Urge legislators to fund transportation
To the Editor:
As we move into the final stretch of this year’s legislative session it is refreshing to see all sides agreeing that Minnesota has significant transportation problems that require a long-term investment to get back on track.
Our transportation system has always relied on user fees like the fuel tax and vehicle registration fees that are dedicated by our Constitution and can only be used to repair roads and bridges. These fees are deposited in the state’s Highway Trust Fund and provide the stable, dedicated funding that allows for efficient long-term planning. Money in the Highway Trust Fund provides dollars for state highways, bridges, county state aid roads, city streets, and township roads. We all benefit from the fees we pay as users of the transportation system. Without a strong highway system for moving people and products, our local economy will suffer.
Please contact your legislators and tell them this is the year that both sides of the aisle need to work together to compromise on a funding package that will provide a sustainable, long-term increase in the state’s investment in transportation. The future of our local economy and quality of life will be impacted if transportation funding is simply kicked down the road another year.
John Brunkhorst
County Engineer
McLeod County
Highway Department