Photo credit: abcnews.go.com
MINNEAPOLIS — Governor Tim Walz and the Democratic Party have made significant legislative strides during their two years of full control of the Minnesota Legislature. Their initiatives range from enhancing abortion rights and LGBTQ+ protections to implementing tax credits aimed at alleviating family financial burdens.
The governor’s actions have garnered praise from liberal and progressive factions, contributing to his selection as Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate. While Walz acknowledges the efforts of powerful Democratic leaders behind these accomplishments, his tenure has not been without criticism from Republican opponents. They argue that he misallocated a substantial budget surplus that could have been directed toward tax relief and assert that his administration was slow to respond to the civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd.
Among the significant legislative achievements under Walz’s governorship is the signing of a law that effectively codifies abortion rights, removing many existing restrictions and extending protections for out-of-state patients seeking procedures in Minnesota. During a March visit to a Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Paul, Vice President Harris recognized Minnesota’s pioneering role in abortion access, marking a historical visit as it was reportedly the first for a president or vice president at such a facility.
Additionally, Walz and his Democratic allies have introduced new protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, allowing families from other states to access gender-affirming healthcare for their children, while also prohibiting conversion therapy for minors and vulnerable adults.
Walz’s governance has also been scrutinized due to his handling of the unrest that erupted in the wake of George Floyd’s death by a police officer in 2020. Following the violence, which included the burning of a police station, accusations emerged, particularly from former President Donald Trump, regarding who authorized the deployment of the National Guard. It was, in fact, Walz who ordered the National Guard’s activation after receiving requests from local mayors; however, lawmakers within Minnesota criticized both the governor and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for their delayed responses in addressing the chaos. The aftermath of the unrest did lead to statewide advancements in police accountability reforms.
Critics from the Republican Party have accused the Walz administration of inadequate oversight over pandemic-related programs, arguing that this negligence cost taxpayers significantly. Notably, one of the pandemic’s largest fraud scandals, termed Feeding Our Future, has led to federal charges against numerous individuals for fraudulently obtaining $250 million from programs designed to support youth during the pandemic. A report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor indicated that the state Department of Education failed to heed warning signs, highlighting a lack of preparedness. The administration has faced continued scrutiny regarding improper payments made to ineligible recipients under a bonus program for frontline workers and mismanagement of unemployment insurance.
Despite these challenges, Walz has experienced the benefits of Minnesota’s relatively robust economy, which has yielded strong tax revenues and substantial surpluses, including a remarkable $17.6 billion surplus for 2023. This financial windfall has enabled significant allocations for educational funding and social initiatives aimed at alleviating childhood poverty, such as tax credits for families with children and implementing free school meals for students regardless of household income. Furthermore, the administration has rolled out a paid family and medical leave initiative, positioned as a potential model for national policy.
Throughout his first term, Walz navigated a politically divided legislature, characterized by a Republican-led Senate and a Democratic-controlled House. His initial term saw productive collaboration, but tensions escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading him to utilize emergency powers to manage the state’s response. This included a range of public health measures such as business closures and lockdowns. Following the Democrats’ full control of the Legislature in 2023, bipartisan support became less critical apart from a major $2.6 billion infrastructure bill requiring supermajority approval.
Under Walz’s leadership, Minnesota became the 23rd state to legalize recreational marijuana for adults. However, the implementation and rollout of a legal marketplace has faced delays, with the only current legal sales occurring at Native American dispensaries operating outside state regulations. Walz’s initial appointment for the state’s Office of Cannabis Management ended prematurely after the selected candidate withdrew following revelations of undisclosed issues, leaving the position unfilled.
Walz has also prioritized voting rights, enacting legislation to simplify the voting process and bolster protections for voter rights that had been eroded by federal courts. Notably, the new law reinstates voting eligibility for convicted felons immediately upon release from prison instead of requiring completion of a supervised release period. This change has been characterized as a racial equity issue, yet it has prompted critiques from conservatives who allege it may jeopardize public safety. The Minnesota Supreme Court recently upheld this law, countering the claims of unconstitutionality raised by critics, potentially allowing at least 55,000 individuals to participate in the electoral process.
Minnesota’s First Lady, Gwen Walz, has actively supported initiatives for gun safety, advocating for measures such as universal background checks for firearm transfers and the introduction of a “red flag” law, which would enable authorities to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others.
Source
abcnews.go.com