ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor Walz pressed the Legislature in his annual State of State address to use the state’s budget surpluses for rebate checks but said he also is open to tax cuts aimed at lower and middle-income people. His proposals, he said, reflect that the state’s economy is strong. Walz called on legislators to fix the unemployment insurance system. Also, he that thank-you checks to should be issued to frontline pandemic workers for yeoman’s work during the CoVid pandemic. Also on Walz’s agenda:

> Paid family leave and paid sick leave.

> New spending on child care and education.

> $300 million in public safety grants to local governments.

> Additional funding to recruit and pay home health care workers.

Walz noted that the pandemic economy helped some people and hurt others. Now, he said, with surpluses aided by unprecedented federal pandemic relief, the state should make investments to serve those who suffered the most. The state tax revenue surplus is projected at $ 9.1 billion for the coming biennium.

Earlier: Date set for governor’s annual update

Verbatim

Walz to legislature. on Easter Sunday: ““I hope all of you felt as you walked in here tonight the sense of history that goes with this and the sense that we’re in this together,I think it’s what Minnesotans are feeling, the sense of once again gathering with friends and relatives and coworkers and doing the important things in life.

“I don’t need to say it. Every euphemism has been used. The last two years have been incredibly challenging. But in those challenges, both the people of Minnesota and these two bodies, figured out a way under challenging circumstances … figured out how to get good things done together.”