(ST. PAUL, MN) –  Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R- East Gull Lake) and Senate Finance Chair Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont) released the following statements in light of the state’s increased collections of revenue for the month of January: 

Gazelka: Minnesotans are persevering through the pandemic and the last thing they need is more taxes. Taking billion in taxes from Minnesotans will slow our fragile recovery and serve only a distraction to balancing the budget, getting vaccines out, and getting kids back in schools. Right now COVID cases are significantly down, revenues are up, and we ought to be thanking the taxpayers for their sacrifices, not asking more of them.

Rosen: This is a very good sign for the upcoming February forecast, where we will get a full accounting of our budget situation. Taxes are coming in at or above the forecast, showing the resiliency of Minnesotans in the face of massive economic disruptions complicated by constantly changing closure policies. But– I have wonder where we would be if Minnesota businesses were open?