Dear Friends,
I enjoyed meeting with Centennial School Board members (pictured right) this week as we discussed levy equalization, school funding, and school safety. Thank you for stopping by my office to chat about all the ways we can support our students, teachers, and families!
The Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate Majority Leader reached an agreement on budget targets this week. This year the legislature is responsible for setting the new two-year state budget. Minnesota has a $17.5 billion surplus, and this budget would spend every single penny of it.
Under this agreement, Minnesota’s budget would grow by 30% to $71.9 billion. It includes $2.2 billion for Education, $1 billion for Housing, and $3 billion for Taxes, Aids, and Credits. This does not mean, however, that there will be $3 billion in tax cuts. The Taxes Committee could use these funds as “spending” on refundable tax credits. Fully exempting the social security tax or providing permanent tax relief for all Minnesotans is not guaranteed.
Family budgets have not increased by 30% over the last two years, so why should government? Only $5 billion of the current $17.5 billion are recurring funds. We cannot sustain this much new spending. If this budget is enacted, we will be facing a deficit in the future.
I will keep fighting for permanent tax relief this session. We need to be good stewards of your tax dollars. I will continue pushing against this irresponsible spending spree.
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