(KWNO)-The framework of a supplemental budget for 2024-2025 has been agreed upon by Governor Tim Walz and Democratic leaders of the Minnesota Legislature. The announcement came Friday and calls for a $477 million supplemental budget deal. Republicans say Democrats are continuing to spend too much state money and ignoring a looming budget deficit in 2026-2027. But Representative Gene Pelowski says it is highly unlikely the state will face a deficit in 26-27, citing studies by the nonpartisan Office of Management and Budget, and it is irresponsible for Republican lawmakers to keep pushing that narrative.
“You can make up whatever you want but we have to figure these numbers base on these nonpartisan offices (Office of Management and Budget) and frankly their continuing ongoing cry of this is going to create a deficit isn’t true,” said Pelowski.
If revenue collections did decrease substantially the state would go into a deficit but Pelowski says if that happened the legislature would likely have to go to a special session to correct the budget. Pelowski said lawmakers’ “irresponsibility (about a looming deficit) is all involved in trying to win the next election. For the people who just want to make political hay, I guess there’s always someone who will eat the hay.”
Click below to listen to our entire conversation with Rep. Pelowski.
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
