Transportation
Yesterday the Minnesota House and Senate voted to override the governor’s veto of the transportation bill. Over two-thirds of the House and Senate agreed to pass this piece of legislation to invest in our roads, bridges, transit, and highways. This was Pawlenty’s first override in
I received a number of phone calls and emails from constituents across the district…calls for support and calls in opposition. There was a lot of passion from the many persons who weighed in on this bill. These comments reflected a philosophical difference about how the State should invest in its infrastructure. I believe the transportation bill will create jobs, provide needed resources to townships, cities, and counties requiring less reliance on property taxes for needed highway, road, and bridge repairs. Our roads will be safer as a result of this legislation,.
Over 100 organization from the Chamber of Commerce, AFL-CIO, farm groups, and others supported this legislation. This was the right time to pass the transportation bill. Fixing our roads and bridges will not get any less expensive five or 10 years from now. The average Minnesotan who drives 15,000 miles a year will be paying less than $50 a year for the additional tax while the state will reap the benefits of that investment for years to come.
Two weeks into this legislative session and I have seen the passage of the Outdoor Legacy Act and a transportation bill. The pace is dizzying, with purpose, and very challenging.
