Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) warned the Democratic-controlled Legislature during his speech Feb. 13 not to pass any tax increases — a day after Democrats unveiled a plan to hike gas taxes to pay for infrastructure improvements.
“I still have an important tool to restrain taxes and spending. I call it the taxpayer protection pen, otherwise known as the veto pen,” he told lawmakers.
Transportation and infrastructure improvements were already a flashpoint between Pawlenty and Democrats last year, before a heavily traveled bridge in downtown Minneapolis collapsed in August. Pawlenty’s message suggested the dispute isn’t going away, even though he called for a bipartisan solution to overcome a “stalemate that has existed for three decades.”
The governor said the state’s method of taxation was outdated, based on a 1960s economy, and needs to be updated to encourage business growth. He also proposed capping local property taxes.
Pawlenty, who has made alternative energy the focus of his tenure as chairman of the National Governors Association, said the state should continue to “Americanize” energy production to reduce reliance on potentially hostile foreign countries and boost Minnesota’s economy.
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