Walz celebrates budget as House leaders credit 'win-wins'

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks from the Governor’s Reception room at the State Capitol, to discuss the latest steps in his response to COVID-19, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, in St. Paul, Minn. (Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP, Pool)

By STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz is celebrating the completion of a $52 billion state budget and new milestones in Minnesota’s fight against COVID-19.

Walz held a ceremonial signing Thursday of copies of the big budget bills that the Legislature sent him just hours before the old budget expired.

As of Thursday, 70% of Minnesotans 18 and older had received at least their first vaccine shots. Walz says Minnesota is only the second Midwestern state to meet President Joe Biden’s goal of 70% by July 4.

Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman credits a search for “win-wins” with Senate Republicans for the special session’s accomplishments.