ST. PAUL - With the Minnesota House now back in session, one of the top priorities for lawmakers will be determining what to do with Minnesota's projected $900 million surplus.
Governor Mark Dayton chimed in with his thoughts recently, presenting a supplemental budget to lawmakers that State Representative Greg Davids (R-Preston) said was long with spending but light with tax relief.
"I would have preferred to see the governor support more ways of providing needed tax relief to hardworking Minnesotans, but I'm not surprised he wants to spend the bulk of the projected surplus," Davids said.
Governor Dayton outlined $581 million in new spending while leave $202 million on the bottom line and providing $117 million in tax relief.
As chairman of the Minnesota House Taxes Committee, Davids said he wants to ensure that the governor's ideas are vetted properly and receive a fair hearing, and said those proposals will be debated in the taxes committee in the coming weeks.
"Though I may disagree with many of his priorities in this supplemental budget, I do know how important it is for committee members to receive this information and draw their own conclusions," Davids said. "I look forward to working with the Governor's Office as we analyze his plans following our Easter break."