This is part of our series on the debate over the new budget for the State of Minnesota. To see previous articles on the new proposed budget click here
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After both Democratic Governor Tim Walz Minnesota House Democrats, and the New House Republican Caucus proposed their budget targets the Republican Majority in the Senate has outlined their plans for the 2019 budget.
Republican minority leader Kurt Daudt and the old Republican Caucus have not released a budget yet.
The most significant difference between the Republican Senate Majority and Democrat House Majority is in taxes. Minnesota Democrats have joined Governor Tim Walz in demanding higher taxes including a 70% increase in the gas tax.
Additionally, unlike the Democrats, Republicans are not including any controversial legislation restricting gun rights.
The New House Republican Budget is the only proposed budget that cuts overall spending. Minnesota Senate Republicans increase the budget of K-12 Education and Healthcare and Human Services which they hope will temporarily reduce the insurance rate.
Detailed budget numbers can be found here
Senate Republicans not only are rejecting any tax increases but they hope to use some of the surpluses be used to fund tax credits for Minnesota families.
Majority Leader Paul Gazelka released the following statement “Senate Republicans will produce a budget for the next two years that funds our priorities without raising taxes. We want to help people with accessibility and affordability, and hold government accountable, because those qualities can co-exist. We will also continue our commitment to transportation funding with $8 billion dedicated to roads, bridges, and transit over the next two years. Our budget today continues the wise and responsible investments we made in 2017, without asking more from the taxpayer. Because of the work we’ve done in this budget, Minnesotans can count on a government that is affordable, accessible, and accountable.”
