A Thursday press release from District 21 Sen. Bill Weber states that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's proposed budget would threaten the care of the state's elderly residents.
The press release explains that in response to a projected budget deficit of nearly $6 billion for the 2028-2029 biennium, Walz proposed a budget that would slash more than $220 million in funding for Minnesota nursing homes over the next four years. Data from providers indicates that 16 care facilities in Senate District 21 would face more than $21 million in cuts, according to the press release.
Said Weber, a Luverne Republican: “Governor Walz is proposing massive cuts to critically needed funds that our growing aging population depends on. Balancing the budget should never come at the expense of our most vulnerable. My Republican colleagues and I will be fighting back.”
In addition to the governor’s proposed funding cuts, the unelected, nine-member Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board imposed two unfunded mandates in 2024, the press release states, which would cost the state’s nursing homes nearly $200 million over the next four years.
Added Weber: “Senate Republicans have made supporting Minnesota’s long-term care facilities a priority. The governor’s latest budget proposal undermines this important work and threatens the care that Minnesotans rely on."
Sen. Bill Weber, R-Luverne meets with care providers during the 2025 Disability Day at the Capitol. They advocated for support for Minnesota’s long-term care facilities.