Why Tim Walz is a Great VP Pick for Kamala Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota as her running mate, bringing his extensive experience as a former teacher, congressman, and Army National Guard veteran to the Democratic ticket. Their first joint rally is set for Philadelphia today, with plans to visit other key battleground states this week.

Tim Walz’s Accomplishments:

Historic Education Investment

• Signed a $2.3 billion education budget, the largest in state history.
• Provided free breakfast and lunch for Minnesota students.
• Created thousands of new pre-k seats and expanded mental health resources.
• Made significant investments to improve child literacy.

Legalizing Cannabis

• Legalized adult-use cannabis and expunged nonviolent cannabis convictions.

Expanding Voting Rights

• Restored voting rights for over 55,000 formerly incarcerated people.
• Established automatic voter registration and pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds.
• Signed the Minnesota Voting Rights Act to prevent racial or language-based voter discrimination.

Advancing Reproductive and LGBTQ+ Rights

• Established reproductive freedom and gender-affirming care as fundamental rights.
• Banned conversion therapy and ended ideological book bans.

Champion for Workers

• Established paid leave and ensured paid sick days.
• Banned non-compete agreements.
• Increased protections for workers in various sectors, including Amazon warehouses and public schools.

Infrastructure and Job Creation

• Signed the largest infrastructure bill in state history, improving roads, bridges, and public facilities.
• Funded the removal and replacement of lead pipes statewide.
• Created good-paying union jobs for Minnesotans.

Tax Cuts and Rebates

• Delivered tax cuts with every budget.
• Issued rebate checks up to $1,300 for seniors, students, workers, and middle-class families.
• Lowered taxes for small businesses and exempted state taxes on Social Security for most seniors.

Workforce Development

• Invested millions to connect Minnesotans to high-growth career fields like manufacturing and public safety.
• Provided free college for students with a family income under $80,000.
• Invested over $1 billion in childcare and early learning opportunities.

Lowering Prescription Drug Costs

• Enacted measures to lower prescription drug costs for seniors and middle-class families.
• Passed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act for emergency insulin assistance.

Environmental Protection

• Committed Minnesota to 100% clean electricity by 2040.
• Signed over 40 climate initiatives, including bans on PFAS chemicals and tax credits for electric vehicles.
• Simplified regulations for clean energy projects to promote job growth.

Cutting Child Poverty

• Established a nation-leading child tax credit, reducing child poverty by up to one-third.

Affordable Housing

• Signed a $1 billion investment in housing, promoting safety and economic growth.
• Enhanced tenant rights protections.

Consumer Protection

• Banned medical debt from affecting credit scores and ensured necessary medical care isn’t withheld due to unpaid debt.
• Cracked down on hidden junk fees and fraudulent ticket sales.

Protecting Seniors

• Signed historic elder abuse legislation to regulate assisted-living centers.
• Allocated $173 million in direct funding for nursing homes statewide.

Governor Tim Walz’s extensive track record of accomplishments demonstrates why he is a strong choice as Kamala Harris’s vice-presidential running mate, bringing significant legislative and executive experience to the Democratic ticket.