A group of Greater Minnesota mayors and other elected officials (Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities) is smiling after Governor Tim Walz told them his upcoming state budget proposal will restore state aid to cities to 2002 levels — a 30-million-dollar increase. Mayor Larry Kuffe, Jr. from Virginia on Minnesota’s Iron Range says, “The motto of One Minnesota is very important to bring Greater Minnesota, the metropolitan area and those communities in between together for one common goal and objective.”
Governor Walz also continues pushing for a gas tax increase which he says is necessary to improve roads and bridges. But Walz acknowledges that he’s “biting off a big chuck on transportation.” Republicans strongly oppose a gas tax increase.