m Walz Signs Multiple Bills into Law
The Minnesota Legislature is getting closer to adjournment with final votes on some big bills left to be taken before next week. Gov. Tim Walz has been busy signing multiple bills into law, including ones related to high-speed internet access, agriculture, and juvenile detention facilities.
On Thursday, Gov. Walz signed a bill that will provide more Minnesota with access to high-speed internet. The bill allocates $70 million to expand broadband infrastructure and improve internet speeds in underserved areas. This move is expected to benefit rural communities and help close the digital divide.
Gov. Walz also signed an agriculture and broadband bill into law during his visit to a farm in Finlayson on Thursday. The bill, which earmarks $100 million in funding, aims to support farmers and rural communities by providing grants for broadband infrastructure and other agricultural programs.
On Friday, Gov. Walz signed a bill that will prohibit juvenile detention facilities from putting youth into solitary confinement. The move comes as part of a broader effort to reform the state's criminal justice system and address issues of racial injustice.
In addition to these bills, Gov. Walz also weighed in on two other hot topics in the closing days of the legislative session. One was a proposal to legalize marijuana, which he said he would support if it were done in a responsible and equitable manner. The other was a proposal to ban transgender girls from participating in school sports, which he said he would veto if it reached his desk.
Overall, Gov. Walz's recent actions highlight his commitment to improving the lives of Minnesota, particularly those in rural and underserved communities. Through his support of broadband expansion, agriculture funding, and criminal justice reform, he is working to create a more equitable and prosperous state for all.
