At the latest economic forecast, Speaker Daudt made claims that Minnesota’s improved economic position “has to do with the fact that balance has been restored in state government.”

As you may remember, U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell was criticized for similar claims that were debunked.

The House DFL released a video highlighting Speaker Daudt’s claims about Minnesota’s growing economy – it can be viewed here.

This is not the only claim that Speaker Daudt has asserted about Minnesota’s economy that does not hold up to the facts.

Speaker Daudt has said over the past year that Minnesota’s economy has “flat-lined” due to the policies put in place by Democrats.

Last Friday Speaker Daudt doubled-down, saying “I think the November forecast represented very clearly that the policies they put in place didn’t help Minnesota families and they didn’t help Minnesota’s economy.”

Speaker Daudt’s economic claims do not hold up to the facts. The budget passed by 2013-14 state legislature went into effect in July 2013. Since then, Minnesota’s economy has steadily improved on several key metrics.

• Minnesota has added 74,500 jobs since the DFL budget was put in place. Far from a flat line, jobs have been added and our unemployment rate has dropped at a steady pace. (Source: MMB, slide 6).
• Minnesota’s unemployment rate is 3.6%, the 5th lowest in the country and lowest in Minnesota in 14 years. (Source: DEED)
• Wages have grown for Minnesotans and stronger wage growth is expected in the future. (Source: MMB Slide 7).

Speaker Daudt’s other claim, “that part of this economic confidence has to do with the fact that balance has been restored in state government” has even less factual basis.

Minnesotans are more optimistic about our economy. In fact, Minnesota has the highest confidence of any state in the nation. This is based on a study by Gallup from January to December of 2014, while Democrats were in control of all branches of state government. (Source: http://www.gallup.com/poll/181514/economic-confidence-index-highest-minn-lowest.aspx).

Minnesota’s economy has been making steady improvements in various economic metrics while the Democrats were in control of state government (unemployment rate, job creation, state revenues, and consumer confidence).

Daudt’s claims that Minnesota’s economy flat-lined while Democrats were in control of state government are false. His claims that Minnesota’s economic confidence is in part due to Republican control of the Minnesota House are even less credible.

2015 Minnesota budget surplus · Kurt Daudt · Speaker Daudt

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