ST. PAUL – State Representative Jason Rarick (R-Pine City) is joining fellow House Republicans in urging lawmakers to work together to finalize a transportation package this session.
Late last week, the Senate DFL majority unveiled their proposed budget targets, devoting less than four percent of the $900 million surplus to transportation. In addition, Governor Dayton and DFL lawmakers continue to push a regressive gas tax increase and costly light rail.
“Funding for our roads and bridges is a priority of Minnesota families and has been the top priority for Democrat and Republican lawmakers, as well as the Governor all session long," Rarick said.
Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Al Franken and Governor Dayton’s Metropolitan Council Chair urged legislators to spend state funds on Southwest Light Rail (SWLRT) this session. The Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee estimates the total cost of the SWLRT Green Line extension has grown by nearly 50 percent, with initial estimates at $1.2 billion while recent reports state a new cost of $1.77 billion. Federal and local tax dollars are expected to fund part of the overall cost of the project if it moves forward.
“Our tax dollars are much better spent on roads and bridges than on an expensive train that only benefits one part of the state," Rarick said. "We could repave six lanes of every interstate in the state, fully fund Metro Transit for four years, put a historic amount into small cities road funding, and fund our Highway 23 project from Highway 107 to I-35 for what this single train costs."
Governor Dayton and the Senate DFL majority continue to push the largest gas tax increase in state history. The proposal forces drivers to pay a minimum of 16-cents per gallon more at the pump, a figure that would only rise as the price of gasoline increases. If a 16 cent per gallon tax is added on top of Minnesota’s gas tax today, our state would move to the second highest state gas tax. Furthermore, technology advancements and increases in fuel efficiency mean gas tax revenues will continue to decline in the near future and become a less reliable funding source.
“98 percent of Minnesotans use our roads and bridges each day to get to work and bring their kids to school. With five weeks left in session, I will continue to fight for them, and for a transportation plan that helps Minnesotans in all parts of the state,” concluded Rarick.
The Republican plan uses taxes Minnesotans are already paying on car parts, auto repairs, vehicle leases, and rental cars and dedicates that revenue through a special fund called the Transportation Stability Fund. By adding in a portion of the $900 million budget surplus and bonding, the Republican plan would fix 15,500 lane miles of roads and 330 bridges statewide.