Republicans Take Aim at Governor Tim Walz for “Paltry” Rebate Checks After Promising $2000 During Election Season

(KNSI) — While the governor is taking a victory lap for getting rebate checks out “as families gear up for the back-to-school season,” Republicans are taking aim at him for failing to deliver the initial $2,000 he promised during the 2022 campaign season.

Earlier this year, the legislature passed a tax bill allowing qualifying individuals with a 2021 adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less to get a $260 rebate check. Married couples filing a joint 2021 income or property tax return with an adjusted gross income of $150,000 or less would get $520. Another $260 would be tacked on for each additional dependent, up to three, for a maximum of $1,300.

House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth (R – Cold Spring) issued a statement Wednesday morning saying people don’t like politicians because they will say anything to get elected, and that’s what Governor Tim Walz did with returning the record $17 billion budget surplus.

“During the election, Governor Walz repeatedly promised Minnesotans $2,000 rebate checks. Then Democrats took full control and decided they’d rather spend the record $17.5 billion surplus themselves than return it back to Minnesotans. Now, only a select few Minnesotans will be getting a paltry $260-hardly what they were promised by the Governor.”

She says, “a couple hundred dollar rebate check doesn’t make up for the massive tax hikes Minnesotans would be dealing with thanks to Democrats and their self-described insatiable appetite for raising taxes. Families aren’t getting relief-they’re getting even higher taxes.

“Worse yet is the attempt to pass off this session as net-positive for Minnesotans’ budgets when, in fact, Democrats raised taxes by $10 billion and squandered the surplus.”

More than two million payments will be sent out between now and the end of September. If taxpayers haven’t changed their address or banking information, they don’t have to do anything. The checks will be sent either direct deposit or via paper check.

The Minnesota Department of Revenue says the payment is not taxable on Minnesota income tax returns and will not be taken to pay any unpaid tax or debts the agency collects for other agencies.

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To families across the state, a $2,000 check means:

➡️421 gallons of gas
➡️6,000 diapers
➡️A couple months’ rent
➡️Nearly 900 cartons of eggs

Senate Republicans: Let’s get this done today and keep working to fund our mutual priorities – education, public safety, and tax cuts.

— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) June 23, 2022

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We could have $2,000 checks.

It’s one of the many things I’ve fought for to help ease the pain that families are feeling from rising costs. #MNFarmfest

— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) August 3, 2022

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I’m fighting to put money back in pockets by sending checks up to $2,000 to help Minnesotans with rising costs.

— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) October 5, 2022

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