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Saturday December 20, 2025

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Governor Walz Weekly Briefing
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Governor Walz Becomes First Minnesota Governor to Take Executive Action on Gun Violence

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Governor Walz signs executive orders to take action on gun violence

Governor Walz issued two executive orders to reduce gun violence and improve public safety across Minnesota. These orders, the first executive actions taken by a Minnesota Governor focused on gun violence prevention, creates a Statewide Safety Council and directs state agencies to take concrete steps to prevent gun-related injuries and deaths. These actions come after Republican legislative leadership refused to hold a vote on gun safety measures supported by seven in ten Minnesotans [ [link removed] ].

*“Gun violence has inflicted heartbreak and loss for families in Minnesota and across the country time and time again. Enough is enough,” *said Governor Walz.* “We have repeatedly met with Republican legislators to find a path forward but were met with excuses and stonewalling, so today I am taking executive action. These executive orders lay a critical foundation for the upcoming legislative session, and now we need Republicans in the Legislature to show courage and pass comprehensive gun violence prevention legislation, including a ban on high-capacity magazines and assault-style weapons. Minnesotans are demanding action.”*

Executive Orders 25-12 [ [link removed] ] and 25-13 [ [link removed] ] direct state agencies to pursue a range of strategies to reduce gun violence:


* Establishing the Governor’s Statewide Safety Council: The Safety Council brings together leaders from law enforcement, education, mental health, and community organizations to develop a blueprint for preventing mass violence, domestic terrorism, and politically motivated attacks. The council will make policy and funding recommendations to the Governor.
* Data Collection on Firearms and Insurance: The Department of Commerce will work with insurers to collect and analyze firearm-related claims, providing a clearer understanding of the financial and societal impacts of guns and identifying opportunities to prevent harm – laying the groundwork to hold gun manufacturers accountable.
* Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs): The Department of Public Safety will expand public education, training, and best practices for law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, schools, and mental health professionals to prevent individuals in crisis from accessing firearms. ERPO data will be tracked and reported to increase transparency and effectiveness.
* Safe Storage Education: In partnership with the Department of Education and local schools, families will have access to guidance, gun locks, and safes to prevent accidental injuries and deaths, particularly among children.
Governor Walz speaks to the press alongside parents from Annunciation Catholic School
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Governor Walz Applauds Fraud Charges; Highlights Minnesota’s Multi-Year, Comprehensive Effort to Combat Fraud, Protect Taxpayer Dollars

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Governor Walz applauded the fraud charges brought against individuals accused of defrauding public programs and highlighted Minnesota’s comprehensive, _multi-year efforts to combat fraud [ [link removed] ]_ and protect taxpayer dollars. The Governor emphasized that today’s developments validate Minnesota’s earlier decision to _audit and pause payments for 14 high-risk Medicaid programs [ [link removed] ]_ tied to the federal investigation and shut down Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) entirely [ [link removed] ], demonstrating why the state moved early to strengthen oversight, stop improper payments, and support criminal prosecutions.

*“This is exactly the type of strong action we need from prosecutors to ensure fraudsters are put behind bars,”* Governor Walz said. *“This infuriating greed and criminal activity is why we took action earlier this year to shut down Housing Stabilization Services and hired an outside firm to audit these programs and stop payments to fraudulent providers. We will not tolerate fraud, and we will continue to work with federal partners to ensure fraud is stopped and fraudsters are caught.”*

Over the last several years, Governor Walz and state leaders have _taken sustained action [ [link removed] ]_ to strengthen program integrity across state government. These efforts include executive action, bipartisan legislation, enhanced enforcement tools, and partnerships with outside experts to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.

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Governor Walz Responds to Congressional Inaction on ACA Subsidies, Warns of Premium Hikes for Minnesota Families

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Governor Walz warned that Congress’s decision to recess without extending the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits will cause health insurance costs to skyrocket for tens of thousands of Minnesotans [ [link removed] ], putting coverage at risk across the state and nation.

*“Congress had a choice,”* said Governor Walz. *“They could extend the ACA subsidies and keep health care affordable, or they could do nothing and force Minnesotans to pay hundreds more each month for the same coverage. By leaving town without acting, they have chosen inaction and allowed premiums to rise to unaffordable rates. Families cannot afford this, and the consequences will be immediate.” *

MNsure analysis shows Minnesota currently has approximately 133,000 people enrolled in ACA marketplace coverage. About 83,000 of those enrollees rely on federal tax credits to lower their monthly premiums. The enhanced premium tax credits, first expanded in 2021, were set to expire at the end of 2025 unless Congress extended them. Without Congressional action, eligibility for financial help could drop to as low as 46 percent.

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Governor Walz: Minnesota Families Are Two Weeks Out From Nation-Leading Paid Family Leave Program

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Governor Walz highlighted that Minnesota Paid Leave, the state’s new paid family and medical leave program, officially begins on January 1, 2026. The program is seeing strong early interest from families. Over 5,000 Minnesotans have submitted applications for _leave to bond with babies born in 2025 [ [link removed] ]_ since applications opened in December.

*“No one should have to rush back to work days after welcoming a baby or ignore a health scare because they can’t afford to miss a paycheck,”* said Governor Walz.* “Paid Leave strengthens families, supports employers, and makes Minnesota an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.”*

Paid Leave guarantees eligible workers up to 12 weeks of paid, job-protected leave to welcome a new baby, care for a loved one, or manage their own medical needs. Workers needing both family and medical leave in the same benefit year may take up to 20 weeks total. Minnesota is now one of 13 states with a statewide program, marking a historic expansion of support for families. Research shows paid leave supports child development and benefits employers by improving retention, morale, and productivity. A survey this summer found that 72% of Minnesotans who were aware of the program support it.

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Social Media Post of the Week

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Governor Walz celebrates Hanukkah at the St. Paul Jewish Community Center [ [link removed] ]
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