A bill moving through the Minnesota Legislature could affect how -controlled hands $8 billion transportation to walz for signature is handled in White Bear Lake.
HF2887 includes about $1.4 billion in new transportation-related taxes and fees for businesses and consumers.
On Sunday, the DFL-controlled House and Senate voted along party lines to pass the conference committee report for HF2887.
That omnibus transportation finance bill includes nearly $1 billion in new taxes and fees dedicated to transit and roads that will come from three sources: a new metropolitan area sales tax increase of 0.75 percent, a 50-cent fee for all deliveries of retail goods over $100 and a gas tax increase indexed to inflation.
An increase in fees for automobile registrations and a sales tax increase for purchase of automobiles will also add more than $340 million in new revenues for transportation expenditures over the next two years.
While DFL leaders touted the $1.4 billion in new taxes and fees included in HF2887 as a “historic, generational investment in transportation,” Republicans blasted the legislation by saying its funding of transit projects like a new commuter train from the Twin Cities to Duluth is “absolutely out of touch” with Minnesotans who haven’t asked for a tax hike amidst a $17.5 billion surplus.
The legislation will dedicate $7.85 billion to the Minnesota Department of Transportation over the next two years.
It also includes nearly $580 million for the state Department of Public Safety.
As the measure advances, residents of White Bear Lake can follow amendments and contact Heather Gustafson regarding the final language.
Article Source: Alpha News: “DFL-controlled legislature hands $8 billion transportation bill to Walz for signature”
