Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Legislative News and Views - Rep. Tony Cornish (R)

Back to profile

REP. CORNISH PLEASED WITH LATEST BUDGET FORECAST PROJECTION

Friday, December 4, 2015

ST. PAUL – Minnesotans hoping for a gift of positive state economic news this holiday season received it from state economists on December 3, as Minnesota is now projected to face a $1.871 billion budget surplus for the 2016-17 budget period.

 

“It's good that Minnesota’s economy continues to show positive signs,” Cornish said. “But it's important to remember that a good share of this money was carried over from last year. In other words, we shouldn't be looking for ways to permanently spend even more money, but we should be looking at ways to get some of this back to the taxpayers who created the surplus."

 

During the 2016-17 budget crafting process last session, Cornish said about $865 million was left unspent.

 

Of the $1.871 windfall projection, roughly $665 million is mandated by law to make state payments and to be sent to Minnesota's budget reserves. This means the actual surplus number is closer to $1.2 billion, an amount that must be allocated before lawmakers adjourn in May.

 

For Cornish, there is little doubt how this money should be used, and what the 2016 session priorities should be.

 

"Before this session ends I'm hopeful we will work out a road and bridge funding plan that does not raise any gas taxes, and that we'll also approve a significant tax relief proposal that puts this surplus back in the pockets of Minnesotans," Cornish concluded.