Questions for Sen. Rest

To the editor:

I noticed that in the June 5 edition of the Sun-Post, Sen. Ann Rest called the transportation bill the "most important thing we did for everybody" in the last session of the state Legislature. The senator said the bill will "relieve congestion" and "rebuild roads and bridges." Well, I'd like to add a few things about the transportation bill Sen. Rest omitted.

She failed to mention the $6.6 billion tax increase in the bill. Minnesota's gas tax was raised 8 1/2 cents a gallon, making our gas tax the seventh-highest in the nation (I guess gas prices are too low).

The bill also raised the seven-county metro area sales tax one-quarter of a cent with no referendum. Sen. Rest doesn't want to give the people an opportunity to decide whether or not they want a tax increase. The bill then calls for an increase in license tabs fees. Apparently you aren't paying enough for that either.

I checked out Sen. Rest's website and I couldn't find any reference to the $6.6 billion tax increase. And if Rest had it her way you'd be paying more in taxes. She supported last year's school referendum in District 281, which would have led to a property tax increase. Yet on her website, she says she's for property tax relief.

Why does the senator brag about the transportation bill and not mention the tax increases? Maybe when raising taxes on hard-working Minnesotans, not telling them is your best policy.

Andrew Richter

Crystal