Dear Friends,
Today legislators were updated on what's known as the February forecast, which gives us an update on Minnesota's budget situation. The $1 billion projected surplus from the November forecast has grown to an impressive $1.869 billion surplus.
This is a sign that Minnesota's economy remains strong. We owe a big thank you to Minnesotans for their hard work and efforts in generating this surplus. I think sometimes some legislators forget that the budget surplus and our state's revenues come from taxpayers, not thanks to politicians in Saint Paul.
Over the coming weeks and months, we will begin to put together the pieces of the 2016-2017 budget. A portion of the surplus is likely to be dedicated to investing in road and bridge funding, and we will look at funding other priorities Minnesotans care about including funding for nursing homes and long-term care for Minnesota's seniors and disabled. Minnesotans also deserve to see some of their hard-earned tax dollars returned to them.
I will keep you updated in the coming weeks as our budget begins to take shape. There's a lot of work to be done as we work to put together a budget that can pass the House and Senate and be signed by the Governor.
Have a great weekend,
John Petersburg
State Representative, District 24A