It’s less than two weeks to when the Minnesota Legislature must adjourn, and Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked over major issues: transportation, bonding, and what to do with a 900-million-dollar budget surplus.
House Speaker, Republican Kurt Daudt said last week he’s open to a bonding bill bigger than the 600 million dollars Republicans have proposed. House Democratic Minority Leader Paul Thissen’s response: “It’s one thing to say, generally speaking, I’m open to an idea. It’s another thing to actually put specifics down on the table. And we are at the point in session where it’s time for specifics.” Republicans say the legislature has to deal with road-and-bridge funding and tax relief before borrowing more money. But a transportation package and other budget items are tied up in the debate over a gas tax increase. House Speaker Kurt Daudt opposes any gas tax hike, saying money is available from the budget surplus.
House Democratic Leader Thissen responds the state can’t make meaningful investments in roads and bridges by relying exclusively on General Fund dollars — otherwise schools, hospitals and public safety could all be starved.