| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| June 23, 2000 | Lindsay Sander (651-297-5600) |
ST. PAUL State Representative Mark Buesgens, R- Jordan, called for the temporary repeal of the Minnesota gas tax on Thursday. Buesgens said the move would give Minnesota motorist some needed relief from extraordinarily high, and still rising, gas prices.
"Minnesota motorist have seen gas prices almost double over the last year," said Rep. Buesgens. "Yet, there is no reasonable explanation being offered to justify these amazing prices that our motorist have to pay. We need to act quickly; the Minnesota economy could suffer greatly if we do nothing."
Buesgens called upon Governor Ventura to call the Legislature into Special Session so they could consider legislation repealing the Minnesota gas tax for an unspecified amount of time. Currently, motorist pay 20 cents per gallon in gas tax every time they go to the pump. Under Buesgens proposal, the tax would be repealed ultimately lowing gas prices across the state.
"The state has benefitted from a record 17 consecutive budget surpluses," Buesgens continued. "There is good reason to believe the Minnesota will have another substantial budget surplus this fall. Under these conditions, there is no reason the Legislature and Governor should not act quickly to provide Minnesota consumers with some relief during the summer months."
Earlier this week, Governor Frank O'Bannon of Indiana suspended the state gas tax for 60 days. Governor Ryan of Illinois has already called for a Special Session of the Illinois State Legislature; they will meet next Thursday to consider repealing the state's 5% gas tax.
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