Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday pitched a tighter two-year budget, complete with spending pullbacks and other measures to keep a potential deficit at bay. He also proposed a lower state sales tax rate but called for extending the tax’s reach to financial services.

Gov. Tim Walz pitched the first sales tax cut in Minnesota history and curbs to state spending on Thursday as he rolled out his latest budget proposal. Why it matters: It's the DFL governor's opening salvo to a deeply divided Legislature,

Walz wants to shift the tax burden to wealthier Minnesotans, but Republican House leaders say any increases are off the table.