 Governor Walz visited Rochester to meet with early learning students, educators, and leaders in child care leaders to highlight ongoing efforts to make child care more affordable for Minnesota families. This marks the second school visit in the past week as Governor Walz continues a statewide focus on child care affordability during the legislative session.
“Child care is not optional for working families,” said Governor Walz. “Child care makes work possible, and when we bring that cost down, we are not just helping budgets, we are helping families build stability. The Dependent Care Credit is one of the most direct ways to do that, putting money right back in their hands.”
The visit included a stop at Hoover Elementary School and Early Learning Program, where the Governor participated in classroom activities with students, toured early learning spaces, and met with educators and community partners. Governor Walz was joined by Minnesota Department of Revenue Commissioner Paul Marquart, Rochester Mayor Kim Norton, and local early childhood education leaders. Together, they discussed rising child care costs and the Governor’s proposed solutions in the state budget.
The Governor’s legilsative proposal would expand Minnesota’s refundable Dependent Care Tax Credit by increasing income eligibility, expanding allowable expenses for young children under age five, and increasing the credit rate for all dependents under age 13 to 50 percent of eligible expenses. In total, the proposal would benefit approximately 104,800 families, an increase of about 60,000 families compared to current eligibility, and increase refunds by an average of about $1,623 overall, and approximately $2,191 for families with young children in child care.
The Governor also discussed the state’s existing Child Tax Credit as a major step toward family affordability. So far this year, more than 200,000 families have claimed the credit, benefiting nearly 414,000 children across Minnesota. Families are receiving an average credit of $2,591. The program is estimated to reduce child poverty by up to one-third, making it one of the most significant investments in children and families in state history.
 Governor Walz signed three bipartisan bills into law. The legislation will modernize estate planning, modify requirements to serve on community health boards, and honor Melissa Hortman’s leadership in shaping Minnesota’s Community Solar Garden Program.
“Speaker Hortman helped build something truly transformative for Minnesota,” said Governor Walz. “Her leadership makes our Community Solar Garden Program a national model and puts Minnesota on a path to a clean energy future. Naming this program in her honor ensures her legacy lives on as her work continues to shape our future. I am proud to sign this bill in honor of my dear friend.”
HF 3556 honors the late House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman by renaming Minnesota’s Community Solar Garden Program after her. The bill is in recognition of Speaker Hortman’s contributions in developing the state’s Community Solar Garden Program, the first of its kind in the U.S., which was launched in 2013 to help residents and businesses benefit from solar energy without installing their own panels. The program helped establish Minnesota as a national leader in clean energy, becoming a model for other states creating their own programs.
SF 3602 establishes the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act. The bill permits the use of electronic signatures and electronic records for documents related to estate planning.
SF 3402 modifies the professions that may serve as a medical consultant for a community health board. In addition to licensed physicians, the bill expands eligibility to doctors of osteopathic medicine, physician’s assistants, and licensed advanced practice registered nurses.
Today, Governor Walz will deliver a keynote address at the Global Progressive Mobilization in Barcelona, Spain at 9:45 AM Central Time. Before the address, Governor Walz met with world leaders attending the summit to discuss progressive policy making and leading at a sub-national level.
A livestream of the Governor's address will be available here.
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