Almanac: At the Capitol

A busy day at the Capitol today and there's lots of talk about a gas tax — a temporary gas tax. Congressman Jim Oberstar just had a press conference to say he'll introduce a 5 cent increase in the federal gas tax, but it would be temporary and sunset after three years. But Transportation Chair Oberstar wants the state's gas tax increase to be permanent saying the state needs to "face up to it" and "let's not get stuck in this no tax mindset." Interesting that a temporary gas tax is okay for the fed but not for the state according to Oberstar — now he, of course, did note that it's been a couple of decades since the state has raised its gas tax. Gov. Pawlenty has also said he wants a temporary and/or revenue-neutral gas tax increase. I'm guessing that's because he's gotten some heat from his Republican base. In fact, the Republican party people were standing outside the Oberstar event ready with press releases saying a federal gas tax increases is "unwarranted" and that federal transportation dollars are spent on "glitzy pet projects of senior members like Oberstar." Legislative leaders are meeting with the governor this afternoon on parameters for a special session on flooding and transportation. Also this afternoon the House-Senate Transportation Committee will also continue its hearing into the 35W bridge collapse and rebuild. Some of last week's discord has been smoothed over now that Pawlenty says the bridge will be light rail ready. I'll talk more about these topics Thursday morning around 9:20 at the WCCO Radio booth at the State Fair. Come and say hi as I chat with Eleanor Mondale and Susie Jones (I'll have some family members hanging around too including my 2-year-old Capitol obsessed reporter in training).

Odd timing, leaving when the heat is off, but Health Commissioner Mandernach is calling it quits. Interesting that more pressure is on Transportation Commissioner Molnau. This could come as a blow to Gov. Pawlenty, who's enjoying record approval ratings — and that was before the floods. People tend to rally around a leader in crisis and Minnesota has certainly had more than its share this summer. The governor's swift response and media savvy have helped him through the tragedies, but Mandernach's resignation will stir up the controversy of earlier this summer. Here's the story that it appears MPR's Tom Scheck broke.