On Tuesday, Governor Tim Walz released his proposal for the upcoming two-year state budget. The governor’s $52 billion budget proposal, including budgeted reserves, would be the largest budget in state history and represents an 8.1 percent increase over the previous state budget. In response, Senator Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson), chair of the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee, issued the following statement:

“Across the board, Governor Walz’s budget proposal would make things even more expensive for Minnesotans and spends our tax dollars at an unsustainable level. Not only would the governor’s proposed gas tax increase, which is indexed for inflation and could further increase without the legislature’s approval, make Minnesota’s gas tax among the highest in the nation, his proposal would also raise the vehicle sales tax and license tab fees – again. Minnesota is one of the highest-tax states in the nation; we don’t need tax increases to fund more reckless spending. Over the next several weeks, the legislature will put together a responsible budget proposal that addresses the needs of Minnesotans without raising taxes.”

Supporting documents

Governor Walz’s budget recommendations

Senate Republicans response to Governor Walz’s proposal

Senator Scott Newman, of Hutchinson, is in his third term representing District 18, which includes communities in McLeod, Meeker, Sibley, and Wright counties. Senator Newman serves as chairman of the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee.