ST. PAUL —State Representative Glenn Gruenhagen, R-Glencoe, issued the following statement regarding Gov. Tim Walz's 2021-2022 budget proposal. Gov. Walz is proposing $1.7 billion in new taxes including a 10% hike to Minnesota's top tax bracket, a 15 percent hike to Minnesota's business tax, and regressive tax hikes on cigarettes and vaping products that disproportionately hit low-income Minnesotans.This after many businesses are suffering under pandemic mandates. The Governor is proposing just .3% in cuts ($150 million) out of a $52+ billion budget.
“This budget proposal follows the same old Democrat play book of ‘tax and spend’ and is the wrong approach for Minnesotans at a time when so many are still struggling as a result of Governor Walz’s shutdowns,” said Rep. Gruenhagen. “Instead of taking more money from Minnesotans and businesses and growing the size of government, we should focus on reduced spending and ask state government to share in the sacrifice that so many Minnesotans have had to endure this year.”
Lawmakers and the Governor must pass a new two-year budget by June 30 to avoid a state government shutdown.
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