Dear Neighbor,
It is crunch time at the Capitol as a new two-year state budget remains a work in progress as we inch closer to the May 18 adjournment deadline.
Transportation appears to be a main sticking point in finding agreement between the House, the Senate and Gov. Mark Dayton.
Specifically, Dayton and Senate Majority Leader Sen. Tom Bakk are clinging to raising the gas tax by at least 16 cents per gallon. The House voted 132-0 against raising the gas tax earlier this session.
I have received several-hundred emails on this subject and they must run 100-to-1 in opposition to raising the gas tax. And polls inside and outside of the Capitol consistently overwhelmingly reject raising the gas tax, including one I recently conducted where only 16 percent support it.
It is interesting to note 65 percent of the participants on my survey support what the House proposes on transportation. A package of proposals the House approved this session shows we can provide $7 billion more for roads and bridges over the next decade without raising taxes if we just stick to our priorities. A bill I authored is part of that plan by directing to roads and bridges the tax dollars we already pay when purchasing auto parts.
Many people agree we need to make improvements on our roads and bridges. One problem with gas taxes is they are among the most regressive we pay and impact low- to middle-income earners in Greater Minnesota the hardest. Not to mention long-term sustainability issues related to the fact we are gradually shifting away from gasoline usage and toward higher efficiency and alternative means of power (electricity, natural gas, etc.).
Why would we raise taxes at a time our state has a $2 billion surplus?
What is also concerning is Sen. Bakk has gone on record as willing to obstruct passage of many important bills – including $2 billion in tax relief – if he does not get his way in raising the gas tax. This would mean blocking House proposals to phase out the state tax on Social Security retirement benefits, no longer subjecting military pay and pensions to income tax and more. The most significant part of this package that could fall victim – a new Minnesota personal or dependent tax exemption – could save a middle-class family of four $564 over the next two years.
Minnesotans are making it clearer every day they support the House position and do not want higher gas taxes. I encourage citizens to reach out to the Senate leaders and the governor to let them know as well. Here is their contact information:
Sen. Tom Bakk
Senate Majority Leader
tomba@senate.mn or 651-496-8881
Gov. Mark Dayton
mark.dayton@state.mn.us or 651-201-3400
Sen. Scott Dibble
Senate Transportation Committee Chairman
scottd@senate.mn or 651-496-4191
Good luck,
Jeff