Gas tax increase (in Minnesota) appears certain

[question everything]

Source: Minneapolis StarTribune

StarTribune.com
Gas tax increase appears certain

By Patricia Lopez, Star Tribune
8/4/07

A special session to deal with the aftermath of the bridge collapse is now likely and is almost certain to produce a gas tax increase, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said through a spokesman Friday. The funding would help whittle down the state's massive $1 billion-a-year backlog in road and bridge construction and maintenance.

(snip)

In May, Pawlenty vetoed a transportation bill that included a 7.5- cent-per-gallon gasoline tax hike, calling the increase "an unnecessary and onerous burden." That bill also included a mandate for yearly inspection of state bridges, which under current law must be inspected at least every two years. DFLers' attempt to override the veto failed.

Pawlenty's opposition to a gasoline tax increase was long-standing and adamant. In 2005 he also vetoed a gas tax increase, asking of DFLers, "How dumb can they be?" Earlier this year he said DFLers "have simply been obsessed" with a gas tax. But by Friday, Republican opposition appeared to be melting away, with even House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, tempering his previously fiery anti-tax rhetoric. In May, Seifert derided the gas tax proposal as a "joke" and a "pocket-picking mechanism," but in a Friday interview with Minnesota Public Radio, Seifert said he was "open-minded" about a gas tax increase to fund road and bridge improvements.



Read more: http://www.startribune.com/587/story/1343631.html

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At the time, Pawlenty was still dreaming of being McCain running mate and, of course, the editors of the WSJ heaped praise on his stand against taxes. How times have changed.

[Demeter]

1. Reality Has a Way of Catching One Up, Even with Republicans

and there isn't a bunch more worthy of pummeling by Nemesis than the GOP.

[Rydz777]

9. Right. Reality bites. nt

[UrbScotty]

17. When do you think it will catch up to Michigan Republicans?

www.michiganliberal.com

[Demeter]

25. We Have the House and Governor

Next, the Senate. Then perhaps the GOP might get a clue!

[Hieronymus]

19. Hopefully, Pawlenty will never recover his GOP reputation for raising taxes.

[liberal N proud]

2. Closing the barn doors after the horses got out.

[Triana]

3. Is the same Minnesota Repube Gov that...

..on NPR yesterday was blaming the ENGINEERS (who'd advised him numerous times in years prior that the bridge needed repairs) for this? He said that it was the ENGINEERS' fault because THEY DIDN'T TELL HIM TO CLOSE THE BRIDGE - only that it needed repairs.

Now, who ya gonna believe? The engineers, or a sidewinding finger-pointing Republican?

I believe the engineers, who TOLD the politicians ALL THEY NEEDED TO KNOW to repair that bridge. I was the POLITICIANS CHOSE NOT TO DO IT (obviously). Now, they want to blame the Engineers.

Pfffft!

[Deja Q]

5. I'm hoping Tim is just having a knee-jerk moment...

Unfortunately, as workers are blamed for everything in our society, I am not surprised by this development.

And Tim just made himself look worse.

[loveable liberal]

4. Please refer to our Gov as "Timmy the Tool".

Thank you.

[Deja Q]

6. He has a tool?

:hide:

[hobbit709]

7. Probably, but being a typical republican weenie

He'd need a pair of tweezers and a magnifying glass to find it.

[sam sarrha]

23. isnt that TOOL called a Veto.. didnt he VETO Taxes for that bridge 4 times the last time on May 4-o7

[louis-t]

8. That's the new talking point-"Dem's are simply OBSESSED with

raising taxes." They're using it here in Michigan against Gov. Granholm. My God, the woman cut $3 billion out of the state budget (trying to clean up the mess her Repug predecessor left)before even talking about a tax increase.

[benld74]

10. Wonder what kind of tax cuts the state had in the past?

[TygrBright]

11. Buh-buh-but.... it's a TAX INCREASE! Won't the sky fall??? n/t

[CatholicEdHead]

12. Sad that it took lives to make this happen

Watch closely Wisconsin as you recently changed to our system (instead of pegging it to inflation increases).

[wellst0nev0ter]

15. Funny How That Happens

The daily 169 tie-up doesn't convince them, the ridiculous 35W/94W exit ramp doesn't convince them, the cuts in snowplowing doesn't convince them, the potholes the size of Lake Michigan doesn't convince them, but a tragic, international news events just might knock some sense into the Tax Payers League Minnesota Republican Party?

[sam sarrha]

13. when they provitize ALL the highway systems we wont have anymore problems.. Utopia.!!

[CatholicEdHead]

14. You mean outsource them with 99 year leases

[sam sarrha]

21. what is the F'n difference..!!!!!!!!!!

[sam sarrha]

22. it is my uderstanding that on the east coast they are actually starting to 'sell' them off

[MidwestTransplant]

16. Gee what ever made him change his mind and not veto a bill he vetoed earlier?

[ohio2007]

24. I would say the county engineers are pointing the finger at him or that.

This whole bridge issue needs to be handled at the county level. The state funds require a state gas tax.
BTW
I am not talking about this isolated Mn issue example, it needs to be done nationwise by all 50 states.

[truthisfreedom]

18. Just like a rethug. They stall until a major disaster, and then pretend they care.

Fucking snakes. And pardon my fucking French.

[yellowcanine]

20. Sounds as if it is ass biting time in Minneapolis. And Pawlenty and Seifert are the bitees.

Throw the rascals out.