Stimulus Checks Worth $2,600 May Be Distributed to Minnesota Households

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By Jo Anne Hubert , Parent Herald Feb 22, 09:54 am

Minnesota lawmakers are currently solving a good problem as they weigh in on what to do with the state's budget surplus.

Minnesota households may receive good news in the coming days, and as much as $2,600 worth of stimulus checks in their hands as part of the "ambitious" disbursement plan to spend the money from the state's "huge budget surplus" amounting to $17.6 billion.

Around two and a half million families will get this rebate check, just one of the many other things they will receive from Gov. Tim Walz's $65 billion two-year budget plan.

Last January, the governor committed to the residents of Minnesota to implement the "largest package of tax cuts in state history," along with increased spending on housing, health, public safety, and education.

"Today, we lay out the full picture of how this budget will lower costs, cut taxes, and improve lives for Minnesotans. For a middle-class family of four, the One Minnesota Budget could put $10,000 back in their pocket. We are delivering a transformational budget for Minnesotans, and I look forward to getting this done," Walz declared, as quoted by the Minnesota Legislature.

Budget plan features

The amount of stimulus checks will be structured. Single filers with an annual income of up to $75,000 will receive $1,000, while married couples with a yearly income of up to $150,000 can expect a rebate worth $2,000.

Further, parents will receive a rebate per child amounting to $200 for up to three children. Thus, for a family of five, the household can expect a benefit worth $2,600.

In summary, the following are what Minnesotians would enjoy, aside from the stimulus checks, once the two-year budget plan is approved by the lawmakers, as enumerated by The Ascent.

Social Security benefits state tax reduction for 350,000 recipients.
$1.1 billion budget for child tax credits.
$670 million funding for a paid family and medical leave program.
$300 million budget to support public safety agencies.
Over $4.4 billion budget for extra public school spending.
$458 million budget for a carbon-free Minnesota in 2040.
Increase in the state's capital gains tax.
Creation of a new payroll tax that will fund a paid family and medical leave program.
Increased vehicle tab fees.
Legalization of marijuana for recreational use.

DFL vs. Republicans

Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party leaders in the House have fully supported Waltz's "bold" proposal.

House Speaker Melissa Hortman of DFL-Brooklyn Park declared in a statement that the governor's two-year budget plan reflects the values of the people of Minnesota - a value for great public schools, available low-cost health care, and an economy that works "better" for all the residents.

However, the Republicans disagree. Forceful criticisms about the plan were said during a press conference. They were not at all satisfied with how the governor is planning to spend the $54 billion current budget and with how he is unwilling to utilize the $17.6 billion surplus for the total elimination of state taxes on the Social Security benefits of residents at all income levels or to cut tax rates permanently, US News reported.

Republican leaders were quick to blast the governor's plan for its big jump in overall spending from the $54 billion in the current budget, which runs through June.

Mark Johnson, Senate Minority Leader from East Grand Forks, expressed to reporters that Walz' plan does not only spend all the budget surplus but also "grows government" by 25 percent.

House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring emphasized the cruciality of using the surplus to cut taxes here and now because if the state government cannot do it now, then it cannot be done at any other time.