ST. PAUL, MN—Today the House DFL Majority unveiled its budget targets. These targets are assigned to each budget committee when considering state spending projects.
The proposed budget closes the $627 million deficit in FY 2014-15 and provides structural balance in FY 2016-2017.
“It is time to end the decade-long cycle of budget deficits, borrowing and gimmicks by state government,” said Rep. Fritz (DFL-Faribault). “We need to balance the budget honestly and fairly to prepare Minnesota for the future.”
The new proposal fully pays back the $854 million owed to Minnesota schools and invests an additional $700 million in education.
“Strengthening our schools is the key to making sure our children are prepared for the 21st century economy,” stated Rep. Fritz. “Paying back our schools and investing in our students will keep Minnesota economically competitive for years to come.”
The budget invests $1 billion in economic growth reforms, including $250 million in property tax relief and $46 million in job creation.
“Property taxes have skyrocketed 85% in the last decade and we cannot let this continue,” said Rep. Fritz. “Families in Greater Minnesota cannot afford this burden on their economic security. Property tax relief is vital to ensure that we are growing the middle-class and providing economic opportunities to hardworking Minnesotans.”
In addition to this new spending, $150 million was cut from the Health and Human Services budget.
“I am disappointed in the cuts to health and human services. This area of the budget has been deeply cut for years, and these cuts have negatively impacted our seniors and Greater Minnesota,” commented Rep. Fritz. “I have been working this session to provide a nursing home rate increase to our desperately underfunded long-term care facilities that are in crisis. With the impending “age wave” headed for our senior care facilities, these investments are already long overdue. I am glad to see funding for jobs, but nursing facilities are one of the biggest job providers in Greater Minnesota. It is my hope that we can still pursue adequate funding for these long-term care facilities that are so important to our community.”
Rep. Fritz can be reached by phone at (651) 296-8237 or by email at rep.patti.fritz@house.mn.
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