Minnesota Report
[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Republican and Democratic legislative leaders reached an agreement today on state budget targets.
“Amid partisanship and division in Washington, Republicans and Democrats are proving that here in Minnesota we can still work together to get things done,” said Governor Walz. “This agreement will ensure Minnesota continues to be the best place in the country to raise a child, while responsibly addressing long-term structural budget challenges. While we disagree on many things, every person in the negotiating room has the best interest of our state in mind. I want to thank House Speaker Lisa Demuth and Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, as well as Senate Leaders Erin Murphy and Mark Johnson, for bringing their passion and ideas to the room and working in good faith to improve the lives of the people we serve.”
“The hard work and compromise that went into reaching a budget deal represents the best of us as Minnesotans. Our budget framework invests in shared goals like education, health care and family budgets, and prioritizes children, workers and vulnerable communities. We will balance the state budget for the next two years. And now we begin addressing the future budget challenges created by Washington, D.C.,” said Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy. “This wasn’t easy, and that’s a good thing. Legislative leaders and Governor Walz have worked through our differences and met our obligation to get to this point. I’m proud of that. Now we can move forward with our work to finalize our budget in the best interests of Minnesotans.”
“While we began this session by navigating a tie in the House and the most closely divided legislature in state history, we’ve been able to come to an agreement that improves the lives of Minnesotans and addresses the budget issues in coming years,” said Speaker Demuth. “We still have work to do, and I look forward to finishing this session strong. With this agreement, we’re making life more affordable for Minnesotans, strengthening our state, and making Minnesota a great place to live and work.”
“Minnesotans expect us to balance the budget and keep our state moving forward, and we are on track,” said Speaker Emerita Hortman. “While this agreement doesn’t include everything we would have liked, we worked together to find a compromise. As DFLers, we do not take these changes lightly. But this is a budget that funds Minnesota’s state government for the next two years. It continues to fund our priorities and the services that Minnesotans expect and rely on every day. We are a closely divided state. This budget is a reminder that even in times of deep division, it’s still possible to come together and do the work. I’m grateful to the Governor and my fellow legislative leaders, and I look forward to completing this state budget.”