St. Paul – On Thursday, the Minnesota Senate approved a comprehensive, bipartisan transportation budget that invests billions over the next two years in the state’s transportation infrastructure without a gas tax, mileage tax, sales tax, or license tab fee increase. 

“We should constantly be improving the safety and functionality of our infrastructure while strategically supporting the growth of Minnesota,” said Senator Zach Duckworth (R-Lakeville). “This bipartisan legislation is an investment in our communities, puts people to work in our local economies, and improves our infrastructure while allowing us to study new and better ways to improve what we currently have –  without a gas tax increase.”

Senator Duckworth has worked closely with the Transportation Committee and chief authored six bills that are included in the legislation.  Many of the bills authored by Senator Duckworth will support long overdue projects for Dakota County, Lakeville, and other surrounding communities:

• Senate File 1669 – funds the I-35 and County Road 50 construction planning project in Lakeville
• Senate File 656 – creates a pilot program where Minnesotans could receive their standard driver’s license card the same day they renew their license or pass their driving test.
• Senate File 655 – MNPass dynamic timing oand congestion relief bill
• Senate File 738 – Transportation sales and use tax reporting requirement
• Senate File 1529 –  exempts counties from paying for Orange Line construction
• Senate File 1534 – MN 100 Club license plates establishment in support of law enforcement and first responders

Additionally, the transportation budget provides $3.03 billion for state road construction, development, and maintenance; $2.25 billion for County and Municipal State Aid Roads; and $334 million for Corridors of Commerce. The bill also provides $60 million for local and small bridges and $18.5 million for the Local Road Improvement Program.

The transportation budget will improve convenience and ease stress for Minnesota drivers by allowing Minnesotans to purchase their license tabs and replacement license plates from fully-automated kiosks; by allowing third-party locations to offer road tests in order to clear out the backlog of students waiting to take their driver’s test; and by permitting driver’s education students to take the classroom portion of their instruction online.

A number of other key provisions are included in the legislation:

• $35 million to protect children at school bus stops by equipping every school bus in Minnesota with cameras to catch stop-arm violators.
• $1 million dollars for the successful Safe Routes to Schools program, which aims to improve student safety and reduce traffic near schools.
• Protects statewide taxpayers by shifting the responsibility for funding current and future light rail development to counties instead of the state of Minnesota.
• $267 million over the next two years for the state patrol, including $9.1 million to hire 25 new troopers and $6.3 million to meet their request for body cameras.
• Shifts essential programs, such as emergency 9-1-1 radio communications, to the general fund.