Minnesota
Blame game escalates as Minnesota’s budget forecast worsens
MN surplus $160 million lower than estimated
The Minnesota Department of Minnesota Management and Budget released a projected budget that shows a significantly smaller balance than what was estimated in December. FOX 9’s Corin Hoggard has the full story.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota has a couple of years to go before a big budget mess that’s inevitable without some big changes.
Black and blue budget
Into the red:
Unless the state taxes more or spends less, it’ll be in the black in 2027, but staring at a growing $6 billion deficit by 2029.
That projected deficit is up almost $900 million since the last forecast in December, mostly from inflation, so Democrats blame President Donald Trump.
But Republicans say the DFL trifecta had already run the state down the road from a huge surplus to a sizable projected deficit.
“Well, the devil will be in the details,” said Erin Campbell, Minnesota Management and Budget commissioner.
The details in Minnesota’s budget projections keep getting worse.
Focus on the numbers the state reported for 2027 starting February 2024.
“The Minnesota Management and Budget office is forecasting a $3.7 billion budget surplus by the end of fiscal year 2025 and $2.2 billion after 2027,” the state reported.
Ten months later, there was a reported surplus that was expected to shrink significantly because of the rising cost of commitments to spending, mostly on education and health.
“Gov. Tim Walz says the budget is still balanced with more than $600 million in surplus by the end of 2027,” FOX 9 reported in December.
Now the leftover pot of cash at the end of 2027 is down to $456 million and state economists are projecting a $6 billion deficit by 2029.
Blame game
What they’re saying:
“Basically, the only thing that’s changed since November is, is Donald Trump’s chaos to the economy,” said Walz. “It changes day to day. It provides the uncertainty that we don’t need.”
But that projected 2029 deficit was already more than $5.1 billion before Trump took office.
“Democrats in the state, as you have heard, want to go ahead and blame anyone else for the damage that has happened to our state budget,” said Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth, (R-Cold Spring). “But this was an irresponsible spending spree.”
Could get worse
Elements of uncertainty:
And the problem could get way worse or maybe better soon.
The state’s financial experts say their forecast could dramatically change based on shifting federal policies, disruptions from federal agency closures, and inflation.
“We’ve chosen to highlight the uncertainty, the uncertainty, because it does feel really significant in this moment,” Commissioner Campbell said.
And now the rhetoric takes a backseat and the real work starts.
Legislators should get budget targets based on this forecast, and they have about two months to put together the budget.
Minnesota
So Minnesota: Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum brings Hollywood magic to Twin Cities
So Minnesota: Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum brings Hollywood magic to Twin Cities
One museum in the Maplewood Mall brings a part of Hollywood glamour to the Twin Cities.
William Swift is the owner and curator of Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum.
“I own the largest display of film costumes in North America, which is crazy,” Swift said.
There are more than 350 costumes and props on display from over 90 films and TV shows.
“I have stuff from Narnia, the Power Rangers, and have quite an extensive collection from Game of Thrones,” Swift said. “It’s just so cool and so fun to share with people such a grand collection. We never get anything like this in Minnesota or even really in the Midwest.”
Years ago, Swift, a longtime film buff, started collecting screen-used movie memorabilia in auctions. In 2024, he opened the museum with his massive collection.
“Eventually I ran out of room in my house, and I thought maybe it was time to take that leap of faith,” Swift said.
Minnesota
MyPillow’s Mike Lindell announces he’s running for Minnesota governor as a Republican
MyPillow founder and CEO Mike Lindell has announced he will run for Minnesota governor in 2026 against incumbent Gov. Tim Walz.
Lindell, 64, last week filed the paperwork to potentially run, but at the time said he hadn’t yet 100% decided on a gubernatorial run. On Thursday, he made it official.
“After prayerful consideration and hearing from so many of you across our great state, I’ve made the decision to enter the 2026 gubernatorial race,” Lindell posted on social media Thursday. “I’m still standing and I’ll stand for you.”
Lindell will run as a Republican and a noted ally of President Trump, and enters a crowded field of names who have already tossed their hats into the ring, as Walz, a Democrat, attempts to secure an unprecedented third consecutive four-year term as Minnesota’s governor.
“We’ve seen what happens when we elect a con man to the highest office in America,” Walz said Thursday, responding to Lindell’s announcement. “We can’t let it happen here in Minnesota.”
In addition to Lindell, state House Republican speaker Lisa Demuth has already announced a run for governor, as well as Scott Jensen, the Republican candidate who lost to Walz in the 2022 midterms. Other Republican hopefuls include Minnesota Rep. Kristin Robbins, Kendall Qualls and defense lawyer Chris Madel.
Lindell launched a campaign website, listing his main campaign priorities as including stopping fraud, fixing “failing school systems,” stopping “exploding property taxes” and “send(ing) illegal immigrants back.”
Lindell’s MyPillow has been at the center of a number of legal issues through the years, and earlier this year was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to shipping company DHL.
Also, a judge this year ruled that Lindell defamed election technology company Smartmatic after he alleged their voting machines rigged the 2020 presidential election in favor of former President Joe Biden. Lindell made similar unfounded claims against Dominion Voting Systems.
Minnesota has a history of political outsiders overperforming in statewide races, most notably former Gov. Jesse Ventura’s surprising win in 1998, but also it’s been two decades since a Republican won a statewide race in the increasingly blue-tilting state.
Minnesota
Minnesota leaders criticize Gov. Tim Walz over alleged fraud scheme oversight | Fox News Video
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