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State Representative John Lesch

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Posted: 2012-02-29 00:00:00
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Press/News Releases

“SURPLUS” ALREADY SPENT, DEBT AND DEFICITS REMAIN


(ST. PAUL) — Today, Minnesota Management and Budget announced that the state has a $323 million surplus. Current law states that $5 million of the surplus must go to budget reserves with the rest beginning to pay back the $2.75 billion borrowed from Minnesota schools.

State Representative John Lesch (DFL – St. Paul) released the following statement on today’s announcement:

“This forecast reveals the long-term debt and deficits caused by irresponsible borrowing from Minnesota schoolchildren and the use of tobacco bonds. If the Legislature had passed a balanced solution, our state would not face the same debt. Even after today, we still owe our kids $2.4 billion.

“This is the equivalent of finding a little money in your couch cushions and then realizing you have thousands of dollars in credit card debt.

“The Republicans have saddled our state with debt, raised property taxes, taken money out of our classrooms, and created problems for the budgets of families, small businesses, students and seniors, all while leaving a $2.1 billion deficit — including inflation — in our next budget cycle.

“The only way to grow our economy for the long-term is to build a strong middle class and improve schools for our children. Those continue to be my top priorities."

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