The issue, though, is what chance he has of picking up the two Republican votes he’d need in the MN Senate - and of holding on to all of the DFL votes. (It’s frankly Walz's own fault that he’ll need at least two of those Party of Trump votes and not just one. But there’s no use bemoaning, at any length, what’s over and done with.) He’s pretty clearly shooting for the stars with these opening numbers with the idea of still having some of it when all is said and done. I could see, for example, a few cents/gallon gas tax increase getting through, for now, maybe, but not any more than that. Perhaps I’ll end up actually being happy at having been proved wrong on that, too.
I haven’t looked at the budget details, but there’s presumably plenty therein designed to help get those Senate votes, from both parties. Without speculating with names, there certainly are those who can be persuaded if there’s something really good for their districts. And with Traitor Trump still doing his odious, contemptible things, vaunted Republican legislative “unity” could well be a lot more fissionable than has been the case. We’ll find out.
ICYMI
ReplyDeleteThis week, Ohio's new Republican Gov. Mike DeWine proposed a 64% increase in Ohio's gas tax (18 cents) with yearly inflation increases built in.
Walz is proposing a 20 cent increase.
Consider this ... Trump campaigned on lowering gas prices ... since prices can be a function of seasonal formulations, ya gotta look at prices in a comparing the same month -- like Election Day.
Nov 2016 $2.048
Nov 2018 $2.683
Trump has failed to deliver lower prices and no one is blaming him.
If nobody noticed a 64 cent increase (that went to the oil company), other than the grumbling when we pay at the pump, what's the problem.
BTW Last June, Exxon Mobil Corp. increased its cash dividend to $0.82 per share on its common stock, compared with a prior dividend per share of $0.77 ... a nickel.
Chevron increased its payout by four cents in March 2018.
On a related note, gas is not only used in our vehicles but also in snowblowers ... and mine has been getting a workout this winter ... and last season's regular rains meant more frequent grass mowing.
We gotta address climate change.
I'm with the legitimate concern from progressives, that raising the gas tax is regressive i.e. hits the poor harder. But I don't readily see what practical, politically feasible alternatives there are, at this time.
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