The Minnesota House Transportation Finance Committee is expected to vote Monday on a transportation spending bill that would allow all counties to impose a half-cent sales tax and a $10 annual vehicle registration fee to pay for infrastructure improvements.
Transit supporters and opponents are reacting to a call by Gov. Dayton for a new quarter cent sales tax for the seven-county metro area. The money raised would go toward funding more transit projects in the region, including light rail and bus lines.
At the state Capitol today, a joint House-Senate committee heard suggestions for possible additional laws against cell phone use in cars and measures to prevent distracted driving.
State and local transportation officials meet Thursday to discuss the long list of bridge and highway projects that are waiting for funding. But they know that the wish list is much longer -- and more expensive -- than the state can afford. That means many highway improvements that should be done, won't be.
State officials say Minnesota is working on a pilot program to test the idea of charging drivers for each mile they drive. Other states around the country are considering a vehicle mileage tax, as revenues from the gas tax are expected to decline.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced $180 million worth of new road and bridge projects in greater Minnesota today. The projects will be funded by federal stimulus dollars.