Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 23, 2021

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Governor Walz Continued Statewide Education Tour


Gov. Walz Education Tour

This week, Governor Walz continued an education tour across Minnesota to celebrate the historic investments in education included in Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget. He made stops at schools in Lake Elmo, Nisswa, and Mankato. More stops to be announced soon!


Governor Walz Visited Polk County Farm to Survey Drought Conditions and Meet with Farmers


Gov. Walz Talks Drought with Farmers

On Thursday, Governor Walz visited a farm in Polk County to survey the drought and discuss its impact with farmers.

“After a year that challenged Minnesotans across the state, our farmers are suffering yet another setback from the persistent drought,” said Governor Walz. “Minnesota farmers and ranchers feed not just Minnesota but the entire world, and this drought is threatening their livelihoods. We continue to maintain close communication with our federal partners and the agricultural community to ensure we’re providing the support and flexibility our farmers and ranchers need during this challenging time.” 


Governor Walz Met Croatian Officials to Celebrate 25 Years of the Minnesota National Guard’s Partnership with Croatia


Gov. Walz with National Guard and Croatian Officials

On Tuesday, Governor Walz met with Major General Shawn Manke, DEED Commissioner Steve Grove, and Croatian Officials to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Minnesota National Guard’s partnership program with Croatia.


Commission on Judicial Selection Recommends Fourth Judicial District Candidates to Governor Walz


On Wednesday, the Commission on Judicial Selection announced it is recommending five candidates for consideration to fill two vacancies in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District. These vacancies will occur upon the retirements of the Honorable Margaret A. Daly and the Honorable Kathleen D. Sheehy. These seats are chambered in Minneapolis in Hennepin County.


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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: July 16, 2021

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Governor Walz Signed Historic Executive Order Protecting LGBTQ+ Youth from the Harmful Practice of Conversion Therapy

Gov. Walz Signs Executive Order


On Thursday, Governor Tim Walz signed an Executive Order, protecting Minnesotans from conversion therapy. Conversion therapy, also known as “reparative therapy,” refers to a counseling practice that seeks to change a patient’s gender or sexual orientation. Every leading medical and scientific association including the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and National Education Association have strongly and uniformly rejected conversion therapy for minors, citing its harmful effects on the long-term mental health of LGBTQ+ youth.

“Our kids deserve to grow up in a state that values them for who they are – not one that tries to change them,” said Governor Walz. “This Executive Order aims to protect young and vulnerable Minnesotans from the cruel and discredited practice of conversion therapy and affirms that the LGBTQ+ community is an integral part of One Minnesota. This is not the end of our work to see this practice become a thing of the past. We will continue to fight for love over hate every single day.”

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Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan Update: July 9, 2021

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Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan Visited Rochester to Highlight Child Care and Early Education Investments in Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget


Gov. and Lt. Gov. Highlight Child Care and Early Education Investments


On Thursday, Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan visited Rochester to celebrate the passage of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget. The budget’s historic investments will help Minnesota’s working families by increasing access to affordable, high-quality child care, early education, and youth programs.


New Data Shows Minnesota’s COVID Restrictions Saved Lives


In case you missed it, KARE 11 aired a story this week detailing new research from the Wilder Foundation showing that Governor Walz’s leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic saved lives. Throughout the pandemic, CDC data shows Minnesota had the lowest death rate of any surrounding state. Rewatch the story here: New data shows Minnesota’s COVID restrictions saved lives.

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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: June 25, 2021

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Governor Walz Continues to Fight for Students, Working Families, Small Businesses


Gov. Walz with Legislative Leaders


Governor Walz continues to work with legislative leaders to pass a two-year state budget that will drive Minnesota’s recovery by making investments in our students, small businesses, and working families. Our state is ready to put this pandemic behind us, and Governor Walz is committed to finishing the job. 


Governor Walz Announces Huber Engineered Woods LLC to Bring 150 New Jobs to Cohasset

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board approves $15 million to construct a new wood products manufacturing facility


On Monday, Governor Walz announced the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board approved $15 million in funding for the construction of the new Huber Engineered Woods LLC manufacturing facility in Cohasset, bringing 150 new jobs to the region.

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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: June 11, 2021

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Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Respond to Minnesota’s Strong Revenue Report


On Thursday, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan released statements on the State of Minnesota’s monthly revenue report issued by Minnesota Management and Budget:

“Minnesota’s economy is strong, and we’re working to make sure it’s even stronger than before. This strong economic outlook proves the people of Minnesota are resilient, and we should continue to invest in them. With this news, I expect our state’s legislative leaders to come together to pass a budget for all Minnesotans. Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget will allow us to continue to rise and rebuild by supporting working families, students, and small businesses while further driving our state’s economic recovery,” said Governor Walz. 

“While we are still enduring the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, today’s revenue report shows that Minnesota has the resources to make responsible and meaningful investments that help those who were hit hardest recover. Whether it’s helping students catch up on learning, supporting small businesses across the state who made sacrifices to keep people safe, or creating economic security for working families struggling to pay bills and put food on the table after job loss, we can build a budget that invests in the future of Minnesota’s children and families and gets us back to better,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. 

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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: June 4, 2021

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‘Your Shot to Summer’ Rewards Request Form Opens

‘Your Shot to Summer!’ campaign rewards you for getting your shot, protecting yourself, and kicking off summer the right way.


