(KNSI) – As the Minnesota Legislature makes its way through the leftover budget work in its special session this week, the House of Representatives passed the Transportation Budget Bill Wednesday.
The compromise bill allocates roughly $3 billion each year to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Significant changes include ending the suspension of driver’s licenses when drivers fail to pay for traffic tickets or commit non-public safety offenses. The budget also allocates $57.5 million for Bus Rapid Transit and $30.9 million for Truck Highway Corridor Studies and Local Road Grants.
Minneapolis DFL Rep. Frank Hornstein, who is the House Transportation committee chair, says transportation impacts Minnesotans’ quality of life and economic opportunity.
“Many people will benefit from this bill — all corners of this state, all modes,” Hornstein said. “Transportation unifies and connects people.”
Two provisions introduced by St. Cloud Representative Dan Wolgamott made it into the budget bill: one that would improve safety on Highway 10, and another to improve school bus safety by installing cameras on school bus stop arms.
“I’m proud to pass my legislation increasing safety for children who ride the school bus and my legislation to reduce gridlock and accidents on Highway 10,” Wolgamott said. “Our transportation budget makes significant investments in road and bridge repairs and fixes crumbling infrastructure all throughout our state.”
The state legislature and Gov. Tim Walz have a deadline of midnight on June 30th to pass the entire two-year state budget.
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