State of Minnesota Archives: on Families & Children
Heather Johnson:
Politics is not my passion; it's my God, my kids & family
Seeing that our nation's founding principles of liberty and freedom from oppression are far from the reality in today's political landscape, I answered the call. I am not a career politician. It is not my primary goal in life nor my greatest passion.
My passion is my God, my kids and family, writing, friendship and my boyfriend, music, art, science, learning, dancing, and living every moment I have the way that I want to live, enjoying the fruits of my mind and labor the way I see fit.
Source: 2014 Minnesota Senate campaign website, "Platform"
Jul 31, 2014
Karin Housley:
If women are empowered and independent they don't need laws
"I think sometimes when we legislate to help women, we actually aren't helping them," Housley said. "I think it's more what I like to do with women, is just really empower them to be strong and independent and not do it through laws." She said that
education is also key, given that Minnesota has "a lot of different cultures.""And just being a strong independent woman is much more important than legislating anything to help women out," she said.
Source: Huffington Post on 2017-8 Minnesota special election
Apr 27, 2018
Lori Swanson:
Find options to make childcare affordable
There are at least 600K Minnesota families with a child age 12 or younger, many of whom rely on child care providers. But the average annual cost of childcare at a center can be up to $16,000 per year. Many middle-class and low-income families simply
cannot afford childcare. We need to do better: We should consider common-sense licensure reforms to make it easier to start a childcare business and cheaper to operate one, while making sure to adequately protect children in the care of others.
Source: 2018 Minnesota governor campaign website LoriSwanson.com
Jul 4, 2018
Michelle Benson:
Define marriage as one-man-one-woman
Legislative Summary: Constitutional amendment to recognize marriage solely between one man and one womanAn section shall be added to the Minnesota Constitution article XIII, to read:-
Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota.
- The proposed amendment must be submitted to the people at the 2012 general election as: "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide
that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?"
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 70-62-2 on May 21, 2011; passed Senate 38-27-2 on May 11, 2011;
State Sen. Michelle Benson voted YES; Gov. Dayton spoke at "Vote No" rallies; "Amendment 1" failed to pass in general election on Nov. 6, 2012, by a vote of 52% to 48%.
Source: BillTrack50 on Minnesota legislative voting records SF1308
May 11, 2011
Michelle Fischbach:
Define marriage as one-man-one-woman
Legislative Summary: Constitutional amendment to recognize marriage solely between one man and one womanA section shall be added to the Minnesota Constitution article XIII, to read:- Only a union of one man and one woman shall be
valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota.
- The proposed amendment must be submitted to the people at the 2012 general election as: "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid
or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?"
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 70-62-2 on May 21, 2011; passed Senate 38-27-2 on May 11, 2011; State Sen. Michelle Fischbach voted YEA;
Gov. Dayton spoke at "Vote No" rallies; "Amendment 1" failed to pass in general election on Nov. 6, 2012, by a vote of 52% to 48%.
Source: BillTrack50 on Minnesota legislative voting records
May 21, 2011
Mike Murphy:
Government should support and strengthen the family unit
Family is the foundation of our American society. Parents--not governments--have the most direct and immediate impact on a child's health, education, and welfare.
Our communities, schools, government, and society will never succeed if we do not have healthy and vibrant families. Mike believes government policies should support and strengthen the family unit.
Source: 2022 Minnesota governor campaign website MikeMurphyForMN.com
Feb 16, 2021
Paul Gazelka:
Define marriage as one-man-one-woman
Legislative Summary: Constitutional amendment to recognize marriage solely between one man and one womanAn section shall be added to the Minnesota Constitution article XIII, to read:-
Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota.
- The proposed amendment must be submitted to the people at the 2012 general election as: "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide
that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?"
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 70-62-2 on May 21, 2011; passed Senate 38-27-2 on May 11, 2011;
State Sen. Paul Gazelka voted YES; Gov. Dayton spoke at "Vote No" rallies; "Amendment 1" failed to pass in general election on Nov. 6, 2012, by a vote of 52% to 48%.
Source: BillTrack50 on Minnesota legislative voting records SF1308
May 11, 2011
Tim Walz:
Full marriage equality for same-sex couples
Q: Support gay marriage?Jeff Johnson (R): No. But supports "contractual unions" for hospital visitation,
inheritance or end-of-life decisions.
