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Advancing
Minnesota
with
New
Transportation
Funding
Under
democratic
leadership,
Minnesota’s
transportation
infrastructure
has
been
neglected.
Instead,
the
legislature
has
focused
on
funding
wasteful
transit
projects
that
benefit
only
a
fraction
of
the
metro
area
population.
Meanwhile,
Republicans
have
listened
to
the
priorities
of
all
Minnesotans
and
now
recognize
the
dire
need
of
transportation
repair
statewide.
This
week
Senate
Republicans
announced
our
transportation
funding
plan.
All
new
spending
will
go
to
improve
our
roads
and
bridges,
without
raising
any
new
taxes.
The
plan
will
immediately
provide
$1.3
billion
in
transportation
improves
over
the
next
two
years
and
$3.6
billion
over
a
ten-year
period.
That
funding
will
cover
more
than
8,800
land
miles
and
200
bridges
in
our
state.
Besides
the
budget
changes,
this
transportation
bill
includes
some
common-sense
reforms
that
will
increase
transparency
at
Minnesota’s
Department
of
Transportation.
Minnesota
is
on
the
hook
for
50%
of
the
operating
costs
for
future
light
rail
projects.
Our
plan
wipes
out
that
mandate,
because
the
state
shouldn’t
have
to
fund
local
ventures.
With
these
changes,
Minnesotans
will
enjoy
shorter
and
safer
commutes
that
will
get
them
home
to
their
families
much
quicker.
For
more
information
about
our
plan,
visit
our
website.
Securing
Broadband
in
Greater
Minnesota
A
strong
broadband
infrastructure
is
as
critical
as
an
updated
transportation
infrastructure.
Access
to
reliable
broadband
is
vital
to
economic
development,
public
knowledge
and
safety,
and
quality
education
for
our
young
learners.
Rural
businesses,
banks,
schools,
and
hospitals
need
dependable
access
to
the
web
so
they
can
keep
advancing
with
the
rest
of
the
country.
Yet
there
is
a
huge
broadband
deficit
that
is
slowing
down
rural
parts
of
our
state.
This
session,
Senate
Republicans
are
calling
attention
to
this
urgent
issue
and
making
changes
to
support
these
communities.
Legislation
proposed
this
session
would
provide
grant
opportunities
for
local
telecommunications
companies
to
build
out
areas
of
the
state
that
are
unserved
or
underserved.
$20
million
over
2
years
will
promote
growth
in
greater
Minnesota
while
providing
more
security
for
businesses,
families,
and
other
vital
community
institutions.
This
bill
is
expected
to
be
included
in
the
omnibus
Jobs
bill,
which
will
be
voted
on
later
this
session.
Tax
Help
for
Disadvantaged
Minnesotans
I
spent
several
years
working
for
the
Minnesota
Department
of
Revenue
and
during
this
time,
I
led
a
team
to
create
our
state’s
electronic
filing
system.
That
system
has
been
deployed
to
agencies
across
the
state
to
streamline
data
collection
and
increase
technological
efficiencies.
Now
as
a
Senator,
my
work
came
full
circle
when
I
proposed
a
bill
that
would
allow
me
to
revisit
one
of
the
first
carriers
to
implement
our
filing
system:
The
Voluntary
Income
Tax
Assistance
program
or
“VITA.”
But
I
digress.
The
bill
I
want
to
talk
about
will
help
a
lot
of
low-income
Minnesotans
help
save
money
and
provide
for
their
families.
As
everyone
knows,
filing
taxes
is
a
very
complicated
and
sensitive
process.
If
done
incorrectly,
you
risk
overpaying
or
missing
savings
you
may
not
realize
you
are
eligible
for.
That’s
why
tons
of
resources
to
help
people
properly
file
their
taxes
have
increasingly
gained
popularity.
However,
these
services
are
expensive,
leaving
many
disadvantaged
Minnesotans
who
need
the
most
support
unable
to
access
these
valuable
resources.
To
level
the
playing
field
and
get
help
to
these
people,
VITA
offers
free
tax
help
to
taxpayers
who
may
need
assistance
preparing
their
returns.
This
includes
Minnesotans
earning
less
than
$54,000
a
year,
persons
with
disabilities,
and
limited
English-speaking
taxpayers.
Similarly,
the
Tax
Counseling
for
the
Elderly
(TCE)
offers
tax
help
to
those
who
are
60
years
or
older,
targeting
pension
and
retirement
questions
in
particular.
My
bill
–
Senate
File
816
–
reinstates
grants
to
continue
funding
these
programs
and
delivering
much-needed
support
to
Minnesota’s
most
vulnerable.
Sincerely,
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