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Senate Report by Gene Dornink

Friends and neighbors,

2024 only has a few days left, and then another year is in the history books. It is always good to remember and reflect on the successes and positive things, but it is equally important to look at some of the failures and areas we need to change.

Let’s start with some positive news.

Throughout the state, our rural communities have been sounding the alarm on critical issues facing their ambulance services. To give them a financial boost, a $30 million bipartisan bill, championed by Senate Republicans, was passed last session. This includes $24 million specifically aimed at supporting smaller ambulance services in Greater Minnesota. I am pleased to announce that this funding will be disbursed before the end of the year, with one-time payments scheduled to go out on Thursday, Dec. 26.

We recognize that other issues and policies still need to be addressed, and Senate Republicans are committed to continuing our efforts to support Minnesota EMS providers. Thank you to all who serve and sacrifice to provide this very important lifesaving care in times of emergencies.

Looking ahead to the 2025 legislative session, it’s clear that Minnesota faces some serious fiscal challenges. The state’s latest budget forecast paints a concerning picture. While a modest surplus of $616 million is projected for 2026, the state is facing a $5.1 billion deficit by 2029. This means there are only two options to avoid a financial crisis: 1) Cutting spending or 2) raising taxes.

These challenges are the result of years of financial mismanagement under Democratic leadership. Since 2014, under Democratic administrations, the state’s general fund budget has ballooned from $39 billion to $71 billion in 2024 — an increase of more than 82%. During the last two years, taxes were raised by $10 billion, making life more expensive for Minnesotans. Consequently, our state now has some of the highest individual taxes and the 46th worst state and local tax burden in the nation.

Many families are struggling with rising costs, schools are bogged down by countless mandates and businesses face stifling regulations. Despite this, the Democratic trifecta failed to prioritize real solutions, and the results of the recent elections show that Minnesotans are ready for a change from one-party control.

The 2025 legislative session will be a critical budget year, as our state confronts a projected budget shortfall. Like many Minnesotans who have had to tighten their budgets in recent years due to rising costs, state government will also need to make necessary cuts to balance the budget. I firmly oppose raising taxes on hardworking Minnesotans who are already feeling the strain of government overspending. Therefore, it is crucial to rein in out-of-control spending while also addressing the estimated $1 billion in fraud, waste and abuse within state programs, holding accountable those responsible for these issues.

My commitment is to avoid raising taxes and instead focus on trimming the budget to restore our state’s financial stability. This task will not be easy, but we must work collaboratively across party lines to pass a budget by June 30. I am hopeful that we will see a genuine commitment to bipartisan cooperation — one that prioritizes the needs of Minnesotans.

As we close out this year, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I am grateful for another year that God has blessed us with, and I hope you have the opportunity to spend time with family and friends.

Sincerely,
Gene

Gene Dornink, R-Brownsdale, is the District 23 senator.