4.3. SR 04-19-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . Money collected and received under this chapter must be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the General Fund. Motor vehicle sales tax revenues are projected to reach $880 million during the 1998-99 biennium. Motor vehicle sales tax receipts for the 2000-0 1 biennium are forecast at $883 million, up only 0.3 percent from FY 1998-99 levels. (November Forecast (Nov 1998), Minnesota Department of Revenue (General Fund)) To have a portion of the sales tax on motor vehicles dedicated to commuter rail, whether for capital costs or operations and maintenance, an individual or political entity must ask a state representative to introduce a bill authorizing use of a specified percentage amount of the tax for this purpose. Highway Fuels Excise Taxes Chapter 296A Minnesota Statutes An excise tax is imposed on highway gasoline and special fuels. All revenues from these taxes go into the highway user tax distribution fund. This fund is used solely for highway purposes. The highway fuel tax rate is 20 cents per gallon and is imposed on gasoline and special fuels (diesel) used on Minnesota highways. Other rates apply to alternative fuels. In order to use any of the highway fuels excise taxes for a purpose other than for highways, an amendment to the law would have to be introduced into legislation by a state representative. Railroad Authorities (Taxation) Chapter 398A Subd.8. Minnesota Statutes Railroad authorities have been empowered by the State of Minnesota to provide for the preservation and improvement of local rail service for agricufture, industry, or passenger traffic. Included in their powers is the power to levy a tax on real estate. Prior to deciding to exercise the power to tax, the authority must provide six weeks' published notice in all municipalities in the region. "If a number of voters in the region, equal to five percent of those who voted for candidates for governor in the last gubernatorial election, present a petition to the secretary of state within nine weeks of the first published notice requesting that the matter be submitted to popular vote, it shall be submitted at the next general election." The question on the ballot shall read: "Shall the regional rail authority have the power to impose a property tax ? Yes ..... No....." If a majority of those voting on the question approve or if no petition is presented within the prescribed time, the authority may levy a tax at any annual rate not to exceed 0.04835 percent of market value of all taxable property situated within the municipality or municipalities named in its organization resolution. Northstar Commuter Rail Feasibility Study March 23, 1999 9-7 Financial Analysis