In state address, Gov. Tim Walz contrasts policies under Minnesota's DFL trifecta with Republican-led states
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Gov. Tim Walz in his State of the State address Wednesday called Minnesota "America's North Star," contrasting the vision of Democrats leading the legislature with the policies of other states where Republicans are in control of state government.
"I'm only the governor of this great state. It's not up to me how folks in those places like Florida go about their business, but I've gotta tell you -- I'm pretty glad we do it our way here and not that way," Walz said.
Walz, who just began his second term, shed his appeals for unity that defined last year's speech and again declared that "an era of gridlock" is over. He highlighted victories for Democrats this session that evaded them for years when Republicans had a majority in the state Senate.
Quickly this year, newly-empowered DFL lawmakers sent legislation to Walz's desk to codify abortion rights, set a standard for carbon-free electricity by 2040 and ensure free breakfast and lunch for all students in school.
These policies and more illustrate the stark differences between the Minnesota and other states, Walz said.
"Politicians want to be seen as fighters. What they don't seem to understand is it's not enough to be a fighter. You got to choose the right fights," he told a joint session of the House and Senate. "It's amazing what you can accomplish when you stop complaining about corporations going 'woke' and start giving a damn about real people and real lives."
Walz also noted some proposals still left on the table before session ends next month that he hopes the legislature will pass: a state budget for the next two years with significant funding for education, gun safety measures and a paid family and medical leave program.
"Now we have a new mandate for action, a chance to set aside old fights in favor of doing something truly historic for our children and grandchildren," the governor said. "This is a moment we have been building towards for a long time. And we will not let it go to waste."
Democrats gave the governor several standing ovations, while Republicans were mostly quiet during the half-hour speech. In a news conference after the remarks, Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks, said he was "shocked" by the governor's national focus in an address to Minnesotans and called it a national campaign speech.
"Ron DeSantis is probably off his Christmas card list at this point," Johnson quipped.
He and House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth criticized Walz and other Democrats for increasing government spending and proposing tax hikes at a time when the state has a $17.5 billion surplus. They want to see more tax cuts.
"While the Democrats are on their record spending spree, again, you are not hearing dramatic tax relief that is being proposed," Demuth said. "With a record budget surplus of $17.5 billion, returning that to Minnesotans, reducing government and the costs is what our Minnesota residents are looking for."
Meanwhile, DFL leaders praised the governor's speech and underscored those policy victories he mentioned. Walz referenced the "Minnesota Miracle" of 1971, when a DFL governor worked with conservative majorities to make significant tax policy changes to fund schools and reduce property taxes.
He argued the state has an opportunity in this moment to make such progress again and become "America's North Star."
DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman agreed and said the current makeup of the legislature is a "Minnesota Miracle 2.0"
"Senate [President Bobby Joe Champion] and I couldn't help but do a little high five for each of [policies mentioned] because they make such a difference in the lives of Minnesotans," Hortman said. "They're basic human rights we have been waiting to accomplish for so long, and we currently have the arrangement the political arrangement to get things done."