Legislators pushing highway funding bill

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NORTH MANKATO--In an effort to obtain more highway construction funds for counties, a bonding bill appropriating nearly $141 million for 28 projects in 23 counties has been introduced in both houses of the State Legislature.

At a news conference here Friday afternoon, the bill's chief author in the Senate, Sen. Dennis Frederickson, R-New Ulm, said the proposal carrying a price tag of $140,915,000 is designed "to help 23 counties with high-priority highway projects because it's been many years since there was an increase in the gas tax."

A portion of the gas tax collected in the state is funneled to counties for highway and bridge construction. While a gas tax increase is being looked at, particularly by Gov. Jesse Ventura, the intention apparently is to use the increase to help solve the $1.9 billion budget deficit crisis.

"The gas tax is designated funds which can only be used to fund highways," Frederickson said, "so the governor is going to have to look elsewhere for money."

His stance was supported by both Reps. Howard Swenson, R-Nicollet, and Ruth Johnson, DFL-St. Peter. Swenson is chief author of the House version, and Johnson is one of 11 co-authors.

"We may not agree on some things, but we do agree that the governor isn't going to get his hands on gas-tax money."

While the majority of counties with projects in the bill are in southern Minnesota, Frederickson noted counties like Roseau in the northwest corner, Lake which borders on Lake Superior and Becker make the funding of county roads a statewide issue.

Johnson labeled the bill "grass roots collaboration at its best. I felt that if we worked together ... that means Mike (Wagner, Nicollet County Engineer) did all the work ... we could get something done."

She also saw potential in influencing Minnesota Department of Transportation priorities with the bill.

"Even if we can't get the bill passed, we will have projects on the shelf, ready to go, to present to MnDOT.

Swenson acknowledged that until Wagner took him on a tour of Nicollet county roads, he realize how big a problem road condition is.

"It's evident we need to upgrade the capacity of rural roads around the state," Swenson said. "They're critical to the rural economy."

Wabasha County Engineer Cory Schmidt said trying to keep up with road rebuilding in his county with current funding is nearly impossible.

"If we rebuild our roads over a 50-year life cycle, we'll run $1 million short each year. Now we're looking at a 75-year cycle, and that's just too long."

While highway construction projects usually aren't a part of the state bonding bill, Frederickson said he didn't see anything wrong with putting projects into the bonding bill.

"I think it's appropriate to spend general bonding funds on highways, and it's appropriate that the state ask the counties for their priorities," he said.

Frederickson also handed out a "Rural Road Facts" fact-sheet. Among the facts: County roads make up 45,356 miles of Minnesota's 131,650 miles of roadway, and in 1999, 75 percent of the state's fatal crashes occurred on rural roads.

For Renville County Commissioner Francis Schweiss, it's a clear-cut case for additional aid.

"Because of the bigger trucks and equipment being used, county roads are deteriorating faster than we can repair them so we need the help."

While most counties submitted only one high-priority construction project each, four counties--Becker (2), Blue Earth (2), Lake (3) and Mille Lacs (2)--submitted more than one to emphasize the need for additional funding.

Frederickson said, "Although budget reduction will be the first order of business, I expect that this bill will start into serious hearings (in the Senate) within a week and a half."

Swenson said budget reduction also would be the House's first order of business, and with that taken care of, the county highway bonding bill should receive early hearings.