 On Tuesday, Governor Walz visited the McDonough Community Center in St. Paul to encourage Minnesotans to claim the Child Tax Credit when filing their Minnesota income tax return. Last year, nearly 225,000 families claimed the Child Tax Credit and saw an average total credit of $2,500 back in their pockets. The tax credit of up to $1,750 per child is estimated to reduce child poverty by a third in Minnesota.
“The goal of our nation-leading child tax credit is simple: to lift kids out of poverty and provide tax relief for working families,” said Governor Walz. “And with the advance payment option, we’re making it easier for families to get ahead and manage their household budgets. We’re focused on making life easier and more affordable for Minnesotans.”
Taxpayers who qualify for Minnesota’s nation-leading Child Tax Credit will have the option to receive advance payments of the credit during this year’s tax filing season. Minnesota is the first state in the nation to offer this option for Child Tax Credit recipients.
"When you increase family income, you improve child outcomes. The Child Tax Credit and advance payment option provides economic stability and security for Minnesotans,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “Nearly a quarter of a million Minnesota households received the Child Tax Credit last year, and we want to see even more eligible families benefit from it this year.”
 On Thursday, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan announced $6.1 million in grants to expand access to child care across the state. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded 25 organizations with Child Care Economic Development Grants, expected to expand child care capacity by 1,400 slots statewide.
“Affordable, reliable child care is essential for a thriving economy – it removes the barriers that prevent parents from entering the workforce, and makes life easier and more affordable for families,” said Governor Walz. “These grants are creating opportunities for child care providers, expanding high-quality, affordable childcare, and growing our economy.”
“Access to affordable, reliable child care gives families and caregivers options and peace of mind,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “Child care investments benefit businesses, families, and our economy. These new grants are helping us create a state where all families can thrive, and all children are set up for success from day one.”
On Friday, Governor Walz announced that the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has formally established a centralized state fraud investigations unit. At the direction of Governor Walz, the Minnesota Department of Commerce's fraud investigators moved to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to create a centralized Fraud and Financial Crimes Unit, where they will have greater enforcement authority.
“Fraud against public programs is unacceptable, and Minnesotans rightly have no tolerance for it. That’s why I directed my state agencies to move quickly to establish a law enforcement unit dedicated to fighting and investigating fraud,” said Governor Walz. “As the state takes this critical step forward, I’m calling on the legislature to work together to pass a comprehensive package to prevent, detect, and put an end to fraud.”
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