Saint Paul, Minn. – House DFL Leaders released the following statements on the February Budget Forecast:
House DFL Caucus Leader Zack Stephenson:
“This is not a normal forecast day. This forecast comes with the biggest asterisk ever. All of the improvement we see in the forecast today - in fact more than all of it - would be offset by just the cuts to Minnesota’s Medicaid funding that were announced by the Trump Administration earlier this week, to say nothing of the other cuts Trump has promised.
“Unless Donald Trump’s retaliatory campaign against Minnesota is stopped, these surpluses are actually deficits. The chaos and uncertainty Trump has caused will make it very challenging for legislators to make budget decisions going forward, and real Minnesotans will be worse off because of it.
“The people of Minnesota deserve better than that. DFLers will continue to stand up for Minnesotans, and we’ll continue working to build a future where hard work is actually rewarded, families have a real chance to get ahead, and communities can thrive.”
House DFL Floor Leader Jamie Long:
“Donald Trump and his Republican allies continue to be a disaster for our economy and for working families. Minnesotans were already struggling with high costs, and now the impacts of ICE’s operation are reverberating across our economy with widespread workforce disruptions, difficulty for folks to pay rent or a mortgage, and a massive strain on small businesses. Now, a whopping $259 million Medicaid cut is set to come from the White House, which will not only blow a hole in our budget, but also do unthinkable harm to our most vulnerable people. It’s completely irresponsible for the GOP to dismiss the damage coming from Trump and D.C., and DFLers will continue focusing on making life more affordable for the middle class.”
House Ways and Means Committee Co-Chair Cedrick Frazier:
"Minnesotans deserve leadership that understands what families are carrying right now. Too many are feeling the strain of policies coming out of Washington that have made everyday life more uncertain. While the President highlighted corporate incentives in his State of the Union, working families here at home are navigating higher costs, unstable markets, and the ripple effects of federal cuts and trade decisions that have created real anxiety — from rural communities to the Twin Cities. Minnesotans want affordability. They want fairness. They want safety rooted in trust, not chaos. Minnesotans consistently look out for one another, supporting neighbors through rapid response and mutual aid. Trump’s campaign of retribution continues to destabilize our economy and threatens the local infrastructure essential to our stability.
“Minnesota’s latest budget forecast shows positive signs — and that is encouraging. But that outlook is burdened with real uncertainty. Ongoing federal instability, unpredictable trade policies, and shifting fiscal decisions from the Trump administration make long-term planning more difficult for states, businesses, and families alike.
“DFLers remain focused on listening — truly listening — and working alongside communities to lower costs, protect constitutional rights, strengthen worker protections, and build an economy where everyone has a fair shot to thrive. Compassion, accountability, and steady leadership matter — especially in moments like this.”
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