California Conservative

Less than a week ago, articles abounded saying that a gas tax increase was likely, if not inevitable. In fact, some were saying that the gas tax increase train had left the proverbial station. After this poll, I’d say that train is still sitting at the terminal.

Many politicians have called for the gas tax increase to shore up aging highways and bridges.

“This is really a call to action and this is a duty that we need to fulfill on behalf of the memory of people who’ve lost their lives,” House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher said.

But so far, it appears most Minnesotans don’t agree. Fifty-seven percent of people surveyed say the state should not increase the state gas tax. Only 38 percent say it should go up.

Of those who want a gas tax increase, 47 percent would prefer an increase of less than five cents. Another 35 percent say they would pay 5 to 7 cents. But few would pay more.

I just talked with Michael from MDE. We agree on several things. The biggest thing we agree on is that this poll is like a big hammer in Gov. Pawlenty’s hands. Look at this poll’s findings. A solid majority of people are opposed to a gas tax increase. Of those that support a gas tax increase, almost half want it to go up 3-4 cents. In other words, 75 percent of Minnesotans polled said they either favored no gas tax increase or a minimal increase.

Earlier tonight, I spoke with Rep. Steve Gottwalt about a possible special session. Specifically, I asked him what he thought the chances were of a special session being called. His emphatic and immediate response was “I certainly hope not.”

Based on the things I’ve heard from other activists and bloggers, I think the debate has turned. I expected the debate to turn but I didn’t anticipate it turning this quickly. When I called into the Final Word last Saturday, one of the things we talked about was the likelihood of the debate eventually focusing on spending priorities & inspections. I’d say that’s where we’re at right now.

Based on this poll’s results, I’d say that Maggie Anderson-Kelliher’s opinion is a minority opinion. In fact, I’d say she’s in a distinct minority.

By the same token, this poll clearly indicates that people want to see a solution-oriented legislature. They want to drive across safe bridges. This isn’t a poll that says we can afford inaction. This is a great opportunity for Gov. Pawlenty and the House GOP leadership to show Minnesotans their common sense approach to solving problems. If the GOP follows that pattern and if the Democrats overplay their hand like they usually do, the DFL will find themselves in a bad position for the 2008 election.

Today has been a good day for Minnesota Republicans. Couple this anti-DFL tax increase poll with Steve Drazkowski’s solid victory over Education Minnesota’s darling Linda Pfeilsticker in Tuesday night’s special election and I think you have the start of some positive GOP momentum heading into 2008.

If the DFL misreads their majority status and starts thinking that they can run roughshod over House Republicans, they’ll have to contend with our all star goalie before facing an electorate that expects people to work together to solve Minnesota’s problems.

If Democrats takes the same ‘my way or the highway’ approach that it took last winter, they’ll squander what little advantage they had going into the 2007 legislative session.

Technorati Tags: Gas Tax, Tax Increases, Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL, Tim Pawlenty, Steve Gottwalt, Steve Drazkowski, Steve Sviggum, MNGOP, Polling, Election 2008

Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 7th, 2007 at 9:33 pm and is filed under Author: Gary Gross, Election 2008, Taxes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.