Senators use opening remarks to criticize budget choices, auditor request and call for water-quality, property-tax action

Senators used opening-day floor remarks to press for scrutiny of the governor’s budget and to raise state policy concerns including auditor funding, taxpayer-relief transfers, water quality and property taxes.

Senator Bussello criticized the state auditor’s budget request, saying the auditor, Rob Sand, sought a roughly 70% increase to his office’s appropriation — described on the floor as a $1,700,000 request — and questioned why the auditor would need such an increase. "A 70% increase," the senator said, and noted that the governor did not recommend the request. The senator also observed the governor's proposed 2027 budget brief shows "nearly $4,000,000,000 in reserve funds," a figure offered on the floor in the context of budget priorities.

Senator Petersen raised concerns about the budget process and transparency, saying the governor’s budget book omitted the five‑year financial plan that had appeared last year and cited figures attributed to the budget book showing planned transfers from the taxpayer relief fund: $351,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 (as previously projected), a larger $956,300,000 figure referenced on the floor as part of balancing the budget, and $584,000,000 mentioned for fiscal year 2027; Petersen also said the state still faced a budget hole of more than $1,000,000,000.

Senator Walz recounted more than 200 events across 57 counties and relayed constituent complaints about rising costs for everything from specialty vehicles to prescription drugs, arguing that corporate practices are increasing costs borne by local governments and families and urging property tax reform.

Senator Buscignano used a point of personal privilege to criticize the new majority’s policy direction, raise concerns about public health and education outcomes and call water quality "the number one thing we need in this state," saying he was disappointed it received insufficient attention.

None of these floor remarks on the transcript resulted in a formal motion or vote; the comments were statements made under points of personal privilege and were part of opening remarks rather than committee debate. Several senators cited specific numeric figures from the governor’s budget materials and from their own summaries of budget documents; those figures are reported here as stated on the floor and should be verified against the official budget documents for precise accounting.

What happens next: the Senate recessed for a Legislative Council meeting; the transcript records no immediate floor actions following these remarks other than the recess.