This morning, the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget (MMB) released the revised February budget forecast showing a surplus of $9.25 billion for the current biennium. In response, Senator Karla Bigham (DFL-Cottage Grove) released the following statement:
“The budget surplus announced today is positive news for our state and it is a reflection of the commitment and dedication of Minnesota’s workers in spite of the numerous challenges brought on by the pandemic. However, we must proceed with caution given the pressures posed by inflation and the economic impacts precipitated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Fiscal responsibility is of utmost importance at this moment, given that much of this boost to the surplus is a one-time improvement that we are unlikely to see a repeat of in the future. I remain committed to pushing my Senate colleagues to use the surplus to prioritize the needs of working Minnesotans by improving childcare affordability, reducing the cost of healthcare, supporting public schools, modernizing our infrastructure, and ensuring that we make good on our promise to issue direct payments to frontline workers. Working Minnesotans built this surplus, and it is only right that working Minnesotans reap the benefits of it.