SAINT PAUL, MINN—Rep. Dan Fabian (R-Roseau) and Rep. Deb Kiel (R-Crookston) are 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 4 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.
“House Republicans, Senate Democrats and Governor Dayton have all expressed a shared priority in improving our transportation infrastructure this session, so let's invest in what we all agree is important: roads and bridges," said Rep. Fabian. "Folks in Northwest Minnesota, and 98 percent of all Minnesotans, rely on our roads to get to work and school each day. The governor has flip-flopped on the issue of whether or not to force a large gas tax on Minnesotans, but I believe we should focus on our shared priorities and pass a transportation bill this session that doesn't take more from Minnesota taxpayers."
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.
"Why spend money on one expensive train in Minneapolis when we could repave six lanes of every interstate in Minnesota, fund four years of Metro Transit bus operations and make historic investments in a new funding program for small city road and bridge repairs?" Rep. Kiel stated. "On top of that, we could fund needed local projects in Northwest Minnesota like improvements to Highway 59 from Sand Hill River to US 2, and Highway 75 from Kennedy to Hallock. Let's utilize tax dollars wisely and invest in projects that positively impact our whole state, not just a handful of people taking light rail in the metro."
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 and less reliable funding source.
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.