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Why Kalin supports transportation bill
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Wednesday, 27 February 2008
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Rep. Jeremy Kalin
Guest Columnist
Last Thursday, I voted for a responsible transportation plan (HF2800) that will get Minnesota moving again. This landmark transportation initiative will direct $6.6 billion of sorely needed funding over the next 10 years into Minnesota’s long-neglected transportation system.
The bill will finally establish a sustainable source of reliable revenue for our state’s roads and bridges and provide real property tax reform.
As a member of the House Transportation Finance Committee, I worked with members of both parties to find compromise on this important legislation. As a result, this responsible transportation package received bipartisan approval in the Legislature and was fully supported by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, labor, and small business owners — including several Chisago County contractors.
Consistent with my vote for the bill, I voted to override the governor’s veto because we can’t afford to neglect our crumbling roads and bridges any longer. We’re $2.4 billion behind every year in maintaining our current system — clear evidence of the fact that it is simply impossible to sustain a safe and reliable 21st Century transportation system on 1980s resources.
I am supporting this bill because our property taxes have skyrocketed over the past five years in Chisago County, and because a large portion of that increase has been due to the lack of state funds for our county state-aid roads.
More than $1.6 billion in property taxes was spent on roads and bridges statewide in 2006 — that number continues to rise. HF2800 will provide real property tax reductions in future years.
I am supporting this bill because Chisago County will receive $15.7 million in new state money to fix our county roads. Without these funds, the county will be forced to either let our roads continue deteriorating or raise property taxes even further.
I am supporting this bill because two major projects in the County — the North Branch Bridge over I-35, and the US-8 upgrade in Lindstrom — risk long delays, and even possible rejection of the federal funds currently devoted to these projects if the bill doesn’t pass. Without more state funding, the city of North Branch will likely have to raise property tax bonds of at least $4.2 million to start construction on the bridge. Both the Lindstrom and North Branch projects must be completed before new businesses will locate in those towns.
I am supporting this bill because we desperately need more state troopers patrolling our most dangerous highways, including Interstate 35 between Pine City and Forest Lake.
This stretch of highway has the fastest growing rate of fatal crashes in the state; because of budget shortages, state troopers have reduced their patrols of this stretch of highway. HF2800 provides for 40 new state troopers.
I am supporting this bill because more than 31,000 new jobs a year will be created by private contractors, repairing and building our roads and bridges.
I am supporting this bill because it is the only plan that will provide the resources necessary to repair or replace all of the 13 Minnesota bridges that are in worse shape than the I-35W bridge.
I campaigned saying I would vote for the transportation bill, and I have done so. I campaigned committed to reforming our property tax system, and I have done so repeatedly.
I campaigned saying that I would work to find savings and efficiencies in state government at every opportunity, and I have done so (the transportation bill passed this week includes the strategic management task force to provide real oversight and improvements at MnDOT).
As always, call me with any questions or ideas, at 651-296-5377, or email me at
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Jeremy Kalin lives in Chisago Lake Township and represents House District 17B. He can be reached at 651-296-5377, or e-mail at
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