Minnesota Governor-elect Tim Walz says he’ll propose an increase in the gas tax to pay for state infrastructure development. State Soybean Association Public Policy Director Joe Smentek says his group is willing to work with the Governor on that proposal if road and bridge upkeep is done and can be paid for.

He says they hope Governor-elect Walz will take a more reasonable approach to environmental rules and work in a bipartisan fashion with agriculture, particularly on the buffer issue.

Smentek says they’re optimistic with split party control in the Minnesota House and Senate, they’ll be able to work on bipartisan solutions to issues effecting soybean farmers.

The results of the mid-term elections have the Republicans controlling the Minnesota Senate, with the Democrats controlling the House.