In January, Minnesota Majority joined a coalition of nine non-profit groups with the common goal of finding solutions to Minnesota’s $6.4 billion budget deficit that wouldn’t add to the taxpayers’ burden. Upon learning of the governor’s unallotment plan released on Tuesday, Minnesota Majority’s president, Jeff Davis said, “Mission accomplished.”

 

In April, the Minnesota Budget Solutions Coalition, which Minnesota Majority was a member of, released a policy brief outlining $6.6 billion in suggested budget cuts to solve the deficit without raising new taxes or even requiring “bailout money” from the federal government. The governor’s plan is far more moderate, but the end result is the same. The state’s budget will be in balance and taxes haven’t been increased.

 

“We didn’t get everything, but we’re very pleased with this outcome,” said Davis. 

Minnesota Majority is encouraging people to keep pressure on local governments to prevent the LGA cuts being used as an excuse to hike property taxes. “Counties and cities are screaming bloody murder, but the local government aid payments have only been cut about 3% and many communities were completely exempted from unallotment. While state government is responsibly tightening it’s belt along with Minnesota’s families and businesses, there’s no reason that local governments can’t do the same,” Davis explained. “It’s a matter of priorities. For example, St. Paul threatened to cut fire and police services if they didn’t get funding for a new ice hockey rink downtown.” 

Take Action: Write a letter to the editor about the governor's unallotment plan.