Today, the Office of Minnesota Management and Budget announced a forecasted budget surplus of $1.4 billion. This is good news for our state budget, which was put on the right track a few years ago by Governor Dayton and DFL leaders.The forecast shows that Minnesota’s economy is stable with unemployment well below the national average.

But what’s next?

We should invest the surplus in the things we know will help to build a better future for all Minnesotans – stronger schools, affordable college tuition, tackling student debt, investing in infrastructure, reducing healthcare costs, and expanding opportunity to working families through things like paid family leave, earned sick time, and equal pay.

While Governor Dayton has put Minnesota’s budget back on track, it would only take a few tax giveaways to derail it – giveaways like those Republicans tried to pass in their last budget that would have given $13 in tax cuts for every $1 to education.

With Republican majorities in the House and Senate, it’s crucial that we fight to keep Minnesota on the right fiscal path toward an economy that works better for everyone, not just the wealthy.