GOV. WALZ PROPOSES $52.4 BILLION STATE BUDGET

St. Paul – Today, Governor Tim Walz rolled out his budget proposals for Minnesota’s 2022-2023 biennial budget. The two-year budget totals $52.4 billion. In his budget, the Governor proposed significant tax increases and spending increases. The members of the New House Republican Caucus offered their reaction.     

“Governor Walz continues to abuse the working people of Minnesota,” said Rep. Steve Drazkowski (Republican-Mazeppa). “For nearly a year, the Governor’s executive orders have crushed the livelihoods of working Minnesotans. Now, his abuse continues with job-killing tax increases. Governor Walz simply wants more money for government. However, government has not suffered at all during this pandemic. Government workers have all kept their jobs while the private sector has been decimated. The hypocrisy is unbelievable.”

Specifically, the Governor’s proposed tax increases include an increase in the corporate franchise tax from 9.8% to 11.25%, and the creation of a new income tax bracket. 

“This is exactly why people in my district are tired of self-righteous, self-interested politicians,” said Rep. Jeremy Munson (Republican-Lake Crystal). “The Governor shut down our economy for months. He unilaterally prevented individuals and businesses from working hard and turning a profit. Now he wants to take even more money from us? The Governor should be empowering Minnesotans, not creating further economic problems.”

Additionally, the budget proposal includes tax increases on capital gains and dividend income. 

“This pandemic has taken so much from us, but that does not seem to stop Governor Walz from taking even more,” said Rep. Erik Mortensen (Republican-Shakopee). “To increase our state budget to a record $52.4 billion is beyond irresponsible. Government should cut spending and save money just like Minnesotans have had to do during these tough economic times. Frankly, Governor Walz proves again and again that he is deeply out of touch with Minnesota.”

The previous biennial budget signed into law by Governor Walz was $48 billion. 

“The Governor is practicing a bastardized economic theory,” said Rep. Cal Bahr (Republican-East Bethel). “Keynesian theory says that in an economic downturn, the government should step in and spend to shorten and minimize the downturn. Keynesian theory also says that after the downturn, government should step back. That part never happens. The last few years have seen government coffers overflow; yet that wasn’t enough. The state still borrowed and spent.  The Governor’s increased taxation of Minnesotans will only add to the economic problems that exist today. Continuing to dampen down the economy only prolongs the agony and stifles the innovation necessary to recover. Governor Walz clearly did not teach economics class.”

Rep. Steve Drazkowski (Republican-Mazeppa), Rep. Tim Miller (Republican-Prinsburg), Rep. Cal Bahr (Republican-East Bethel), Rep. Jeremy Munson (Republican-Lake Crystal), and Rep. Erik Mortensen (Republican-Shakopee) are members of the New House Republican Caucus. 

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