Earlier this week an actuarial study was released regarding the state’s paid leave program. Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake) released the following statement in response:

“This study confirms what we’ve said all along: the Democrats’ plan is excessively burdensome and shifts a high burden of cost down to every employee and taxpayer in the state. The study shows that the plan will require $630 million more than expected, and the tax rate will also need to be 31% higher than Democrats originally said. This is a one-size-fits-all mandate that is too costly for the average Minnesotan.

Considering it was also recently announced that the state is projected to have a $2.4 billion surplus heading into the next year, there is a clear issue here. Minnesotans are being taxed too much and are going to be expected to foot the bill on yet another tax increase. Senate Republicans agree that paid family leave would be a benefit to families, but we wanted a bipartisan solution that would be more flexible and cost efficient. Democrats ignored the request and chose to move forward with their plan, which is why I requested a simple actuarial study to give us an idea of cost. Unfortunately the study confirms exactly what we feared… In one of the most heavily-taxed states in the country, Minnesota taxpayers will be left with yet another costly tax to pay.”