Governor Tim Walz unveiled the next portion of his $4.1 billion two-year One Minnesota Budget today. This portion of the budget will look to provide paid family and medical leave, support small businesses, and reduce climate impacts.
Walz outlined the proposal while speaking at Daikin Applied, a heating and air conditioning company in Plymouth.
While in Plymouth with Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, Walz talked about the impacts of climate change and what he would like to do to ensure the state is best-equipped to address the issue.
“The world is going to continue to gain in population,” Walz said. “Climate change is going to be an existential threat, and the economic benefits are going to go to those states and those companies that have the will and the innovation to take it on. And we need to make sure that Minnesota is that place.”
Jeff Brees is the President and CEO of Daikin Applied, and he shared that his company is working to provide sustainable upgrades to current HVAC technology.
“We are building and designing some of the most advanced heating and ventilation air conditioning equipment on the market,” Brees said.
This phase of the Governor’s budget also provides $100 million in funds for agriculture and bio-fuel infrastructure to support local farmers and looks to help support small businesses.
The previous portion of the budget that Walz shared at the beginning of the week was focused on children, youth, and families. It included funding for school lunch programs, mental health professionals, child care support, and expanded Child Tax Credits.
Walz has now shared two of the suspected four parts of his two-year budget, which is set to be released on Jan. 24.
