On Monday, Feb. 27, Minnesota’s Department of Management and Budget released its February revenue forecast, which provides information and an outlook for Minnesota’s financial picture. The report shows the surplus holding steady at $17.5 billion, with inflation accounting for $1.4 billion going back into state spending automatically.

Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Alexandria) released the following statement:

The $17.5 billion surplus is astronomical and too high not to give it back to hardworking Minnesotans. But as we have seen throughout this session, Democrats have zero interest in returning this money. They are instead trying to raise taxes and look for new ways to hold taxpayers hostage, despite the historic surplus. As we craft our state’s next two-year budget, we must focus on using the surplus to protect Minnesota families, seniors, main street businesses and farmers. It’s long overdue to give this money back.