MN Senate Republicans Call For $8.5 Billion In Tax Cuts

ST. PAUL, MN — Republicans in the Minnesota Senate continue to argue that the state's budget surplus —projected to be $9.25 billion — is an indication that the state needs to cut taxes.

"The massive surplus continues to get larger meaning the state government is simply collecting too much money from the taxpayers," Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller said in a statement Monday.

"This is out of control," said Senate Finance Chair Julie Rosen."A $9 billion surplus means government took way too much from taxpayers at a time when people are still struggling to afford everyday life."

Last week, Minnesota Senate Republicans unveiled a proposal to cut taxes by $8.5 billion.

Under the proposal, the lowest-tier income tax rate would move from 5.35 percent down to 2.8 percent. Additionally, the proposal eliminates the state Social Security benefits tax.

Senate Democrats, who are in the minority in the Senate, called the proposal "premature and reckless." Democrats in the state House, where their party holds a majority, have proposed $1,500 bonus checks for frontline workers.

Meanwhile, Gov. Tim Walz wants to send out one-time checks of $500 per person and $1000 per married couple to residents in Minnesota.

Read more: Gov. Walz Proposes Increasing 'Walz Checks' To $1000 Per Couple

Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this story.