ST. PAUL – Rep. Mark Anderson, R-Lake Shore, issued the following statement regarding budget negotiations at the Capitol, specifically regarding proposals to raise the state's gas tax:
"We have a projected state surplus of around $2 billion, yet the Senate and Gov. Mark Dayton continue pushing for an unnecessary, widely unpopular gas-tax increase on Minnesotans.
"People are feeling some relief at the pump right now because of lower prices, so why would we make it more expensive to drive to work, drop the kids off at school, go fishing, take out the ATV, or just head out for a Sunday drive? This is interesting when you consider Minnesota Management and Budget, the governor's own agency, just issued a report saying, 'Lower gas prices are comparable to a tax cut, freeing up disposable income for spending on non-gasoline food and services.' The bottom line is lower gas prices mean people have more money to spend in other parts of the economy.
"I will continue to oppose raising the gas tax and, instead, remain supportive of proposals which prioritize improving roads and bridges with money that already is available."
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