Minnesota’s latest budget forecast is a sobering reality check. While the state is looking at a projected $616 million surplus for the next budget cycle, the long-term picture paints a far bleaker story. By 2028-2029, Minnesota faces a staggering $5.1 billion deficit. This isn’t just bad luck – it is the direct result of reckless spending and tax increases by the Democrat governing trifecta that have left taxpayers on the hook.
In the past two years, Democrats spent virtually the entirety of the historic $19 billion surplus, raised taxes by $10 billion, and grew government spending by an astonishing 40%. The result? Minnesotans bear one of the heaviest tax burdens in the nation – we are ranked 46th in terms of state and local tax competitiveness. Despite these tax hikes, the spending spree has outpaced even record revenue collections, leading us straight toward fiscal disaster.
It didn’t have to be this way.
I have always championed a responsible, measured approach to budgeting – one that prioritizes our shared priorities and Minnesotans’ needs without treating their paychecks as a limitless resource. Government should spend within its means; every tax dollar must be used wisely and effectively. Unfortunately, the last budget cycle abandoned those principles entirely.
This year’s short-term surplus doesn’t come from economic growth; it’s the product of painful tax increases on families, farmers, and small businesses. While those hikes may have temporarily balanced the books, they’ve created long-term challenges that will cause even more pain to solve. The runaway growth in government – from a $39 billion general fund budget in 2014 to $71 billion today – has far outpaced what Minnesotans can afford.
It’s not just the spending – it’s also about how those dollars are managed. The Walz administration has allowed waste, fraud, and abuse to run rampant in state agencies. Millions of taxpayer dollars have been lost to mismanagement, inefficiencies, and outright fraud. This is unacceptable. You work hard for your money, and you deserve a government that respects your work by using tax dollars effectively.
My Republican colleagues and I have a different vision for Minnesota’s future – one where government spends responsibly, respects your tax dollars, and prioritizes the needs of working Minnesotans. I understand the frustration many Minnesotans feel when they see their hard-earned money being wasted or when you struggle to make ends meet under the weight of rising costs and higher taxes.
The upcoming legislative session will be dominated by budget discussions. My focus will be bringing balance, sustainability, and accountability back to our state’s budget. It’s time to put Minnesotans first – because you deserve a government that works for you, not the other way around.
By addressing the missteps of the past and embracing a more responsible path forward, we can make sure Minnesota remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family for generations to come.