Transportation
A well designed and funded transportation system is a true public good because all Minnesotan’s, regardless if they drive or not, benefit. That is why, as ranking minority member of the Transportation Budget & Policy Committee, I have contiguously advocated for additional funding for our transportation system. It is also required by the state constitution. In Article XIV the Constitution sets up a trunk highway system and mandates it shall be “constructed, improved and maintained as public highways by the state.” Currently, only .07% of the General Fund goes to transportation and much of that is spend on transit operating costs.
Our transportation system is largely funded by user fees. Those fees include gas tax revenue, motor vehicle sales and lease tax revenue, license fees and local option taxes. In 2006 we amended the state constitution to dedicate the motor vehicle sales tax to highways and public transportation. This was important because for many years money generated from the motor vehicle sales tax was being diverted to non-transportation purposes.
Much of the transportation controversy these days deals with roads verses transit spending. I recognize it is difficult to balance roads with mass transit, but it can be done. It simply requires a holistic approach; a careful study of conceived cost and then careful planning of how to fund that cost. Transit is very expensive; there is not one line of mass transit in the country that can pay for itself, and each additional line of transit increases operating costs. Because of such immense operating costs, each year we must divert more money, from transportation programs and accounts, to cover the operating deficits of mass transit. For instance, in 2009 the legislature had to divert $70 million from various accounts to cover the Met Councils transit operating deficit. As we continue to add new lines (like the Central Corridor Light rail and NorthStar commuter rail) this trend will continue.
Gas tax revenues make up the largest portion of our transportation funding, which are constitutionally dedicated to roads and bridges.. Unfortunately, as vehicles become more fuel efficient, those revenue revenues are declining. So, as transportation dollars get tighter, it’s more important now than ever to make sure those revenues are used in the most efficient, cost effective way.
In sum, it will take a delicate balance to ensure Minnesota has a world class transportation system.
Chief Authored Bills:
86th Session SF 26 Enhanced penalties for distracted driving.
86th Session SF 740 (Law) Design build contract process for Hwy #10 and Armstrong Boulevard. This legislation will help this intersection get completed much sooner than originally scheduled.
86th Session SF 1945 State appropriation in conjunction with federal and local match to construct additional lanes in each direction on Hwy #10 from Hanson Blvd. to 7th avenue in Anoka.
86th Session SF 1949 Mn/DOT shall add stripping to TH 47 to increase lane capacity.
86th Session SF 2241 Bond appropriation to build a NorthStar Commuter Rail station at the Ramsey Town Center.
86th Session SF 2544 (Law) Innovative transportation financing. Mn/DOT may enter into agreements with governmental and nongovernmental entities to finance transportation projects including public private partnerships. Mn/DOT may also apply for and receive financial assistance under the federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation act of 1998 (TIFIA). Both of these provisions will greatly expand the opportunity to finance desperately needed transportation projects.
86th Session SF 3337 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) authorization for the City of Ramsey to finance and construct a NorthStar Commuter rail station at the Ramsey Town Center.
85th Session SF 523 Income tax credits for the purchase of flex fuel vehicles.
85th Session SF 2050 Sales tax exemption for political subdivision to purchase of materials for the construction of roads, bridges and airports.
85th Session SF 3545 (LAW) Several provisions including requiring Mn/DOT to look at insurance standards on safety when determining which parts of our trunk highway and state aid projects need immediate attention. This legislation will move up several dangerous intersections and roadway projects throughout Anoka and Sherburne County.
85th Session SF 3866 Enhanced penalties for inattentive driving.
84th Session SF 78 Bond appropriation for the construction of the NorthStar Commuter Rail line from Big Lake to Minneapolis.
84th Session SF 818 Transportation utility fee value capture. Similar to the University of Minnesaota’s Center for Transportation (CTS) 2009 study on “Value Capture”. To learn more go to http://www.cts.umn.edu/.
83rd Session SF 592 Bond appropriation to reconstruct Hwy. 10 from Round Lake Boulevard to the City of Ramsey.
