Seifert Eyes Budget Reserve For Possible Road Aid

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Republican candidate for governor Marty Seifert says lawmakers should consider tapping the state's rainy-day budget reserve for a road-construction infusion.

Seifert said Friday that pulling from the reserve would be one option he'd use to address a backlog of road and bridge needs. He's opposed to raising new revenue through taxes and fees.

Lawmakers recently increased the state's budget reserve to $811 million to better cushion the blow from future economic downturns. Seifert says he thinks $500 million is an adequate reserve.

The former legislator says the reserve is a good fit for road work because those are one-time expenses rather than permanent programs needing recurring dollars.

Seifert discussed the reserve concept and other economic proposals at a news conference four days before Tuesday's four-way Republican primary.