A package of tax and fee increases that would dedicate billions of dollars in new funding to transportation projects across the state is headed to the Minnesota House floor for a final vote in that chamber
The bill would impose a 75-cent fee for delivery of taxable merchandise to homes and businesses, increase metro area sales taxes by 0.75% for transit projects, boost motor vehicle license tab fees for roads and bridges and hike vehicle sales taxes.
The House Ways and Means Committee approved the bill Wednesday on a voice vote with most Democrats voting for it and Republicans voting “no.” The full House is likely to vote on the package in the next week.
House Transportation Committee Chair Frank Hornstein, DFL-Minneapolis, said the measure would address growing unmet needs for all modes of transportation in all parts of the state. The Legislature has not provided a significant increase in transportation since 2008, when it passed a gas tax increase.
If lawmakers don’t allocate more money for road construction and repairs, the Minnesota Department of Transportation projects “by 2030, 10% of our roads will be in poor condition,” Hornstein said.
“We have kicked this can down a pothole-filled road for far too long,” he said.
A similar bill is moving through Senate committees.
