“No” — say Minnesota Senate Republicans on this first day of the 2019 session to Governor Tim Walz’s push for a gas tax increase. Tax Committee Chair, Lino Lakes Senator Roger Chamberlain, says Republicans’ objective is to make people’s lives better and easier — but a gas tax increase “will have the opposite effect on every Minnesota. It’ll make their lives more difficult and worse.” Governor Walz argues adequate roads and bridges are essential to keep the state’s economy strong and improve Minnesotans’ lives. But Chamberlain warns, “It will increase costs across the board for everything for everyone. It is not what we need at this time. We don’t need it. We can do better than that.”
Republicans have not yet outlined their transportation funding plan.
Chamberlain’s comments during Tuesday morning news conference: