House challenges Pawlenty by backing higher gas tax

05/14/2007

By Martiga Lohn and Patrick Condon,
Associated Press
Last update: May 14, 2007


The Minnesota House voted Monday to raise the state gas tax by a nickel as lawmakers prepared to confront Gov. Tim Pawlenty over spending on roads.

The transportation funding package passed the House 90-43, with seven Republicans voting yes and two Democrats voting no. The Senate was expected to pass the bill later Monday — putting the DFL-led Legislature on a collision course with the GOP governor who has threatened to veto the bill.

The bill got exactly the number of House votes needed to override a veto, but it's unclear whether all of the Republicans who voted yes would go against Pawlenty. Rep. Bernie Lieder, the bill's sponsor, said he was working to line up the votes for an override.

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