Minnesota's transportation amendment is a common-sense proposal that dedicates the tax we already pay on the sale of new and used vehicles to transportation projects. This would result in an additional $300 million for roads, bridges and public transit, after a gradual five-year phase-in in order to protect funding of other important state programs.
The West Central Tribune has joined several groups who don't want to use this existing transportation tax to fund roads and transit needs across the state, as was stated in the Tribune's Oct. 27 editorial. Yet the editorial recommends absolutely no other solution to address the demands of the millions of Minnesotans who want safer and faster travel.
I strongly disagree -- it's time that we do something. Based on current law, Minnesota's transportation amendment would provide $5 million in additional funding for transportation in Kandiyohi County over the next 10 years. And Willmar would get more than $644,000 -- that's real money that can be used to improve local roads.
Some people have expressed concern that important programs such as education or health care may be impacted by Minnesota's transportation amendment. But let's look at the facts. For the last 15 years, state revenue has grown by an average of $560 million a year. Minnesota's transportation amendment would dedicate one dime of every new dollar of this new revenue to better roads and transit, leaving the other 90 cents to address other important state needs such as education. That's it -- $60 million a year in new revenue for five years.
One dime in every dollar of new revenue -- that's seems like a fair amount for transportation. And it is accomplished by spending our transportation taxes on transportation.
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Minnesota's transportation amendment is the first real opportunity in 25 years to put meaningful and long-term money into transportation needs statewide. That's why more than a thousand organizations representing hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans are supporting this amendment. It makes sense to vote yes on Nov. 7.
Ken Warner
President
Willmar Lakes Area Chamber
of Commerce
