Legislative UpdateDear Friends and Neighbors, This week, I want to highlight more troubling cuts in Governor Walz’s proposed budget. In an attempt to address the $6 billion deficit he created, Walz is targeting essential services for our most vulnerable populations, senior citizens, students, and people with disabilities. Last week, I discussed how his budget harms people with disabilities, but the cuts don’t stop there. Walz is proposing to cut funding for nursing homes, which provide critical care for our seniors. He is also planning to cut education funding, including nonpublic pupil aid and merit-based teacher pay, penalizing hardworking students and teachers who deserve better. This comes after already burdening school districts with over 65 unfunded mandates in 2023. Walz budget also reduces projected state spending on Medicaid waivers that serve more than 70,000 low-income Minnesotans with disabilities. Yet, while reducing support for seniors, students, and the disabled, Walz continues to allocate hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars towards specific one-party interests. Our priorities should reflect the needs of our communities, not political agendas. I will continue to fight for responsible budgeting that puts Minnesotans first. |