Opinion: Rep. Kurt Zellers Statement on February Forecast

Rep. Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) released the following statement regarding the February Forecast on March 1, 2013.

Yesterday we received great news for the state. Our budget deficit for the next biennium has shrunk from $1.1 billion to $627 million - an improvement of $463 million. In addition, we found out we now have a $2.8 billion surplus for the current biennium. Two years ago at this point we had a $5 billion deficit.

No longer should we have to hear from Gov. Dayton and Democrat leadership that the era of big government is overdue. Republican-led reforms that produced a more efficient government allowed us to improve services and cut costs resulting in a surplus and budget that is balanced going forward. Because we did not raise taxes, we encouraged more productivity and saw more revenue come in to the state. We can credit the Republican-led legislature for creating a better Minnesota budget situation for our state. 

Governor Dayton should continue the path of innovation and abandon the path of regressive tax increases on clothes, kids and beer that hurt Minnesota families when they can least afford it. We can work together to balance the budget without these tax increases. Minnesota will be better off for it.