Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement on today’s State Budget Forecast showing a one-time surplus of $2.4 billion:
“After 2023’s historic pro-worker legislative session, Minnesota’s state budget remains stable and more than ready to cover the investments state leaders made earlier this year.
“While the overall balance sheet shows a modest budget surplus, it’s important for working people to know this is one-time money. That means lawmakers should be intentional about using the surplus and avoid the reckless tax giveaways to the rich that some are proposing.
“The Legislature made historic investments in working Minnesotans this year, but a single session cannot make up for two decades of underinvestment in schools, infrastructure, and vital public services everyone relies on.
“It’s our hope that when lawmakers return to the Capitol in February, they will invest the surplus wisely and in a way that benefits working Minnesotans in every corner of our state.”