BECKER, MN—Representative Jim Newberger, R-Becker, is urging support for a long-term transportation plan that would invest $7 billion in state roads and bridges over the next 10 years without an increase in the gas tax. In total, the plan would repair or replace more than 15,500 lane miles of road and 330 bridges statewide.
“In the 2016 session, transportation will be at the top of the agenda,” said Newberger. “The Republican plan increases funding for transportation infrastructure without taking more of people’s hard-earned money. The significant budget surplus confirms that raising the gas tax is completely unnecessary. We can build and maintain roads and bridges, without making household budgets tighter for Minnesotans.”
Over the next ten years, the Republican proposal invests:
$4.03 billion for state roads
$1.44 billion for county roads
$583 million for municipal roads
$282 million for small cities under 5,000
$139 million for Greater Minnesota bus services
$60 million for township roads & bridges
The Republican proposal creates a special fund called the Transportation Stability Fund that collects existing proceeds from dedicated tax revenues and deposits them into accounts for each of their dedicated purpose. There are five accounts that would dedicate a combined $3.078 billion over ten years:
1. Road and Bridge Account – revenue from existing sales tax on auto parts
2. Metro Capital Improvements Account – revenue from existing sales tax on rental vehicles
3. Small Cities Account – revenue from existing rental vehicle tax
4. Greater Minnesota Bus Services Account – revenue from 50% of existing Motor Vehicle Lease sales tax
5. Suburban County Highway Account – revenue from 50% of existing Motor Vehicle Lease sales tax
In addition to the dedicated funds provided by the Transportation Stability Fund, the Republican proposal uses $1.3 billion in Trunk Highway bonds, $1.2 billion from realigning Minnesota Department of Transportation resources, $1.05 billion in General Obligation bonds, and $228 million in General Funds.
Expanding funding for the Small Cities Program is one of the major components of the GOP plan. The program, which was created thanks to GOP leadership in 2015, resulted in $164,728 in small cities funding for District 15B. Under this year’s GOP plan, cities in District 15B would receive ongoing small cities funding every two years beginning in 2017, including approximately $47,898 for Rice, $136,719 for Becker, $56,775 for Clearwater, $71,740 for Foley, $17,807 for Gilman, and $31,372 for Clear Lake.
“The small cities provision is aimed at helping Greater Minnesota’s infrastructure, and it comprises a significant part of the GOP Transportation proposal,” Newberger said. “It means that our small cities won’t have to stretch their budgets to save for ongoing transportation projects, and can rely on money to repair roads and bridges for the next 10 years.”
Cities with populations greater than 5,000 will also receive funding through a separate state formula.
“I hope that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will join us in prioritizing Greater Minnesota and the Metro in funding transportation, not a train in Minneapolis or Saint Paul” said Newberger. “I look forward to debating this proposal in the upcoming session.”
Legislators are also working to pass a tax bill this upcoming session and Rep. Newberger will continue to advocate for significant tax relief in the event of a large budget surplus.
The 2016 session is set to begin on March 08, 2016.
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