MN Senate approves bipartisan transportation budget agreement

The Minnesota Senate unanimously approved a comprehensive, bipartisan transportation budget agreement last week that invests billions into the state’s transportation infrastructure without a gas tax, mileage tax, sales tax, or license tab fee increase.
“The state spends millions of transportation dollars every year on things that are not permitted spending for the Highway User Trust Fund. Senate Republicans were committed to redirecting those dollars where they belong, on roads and bridges,” said Senator Gary Dahms (R-Redwood Falls). “I am also proud that we were able to expand resources for law enforcement through increases in the number of State Patrol personnel and raises for the officers who have been providing crucial safety support during the last year of rioting, protest, and civil unrest.”
The transportation budget agreement provides $7.8 billion for state roads including construction, development, and maintenance. This amount includes $3.68 billion for State Road Construction and $300 million for Corridors of Commerce. The bill also provides an additional $14 million for local bridges and an additional $5.5 million for the Local Road Improvement Program, as well as an additional $30 million for small city and township roads.
Less stress, more convenience for drivers: The final transportation budget includes several priorities such as allowing Minnesotans to purchase their license tabs and replacement license plates from fully-automated kiosks; permitting driver’s education students to take the classroom portion of their instruction online; creating a pilot program where Minnesotans could receive their standard driver’s license card the same day they renew their license or pass their driving test; and reopening all recently-closed exam stations to deal with the testing backlog. The bill also provides funding to improve speeds and reduce wait times at local DMV offices by adding more staff.
Supporting law enforcement: The bill keeps the state’s commitment to law enforcement by providing $608 million for the State Patrol and capitol security including funding to hire 63 new troopers, funding to meet the State Patrol’s request for body cameras, and funding for trooper pay raises.
Cleaning up illegal and unconstitutional spending: The bill cleans up impermissible Department of Transportation (MnDOT) spending. The State Constitution mandates Minnesota’s gas tax, motor vehicle sales taxes, tab fees, and auto parts sales tax be used strictly for “highway purposes,” yet each year the state spends about $232 million from these accounts on programs unrelated to roads. Many of these items, such as aeronautics, tourist information centers, and parades will be moved to the general fund.
Keeping kids safe while en route to school: The bill includes $15 million to protect children at school bus stops by equipping Minnesota school buses with outward-facing cameras to catch stop-arm violators. The provision would likely make Minnesota the first state in the nation to install cameras in all its buses. The bill also provides $7 million dollars for the successful Safe Routes to Schools program which aims to improve student safety and reduce traffic near schools.
Creating an agriculture specialty-themed license plate: The transportation bill allows for the creation of a new agriculture-themed license plate. The license plate bill was chief authored by Senator Dahms.

Proceeds from the selling of the license plate would beused to fund youth agriculture programs. The Minnesota FFA Foundation and to the University of Minnesota Extension Service to support Minnesota 4-H programming and activities. The license plate would become available beginning January 1, 2022.
The Minnesota House of Representatives approved the bill, and it is now awaiting action by Gov. Tim Walz.