Dear Neighbors,
We are in the final week of session and I wanted to give you brief update on budget negotiations that are currently ongoing between the Governor, Senate, and the House.
While negotiations have been going smoothly up to this point, I am disappointed to report that the progress made to this point is being threatened by the Governor and Senate’s insistence on implementing a new gas tax.
Their insistence on a gas tax is especially disappointing given the state currently has a $1.9 billion budget surplus and continues to recover economically as the Department of Revenue has brought in more revenue than projected month after month.
What's more, last week the House voted unanimously, 132-0, to reject an amendment that would implement a gas tax similar to the Governor’s proposal.
The Governor and Senate’s gas tax proposal, one that Governor Dayton has called an “unfair and regressive tax”, will disproportionately hurt senior citizens on fixed incomes, lower income Minnesotans, and those of us in Greater Minnesota who travel long distances to work.
It's time for the Governor and Senate to listen to the vast majority of Minnesotans that are opposed to their proposal and come to the negotiating table ready to finish the work that the people sent us to St. Paul to accomplish.
Have a great weekend,
Brian