Gov. Walz, Your Shot to Summer


This week, Governor Walz announced the rewards request form for the ‘Your Shot to Summer’ vaccine incentive campaign is now open for submissions at mn.gov/covid19/summer. Minnesotans 12 years of age and older who have gotten their first COVID-19 vaccine dose since May 27, 2021 are eligible to fill out the request form and choose their preferred vaccine reward.

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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: May 21, 2021

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Governor Walz, Legislature Reach Bipartisan Budget Agreement


Speaker Hortman, Gov. Walz, Leader Gazelka, Leader Kent


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.”

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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: May 14, 2021

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Following New CDC Guidance, Governor Walz Announces End to Statewide Face Covering Requirement


Sleeves Up, Masks Off!

On Thursday, Governor Walz announced the end of Minnesota’s statewide mask requirement, aligning Minnesota with new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on face coverings. Minnesotans who are not fully vaccinated are strongly recommended to wear face coverings indoors.

“This great day is possible because vaccines have proven to be effective,” said Governor Walz. “Once you are fully vaccinated you are protected. You can confidently return to the people you love and things that you miss – all without a mask. The message is clear — get vaccinated and let’s put the pandemic behind us once and for all.”

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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: May 7, 2021

Governor Walz Announces Timeline to End COVID-19 Restrictions

Capacity restrictions to end on May 28, masking requirement to end by July 1


Safely Ending COVID-19 Restrictions


On Thursday, Governor Walz announced a three-step timeline to end nearly all COVID-19 restrictions by May 28, and end the statewide masking requirement once 70% of Minnesotans age 16 years and older get their vaccine, or by July 1. The announcement comes as more than 2.6 million Minnesotans have gotten their shot and the state is on track to vaccinate 70 percent of Minnesotans by the end of June.

Since mid-April, COVID-19 cases have declined. Hospitals are seeing fewer admissions and vaccination progress has relentlessly pushed forward. Vaccines held COVID-19 variants at bay and avoided having them overwhelm our state. Minnesotans can visit VaccineConnector.mn.gov to make a vaccine appointment at a Community Vaccination Program site, or use the Find Vaccine Locations map to locate a provider near them.


2 Million Minnesotans Have Received Complete Vaccine Series


2 Million Minnesotans Fully Vaccinated


This week, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan announced that 2 million Minnesotans have completed the vaccination process. While it took the state 15 weeks to complete the first million vaccine series, it took just five weeks to complete the second million vaccine series.

“Minnesotans have done an extraordinary job doing their part to end this pandemic,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “I am grateful for everyone who has gotten us to this milestone today — from the providers distributing vaccines, to the Minnesotans rolling up their sleeves, to the organizers on the ground making sure no community is left behind, to the friends and neighbors helping their loved ones get these life-saving shots. This has been a true team effort and I know we can get to the finish line together.”


State Launches Walk-In COVID-19 Vaccinations at State Vaccine Sites

Starting today, walk-in availability makes it easy, convenient for Minnesotans to roll up their sleeves


Roll Up Your Sleeves MN Image

On Friday, Governor Walz announced that eligible Minnesotans can walk in for a COVID-19 vaccination without an appointment at the state’s Community Vaccination Program locations effective today, Friday, May 7. As Minnesotans under 18 must receive consent from a parent or guardian, the state encourages parents, guardians, and families to walk in and get vaccinated together. 

Walk-ins for Minnesotans 16+ are now accepted at state community vaccination sites in Bloomington (Mall of America), Saint Paul (Roy Wilkins Auditorium), Lino Lakes and Oakdale. Walk-ins for Minnesotans 18+ are now accepted at Mankato, Duluth, Rochester, and St. Cloud.


Governor Walz Calls on Senate to Pass Summer Learning Package in Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget


Gov. Walz Bumps Elbows with School Children


On Tuesday, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan called on the Minnesota Senate to quickly pass the summer learning package in Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget to ensure schools have the support they need to help students recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Passed by the Minnesota House in March, the $150 million plan addresses opportunity gaps and expands summer learning opportunities.

Helping students recover and catch up on learning has been one of the Governor’s budget priorities from the beginning of the legislative session. In January, Governor Walz announced Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget – his budget proposal for the next biennium. As Minnesota continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Walz’s budget supports working families, ensures students catch up on learning, and helps small businesses stay afloat while driving economic recovery.


Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Honors the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Relatives


Lt. Gov. Flanagan spoke at the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Event


On Wednesday, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives , Lieutenant Governor Flanagan joined State Legislators and community leadership to push for a new Minnesota Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Office dedicated to preventing and ending the targeting of Indigenous women and children.  

“A powerful way we can both honor those we’ve lost and protect our Native women and girls into the future, is to create and fully fund the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Office in the Department of Public Safety,” said  Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “I believe we can work together with Minnesota Legislature to get this done.”


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Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Update: May 1, 2021

Governor Walz Joins Bipartisan Leaders in Minnesota Legislature to Call for Action on Police Reform


On Thursday, Governor Walz joined bipartisan leaders in the Minnesota Legislature to call for action among Minnesota Senate Republicans on police reform, following the passage of meaningful police reform legislation in the Minnesota House.

“The accountability we saw last week for George Floyd is the floor – not the ceiling – of what we need to do in Minnesota to advance police reform. True justice comes through real, systemic change to prevent this from happening again,” said Governor Walz. “I applaud the effort in the Minnesota House to advance meaningful legislation that would make Minnesota a leader in effective and fair law enforcement policies, practices, and behaviors. I urge the Republicans in the Minnesota Senate to listen to Minnesotans and take action.”

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