Minnesota Governor Tim Walz laying out his 2024 supplemental budget proposal Monday.
With a more than $3 billion budget surplus predicted for the state, Walz is proposing an additional $226 million in public safety and emergency services, modernizing the state's child welfare reporting system, and improving homeowners' water quality, with funding for things like well replacement.
Walz says, although not all the money available will be spent, he feels confident in where they've decided to invest.
"Transformational moves were made last year that are impacting families on fronts,' says the governor. "You've seen it come to fruition with $400 million for the Blatnik Bridge with our partners in Wisconsin, and a billion dollars of federal improvement. Last week naming Minnesota roads the best in the country, we're building towards the future."
The $226 million is in addition to a $989 million bonding bill that covers Walz's infrastructure bonding priorities.
WCCO political analyst Blois Olson says there are a number of groups looking for money that missed out during last year's session.
"We know school districts, because of some of the mandates that were put on them and because of labor agreements, have some shortfalls," says Olson on the WCCO Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar. "So, they have requested money. We know that higher education has requested money. We know that hospitals and nursing homes have requested more money. Not a lot but in general, those are the considerations that the governor will make."
Senator Andrew Lang (R-Olivia) responded to the governor's proposals which include $16 million for Emergency Medical Services/
“This summer we heard how rural communities are struggling to find and provide the care they need for emergencies," said Lang. "This is not a luxury, in many cases it’s life or death. Suggesting $16 million in enough to triage the situation is offensive. The cost of an ambulance is about $400,000, and if distributed equally, $16 million is about $40,000 per primary service area. With $3.5 billion left on the bottom line, I’m stunned to learn the Governor wants to pinch pennies before funding emergency medical services for greater Minnesota. This is a laughable amount and no one should be proud of this proposal.”
Minnesota is in the middle of a two-year budget cycle. The $72 million spending plan was passed last year during the session and is the state's largest ever budget.
A full rundown of the supplemental budget priorities from Walz can be found here.