ST. PAUL – With Minnesota set to release its updated budget forecast at the end of the month, State Representative Jason Rarick (R-Pine City) continues to promote a long-term transportation plan that would invest $7 billion in state roads and bridges over the next ten years without raising gas taxes.
"I think people truly appreciate that we have found a way to solve our road and bridge repair woes without raising the cost of gasoline on Minnesota's drivers," Rarick said.
Rarick said discussions between the House and Senate on a long-term transportation plan will resume immediately when the 2016 session begins in March because a compromise was not reached between both legislative bodies before the 2015 session ended.
The House proposal would redirect some already-collected transportation-related sales taxes and use some bonding and general fund proceeds to make the $7 billion road and bridge investment. This includes nearly $6 billion for state, county, and municipal roads over ten years, $60 million for township road and bridge needs, and $282 million for small cities that have populations less than 5,000 residents to assist with street repair projects.
Last year, Minnesota House Republicans sponsored a provision signed into law that created the small cities program, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars being allocated to local towns. If the House's long-term transportation proposal becomes law, it would lead to nearly $671,000 being sent to communities in Pine and Kanabec counties over the biennium.
"Over the years small town street repair needs had often been ignored by the state legislature, so it was important for many of us to ensure that our rural communities were prioritized," Rarick said. "Many towns appreciated the new revenue source last session, and if we are able to approve the House road and bridge proposal this year, they will continue to receive ongoing transportation funding from the state. I remain very hopeful that we will make this program a reality and it won't be held up by Democrats who are insisting on a gas tax increase and a new train for Minneapolis."