SAINT PAUL, Minn. – This afternoon, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved a new transportation budget that makes honest and responsible investments to fix our state’s roads, bridges, and transit. The American Society of Civil Engineers rated Minnesota’s roads as “D+” on their most recent infrastructure report card. Bridges received a “C” and transit was awarded a “C-.” A fact sheet is available for download here.
Over the next four years, the budget invests an additional $7.6 million for Olmsted county infrastructure and $5.2 million for projects in the city of Rochester.
“Many of Minnesota’s roads and bridges need repairs, updates, and replacements, but we can’t make these fixes unless we pay for them honestly,” said Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester). “The investments in our transportation budget will help all Minnesotans get to work, school, appointments, recreation, or wherever else they need to go. Moreover, the investments are made in a way that doesn’t pit funding for roads and bridges against other priorities such as education and health care.”
The House DFL Majority’s transportation budget reverses destructive Republican budgeting that took more than $400 million out of the general fund--which pays for schools, health care, and almost everything else the state does. Instead, it raises those revenues honestly. In addition to a gas tax increase phased in over four years, the budget raises approximately $461 million in new revenue through changes in tab fees in Fiscal Years 2020-2021 and more than $650 million in Fiscal Years 2022-23. Nearly half of all Minnesota vehicles would qualify for lower tab fees. The budget also brings the motor vehicle sales tax in line with all other sales taxes (from 6.5% to 6.875%).
The House DFL Majority’s transportation budget prioritizes better access to transit for Minnesotans who need to get to work, school, and other public places.
After the Minnesota House and Senate approve their respective transportation budgets, lawmakers from each chamber form a conference committee to reach agreement on a final version.