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State Representative Rick Hansen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-6828
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Press/News Releases
LAWMAKERS PASS LANDMARK TRANSPORTATION PACKAGE, BYPASS GOVERNOR'S VETO
ST. PAUL – Just one week into the 2008 Legislative Session, state lawmakers in the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a comprehensive transportation package (HF2800) with bipartisan support. This landmark transportation initiative directs $6.6 billion of sorely needed funding into Minnesota's long-neglected transportation system over the next ten years – providing a sustainable source of reliable revenue for our state's roads and bridges.
Unfortunately, Governor Pawlenty vetoed the measure, but the Legislature bypassed his efforts to block the bill by voting to override that decision. The override vote passed on a bipartisan basis in the House by a margin of 91 to 41.
"After decades of serious under-funding, this bill will finally make a serious and responsible commitment to rebuilding our essential transportation infrastructure," said State Rep. Rick Hansen who voted for the legislation. "By passing this bill, we are addressing the serious needs of our crumbling roads and bridges."
The passage of HF2800 will provide a significant amount of additional transportation funding for House District 39A – the district Hansen represents. Over the course of the next ten years:
· The City of Mendota Heights will receive an additional $1.3 million;
· The City of South St. Paul will receive an additional $1.9 million;
· The City of West St. Paul will receive an additional $1.5 million; and
· Dakota County will receive an additional $60 million.
According to the nonpartisan office of the Legislative Auditor, Minnesota is $2.4 billion behind every year in keeping up our current transportation system. In the words of Legislative Auditor James Nobles, "State highway surfaces have deteriorated, construction costs have escalated rapidly, and the department will not be able to meet its core goals without additional funding. We have no basis to dispute the grim picture these data present."
Rep. Hansen chairs the Legislative Audit Commission – a bipartisan, bicameral legislative body that works in concert with the nonpartisan office of the Legislative Auditor.
"Mr. Nobles made it clear that securing new funding for Minnesota's transportation system is a critical need that must be met immediately in the interest of safety and for the long-term vitality of our state's economy," stated Hansen. "The transportation bill we passed this week does exactly that."
HF2800 makes a significant reinvestment in Minnesota's comprehensive transportation system statewide. Put simply, it will provide:
· $6.6 billion over the next ten years for Minnesota roads, bridges, and transit;
· $650 million solely dedicated to the 13 "fracture-critical" bridges in Minnesota with $50 million in general obligation bonds for local bridges;
· $10 million for rural road safety;
· $100 million per year over then next twelve years for expanded transit;
· 40 additional state troopers;
· A tax credit/refund for low-income individuals; and
· 33,000 new jobs each year over the next five years.
"It's been twenty years since the gas tax has been adjusted to keep up with modern needs," stated Rep. Hansen. "Updating this outdated transportation funding mechanism will begin to address critical transportation projects throughout the metro area and take the funding burden off of already skyrocketing property taxes."
"$1.6 billion in property tax revenue is spent every year by local governments on roads and bridges," continued Hansen. "That's more than our current gas tax, and three times what is brought in by license tab fees. That's simply no way to fund our transportation system."
By increasing its investment in transportation, the State of Minnesota is poised to receive 20% in matching funds from the federal government – a significant chunk of change that will help improve Minnesota roads, bridges, and transit. Currently the state is losing these matching funds to other states that are adequately investing in their own transportation systems, making them eligible for federal dollars.
Dedicated funding for transit in this bill will provide up to $100 million every year to build and maintain a better, more effective transit system in the metropolitan area that includes light rail, heavy rail, expanded metro bus fleets, and more. This is a proposal welcomed by many commuters in the Twin Cities that will reduce congestion and save commuter time and money.
"Improving transit options in the Twin Cities metro area must be a central part of our transportation plan moving forward," Hansen said. "The average Minnesota commuter is spending more than a work week – over 43 hours – stuck in traffic. It's time to give drivers a viable alternative, and ease the gridlock that's choking our cities."
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