Dear Neighbor,
We just got done shoveling our way out of a snowstorm in Minnesota, but we have a lot more digging to do to get our state’s finances out of the hole one-party control put us in. Here’s a look at that and more from St. Paul.
State economic forecast
The state issued an updated economic forecast Thursday and it highlights the need for a more balanced budget approach in Minnesota. The report from Minnesota Management & Budget shows a $456 million projected balance for 2026-27, down $160 million from previous estimates. The projected general fund shortfall for the 2028-29 biennium is now $6 billion – $852 million worse than November estimates and nearly a state-record deficit.
State spending growth outpaces revenue growth through projections for fiscal year 2029, MMB indicates, which is no surprise after Democrats in full control of the Capitol last biennium spent the state’s $18 billion surplus, raised taxes by $10 billion and increased the state budget by 40 percent with the budget they set in 2023.
We need to do the work now to stabilize our state’s bottom line instead of putting things off until later. We need to right-size our government that has ballooned with massive spending increases enacted the last few years. Let’s do right by our children.
It is good the era of reckless spending, unnecessary tax increases and broken promises we suffered with Democrats in full control of the Capitol the last two years has come to an end.
The forecast figures will provide an overarching framework as legislators work to pass a new two-year state budget before the deadline to adjourn in late May.
St. Paul visitors
Thank you to all the people who continue coming to the Capitol to share their thoughts with me on a wide variety of issues. I enjoyed recently meeting with people from the Association of Minnesota Counties and appreciate the input.
Protecting girls
Minnesota House Republicans on Monday brought forward the Preserving Girls Sports Act (H.F. 12), which supports safe and fair competition for girls in school-sanctioned athletics.
House Democrats blocked it, leaving the door open for biological males to continue participating in girls sports even though polls show around 80 percent of people agree with the bill’s position.
This is really a sad day for girls in Minnesota. We’ve come so far in advancing girls sports over the years. In some ways, this vote sets our state back decades and I’m sure it will not sit well with a lot of people. Parents are not OK with placing their daughters at this kind of risk. It’s another instance where House Democrats chose to ignore common sense and instead marched in line, catering to the extremists instead of doing what most Minnesotans want.
We had an opportunity to support fairness and safety for girls but, instead, partisanship was introduced where it doesn’t belong, and a good bill was stopped in its tracks. House Republicans tabled the bill after Democrats voted against it, saving the legislation from defeat and keeping it available for future reconsideration.
TeenPact registration
Registration is still open to for a pair of TeenPact classes in April at the Capitol in St. Paul as students from around the state gather for a week of hands-on training in leadership and government. Additional information and registration details are available at teenpact.com/minnesota.
Have a good weekend and, as always, please let me know how I can help.
Sincerely,
Chris