House Speaker: Give At Least $900 Million In Surplus Back

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt says he wants at least half the state's newly projected $1.87 billion surplus to go toward tax relief.

Daudt laid out a vision for spending the larger-than-anticipated surplus Friday. He didn't target particular tax credits or cuts but says Republicans who control the House will provide at least $900 million in tax cuts and "probably a lot more than that."

Gov. Mark Dayton and Democratic lawmakers say they prefer to put that money toward education initiatives like statewide preschool and tuition freezes at colleges and universities. They're still calling for a gas tax hike dedicated to road and bridge repairs.

Daudt says Republicans will invest some in education and nursing homes.