Pioneer Press: Gov. Pawlenty predicts revolt over transportation bill tax increases

By BILL SALISBURY bsalisbury@pioneerpress.com
Article Last Updated: 02/26/2008 04:26:07 PM CST

Gov. Tim Pawlenty today predicted Minnesota taxpayers would revolt against the gas and other tax increases that Democrats in the Legislature imposed on them Monday by overriding his veto of the transportation bill.

"Yesterday the DFL had their day raising taxes," Pawlwenty said at a Capitol news conference. "Now the taxpayers of Minnesota will have their days between now and when they get to decide how they want this Legislature to run in the future and who's going run it.

Yesterday will be the day that began a tax revolt in Minnesota," he said with uncharacteristic passion.
The transportation bill will increase the gas tax by 5.5 cents this year and up 8.5 cents in future years. It also levies a 0.25 percent sales in the metro area for transit, boosts motor vehicle license tab fees and increases other smaller taxes.

"Yesterday the DFL caucus took a bucket of tax increases and dumped it on the heads of hardworking Minnesotans at at time when they're stuggling to pay food costs, when they're struggling to pay health-care costs, when theyre struggling to pay gasoline costs, and the economy is shaky and their worried about their economic future."

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