Gov. Tim Walz held a press conference Wednesday to announce that 200,000 tax rebate checks of up to $1,300 have been sent out to Minnesotans as part of a budget formulated by a Democratic majority. The checks were not as large as originally proposed because of budgetary compromises that included easing the tax burden on seniors and paying for the recently approved universal free school lunch program for all Minnesota children, regardless of family income.
As shown in a video from Heartland Signal, Walz dismissed criticism from conservatives. When asked about their calls for means testing for free school lunches, he responded, “Isn’t that rich? Our Republican colleagues were concerned this would be a tax cut for the wealthiest—you can’t make some of this up if you tried.” He added that burdening working families with the paperwork and follow-up that a means testing program would require is a needless obstacle in getting food to children. ”The haves and have nots in the lunchroom is not a necessary thing,” Walz said. “Just feed our children.”
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The benefits of free school meals are undeniable, and any economic argument against supporting such programs is morally bankrupt. That’s why Democratic policies promoting healthier and happier children are so popular. Walz said he believes that along with the rebate payments and the free school lunch program, “going back to school looks a lot easier this year.”
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American political parties might often seem stuck in their ways, but they can and in fact do change positions often. Joining us on this week's episode of "The Downballot" is political scientist David Karol, who tells us how and why both the Democratic and Republican parties have adjusted their views on a wide range of issues over the years. Karol offers three different models for how these transformations happen—and explains why voters often stick with their parties even after these shifts. He concludes by offering tips to activists seeking to push their parties when they're not changing fast enough.
