St. Paul, Minnesota — Today the Office of Minnesota Management and Budget announced a forecast state budget surplus of $1.871 billion for fiscal years 2016-17, but an available balance of $1.206 billion. $71 million must be used to pay back budget shifts from the Closed Landfill Fund and the Metropolitan Landfill Contingency Action Trust (MLCAT) made during the 2015 special session.
“During a strong economy and with a budget surplus House Republicans can’t create an honest budget and they do it at the expense of Dakota County taxpayers.” said Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South Saint Paul). “House Republicans took money that local residents have paid to protect the water and land around these landfills and hoped no one noticed. Governor Dayton and House Democrats noticed. Due to the leadership and efforts of Governor Dayton and House Democrats, we are lucky this surplus will able to restore the borrowed funds otherwise taxpayers would have to cover the costs again. Last time a Republican House Majority raided these funds they never paid them back.”
In 2004, the House Republican Majority supported taking $9.9 million from the MLCAT and in 2005 they supported taking $4 million from MLCAT. Both times the House Republican promised to repay those shifts, but the repayments have yet to be made.
Rep. Hansen can be contacted at his office at 651-296-6828 or by email at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn