Press Release: Franken Endorses Gas Tax Hike. Unendorses It. Then Endorses It Again!

Coleman Campaign Issues Webvideo On Franken Gas Tax Deception

Saint Paul – Following today's DFL Senate candidate debate, the Coleman for Senate campaign released a new webvideo that shows when it comes to increasing the gas tax comedian Al Franken is up to his old tricks again.

Up until today\'s debate Franken has been an ardent supporter of increasing the gas tax. Recently, he has been attempting to say he doesn\'t support a federal gas tax increase, only an increase in the state gas tax. Today, in the span of less than two minutes, Franken endorsed a higher gas tax. Then unendorsed it. Then he endorsed it again.

All on the same show!

"Al Franken wants to try to confuse the issue. He says he wants to keep a federal gas tax increase on the table, but doesn\'t want to increase it at the federal level -- just on the state level. This is patently absurd and an insult," said Cullen Sheehan, Coleman Campaign Manager. "Every Minnesotan knows that a 5 to 10 cent gas tax increase, whether it is on the federal gas tax or state gas tax is still a tax increase!. While Franken calls on more taxes for hard working Minnesotans, Norm Coleman opposes making the middle class tax burden more difficult. He outright opposes any gas tax increase. Period."

Webvideo Transcript:

Cathy Wurzer: “Al Franken?” Franken: “Well I would certainly keep it on the table and I think we should do it here in Minnesota.” (TPT ‘Almanac’, August 24, 2007)

Franken: “And I think certainly in this state we need to increase the gas tax. We haven’t had an increase in the gas tax in 20 years. And I’m in favor of at least a five to ten cent tax increase. And the fluctuation of gas prices is that everyday anyway, I don’t think people would notice it so much.” (TwinWest Chamber Candidate Forum, October 5, 2007)

Tom Hauser: “Al Franken is non-committal on raising the federal gas tax for transportation funding.” Franken: “I'd keep it on the table but I wouldn't favor that.” (“DFL Senate Candidates Face Facts,” KSTP-TV, February 7, 2008)