Dear Neighbors,
We are in the final week of the legislative session and the House, Senate and Governor Dayton have been meeting to negotiate a budget that can be agreed upon by all parties. Unfortunately, progress made on budget negotiations has been put in jeopardy by the Governor and Senate DFL’s insistence on implementing a new gas tax.
I'm tired of the rhetoric the Democrats continue to push on the public that we need a new gas tax. At a time when Minnesota has an almost $2 billion surplus, it's unwise to keep trying to fool the public.
What's more, the governor’s own agency, the Minnesota Management and Budget Office, issued a report this week saying, “Lower gas prices are comparable to a tax cut, freeing up disposable income for spending on non-gasoline food and services.”
At a time when Minnesotans are feeling some relief at the pump, why would we make it more expensive for them to drive to work and drop their kids off at school?
Additionally, last week the House voted unanimously, 132-0, to reject an amendment that would implement a gas tax similar to the Governor’s proposal.
That's why my Republican colleagues and I passed a bill that would invest $7 billion over the next 10 years in Minnesota's roads and bridges without raising taxes on hardworking Minnesota families.
I’ll continue to stand strong against imposing a new gas tax and am hopeful that the governor and Senate Democrats will realize that the vast majority of Minnesotans are strongly opposed to a gas tax.
I will keep you up-to-date as the final days of session continue.
Sincerely,
Mary