 On Tuesday Governor Walz, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan, and Attorney General Keith Ellison visited a YMCA child program and responded to President Donald Trump’s implementation of a federal spending freeze. The spending freeze threatens $1.8 billion in federal funding that the State of Minnesota receives each month.
Statement from Governor Walz:
“President Trump has just shut off funding for law enforcement, farmers, schools, veterans, and health care. Minnesota will do what we can to keep the lights on, but we cannot fill the nearly $2 billion hole this will put in the state budget’s each month. I do not believe this decision was constitutional and we will work diligently to reverse it, but we are preparing for every eventual outcome to help Minnesotans weather this storm.
“I have reached out to the President and his supporters in Congress seeking answers, but we do not yet understand the intent of the unprecedented decision, nor we do know the extent to which it will impact our state. Shutting off this funding will have a devastating impact on peoples’ lives – from cancer patients, to securing our prisons. President Trump is leaving states out in the cold without any guidance or explanation. Minnesota needs answers. We will see President Trump in court.”
Statement from Lieutenant Governor Flanagan:
“This move by the Trump administration is cruel, reckless, and illegal.
“President Trump is again showing a complete lack of leadership and care for the people of our country. This will have devastating effects on our economy by keeping people from being able to get food, get to work, access health care, and look after their families. We will fight this all the way.”
On Thursday, Lieutenant Governor Flanagan travelled to Red Wing to highlight the success of the Amtrak Borealis line and meet with small business owners.
 “Thanks to the new Amtrak Borealis, more people are visiting new cities and supporting Minnesota’s thriving small business economy. Nearly 40 people either board or exit each day in Red Wing. That’s nearly 15,000 visitors to Red Wing this year all because of this new train.”
 “Small businesses are more than just places to shop – they’re where we connect to community and are the lifeblood of small towns like Red Wing. As we move Minnesota forward, we’ll continue working to lift up business owners and entrepreneurs to build a stronger economy for all.”
 Governor Walz authorized emergency assistance for six Minnesota counties that suffered damage caused by severe thunderstorms and flooding last summer.
“I’m grateful for Minnesota’s emergency management team for coordinating closely with counties to assess damage and help communities recover from severe weather events,” said Governor Walz. “We’re committed to continuing to do our part to help communities recover from last summer’s severe weather.”
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