With just a few weeks left before Minnesota lawmakers adjourn, Governor Tim Walz used his annual State of the State address Wednesday night at the State Capitol to encourage lawmakers to rally together around passing a budget and to criticize President Donald Trump's actions since once again taking the Oval Office.
"Tonight, with the state of our state as strong as it’s ever been, we gather to write the next chapter in our great Minnesota story. But I can’t help but point out that we also gather at a moment of great uncertainty for our nation," Walz told lawmakers. "And let’s be honest: This uncertainty – this chaos – is no accident. The President of the United States has chosen to destroy our federal government’s ability to help people. He hired the richest man in the world to take a chainsaw to basic services Minnesotans rely on to build better lives."
Walz's remarks about President Trump were a focal point for Minnesota Republicans following the address.
"It was really unfortunate that while there was maybe not quite an olive branch, but maybe, a few buds of an olive tree given by the governor," said Republican leader Harry Niska. "Most of it was overshadowed by a quite frankly angry rant about Donald Trump."
Governor Walz's State of the State address came as lawmakers face a May 19 deadline to adjourn and pass a two-year state budget that must include a number of cuts due to a looming $6 billion deficit.
"This budget wasn’t written to please everyone. It was written to bring everyone to the table. And when we get there, no doubt we’ll have some disagreements," Walz said. "My progressive friends might wish we were cutting a little less. My conservative friends might wish we were cutting a little more."
Parts of the state government could shut down if the state fails to have a balanced budget by July 1.
Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth said after Walz's speech that she appreciated the governor's commitment to reduce state spending, but did not feel blaming federal leaders was the route to solving underlying issues.
"I was very, very pleased to hear the Governor has realized we are headed towards a deficit and he wants to make cuts," Demuth said. "I was incredibly encouraged by that fact."
Walz drew an ovation from both Republicans and Democrats when addressing fraud, including efforts to use Artificial Intelligence to to catch "bad actors" targeting public funds illegally.
"Minnesota should have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to misuse of taxpayer dollars. And earlier this year, I took action to make that policy a reality."
Wednesday marked Governor Walz's seventh State of the State.
