5.5. SR 03-24-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Administration proposes transportation funding package Anne Finn Saying the administration intends to deliver a transportation system that allows Minnesotans to travel safer, more efficiently and with less conges- tion, Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Lt. Gov./ Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau last Friday proposed a $1 billion transportation financing package that would accelerate the construction of critical, but long-delayed, state highway and bridge projects. Under the plan, projects will be advanced up to nine years to the 2004-2009 construction seasons. The package includes up to $550 million from new state trunk highway bonds to leverage the accelerated use of $550 million in future federal high- way funds. The Minnesota Dept. of Transportation (Mn/DOT) recently identified $42 million in budget reductions that will be reallocated to pay the debt service on the bonds. The amount falls short of his $2 billion campaign promise, but is consistent with the governor's pledge to avoid tax increases. The package was scaled back in the face of the $4.2 billion deficit. Additional highlights of the financing package include investing $50 million toward metro area transit improvements (such as enhanced shoulder lanes, park-and-ride lots, and ramp meter bypasses) and allocating $5 million for greater Minnesota transit service. The plan's critics are calling it insufficient and short-term. It will not address the chronic funding shortage that has led to the deferred mainte- nance, congestion, and safety prob- lems-all of which have compounded in recent years. Further, the plan does not provide assistance to local units of government in financing their share of the acceler- ated construction program. Lt. Gov./ Commissioner Molnau says the administration will explore local transportation funding options prior to the 2004 legislative session. For a look at the detailed plan, visit the Mn/DOT web site at: www. dot.state.mn.us/financing. ~- THE , 15-Minute dvocate IREAD · CONSIDER · TAKEACTION Transportation bill needs your support Call your legislators to voice your support for this legislation, and explain the positive impact it could have on your community. See page 5for details. City transportation utility fee bill introduced Anne Finn At the request of the League of Minnesota Cities, Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope) last week introduced a bill that would give cities the authority to impose fees for street maintenance and reconstruction purposes. The House companion was introduced Monday by Rep. Mike Beard (R-Shakopee). SF 825/HF 965 would allow cities to use trip genera- tion data to establish a transportation utility fee program for street recon- struction, maintenance, and facility upgrades such as traffic signals and turn lanes. The bill would implement one of the recommendations of the recently released Funding Street Construction and Maintenance in Minnesota's Cities Report, sponsored by the League, the City Engineers Association, and the Public Works Association. It would provide cities with a much-needed, additional tool for meeting street maintenance revenue needs. Co-sponsors of the Senate bill are Senators Bill Belanger (R-Blooming- ton), Keith Langseth (DFL-Glyndon), Sharon Marko (DFL-Cottage Grove), and Mike McGinn (R-Eagan). House co-sponsors are Representatives Morrie Lanning (R-Moorhead), Bernie Lieder (DFL-Crookston), and Paul Thissen (DFL-Minneapolis). We will need your vocal support to move this bill forward (please see this week's 15-Minute Advocate on page 5). To review the bill, enter the bill number into the "Bill Information" search tool on the Minnesota Senate web site at: www. senate.leg.state. mn.us/~- March 19, 2003 Page 7