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State Representative Jeanne Poppe
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4193
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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HOUSE OVERRIDES GOVERNOR'S TRANSPORTATION VETO
St. Paul, MN – Members of the Minnesota House of Representatives came together on Monday to override the Governor's veto of the transportation bill. As the result of this effort, $6.6 billion will be invested into state roads and bridges over the next ten years. Mower County will receive an additional $12.3 million for local transportation projects, and Fillmore County will receive an additional $13.4 million.
In addition, the city of Austin will get an extra $3.1 million for local roads and bridges over the next 10 years.
"This is significant new funding to address our deficient roads and bridges, without relying on property taxes or borrowing," said State Representative Jeanne Poppe (DFL- Austin). "It is also expected to create over 30 thousand badly needed jobs every year for the next five years.
We came into this session determined to solve some of the serious problems facing our state, and with this veto override, we have made significant progress."
Rep. Poppe applauded the spirit of compromise that made this override possible. It received widespread support among ag, civic and business organizations - including the Coalition of Greater MN Cities, MN State Patrol Troopers Association, County and City Engineers Associations, MN Farm Bureau and MN Farmers Union, and the MN Chamber of Commerce.
The transportation bill includes $10 million for rural road safety, the hiring of 40 additional state troopers, $650 million to repair bridges, and a tax credit for the lowest income individuals. It is funded through a phased-in gas tax, increased license fees on new cars, and by dedicating the sales tax on leased vehicles to transportation.
An additional 3.5 cents gas tax increase will be added beginning in 2010 to pay the 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 gas tax is phased in.
"This bill is a responsible, comprehensive approach that brings long-term stability and planning to our state's transportation system," said Poppe. "It balances the needs of Greater Minnesota and the metro, and between highways and transit."
The Senate also overrode the veto on Monday; the new law will go into effect in 21 days.
If you have questions, please contact Rep. Poppe at 1-888-682-3180 or 1-651-296-4193, by mail at 487 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155 or via e-mail at rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn.
News Items
- POPPE SELECTED AS AGRICULTURE POLICY COMMITTEE CHAIR - (Posted: 2012-11-16 00:00:00)
- Rep. Jeanne Poppe Encourages High School Juniors to Apply for Minnesota House of Representatives Page Program - Application Deadline is November 19th - (Posted: 2012-11-12 00:00:00)
- HORMEL INSTITUTE EXPANSION SIGNED INTO LAW - 2012 legislative session adjourns sine die - (Posted: 2012-05-11 00:00:00)
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