There is little over a week remaining in the 2016 session and little to no progress has been made on a statewide transportation funding plan. Although time is short, the Legislature and Governor still have the ability to compromise on a long-term solution.

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, over the next twenty years Minnesota will need to invest additional dollars, $16.3 billion ($800 million a year), for a transportation system addressing Minnesota’s needs. Most new funding will be used for state bridges and highway preservation and maintenance. If the House Majority does not step forward to solve the problem this year, it will result in further delay of new projects all throughout Minnesota.

The Transportation conference committee was not able to agree last year. The joint conference committee is necessary to hash out the differences between each provision and differing content within the Senate and House bills.

The Senate DFL has proposed long-term sustainable funding with new revenue. A gasoline tax, which can only be used for roads and bridges, is part of their proposal to ensure future dedicated funding.

The House Republican plan uses one-time money from the state budget surplus and sales tax increases on auto parts and rental cars which takes money out of the general fund. Using dollars from the general fund is risky and potentially costly. It prevents future Legislatures from using that same money for other budget items, such as education, health care, and public safety.

It is essential we address our deteriorating infrastructure, but not at the expense of our state’s future. Ongoing transportation needs for roads, bridges and transit require ongoing revenue to achieve long-lasting benefit. All options deserve consideration: increasing the gasoline tax and motor vehicle registration fees, and/or using a portion of sales tax on auto parts and on leased, electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles.

In 2008, the Legislature passed a transportation bill providing a dedicated revenue option for roads, bridges and transit through the local sales tax authority by county. In 2013, the Legislature gave authority to county boards to choose to levy a local sales tax by half a percent, for dedicated transportation projects. Out of 87 counties, 64 currently have utilized some form of sales tax at the local level thus recognizing the need for transportation funding. Unfortunately this is a patchwork solution; roads travel across county lines and the needs are great throughout all of Minnesota.

The long-term solution for our failing transportation infrastructure is possible. The question remains, is it likely? Minnesotans across the state deserve a serious long-term solution not just a short-term, band-aid fix. Coming together to solve problems with a long-view should be the expectation rather than the anomaly.

Please never hesitate to contact me at 651-296-4193 or 888-682-3180, by email at rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn or at 291 State Office Building 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155.