Minnesota Budget Outlook and Trends

The state's budget is influenced by economic conditions, and in return, state budget and policy decisions should be informed by how Minnesotans are being effected by the economy. We provide analysis of the state's economic and budget forecasts as well as research on long-term budget trends.

Research

September 2002

Trends in Minnesota government spending

Between 1987 and 1997 (the period of time examined by this report), Minnesota trailed the national average in terms of growth in government spending. However, state and local government investments in public services and infrastructure contributed positively to Minnesota’s economic health and quality of life.

January 2002

Wasted opportunities: How we used our surpluses 1997-2001

Between 1997 and 2001, Minnesota policymakers had the opportunity to allocate budget surpluses of over $13 billion. This joint analysis with the Children's Defense Fund-Minnesota finds that over half of those surpluses went to temporary tax rebates and permanent tax cuts. Budget-balancing decisions should be informed by how surpluses were used in the past and how certain programs were underfunded even in times of plenty.

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Budget Outlook and Trends Blog Posts

February 27, 2023

State's February budget forecast confirms opportunity to make transformational investments

The State of Minnesota is projected to have budget surpluses over the next four years, according to the February 2023...

February 13, 2023

January economic update affirms state has resources to invest in everyday Minnesotans

The state of Minnesota’s revenue picture continues to improve, and the national economic recovery is expected to be a li...

December 15, 2022

Another historic surplus yields opportunity for transformational investments

The State of Minnesota is projected to have dramatically more resources than previously expected, according to the November 2022 Budget and Economic Forecast released last week. These resources present an historic opportunity to make transformational changes to build a more equitable recovery in which all Minnesotans are healthy, safe, and economically secure.

October 26, 2022

What are the state budget implications of a potential national recession?

While the state of Minnesota’s revenues have continued to come in better than expected, more serious economic challenges are expected ahead, including a recession starting this fall.

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