GOV. TIM WALZ

MN Legislature Approves $48 Billion Budget in Special Session

Gov. Walz says he looks forward to signing the budget into law

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota’s House and Senate ends a special session by passing a $48 billion budget to fund state government for the next two years. The budget bills met their 7 a.m. deadline. House Speaker Melissa Hortman says Democrats secured new money for education and preserved funding for health care programs for more than one million Minnesotans. Minority Leader…

Minnesota Gov. Walz Calls One-Day Special Session For Friday

Lawmakers will pass remaining budget bills after leaders finally agreed on a health and human services funding bill

Gov. Tim Walz (D) Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R) & House Speaker Melissa Hortman (D) Announce Budget AgreementST. PAUL, MN — Minnesota lawmakers are rushing back to the state capitol building in St. Paul for a one day special session just called by Gov. Tim Walz. The session will begin Friday morning at 10 and must conclude by 7 a.m….

Walz, Hortman and Gazelka Reach A Bipartisan Agreement On Nearly $50 Billion Budget

Special One-Day Session Is Still Likely Since The Session Officially Ends Monday

Gov. Tim Walz (D) Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R) & House Speaker Melissa Hortman (D) Announce Budget AgreementST. PAUL, MN — Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota legislative leaders have struck a long-awaited deal over the nearly $50 billion state budget they announced during a news conference. The deal includes no gas tax, a slight decrease in the medical provider…

Walz, Gazelka And Hortman Reach Minnesota Budget Agreement

The legislative session is supposed to come to a close on Monday

ST. PAUL, MN — Gov. Tim Walz, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka and House Speaker Melissa Hortman have reached a budget agreement, according to the Governor’s office. The three leaders will hold a press conference Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m. to announce the details of the detail in the Governor’s Reception Room. The deal should avert a state government shutdown.  The…

Breckenridge One Of Three Schools To Get DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center In Minnesota

National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils And Gov. Tim Walz Made The Announcement

BRECKENRIDGE, MN — Breckenridge Elementary School is getting a DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center by this fall. It is one of three Minnesota schools to be selected in the multi-million dollar campaign against childhood obesity. Gov. Tim Walz and Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, also selected schools in Coleraine and Woodbury. The schools are demonstrating leadership…

Minnesota Governor Signs Bill To Make Marital Rape Illegal

The Law prevented prosecutors from filing rape charges against people accused of sexually assaulting their spouses

ST. PAUL, MN — Gov. Tim Walz has signed a bill repealing a Minnesota law that prevented prosecutors from filing rape charges against people accused of sexually assaulting their spouses. Looking on as Walz signed the bill was Jenny Teeson. The Andover woman went public after prosecutors dropped a felony charge against her now ex-husband. He drugged and recorded himself raping…

Oslo, Minnesota Cut Off By Floodwaters But It’s “Business as Usual”

Governor Tim Walz sent several dozen Army National Guard soldiers to assist Oslo over the weekend

OSLO, MN — Oslo, Minnesota is now an island cut off by Red River floodwaters blocking highways in and out of the town of around 300 people. The Red has crested below the record level and is holding steady. The town is protected by a massive permanent ring levee that has been in place for years. About half the population left…

House Democrats Add To Walz’s Transportation Budget, Senate Republicans Vote Down Tax Increases

Democratic governor's proposals include a 20 cent gas tax increase

ST. PAUL, MN — Democrats who control the Minnesota House unveil a transportation budget expanding on Gov. Tim Walz’s spending and taxing proposals. At the same time, a Republican-controlled Senate committee votes down his transportation tax increases. The House Democratic transportation budget mostly mirror’s the Democratic governor’s proposals, including a 20 cent gas tax increase. There are some differences on license…

Minnesota Governor Signs “Snow Day Relief” Bill Into Law

Minnesota normally requires public schools to hold 165 days of classes per academic year, or they could lose state aid

ST. PAUL, MN — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signing the “Snow Day Relief” bill passed by the legislature The bill was passed last week to allow school districts to count cold or snow days as instructional days, so they aren’t penalized for keeping students safe. “This was a compromise there was some issues to be worked out in making sure we…

Legislature Includes Snow, Sleet & Ice Damage In Farm Disaster Loan Program

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says around 75 barns statewide have collapsed this winter

ST. PAUL, MN (AP) — The Minnesota Legislature has approved expanding a zero-interest disaster loan program for farmers, just in time for producers with buildings damaged by heavy snow this winter. The bill unanimously passed the Senate Thursday, and then passed House without opposition. It now goes to Gov. Tim Walz for his signature. The bill broadens eligibility for the Disaster…