Sen. Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook)
Five weeks remain in the 2016 legislative session, lawmakers’ long-time stalemate over transportation funding persists, and the deadlock could affect a highly-visible bonding package for state public works projects. Senate Democratic Majority Leader Tom Bakk warns of consequences this November if the legislature can’t agree on a bonding bill.
Bakk says Governor Mark Dayton plans to do an 87-county tour this summer and guesses “if there’s no bonding bill he’s gonna be pretty upset, and he’s gonna tell people. And he’s still pretty popular.”
Republicans want major transportation projects included in the bonding bill. Democrats say that won’t leave enough money for other essential projects, and that new transportation projects should be paid for with a gas tax increase.