GOP Begins Air Attacks on DFL for Gas Tax Hike

04/30/2008

ST. PAUL (AP) -- A new ad that blames DFL legislators for raising Minnesota's gas tax will start airing Tuesday.

The 15-second ad will appear on network stations in the Twin Cities.

The ad is based on the Democrat-controlled Legislature's vote to enact a transportation spending bill over Governor Tim Pawlenty's veto.

The gas tax will go up a total of 8-1/2 cents a gallon by 2012. The first 2-cent increase kicked in on April 1.

DFL Party Chairman Brian Melendez has said he blames Republicans for neglecting the state's roads and bridges, and says gas prices are high because of oil company profits.

Other Democrats point out that the gas tax ad focuses on the tax on consumers and not the gas industry profits.