Dayton, lawmakers split on what to do with $1.9 billion surplus

A strong state economy helped double Minnesota’s projected budget surplus to $1.9 billion, setting off a new political battle over how to carve up the windfall in an election year.

“The credit belongs to the people of Minnesota … and the businesses who have decided to locate or expand here,” DFL Gov. Mark Dayton said after the state budget and economic forecast was released Thursday. “Now it’s our responsibility to use that money in ways that are going to better the future of our state.”

Republicans said the large surplus is fresh evidence that DFLers have held taxes too high.

http://www.startribune.com/dayton-lawmakers-split-on-what-to-do-with-1-87b-surplus/360431301/#1