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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Denny McNamara (R)

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BUDGET SURPLUS IS GOOD NEWS FOR MINNESOTA

Thursday, March 5, 2015

State economists released our latest budget projection on February 27, and the news is very good. Minnesota is projected to see a nearly $1.9 billion surplus for the 2016-17 budget cycle. The outlook is positive for Fiscal Year 2018-19 as well, as we are currently on pace to see a $3.1 billion windfall.

The reason Minnesota is in good fiscal shape is due to an increase in projected revenue and a decrease in expected spending. The experts also noted that lower oil prices helped our economic growth, saying cheaper oil reduces capital expenditures in oil-related industries and allows consumers to divert spending toward non-gasoline purchases.

Now that lawmakers have the most up to date economic projection, we will move forward with setting our state's budget for the next two years.

In my opinion, there are two areas that deserve attention now that we have this budget windfall: tax relief and transportation.

Minnesota faces this surplus because hardworking Minnesotans paid too much to state government. They deserve a break, and we should be looking at ways to provide them tax relief.

The other place we should look to invest is in our roads and bridges. Governor Dayton has been traveling the state touting his $9 billion tax and fee increase plan, which ultimately would force Minnesota's drivers to pay a minimum of 16-cents per gallon more at the pump. A recent poll found that 75 percent of Minnesotans oppose this idea.

Due to the size of this surplus, and the fact that lowered gas prices helped improve our economic condition, our Speaker of the House has stated that any potential gas tax increase is now off the table.

That means we will likely be looking directly at the surplus, and at redirecting tax dollars that are already being collected, in order to improve our roads and bridges.

As we move forward, I'll be sure to update you on our budget setting process.

Also, be on the lookout for my annual session survey as it was recently distributed. If you prefer to complete the survey online, visit my House website at www.house.mn/54B and click on "2015 Legislative Survey." If you'd rather have a hard copy and either did not receive yours or happened to misplace it, please let me know and I will send it to you. Call my office at 651-296-3135 or drop me an email at rep.denny.mcnamara@house.mn and I'll see that you get one. Your input is always valued and I look forward to hearing from you.

Keep in touch!