Tim Walz (D): Yes. Has campaigned for "full marriage equality" since 2005.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Minnesota Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Tina Liebling:
High quality child care is essential for work
Every Minnesota child--without exception--deserves the best possible start in life. High quality child care is essential for many Minnesota families. Parents can't focus on work or school unless they know their children are in a safe and supportive
place, but high quality child care is in short supply and too often unaffordable.We must support many models of child care--from home day care to Head Start--so families have convenient and high quality options.
Minnesota has a Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to help more working parents afford the cost, but it is underfunded and leaves many struggling families without help.
Building an excellent, affordable system of day care and support for our youngest kids is one of the most important things Minnesota can do for our future.
Source: 2018 Minnesota governor campaign website TinaLiebling.com
May 2, 2017
Tim Walz:
Plan to modernize state government to put families first
We're launching a new plan to modernize state government to put families first, establishing a new agency focused exclusively on providing comprehensive support for parents who need help. Whether it's early learning or food assistance or
anything else, you ought to have somewhere you can go to access all our resources in one place--and under our plan, you will.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Minnesota legislature
Apr 19, 2023
Tim Walz:
Ban conversion therapy; don't ban books
Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan established ironclad reproductive freedom, protections for Trans individuals, and gender-affirming care as fundamental rights in Minnesota.
Governor Walz also banned the cruel, outdated practice of "conversion therapy" and ended book bans based on ideology.
Source: 2022 Minnesota Governor campaign website mn.gov/Governor
Aug 6, 2024
Tim Walz:
Place children at the center of government
Children unite us. They are our future, and the overall wellbeing of our state depends on the success of our youngest Minnesotans. To ensure Minnesota is a top place to live, our state needs to focus on preparing the next generation of Minnesotans to
work and lead in a rapidly changing world.Today race, zip code, and income are too often determinants of opportunity. Our systems have not led to equitable outcomes for our children--especially our children of color. For these reasons, I order that:
- The Children's Cabinet is charged with ensuring that every Minnesota child, no matter their race or zip code, are prepared to participate in the state's future workforce.
- The Children's Cabinet will utilize a results-based accountability
lens in four priority areas:
- Healthy beginnings (beginning with the prenatal period)
- Child care and education (beginning with early childhood)
- Mental health and well-being
- Housing stability for children, youth, and families
Source: Minnesota voting records: Executive Order 19-34
Aug 7, 2019
Jim Abeler:
Don't protect gender affirming care for minors in Minnesota
HF146: Gender-affirming health care; use of subpoenas to gather information prevented.WUGA (NPR) analysis, April 21, 2023: The Minnesota Senate voted to pass a House-approved bill that will prevent state courts or officials from
complying with child removal requests, extraditions, arrests or subpoenas related to gender-affirming health care that a person receives or provides in Minnesota. Physicians who practice gender-affirming care in Minnesota, and families who've sought it
out for their transgender children or teenagers, have said the bill will go a long way to ensure that they can continue to access treatment without fear of other states' laws. Republicans in the state legislature have opposed extending legal protections
to families traveling for gender care services.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 68-62-4 on Mar/23/23; passed Senate 34-30-3 on Apr/21/23; Sen. Jim Abeler voted NO; Signed by Governor Tim Walz on Apr/27/23
Source: WUGA (NPR) on Minnesota State voting records HF146
Apr 21, 2023
Kelly Morrison:
Protect gender affirming care for minors in Minnesota
HF146: Gender-affirming health care; use of subpoenas to gather information prevented.WUGA (NPR) analysis, April 21, 2023: The Minnesota Senate voted to pass a House-approved bill that will prevent state courts or officials from
complying with child removal requests, extraditions, arrests or subpoenas related to gender-affirming health care that a person receives or provides in Minnesota. Physicians who practice gender-affirming care in Minnesota, and families who've sought it
out for their transgender children or teenagers, have said the bill will go a long way to ensure that they can continue to access treatment without fear of other states' laws. Republicans in the state legislature have opposed extending legal protections
