Dear Neighbors,
Today, the Minnesota Senate approved legislation that funds state government in the event of a government shutdown. As I write this, negotiations between legislative leaders on a new two-year state budget remain unresolved.
Democrats continue to insist on raising taxes by more than $12 billion over the next four years at a time when the state has a $1 billion budget surplus. In addition to the surplus, tax collections continue to be higher than anticipated. In fact, since the February forecast, monthly revenue collections are $573 million above forecast, including $489 million in April alone. This is in large part thanks to a booming state and national economy.
Simply put, we have more than enough funds to make investments in the things that matter most to Minnesotans without raising taxes.
The Senate's continuing appropriation bill is simply an insurance policy that will ensure that state government continues to operate if we get to a point where a government shutdown becomes a reality.
We’re still more than a month away from having to really worry about that scenario, but as the saying goes, “hope for the best, prepare for the worst.”
I’ll have more updates for you as they become available.
All the best,
Glenn