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State Representative Tom Anzelc
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4936
For more information contact: Michael Howard 651-296-8873
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HOUSE PASSES COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION BILL
Anzelc votes "yes" on comprehensive transportation package
ST. PAUL – Rep. Tom Anzelc (DFL – Balsam Township) commended the passage of the comprehensive transportation bill in the House on Thursday, saying the landmark legislation will invest $6.6 billion in Minnesota roads and bridges over the next ten years and create over 30 thousands new construction jobs.
"Our state's mounting transportation situation has reached a crisis and it is about time we begin solving the problem," said Anzelc. " By passing this bill, we are finally addressing the serious needs of our crumbling roads and bridges and creating thousands of good paying jobs in the process."
Of the $6.6 billion investment in roads and bridges, $650 million will be solely dedicated to bridges in Minnesota. This bill will fix the 13 worst bridges in the state in the next two years; under the Governor's proposal, none of these bridges will be addressed in two years. Anzelc said that means Highway 72 Rainy River Bridge in Baudette and the Highway 64 Little Fork River Bridge in Rauch would both be repaired.
"We have a responsibility to make sure our bridges are safe," said Anzelc. "These are two of the worst bridges in Minnesota, and they will both get fixed by this bill," Anzelc.
The bill strikes a balance between both rural and metro needs and between highways and transit, investing over $8 billion over the next ten years. Anzelc said the proposal was funded with a responsible combination of bonding and a five-cent gas tax increase to fund the proposal. It is the first gas tax increase in twenty years.
Anzelc praised the pay-as-you-go approach of the proposal. Over the past five years, the debt on the Minnesota Department of Transportation's trunk highway fund has increased by 650 %.
"Instead of adequately funding our roads we have borrowed hundreds of millions of dollars. That is no way to run a state," said Anzelc. "It is unacceptable to burden our children with billions in debt because we couldn’t meet the challenge."
The bill also provides property tax relief by reducing the burden on local taxpayers who have seen their property taxes skyrocket to pay for local road and bridge projects.
"Property taxes are currently the number one funder of Minnesota roads and bridges, and that needs to change," said Anzelc. "This bill will give needed property tax relief to the people who have been hit the hardest."
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If you would like audio on this topic, please contact Catherine Thompson - Radio/Television Coordinator.
catherine.thompson@house.mn
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News Items
- STATE REPRESENTATIVE TOM ANZELC APPOINTED VICE-CHAIR OF HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE - (Posted: Dec 21 2012 12:00AM)
- Rep. Tom Anzelc participates in Governor Dayton’s “Working for Minnesota Jobs” discussion with Essar Steel and Magnetation - (Posted: 2012-10-03 00:00:00)
- REP. ANZELC: DISASTER RELIEF PACKAGE PROVIDES DESPERATELY NEEDED STATE AID - (Posted: 2012-08-24 00:00:00)
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