Local Lawmaker Reacts to Minnesota’s Projected $17.6 Billion Surplus

(KNSI) – A St. Cloud lawmaker is talking about how he thinks Minnesota’s projected $17.6 billion surplus should be spent.

Senator Aric Putnam says retired Minnesotans should be allowed to keep more of their money and will author a bill to eliminate the Social Security tax.

“I feel pretty confident that we’ll be able to take care of it responsibly and thoroughly. And when I say that, you know, what I’m going to advocate for is the full 100% elimination of the tax. That’s what I said I was going to do, and that’s what I’m gonna do. We’ll see what the political process does to it. But that’s what I’m aiming for.”

Putnam says he would support targeted tax relief for property owners getting hit with high valuations. “I think that’s a space where we can spend some of the surplus to alleviate some of that pressure on people on fixed incomes when it comes to property taxes. So, there’s some good stuff I think we can do.”

He would also support more money for child care and schools as long as it’s being used properly. “When we get more money to education, let’s not just throw it in a big kitty and see where it goes. Let’s say it’s going to mental health, is it going to pre-K. Let’s be deliberate about where it’s supposed to go if we’re going to put more money in there.”

Putnam says the surplus should be used on things the state only needs to pay for once, such as broadband and road improvements.

“One time; money is a great opportunity to take care of problems like that. Invest in infrastructure, not in things that are here today and gone tomorrow, but on things that we’re going to need in the future. So that is my strategy. That’s an argument I’m going to make to my caucus. And I know, I’ve got friends who agree with me.”

The figures were released on Tuesday morning.

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