Minnesota
Gov. Tim Walz drew stark contrasts between Minnesota and Republican-led states Wednesday night, using his State of the State speech to highlight how he and his fellow Democrats have used their new control over state government to push through an ambitious liberal agenda.
Walz, now three months into his second term, told lawmakers and other dignitaries in the House chamber how Minnesota
Democrats are bucking the backlash seen in red states across the country against abortion rights, trans rights, pushes for racial equity and other cultural flashpoints.
“I’ve seen some of my fellow governors on TV — they find a lot of time to be on TV — and I hear them talking about ‘freedom,’”
Walz said. “But it turns out what they really mean is that government should be free to invade your bedroom, your children’s locker room, and your doctor’s office.”
Walz didn’t name Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis or other GOP leaders
who’ve gained national followings by fighting against the “woke” left, but his targets were clear.
Republican Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, of East Grand Forks,
quipped afterward that DeSantis is probably off Walz’s Christmas card list now.
The 2022 elections gave Minnesota Democrats control over both chambers of the Legislature and the governor’s office for the first time in eight years.
Walz called it “a new mandate for action — a chance to set aside the old fights in favor of doing something truly historic for our children and our grandchildren.”
The governor noted that he has already signed legislation or issued executive orders this year to protect abortion rights in the wake of last year’s U.S.
Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade;
to make Minnesota a refuge for patients coming from other states to get abortions; and for trans youth coming from other states to seek gender-affirming care.
While other states ban books from their schools, Walz said, Minnesota schools are banishing hunger from theirs.
He has already signed a bill making school meals free for all students beginning this fall.
He also signed a bill allowing drivers licenses for all, regardless of immigration status.
He signed one allowing convicted felons to vote once they get out of prison, and another making Juneteenth a holiday.
And he signed yet another requiring Minnesota utilities to get 100% of their electricity from carbon-free sources by 2040