This issue usually pits rural and metropolitan legislators. Rural legislators will seek to find more money for roads, metropolitan legislators will look for more money for mass transit. But all of that debate will occur in the framework of declining state revenues. The larger debate will first be on raising the state's 20-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax, and then on how that tax money is spent. Ironically, one year ago, House Republicans asked Gov. Ventura to call a special session to suspend the state's gasoline tax, as per-gallon prices approached $2.

•Is the transportation package dead? Listen (Midday - 5/15/02)

•The transportation debate. Guests: Sen. Dean Johnson, Rep. William Kuisle. Listen (3/29/02)
•The proposed increase in the gas tax. Listen (Midday - 3/15/02)

•Minnesota's transportation policy. Guest: Elwyn Tinklenberg. Listen. (Midday - 2/26/02)

•Transportation plan. Guests: DFL Senate Transportation Finance Chairman Dean Johnson and House Republican Transportation chairman Tom Workman. Listen (Midday - 2/7/02)

•Rep. Carol Molnau, Chair Transportation Finance Committee. Listen . (Midday - 1/29/02)

•Ted Mondale, chair of Met Council discusses growth estimates and impact on transit and other needs.Listen. (Midday - 1/22/01)

(See complete Session 2002 audio)