FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2025
Phillip C. Parrish, Candidate for Governor, Criticizes Governor Walz’s Telework Directive as a Sign of Failed Leadership
Minneapolis, MN – Phillip C. Parrish, candidate for Governor of Minnesota in 2026, issued a sharp rebuke of Governor Tim Walz’s latest directive mandating state employees return to the office for at least 50% of their scheduled days starting June 1, 2025. Parrish called the policy a belated admission of the administration’s inability to manage state resources effectively, accusing Walz of allowing inefficiencies and potential fraud to fester under a telework-heavy model.
“Governor Walz’s last-minute scramble to fix a problem that’s been glaring since the pandemic ended is laughable,” Parrish said. “For years, Minnesota taxpayers have likely footed the bill for millions in underutilized office spaces while state employees worked remotely with little oversight. Now, after a bloated bureaucracy has operated unchecked, Walz offers a two-month planning period as if that erases years of mismanagement.”
Parrish pointed to reports of empty state-leased offices sitting idle and raised concerns about the lack of in-person accountability, suggesting it may have heightened the risk of fraud—issues he claims the administration ignored until now. He also criticized the directive’s exemption for employees living over 75 miles from their worksite, calling it evidence of haphazard hiring practices that prioritized convenience over responsibility.
“Minnesota deserves better than a governor who only acts when the cracks are too big to hide,” Parrish added. “Real leadership would have tackled these inefficiencies years ago, not with a rushed policy shift to justify spending. The timing—months before an election cycle heats up—raises questions about Walz’s priorities.”
As a candidate for governor, Parrish vowed to bring accountability and fiscal discipline to state government, contrasting his proactive approach with what he called decades of Walz’s inaction. “I’m already providing more leadership for Minnesota than Tim Walz can point to in his tenure,” he said.
Contact:
Phillip C. Parrish Campaign
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Manager: [email protected]
Phone: 1-612-460-1717
About Phillip C. Parrish:
Phillip C. Parrish is a candidate for Governor of Minnesota in 2026, committed to restoring accountability, efficiency, and transparency to state government. A concerned citizen and advocate for Minnesotans, Parrish is running to address the challenges facing the state with bold, practical solutions.
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