Rebate checks, tax cuts: Walz, Republicans continue fight over how to spend surplus

The DFL governor is pitching $2,000 rebate checks for couples and $1,000 for individuals

Jun 23, 20220

Erica Dischino, Star Tribune file count

Gov. Tim Walz is calling for returning half of the budget surplus to taxpayers in direct checks.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday called on state lawmakers to return half of the state's budget surplus to taxpayers via direct checks of $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for families.

House and Senate Republicans quickly labeled the proposal an election-year giveaway and said Minnesotans would benefit more from permanent tax cuts.

The DFL governor and leaders in Minnesota's divided Legislature are still at an impasse a month after the regular legislative session ended and they left billions of dollars from the state's surplus unspent. Both sides held press conferences at the State Capitol on Wednesday pitching their visions for how the remaining money should be spent.

https://www.startribune.com/rebate-checks-or-tax-cuts-walz-republicans-continue-fight-over-how-to-spend-surplus/600184336/