House DFL Leader Paul Thissen (D-Mpls)
Minnesota House Democrats say meeting Minnesota’s future transportation needs must be a top priority for the 2016 session — but is it possible without a gas tax increase? House Minority Leader Paul Thissen says, “I think that creative minds in the state of Minnesota can come up with something. But the thing about using the [budget] surplus is that that is not necessarily gonna be there forever.” And Thissen says Republicans’ plan to use money from the General Fund means there’s less for education and nursing homes. Assistant Majority Leader Ron Kresha from Little Falls responds Republicans’ plan uses a combination of bonds, dedicated money and the surplus. As for a gas tax increase, Kresha says “in rural Minnesota, that’s just a non-starter.”