ST. PAUL, MN - House Republicans unveiled their budget targets today, which cut taxes by $2 billion. They include less than a 1% increase in funding for education, and would cut more than $1 billion in health care that serves Minnesota workers, seniors, and our must vulnerable.
State Representative Erik Simonson (DFL – Duluth) released the following statement:
“Republicans have proven today that they will prioritize the requests of their corporate backers over the needs of working families in any economic climate. Minnesota is currently experiencing record economic success, and instead of using the budget surplus that was given to them by the DFL to help families who are still struggling to catch up, they want to give most of it away in corporate tax breaks that will end up in the pockets of those at the top.”
The biggest loser in the Republican budget is Minnesota’s future economic success, the success of our kids. This is a wasted opportunity we should be using to invest in students on both ends of the spectrum, from our earliest learners who need a head start, to college students seeking an affordable education.
Minnesota can afford additional investments in education, healthcare and transportation with a $2 billion surplus. You just need to ask any family that experiences a few prosperous years. They’ll tell you about their plans to invest in the things that will make them stronger in the future: a better education, home improvements, saving for future health care needs, to name a few. These are basic principles we should be using to help prepare Minnesota’s economy for a rapidly aging and diversifying population, but the Republicans have chosen different priorities.
Republicans would cut Minnesota workers and our most vulnerable by $1 billion, use gimmicks and general fund shifts to deflect meaningful transportation investments to future generations, and shift money away from the state grant program to end the tuition freeze implemented by the DFL and force students and families to pay more for tuition at state colleges and universities.
Instead of investing in greater opportunity for all in this improved economy, the Republicans are using the budget surplus created by the DFL to pay back their corporate folks at the top who don’t need the help.
Let me say it again another way: Minnesota is not currently in economic free-fall, nor are we facing a growing budget deficit. We have an estimated $2 billion to invest in Minnesota families to help pay for things like lowering the cost of early childhood education, freezing college tuition, increasing access to health care, and improving the quality and maintenance of our states transportation and transit networks. Why wouldn’t we take this opportunity?
Because Republicans will always take the opportunity, whether they see a budget surplus or a budget deficit, to put the priorities of their corporate backers ahead of working Minnesotans, kids and our most vulnerable citizens. Every time.”
Rep. Simonson encourages community members to contact him on any legislative issue. He can be reached by email at rep.erik.simonson@house.mn or phone at 651-296-4246.
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