Minnesotans. The mobile vaccination units have hosted 70 events in partnership with community organizations since April 12, 2021, providing over 2,500 vaccines to Minnesotans in communities with demonstrated need for increased access to vaccinations.
“Minnesota has led the country in distributing vaccine quickly, and appointments are now widely available for any eligible Minnesotan who wants to be vaccinated. But we also know that barriers to vaccination still exist for communities across the state,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “I’m grateful to all the partners who have made these mobile vaccination events happen. Together, we’re making sure everyone in Minnesota has the opportunity to be vaccinated by bringing the vaccine right to them.”
Governor Walz, Senators Klobuchar, Smith Host US Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough at Minneapolis VA Medical Center.
On Friday, Governor Walz, Senator Klobuchar, and Senator Smith, joined US Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough for a tour of the Minneapolis VA Medical Center to discuss the success of the state and federal partnership at Minneapolis VA in combatting veteran suicide, caring for veterans, and getting the COVID-19 vaccine to veterans quickly and efficiently.
