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HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS PRESS RELEASE: “HOUSE REPUBLICANS UNVEIL TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS”
By Michael B. Brodkorb | February 20, 2008
Saint Paul — (February 20, 2008) — House Republican Leader Marty Seifert today unveiled a $7.6 billion plan that invests in Minnesota's state and local transportation system without raising taxes.
"The Republican plan invests more than seven times as much in local road and bridges than the Democrat plan," said House Republican Leader Marty Seifert. "Our plan uses reliable, long-term funding to sufficiently build and maintain our transportation systems without burdening taxpayers and while keeping healthy commitments to other areas of government."
The Republican plan puts $450 million directly into local roads and bridges as compared to the $60 million offered by the Democrats. It places $2.2 billion into state highways as compared to the Democrat plan which $1.8 billion. It allows for a constitutional amendment for people to vote to authorize GO bonding for state roads and bridges, which opens $2.7 billion over 10 years for transportation purposes. Finally it provides the Minnesota Department of Transportation with the spending authority they need for the federal funds the state is getting for the I35W bridge collapse.
Republicans looked to wasteful inefficiencies in state government spending as a source of revenue for transportation. Seifert said state government spending continues to grow and the Democrats have yet to look within for the revenue needed to fund priorities.
"The $34 billion budget and $2.2 billion surplus last session provided us with the revenue to make these investments. Unfortunately, the push for taxes misplaced fiscal responsibility and transportation funding lost out to increases in welfare spending," Seifert said.
Seifert said the House Republican Caucus is driven by sensible transportation solutions that cultivate accountability measures and analysis for any transportation proposal.
The Republican plan authorizes studies to be conducted for the construction and betterment of safe roads and analyze price consequences. It repeals the best value law, and uses the lowest responsible bidder for department construction projects. The Republican plan will be offered as a Minority Report today. Seifert said House Republicans are committed to reaching a compromise that benefits that state's transportation system without burdening taxpayers.
"Bipartisan compromise means more a simple yes vote on the final bill. The Democrats did not involve Republicans in the development of their proposal, and have spent more time finding five members to override a veto than working with us on a compromise," Seifert said. "Republicans believe the taxpayer deserves to be represented in this debate and will continue our push for increased transportation funding without tax increases."
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11 Responses to “HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS PRESS RELEASE: “HOUSE REPUBLICANS UNVEIL TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS””
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February 20th, 2008 at 3:45 PM
The more the public finds out about what the local DFL has been up to, the more trouble they will be in come November.
Once again republicans slap the shit out of these
Dirty
Filthy
Liars
February 20th, 2008 at 4:07 PM
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February 20th, 2008 at 5:05 PM
Seifert leads the offense back onto the field. House research puts together a very well crafted off tackle run that catches the tax and spend secondary off guard for a huge gain.
First down!
February 20th, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Amazing! The Republicans can come up with a good package with out spending all the time over the summer collecting the extra per diem in committee meetings like the Democrats did. What the heck were they doing during all these special meetings anyway?
February 20th, 2008 at 7:11 PM
Any Republicans that vote for the DFL Bill might as well start cleaning out their desk. I am sick of electing rino’s and will make sure my local BPOU only endorces true conservatives.
Kepp the DFL guessing Marty, and Thanks.
February 20th, 2008 at 11:56 PM
You can’t bond your way out of our problems. After Bush’s 3 trillion dollar legacy you would think the GOP would learn a thing or two… then again you guys still think Nixon was a good guy
February 21st, 2008 at 7:57 AM
Hebee
But it’s OK to bond for pork projects like ice rinks, walking trails, and moving the Schubert Theatre (which as I understand, still sits empty)?
It’s called “priorities”. Everyone, say it with me now: Prioirities.
Very good.
February 21st, 2008 at 8:49 AM
Borrow now, pay later???
At what level of interest with Minnesota heading into a recession as job losses mount and with tax revenue collections down??? How is all going to be paid back without some tax or “user fee” going up?
Or is this just another way of saying …Accounting shifts?
February 21st, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Kathy you are right! It is a shame that the democRats of this state spent so much on unnessesary programs and left us no choice but to borrow or raise taxes. Since we should not be raising taxes, I guess we either borrow or make cuts.
February 21st, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Then perhaps BK, Gov. Pawlenty should issue a statement there will be a stop to allowing poor people from coming to Minnesota from other parts of the Midwest. That will stop the unnecessary spending.
Abolish ALL PROGRAMS that help with Heating Costs in the Winter, early Childhood Day care while mothers work at Minimum wage jobs or going to school, Subsidized Housing for the Veterans, Elderly, and poor, EBT, Minnesota Care …and the list goes on. Let this be the responisbility of the Churches and Non Profits rather than the state.
That will free up oodles of money.
February 21st, 2008 at 12:36 PM
You are not far off but of course you could not help yourself with the hiperble.
I am stating we fund nessesary programs first and then can look to fund the others after basics have been taken care of.
Many of the programs you list above have HUGE waste in them. I have several section 8 housing near me and the people living there have brand new sports cars, a TV you could watch from a block away and of course have cable tv as well. Now, should we be helping these people with housing if they can afford the other things? It is not a all or nothing issue even though that is what you on the left like to play so you can keep the waste up. Why if even one person who needed help did not get it, well the waste is just worth it.
Fact is Kathy, until liberalism hit here, you would have been on your own and most likely you would be counting on your family to help out, not a church or government. people should be help accountable for the choices they make. Early childhood day care for one, if a woman goes out, gets pregnant and locks herself into a minimum paying job, why should that be my problem? The vet stuff is nothing more than a hot button issue for politicians. Both sides try to capitolize on that subject and neither really do it for our service people either. Nice try though.
You seem to believe being poor is like getting a cold or something. Like you had no choice in the matter. There is no shortage of opportunity in this country as proved by all the immigrents who come here for a better life. If you are poor because some physical problem keeps you from having the ability to work or have mental issues I will feed you for the rest of your life. If you are poor because you screwed off in school, maybe had kids out of wedlock or any kind of planning, then I say you are on your own.
MN Care is a huge waste of money!!! My wife was maried before and the guy is a total sluff and still gets MN care even though he does not live here!! He only stops by for benefits. He lives in Wi and we have called the state many times as he still claims one of our addresses as his residence. The state does not care or ever try to stop the waste.
People come here from all over because we give out so much, that needs to stop!