Many of the progressive measures that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris proposed but were unable to pass Congress have been implemented by the former schoolteacher turned politician who Vice President Kamala Harris selected as her running mate in the 2024 presidential contest.
Reforms in Healthcare
Expanding healthcare access is among Walz’s most notable accomplishments. His administration successfully pushed for the MinnesotaCare Buy-In in 2020, a public option designed to lower the cost of healthcare for middle-class households. “We have a good feeling that it will result in a more equitable, inclusive, prosperous, and better Minnesota,” Walz stated. This program gives residents access to MinnesotaCare to purchase health insurance, acting as a safety net for those who might not otherwise be able to afford it.
Initiatives for Education
Walz, a former educator, has prioritized education heavily. Under his leadership, public school funding has expanded, with a focus on early childhood education and student mental health resources. The governor has continuously included initiatives to close the opportunity gap and guarantee that every child in Minnesota has access to high-quality education in his proposed budgets. He signed a law in 2021 that increased financing for K–12 education by $1.2 billion. This included initiatives to meet the needs of low-income kids and investments in special education.
Climate Change Initiatives
Addressing climate change has also been a top priority for Walz. In 2019, he issued an executive order creating the Governor’s Advisory Council on Climate Change and the Climate Change Subcabinet. These organizations are responsible for developing plans to lower greenhouse gas emissions and support renewable energy sources. Walz’s ambition is to make Minnesota a leader in sustainable development and clean energy. Among his administration’s lofty goals is to use only clean energy by the year 2050.
Financial Fairness
Walz’s ideas have always placed a strong emphasis on economic equality. To help lower and middle-class households, he has argued in favor of pursuing tax reforms, promoting small companies, and boosting the minimum wage. In an effort to lessen income disparity, the governor passed legislation in 2022 raising the minimum wage for major employers to $15 per hour. To promote a more equitable economy, his administration has also started programs to give funds and resources to minority-owned companies.
In Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz’s progressive policies have had a major positive impact on healthcare, education, economic fairness, and climate change. His administration’s actions will probably have an ongoing impact on the state’s future for many years to come as it works toward these objectives.
