May 7, 2010
Making Minnesota roads safer
The Minnesota Senate recently passed legislation that will help prevent drunk driving and make our roads safer for all motorists. I was the first co-author on this bill, which expands the use of the ignition interlock program. An ignition interlock device prevents a car from starting unless a driver successfully blows into the “breathalyzer” device. Under the bill, DWI offenders could choose to either drive with an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle or be without their driver’s license for an increased revocation period.
Expanding the use of this program will benefit public safety by ensuring that an offender is sober when they are behind the wheel. It also provides a legal means for those with DWIs to reinstate their driving privileges – which is safer for everyone than having them driving without a valid license. With ignition interlock, these folks will be able to safely and legally get to and from work and carry on with their family obligations.
From the experience of Minnesota’s existing pilot program, and that of other states, ignition interlock has proven effective in changing behaviors and providing rehabilitation. It also prevents repeat offenses – something vitally important in a state that currently experiences 40 percent of those with DWIs re-offending.
This bill would also have no taxpayer costs, but hold offenders responsible for their actions. Offenders would be responsible for paying the costs of being on the program of about $100 month.
Given these strong and numerous benefits, ignition interlock passed both bodies of the Legislature with nearly unanimous support. Differences exist in the House and Senate versions, which will be worked out by a conference committee. I’m optimistic that agreement will be found and this important public-safety initiative will be signed into law this session.
Regarding road safety, there are also several important construction projects that will be going on in our area this summer that will help improve and maintain our transportation infrastructure, including:
• Replacing the Highway 95 Bridge in North Branch
• Installing a living snow fence at the intersection of Highway 17 and I-35
• Resurfacing and installing traffic signals on Highway 95 in Cambridge
• Replacing the signs at the I-35 split on the Chisago County line
• Local, state, and federal partners are also collaborating to finalize the funding needed to replace the Second Ave. Bridge in Cambridge.
• In 2013, replacing the Highway 95 Bridge in Cambridge over the Rum River
Locally, we’ve experienced some tragic losses on our highways. My heart goes out to the victims and their families. As a member of the Senate Transportation Committee, I am committed to improving the safety of our roads for all who drive them – be it through keeping them safely maintained or passing important driver-safety initiatives like ignition interlock.
Additionally, at the time this column went to print, budget negotiations were underway regarding the Supreme Court decision and end of session. I am hopeful that a compromise will be reached.
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May 5, 2009
Transportation budget showcases cooperation
Recently, I had the opportunity to serve on the conference committee for the transportation budget bill. Not only was I excited to have a voice in establishing the budget for one of my primary areas of legislative interest, but this experience proved to be a prime example of the good that can be accomplished through negotiation and compromise.
The transportation budget bill provides funding primarily for Mn/DOT, and also some money for the Metropolitan Council and the State Patrol. Most funding for these areas comes from revenue dedicated to transportation—the gas tax, vehicle registration, and the motor vehicle sales tax (MVST). Because this funding is not from Minnesota’s General Fund, it is not part of the $6.4 billion budget deficit.
However, a small portion of the transportation budget—transit—is funded through the General Fund and was subject to a 7 percent cut to help balance the state’s shortfall. Everyone agreed that we could not leave a huge hole in the transit budget and many ideas were being floated around to address this deficit. In the end, legislators and personnel from the Met Council, Mn/DOT, and the governor’s office sat down together and hammered-out a good compromise. We agreed to find internal cost savings, allow the temporary use of underutilized funds for transit operations, and accelerate the transition of MVST dollars to funding transit. (MVST dollars will still be used 60 percent to fund roads and 40 percent for Greater Minnesota and Metro Transit).
Because of this cooperation, the Metropolitan Council has stated they will not need to increase fares or reduce service to balance their budget. Additionally, the 24 Greater Minnesota transit service providers with an immediate cash shortage, including Isanti County in my district, will receive the funds they need to keep operating.
