It was announced today that Governor Tim Walz would be retiring upon completion of his second term as Governor.
Senator Michael Kreun (R-Blaine) released the following statement in response to the news:
"Governor Walz announced his retirement today after months of Minnesota being in the news for all the wrong reasons. And while Minnesotans should be relieved he is retiring, this seems like another way for the Walz Administration to avoid taking accountability for the mess created on his watch.
In recent years, the Walz Administration has:
• Spent through a historic $18 billion surplus in record time
• Cultivated a breeding ground for fraud, with current totals estimated to be around $9 billion
• Increased taxes by over $10 billion
• Created burdensome programs that cost taxpayers far more than they can afford
• Expanded government by nearly 40%
It's time to correct these wrongs, and that means holding accountable every elected official who allowed these things to occur. We also need to listen to Minnesotans who have been vocal when it comes to fraud - they don’t want their hard-earned taxpayer dollars going to fraudsters, and they certainly don’t want their taxes to keep going up to fund fraud. This is why I will continue to advocate for an independent Office of the Inspector General, because our state desperately needs independent oversight. With that office in place, we can save taxpayer dollars and stop fraud before it begins."