Sen. Scott Newman (R-Hutchinson)
Senate Republicans during today’s (Thurs) debate on a major budget bill proposed using 463 million dollars of the state’s surplus for transportation projects, but Democrats would have none of it. Hutchinson Republican Scott Newman argued lawmakers should spend the surplus the way Minnesotans want it spent. Saint Paul Democrat Richard Cohen called the Republican measure “for the folks in fantasyland” because it doesn’t address Minnesota’s transportation problem. Cohen adds it would also take money away from other important programs. Democrats including Governor Mark Dayton propose a gas tax increase. Republicans say, no way.