ST. PAUL – On Friday, House Republicans called on Gov. Mark Dayton to fund roads and bridges without a gas tax increase. Dayton and his staff are expected to prepare his first transportation offer this weekend and announce it Monday morning.
This comes on the heels of House Republicans offering a compromise transportation proposal Wednesday based off their 10-year plan to meet the state’s road and bridge infrastructure needs with existing resources.
“We do not need to raise the gas tax in order to provide more funding for roads and bridges," said Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Acton Township. "Polls consistently show Minnesotans oppose raising the gas tax. There are other options available, such as directing toward roads and bridges taxes we already pay when purchasing auto parts, and we should give them strong consideration."
The House Republican offer released Wednesday puts additional dollars into highways, township roads, turnbacks and makes progress on rail safety. On the transit side, in an effort to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and effectively, the House Republican compromise provides common-sense Met Council reforms.
-30-