Daudt Calls Transportation, Tax Plans "Not Likely" For Year
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Already gazing ahead to next year, Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Daudt is indicating time has run out on a transportation and tax-cut deal for the 2015 session.
Daudt told reporters Saturday that it is "not likely" that either can come together before Monday's session adjournment. The Republican leader had been more optimistic earlier, when Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk was suggesting neither priority would come to fruition.
Entering session, all sides were promoting a long-term transportation funding plan as a key goal. Republicans also pushed for $2 billion in tax cuts.
A budget accord would leave $1 billion for next year to fight over. Daudt says he assumes everyone will "want to do a transportation plan and tax plan in an election year." All 201 legislative seats are on the 2016 ballot.
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