By Sen. Bill Weber
The 2025 legislative session is fast approaching, bringing with it both challenges and opportunities. Since it is a budget year, the legislature must pass a two-year budget by the end of June to fund state government for the 2026-2027 biennium. With this in mind, I would like to share my priorities for the session and highlight what to expect in the coming months.
But before moving into the legislative preview, I want to take a moment to reflect on the passing of State Senator Kari Dziedzic. Minnesotans will remember Kari as a devoted public servant who served them with integrity and compassion. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones as we honor her legacy.
Looking ahead, the state recently released its latest revenue forecast, offering a snapshot of Minnesota’s financial health. Unfortunately, the outlook is troubling. Despite $10 billion in new taxes and fees passed by Democrats in recent years, the forecast shows a modest surplus of $616 million by the end of 2026. However, it shows Minnesota facing a massive $5.1 billion deficit by 2029. These projections assume no new spending, meaning any additional spending passed this session will worsen the deficit.
This financial picture is because of years of fiscal mismanagement under Democratic leadership. Since 2014, the general fund budget has surged from $39 billion to $71 billion in 2024 — an increase of over 82%. Over the past two years, taxes and fees have risen by $10 billion, leaving Minnesotans with some of the highest tax rates in the nation. Minnesota now ranks 46th in overall state and local tax burden.
Even with an $18 billion surplus, Democrats failed to prioritize the state’s most pressing needs. Instead of fiscal restraint, they increased spending by 40%. This reckless spending spree has placed Minnesota on a road to deficits.
So, what areas should Democrats have focused on? Out in the community, this is what I am hearing:
• Our roads are in disrepair, with essential infrastructure projects left unfinished.
• The mental health crisis is worsening. Many Minnesotans are unable to access necessary care.
• Schools are struggling financially, burdened by unfunded mandates. Educators and students are feeling the strain.
These are the issues that should be at the forefront of our legislative agenda, but instead, resources have been diverted elsewhere. The projected deficit ignores the long-term social costs resulting from legalized recreational marijuana —costs already evident in other states that have approved it.
The short-sighted approach to governance must change. Thankfully, with recent elections, the Democratic trifecta has ended, providing us an opportunity to reset the conversation. This new balance in power brings a chance to refocus on the state’s most urgent challenges. In fact, we are already seeing some indicators of this change.
Eight Senate Democrats, calling themselves the “Blue Dog Coalition,” have recently pledged not to raise taxes. I am hopeful that, with this newfound commitment, they will be stronger advocates for fiscal discipline than in recent sessions. Had they stood firm in 2023 and 2024, we might not be facing the financial crisis we are today.
We need a new, more balanced approach — one that prioritizes the needs of Minnesota, without further increasing our state’s debt or creating future budget problems. In this new legislative session, I am hopeful that we can work together in a bipartisan manner to tackle these critical issues.
It is time to put Minnesotans first.
District 21 Sen. Bill Weber serves Cottonwood County and much of the surrounding area.
A spotlighted guest column appears weeklin the Cottonwood County Citizen and Citizen eEdition.
Guest Column: “Minnesota First”
