Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz highlights a bipartisan end-of-session agreement with state lawmakers, emphasizing historic budget reserves, long-term financial stability, consistent surpluses, and key investments in essential programs.
The deal, reached just before the Legislature’s required adjournment, provides funding for Hennepin County Medical Center, one-time taxpayer relief, reduced car registration fees, and additional measures.
Key Funding for Hospitals
The agreement delivers a one-time $205 million boost to Hennepin County Medical Center, which faces closure risks without support. It also establishes a $500 million hospital reserve fund to address future shortfalls. Officials confirm the immediate funding availability, with reserves accessible next summer for struggling hospitals.
Walz’s Final Session and Handover
This agreement concludes Walz’s tenure as governor, following his decision in January to forgo a third term amid Republican scrutiny over state fraud issues.
“My job is to hand this off to the next governor, whoever the people of Minnesota choose, to hand off a state that is in solid financial shape that now has the tools and the changes that were made for the program integrity around the weaknesses that were exploited by people,” Walz states, “yet be able to see those rankings, on childhood poverty being some of the lowest in the country, healthcare access being some of the highest.”
Pending Gun Reform Debate
Gun reform remains unresolved as the session ends. House Democrats accuse Republican Speaker Lisa Demuth of blocking a Senate-passed gun control bill from reaching the floor, threatening a sit-in unless it advances. Demuth insists the bill requires committee review first.
“If this bill comes to the House floor, it will pass,” Walz declares. “That’s clearly why it’s not coming to the House floor.”
