Projected budget surplus swells to almost $1.9 billion

The legislative tug-of-war over how to spend a almost $1.9 billion projected budget surplus is underway.

If there is a surplus, one-third is automatically shifted into the state’s rainy-day reserves. The State Legislature left $865 million unspent after the last session.

Senate Republican Minority Leader David Hann was the first to respond to the budget forecast, calling for lawmakers to “immediately” approve a GOP-backed spending package for roads and bridges put forward last session and “give the rest of the surplus back to taxpayers”.

Daudt says the surplus proves the state has collected too much in taxes.

State finance officials revealed the hefty projected surplus Thursday.

“I think there are many ways to skin a cat, but if you are not putting new money into this, I would think you probably are not going to make good progress”, Skoe said about transportation funding.

Commissioner Myron Frans of Minnesota Management and Budget called the forecast sunny, like weather outside.

Gov. Mark Dayton said that when took office five years ago, he faced a $6.2 billion deficit and the state owed schools $2 billion.

Political gridlock might have paid off for a change in Minnesota. Other spending is expected to grow slightly. He also wants $100 million to go toward grants for broadband Internet development in rural Minnesota.