Legislators weigh in on $5.2 billion deficit.

Senator Dick Day

Senator Dennis Fredrickson

Senator Kevin Dahle

"This will be a difficult session. We must make sure all options are on the table to resolve the current budget crisis. The Governor and the Legislature must find a way to work together for creative solutions."

Senator Julie Rosen

Senator Kathy Sheran

"This serious deficit reflects the economic downturn in our country, our state, and in our communities. The impact from the budget balancing solutions will be felt across all sectors. All tools to resolve the deficit should be considered because the solution will have to be multifaceted. No single approach can move us out of the nearly 5 billion dollar deficit.

Tools to be considered include eliminating regulatory processes that diminish flexibility in fiscal problem solving, zero based budgeting concepts that require all programs to rejustify themselves, reducing duplication, aligning resources, short term surcharges, new revenues etc. An emphasis must be placed on those investments that create jobs and support economic expansion in our state. We (the people) cannot abandon our responsiblity to sustain our most important and essential institutions. We (the people) must support investments in activities that create jobs and grow our states economy. This crisis provides us an opportunity to exam what we are doing, examine and determine priorities,and encourage innovation and restructuring. I believe Minnesotans know and accept that all of us will have to contribute to the solution."

Rep. Laura Brod

Rep. Kathy Brynaert

"The budget deficit is a crisis situation that requires the very best from all of us.  No area of the state or nation will be unaffected and we will need to think, plan and work toward structural reform together.  I ask you to share both your concerns and your insights as we work to address both short term budget decisions and long term reform strategies."

Rep. Tony Cornish

"The fact that the State of Minnesota has been averaging a 19% yearly growth of the budget per year since the 60's is alarming, and coupled with the fact that we are now spending over $2,000,000.00 per day over what we are bringing in means we have to do something drastic. The trouble with spending like we have in the past is that when we reach tough times, which we know we will, the cuts have to go very deep. The outlook for our economic future is so bleak for the next biennium we have to completely change the way we look at revenue vs. spending and government in general. I have never received so many complaints as I have this year concerning taxes and overregulation! This will be a very controversial and tenuous session where we will need input from all of you on how to come out of this situation we are in. We will do our best to protect public safety, education and the vulnerable or needy, but even then without a full picture as of yet, it will be tough."

Rep. Brad Finstad

Rep. Bob Gunther

"The cause is declining revenue, coming into three states, because of a lack of jobs, need a way to entice job producers to come to Mn.  The big deficit produces a big challenge like in 2003, it also could produce, a big change to reform state govt.  The federal government is broke, they are going to pay the credit card debt, with more credit card debt."

Rep. Terry Morrow

Rep. Connie Ruth