Tag: Tim Walz

Governor Walz Signs ‘Hands Free’ Legislation into Law

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – On April 12, Governor Tim Walz signed the compromise ‘hands free’ legislation into law. Minnesota will be the 17th state, plus the District of Columbia, to require a ‘hands free’ device while driving beginning August 1, 2019.

Representative Frank Hornstein, chief author of the bill and the Chair of the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee released the following statement:

“This work has been twenty years in the making,” remarked Rep. Hornstein. “The safety advocates and families of victims truly deserve all of the recognition for their hard work in getting this legislation passed. I’m glad we could make this a reality in a bipartisan, transparent way to keep all Minnesotans safe on our roadways.” Continue reading “Governor Walz Signs ‘Hands Free’ Legislation into Law”

Statement from House DFL Leadership on Governor Walz’s State of the State Address

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on tonight’s State of the State Address from Governor Tim Walz:

“The stories told by Governor Walz were like so many we have heard from Minnesotans across the state: we want good schools, affordable health care, and economic security. We care about our neighbors, and we want to see one another succeed,” said Speaker Hortman. “As session continues, I’m optimistic we can find solutions and pass a budget that will ensure that Minnesota is a state where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”

“We share Governor Walz’s vision of a Minnesota that leads the nation and a politics that is focused on improving people’s lives,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “The policy decisions made here have a real impact, and House DFLers are committed to building a brighter future for all Minnesotans — no matter where you live or what you look like.”

Reps. Long & Stephenson Applaud Governor’s Clean Energy Plan for Minnesota

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced their One Minnesota Path to Clean Energy – a set of major energy policy proposals that will lead Minnesota to 100 percent clean energy in the state’s electricity sector by 2050. The policies build on the success that Minnesota has already achieved in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and increasing the use of clean energy resources to power the state while ensuring reliable, affordable electricity.

Rep. Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis) is the chief author of HF 700, which prompts Minnesota to move towards 100 percent clean energy and complete the transition by 2050. The bill has already had an informational hearing in the House. Rep. Long released the following statement:

“I was proud to stand with Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan as they announced their plan to achieve 100 percent clean energy by 2050 and am honored to carry the bill in the House,” said Rep. Long. “It’s time for Minnesota to take the lead on addressing climate change. Thank you to Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan for charting a bold course for our state on clean energy.” Continue reading “Reps. Long & Stephenson Applaud Governor’s Clean Energy Plan for Minnesota”

Gov. Tim Walz: My budget reflects the morals of Minnesotans

Credit: Greg Nash

Voters prioritized education, health care and community prosperity. So does my proposal.

Over the past two years, I have had the privilege to visit with Minnesotans in their communities. From Grand Portage to Luverne, Minnesotans have welcomed me into their schools, their VFWs, their coffee shops, and their homes.

As I traveled mile after mile and enjoyed countless conversations across the state, it became clear to me that there are three priorities the people of Minnesota share: education, health care and community prosperity.

The budget I unveiled last week will make significant strides in achieving these priorities. I have often said that a budget is not only a fiscal document — it’s a moral document. This budget reflects the morals of the people of Minnesota. This is the budget Minnesotans voted for by historic margins.

View the complete February 22 commentary by Gov. Tim Walz on The Star Tribune website here.

Governor Walz Proposes One Minnesota Budget Prioritizing Education, Health Care, Community Prosperity

This week, Governor Tim Walz announced the Budget for One Minnesota – his inaugural budget proposal for the next biennium. Governor Walz has worked as a classroom teacher, high school football coach, and served in the Army National Guard. Now, as Governor, he is committed to making sure that every family has the chance to get ahead. That’s why his budget focuses on the issues that really matter to Minnesotans: bringing down the cost of health care, improving education, and ensuring communities across the state are prospering. 

“After traveling thousands of miles and enjoying countless conversations across the state, it is clear to me that there are three priorities the people of Minnesota share: Education; health care; and community prosperity,” said Governor Walz. “Minnesotans want to bring down the cost of health care, provide a quality education to their children and grandchildren, and ensure communities across the state are prospering. The budget I am unveiling today will make significant strides in achieving these priorities.”

“I have often said that a budget is not only a fiscal document-it’s a moral document,” Governor Walz continued. “This budget reflects the morals of the people of Minnesota. This is the budget Minnesotans voted for by historic margins. I am proud to unveil a budget that makes smart choices to invest in the future while maintaining a fair and balanced budget.” Continue reading “Governor Walz Proposes One Minnesota Budget Prioritizing Education, Health Care, Community Prosperity”

Senate DFLers Support Walz Budget for One Minnesota

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota Senate DFL Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, Assistant Senate DFL Leader Susan Kent, DFL-Woodbury, and Senator Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, praised Governor Walz today for making historic investments in Minnesotans’ top priorities.

“This budget is a good step to ensure communities are thriving across Minnesota,” said Bakk. “Investments in transportation, education, health care, and broadband are essential to the success of cities and counties not just in the Arrowhead region, but everywhere. I’m especially glad to see Gov. Walz provide workforce training and development programs to help Minnesota students have the opportunity to get good-paying jobs and support their families.”

“I appreciate Gov. Walz’s commitment to making Minnesota the ‘Education State’,” said Kent, who serves on the Senate E-12 Finance and Policy Committee. “We know too often the quality of a student’s education is dependent on their race or zip code. This budget takes a holistic approach to improve our students’ success: not just increasing the formula, but supporting students experiencing homelessness and providing training and assistance for teachers and administrators.” Continue reading “Senate DFLers Support Walz Budget for One Minnesota”

Our View: LGA: Walz city aid plan makes up losses

Why it matters: Cities are the government closest to the people, so funding can be directed where it’s needed most.

With the federal government increasingly dysfunctional and state political parties often taking the lead from their federal counterparts, the government that works best in the future may be the city.

So Gov. Tim Walz’s plan to increase local government aid by $30 million, bringing it back to the level of 2002 is a good down payment to empower the cities delivering goods and services to the people who can hold them most accountable.

Walz confirmed he is behind the plan for making the cities whole on getting the level of aid they received 17 years ago but also urged them to use their loud “choir voices” to convince other legislators.

View the complete January 31 editorial on The Mankato Free Press website here.