(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Mark Dayton could have difficulty getting support from Minnesota’s business community in his continuing push for a gas tax increase. In the annual “Business Barometer” survey of 350 businesses just released by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, 59 percent say Minnesota’s transportation system is better than four years ago, 77 percent say it will serve their business needs for the next ten years, and respondents are evenly divided on whether the state should find new revenue for future transportation needs. Minnesota Chamber V-P Laura Bordelon (BOR-duh-lahn) says, “How to get this paid for remains kind of the vexing challenge for all of us as we try to resolve this issue.” The chamber is a powerful force in the transportation debate. In 2008, pressure from the organization factored into the legislature overriding then-Governor Tim Pawlenty’s veto of a gas tax increase.
Gov. Mark Dayton