Accessibility menu
State Representative Patti Fritz
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8237
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
Press/News Releases
BIPARTISAN SUPPORT GETS THE JOB DONE FOR TRANSPORTATION FIFTY-ONE PERCENT TARGETED TO RURAL PROJECTS
St. Paul, MN- Democrats and Republicans joined ranks today and passed a transportation bill in the House that will provide $7.7 billion to get Minnesota's transportation system moving again. The bill passed by a 72-61 margin, receiving the support of a handful of moderate Republicans and most of the Democrats.
"I'm so pleased that we were able to come together today to pass this important bill," said Rep. Patti Fritz (DFL-Faribault). "Our roads should take us to work and home again safely to spend time with our families."
"It's very important that we take care of them."
Fritz served on the Transportation Policy Committee and said that from the very start she saw the need for increased funding for transportation. "It was apparent to me from all the testimony we heard that the needs across the state are great and the funding has been inadequate," said Fritz.
The bill includes an increase on tabs for new vehicles, a graduated gas tax increase, with 5 cents this year and another 5 cents in 2008, and authorization for $100 million in Trunk Highway bonds. Funding for public transportation was also increased.
"There is a price to pay for good roads, and I'm ok with a gas tax increase," said Fritz. "The gas tax hasn't been increased since 1988 and with inflation we have fallen far behind. I had hoped for a nickel, but the second increase isn't until 2008."
"Without it, funding for all road projects will grind to a halt and our roads will continue to deteriorate and become more and more dangerous."
An amendment offered by Fritz also passed with bipartisan support. The bill will add an exemption from motor vehicle registration tax for members of the military while they are in active duty.
"This will give our service men and women one less thing to think about and one less expense while they are serving our country, " said Fritz.
There are benefits for both metro and Greater Minnesota in the bill, which was also important to Fritz. Rural Minnesota will receive 51% of the total funding with the metro area getting 49%. .
"More and more people are living in our area and commuting to work in the Twin Cities and the suburbs," said Fritz. "Better roads with less congestion can only help our area grow and prosper."
Fritz said she received several indications of support for the transportation bill from local and county residents, telling her to vote yes for increased funding for state road projects.
"We took a big step forward today," said Fritz. "I'm hopeful that this will set the tone for the rest of the session and that we will continue to pass legislation that is good for our state."
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)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.