Minnesota voters will consider in November a proposed constitutional amendment which would dedicate all of the state's motor vehicle sales tax revenue to transportation.
Under the proposal as it is currently written, at least 40 percent of the funding would be targeted to transit and up to 60 percent of the funds be designated for roads and bridges.
In other words, transit is guaranteed 40 percent and could get more up to 100 percent. Roads and bridges are guaranteed nothing, but might get up to 60 percent.
It doesn't sound like a very good deal to us.
Rural legislators are suggesting changing the amendment proposal to read "at least 40 percent" for transit and the remaining portion targeted for roads and highways.
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While we support the proposal to dedicate all of the motor vehicle sales tax revenue, the Legislature needs to clarify the language of the proposed amendment.
Minnesota's rural regions tend to come out on the short end of the stick on transportation issues.
Rural legislators and voters should not take anything for granted on the transportation issue.
Transportation funding is a critical issue for west central Minnesota. The lack of transportation and suitable funding is impacting the entire region.
We want the transportation funding dedication amendment to pass. If the amendment language is clarified to ensure adequate funding for both highways and transit, its passage will much more likely.
