Minnesota GOP Slams Gov. Walz for $430K Legal Bill Using State Funds
Minnesota Republicans are outraged after learning Governor Tim Walz spent roughly $430,000 in taxpayer funds to hire outside lawyers ahead of his congressional testimony on sanctuary-city policies.
Invoices obtained by the Star Tribune show that the Walz administration retained the law firm K&L Gates from April to June. The firm helped prepare Walz for a June House Oversight Committee hearing, led by Republicans. The lawyers charged an average of $516 per hour, with $232,000 billed in May alone.
The full amount was approved via a general fund transfer, signed off by the Legislative Advisory Commission. Though the state attorney general’s office initially offered guidance, Walz’s team said the congressional setting required more specialized legal support.