ST. PAUL – State Representative Jason Rarick (R-Pine City) said budget targets for the next two year budget cycle have been unveiled by Minnesota House Republicans, and the state government budget setting process has now begun.
“Our projected $1.6 billion surplus means we’ve been overtaxing Minnesotans, so I’m glad to see we’re focused on tax relief,” Rarick said. “We’ve also been talking about new road and bridge money for the past three years and we always need to provide financial assistance to our schools, so I’m pleased they also made the priority list.”
Roughly $1.35 billion has been proposed for tax relief by House Republicans, targeting middle class Minnesotans in all age groups: from the family with a newborn attending daycare to senior citizens trying to enjoy their retirement. In all, Rarick says more than half of this proposal would benefit the middle class.
In transportation, $450 million in new revenue would be allocated to roads and bridges without raising taxes. This would occur by redirecting current transportation-related funding streams into the Transportation Priorities Fund, like existing taxes on auto repairs and auto rentals. The plan, including transportation-related bonding, totals $6 billion over ten years.
Rarick said local school districts would also benefit from new K-12 Education revenue. Following last year’s historic investments in our students and schools, the House proposal would invest another $1.1 billion in new funding over last biennium, putting more money into Minnesota classrooms.
Rarick expects that all of the spending and tax relief proposals will be debated on the House floor in the coming weeks.