Here's Where Eagan's Rep Hopes The Budget Surplus Goes

Last week, Minnesota Management and Budget released the February Economic Forecast, revealing a projected $1.65 billion surplus.

Eagan's DFL Rep. Laurie Halverson weighed on how where at least some of the surplus should go.

"For the fourth year, Minnesota is projecting a positive budget balance, and the projections show that the state has a structurally balanced budget for at least four years," Halverson said in a statement. "In addition, Minnesota has once again met its obligations to its rainy day fund, which has lead to the reinstatement of our AAA finance rating from Fitch."

"This news is quite a change from my first term in office when our state had faced a decade of budget crises, where our bond rating was downgraded, where our state was unable to meet obligations to schools, to higher education and to transportation infrastructure."

Halverson, who sits on the Health and Human Services Finance committee, said "advocates are anxious to know if the House leadership is willing to invest in priorities such as a long-promised pay increase for homecare workers, or funding to create additional shelters for youth who have been sexually trafficked, or additional safety resources for the St. Peter Security Hospital."

"These priorities have been on the table for years, but have yet to receive the vital resources—instead we have made significant cuts to HHS," she added. "I am advocating that we invest in these long overdue promises that promote dignity and safety."

Image via Minnesota House of Representatives