Last week, the office of Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released its annual November budget forecast. The forecast, which details the state’s finances, projected a surplus of $1.544 billion for the upcoming two-year budget cycle – the largest budget surplus in state history.

“A budget surplus means the state has overcollected from its taxpayers,” said Senator Bill Weber (R-Luverne). “The budget forecast shows Minnesota’s economy is on the right track, which means we can fund the priorities of Minnesotans without raising taxes. As we work with the governor and House of Representatives on a responsible two-year state budget, we can do it within our current means. That means we should halt any talk of a gas tax increase or any sort of a fee increase – both of which are already saddling Minnesota families with an unreasonable burden.”

Read the complete budget forecast document.

View the budget forecast presentation slides.

Senator Bill Weber, of Luverne, is in his second term representing District 22, which includes communities in Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, and Rock counties. He serves as chair of the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy Committee.