ST. PAUL, MN — The Minnesota Legislature has passed a bipartisan transportation bill that makes targeted investments in Minnesota’s roadways and transit system while delivering important policy changes to improve safety, reduce waste, and prioritize the modes of transportation that Minnesotans use most.
Rep. Jon Koznick (R–Lakeville), Republican Chair of the House Transportation Committee, said the bill reflects months of bipartisan work and responsible compromise.
“This is a transportation package that puts Minnesotans first,” said Koznick. “It improves road safety, invests in infrastructure Minnesotans actually use, and reins in spending on failed or underperforming projects.”
One of the most significant changes to the final bill came over the weekend after extensive negotiations between Koznick, House Democrats, and Senate transportation leaders. A provision, added during the working group sessions, included a provision that would have redirected more than $93 million away from counties like Dakota and Scott, and handed it to the Metropolitan Council, whose projects are largely centered in Ramsey and Hennepin County.
Koznick raised strong concerns last week over the lack of transparency and the impact on local infrastructure planning. That language has been removed from the final package.
“Counties were promised these funds, and I’m glad we were able to fix the bill and stop this last-minute taking,” Koznick said. “These dollars will now stay where they belong, helping local communities plan and build the roads, bridges, and transit infrastructure their residents rely on every day, and in the manner County boards determine best for their constituents .”
The bill delivers on several core goals:
- Shutting down failed projects, saving taxpayer money, and investing in the modes of transportation Minnesotans use most. The bill repurposes wasteful spending, blocks costly boondoggles, and focuses funding on both transit and highways, and safety improvements.
- Fair funding for roads. The bill ensures electric vehicles help pay for the roads they use, just as gas-powered vehicles do.
- Improving driver and public safety. From I-35 and I-94 upgrades to new investments in the State Patrol and critical aviation infrastructure, the bill includes meaningful steps to improve safety on Minnesota’s roads and in the air.
Koznick emphasized that the bill was a product of compromise and has provisions that all interests like and dislike.
“This bill is not perfect, but it keeps all our transit systems funded and keeps Minnesotans moving,” said Koznick. “I'm proud we were able to prevent a major funding shift away from our counties, protect local infrastructure projects, improve driver and pedestrian safety, reprioritize dollars from wasteful projects, and use them for investing in the modes of transportation Minnesotans use most.”
The final bill passed the House with a vote of 78-55.
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