Tag: Minnesota budget

Statement from House DFL Leadership on Republican Senate agenda

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on Senate Republicans’ 2020 agenda.

“Senate Republicans are failing on the issues Minnesotans care most about — affordable prescription drugs including insulin, gun violence prevention, paid family leave, addressing climate change, world-class public schools, and more,” said Speaker Hortman. “House DFLers will continue our efforts to build a Minnesota that works better for all of us.”

“Minnesota Senate Republicans should come to the table to work with Democrats for progress on the things Minnesotans value,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “Instead, they are proposing tax giveaways for the wealthy while draining funding from our public schools, neglecting our roads and bridges, and failing to truly address high prescription drug costs. House DFLers are focused on helping Minnesotans address the challenges they face: out of control health care costs, high tuition, insecure retirements, child care expenses, and more.”

 

Contrasts are big in the DFL and GOP budgets

Elections are about choices.

Right now, Democrats and Republicans are offering Minnesotans a strikingly different vision for our future. When you look at the budgets that DFL Gov. Tim Walz and Republican President Donald Trump just released, the divide between our plans, our values and our vision is clear. On issue after issue, the DFL is investing in Minnesotans while the Republican Party is attacking what makes Minnesota great.

DFLers know that health care is a right, not a privilege for the wealthy. That’s why Gov. Walz’s budget works to expand access to the care that all Minnesotans deserve. Walz wants to invest in a high-quality public option, ONECare, expand low-cost care options in Greater Minnesota and lower prescription drug prices. These are smart, sensible investments in the health and well-being of folks all across the state. Continue reading “Contrasts are big in the DFL and GOP budgets”

House, Senate must create a budget that reflects priorities of Minnesotans

Perhaps the most important role of the Legislature is the role it plays in creating a state budget. We must create a budget covering areas from education to transportation, human services to natural resources, and many other issues that make a daily impact on the lives of Minnesotans.

The budget is the biggest item on the agenda for my colleagues in both the Senate and the House this year. Entering the third month of the 2019 Legislative Session, we have a clearer picture of our state’s economic outlook with the updated February Forecast we received on Feb. 28.

According to the Minnesota Management and Budget office, the state has a positive budget balance of just over $1 billion, a balance that has decreased $492 million since November. On the one hand, our economy continues to do well; but on the other hand, this decrease, and the potential for a future economic downturn, is concerning. It’s up to us to balance the need for forward-thinking investment in our priorities and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. We cannot jeopardize the long-term health of the state’s finances with short-term decisions.

View the complete March 11 commentary by Sen. Steve Cwodzinski on The Eden Prairie News website here.

Governor Walz Proposes One Minnesota Budget Prioritizing Education, Health Care, Community Prosperity

This week, Governor Tim Walz announced the Budget for One Minnesota – his inaugural budget proposal for the next biennium. Governor Walz has worked as a classroom teacher, high school football coach, and served in the Army National Guard. Now, as Governor, he is committed to making sure that every family has the chance to get ahead. That’s why his budget focuses on the issues that really matter to Minnesotans: bringing down the cost of health care, improving education, and ensuring communities across the state are prospering. 

“After traveling thousands of miles and enjoying countless conversations across the state, it is clear to me that there are three priorities the people of Minnesota share: Education; health care; and community prosperity,” said Governor Walz. “Minnesotans want to bring down the cost of health care, provide a quality education to their children and grandchildren, and ensure communities across the state are prospering. The budget I am unveiling today will make significant strides in achieving these priorities.”

“I have often said that a budget is not only a fiscal document-it’s a moral document,” Governor Walz continued. “This budget reflects the morals of the people of Minnesota. This is the budget Minnesotans voted for by historic margins. I am proud to unveil a budget that makes smart choices to invest in the future while maintaining a fair and balanced budget.” Continue reading “Governor Walz Proposes One Minnesota Budget Prioritizing Education, Health Care, Community Prosperity”