McKnight Foundation Leaders Comment on 2023 Legislative Session
(Minneapolis, MN – June 7, 2023) Minnesota’s 2023 legislative session concluded on May 22. Across the 74 bills lawmakers passed, a key throughline surfaced consistently: investments and policy solutions to make Minnesota a better place for everyone. McKnight Foundation leaders issued the following statements in response.
“Minnesota has shown the country what is possible when you invest in the hopes and aspirations of all people who call our state home… As we look ahead, we must continue to bridge divides and work together toward a future where all Minnesotans share in our state’s full abundance.”–TONYA ALLEN, PRESIDENT
Tonya Allen, McKnight Foundation president:
“Minnesota has shown the country what is possible when you invest in the hopes and aspirations of all people who call our state home. As a result of this year’s historic legislative session, Minnesota is on a path to becoming a more just, abundant, and creative place. From historic investments in affordable housing and artists and culture bearers, to efforts to allow more people to build wealth and share in our state’s prosperity, to measures that protect and strengthen our democracy, to nation-leading clean energy, transit, and environmental justice laws, Minnesota’s leaders delivered consequential policy solutions that will reap benefits for generations to come.”
“Minnesota is a better place and a leader because of people power. Minnesotans across the political spectrum came together to express their aspirations and values, securing broad support for policies that advance the people’s will. This progress would not have happened without the hard work of so many courageous individuals who lent their voices, resources, time, talent, energy, and passion to bring about transformative policy changes. We are deeply grateful to our grantee and community partners who worked tirelessly over many years to make these milestones a reality. As we look ahead, we must continue to bridge divides and work together toward a future where all Minnesotans share in our state’s full abundance.”
Minnesota becomes a national climate leader with transformative solutions for people and planet
“We want to thank our grantee partners and advocates for their dedication to building a just and equitable climate and clean energy movement, and for bringing Minnesotans from all walks of life and all parts of the state together in support of policies advancing a future where our people and planet can thrive.”–SARAH CHRISTIANSEN, MIDWEST CLIMATE & ENERGY PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Sarah Christiansen, Midwest Climate & Energy program director:
“Minnesota has just made a transformational down payment on an equitable climate future for all Minnesotans. Governor Tim Walz signed the state’s largest-ever investments in transit, clean energy, and environmental justice into law—making our state a national climate leader. Minnesota will be a model for delivering economic mobility and community vitality in the transition to clean energy, improving lives and livelihoods. We want to thank our grantee partners and advocates for their dedication to building a just and equitable climate and clean energy movement, and for bringing Minnesotans from all walks of life and all parts of the state together in support of policies advancing a future where our people and planet can thrive. Their years of effort brought us to this moment. We look forward to continued partnership with colleagues in Minnesota and beyond for a rapid transition away from polluting fossil fuels, to protect our planet and improve people’s lives, especially those most impacted by the climate crisis.”
State budget includes critical investment in artists & culture bearers to bolster community vitality
“Minnesota thrives when all its artists and culture bearers thrive. When we resource the artists and culture bearers who power Minnesota’s creative ecosystem, we are investing in community vitality.”–DEANNA CUMMINGS, ARTS & CULTURE PROGRAM DIRECTOR
DeAnna Cummings, Arts & Culture program director:
“Minnesota thrives when all its artists and culture bearers thrive. When we resource the artists and culture bearers who power Minnesota’s creative ecosystem, we are investing in community vitality. We are heartened to see many current and former McKnight grantee partners represented in the budget, including groups leveraging our early-stage investments to secure additional funding from the state. Many of our partners worked diligently to make sure the new budget included funding for arts and culture. We are grateful to them and look forward to ongoing partnership as we continue the work to catalyze the creativity, power, and leadership of Minnesota’s working artists and culture bearers.”
Historic progress on housing, democracy, and economic equity will advance a just, abundant future for all Minnesotans
“Leaders took tremendous steps toward ensuring everyone has a roof over their head, safe and supportive working conditions, and voice, choice, and power in the decisions that impact them. The people-centered policies passed this session are essential to strengthening our communities and driving statewide economic growth, benefiting all Minnesotans.”–DAVID NICHOLSON, VIBRANT & EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM DIRECTOR
David Nicholson, Vibrant & Equitable Communities program director:
“Minnesota made historic progress this session by prioritizing what matters most: caring for our people and our planet. With bipartisan support, we invested in people’s health, livelihoods, and communities, passed laws expanding democracy, protecting workers, made the largest affordable housing investment in state history—and so much more. Leaders took tremendous steps toward ensuring everyone has a roof over their head, safe and supportive working conditions, and voice, choice, and power in the decisions that impact them. The people-centered policies passed this session are essential to strengthening our communities and driving statewide economic growth, benefiting all Minnesotans. Together, and across our differences, we are building a Minnesota where everyone can thrive—no matter the color of their skin, who they love, or what zip code they live in. We are grateful for our grantee and community partners whose steadfast organizing and advocacy made this historic progress possible. We look forward to supporting them as they keep working to ensure every Minnesotan has a say in the decisions that impact them.”
About the McKnight Foundation: The McKnight Foundation, a Minnesota-based family foundation, advances a more just, creative, and abundant future where people and planet thrive. Established in 1953, the McKnight Foundation is deeply committed to advancing climate solutions in the Midwest; building an equitable and inclusive Minnesota; and supporting the arts and culture in Minnesota, neuroscience, and global food systems.
