Statement on Behalf of Phillip C. Parrish, Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2025
Phillip C. Parrish, Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026, Condemns the Disingenuous Narrative of the Minnesota House DFL on the FY 2026-27 Budget
ST. PAUL, MN – Today, Phillip C. Parrish, candidate for Governor of Minnesota in 2026, issued a statement sharply criticizing the Minnesota House DFL’s misleading narrative surrounding their budget priorities for 2025, as expressed in their April 23, 2025, X post. Parrish calls out the DFL’s claim of “fighting for a state budget that puts more power in the hands of Minnesotans, not billionaires and large corporations” as a hollow promise that masks their true agenda of bloated bureaucracy and misplaced priorities.
Dear Minnesotans,
The Minnesota House DFL’s claim on April 23, 2025, that they are fighting for a budget that prioritizes Minnesotans over billionaires and corporations is nothing short of a disingenuous facade—a narrative that crumbles under scrutiny. As a candidate for Governor in 2026, I am committed to exposing this deception and advocating for a government that truly serves its people, not its bureaucrats.
The DFL’s post on X asserts they’ve been “fighting all session long” to empower Minnesotans, but let’s look at the reality. Their support for Governor Tim Walz’s FY 2026-27 budget, revised on March 21, 2025, reveals a stark contradiction. This $66 billion plan slashes $100 million in nonpublic pupil aid—$1,080 per student—effective July 1, 2025, directly punishing 73,000 private school families who are simply seeking better education options for their children. These are hardworking Minnesotans, not billionaires, yet the DFL and Walz are stripping away their choices while pouring $400 million into the Department of Education’s bloated operations, where 400 staff oversee a failing public system with stagnant test scores. Where’s the empowerment in that?
The DFL’s narrative further unravels when we examine their priorities for vulnerable populations. The budget cuts $1.3 billion over four years from Medicaid by capping reimbursement rate increases at 2%, below inflation, adding thousands in fees to assisted living and reducing home care funding for our elderly. Meanwhile, it continues funding for programs like MinnesotaCare and North Star Promise, which provide health insurance and free college tuition to undocumented immigrants—costing taxpayers $1.3 billion and $50 million annually, respectively. While I support compassion, prioritizing noncitizens over Minnesota’s elderly and struggling families is a betrayal of the very people the DFL claims to champion.
And let’s not ignore the looming public safety crisis. The budget allocates a mere $2.23 billion to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections for 2026-27, a paltry $50 million increase that officials warn could compromise safety. These cuts raise concerns about managing prison populations, potentially leading to discussions of early criminal releases—a direct threat to Minnesotan families. Yet the DFL remains silent, hiding behind their narrative of “power to the people” while jeopardizing our communities.
The DFL’s claim of fighting against billionaires and corporations is equally hollow. While they tout closing tax loopholes, the budget expands the Research and Development tax credit by $45.5 million in FY 2025-27, benefiting corporations under the guise of economic growth. Meanwhile, the Department of Employment and Economic Development squanders $200 million on overlapping grants—$14.5 million of which could be saved through consolidation. This isn’t a fight against corporate excess; it’s a selective handout that leaves taxpayers footing the bill for bureaucratic inefficiency.
Minnesotans deserve better than this deceptive rhetoric. The DFL’s budget narrative is a smokescreen for a government that prioritizes its own growth over the needs of its citizens. As your candidate for Governor in 2026, I pledge to dismantle this broken system. I will fight for a budget that truly empowers Minnesotans—restoring private school aid, protecting our elderly, ensuring public safety, and cutting waste to deliver real tax relief. Together, we can build a Minnesota that works for its people, not its bureaucrats.
Respectfully dedicated to you,
Phillip C. Parrish
Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026
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