Governor’s Trans. Plan Could Include Gas and Sales Tax Hikes

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton is preparing to go all-in on a highway-and-transit upgrade package that could cost drivers a dime or more extra for each gallon of gas and metro shoppers a nickel more on every $10 taxable purchase.

Dayton told The Associated Press in an interview Monday that the proposal is still being refined, but will be one of his top two agenda items in the upcoming legislative session. The other is education, specifically policy changes that emphasize specialized skills essential for tomorrow's jobs.

Both parties say they'll focus on transportation, but they're divided over where the money will come from.

For a package to get his signature, Dayton says it'll have to generate reliable money for transportation, not just paper over the shortfall.