Nearly 100 mayors of Minnesota localities have signed a letter criticizing state legislators for spending at reckless levels that forced their cities to raise property taxes.
KNSI reports the mayors expressed outrage to legislators and Gov. Tim Walz that the state’s $18 billion surplus vanished in one budget cycle, to be followed by a projected $2.9 billion to $3 billion deficit heading into the 2028-29 biennium. The mayors cited fraud, unchecked spending and fiscal mismanagement in the state government, claiming it has become more difficult for them plan budgets and maintain operations without placing new pressures on their residents.
Preliminary data determined Minnesota cities may need to raise property tax levies by an average of 8.7% for 2026, with counties racking up an 8.1% increase.
The mayors also highlighted a recent Minnesota Chamber of Commerce report showing the state ranked 33rd in GDP growth, 39th in job growth, 40th in labor force growth and 46th in median household income growth between 2019 and 2024, with nearly 48,000 residents leaving the state.
“Our residents deserve better than deficits, economic decline and policies that push families and businesses away,” the letter said. “We, as mayors, can only support our cities for so long before the heavy hand of state mandates and financial pressure demands more than our communities can provide.”
