Minnesota Senate Democrats on Friday announced their 2025 budget “targets,” which outline the amount they intend to spend or cut from each budget area. Their proposal cuts spending on health and human services, environment, energy, and transportation spending, and sets up future cuts to education.

State Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) issued the following statement:

“I’m deeply concerned about the direction the Senate Democrat budget targets would take us. The significant reduction in education funding ($687 million) they are setting up is especially troubling. Our students, teachers, and schools deserve better. And the proposed cuts to health and human services will fall hardest on those who most need our support: seniors, our disabled neighbors, and the most vulnerable Minnesotans.

“These are painful decisions. But they didn’t have to be.

“In 2023, when Democrats had full control of state government, they increased state spending by an unsustainable 40 percent, burned through an $18 billion surplus, and raised taxes by another $10 billion. That spending spree has now left Minnesota with a projected $6 billion shortfall. Had they been more cautious and exercised more foresight, as we pleaded with them to, we wouldn’t be facing cuts to the very people and programs that need our support the most.

“Minnesotans deserve a budget that is built on common sense and long-term thinking — a budget that puts Minnesotans first.”