December 4, 2018 - MPR’s Brian Bakst reports that Governor-elect Tim Walz finished a statewide tour where he invited people to apply for administration jobs and asked for their advice on where to focus. Along the way, Walz returned often to his “One Minnesota” campaign theme. In some rural communities, Walz found a wary audience.
January 3, 2019 - All Things Considered’s Host Tom Crann and MPR’s Brain Bakst discuss some of the picks for Gov.-elect Tim Walz's administration, as the DFLer decided who would run the state's agriculture, natural resources, health and human services departments.
January 4, 2019 - All Things Considered’s Host Tom Crann and MPR’s Briana Bierschbach discuss further picks for Gov.-elect Tim Walz's administration. Walz announced department commissioners for employment and economic development, commerce, revenue, and labor and industry, as well as three others agencies.
January 7, 2019 - MPR Special Coverage presents live broadcast of Governor Tim Walz inauguration, along with other constitutional officers, in an event held at the Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul.
January 31, 2019 - MPR’s Brian Bakst reports that Governor Tim Walz has provided the first details about what will be in a two-year budget package he’ll release. The DFLer told a group of Greater Minnesota mayors to expect a hefty increase in aid from the state. Walz says there is more than that in store for communities beyond the metropolitan area.
February 7, 2019 - MPR’s Brian Bakst reports on Governor Walz’s efforts to get up to speed on pressing issues and learn more about legislators who will decide the fate of his agenda. Waves of House members and state senators will be invited to mingle with Governor Walz and a few commissioners at the official Summit Avenue residence.
February 16, 2019 - MPR News Presents a discussion between MPR political reporter Briana Bierschbach and Minnesota's new governor, Tim Walz, at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School. The two talk about the major issues facing the state. Topics include pipeline debate, taxes, environment, transportation, education, voting rights, and state budget.
February 19, 2019 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on Governor Tim Walz releasing a two-year budget plan that provides a big funding boost for schools, raises the gas tax, restores the health care provider tax, and allows a buy-in option for MinnesotaCare. In announcing his first budget recommendations, the DFL governor says his priorities of education, health care and community prosperity reflect the promises he made as a candidate.
February 26, 2019 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on DFL Governor Tim Walz’s release of a $1.3 billion package of public construction projects that he says makes crucial investments across the state. The largest parts of the borrowing plan are for transportation and higher education, but Walz put a special emphasis on spending he wants for affordable housing.
March 5, 2019 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports that DFL Governor Tim Walz signed his first two bills, and he suggested the bipartisan agreements could be a model for the rest of the session. Despite frequent calls for “early wins,” lawmakers took two months to put legislation on the new governor’s desk. Neither Walz nor top legislative leaders were sounding disappointed.