Senator Robert Farnsworth (R- Hibbing) 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.

“Today the state budget forecast showed a sobering picture of what two years of one-party control has done. After spending the $18 billion dollar surplus, raising taxes by $10 billion dollars, and wasting $600 million in fraud, the deficit now stands at $6 billion dollars.

“We have tough decisions ahead of us, but Republicans will work on a budget that puts Minnesotans First. Our budget must protect your income, fund your priorities, stop the fraud, and reduce government growth to address the looming deficit.”