We don’t need to raise the gas tax to fix roads and bridges
One of the first priorities announced by Governor-Elect Tim Walz was his intention to raise gas taxes this year. Less than two days after Minnesotans chose him to serve as the next governor, he told KSTP that “[y]ou can’t just say we’re not going to do anything in terms of revenue or budgets and you’re magically going to get roads, bridges and transit.”
Democrats have been using some version of this talking point for the last few years. They want you to believe that a gas tax hike is the only way.
It’s absurd.
Over the last two years, the Republican-led legislature did more for transportation infrastructure than any legislature in a decade. And we did it using existing money – we didn’t raise a cent of gas taxes or license tab fees. That includes $300 million in new, ongoing funding for roads, bridges and buses, with an additional $256 million in one-time transportation funding. It includes funding for small cities assistance, for town roads, and for local bridge replacement. And the funding was fairly split between greater Minnesota and the metro.We simply made it a priority.
Despite the chorus of support for transportation funding, something has become clear during my conversations with constituents: people don’t want a gas tax increase. This was borne out by a recent SurveyUSA poll, which found only 35% of Minnesotans favor raising the gas tax. All people really want is more money for roads and bridges.Republicans have proven you don’t need to raise gas taxes for that.
We also have to consider who pays for gas tax increases.
Raising the gas tax is about as regressive as it comes. The pain will be felt disproportionately by those who can least afford it – folks like farmers, or poor and working families. The financial advisor in Edina driving his BMW probably won’t notice if gas taxes go up, but you can bet the single mom in Owatonna working overtime to make ends meet will. That’s less money she has for groceries, for child care, for car repairs, or any number of life’s necessities.
If you have ever experienced the desperation of worrying about overdrafting your account just to put a few gallons in your car, then you know what a difference every cent can make to some people.
In reality, every one of us will be impacted. Most goods in this state and country are still shipped by trucks. When the gas tax goes up, companies have to increase their prices. That means you’ll pay more for your eggs and milk, for clothing, and countless other goods and commodities.
I understand Gov.-Elect Walz is facing pressure from within his base, but I sincerely hope he will see the folly behind raising gas taxes and put the best interests of the people first. With a projected budget surplus, we should not be asking Minnesotans to pay more – especially lower and middle income Minnesotans who are already struggling.
In my last column, I said I was committed to working with our next governor to best serve Minnesota’s wonderful citizens. I stand by that, and I will work with Gov.-elect Walz to find common ground. I believe we both want the same thing, we just have different visions for how we get there.
This column originally ran in the Owatonna People’s Press.