MN Gov. Mark Dayton, fearing that a statewide gas tax increase lacks popular support, will not back the legislature's proposal to raise it, but has affirmed his support for a regional general sales tax for transit. But it may not be that easy.
Pat Doyle writes how Gov. Dayton's actions have forced the state legislature to rethink their transportation package - the backbone having been a 7.5-cent gas tax increase. The Democratic governor, who fears that a gas tax increase lacks popular approval, maintained his support for "raising sales taxes in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area for light-rail and bus transit", but the Democratic chairman of the House transportation committee canceled a meeting in which they would take up a bill authorizing the regional sales tax.
Raising transportation taxes is “difficult to do if it’s not statewide in nature,” said Rep. Frank Hornstein, DFL-Minneapolis. Moving forward with only a metro transit sales increase would be a “piecemeal” approach to transportation funding, he said.
This is not the first time that a governor has had to oppose members of his own party on gas tax increases, which often transcend party boundaries. Republican Governor Matt Mead of Wyoming opposed Republican members in his senate to get his 10-cent gas tax approved in February.
While Dayton backed down in supporting the gas tax in part because he believes it lacks popular support, that was certainly not the case when he presented his budget "to a crowd of approximately 200" in the city of Mankato on April 8. The (New Ulm) Journal writes that when Dayton "asked for a show of hands of how many people supported the gas tax hike (a) large majority of the 200 people in attendance raised their hands."
Minnesota has a history of the legislature attempting to increase the gas tax and the governor opposing it. Gov. Tim Pawlenty had vetoed three such measures - but the last one was successfully over-riden. In 2008, for the first time in two decades, the gas excise tax was raised incrementally by 5.5-cents to 28.5-cents (see Tax Foundation for all state gas taxes). No doubt the collapse of the I-35W bridge on August 1, 2007 may have prompted some legislators to vote for the over-ride of the veto.
FULL STORY: DFLers put brakes on higher gas tax
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton Proposes Gas Tax
The tax would be a wholesale tax paid by fuel suppliers as has become more common in the last two years, not a retail tax at the gas pump. The Democratic governor's main problem may be his timing—the house flipped to Republican control.
Minnesota Gov. Unveils Plan to Fast Track Transit Funding
In a budget unveiled last month, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton proposed a .25 percent sales tax increase to fund an expansion of the Twin Cities metro area's public transit systems. The proposal has garnered enthusiastic support.
New Minnesota Governor Prepares for Gas Tax Hike Battle
Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, who took office on Jan. 7, wants to hike the state's 28.6-cents gas tax, 15% lower than the national average, so cities like Duluth won't have to ask voters to pass sales tax increases to fund local road repairs.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie