Despite the deadly consequences of substance use, only one in ten people with a substance use disorder receives treatment. To prevent more tragic deaths, we must do
more to combat substance use and educate and provide treatment to all those who need it.
In 2019, I signed the Opiate Epidemic Response bill: Minnesota now raises funds from prescribers, drug manufacturers, and distributors to fight the opioid crisis.
The duties of the Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change and Subcabinet are as follows:
Consider how climate change mitigation and resilience policies and strategies can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy waste.
Source: Minnesota voting records: Executive Order 19-37
Dec 2, 2019
On Environment:
No net loss of prairie pothole wetlands & all wetlands
Wetlands provide important benefits to Minnesota by protecting and preserving surface water and groundwater, providing for natural storage and retention of flood waters, adding to Minnesota's ecological diversity [and more].Over 80% of the State's
original prairie pothole wetlands have been drained and over 60% of the State's total original wetland base has been drained, filled, or otherwise diminished. It is in the public interest to protect the functions & values of wetlands and to restore lost
wetland functions.
All responsible departments and agencies must:- Protect, enhance, and restore the quality and extent of Minnesota's wetlands to the fullest extent of their authority in accordance with the goal of "no-net loss" of wetlands in the
State.
- Improve the effectiveness of the State's wetland and related water resource protections.
- Coordinate implementation of wetland and related water resource regulatory and restoration programs with federal and local agencies.
Source: Minnesota voting records: Executive Order 19-17
Apr 1, 2019
On Jobs:
Vetoed minimum wage for rideshare drivers
Gov. Walz today issued Executive Order 23-07, commissioning a study and convening a working group of drivers, riders, rideshare companies, members of the disability community, and labor to issue recommendations for rideshare legislation next year.
The Governor also issued a veto of the rideshare legislation in its current form."Rideshare drivers deserve fair wages and safe working conditions. I am committed to finding solutions that balance the interests of all parties, including drivers and
riders," said Governor Walz. "This is not the right bill to achieve these goals. I have spent my career fighting for workers, and I will continue to work with drivers, riders, and rideshare companies to address the concerns that this bill sought to
address."
To allow time to find solutions that balance the interests of all Minnesotans, Governor Walz vetoed Chapter 65, House File 2369 as passed by the Minnesota legislature.
Source: Minnesota State voting records Chapter 65, House File 2369
May 25, 2023
On Social Security:
Establish Council on Age-Friendly Minnesota
There are one million older adults in Minnesota and that figure is growing rapidly. In 2020, the number of older adults in Minnesota over age 65 will exceed the number of children under age 18. Older adults may face challenges related to financial
security, housing, transportation, health care, employment, and social service needs. In addition, thousands of direct support workers and the estimated 650,000 family and friends who provide unpaid caregiving are struggling to meet the ever-increasing
demand for care.The Council on Age-Friendly Minnesota will:- Elevate the voice of older adults in developing the vision and action plan for an age-friendly state.
- Identify opportunities for, and barriers to, collaboration among state agencies
responsible for public-private partnerships.
- Catalyze age-friendly work at the local level
- Establish a statewide framework to tap into the potential presented by our aging communities and elevates aging across all of Minnesota.
Source: Minnesota voting records: Executive Order 19-38
Dec 11, 2019
On War & Peace:
Support Ukraine; withdraw investments from Russia & Belarus
On March 4, 2022, I signed Executive Order 22-03, condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine and supporting the people of Ukraine by requiring that state agencies terminate existing contracts with Russian entities and refrain from entering into future
contracts with Russian entities.On March 7, 2022, I called on the Minnesota Legislature to act to withdraw state investments in Russian businesses and institutions. This week, the Legislature passed a bill to withdraw state investments from Russian &
Belarusian entities. MN Laws 2022, Chapter 43, codifies the directives in Executive Order 22-03. As a result of this codification into Minnesota law, Executive Order 22-03 is no longer necessary.
I urge all people in Minnesota to support their
Ukrainian neighbors and donate to organizations supporting Ukrainian humanitarian efforts. I also urge Minnesotans to support our fellow Russian Minnesotans, many of whom are horrified and alarmed by the Russian government's aggression toward Ukraine.
Source: Minnesota voting records: Executive Order 22-06
Apr 1, 2022
On Families & Children:
Place children at the center of government
Children unite us. They are our future, and the overall wellbeing of our state depends on the success of our youngest Minnesotans. To ensure Minnesota is a top place to live, our state needs to focus on preparing the next generation of Minnesotans to
work and lead in a rapidly changing world.Today race, zip code, and income are too often determinants of opportunity. Our systems have not led to equitable outcomes for our children--especially our children of color. For these reasons, I order that:
- The Children's Cabinet is charged with ensuring that every Minnesota child, no matter their race or zip code, are prepared to participate in the state's future workforce.
- The Children's Cabinet will utilize a results-based accountability
lens in four priority areas:
- Healthy beginnings (beginning with the prenatal period)
- Child care and education (beginning with early childhood)
- Mental health and well-being
- Housing stability for children, youth, and families
Source: Minnesota voting records: Executive Order 19-34
Aug 7, 2019
On Families & Children:
Protect gender affirming care for minors in Minnesota
HF146: Gender-affirming health care; use of subpoenas to gather information prevented.WUGA (NPR) analysis, April 21, 2023: The Minnesota Senate voted to pass a House-approved bill that will prevent state courts or officials from
complying with child removal requests, extraditions, arrests or subpoenas related to gender-affirming health care that a person receives or provides in Minnesota. Physicians who practice gender-affirming care in Minnesota, and families who've sought it
out for their transgender children or teenagers, have said the bill will go a long way to ensure that they can continue to access treatment without fear of other states' laws. Republicans in the state legislature have opposed extending legal protections
to families traveling for gender care services.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 68-62-4 on Mar/23/23; passed Senate 34-30-3 on Apr/21/23; Signed by Governor Tim Walz on Apr/27/23
Source: WUGA (NPR) on Minnesota State voting records HF146
Apr 27, 2023
On Gun Control:
Sign universal background checks & red flag law
Minnesota Women's Press analysis, 05/12/2023:SF2909 requires:- background checks on all handgun and semi-automatic military-style assault weapon sales;
- an Extreme Risk law, which allows loved ones and law enforcement to petition a
court to temporarily restrict access to firearms by those deemed to be at risk of harming themselves and others.
Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 34-33-0 on May/12/23; passed House 69-63-2 on May/15/23; signed by Gov. Walz on May/19/23.
Source: Women's Press on Minnesota State voting records SF2909
May 19, 2023
On Drugs:
Signed legalization & regulation of recreational cannabis
HF100: This bill establishes a regulatory framework for adult-use cannabis and lower-potency hemp edibles.Minneapolis Star-Tribune analysis, August 9, 2023: Gov. Tim Walz signed into law a sweeping 321-page bill�to legalize marijuana in
Minnesota following months of debate in the Legislature.� It legalizes the possession and use of marijuana for Minnesotans 21 and older. It creates a new state agency, called the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), overseeing a legal recreational
market, as well as the existing medical cannabis and hemp-derived markets. Minnesotans are allowed to possess or transport in public up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower, up to 8 grams of cannabis concentrates, and edible cannabis products containing up to
a total of 800 milligrams of THC. They may also possess up to 2 pounds of marijuana in their homes.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 73-57-4 on May/18/23; passed Senate 34-32-1 on May/19/23; Signed by Governor Tim Walz on May/30/23
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune on Minnesota voting records HF100
May 30, 2023
Page last updated: Sep 06, 2025