This week, Senate Republicans furthered their Advancing Minnesota agenda with the passage of comprehensive transportation and environment budgets.

“Our transportation budget invests billions of dollars to repair or replace over 8,800 miles of roads and over 200 bridges across the state. Our environment budget reins in agency spending, demands accountability, and streamlines processes to make it easier on the many Minnesotans who enjoy our state’s unparalleled beauty,” said Sen. Andrew Mathews (R-Milaca). “By passing these bills before the beginning of April, we are making good on our commitment to passing a budget earlier to avoid the last-minute chaos that has plagued the legislature in previous years.”

The transportation budget provides $1.3 billion over the next two years, and $3.6 billion over the next ten years, for road and bridge infrastructure across the state. New, ongoing funding makes up $2.8 billion of the ten-year commitment, and the other $766 million includes a mix of trunk highway bonding and federal grants. Cities, counties, and townships will receive special consideration with $148 million in combined funding over the biennium to spend as they deem fit.

The environment budget and policy bill protects Minnesota’s landscapes and reins in overreach by state agencies through streamlining environmental regulations and preserving important programs that safeguard Minnesota nature and wildlife. The bill spends over $274 million, but restructures funding so over 75% of the budget comes from sources other than the general fund. This frees up $90 million over the next four years that can be spent on other priorities, such as health care and education.

“Roads and bridges across Minnesota are crumbling and the inaction of previous years adds to the urgency. State agencies are imposing unnecessary and costly regulations on our communities. The transportation and environment budgets we have passed address those issues and many more,” Sen. Mathews continued. “These bills will do a lot of good for our entire state.”

In addition to the transportation and environment budgets, the Senate also passed higher education, judiciary, agricultural, jobs, and state government budgets. Discussions on the other budget proposals are expected to continue next week.

Sen. Mathews represents Senate District 15, which includes communities in Benton, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne, and Wright counties.