Projected state budget surplus swells to $1.9 billion

The state's budget office on Friday reported that Minnesota's projected budget surplus grew to $1.9 billion, up $832 million from a previous projection, setting the final stage for budget negotiations at the Capitol.

The Minnesota Management and Budget Office, which publishes the twice-yearly budget and economic forecast, attributed the nearly doubling of the budget surplus to an improvement in the state's labor market, lower gas prices and a stronger U.S. dollar.

Officials said that since the November budget forecast, revenues are projected to rise an additional $616 million, or 1.5 percent. Projected spending, based on current law, is down $115 million, or 0.3 percent.

"Today's news is very good news, over the last few years, we have righted the ship," said Myron Frans, the recently appointed budget commissioner. In recent years, "we were facing large deficits as we began the budget process. By focusing on balanced budget proposals, we've paid back our schools, enhanced strong revenues for the state… we've carefully managed our state budget."

He went on: "Minnesota is truly a success story. We have a balanced and diverse economy. And we have a growing economy."

Friday's economic forecast showed improvements in the national and state economies that are expected to drive higher wage growth and an uptick in household formations, said state economist Laura Kalambokidis.

Higher consumer confidence nationally "is buoying consumer spending, which is the largest driver of the U.S. outlook," Kalambokidis said.

"Inevitably, there will be another national economic slowdown or downturn, and Minnesota's economy will be affected like everyone else's," he said. "Our budget surplus will disappear, so I propose that we invest our collective good fortune in our collective better future."

Friday's revised figure will provide the framework with which legislators will craft their respective budget proposals. Dayton has already proposed a $42-billion budget, with the majority of new spending earmarked for education. He said Friday that his revised budget will call for an additional $444.2 million in spending to fund his legislative priorities.

He will present his revised proposal in early March.

DFL legislators said the surplus will provide additional money to fund their priorities, which include universal pre-kindergarten, a child-care tax credit similar to Dayton's and increasing the state's contribution to schools by boosting the per-pupil funding formula.

Republican legislators meanwhile are calling for much of the surplus to be returned to taxpayers. They also oppose a separate $11-billion transportation proposal by Dayton which calls for new sources of revenue, including a wholesale gas tax and an uptick in the metro-area sales tax .