Dear Friends,
Today marks the end of the first committee deadline, meaning it's been a long week of committee hearings while legislators rush to get their bills heard.
We're also quickly approaching the release of the House budget targets, after which budget committees will work to craft budget proposals to meet those targets. Once targets are released and budgets are assembled, the House and the Senate will begin working to find acceptable compromises that can pass both the House and Senate, and win approval from the Governor.
This Monday, House Republicans will be releasing our comprehensive transportation proposal. As the Vice Chair of the Transportation Committee, I've been working with our chair Rep. Tim Kelly on our plan that makes investments in our roads and bridges without taking additional money out of the pockets of Minnesota families.
The feedback we've heard from constituents in communities across the state is that they want this problem solved without a gas tax increase. Governor Dayton and the Senate DFL plan would increase the price of gas by fourteen cents per gallon minimum, if gas remains at $2.50 per gallon. If the price of gas shoots back up to $3.50 or $4.00/gallon, the gas tax rises even higher.
Our approach that prioritizes roads and bridges without raising taxes is one that's supported by a vast majority of Minnesotans. I think Minnesotans will like what they see from our transportation plan, and realize this is the best route for ensuring quality roads and bridges for decades to come.
I will be sure to send along an update next week once the plan has been formally released.
Survey
If you haven't already, please take a few moments to take my 2015 survey online by clicking here. I truly value your feedback and look forward to reading your responses.
Have a great weekend,
John Petersburg
State Representative, District 24A