A new bill introduced by Senate Republicans proposes substantial reforms to the way the Minnesota budget is developed. If passed, the bill would reset the state budget to zero every two years, allowing lawmakers to rebuild it from scratch according to current revenue projections and spending priorities. The term “zero based budgeting” has been used to describe this common sense reform.

The current practice of using last year’s budget as a starting point often leads to ballooning spending on programs that are wasteful and inefficient, and builds a false urgency for unnecessary tax increases. In contrast, Republican supporters of zero based budgeting believe that lawmakers should review state programs on a regular basis to establish their effectiveness before continuing funding.

The legislature should take a cue from the average middle-class Minnesota family that sits down at the kitchen table to develop their budget. They have to take into account their income and spending habits, then set priorities to ensure a prosperous future. Likewise, hardworking taxpayers would be better served if lawmakers built the Minnesota budget from scratch based on our priorities today and in the future.

The lead author of the zero based budgeting bill is Republican Senator Michelle Fischbach. Co-authors include Senators Roger Chamberlain, Bill Weber, Dave Osmek, and Paul Gazelka.

Follow the bill’s progress on the official Senate website.