St. Paul – Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bill McCarthy issued the following statement on today’s state budget forecast showing a $1.544 billion budget surplus and an additional $2 billion in reserve:
“Following eight years of wise fiscal stewardship and investments, Governor Dayton leaves office with state finances stronger than they have been in a generation.
“This forecast gives Governor-elect Walz and lawmakers solid ground to deliver for working Minnesotans and their families by increasing state investments in E-12 public school classrooms, higher education, protection from wage theft, workforce development, healthcare, transportation, and critical state and local infrastructure projects.
“Minnesota’s union members will be closely watching the 2019 legislative session and will advocate at the Capitol and in our communities for investments and policies that support all working people.”