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State Representative Linda Slocum
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7158
For more information contact: Ted Modrich 651-296-5809
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Legislative Update -- March 1, 2021
Dear Neighbors,
This week we received an updated economic forecast. The report included some good news about a strengthening economy, but also some bad news about our future budget outlook. It’s clear we have a long way to go to get our economy back on track and our state’s finances on strong footing.
State Economist Tom Stinson and Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Jim Schowalter reported an additional $323 million for our current two-year budget cycle.
I welcome this good news, but I am sad to report that just beneath the surface of Wednesday’s announcement is some not so good news.
Of the $323 million, $318 million will be used to pay back the funds borrowed from our schoolchildren that were grabbed to balance the state’s budget in 2012. Even after this, we still owe our schools $2.4 billion from that borrowing. I fully support paying back our schools and kids — and the sooner the better. We are also staring at a structural deficit of $1.1 billion for the next budget cycle.
We don’t have a balanced budget and won’t have one for the foreseeable future. Tricks like raiding tobacco bonds and K-12 shifts aren’t sound fiscal policy and don’t put our state on a solid economic footing. We are a long way from a true budget surplus.
The time has come for lawmakers to sit down and dedicate themselves to the hard work of restoring Minnesota to responsible budgeting. No more using our kids’ schools as piggy banks. No more budget gimmicks. They’ve been tried, and they haven’t worked.
I welcome your questions, comments, feedback or concerns. If I can be of any assistance at all — please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for the honor of serving you in the legislature.
Linda Slocum
State Representative
District 63B
News Items
- The Minnesota Legislature: Gridlock and Misplaced Priorities - (Posted: 2012-05-31 00:00:00)
- Legislative Update - May 3, 2012 - (Posted: 2012-05-03 00:00:00)
- AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY DAY AT THE CAPITOL - (Posted: 2012-03-29 00:00:00)
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