Accessibility menu
State Representative Rick Hansen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-6828
For more information contact: Ben Schweigert 651-296-5809
Column/LTE
Dedicate Motor Vehicle Sales Tax to Transportation
After the Governor vetoed the transportation bill at the end of the regular session, there was a lot of justifiable concern. Citizens recognized that our transportation system needs new investments in order to improve maintenance and fight congestion. However, there is one important part of the transportation bill that the Governor couldn’t veto: the dedication of Motor Vehicles Sales Tax (MVST) revenue to transportation. That provision alone could send millions of much needed dollars into the system.
The provision couldn’t be vetoed because it is a proposed constitutional amendment. That also means that it won’t be enacted unless the voters approve it in a referendum in November of 2006. If they do, the state constitution will require that 100% of money raised from the MVST go toward transportation uses, with at least 40% going to transit and the rest for highways.
This is an important change. The Metro area is growing quickly, both in terms of population and size, and that is leading to serious traffic problems. In addition, MNDOT is running a large deficit that is slowing needed maintenance. We can’t expect a strong regional economy with a transportation system that is out of date and deteriorating. We need to improve our highways and expand our transit options so we can get our commuters and products moving again.
It must be said that the money from the MVST is not nearly enough to solve these problems, but it is a step in the right direction. I want to congratulate and thank all of the legislators who gave the dedication their support, and I urge the voters of Minnesota to approve this amendment next year.
Sincerely,
Representative Rick Hansen
News Items
- Rep. Rick Hansen chosen as leader of Great Lakes Legislative Caucus - (Posted: Dec 27 2012 8:34AM)
- Need Holiday Gifts? Consider DNR Gift Cards - (Posted: 2012-11-27 00:00:00)
- Looking Forward to Serving, Getting the Job Done - (Posted: 2012-11-14 00:00:00)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.