Minnesota Governor and Hospital CEOs Discuss Nursing Bill and Gas Tax Idea.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has expressed openness to a possible gas tax increase, which some lawmakers are considering to fund transportation. Walz noted that while he did not propose a gas tax increase in his budget, he believes that roads need ongoing funding and that the gas tax has remained stagnant while the cost of everything else has gone up. Additionally, Walz has made it clear that he does not want Mayo Clinic to be subject to provisions in a nursing bill that would give nurses more say in staffing levels at Minnesota hospitals. Mayo Clinic has threatened to halt investments in the state if it is included in the bill. Lawmakers have five days left to finish their work, including the nursing bill and transportation funding.