St. Paul, MN - Yesterday, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved the strongest transportation budget in a generation. The legislation makes investments in roads, bridges, and transit systems across the state. It appropriates $650 million to unlock more than $7.8 billion dollars in federal funds and places a high priority on curbing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.
State Representative Dan Wolgamott (DFL - St. Cloud), secured investment for several St. Cloud-area projects in the budget.
“I am excited to announce I have secured funding for crucial St. Cloud transit projects like Highway 10, University Drive, Veterans Bridge, and passenger rail in our final Transportation bill,” said Wolgamott. “These generational investments will enhance safety, reduce traffic, and help revitalize how we travel to, from, and around St. Cloud.”
Rep. Wolgamott authored several provisions in the Transportation Budget, including funding for the Northstar Commuter Rail, $750,000 in infrastructure investments for the Veterans Bridge repairs, $8.5 million for the University Drive project, $6 million for the Highway 10 pre-design, and $4 million for transit analysis, which will identify and evaluate options for transit service improvements in the corridor between the Twin Cities and St. Cloud.
Rep. Wolgamott was also the chief author of legislation in the Commerce Budget to repeal the state’s mandatory minimum markup on gasoline, which Rep. Wolgamott says could offset any increases brought on by a gas tax indexed to inflation.
Having passed the House and Senate, the bill now goes to Governor Walz for his anticipated signature. Video of yesterday’s debate can be found here.
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