to families traveling for gender care services.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 68-62-4 on Mar/23/23; passed Senate 34-30-3 on Apr/21/23; Sen. Kelly Morrison voted YES; Signed by Governor Tim Walz on Apr/27/23
Source: WUGA (NPR) on Minnesota State voting records HF146
Apr 21, 2023
Tim Walz:
Protect gender affirming care for minors in Minnesota
HF146: Gender-affirming health care; use of subpoenas to gather information prevented.WUGA (NPR) analysis, April 21, 2023: The Minnesota Senate voted to pass a House-approved bill that will prevent state courts or officials from
complying with child removal requests, extraditions, arrests or subpoenas related to gender-affirming health care that a person receives or provides in Minnesota. Physicians who practice gender-affirming care in Minnesota, and families who've sought it
out for their transgender children or teenagers, have said the bill will go a long way to ensure that they can continue to access treatment without fear of other states' laws. Republicans in the state legislature have opposed extending legal protections
to families traveling for gender care services.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 68-62-4 on Mar/23/23; passed Senate 34-30-3 on Apr/21/23; Signed by Governor Tim Walz on Apr/27/23
Source: WUGA (NPR) on Minnesota State voting records HF146
Apr 27, 2023
Tina Liebling:
Protect gender affirming care for minors in Minnesota
HF146: Gender-affirming health care; use of subpoenas to gather information prevented.WUGA (NPR) analysis, April 21, 2023: The Minnesota Senate voted to pass a House-approved bill that will prevent state courts or officials from
complying with child removal requests, extraditions, arrests or subpoenas related to gender-affirming health care that a person receives or provides in Minnesota. Physicians who practice gender-affirming care in Minnesota, and families who've sought it
out for their transgender children or teenagers, have said the bill will go a long way to ensure that they can continue to access treatment without fear of other states' laws. Republicans in the state legislature have opposed extending legal protections
to families traveling for gender care services.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 68-62-4 on Mar/23/23; Rep. Tina Liebling voted YES; passed Senate 34-30-3 on Apr/21/23; Signed by Governor Tim Walz on Apr/27/23
Source: WUGA (NPR) on Minnesota State voting records HF146
Mar 23, 2023
Angie Craig:
First openly LGBTQ mother and grandmother in Congress
First elected in 2018, Angie is the first openly LGBTQ mother--and recently became the first openly LGBTQ grandmother--ever elected to Congress. She is also the first openly LGBTQ person elected to Congress from Minnesota.During her time in Congress,
Craig has prioritized listening to the concerns of the citizens she represents and working across the aisle to create stronger communities and an economy that works for every Minnesotan. She has fought to make healthcare more affordable for
Minnesota families by authoring and passing the State Health Care Premium Reduction Act to lower the cost of health insurance in the individual marketplace. She helped introduce legislation that would empower Medicare to negotiate drug prices and cap
out of pocket costs for folks on Medicare Part D. In addition, Angie has worked across the aisle to expand access to mental health care and telehealth services, particularly for rural communities.
Source: Equality PAC Endorsements: 2026 Minnesota Senate race
Jan 23, 2025
Peggy Flanagan:
Proud state enacted free meals for school children
I was pretty overwhelmed when we did our school visit recently and saw all these kids come through the line to get lunch. Instead of needing tickets or a number to eat, kids were simply eating, smiling, and laughing.
We've heard anecdotally that it is making a difference with school attendance, increasing the students' ability to concentrate and be present, and reducing the overall stress level in the classroom.
Source: Minnesota Women's Press on 2026 Minnesota Senate race
Mar 27, 2024
Jeff Johnson 2018:
Gay "contractual unions" for hospital visits & inheritance
Q: Support gay marriage?Jeff Johnson (R): No. But supports "contractual unions" for hospital visitation,
inheritance or end-of-life decisions.
Tim Walz (D): Yes. Has campaigned for "full marriage equality" since 2005.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Minnesota Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Royce White:
Educated women are more likely to divorce men
After some discussion, White concluded that marrying "an educated woman statistically would probably not be a good idea" because they are supposedly "more likely to divorce men than women who aren't
traditionally educated." According to one study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Women with a bachelor's degree or higher were less likely to divorce."
Source: Media Matters for America on 2026 Minnesota Senate race
Nov 4, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026