Gov. Tim Walz drew stark contrasts between Minnesota and Republican-led states Wednesday night, using his State of the State speech to highlight how he and his fellow Democrats have used their new control over state government in his second term.
“I’ve seen some of my fellow governors on TV — they find a lot of time to be on TV — and I hear them talking about ‘freedom,’” Walz said. “But it turns out what they really mean is that government should be free to invade your bedroom, your children’s locker room, and your doctor’s office.”
“It’s not up to me how folks go about their business,” he said. “But I got to tell you, I’m pretty glad we do it our way here and not that way.”
Republican Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, of East Grand Forks, quipped afterward that DeSantis is probably off Walz’s Christmas card list now.
The 2022 elections gave Minnesota Democrats control over both chambers of the Legislature and the governor’s office for the first time in eight years. Walz called it “a new mandate for action — a chance to set aside the old fights in favor of doing something truly historic for our children and our grandchildren.”
While other states ban books from their schools, Walz said, Minnesota schools are banishing hunger from theirs. He has already signed a bill making school meals free for all students beginning this fall.
Walz also used his speech to promote his budget proposals. The House and Senate have been debating budget bills this week, most of which are broadly similar to his own proposals. He mentioned tax credits for families that he says would reduce child poverty by 25%. He renewed his call for direct tax rebates.
Republican Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, of East Grand Forks, quipped afterward that DeSantis is probably off Walz’s Christmas card list now. “What we saw was a national campaign speech out there, ignoring the needs of Minnesotans across this state,” Johnson said.
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