In his 2024 State of the State address, Governor Tim Walz is taking a different approach by choosing to go on the road to the city of Owatonna in southern Minnesota. He aims to discuss the progress that Minnesota has made in the past year and outline his vision for the future of the state. Walz, a Democrat, plans to focus on various themes such as improving education, implementing gun safety laws, and protecting abortion and reproductive rights. The choice of Owatonna High School as the setting for his speech is meant to showcase the community’s investments in the school and workforce development initiatives.
This will be Walz’s sixth State of the State address since becoming governor in 2019. Traditionally, these addresses are delivered at the Capitol to large audiences of lawmakers, but Walz has adapted to the changing circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, he gave his address via livestream from his residence, and in 2021, he spoke online from Mankato West High School. In recent years, the governor has used his speeches to draw sharp distinctions between Minnesota and Republican-led states, highlighting the progressive agenda that Democrats have implemented in the state.
However, this legislative session, Walz and fellow Democrats are pursuing a more modest agenda due to the two-year state budget being set in 2023. Despite a budget surplus of $3.7 billion, the decision was made to only spend about $541 million of the additional funds and save the rest for potential future shortfalls. The focus of this session will primarily be on a public infrastructure borrowing package, or bonding bill, which the governor proposed as a combination of borrowing and cash totaling $982 million. The final package is expected to prioritize the maintenance of existing infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and water treatment facilities.
By choosing to deliver his State of the State address in Owatonna, Governor Walz is signaling a commitment to engaging with communities outside of the Capitol and highlighting local investments in education and workforce development. His emphasis on improving education, implementing gun safety laws, and protecting reproductive rights reflects the progressive agenda that Democrats have pursued during his tenure as governor. While the current legislative session may focus on a more modest agenda, the governor’s speech in Owatonna will likely set the tone for his priorities and vision for the state in the coming year.
Overall, Governor Tim Walz’s decision to take his State of the State address on the road to Owatonna reflects a desire to connect with local communities and highlight their investments in education and workforce development. Despite the more modest legislative agenda this session, Walz plans to emphasize key themes such as education, gun safety laws, and reproductive rights. The focus on a public infrastructure bonding bill underscores the importance of maintaining existing infrastructure in the state. Walz’s speech in Owatonna will likely set the tone for his priorities and vision for Minnesota in the coming year.
