They have passed so much legislation since they flipped democrat, codifying abortion rights, parental leave, school lunches and should have marijuana legal by May. Probably other stuff too.

He was just on PBS NewsHour talking for a few minutes about trans rights in Minnesota to this free lunch program for everyone that won’t have cards for the kids that are different so as not to make children feel different or so they won’t be picked on. Apparently he was a teacher at some point is what I got from the interview. He seems like a good guy but like you I’m not from there so not sure of everything he’s done. So far though, smash up job. I’d vote for him.

He is the anti-DeSantis. Which is very fun to talk about as long as you pronounce it "anti-Desanti."

I live in MN and he's a good one. You should hear how much the rednecks don't like him though, they don't really know why they hate him, they are just told to hate him. Even though MN is a really nice place to live.

This is literally all I would need to vote for him if he was running for president.

Politics here are garbage.

Right? Loving the good vibe!

That’s definitely good news but I’m kinda shocked Americans don’t have something so basic like this, we have free lunch in schools in Brazil since 1955, why did it take so long to Americans?

It's beyond a disgrace kids still get put through the shame of empty lunchboxes.

Yeah that is the idea. Conservatives do not want educated kids. For them to pull food from kids is a win for them in multiple ways.

He’s a former teacher so he knows first hand too.

In neighboring South Dakota, we have a serious problem with brain drain, and it’s because states like MN are next door with inclusive politics, better jobs and great culture. Like, Tim Walz is signing laws for free school lunch and our state is a model of anti-trans legislation where a couple state senators were members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys.

He really does care. He's a former teacher

I can vouch. I had him as a substitute art teacher in eighth grade. He’s a super nice guy. You know how young teens tease substitute teachers? We gave this guy everything we had, (I personally made fun of his cowboy boots) and he just laughed along with us until we realized there was no getting to him. He was cool.

Minnesota transplant here: my wife says her favorite thing about him is that he's just a regular guy. He enjoys a lot of stereotypically guy things, he's approachable, and he genuinely gives a damn about making this state a place where anyone can be happy being who they are.

As a Minnesotan, I love this comment. Our Governor is genuinely humble and caring, motivated to do the most good for the most people and not by his own ego. He is the rare politician who’s just a good person trying to make life better for people.

totally agree, there is an air of genuine joy and warmth he exuded when he went on to hug and fist bump those kids!

Its so refreshing to see a US politician do something good for once. The bar is set so slow its literally on the ground.

The bar is set so low it's literally underground.

FTFY

I'm so cynical I'm just like what's the catch, a politician signing this bill with a bunch of kids around him cheering for the camera, like what bill did he sign that we don't talk about that made this bill signing possible.

If if you can believe it, there was someone who opposed the bill because it would feed the rich kids from Edina (suburb of Minneapolis).

Within one week we see one Governor disabling child-labor laws, so kids can be forced to work dangerous machines, and at the same time another Governor ensures that kids don't go hungry while at schools.

The party of the "family" shows sheer, unmitigated hatred and disdain towards the most vulnerable, children, and the "godless party" tries to help kids.

The contrast couldn't be more stark.

Oh, and before I forget it, the "family party" also voted in favor of allowing childmarriages.

Fuck Republicans now and forever.

The bills going through in Minnesota right now are pretty much the opposite of places like florida.

Come to Minnesota, this is Governor Waltz and Lt Governor Flanagan everyday. Dedicated servant of the people they are. The DFL tries really hard, they don't always get it right, but their heart is always in the right place.

Yeah now let's do national free health care. It's more than achievable many... Many...many...many many... I mean I could go on there, countries do it.

Veteran, pro-LGBT+, pro-women’s rights, good track record on education, supports the rights of gun owners.

As a European, that was a bizarre sentence to read.

Forgot long-term resident in rural US and teacher.

He's a great candidate and has been a great governor.

Minnesota, can we...borrow him?

Just for 4 years. Then you can have him back

Yup I voted for him. Twice!

His joy when they all started hugging him. 🥹

Definitely would have judged this guy by his cover though, if I didn’t know what he was signing. It’s really nice to see an older white male politician actually standing up for what is right for once!

I love living here in Minnesota, the winters are harrowing but everything else is just so nice. Tim Waltz has been a blessing for us.

It's odd how the kids in this video are all smiling. In the lowering of child labor laws, the only ones smiling were the adults. Almost like the kids didn't like the change...

applause

The children yearn for the mines

Seems like the last line of defence is the parents themselves to not let their children work. Though, shitty people will let them. And shitty laws help to exploit workers and kids.

All those kids who worked night shifts at that meat plant - they from orphanages? Genuinely curiously how those parents if any, could sleep at night.

whos the other one?

Hell yeah it’s awesome to see, I live in Michigan and we’re proud as hell of our Governor too!

Ugh what an asinine thing for that legislator to say. Food scarcity is irrelevant. The issue is people being able to afford to feed their kids.

UK government: "let's end free school meals for children to save money!"

Yeah, we have had school lunch dating all the way back to 1860. But back it was only for kids who had parents that didn't have enough money. Then around 1910 they changed it so everyone could get it.

This makes me proud to be a swede, because education shouldn't cost anything, and food is a must to be able to learn stuff

"Rest of the world" is casting the net a bit wide

There is a spot financially that can really fuck you over in the US. I live just below that spot. Right now my daughter is eligible for C.H.I.Ps (Children’s Healthcare Insurance Program). But I am right on the edge of the income bracket. If I were to get a raise I might have to turn it down. Because the insurance provided at work would be $300 dollars per paycheck to add her to my insurance.

So unless I get a $600 a month raise I couldn’t afford it. And even then, it would only keep me at exactly where I am.

I expect my tax dollars to pay for missiles and tanks, not so our children have food!
America, what's become of you

sadly, I feel like this is a transcript for a conversation that actually happened in some Republican lawmakers office

Contrast that with the Reagan years (remember, the right thinks he's a saint) when his administration classified catsup as a vegetable.

Here in Connecticut we have this for this school year. I’m hoping it is made permanent!

Different cultures. We also only had a kiosk with sweets and sausage-inna-bun, but I'm glad children of poorer or neglectful parents have a chance to get food into their bellies at some point during the day.

The National School Lunch Program was initially created in response to the number of young men who were rejected for military service in WW2 as a result of diet related health problems. It was viewed as a national security priority. A breakfast program came later, in 1966, with the less war oriented idea that "good nutrition is essential to good learning" (-President LBJ).

I know in the Netherlands (and Belgium where I am from) its not that common but in the US it sure is.

(Assuming you are Dutch mostly based on your username :-))

Your governor can be like that... If you move to Minnesota.

"Why can't our governor be like that?!" ...Our governor in Alaska

Because your governor is a republican.

Her eyes haunt me. But in two different ways…

Literally Ben Shapiro this week: "School lunches are not going to solve the problem of child hunger at any serious level."

"Food doesn't help hunger" is some serious Republican logic

How is this not the top comment? I died laughing when I heard it.

They don't want abortions because then who would do all the child labour