bwtranspo120 werner bw 3-14-16 *MON A-M EARLY
State Senate Democrats renew their call this morning (9am) for the legislature to approve new funding for transportation projects in Minnesota. The question is whether it will break longstanding deadlock at the State Capitol. Democratic Majority Leader Tom Bakk says the Senate “has been trying hard for a number of years to get something significant done on transportation.” Governor Mark Dayton proposed a gas tax increase last year, Republicans rejected it, and the governor said in his State of the State address that he’s “waiting for an alternative.” Republicans say using money from the surplus and redirecting other budget dollars would provide as much money for roads and bridges as Dayton’s plan, without a gas tax increase. Democrats warn that would take money from schools and nursing homes.