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Dear Friends,
Yesterday, Minnesota Management and Budget released the?February Budget and Economic Forecast which showed?a?$3.7 billion surplus in 2025, but a $1.5 billion deficit beginning in 2026. The deficit is forecasted as if the surplus will not be spent, meaning any new spending bills passed in 2024 will further increase the deficit.?
After Democrats spent a record $17.5 billion surplus last session to grow Minnesota?s state budget by 40 percent, it is no surprise that the forecast showed a looming deficit. Minnesotans already received a $10 billion tax hike to pay for Democrat?s out-of-control spending spree last year. They cannot afford more tax increases to pay off any future deficits. Just like our own family budgets, state government should evaluate, prioritize, and adjust spending accordingly to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.
The Democrat deficit highlights the problem with one-party control of state government. We need balance at the Capitol so we can stop the reckless spending, like the $730 million palace for politicians. I will continue fighting for your family budget and putting a stop to Democrats? irresponsible and unaffordable policies.
Also this week, the Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a bill to change provisions in the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA). Before last year, gender identity was included in the MHRA definition of sexual orientation and the religious exemption for sexual orientation covered gender identity claims as well. When a new, separate definition of gender identity was created last year, there was no corresponding religious exemption added. The removal of this protection from the Human Rights Act breaks decades of precedent in an attack on Minnesota's religious communities.?
Republicans offered an amendment that would have restored the religious exemption in the MHRA and protect religious organizations and faith-based schools against claims of gender identity discrimination. Already, at least one faith-based school is facing an employment complaint at the Department of Human Rights because of the removal of the exemption. The exemption ensures that religious organizations and faith-based schools can, among other things, hire teachers and ministers consistent with their mission and values. Democrats refused to fix the problem and voted the amendment down.
Freedom of religion is a cornerstone of our American values. We must always defend religious liberty and ensure our laws uphold the constitution. I will continue to update you on this important issue throughout session.
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