Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks) released the following statement responding to the February forecast released today by Minnesota Management and Budget, which shows a smaller surplus for the 2026-2027 biennium, and a deficit of nearly $6 billion for 2028-2029.

“The forecast shows one thing: Minnesota Democrats broke Minnesota’s budget. They spent an entire $18 billion surplus, raised taxes by $10 billion and we now facing a $6 billion future deficit. Minnesotans sent a clear message this year – they want the out-of-control spending from the Democrats to stop and for their budgets to be put first.

“Minnesotan Democrats will be quick to blame Washington, D.C., but there is no one to blame but themselves. They squandered the surplus, they raised taxes, and they wasted half a billion dollars on fraud. This is simply a Democrat Deficit.”