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State Representative Joyce Peppin
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-7806
For more information contact: Austin Bleess 651-296-5529
NEWS COLUMN
JOIN ME AT TRANSPORTATION SUMMIT JANUARY 31
By Joyce Peppin
State Representative, District 32A
For so many families in my district and throughout the northwestern suburban area, a number one qualify-of-life concern is transportation. Whether you’re concerned about driving conditions on Highway 610 or want to know more about the 81 busway, I want to provide you an opportunity to sound off about these and other transportation projects.
That’s why I’ve asked officials from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), Hennepin County, Met Council and local council members to join me at a Transportation Summit on Tuesday, January 31, to help answer any questions you may have about future road and transit plans in our fast-growing area. The summit will be held at the Rogers Community Room, 21201 Memorial Drive. The meeting time is 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
It’s been estimated that our state trunk highway system will face a funding gap of more than $1 billion between 2008 and 2030 under the current funding system. Did you know that 2004 was the largest road construction season in state history? Yet, because we have so many miles of roads in Minnesota (the fifth highest in the nation among the states), many highway projects are being delayed.
Last year, Gov. Tim Pawlenty proposed a $4.5 billion, 10-year transportation bonding package. The legislature passed a highway bill that would have raised the gas tax by 10 cents a gallon, but as promised, the governor vetoed the bill because of the tax increase. We continue to debate the best way to fund new transportation projects.
But as you may be aware, you, the voters, will have a huge voice in state transportation planning when you go to the polls in November. You will be asked to vote on a constitutional amendment to dedicate all monies from Motor Vehicle Sales Tax (MVST) to road and transit projects. Currently, almost half of those tax dollars are deposited in the state’s general fund for other purposes. As the amendment is proposed, 60 percent of MVST funds would go for state highways and local roads. The remaining 40 percent would fund transit projects in the Twin Cities metro area and Greater Minnesota.
There’s general agreement that we will need to invest more in our highway infrastructure. I hope you’ll join me at the Transportation Summit to offer your input about the transportation needs of our communities. See you there!
Rep. Peppin represents District 32A, which includes the communities of Corcoran, Dayton, Greenfield, Hanover, Rogers, Hassan Township, and southwestern Maple Grove. Peppin invites anyone to share their questions or comments about state government with her. She may be reached by email at rep.joyce.peppin@house.mn; by phone at (651) 296-7806; or by U.S. Mail at 411 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155.
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