MN House Speaker Kurt Daudt (R-Crown)
State lawmakers remain deadlocked on road and bridge funding, after Senate Democrats Friday made a negotiations offer which still includes a gas tax increase. House Speaker, Republican Kurt Daudt says with a 900-million-dollar budget surplus “we have more than enough resources to pay for road and bridge infrastructure and make a significant investment, and I think we need to do what Minnesotans expect us to do.” Lead Senate negotiator, Minneapolis Democrat Scott Dibble responds when the legislature in past years used General Fund money for transportation with plans to renew it, “every single time we’ve tried that, we’ve reversed that action. Sometimes we’ve even done it before the appropriation has been fulfilled.” Democrats say a gas tax increase is needed to address Minnesota’s long-term road and bridge needs.