A coalition pushing for more state funding for mass transit in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota kicks off its 2019 effort at the State Capitol today. The group is likely eyeing part of a gas tax increase that Governor-elect Tim Walz has said he’ll propose. Senate Republican Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says about that, “Democrats were asking for new revenue the last few years and we proved that you can increase funding for education without new revenue. I do think revenue moving towards transportation is important. I just don’t think that we need to raise taxes to do it.”
Governor-elect Walz argues, “You can’t just say you’re not going to do anything in terms of revenue or budgets and you’re going to magically get roads, bridges and transit.”