FridaySeptember 03, 2010
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OPINION
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Tuesday, May 22, 2007 Vote sends a message By Dean Urdahl One of the most difficult parts of being a legislator is not deciding between right and wrong, good and bad, but deciding which proposal does the most good and the least bad. Since the beginning of session, my goal for transportation legislation has been to put money into local governments in order to fund important road, bridge and transit projects without raising any kind of taxes. Two transportation plans have been proposed so far - the governor's bill and the Omnibus Transportation Finance bill. The latest version of the Omnibus Transportation bill passed off the floor with a 5-cent gas tax increase, $1.5 billion in bonding, a wheelage tax, a tab tax, a motor vehicle lease sales tax, an increased fee for rental cars, driver's license and plate fee increases and a sales tax increase. Gov. Pawlenty has repeatedly confirmed that he would veto legislation with any amount of gas tax increase. Pawlenty's proposal, on the other hand, offered no bonding money for Meeker, McLeod, Wright or most counties in Minnesota. With deteriorating roads and a flat transportation funding rate since 2001, Minnesota's need for increased transportation funding is serious. My recent vote to support the transportation conference committee report was cast to make a point to the governor. We must form a plan that addresses Minnesota's growing need for transportation funding to counties, cities and townships. With six days left, I have met with the governor's office to discuss a new transportation bill that reflects the needs of the state and our local community, without burdening citizens with a multitude of tax increases. In regard to a veto-override, in the end, my vote will support the governor and uphold his veto. | ||||
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