Comprehensive Legislation Introduced to Finance Major Regional Transportation Improvements

'Minnesota Rides' Financing Plan Addresses Need for Transit and Road Improvements

MINNEAPOLIS, April 9 -- "Minnesota Rides" legislation has been introduced in the Minnesota Legislature to provide a comprehensive financing plan for both capital costs and operating support for roadway improvements, better bus service and new transitways in the Twin Cities area. Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL-St. Paul) introduced House File 1395, a proposal brought forward and supported by the Metro Transitways Development Board (MTDB).

"It's clear that something needs to be done to reduce congestion," said Rep. Hausman. "This legislation authorizes a comprehensive financing plan to support both road and transit improvements to get people moving. If we do not use all of these transportation options, we run the risk of not being economically competitive as a region in the decades to come."

  The Minnesota Rides financing proposal includes:
   1.  Referendum Authorizing a Half Cent Metro-Wide Sales Tax (Proceeds
       would fund both major transit capital projects and major highway
       projects.)
   2.  Six-Cent Gas Tax Increase (The higher gas tax would fund highway
       construction.)
   3.  Accelerated Highway Bonding
   4.  New License Tab Fee Schedule (The new schedule for license tab fees
       would bring more money into the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund,
       allowing a greater percentage of motor vehicle excise tax revenues to
       fund new transit operations.)

"The combined approach of transitway and road improvements is the most cost-effective method for this issue. It's the best way to deal with the increasing strain put on our already overwhelmed transportation infrastructure," said co-author Rep. Kathy Tingelstad (R-Andover). "We need to deal with the budget deficit, but Minnesotans also want relief from the stress of their daily commute."

MTDB Chair, Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin pointed out that the Twin Cities area outranks other large metro regions in population growth and travel delays. "We brought the 'Minnesota Rides' plan forward to respond to these problems and to help people get where they need to go," McLaughlin said. "Traffic congestion affects our region's economic health, so we can't afford to keep avoiding the issue."

The entire state would benefit from the "Minnesota Rides" plan in several ways. Gas tax revenues would be spent on road projects statewide and revenues generated by the "Minnesota Rides" plan would reduce funding competition for needed highway projects in rural Minnesota.

Who is the MTDB

The Metro Transitways Development Board is comprised of regional railroad authority representatives from the seven-county metro area. Formerly known as the Metro LRT Joint Powers Board, the board has been working on transitway development since 1992. The name changed to more accurately reflect what the board does -- supporting the development of a comprehensive transit system that includes commuter rail, LRT and busway options. The Metro Transitways Development Board works to provide a coordinated regional approach to rail and transit development, from policy creation to legislative proposals. These seven counties represent an important source of initiative and capital financing for transitway projects. Counties are also key to coordinating roadway and transit improvements in our communities.

Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin chairs the board. The other members are Anoka County Commissioner Dennis Berg (vice-chair), Ramsey County Commissioner Susan Haigh (secretary), Carver County Commissioner Tom Workman, Dakota County Commissioner Paul Krause, Scott County Commissioner Jon Urlich and Washington County Commissioner Myra Peterson.