To the Editor:

Minnesota’s 2015 legislative session has concluded and the final budget deal includes some good provisions, and some notable omissions.

I think Greater Minnesota is going to be pleased with our legislative accomplishments this session. We didn’t get everything we wanted, but there’s no doubt things have improved since January.

A major victory was scored on nursing homes, as the agreement addresses rates for providers and improves access to quality care to our most vulnerable Minnesotans. In all, $138 million was dedicated to care centers.

K-12 education also received prioritization, as school districts would receive a 1.5 percent and 2 percent increase over the next two years. This should allow schools to keep teachers in place and keep their class sizes manageable.

A long-term opportunity to fund roads and bridges without raising taxes was lost due to Gov. Mark Dayton’s insistence on a tax increase plan that would force drivers to pay a minimum of 16 cents more per gallon at the pump. But a transportation proposal that funds our needs for the next two years includes money for Greater Minnesota transit, as well as new funding for towns with populations under 5,000 residents to make street repairs.

Basically, we just avoided the largest gas tax increase in Minnesota’s history. It’s important to remember that we will try to convince the governor to see the light on this issue next year.

Gov. Dayton and Senate Democrats also refused to provide middle-class Minnesotans with tax relief unless House Republicans supported their gas tax increase, meaning a taxes bill will receive further debate next session. Middle class families, our senior citizens and veterans deserve the tax relief the House proposed this session, and I’m hopeful it can still happen in 2016.

State Rep. Bob Gunther,

R-Fairmont