Kennedy Commends State Legislators for Proposing Gas Tax Suspension

	Kennedy with the Brinker family

St. Paul, Minnesota, May 10 - U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kennedy released the following statement today praising State Representative Paul Kohls and over 20 State House members who are proposing a six-month suspension of the 20 cents per gallon state gas tax without diminishing funding for roads:

“I commend Representative Kohls and others legislators who are supporting a temporary suspension of the gas tax to immediately help lower prices at the pump for Minnesota families. Similarly, I have proposed suspending the 18.4 cents per gallon federal gas tax over the summer driving months. Combined, these two proposals would immediately save Minnesota families nearly 40 cents per gallon.

“Importantly, both plans seek to provide real relief, without raising taxes or taking away from highway funds. My bill would hold the Highway Trust Fund harmless by collecting overdue royalties from deep-sea oil companies to replace any lost revenue. The plan presented by Rep, Kohls would use some $317 million from an already existing tax relief account to cover the state highway trust fund.

“These efforts prove that we can offer more than angry words to problems we face in Minnesota. We can offer common sense solutions.”

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