On Tuesday, Governor Walz announced his biennial budget for the next two years. After the year that Minnesota has had, there was optimism to work together to create a stronger, more unified state for our constituents without shifting the financial burden to them. Raising taxes is not a priority for Minnesota.

“I am disappointed in the Governor’s budget and worried for the people who have been begging for help for the past year,” Senator Bruce Anderson (R-Buffalo) said Tuesday. “I hope we can work together to readjust this budget and bring the focus back to Minnesota’s priorities – the people.”

Minnesota is entering 2021 with a $1.8 billion budget deficit. While the Senate has been urging state agencies to tighten their belt by cutting 5% from their budgets to protect Minnesotans, Governor Walz seems to be more interested in having the taxpayer foot the bill while he increases spending by 10%.

This budget is not good for the average Minnesotan, and especially not for those who have been out of work, lost their businesses, or have struggled to pay bills. This budget is good for Minnesota bureaucrats and no one else. Minnesota’s priority should be the people over anything else.