Dayton Doubts GOP Commitment to Solving Road-Funding Quandary

ST. PAUL (AP) - Frustrated over a transportation plan stuck in neutral, Gov. Mark Dayton is ramping up pressure on majority House Republicans to present a viable alternative to his proposal for roadwork and mass-transit projects.

Dayton joined Democratic Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk on Thursday in questioning the GOP's commitment to tackling the transportation-funding issue this year. Dayton says options raised by his adversaries so far amount to "a slice of the surplus and a double-dose of make-believe."

Dayton has proposed a new gas tax of at least 16 cents per gallon to dedicate billions of dollars more for long-term transportation spending. It mirrors a Senate DFL plan.

House Republican Speaker Kurt Daudt says his caucus won't raise the gas tax and plan to release a comprehensive proposal soon.