Governor Walz Revises Supplemental Budget Proposal

While standing under the fuel pump canopy of a suburban Twin Cities convenience store Thursday, March 17, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan highlighted their revised supplemental budget proposal. With a $9.25 billion budget surplus, Governor Walz is proposing direct payments to 2.7 million households -- $500 for individuals, $1000 for couples. His proposal also includes providing $1500 in hero pay to pandemic frontline workers and replenishing the unemployment insurance trust fund.

Governor Walz said the direct payments would cost about $2 billion of the surplus, and that he would like to “send it back in checks right now – to make a difference at the pump, to make a difference at the grocery store – until we get stability in Ukraine, get Russia out of the Ukraine, get some stability in our prices. It would help Minnesotans.”

In response to the Governor’s plan, Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller said, “We will consider any proposals to put more money back into people’s pockets. We do believe that permanent, ongoing tax relief is the best way to put more money into people’s pockets on an ongoing basis, instead of a one-time check.”