This bill accomplishes many other good things. It provides $40 million in trunk highway bonds that can be used to improve intersections to attract economic development or as a local match to federally funded projects. These bonds will be split 50-50 between the metropolitan area and Greater Minnesota. The bill also provides funding for the Office of Pupil Transportation Safety within the State Patrol, which is an initiative I offered last session to help improve the inspections of Minnesota’s school buses. It also provides a grant to complete airport-development projects, a great investment for economic development.
Albeit resolving the transportation budget is only a very small component of addressing the state’s budget deficit, the cooperative process used gives me hope that agreement can be reached in other areas. Finding a common goal, engaging in direct communications, and having the willingness to give and take truly are the foundation of good government. We developed a workable solution that will be signed into law. I’m hopeful that legislators, the governor, and other state agencies, will learn from this positive experience and use this approach in resolving more of our end-of-session differences.
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June 2, 2009
Adopting a Highway is a rewarding experience
As some of you might have noticed on the signs as you drive along Interstate 35, I’ve adopted a section of the highway just north of Forest Lake. This past weekend, a group of seven friends and family joined me for the spring clean up for our section of the road. All together, we put in about 30 hours of volunteer time, filled up 40 bags of trash, found three dead deer, and caught six wood ticks. It was a lot of hard work, but also a very fun and rewarding experience.
All across the state, families, businesses, church groups, social clubs and student organizations participate in Mn/DOT’s Adopt a Highway Program. Along with providing local volunteer opportunities, this program helps preserve Minnesota’s environment, protect our wildlife and their habitats, and beautify our communities. It’s also fun to spend some time outdoors, get some exercise, and enjoy the company of your friends. And of course, at the end of the day, it’s always nice to walk away from the clean up project knowing that your little piece of the road is in good shape.
Participating in this program is very simple, all it takes is a two year commitment to clean up a stretch of highway about two miles long each spring and fall, and Mn/DOT will help with the rest. They’ll put up signs designating your group’s adoption of the section of highway. You just let them know the day you’ll be out cleaning, and they’ll provide you with safety vests and trash bags. You just leave your trash bags along the side of the road as you pick up litter, and Mn/DOT will come by the next day to pick them up. As a matter of fact, on my way in to work this morning, I saw the crew picking up our bags of garbage.
There are a number of sections of highway in our area that don’t have anyone signed up. Mn/DOT is ready and able to help you find a stretch of road that is nearby and convenient. If you are interested in more information or participating in the Adopt a Highway Program, you can visit http://www.dot.state.mn.us/adopt/index.html or call our local program coordinator, Vicki Kessler, at 651-366-4350.
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February 25, 2008
Transportation bill would improve safety and boost economy
Before the legislative session began, legislators made it clear that our top priority for this session would be improving our state’s economy during this recession. By passing the Safe Roads and Bridges Improvement Act within the first 2 weeks of session, we delivered on this commitment. This transportation funding package will not only improve the safety of the state’s roads and bridges, but will create an estimated 33,000 jobs per year.
What pleases me most about this investment in transportation is the true spirit of compromise and cooperation that went into assembling the bill. Legislative leaders partnered with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce to develop a funding compromise that the business community would support. The Legislature and chamber both recognize that for Minnesota businesses to thrive, for goods and services to get to market, and attract new development, we need a safe and efficient transportation system. By working together, legislation was crafted that is a great step in moving Minnesota forward
Further, all of the governor’s transportation funding proposals are included in the bill. Transportation leaders also worked closely with MnDOT, the Metropolitan Council, and legislators from both sides of the aisle. Many provisions that were originally in the bill were removed, and many changes and improvements were made. In the end, these compromises allowed us to pass a fair and balanced transportation package that garnered bipartisan support in both legislative chambers.
