ST. PAUL —State Representative Paul Novotny, R-Elk River, issued the following statement regarding Gov. Tim Walz's 2021-2022 budget proposal. Gov. Walz is proposing a 10% hike to Minnesota's top tax bracket, a 15 percent hike to Minnesota's business tax, and regressive tax hikes on cigarettes and vaping products that disproportionately hit low-income Minnesotans. The Governor is proposing just .3% in cuts ($150 million) out of a $52+ billion budget.
“After nearly a year of damage caused by government mandated shutdowns, it is completely tone-deaf for the Governor to propose raising taxes on hardworking Minnesotans and businesses,” said Rep. Novotny. “I am committed to working hard to make sure that government shares in the sacrifice that so many had to endure in 2020. That’s why we should balance the budget by reducing government spending and streamlining state agencies and programs.”
Lawmakers and the Governor must pass a new two-year budget by June 30 to avoid a state government shutdown.
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