The Minnesota legislature recently voted to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s third veto of long-overdue revenue for transit, bridges, roads and other infrastructure. The bill secures a dedicated source of funding for a transit system that will help Minnesotans reach their destinations safely and conveniently.
"This is a historic step forward for transit in Minnesota," says Lea Schuster, Executive Director of Transit for Livable Communities. "Our legislators needed to take decisive action, and they ultimately did what was best for Minnesota."
The transportation bill includes an 8.5-cent gas tax for road improvements and a 1/4 cent region-wide sales tax dedicated solely toward transit. The sales tax will generate approximately $117 million per year for transit needs across Minnesota. While not the full $235 million per year that transit advocates say is needed to fully leverage federal matching funds, it will fund:
- Construction of eight new dedicated transitways (i.e. light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit)
- Doubling bus ridership by 2020
- Creating better transit facilities and new park & ride capacity
- Providing revenue to local governments for bicycle and pedestrian projects
- Expanding transit in Greater Minnesota
Read more about the impact and benefits and the role of non-profit advocacy groups in passing the funding in the Twin Cities Daily Planet.