The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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February 20, 2008

Metro leader pushes for gas tax in Mankato

McLaughlin: We’re ‘outgrowing the infrastructure we’ve got’

By Dan Linehan

MANKATO — The Capitol debate over a gas tax increase touched Mankato Tuesday, when a metro commissioner heard local transportation needs and saw them firsthand on a bus tour.

Two days before the bill goes to a vote in the Legislature, Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin was on a tour of greater Minnesota beating the drum for more funding.

“Frankly, the message that we’re hearing (from counties) is very consistent,” he told the board. “Our population and economy are outgrowing the infrastructure we’ve got.”

He heard no debate from Blue Earth County commissioners, who have long argued in favor of more road funding.

A bill that would raise the gas tax by 5 cents by the end of this year and up to 3.5 cents more later for paying for bonding is slated for a Thursday vote.

McLaughlin doesn’t doubt it will pass. And he’s also pretty sure Gov. Tim Pawlenty will veto it, given that the tax increase isn’t offset by reductions elsewhere, as the governor has required.

Uncertainty persists over whether the Legislature can muster a two-thirds majority to override the veto.

The consensus, locally at least, concerns needs. Increasing county transportation obligations — deteriorating roads, growth in vehicle travel — are combining with fewer resources from the state to cause what some officials call a crisis.

The Legislature’s research has shown transportation is requiring a larger proportion of property taxes. And congestion in the metro area is worsening at one the fastest rates in the nation.

The 13-county Minnesota Department of Transportation district, based in Mankato, has the funds for only one project over the next four years: A $130 million, four-lane extension of Highway 14 between Waseca and Owatonna.

Other projects are slated for the uncertain “beyond 2017” or even “beyond 2030.”

McLaughlin said Minnesotans are paying a “hidden tax” by neglecting their infrastructure every time they’re stuck in traffic, have to drive around a closed bridge or have their car repaired after a pothole.

Unnecessary deaths and injuries also add to that cost.

And economic development opportunities are being missed because of a lack of transportation funding, he said.

One local project officials are hoping for is an southward extension of Highway 12, expected to spur development on Mankato’s east side. The county says it can begin construction in 2010, but the current MnDOT budget doesn’t have the money until “beyond 2017.”

McLaughlin’s tour is partially meant to highlight advocates’ solidarity as the bill comes to the Legislature.

The bill’s opponents have argued that rural and urban officials are divided on a funding formula, but the Association of Minnesota Counties has agreed on a plan, he said.

Highway 14 is a common refrain for its safety hazards, though the MnDOT budget doesn’t have money for the upgrade between North Mankato and New Ulm until “beyond 2017.”

“I came (to Mankato) it,” McLaughlin said of Highway 14.

“I took my life into my own hands,” he joked.

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