Hello from the State Capitol,
Governor Walz recently issued his budget recommendations, and if passed into law, they would come at a devastating cost to nursing homes across Minnesota.
Last session, the legislative Democrat majority and Governor Walz agreed on a budget that spent an $18 billion surplus, raised taxes by $10 billion, and grew government spending by nearly 40%. Now, Minnesota’s economic experts are projecting the state will face a $6 billion budget deficit in the next budget cycle.
There are plenty of places to reduce state government spending without harming elderly and disabled Minnesotans. More than 6,000 new state government job positions were created in the last two years, and many of them have not been filled. They gave away free college tuition and health care. They punished schools with costly mandates. There are plenty of places to trim the fat without cutting disabled services and nursing homes.
According to a recent analysis, Governor Walz’s proposed budget would cut an estimated $700 million in funding for nursing homes over four years.
So, what would that mean locally? Here’s how much local nursing homes would stand to lose over the next four years if Governor Walz’s plans became law:
Good Samaritan Society – Jackson: $1.898 million
Good Samaritan Society - St. James: $1.391 million
Good Samaritan Society – Windom: $1.659 million
Seasons Healthcare of Trimont: $361,000
South Shore Care Center – Worthington: $793,000
We do need to right-size government spending, but not on services that benefit our state’s elderly and disabled residents.
LOCAL VISITORS
I was pleased to meet with 11th grade students from Windom Area High School this week as they toured the State Capitol.
Anahi Morales was here from Butterfield-Odin participating in the Minnesota House High School Page program. She enjoyed her time at the Capitol.
I had a nice conversation with Michelle Ebbers from Des Moines Valley Health and Human Services. We discussed local public health priorities.
Brianna Sanders, Economic Development Director for St James, stopped by to discuss new developments in St James and Watonwan County.
Justice Day at the Capitol recently took place. I enjoyed visiting with former Nobles County Judge Gordon Moore.
Thanks for stopping by!
Have a good weekend,
Marj