In the New Ulm Journal article, Politicians mull transportation funding, taxes, Fritz Busch reports:
Dahms suggested using sales taxes on leased and rented vehicles, which he said could generate about $450 million a year. "Transportation money used to come from those sources until it was shifted away over the years," Dahms explained. "Only 7% of the Governor's budget goes to transportation. We've all heard about the issues."
That's a good one. According to non-partisan House staff, in 2015, the state took in $69 million for long-term leases, while for it's predicted that in Fiscal Year 2016, $22.9 million revenue will come in for rentals (9.2% above general tax). That's about $92 million per year, less than a fourth of what Dahms forecast. (One almost has to wonder if he was thinking of some other revenue source).
Not everyone at Friday's town hall at the New Ulm Pizza Ranch was as negative on the Governor's transportation plan, Busch reports:
Brown County Commissioner Dick Seeboth said he didn't often agree with Gov. Dayton but that he felt he "hit a homerun with his latest transportation plan. "Adding a 16 cent gas tax is just a drop in the bucket for huge needs we have and good for the State in general," Seeboth explained.
Photo: Senator Gary Dahms.
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