Senate Republicans say taking care of people and protecting taxpayers will be the guiding principles as they assemble their state budget plan. Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says it can be done without renewing the health care provider tax — that is, letting the “sick tax” expire as scheduled. “That’s going to happen,” he says. “The question is, where can we reduce the growth of spending in H-H-S [health and human services programs] to make up the difference?”
Gazelka says that means addressing waste and fraud. Governor Tim Walz wants to extend the provider tax — a major point of disagreement with Republicans.