State Rep Jordan Rasmusson; Record Surplus is Opportunity to Provide Historic Relief

Minnesota has a massive seven-point-seven-billion-dollar state budget surplus, the biggest in recent history by a large margin, according to the just-released economic forecast.  The huge surplus will trigger a flurry of lobbying by interest groups. 

Democrats will likely push for a larger amount than 250 million dollars, to allow bigger COVID bonuses for a wider group of front-line workers — something they and Republicans have been unable to agree on. 

They’ll also likely push for a big bonding bill for state public works projects, plus other state programs.  Business groups want lawmakers to ease their burden of replenishing the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, which has been depleted by COVID.

Fergus Falls State Representative Jordan Rasmusson, released a statement saying, tax relief and investments into an overburdened long-term care system should be top priorities in directing surplus dollars. Rasmusson went on to say;

“This budget surplus represents an opportunity to provide historic relief from the pain Minnesotans are feeling amid soaring inflation, rising gas prices and higher energy bills,” Rasmusson said. “We also can use a portion of these dollars to help mitigate the growing crisis in our overburdened long-term care industry, where things are so desperate the National Guard is rendering aid.”