Tag: Gov. Walz

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: April 9, 2021

Governor Walz Launches Industry-Focused COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach Campaign

Campaign kicks off with food service industry workers

Gov. Walz at COVID Vaccination Center

As a part of the broader statewide ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves, MN’ campaign to make sure all Minnesotans have access to the COVID-19 vaccine,  Governor Walz launched an outreach effort focused on connecting workers in critical industries to the resources they need to get vaccinated. In the coming weeks, workers in priority frontline sectors will be vaccinated at community vaccination sites.

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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: April 2, 2021

On First Day All Minnesotans are Eligible, Governors Walz and Pawlenty Receive COVID-19 Vaccine

Gov. Walz and Pawlenty Being Immunized


On Tuesday Governor Walz received the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine alongside former Republican governor Tim Pawlenty and former Vikings linebacker EJ Henderson at the Vikings’ Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan.

“I was excited to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine today, alongside my friend and former Republican governor of Minnesota Tim Pawlenty,” said Governor Walz. “It doesn’t matter where you live or who you vote for, we can all agree we need to end this pandemic. The vaccines are how we get there. So roll up your sleeves, Minnesota, the end is in sight.”

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Walz tells Legislature he could go it alone on spending billions in stimulus money

Under a provision in state law, the governor will get to decide how to spend the state’s federal stimulus funds — unless the House and Senate can agree to spend some of the money in a budget emerging from the 2021 session, and provided Walz agrees to sign such a budget.

Gov. Tim Walz has told the state Legislature that he could decide on his own how to spend the billions of federal dollars heading to Minnesota from the American Rescue Plan.

In a Friday letter [PDF] to the state’s legislative leaders, Walz triggered a section of state law that requires him to give members of an advisory committee of lawmakers, the Legislative Advisory Commission, an opportunity to hold up expenditures of that money. 

But because those holds expire when the regular session of the Legislature adjourns on May 17, the governor will get to decide how to spend the money — unless the House and Senate can agree to spend some of the funds in whatever budget compromise emerges from the 2021 session, and provided Walz agrees to sign such a budget. Continue reading.

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

2 Million COVID Doses


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.

Continue reading “Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: March 19, 2021”

Gov. Walz lays out major rollback of Minnesota’s COVID-19 restrictions

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Limits eased on concerts, restaurants, gatherings. 

Large events from high school proms to live Minnesota Twins games can resume this spring under a rollback of COVID-19 restrictions announced Friday by Gov. Tim Walz.

While public mask-wearing and social distancing requirements will remain, Minnesota will allow in-person work again, lift capacity limits for worship services and permit up to 10,000 fans at the Twins home opener April 8.

“We’re winning, and this thing’s coming to an end,” said Walz, who encouraged people to plan for summer weddings and the May 15 walleye opener. “Let’s just buckle down. We’re going to know in the next three or four weeks if we’ve truly got this thing on the ropes and it’s done and then we finish it.” Continue reading.

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: March 5, 2021

Governor Walz: First Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Doses Have Arrived in Minnesota

Gov. Walz with First J&J Shipment

On Wednesday, Governor Walz announced that the first Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine doses arrived in Minnesota and met one of the first shipments to arrive in the state. Immunizations began shortly after doses arrived to Minnesota providers.

“This is an exciting development. We now have three vaccines available that are safe and highly effective in preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death,” said Governor Walz. “The Johnson & Johnson vaccine will help our state quickly provide immunity and get us one step closer to ending this pandemic. We know we need broad community protection before we can get back to the normal, enjoyable parts of life we have missed, and the way we get there is by getting as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible. Everyone who has the opportunity to get this shot should take it.”

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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: February 26, 2021

Governor Walz: State to Vaccinate 70% of Seniors by End of March Before Expanding Vaccine Eligibility

Minnesota COVID Vaccination Plan


This week, Governor Tim Walz announced that Minnesota will remain focused on vaccinating most of the state’s seniors before expanding eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine. Governor Walz issued guidance to vaccinate 70% of adults 65 years of age and older before expanding eligibility, and aims to reach this goal by the end of March. The directive is the latest commitment of the Walz-Flanagan Administration to vaccinating seniors and keeping them safe.

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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Weekly Update: February 19, 2021

More Than 1 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Administered to Minnesotans

21-02-19 1 Million Doses Image


Minnesotans have received more than one million doses of COVID-19 vaccine, Governor Walz announced today. The state reported 1,016,210 doses had been administered as of today’s official report. The seven-day rolling average of doses administered is now 29,705, a pace that has accelerated since Governor Walz took action to increase the rate of vaccinations across the state.

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Walz: All Minnesota schools should offer at least some in-person learning by March 8

All districts should have some form of it in place by March 8 

All Minnesota schools should offer some form of in-person instruction by March 8, Gov. Tim Walz said Wednesday, announcing a move he characterized as “critical” for students’ and families’ well-being, mental health and economic stability in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Many districts have already started bringing secondary school students back to classrooms, and Walz said other middle and high schools could reopen as soon as Feb. 22.

A majority of the state’s elementary schools are already providing face-to-face instruction, following an earlier pivot by state officials to prioritize in-person learning for the youngest students. Continue reading.

Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: February 12, 2021

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

On Wednesday, Governor Tim Walz directed all flags at state and federal buildings in Minnesota to be flown at half-staff, effective immediately, until sunset on Sunday, February 14, 2021 in honor of the victims of the senseless tragedy that resulted in one lost life and four others injured at Allina Clinic Crossroads in Buffalo, Minnesota on Tuesday, February 9, 2021.

“Minnesota flags will fly at half-staff through Sunday to honor the loss of Medical Assistant Lindsay Overbay and those who were injured and the at Allina Clinic in Buffalo,” said Governor Walz. “As we grieve this senseless tragedy, let us also honor their work to keep Minnesotans safe and healthy.”

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