Tinklenberg announces plan to fix economy

Elwyn Tinklenberg
Elwyn Tinklenberg, a former state transportation commissioner, is a DFLer running for Congress in the 6th District.
MPR Photo/Laura McCallum

Sixth district DFL congressional candidate Elwyn Tinklenberg is proposing a $30 billion plan to boost the nation's sagging economy.

Tinklenberg, a former state transportation commissioner, said his plan to upgrade highways, bridges and other public infrastructure would result in more than a million construction jobs.

He would pay for the projects in part by eliminating tax breaks for oil companies.

Michelle Presson, a campaign spokeswoman for GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann, criticized the proposal. Presson says Tinklenberg's plan would fix infrastructure on the backs of consumers.

"Those supposed tax breaks he wants to use to pay for a portion of his proposal will only be passed on to consumers at the pump, raising gas prices instead of lowering them. What good are new roads if no one can afford to drive on them," Presson said.

Tinklenberg announced his proposal at a news conference Monday in Minneapolis, along with DFL Rep. James Oberstar.

Oberstar said there is also money currently available for infrastructure improvements in federal trust funds designated for highways, aviation and waterways.

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