Sen. Franzen Calls Dayton's Budget 'A Mixed Bag': Pick of Our Patches

The following story is republished from Edina Patch.

State Sen. Melisa Franzen (DFL-Edina) is among a handful of legislators who are holding off on fully embracing Gov. Mark Dayton's budget plan.

The plan, which Dayton announced last week, aims to raise $2 billion in new revenue via several substantial changes to Minnesota's tax system. It also incudes $1 billion in new spending.

Minnesota Public Radio spoke with several prominent members of the DFL majority at the Capitol, gauging support for the governor's proposal among members of his own party.

Sen. Franzen, among others, were somewhat lukewarm on the plan at this point. Franzen told MPR she supports Dayton's focus on cutting corporate income taxes and increasing spending for education, but takes issue with his proposal to increase income taxes and his plan to expand the state's sales tax.

She also reportedly said she would like to have seen more than the $225 million in spending cuts included in the plan.

"It's a mixed bag," Franzen told MPR. "I don't see where the real cuts are. I'd like to look into that and where are we saving money and where are we making the tough decisions and not just raising revenues just because we can?"

Do you have strong opinions regarding Gov. Dayton's budget plan? Join the ongoing converstation taking place on Patch.

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