ST. PAUL – With less than two weeks remaining in the 2019 legislative session, state budget negotiations had not gained traction as of Tuesday afternoon.
State Rep. Steve Green, R-Fosston, said an unwillingness on the part of House Democrats and Gov. Tim Walz to move on their proposals to raise taxes by more than $12 billion over the next four years is central to the holdup.
“We’re almost one full week into negotiations at the Capitol and, so far, House Democrats and the governor’s administration have refused to drop their proposals to increase taxes one dime, so we’re still looking at $12 billion over the next four years,” Green said. “That includes the gas tax increase and the increase in taxes on your medical care. This is just unacceptable. It’s time to get down to business. We’re running in on the end of session now and I hope they will come together and get some of this stuff done. It’s just unfair to the hardworking people of Minnesota.”
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