State tax collections below forecast at fiscal year-end, Dems sound alarm

Minnesota House Democrats are sounding the alarm after state officials announced tax revenues for the fiscal year ending June 30th were 104 million dollars below forecast. It’s not a large amount in a two-year state budget exceeding 40 billion dollars, but does run counter to the past few years which have been marked by surpluses. House Minority Leader Melissa Hortman says in the last legislative session Republicans insisted on passing a budget projected to cause a deficit in as little as a year. Governor Mark Dayton wants Republicans to rescind some tax cuts — the subject of a lawsuit that’s now in the hands of a Ramsey County judge. GOP leaders contend the best way to ensure future economic prosperity is to give Minnesotans back some of the money they overpaid in taxes. House Speaker Kurt Daudt says should the next economic forecast reflect changes, lawmakers should reduce wasteful spending.