98 Minnesota mayors warn state fiscal policies fuel deficits, higher local taxes

A group of 98 Minnesota mayors raised concerns with state leaders in a letter about their state’s budget policies, saying they have impacted their cities and residents, noting a vanishing surplus of $18 billion and a projected deficit of $2.9 billion to $3 billion for the 2028-29 biennium.

In a letter to state lawmakers and Gov. Tim Walz, the 98 mayors expressed concern and frustration, saying the state was slipping in the national economic rankings.

“Fraud, uncontrolled spending, and inconsistent budget management in St. Paul have rippled through our cities, reducing our ability to plan responsibly, maintain infrastructure, hire and retain employees, and maintain basic services without burdening local taxpayers,” the letter said.

“THE EPICENTER OF FRAUD”: MINNESOTA’S EMPTY STOMACHES, A FALSE THERAPY FOR AUTISM AND A SCANDAL THAT COULD EXCEED $2 BILLION

A man walks in front of the Minnesota State Capitol building at sunset in St. Paul, Minnesota. Nearly 100 mayors across the state expressed concern and frustration in a letter to lawmakers about Minnesota’s fiscal direction and its impact on cities. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Cities across the state are now facing labor shortages, slowing business investment, rising operating and construction costs and families choosing to leave Minnesota altogether, the letter said.

Additionally, mayors noted a potential increase in property taxes due to non-state-funded mandates and costs that force cities to shift the burden to residents and businesses.

“There is a growing disconnect between budget decisions at the state level and the strain they place on the cities we lead,” the letter said. “When the state expands its programs or shifts responsibilities without stable funding, it is our residents – families, seniors, businesses and workers – who ultimately bear the cost.”

Unfunded mandates include requests for schools, health and human services, and public safety.

Republican lawmakers in Minnesota placed the blame on Walz and Democrats.

MINNESOTA’S ANTI-FRAUD SPENDING SHARPLY INCREASED, LEAVING TAXPAYERS TO PAY TWICE FOR FAILURE

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaking to a presser. (Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images)

“Governor Walz and Democrats passed unaffordable spending and tax increases and unfunded mandates on the promise that it would make life more affordable,” Republican Sen. Andrew Lang, who serves as chairman of the Senate State and Local Government Committee, said in a statement. “In reality, they simply passed the costs on to local governments, schools and small businesses, who in turn passed the costs on to local taxpayers and consumers.

“Minnesota’s counties sounded the alarm early last session about proposals to shift costs to their budgets, so I’m not surprised that nearly 100 mayors across the state are raising their own concerns. This letter is a warning that we must cut state spending, end the massive fraud plaguing our state, and remove unnecessary mandates to keep life affordable for everyone.”

Fox News Digital contacted Walz’s office.

The mayors noted that a state law requires a balanced budget, but that relying on a one-time surplus of dollars has created structural tensions.

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“Our state owes it to its citizens to practice responsible fiscal management and stop taxing our families, seniors and businesses outside of Minnesota,” they said. “We urge the Legislature to put things right and remember that every dollar you manage belongs not to the Capitol, but to the people of Minnesota.”