Rep. Jeff Backer's Statement on Budget Framework
This past weekend the Minnesota House of Representatives released the bipartisan House budget framework.
State Rep. Jeff Backer, R-Browns Valley, said legislators have agreed to cut $4 billion from the current budget, with an additional $1.2 billion reduction planned for 2026-27. Backer indicated these spending cuts are necessary after Democrats, in full control of the Capitol, spent the state’s $18 billion surplus, raised taxes by $10 billion, and increased the state budget by $20 billion – a 40-percent hike – in 2023. As a result, Minnesota now faces a $6 billion shortfall.
Health is one area of the budget where Backer said different approaches need to be considered during the budget process.
“As chair of the health committee Democrats do not seem interested in the health on Minnesotans,” said Backer. “They are focused on keeping the status quo, the size of government, and the growth of government. They want to raise taxes and put more fees on the backs on Minnesotans instead of focusing on the health of Minnesotans. We will not allow the Democrats to focus on bureaucracy instead of healthcare for the hardworking Minnesotans.”