Despite Fall Slowdown, State Keeps Adding To Coffers

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Budget officials say tax collections slowed in September but the state is still piling up extra money.

The Department of Minnesota Management and Budget released its latest budget update Friday showing they brought in $136 million more than expected from July through September.

That's a 3 percent bump over projections, even as tax collections took a slight dip as fall approached. Taxes on income, sales and corporations were all higher than projected over the three-month period.

The sum could pad a budget surplus that lawmakers may tap into for spending initiatives during next year's legislative session. But the reports don't look at the state's spending patterns and budget officials caution there can be wide swings.

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