The state of Minnesota reported on Thursday that it has a projected $1.871 billion budget surplus for the next year and a half, a sign of a full economic recovery. "The ship continues on course and we are improving the stability and control of the ship," said Commissioner Myron Frans of Minnesota Management and Budget, according to Duluth News Tribune.
"The credit belongs to the people of Minnesota ... and the businesses who have decided to locate or expand here. Now it's our responsibility to use that money in ways that are going to better the future of our state," DFL Gov. Mark Dayton said after the economic forecast and state budget was released reports Star Tribune.
"To those who think I'm going to sign a tax bill that has an inordinate amount of tax cuts and nothing for early childhood and education, I'll say right now I'm not going to sign it," Dayton continued, reports Fox9.
"I intend that an important part of my legacy will be responsible financial management," Dayton added, according to Star Tribune.
The $1.9 billion surplus will reduce to $1.2 billion as $665 million goes towards reserves and to make payments required by state law.
"We should immediately approve the roads and bridges plan put forward by Republicans in the 2015 session and give the rest of the surplus back to taxpayers," opined Senate Minority Leader David Hann, according to the Duluth News Tribune.
"We're going to look at all of the tax relief proposals that are on the table, and frankly look at those and analyze those for how can we best help Minnesotans and what can we do to help out Minnesota families. That's the bottom line. It's not rocket science. It's pretty simple," House Speaker Kurt Daudt said, according to Fox9.
