Minnesota State Senator Mark Koran (R-North Branch) successfully secured $42 million for Highway 8 in Chisago County as part of the transportation budget agreement that passed the Minnesota House and Senate on Sunday. Despite the success, the bill also 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. The bill also 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 thrilled that Highway 8 is getting funding,” Senator Koran said. “It is one of the most dangerous roads in Minnesota and this is long overdue. Unfortunately, virtually every other part of the bill is completely unacceptable. We have a $19 billion surplus. Why on earth are we even talking about tax increases? A gas tax tied to inflation, a new fee on deliveries, hiking tab fees, and increasing the cost of buying a new vehicle – these are all going to cause serious financial pain to every Minnesotan, but especially low-income families and people living paycheck to paycheck. We have plenty of money to fix our roads and bridges throughout the state; tax increases should be off the table.”

Despite the numerous tax increases, Senator Koran was able to successfully add several critical priorities to the bill:

• $42 million for Highway 8 in Chisago County
• 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