Because of the tragic collapse of the I-35W bridge last August, a major component of this legislation is bridge safety. The bill provides $600 million in the first 2 years to address 13 fracture-critical trunk highway bridges. A Trunk Highway Bridge Improvement Program is also established to ensure that Minnesota’s bridges are fixed or replaced according to their safety needs. This program will rank bridges into tiers according to their safety ratings and require that the most unsafe bridges are fixed or replaced first. The bill requires that all bridges in the top two tiers be scheduled for repair or replacement by 2018. I strongly support the inclusion of this program in this legislation, as it provides accountability to the people of Minnesota that bridges will be fixed and are safe for travel.
Another great component of this bill is that it provides the steady funding needed to ensure that MnDOT has the funds it needs to preserve our current roads. A recent report issued by the non-partisan, independent Legislative Auditor found that Minnesota’s roads have deteriorated over the past 5 years, and would continue to become less safe unless there was an increase in transportation resources. In recent years, the only additional dollars going to transportation have been in the form of bonds, which cannot be used on road upkeep, only construction projects. Due to this funding shortage, MnDOT has been rendered unable to keep up with the maintenance and safety needs of our roads. By providing a steady investment of real dollars into transportation, this bill will allow MnDOT to both safely maintain our roads and move forward with important construction projects, like the Highway 95 Bridge.
Finally, this is a great piece of legislation because it provides tax relief. The lowest-income bracket will receive a $25 income tax credit to offset the increase in the gas tax. Additionally, by increasing the state’s investment in county highways and city roads, we are providing property tax relief. Since the mid-1990’s, Minnesota has seen property taxes increase by $1 billion a year just for local transportation projects.
I was proud to support the Safe Roads and Bridges Improvement Act. Despite the governor’s immediate veto of this investment in transportation safety and economic opportunity, I remain optimistic that the cooperation between bipartisan legislators and the chamber will continue and this bill will still become law.
I encourage you to contact me with your questions or comments on any issue. You may call me at 651-296-5419, send an e-mail to sen.rick.olseen@senate.mn, or write to G-24 State Capitol, St. Paul, MN 55155-1606.
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February 26, 2008
Job creation and safer roads a reality
Minnesota will realize substantial gains in job creation and safer roads and bridges due to the Legislature’s override of the governor’s transportation bill veto, announced State Sen. Rick Olseen, DFL- Harris
The House of Representatives was able to override the governor by a vote of 91-41, after securing the support of 5 Republican representatives. The Senate overrode the governor by a bipartisan vote of 47-20. Two Republican senators joined the DFL in this vote.
“Enacting this investment in transportation is truly historic for Minnesota,” said Sen. Olseen. “For the first time in 20 years, we’re putting real, dedicated funding into our roads and bridges.”
Sen. Olseen noted that support from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in enacting this investment into law.
“By partnering with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, we were able to develop a fair and reasonable transportation investment that will begin to move our state forward,” said Sen. Olseen. “The support of the business community was key to achieving bipartisan support for this transportation package. Republican and Democrat, business and labor, all recognized that the strength of the state’s economy is tied to having a safe and efficient transportation system.”
The Safe Roads and Bridges Improvement Act will invest $6.6 billion into the state’s transportation over the next ten years. Additionally, it will create an estimated 33,000 jobs per year throughout the economy.
“Given the recession, we need to do everything possible to get our economy back on track,” said Sen. Olseen. “Investing in transportation provides a great opportunity to not only improve the safety of our roads and bridges, but attract economic development and get Minnesotans back to work.”
Sen. Olseen noted the importance of this transportation investment to the replacement of the Highway 95 Bridge in North Branch.
“For too long, Minnesota has seen many important projects delayed because of our underfunded Transportation Department,” said Sen. Olseen. “This bill provides MnDOT with the stable, dedicated funding it needs to meet the state-match portion for projects like the Highway 95 Bridge.”
Sen. Olseen praised his Republican colleagues who supported this investment in safe roads and bridges.
“Minnesotans will see improved safety and increased economic development because of this bipartisan effort,” said Sen. Olseen. “I applaud my Republican colleagues in both the House and Senate for having the courage for putting what is right for the state ahead of partisan allegiances.”
