‘That Is Something To Celebrate’: Tim Walz Touts Progress In Key Minnesota Initiatives

During his 2025 State of the State address on Wednesday, Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) spoke about the status of the state’s agenda.

Transcript

00:00And we, together, pass the nation's most aggressive expansion of labor rights.

00:09Because a job's just not a job.

00:11It's a means to a secure life.

00:14And it should come with benefits, like earn safe and sick time,

00:18and the right to collectively bargain for a better life.

00:30Financial security, job security, and we've invested collectively together

00:38time and hundreds of millions of dollars in fighting crime.

00:42And by the way, because of that work, crime is down across the state of Minnesota.

01:00I'm trying. That is something to celebrate. That is something to celebrate.

01:06We've worked together to eliminate Social Security's taxes on the vast majority of Minnesota's seniors

01:12so nobody's parents will choose between prescription drugs and groceries.

01:30Invested in cutting crime, cut taxes. Those are things to celebrate.

01:37And in just a few months, we'll have one of the nation's most generous family and medical leave policies.

01:43Because no one should worry about losing their income while taking care of a loved one.

01:53That's a good blow.

02:00And when it comes to opportunity, we've passed unprecedented funding for public education.

02:06And we worked in a bipartisan manner to make sure our kids actually get the benefits from that funding

02:12by enhancing our literacy programs together.

02:23We've invested in bringing competitive, high-paying jobs to our state.

02:27And growing our economy with an eye towards green energy and innovation jobs that will shape the future.

02:34We're not just one of the best states in which to start a business.

02:38We're proving to be one of America's most popular states to grow a business.

02:42Just look at Philips, Solventum, Solfidel, and the Mayo Clinic.

02:47Investing billions to create thousands of new jobs right here in Minnesota.