On Sunday, May 21, the Minnesota Senate approved a transportation budget agreement that includes legislation that Senator Julia Coleman (R-Waconia) authored to provide $20 million for key Highway 5 improvements. Even though the transportation bill contains a number of strong provisions, it failed to receive any Republican votes due to the massive tax and fee increases.

This transportation budget imposes $3.77 billion in tax increases on Minnesotans, including a gas tax increase tied to inflation, license tab fee increases, delivery fees for mobile and internet purchases, and a sales tax increase. Despite the tax increases, the bill contains $0 in additional ongoing dollars for state roads, outside of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding and agency funding to maintain current service levels.

“I am overjoyed to announce that the transportation budget includes $20 million for my Highway 5 improvement project!” Senator Julia Coleman (R-Waconia), member of the Senate Transportation Committee, said. “This portion of Highway 5 has a crash rate that is 2.5 times the state average and often experiences heavy traffic. By expanding this corridor to 4 lanes, we will significantly reduce crashes and improve traffic operations. Though I am happy to see my Carver County Highway 5 improvements project included, I was unable to support the transportation budget due to the heavy burden it will have on Minnesota taxpayers. I’m thrilled to be able to continue to deliver for my district even from the minority.”

Despite the numerous tax increases, Republicans successfully added several priorities to the bill that they have pushed for years, including:

• $20 million for Carver County Highway 5 improvements
• Dedicated road funding for small cities and townships
• $18 million more for local road improvements program
• $18 million more for local bridges
• $153 million in one-time funding for Corridors of Commerce
• $200 million from Trunk Highway Bonds in one-time funding for state road construction
• Allowing for a portion of driver’s education to be conducted online
• Additional funding for deputy registrars

OTHER CONTROVERSIAL PROVISIONS IN THE BILL

• Nearly $200 million to build the Northern Lights Express passenger rail between the Twin Cities and Duluth
• $50 million for the Blue Line rail to northwest suburbs
• A requirement to consider greenhouse gas emissions in transportation projects, which will make it almost impossible for new road projects to be built
• $976,000 per biennium in ongoing funding for “intercity passenger rail planning and project management”
• A study to expand the Northstar line to St. Cloud or even Fargo/Moorhead
• A working group to consider having traffic signals prioritize light rail and buses
• Deletes the ban on state money going to Southwest Light Rail operations and maintenance