House Republican response to Governor’s supplemental budget proposal

ST. PAUL – Following the release of the Governor’s supplemental budget proposal, Speaker Lisa Demuth, Leader Harry Niska, and Ways and Means Chair Paul Torkelson released the following statement.

“The fraud savings identified in the Governor’s budget prove what Republicans have been saying for years – fighting fraud will save Minnesotans billions in the long run,” said Demuth. “House Republicans will work with anyone to make these savings a reality, and use the money to invest back in Minnesota workers through commonsense tax relief including no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and reducing sky-high car tab fees.”

Niska added, “Minnesotans are overtaxed and the cost of everyday life is too high. Now, the governor is proposing even higher taxes while cutting core services like nursing home funding. It’s time to focus on stopping fraud and making Minnesota more affordable instead of raising taxes, pushing unfunded mandates that increase property taxes, and fostering an anti-business climate that limits supply and drives up prices.”

“There are areas in the Governor’s budget where we can find common ground, including modernizing IT, federal conformity on Medicaid requirements, and an Office of Inspector General, and I hope Democrats will work with us to get those done,” said Torkelson. “But new taxes on Minnesotans, especially ones that make it harder for low-income residents to access legal services, and cuts to nursing home providers will face strong resistance.”

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