Tim Walz arrived at the Minnesota Capitol on Thursday, setting up shop in a transition office two days after winning the election.
And he promptly confirmed he will seek to raise the state’s gasoline tax to pay for transportation improvements.
“Absolutely,” Walz, a Democrat, said when asked by reporters. He said transportation — specifically roads, highways and bridges — will be a top priority for his administration. And, he said, there’s bipartisan support for that.
But whether there’s bipartisan support for a gas tax hike to pay for it is another matter.
Republicans still control the state Senate, albeit by a one-vote margin. And Republicans generally range from leery to loathsome when it comes to raising any taxes.
Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-Nisswa, said this Thursday: “If you look at the last two years, we had massive increases in spending towards roads and bridges. We can do that without a gas tax. … When people say they want a gas tax (increase), I think what they’re really saying is ‘We want roads and bridges funded,’ so I think we’re all committed to that.”
But not with a gas tax, Gazelka said. “I think that’s one of the issues we may disagree on.”
Walz campaigned on the notion of having an “honest conversation” about raising the motor-fuel tax to pay for infrastructure — a couch that was correctly interpreted as being supportive of the idea. His opponent, Republican Jeff Johnson, campaigned against the idea.
Walz defeated Johnson handily Tuesday, earning nearly 54 percent of the vote to Johnson’s roughly 42 percent.
During the campaign, Walz refused to offer specifics on how much the tax should be raised, and he similarly declined to offer a number Thursday, saying it was premature.
GAS TAX PRIMER
The state’s tax on regular gasoline, diesel fuels and biodiesel is 28.5 cents for every gallon. It’s 20.25 cents for ethanol-heavy E-85. It’s not tied to inflation. The last increase came in July 2012, when the gasoline tax rose a half-cent per gallon.
The tax raised nearly $911 million in 2017, according to state records.
Other major contributors to the state’s roads and bridge spending include a sales tax on motor vehicle sales, as well as federal funds.
TRANSITION OFFICE SET-UP
On Thursday, Walz, his wife Gwen, and Lt. Gov.-elect Peggy Flanagan climbed the steps of the Capitol in St. Paul, briefly strolled through the Rotunda and took an elevator to the third floor, where the Walz administration will set up a “transitional office,” as mandated by state statute for governors-elect.
“We’re here to literally open the door,” he said, adding that he was humbled by his victory and noting that the nearly 1.4 million votes he received is the largest number any gubernatorial candidate has gotten.
Walz announced his chief of staff, attorney and longtime aide Chris Schmitter. He named Kristin Beckmann, former St. Paul deputy mayor under Chris Coleman, as executive director of his transition team, which now begins the task of interviewing and selecting a cabinet and other staff positions.
Flanagan will head up that effort, dubbed the “One Minnesota Transition Advisory Board,” borrowing on the “One Minnesota” campaign slogan of the Walz-Flanagan ticket.
“The table will be broad,” Walz said, pledging to include an array of voices, ranging from “Fortune 500 CEOs” to “faith leaders.”
DIVIDED GOVERNMENT
Voters shifted the balance of power in the Legislature, with Democrats taking control of the House. Because the Senate, whose members were not on the ballot, remains in Republican control, Minnesota is now the only state in the nation with a divided Legislature.
History has shown that can be a recipe for gridlock or even a government shutdown in Minnesota. But Walz called divided government an “opportunity” to reach across party lines. And Gazelka, when asked about the prospect of a shutdown, exuded an air of cooperation and said he wasn’t going to mention “that word” (shutdown).
The Democratic-Farmer-Labor House Caucus met Thursday evening to elect its new leadership. Current Minority Leader Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park was elected to serve as House Speaker.
The Republican Senate Caucus unanimously re-elected Gazelka and elected Sen. Jeremy Miller, the current deputy majority leader from Winona, to become Senate president. The president’s role is largely symbolic and procedural. The president presides over the body — but the majority leader runs the show, setting the agenda, whipping up votes and negotiating with the governor and House speaker.
The Senate president is an important figure in succession: Once the Senate convenes, Miller would become lieutenant governor if that office becomes vacant. This played out last year, when former U.S. Sen. Al Franken resigned and Dayton appointed his lieutenant governor, Tina Smith, to fill the Senate seat. Smith was elected Tuesday over state Sen. Karin Housley, who remains in the state Senate and was elected to a leadership position as well Thursday.
Smith’s appointment meant then-Senate President Michelle Fischbach ascended to lieutenant governor, the position she will hold until Gov. Mark Dayton’s term expires in January. Fischbach’s Paynesville-based seat was the only Senate seat on the ballot Tuesday. Although it’s a solidly Republican area, the situation created some suspense; if DFLer Joe Perske had won, the Democrats would have taken control of that chamber. However, Republican Jeff Howe won easily, and the Senate will remain 34-33 in favor of Republicans.