Walz sworn in for second term, declares 'the era of gridlock' over

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz took his oath of office for a second term Monday, calling for new spending on public education as Democrats take full control of state government.

"The era of gridlock in St. Paul is over," Walz said in his inaugural speech. "It’s time to lead. We’ve been given an historic opportunity which comes with a responsibility to not miss it."

Walz was sworn in after the four other statewide officers, including his lieutenant governor, Peggy Flanagan. The ceremony came one day ahead of the legislative session's opening day, where Democrats have power over a $17.6 billion projected budget surplus and a lengthy agenda after years of divided government.

Walz, a former high school teacher in Mankato, rattled off a series of public education initiatives he wants lawmakers to pass. Among them: free school lunches, plugging a special education funding gap, and improving student mental health. The governor also called on the Legislature to send direct payments to Minnesotans and pass new funding to recruit workers to the state amid a labor shortage.

Walz said his top priority was to make Minnesota the best state in the country for children. He pledged to propose a budget increase for K-12 schools, though he didn't specify the cost to reporters at the Capitol later in the day. The governor said he would release his budget proposal in pieces ahead of the full rollout on Jan. 24. It will include new funding to recruit and train teachers, he said.

Walz told reporters that he thought Democratic lawmakers could quickly pass some policy bills -- including abortion access and a ban on so-called conversion therapy, the practice of trying to change the identity of gay youth. House Democrats have already scheduled a Thursday morning committee hearing on legislation to guarantee abortion access in state law. 

"I think you need to send a strong message to folks," Walz told reporters. "I think the sooner you pass those things, it sends a strong message. Again, that’s going to be up to the Legislature to work their own calendar. But I think having it (abortion access) on the calendar Thursday is the right thing." 

The governor used his speech to promote one initiative, rebate checks to Minnesotans, that has gotten a chilly reception among Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature. In 2022, Walz proposed three successively larger checks -- eventually landing on $1,000 per adult, subject to income limits -- but neither chamber passed such a bill.

Walz also said he would push lawmakers to force Minnesota's utilities to use carbon-free energy sources by 2040. He said the Legislature should implement automatic voter registration and impose tougher gun control measures.

The inauguration was a ticketed event at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul that featured several musical performances. Walz held a luncheon with supporters, top lawmakers, and tribal leaders before attending a public reception Monday afternoon in the Capitol.

Ellison gets second term

Keith Ellison was sworn in after winning November's election for attorney general by less than 1 percentage point. Ellison took the oath of office administered by new U.S. District Court Judge Jerry Blackwell, whom Ellison recruited to lead the prosecution of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in 2021 for the murder of George Floyd. 

"We rose to the challenge," Ellison said of a difficult first term that included Floyd's murder and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a second term, Ellison said he'll renew efforts against price gouging and wage theft. Some initiatives he supports will require legislative action. 

He said he'll investigate mergers and acquisitions, including the proposed Fairview Health Services-Sanford Health tie-up. And he said Minnesotans have "a right not to get shot." Ellison supports stricter gun control measures and has advocated for new criminal prosecutors in his office.

Simon: Minnesota aced 'stress test'

Flanked by the other statewide officers entering their second term, Secretary of State Steve Simon was the veteran of the bunch, heading into his third term.

In his speech, Simon said democracy faced a "stress test" since 2020 amid a rise in doubts about election integrity fueled by former President Donald Trump.

"We in Minnesota didn’t just pass that test. We aced that test," he said.

In 2023, Simon called for automatic voter registration, pre-registration for high school students, and the restoration of voting rights for convicted felons after their release from incarceration. The three proposals are high priorities for DFL state lawmakers. The Minnesota Supreme Court hasn't ruled on a felon voting rights case, despite having oral arguments more than one year ago.

State Auditor Julie Blaha was also sworn in for a second term. Blaha faced the closest election of any statewide official in 2022, defeating Republican challenger Ryan Wilson by 8,435 votes, or .34 percentage point.