Minnesota Senate Republican leadership says lawmakers need to pass tax cuts before taking up the bonding bill, which is scheduled to hit the House floor this afternoon.
Minority Leader Mark Johnson says given the state's $17.5B surplus, it's about priorities.
"This is a win-win. We're not up here being obstructionists saying no we can't do this. What we want to do is have good infrastructure across the state. But, also be the kind of state in the nation that attracts workers, employers and you need that through lower taxation."
While Johnson says the bonding bill will be dead on arrival unless it it somehow tied to tax cuts, Assistant Minority Leader Bill Weber says there's plenty of time to pass a bonding bill.
"We all recognize there is a need for a bonding bill. If you're going to leave the tax bill until the end of session, now what are you looking at? You're looking at a proposed increase of, what, $11B in the budget? How much of that surplus will be left at end of session?"
While Democrats control the Minnesota Senate, a 60-percent vote is needed to pass a bonding bill.
