Letter - Where did the money go that was to be used on roads and bridges?
According to Energymattersmidwest.org, we Minnesotans used 2.5 billion gallons of gasoline in 2009. The additional tax generated (in 2009) was $212,500,000. We need accountability for this. Which roads/bridges were fixed with this specific money?
To the editor:
Recent proposals have surfaced to raise our Minnesota gas taxes again. Following the 8.5 cent increase passed in 2008, the current proposal has two options: 10 cents a gallon the first year and then 1.56 cents per year for 20 years or 3.5 cents per gallon each year for five years and then 1.5 cents for the next subsequent 15 years.
This will ostensibly be used for highway improvements.
According to Energymattersmidwest.org, we Minnesotans used 2.5 billion gallons of gasoline in 2009. The additional tax generated (in 2009) was $212,500,000. We need accountability for this. Which roads/bridges were fixed with this specific money?
If it increases an additional 10 cents the first year, this will generate (in 2009 use) an additional $250 million the first year. What is the plan for this? Which roads/bridges are going to be repaired – specifically? Which bridges/roads were fixed with the money already raised? Was the money fenced for road/bridge repair or used for other programs and if so, why?
Roger Hegland
Alexandria, MN
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