It finally happened. Enough Republican House members joined DFLers to actually surprise everybody and pass a gas tax increase. House Speaker Steve Sviggum's reaction was to instantly promise to strip the gas tax increase from the transportation budget bill. This all happened in the middle of the night, so you won't read about it in the morning paper. But MPR's Michael Khoo doesn't worry about newspaper deadlines:

It passed on a bare 68-66 majority with seven Republicans joining 61 Democrats, but it was enough for supporters to declare a new shift in the political landscape. Rep. Ron Erhardt, R-Edina, offered the gas tax amendment. He says the bipartisan consensus, cobbled together from the rank-and-file, could be extended to other areas of state government despite large differences between legislative leaders in the House and Senate.

"We certainly would hope that that be the case. And it would be a new dawn for Minnesota if that happens, because right now they're a little bit iffy on the edges. And we're trying to get something in the center that moves Minnesota ahead," he said.

Erhardt's amendment would boost the gas tax from the current 20 cents per gallon to 30 cents by 2008. The tax hasn't been increased since 1988. The package would also raise motor vehicle registration fees, direct a portion of the metropolitan sales tax to transit funding, and allow counties to impose their own $20 levy on cars registered in their borders. Over the next 10 years, the package would pump $7.8 billion dollars into transportation projects, just under a quarter of that for public transit.

But it may not last past noon. The amendment was added to the House transportation funding bill, but a final vote on the legislation was delayed until later Thursday.

Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum says he expects some members who voted "yes" to reconsider and help strip the amendment from the bill when the body reconvenes.

"It's on the bill for a few hours and when members see the total consequence of the heaviness towards transit, the consequence of a 10 cent gas tax increase, you know, when gas taxes -- gas dollars are -- at the pump, $2 a gallon -- I think that there will be a renewed look at it."

Plus it will give him time to twist some arms. Sviggum's argument is basically this: why bother sending the governor something he will veto? The answer from supporters of the tax increase would be: because the state needs more money for transportation, and the governor's "no new taxes" pledge is what's holding up progress.

It's interesting that majorities in both the House and the Senate (although the Senate hasn't voted yet) will soon be on the record in favor of increasing the gas tax, and it will not happen because of the governor's pledge. It's a rare example of lawmakers voting against the public opinion polls and taking an unpopular stand. It's too soon to say what the fallout might be for Sviggum and Pawlenty.

It's also too soon to say whether this centrist coalition seen by Rep. Erhardt is really ready to flex its muscles, but it sure would be fun if they start pushing on other issues.

A good place to start would be taxes. Its clear how far apart the Senate and the House are now that the House has passed its bill. MPR's Laura McCallum has that story:

The House passed a tax bill on Wednesday that, among other things, would extend alcohol and car rental taxes set to expire.

It would also allow property owners to reverse property tax hikes approved by local officials. The plan pushed by Gov. Pawlenty would send taxpayer satisfaction surveys to property owners each fall. If 20 percent of the postcards returned indicate objections to the level of property taxes, a public vote would be triggered.

Rep. Jean Wagenius, DFL-Minneapolis, says Pawlenty wants to allow people who own multiple properties to fill out a postcard for each one.

"He has great creativity when it comes to giving benefits to his rich friends. In this case, he's actually outdone himself. The more property you have, the more benefit the governor gives you," accordig to Wagenius.

Supporters of the measure say it allows citizens to hold government officials accountable for tax decisions. The House tax bill would also lower state aid for Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth, and cut $66 million a year from a program targeted to low-income renters. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Phil Krinkie, R-Shoreview, says his bill would let married couples take full advantage of federal tax cuts. And it would spare some middle-income tax filers from getting hit with the so-called alternative minimum tax.

"This bill does a lot to benefit taxpayers, businesses, job creators and citizens and working families across the state of Minnesota," Krinkie said.

But it doesn't raise income taxe like the Senate bill.

Finally, I'm not quite sure why this is a story, but the AP is reporting it, so I'll pass it along to you:

Gov. Tim Pawlenty was involved in an ATV accident over the weekend that caused about $2,500 in damages, according to an accident report.

The governor was not injured, WCCO-TV reported Wednesday.

Pawlenty was riding a 2005 model all-terrain vehicle that's owned by Polaris Corp. and valued at about $7,000. He was riding on a trail near Grand Rapids as part of the Minnesota ATV Association Convention when he hit a tree stump.

About 35 riders were with him at the time.

"The governor just happened to clip it with the corner of the ATV and that was enough to take it out," said Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung.

Pawlenty was not given a citation, but Department of Natural Resources supervisor Ken Soring said the governor was likely going too fast for the difficult terrain. No drugs or alcohol were involved.

WCCO reports that Polaris will cover the cost of the damages, since it was the company's vehicle.

If you can figure out why that's news please drop me a line. Jesse Ventura probably does three times that much damage every day before breakfast.