DFL officials smiled with the good news that the projected state budget surplus swells to $1.9 billion while GOP officials called on the governor to return most of the surplus to taxpayers and end the call for a gas tax to fund transportation improvements.
![State budget officials announced that Minnesota's projected budget surplus grew to $1.9 billion, up $832 million from a previous projection. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com Friday, February 27, 2015 Minnesota Management and Budget Office officials, Commissioner Myron Frans, State Economist Laura Kalambokidis and State Budget Director Margaret Kelly reported that Minnesota's projected budget surplus grew to $1.9 billion, up $832 million from a previous projection.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/LCUYCQSLYPALQ4PNU7475OMGLI.jpg?&w=1080)
MMB officials, Commissioner Myron Frans, State Economist Laura Kalambokidis and State Budget Director Margaret Kelly announced the surplus
![MMB Commissioner Myron Frans was all smiles as he delivered the budget surplus news. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com Friday, February 27, 2015 Minnesota Management and Budget Office officials, Commissioner Myron Frans, State Economist Laura Kalambokidis and State Budget Director Margaret Kelly reported that Minnesota's projected budget surplus grew to $1.9 billion, up $832 million from a previous projection.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/VW6WVZZV3ZLTTJWDZFBBOPKGF4.jpg?&w=1080)
MMB Commissioner Myron Frans smiled as he took questions.
![Governor Dayton smiled as he entered the press conference to talk about the budget surplus. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com Friday, February 27, 2015 Minnesota Management and Budget Office officials, Commissioner Myron Frans, State Economist Laura Kalambokidis and State Budget Director Margaret Kelly reported that Minnesota's projected budget surplus grew to $1.9 billion, up $832 million from a previous projection.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/7S4OG6EMHAP3VJMSEWE3WPGKTA.jpg?&w=1080)
Governor Dayton smiled as he entered the room to talk about the surplus.
![House Speaker Kurt Daudt and Jim Knoblach, R-St. Cloud and chairman of the House Ways and Means committee listened to the Governor talk about the budget surplus. Republican lawmakers called on the governor to return most of the surplus to taxpayers and end the call for a gas tax to fund transportation improvements. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com Friday, February 27, 2015](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/GYTQS6ONJYZGWFYVZOLNF6D42E.jpg?&w=1080)
House Speaker Kurt Daudt and House Ways and Means committee chair Jim Knoblach, R-St. Cloud listened as the Governor talk of the budget surplus.
![House Speaker Kurt Daudt called on the governor to return most of the surplus to taxpayers and end the call for a gas tax to fund transportation improvements. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com Friday, February 27, 2015](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/7BKYEGA65PGDJ3QAQA3WU4X7RE.jpg?&w=1080)
House Speaker Kurt Daudt called on the governor to return most of the surplus to taxpayers and end the call for a gas tax to fund transportation.
It’s too soon to tell how much the immigration crackdown is to blame.
