By: SENATOR JOHN JASINSKI

Senate Democrats recently released their budget framework, which will provide guidance to each committee about how much money they have to spend or cut. Their framework includes significant cuts to health and human services, human services, and it sets up substantial cuts to education next budget cycle.

I have been critical before of the governor’s proposal to shift huge cost burdens onto counties, which will increase property taxes. I have been critical of the governor’s proposal to make drastic cuts to nursing homes, disability services, and other vulnerable Minnesotans. I have been critical about the governor’s refusal to cut any funding to benefits for people who are in this country illegally. I have been critical of his plan to significantly increase sales taxes.

And now it appears Senate Democrats are going to follow the governor’s lead.

Let’s get our priorities in order. We don’t need to make cuts to nursing homes or education. We can save $600 million right off the bat by trimming wasteful rail projects, (like the proposed passenger train to Duluth), by eliminating the earmark to fund a public option health care plan, and by cutting benefits for illegal immigrants.

Budgeting is about prioritizing. For the last two years, we urged caution while Democrats went on a reckless, unsustainable spending spree. Their decisions are now coming home to roost in the form of a $6 billion budget deficit.

Instead of making cuts to services that support the people who need it most, the budget should put Minnesotans First.