Republican Congressman Pete Stauber of Minnesota The list was published He purported to be on X, formerly known as Twitter, highlighting specific accomplishments on the record of Democratic vice presidential candidate and Minnesota governor Tim Walz.
Tim Waltz notes:
– Giving illegal immigrants driver's licenses and the ability to vote
– Wants to make Minnesota a sanctuary for illegal immigrants
– $19 billion budget surplus squandered
– Taxes increased by $10 billion
– They’ve splurged on Minnesota taxpayer money and spending has… gone up. pic.twitter.com/8GgAGMO4um— Pete Stauber (@RepPeteStauber) August 6, 2024
Here we fact-check some of these claims.
“[Walz] I want to make Minnesota a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants.”
In a 2018 statement: CBS NewsGovernor Walz has appeared to support the idea of making Minnesota a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants.
“My position on Minnesota being a sanctuary state boils down to who is responsible for enforcing immigration laws,” Walz said. “Here's my view: Congress has given federal agencies the authority to enforce immigration laws in Minnesota, and I support that. Congress has not given local law enforcement the same authority. The role of law enforcement is to enforce state and local laws, not federal immigration laws, and I strongly believe that law enforcement should not do that.”
“All Minnesotans are safer when local law enforcement's limited resources are focused on local crimes and everyone feels safe and comfortable cooperating fully with police. For example, you are safer if your neighbor knows that if they witness someone breaking into your house, calling the police will not jeopardize their immigration status,” he added.
Waltz's remarks were made in August 2024. Fox News He reported that Minnesota's Democratic governor supports several “sanctuary policies,” including making illegal immigrants “eligible for tuition-free college programs.”
The outlet also pointed out Waltz's poor evaluation of immigrants via its website.Numbers USA” Walz received an F- in the 115th Congress and a D in his career. According to the website, Walz co-sponsored various bills to “increase refugee admissions, provide amnesty, and weaken border security.” These bills included: HR6193 (2018) This will make it “more difficult for the federal government to detain and prosecute families and unaccompanied minors who cross the border illegally.”
In addition, in February 2024, local news media KSTP The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) has reportedly introduced the North Star Act, which would make Minnesota a “sanctuary state for illegal immigrants.” Several Minnesota Republicans, including Tom Emmer and Michelle Fischbach, have spoken out against Walz. letter He expressed concerns about the bill.
Check Your Facts reached out to Walz's office for further comment. The Minnesota Immigrant Law Center said that as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it “does not comment on electoral politics.”
“tax [were] Raise $10 [Billion]”
This claim is misleading. The figures are based on the data published in April 2023. Minnesota Senate Republican CaucusIt states that Walz's proposed bill would result in a “tax increase of $9.69 billion.” The article cites at least six different bills that were used to make the estimate.
HF 2335, $744 million Housing Bill Includes 0.25% Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan sales tax passed it It became law on May 9, 2023. HF2887 is a $3.56 billion budget proposal. Transportation costs Includes vehicle registration tax and sales tax on vehicle parts passed it Signed into law on May 22, 2023. HF 2, $2.9 billion Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill It is funded by an increase in the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax and was passed and signed into law on May 18, 2023.
However, some of the bills used in the estimates did not pass: HF2883, $1.169 billion; Corporate Franchise Tax Billteeth, Introduced The $1 billion budget bill, HF442, has not passed either the House or the Senate. 5th tier income tax billtoo, Introduction only. (Related article: No, Minnesota isn't allowing mosques to open while churches are closed)
Additionally, Walz has proposed a January 2023 budget that “includes $65.2 billion in total spending and $8 billion in tax cuts, both the largest ever for any two-year period,” the report said. Minnesota House of RepresentativesHe proposed $12 billion to expand mental health support services in schools, free school meals and access to preschool education. Minnesota Medical Association.
Under Walz, Minnesota became an outlier, raising taxes while most other states cut them. Tax FoundationAs of September 2023, Twin Cities residents are expected to see a 1% sales tax increase to fund some of the proposals. CBS NewsState voters supported and approved an extension of the tax increase to fund infrastructure projects. Fox 9 report.
Check Your Fact has reached out to the Minnesota Department of Taxation for comment.
“They gave illegal immigrants driver's licenses so they could vote.”
HF 4, also known as Driver's Licenses for All, would allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. The bill states that “commissioners and driver's license agents shall not inquire about an applicant's citizenship, immigration status, or lawful presence in the United States.” The same language appears in guidelines for those seeking identification only.
of Governor's Office After signing the bill, the senator released a statement saying the law “expands eligibility for a standard Minnesota driver's license by allowing any Minnesotan to obtain a driver's license regardless of immigration status.”
of ACLU of Minnesota Anyone can apply for a driver's license, regardless of immigration status, reported the Minnesota Immigrant Law Center. Clarified Applicants may prove their identity using a foreign passport, birth certificate, or adoption certificate. (Related: Has Starbucks joined the Heritage Foundation as an official sponsor of the 2024 Republican National Convention?)
To register to vote in Minnesota, you need a valid driver's license License Requiredor any type of identification, will be accepted. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services clearly states that “there is no way for law enforcement to identify immigration status from a standard driver's license.” The same fact sheet also states that no markings will be displayed to indicate a person's status.
The Minnesota Secretary of State (SOS) said the new Driver's License for All bill would allow non-citizens to drive. Vote in an election. American Vote Foundation The website states that one of the requirements to vote in Minnesota is to be a state resident, but doesn't go into detail about what is needed to establish or verify residency.
“Allowing children to permanently alter their bodies without parental consent.”
Walz signed the executive order. Order 23-03sought to ensure that “the people of Minnesota are afforded the protections and rights provided by Minnesota law.”
The order states that no Minnesota agency is required to grant a judgment “terminating or restricting” a parent's rights when the parent seeks gender-affirming medical care for their child. The order also declares that state agencies are not required to respond to subpoenas from other states for “the children of a person who travels to that other state.” [Minnesota] The statement on “gender-affirming medical services” mentioned the possibility of criminal charges being brought against those involved.
In the preamble to his order, Governor Walz specifically noted that other states have “enacted stricter regulations, even going so far as to require investigations of parents who seek to assist their children in obtaining gender-affirming medical services.” Minnesota Lt. Governor Penny Flanagan, a Democrat, said: press release “Our number one job is to keep our children safe, and this Executive Order will do just that. We say to our transgender loved ones, friends, neighbors and fellow Minnesotans: You belong here. You are safe here. We want you to be your authentic selves in our community.”
However, the order does not specifically say that a child can receive such care without parental consent. One bill passing the Minnesota Legislature would: HF146does not include specific language about parental consent. Rather, the bill's language affirms the Executive Order's efforts to “prevent the use of subpoenas” under out-of-state laws.
Ann article The Association of American Medical Colleges recommends that children who are “under the legal age of consent in their state” [should have] “Parent or guardian consent” must be obtained and they must also have the “emotional and cognitive capacity” to consent.
Check Your Fact has reached out to Governor Walz’s office for additional comment on whether LGBTQ youth can receive care without their consent and will update this article if and when we receive any comments.
Christine Sellers, Jesse Stiller, Anna Mock and Joseph Casieri contributed to this article.
