Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has just signed a new $52 billion state budget after lawmakers wrapped up their special session early this morning.
It comes on the same day the state has reached a 70% COVID-19 vaccination rate which was the goal set by Walz back in May.
“This is a good day,” Walz said. ”This is when we were looking for. This was coinciding perfectly. As we crossed that threshold that the president set out, we become the 16th state to reach that goal of 70% vaccinated. We've got a budget that will get us through the next two years. We have a plan for those communities most impacted, and we didn't shy away from starting to address some of those issues, like in equities in our society and things around police reform and public safety.”
CDC data shows that 3,034,281 Minnesotans age 18 years and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Minnesota is only the second state in the Midwest to meet President Biden’s goal, and it leads the Midwest in the percentage of the overall population fully vaccinated (52%).
“This is a remarkable achievement, and a credit to every Minnesotan who has rolled up their sleeves to get their vaccine and protect themselves and their communities,” said Governor Walz. “Ahead of Independence Day weekend, we’re celebrating getting 70% of Minnesota adults vaccinated and all the good news that brings for Minnesota. Because of COVID-19 vaccines, new cases and hospitalizations are down to some of their lowest levels of the pandemic. With nearly 6 million doses administered across our state, we are seeing firsthand that these vaccines work, and I encourage every Minnesotan who has not yet been vaccinated to get their shot as soon as they can.”
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Walz referenced Minnesota being the 16th state to reach that milestone. Other states that have reached the 70% number are Vermont, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Maryland, Washington, Illinois, New York, and Virginia.
Walz also participated in a ceremonial signing of Minnesota's COVID-19 Recovery Budget, the state's budget for the next two years.
Surrounded by health care professionals, small business owners, teachers and students, the governor signed four budget bills, avoiding a partial government shutdown. The bills include the largest increase to the state's education budget over the next four years, money for businesses hurt by the pandemic, and money for essential workers.
Appearing with Paul Douglas on the WCCO Morning News, Walz said he was feeling very proud of the work that was done despite the challenges.
“In a divided government in 2021, with all we’ve been through, this feels pretty good. Good stuff for Minnesota. Smart, fiscally responsible but invests in the things we were going to invest in, our kids and our families. It shows the system still works.”