UNDATED (KELO.COM) While South Dakota lawmakers struggle with over $50 million in budget shortfalls, the Minnesota State Legislature is basking in a projected budget surplus of over $6 billion.
Minnesota House Speaker, Republican Kurt Daudt says it's time to give some of that money back to the taxpayers.
"Hopefully, it means that we can now convince the Governor to give more of that money back and reinvest back in Minnesotans. You know, we went through the last two years without significant tax relief," says Daudt.
The Office of Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) released the February economic forecast Tuesday, revealing updated budget numbers as lawmakers begin crafting the state's next two-year budget for the 2018-2019 biennium.
Meanwhile in Pierre, some Democrat lawmakers have suggested that South Dakota use rainy day funds to help close the shortfall because, they say, it's raining now. Republican Lt. Governor Matt Michaels gave a resounding NO to that idea, saying it would damage South Dakota's strong credit ratings.