Friends and neighbors,

The Senate floor was buzzing with activity this week as we took up six major policy and budget packages, along with several single-issue bills. Many of these measures have now passed the Senate and are headed to conference committees to be reconciled with House versions.

As we consider these significant proposals, my Republican colleagues and I continue to urge caution against unsustainable government spending. After Democrats burned through a $19 billion surplus and grew government spending by nearly 40%, our state’s financial outlook has dramatically worsened. We are now facing a projected $6 billion DEFICIT, clear evidence that it is time to rein in spending and restore fiscal discipline.

However, I am deeply troubled by some of the areas in which Governor Walz is looking to cut spending. In the Human Services budget, the governor has proposed slashing over $1 billion in essential services for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Balancing our budget should never be at the expense of our most vulnerable, and Republican legislators are proposing an alternative.

During the 2023 session, Democrats pushed through an expansion of MinnesotaCare to provide free, taxpayer-funded health care to individuals living in our country and state ILLEGALLY. At the time, Governor Walz projected the program would cost Minnesota taxpayers roughly $220 million over four years.

But since the program launched in January, enrollment has skyrocketed to over 17,000 people, nearly triple the original estimate of 5,000. This dramatic surge means the cost of the program is now expected to soar past $600 million, placing an even greater burden on hardworking Minnesota taxpayers.

With our state staring down a massive budget deficit, we need to take a hard look at where taxpayer dollars are going. The hundreds of millions currently being spent on free health care for illegal immigrants could instead be used to reduce the deficit and preserve essential services. It is troubling to see taxpayer money diverted in this way.

It is time to put Minnesotans first.

Contact Me

I want to hear from you, my constituents, on issues that are important to you. Please feel free to reach out to my office with any concerns or ideas you may have. You can contact my office at Sen.Bruce.Anderson@mnsenate.gov or 651-296-5981.

Sincerely,

Bruce Anderson