Here we go again…

After two months of this year's legislative session, it appears we are in for a whirlwind final few days as legislators and the governor haggle over details while using the state's roads and bridges and other public structures as a bargaining chip in an effort to gain favor with the general public in this November's elections.

Gov. Mark Dayton has proposed a gas tax increase and other funding sources to provide a permanent source of funding for the state's highway system, which is aging and in need of major repairs. Until this week, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives refused to consider anything but spending down the state's surplus and borrowing to pay for the needed repairs for the next two years, not wanting to increase taxes to pay for future road needs. After Dayton offered a compromise early this week - two compromises, actually, House Republican leaders agreed to an increase in tab fees to fund future projects, rather than a gas tax increase.

The two sides are closer, which is encouraging, but still have a ways to go before coming to an agreement.

It is in the best interest of legislators to come up with a plan both sides can live with and one that the Governor will sign. Voters are growing tired of the gamesmanship that has become business as usual at the Capitol. They need to remember that they are there to serve the people of the state, not the leaders of their political parties. If they refuse to serve the people, those same people are increasingly likely to find someone else to do the job they were sent there for.

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