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State Representative Patti Fritz
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8237
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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HOUSE OVERRIDES GOVERNORS VETO; TRANSPORTATION FUNDING ON THE WAY
St. Paul, MN – State Rep. Patti Fritz applauded the override of the Governor's transportation veto on the House floor today, saying it represents a true bipartisan commitment to fixing our state's broken transportation system. This legislation will bring significant new money for roads and bridges into the area, and will help stimulate the economy by creating over 30 thousand badly-needed jobs a year over the next five years.
Over the next ten years, Rice County will receive an additional $12, 850 million for local transportation projects; Steele County will receive close to $11 million. In addition, the city of Faribault will receive close to $2.3 million, and Owatonna will receive just under $3 million more over the next ten years.
There has not been a comprehensive transportation funding package in Minnesota in two decades. As the result, state roads are in their worst shape in years, 700 bridges are in need of replacement, and 13 bridges have a worse overall rating than the I-35 bridge that collapsed in August.
"No one can argue with the fact that we desperately need more money infused into our transportation system," said Fritz. "In fact, MnDOT's own figures indicate the department needs an additional $2.4 billion a year every year over the next 10 years just to prevent things from getting worse.
This bill addresses that need, in a balanced and responsible manner that finally does not rely on property taxes or borrowing."
The final package raises the gas tax by 5 cents, phased in over the next year. An additional 3.5 cents will be added beginning in 2010 to pay for interest on highway and bridge bonding over the next two years. The average driver in Minnesota will pay a little over $40 a year when the full 8.5 cents is phased in.
The bill also raises revenue by eliminating the cap on motor vehicle tabs on new cars - any car on the road today will continue to pay the same fees - dedicating the motor vehicle lease sales tax to transportation, and imposing a quarter-cent sales tax in the 7-county Metropolitan area for local road and transit projects.
The bill provides tax relief by offering taxpayers in the lowest tax bracket a $25 credit to offset the increase in the gas tax. Additionally, the increased road and bridge funding will relieve pressure on local taxpayers by providing additional resources for county highways and city streets.
"We came into this session prepared to solve some of the significant issues facing our state – crumbling roads and bridges, a lagging job market, and rising property taxes," said Fritz. "This bill addresses all of those needs. Every person in Minnesota will benefit from safer and less congested roads and bridges and an improved economy."
The new law goes into effect on April 1st..
News Items
- STATE REP. PATTI FRITZ PARTICIPATES IN START OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:32PM)
- Rep. Fritz: Homeowners, Farmers Need Property Tax Relief - (Posted: 2012-05-01 00:00:00)
- Rep. Fritz: Let’s Vote on a Bonding Bill that Benefits All - (Posted: 2012-04-19 00:00:00)
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