Latest Timothy Walz News

Minnesota moves to strengthen status as 'trans refuge state'

Mar. 23, 2023 18:46 PM EDT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota House was moving Thursday toward strengthening the state's protections for children and their families who come for gender-affirming care by making Minnesota a “trans refuge state,” bucking a national backlash against transgender rights. ...

Minnesota officials plug fight against 'forever chemicals'

Mar. 23, 2023 16:47 PM EDT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota pollution and health officials made the case at the State Capitol on Thursday for legislation to restrict nonessential uses of “forever chemicals” known as PFAS, and for the $45.6 million that Gov. Tim Walz has requested in his budget to prevent, manage and...

Editorial Roundup: Minnesota

Mar. 22, 2023 07:23 AM EDT

Minneapolis Star Tribune. March 20, 2023. Editorial: He’s right. And it’s much harder to fight back when the officials you elected to protect you don’t have your back. Gov. Tim Walz pushes for public safety and more in revised budget Revised budget plan’s most...

New Minnesota budget targets include $3 billion for tax cuts

Mar. 21, 2023 20:11 PM EDT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Democratic legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Walz agreed Tuesday on broad budget targets that add up to nearly $17.9 billion in new spending, including $3 billion for tax cuts, but the details of where the money will go remain to be negotiated. Agreeing on the...

Paid family and medical leave in play at Minnesota Capitol

Mar. 21, 2023 19:11 PM EDT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Supporters of creating a paid family and medical leave system in Minnesota rallied at the state Capitol on Tuesday and lobbied their lawmakers to try to push the plan over the finish line. “You know that anywhere else in the developed world, paid family and...

Walz adds money to budget for public safety, lead removal

Mar. 16, 2023 16:32 PM EDT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz updated his budget proposal Thursday by nearly doubling his request for public safety aid for cities, counties and tribal governments to $550 million, building on a budget forecast last month that showed Minnesota's budget surplus holding relatively steady at...

Minnesota Senate backs free school meals for all students

Mar. 14, 2023 19:19 PM EDT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Lunches and breakfasts would be free to Minnesota students regardless of income under a bill that won approval in the state Senate on Tuesday. Universal free school meals for all students have been a Democratic priority this session. But even a few...

Minnesota governor protects rights to gender affirming care

Mar. 08, 2023 16:21 PM EST

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order Wednesday protecting the rights of LGBTQ people from Minnesota and other states to receive gender affirming health care, as he slammed the tide of other states rolling back transgender rights. “We want...

Minnesota governor signs 'driver's licenses for all' bill

Mar. 07, 2023 17:59 PM EST

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Immigration status will no longer disqualify more than 80,000 people from getting Minnesota drivers licenses under a bill signed by Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday. Supporters of the effort, dubbed “driver’s licenses for all,” say it will improve public safety...

Walz to transfer power during anesthesia for colonoscopy

Mar. 05, 2023 14:42 PM EST

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will temporarily transfer power to Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan on Monday while he’s under general anesthesia for a colonoscopy, his office said Sunday. The 58-year-old governor sent a letter Sunday to House Speaker Melissa Hortman and...