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Capitol View®
Tim Pugmire

Proposal would shift transit money to schools

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Two Republican legislators say they want to take money that's now dedicated to mass transit and spend it on school buses.

The proposal would tap three transit accounts that are funded from a portion of the state sales tax on vehicle purchases, as well as a new quarter cent sales tax in metro area counties. About $100 million per year would be redirected to school districts for student transportation. Sen. Joe Gimse, R-Willmar, says the state budget crisis has created an opportunity to re-examine how government operates.

"We just think that we should shift our priorities, take another look at what are our priorities and move to this model, where we are taking care of the children of the state of Minnesota," Gimse said.

At a State Capitol news conference today, Gimse and Rep. Randy Demmer, R-Hayfield, were joined by two rural school superintendents who said the money would take pressure off local property taxes and help them replace aging buses.

Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, chair of the Transit Subdivision in the Minnesota Senate, says the GOP plan would pit schools against a metro transit system that's already in financial trouble.

"Right now we have a $45 million deficit in metro area transit," Dibble said. "I think he would add another $45 million or $50 million deficit to that. We would basically have to simply stop running our buses. No one could get to work. No one could get to school who relies on the buses."

Dibble says legislators should instead work with school districts to make sure the money already dedicated to student transportation is spent effectively.