Walz Weekly Roundup -- March 18-22, 2024

Mar. 25—During the week, Governor Tim Walz and legislative leaders reached a budget framework agreement, highlighted the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs receiving the Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Award and announced the recipients of nearly $20 million in grants to grow Minnesota's workforce through the Drive for Five Workforce initiative.

On March 18, Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan released a one-page supplemental budget proposal. The budget addresses pressing statewide needs, including rural emergency medical services, water quality and child welfare.

"Last year, we took historic steps to make Minnesota the best state in the nation for families. This year, we're focused on putting that work into action while maintaining a responsible, balanced budget," said Walz. "From rural ambulance services to water quality infrastructure, we are addressing some of our most pressing statewide needs and delivering on core government services."

"This supplemental budget invests in the core services that ensure Minnesotans can live safer, healthier, better lives. That includes continuing to build on our historic investments in child care," said Flanagan. "By strengthening our child welfare system and adding pre-kindergarten seats, we're making smart investments that will make Minnesota the best state for kids and families."

The administration's proposal also includes $16 million to support ambulance services in Greater Minnesota, which have faced severe funding and personnel shortfalls. The budget also provides grants to organizations that serve victims of crime, in addition to funding services to prevent recidivism and overdoses for people who are released from prisons and jails.

On March 19, Walz announced the recipients of nearly $20 million in grants to grow Minnesota's workforce through the Drive for Five Workforce initiative, a new effort to prepare more Minnesotans for high-demand jobs in five occupational categories: technology, the trades, caring professions, manufacturing, and education.

"We're partnering with organizations across the state to expand job training programs and grow the workforce for the future," said Walz. "By investing in career training, we're helping businesses find the skilled workers they need while helping Minnesotans find fulfilling careers and earn family-sustaining wages. This is good for our workers, our businesses, and our economy."

The administration states that industries selected to be part of Drive for Five are projected to be high-growth in the years ahead and provide family-sustaining wages for workers, defined as having a median hourly wage at or above $19.46. Drive for Five will benefit Minnesotans who want to join the labor force in these in-demand fields and who need training and employment assistance. It will benefit Minnesota's economy by preparing people for in-demand careers and meeting the needs of employers.

On March 20, Walz announced that the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs received the Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Award from the U.S. Department of Veterans for their work to end veterans homelessness. Additionally, four Minnesota veterans homes received a national customer experience award for the sixth year in a row.

"Minnesota is on track to become the fourth state to end veterans homelessness, and we're using a nation-leading outreach program to reach that goal," said Walz. "I'm proud of our team at MDVA who are dedicated to connecting veterans to their critical benefits. This recognition reflects Minnesota's commitment to providing the best services and care for our veterans."

On March 21, Walz and Flanagan visited a school in St. Paul to highlight legislative efforts to prevent book bans based on ideology. With more than 1,400 instances of books banned in the first half of the 2022-23 school year across the nation, this proposed legislation would ensure such restrictions don't happen in Minnesota.

Also on March 21, the Commission on Judicial Selection announced two vacancies in Minnesota'sThird Judicial District. The vacancies will occur upon the retirement of the Honorable Joseph F. Chase and the Honorable Mary C. Leahy. These seats will be chambered in Rochester in Olmsted County and Winona in Winona County.

Also on March 21, Walz signed two bills into law that will transfer programs from the Department of Human Services to new state agencies. Chapter 80, House File 3646 codifies the Department of Children, Youth and Families into statute. This will direct programs currently run by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Education, and Public Safety to come together to improve the effectiveness of services for children and families.

Chapter 79, House File 3987 transfers duties from Department of Human Services to Department of Direct Care and Treatment. This transfer will improve the agency's ability to oversee and manage health care sites across the state.

On March 22, Governor Tim Walz, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and House Speaker Melissa Hortman announced that they have reached a budget framework agreement.

"This is a responsible, thoughtful agreement that maintains a balanced budget while funding our state's most urgent needs for critical infrastructure, public safety, and emergency services," said Walz. "Last year we made historic investments and passed sweeping progressive legislation, and this year we're focused on doing the hard work of putting that legislation into action.

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