Walz delivers final State of the State address, reflects on legacy and challenges

ST. PAUL, Minn. (Northern News Now) - Minnesota Governor Tim Walz delivered his final state of the state address from the State Capitol Tuesday night, reflecting on two terms in office and on the past year in Minnesota.

Northern News Now was in attendance.

Tim Walz’s eighth State of the State Address was also his last.

“Beginning of our last chapter with them together. I’m hoping this chapter will be as productive as the previous seven,” said Walz.

The Governor’s speech was marked by the moments Minnesota has endured over the past year. He set the tone early on with a moment of silence and a recognition of the late Melissa Hortman.

“This has been an unimaginably difficult year for Minnesota. Our season of grief began last summer when we lost Melissa and Mark and we nearly lost John and Yvette Hoffman,” said Walz.

Walz also talked extensively about the shooting at Annunciation Church and the impact of Operation Metro Surge. Those events, as well as Hortman’s assassination, are things the Governor feels show resiliency and strength.

Much of speech was spent charging state lawmakers to take action to prevent such events in the future.

Walz says, “Some of you might say we can’t do more to stop gun violence. But what you really mean is that you won’t do more to stop gun violence.”

With just a few weeks left in session Walz also touted some of his budget proposals, including the expansion to the child tax credit and a new tax on social media companies.

After the address, legislative leaders responding to the Governor’s remarks:

Democrat Rep. Zack Stephenson, “It was a hopeful speech, and one that really clarified what we have accomplished over these last seven years, working together.”

“Instead of unifying us and bringing us together in a way that would look for the last 20 days of this legislative session, we heard grandstanding on Democrat priorities,” said House Speaker Lisa Demuth.

Republicans came down especially hard on the Governor for his handling of various fraud schemes that happened during his tenure as Governor.

“We had to wait 38 minutes into the speech before we heard anything about the biggest national story about Minnesota, the shocking, multi billion dollar fraud that struck our state,” said House Floor Leader Rep. Harry Niska

Walz, in his address, taking several moments to reflect on how he sees his own legacy.

Walz said, “It’s been a complicated seven years. But when I look back at the story we’ve written together, I’m deeply proud of Minnesota.”

Walz and the DFL also took time to point to the legislation their party passed during the DFL trifecta in 2023 and 2024.

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