Just over two weeks after the I-35W bridge collapse with bodies still to be recovered, Minnesota political leaders have begun bickering over the rebuilding of the bridge and statewide transportation funding.
Some politicians appear to be more focused on gaining snappy sound bites than finding a solution to Minnesota's transportation funding dilemma.
It is a bit disconcerting.
Minnesota's transportation funding is a real problem that will not go away.
Currently, 100 percent of the state gas tax of 20 cents per gallon goes to funding roads and bridges, none of it for transit. The gas tax has not been raised since 1988.
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Still the state is short of transportation funding every year. Some estimate that the remaining unfunded needs exceed $1.7 billion per year.
Transportation is a critical issue for rural Minnesota. Not only is it an economic factor in trade and commerce, it is a safety issue as more than 70 percent of transportation fatalities occur on rural roads. Thus, rural Minnesota must care and share in the responsibility of finding a funding solution.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has shown some leadership in agreeing to consider all options, including a gas tax increase, to find a stable funding solution to transportation. Democratic legislative leaders are discussing the same. Most have avoided the political rhetoric in the weeks since the bridge collapse.
However, House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, just cannot resist a sound bite opportunity. While discussing a possible special session Thursday, he quipped "If you want it to be speedy, don't be greedy" as he called for delaying a possible special session.
Seifert's comments are disappointing. Minnesota's transportation infrastructure is falling down around us and he thinks cleverness is in order.
It's time he ceases his transportation quips and get a grip on a possible solution for transportation funding.
Minnesota's transportation problems are nothing to quip about.
