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ABIGAIL REPORTS's avatar

Tell the voters what gets them to the poll.

While in Congress, Walz represented a conservative district that had elected only one other Democratic representative in the previous century. The conservative makeup of that district might help explain why he took political positions that are rare for Democrats, including supporting gun rights (he had an “A” rating from the NRA) and the Keystone XL pipeline, which progressive lawmakers and environmentalists opposed because of its likely environmental impacts. Despite representing a conservative district, however, Walz was also an early supporter of same-sex marriage. He also has a long history of taking populist, progressive positions on a host of economic policies, from trade to corporate bailouts.

Walzonomics

https://www.wypr.org/2024-08-13/the-economic-mind-of-tim-walz

As governor, Walz prioritized increasing the economic security of kids. A couple years back in the Planet Money newsletter, we highlighted how America’s welfare system is pretty generous for the elderly but relatively stingy for kids. Comparing the United States to almost 40 other countries in the OECD, only Turkey spends less per child as a percentage of their GDP. It’s a significant reason why the US has a much higher rate of childhood poverty than other rich nations — and even a higher rate of childhood poverty than some not-so-rich countries.

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Walz says child care access will be 'fundamental priority' in legislative session

Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Steve Grove estimated that Minnesota needs 80,000 to 90,000 more child care slots to meet demand.

https://www.startribune.com/article/600231946

Walz and Grove announced Thursday that DEED awarded about $2.4 million in child care funding grants to 17 organizations across the state. That funding will help add about 2,700 new child care slots, Grove said.

Over the past five years, DEED has allocated more than $4 million to organizations seeking to expand access to affordable child care. The funding is expected to create nearly 9,500 new child care slots.

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