Minnesota has a $3.7 billion surplus, but budget officials warn against spending it all

Minnesota lawmakers will have more money available this year than previously expected as officials on Thursday projected a $3.7 billion state budget surplus. That's an increase of $1.3 billion from projections in December, driven by higher-than-anticipated tax collections over the past few months as spending estimates remained mostly unchanged. Minnesota also has about $2.9 billion in its rainy day fund. "Our economy is humming along," DFL Gov. Tim Walz said Thursday, touting the Legislature's spending last year on a free school meals program, a child tax credit and a sizeable...