(ST. PAUL, MN) –  Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R-East Gull Lake) released a video statement with his reaction to Minnesota’s projected surplus of $1.6 billion.

In the video, Gazelka repeats his commitment to not raising taxes, and promises to pass federal conformity to not tax Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Many businesses used to keep paying employees when businesses were closed due to COVID-19, however Minnesota currently plans to tax those loans, further setting the state’s economic recovery back.   

Senate Finance Committee chair, Julie Rosen (R- Fairmount) said, “Today’s budget surplus is good news and an amazing testament to the resilience of Minnesotans. But it does not change the fact that our state budget is unsustainable and has been for a long time. As chair of the Senate Finance Committee, I’ve got two priorities for the budget: first, we will be looking into government spending, government accountability, and seeing where this money is going. Second, Minnesota workers and small business owners are still struggling. Let’s get them some targeted tax relief.”