For nearly a year, the COVID-19 pandemic has turned Minnesotans’ lives upside down. This crisis brought unprecedented financial challenges for our businesses and families, and for our state. That’s why a responsible budget is more important than ever. 

Governor Tim Walz’s budget plan supports those who need it the most: working families, small businesses, and students. 

Here’s how:

For our schools

As many students struggled to adapt to at-home learning, parents worried about their young ones falling behind. Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan, both parents to school-age kids, understand these concerns. Their “Due North” education plan invests in teachers and educational resources to help our students catch up after this unusual year. 

Walz’s plan also focuses on supporting students of color and finally closing the racial achievement gap in our public schools. It’s like Senator Paul Wellstone said: “We all do better when we all do better.” And when Minnesota’s diverse young people receive a better, more equitable education, our entire state benefits. 

For our small businesses

This pandemic has only worsened economic disparities in our country. Millionaires and billionaires have gotten richer by the day, profiting from this crisis. Meanwhile, family-owned businesses in our neighborhoods have struggled to keep their doors open. Our favorite restaurants, bars, theaters, and other small businesses make our state what it is, and they need our help. 

Governor Walz’s plan makes a simple request: ask the super wealthy and hugely profitable corporations to pay their fair share so small businesses, students, and working families have a fair shot and can more quickly rebuild from the coronavirus pandemic.  

Meanwhile, conservatives, as always, are in big corporations’ pockets. Instead of asking corporations to pay their fair share, they want to slash public programs that benefit working families and our ability to recover from the pandemic. 

For our families

Some of us are lucky enough to have a job that we can do from the safety of home. Many Minnesotans aren’t so lucky and have lost everything. For countless families, this pandemic has been an ongoing struggle. 

Governor Walz’s budget plan aims to give these hardworking Minnesotans who have been hit hardest by the pandemic the resources they need to survive like critical assistance, increased access to child care programs, and more. 

For all of us

Minnesotans are resilient. We’re tough. We have each other’s backs through triumph, tragedy, and record-breaking snowstorms. We need our elected leaders to have our backs, too. Find out who represents you and tell them to pass a state budget that puts students, working families, and small businesses first.