State Budget Targets
The bipartisan agreement in the House calls for an almost $1.16 billion in funding reductions to the General Fund. The work before us now is crafting a bipartisan budget framework balancing the Senate budget targets and the governor’s budget recommendations, which all have significant differences from the House. Given the current economic forecast indicating a future state deficit, we must remain cautious given the impacts of federal tariffs, combined with a plummeting stock market, and other federal cuts impacting services in Minnesota. A balanced budget approach is essential to safeguard critical services for Minnesotans, particularly those relying on Medicaid.
Responding to Federal Cuts and Tariffs
I’m having ongoing conversations with our local school districts around federal plans to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) launched a public feedback portal at education.mn.gov for parents, students, teachers, and community members to submit detailed accounts of the ways recent Executive Orders and abrupt federal education cuts are impacting schools and children across our state.
More than 860,000 students in Minnesota depend on stable federal and state partnerships. For decades, the federal investments facilitated through those partnerships have played a key role in ensuring students in Minnesota receive the support they need to learn and thrive, including:
- $256 million for students with disabilities
- $192 million for students from low-income backgrounds
- $27 million for academic enrichment
- $6 million for students in rural schools
- $38 million to support children living on military bases or Native American reservations
- $100 million for Career and Technical Education workforce development programs
If any of these cuts impact you and your family, please let me know.
Small Business Impact Survey
Amid additional federal tariffs taking effect this week, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development is gathering information from affected small businesses in Minnesota.
In this period of uncertainty, there may be a lag in data, so this survey is a way for our Plymouth and Medicine Lake business owners to communicate directly with the department now. The survey takes less than five minutes to complete. By collaborating with Minnesota's locally owned small businesses, which face significant challenges, we can proactively plan for the state's future needs.
Town Hall Meeting on Saturday
Senator Westlin, Rep. Carroll, and I want to hear from you on these topics and more at our Town Hall meeting this Saturday, April 5, at 10:30 a.m. We’ll gather in the City Council Chambers of Plymouth City Hall to provide a brief update from the State Capitol and then go straight to questions.
Keep in Touch
Even if you can’t make it to the event on Saturday, please always feel free to reach out with questions, input, or ideas. Your voices and feedback drive our good work to get Plymouth and Medicine Lake the results our neighbors need and deserve.
Thank you.
Warmly,
Ginny Klevorn
State Representative
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