Ok, I know….So what’s new?
Last spring on the heels of the 35W bridge collapse and as the Minnesota Legislature wrestled with their budget, the Democrats decided to politicize the bridge to get the largest single tax increase in the state passed. The Dems claimed that the 35W bridge proved that we weren’t spending enough on our infrastructure. The claimed we needed more money to fund roads, bridges and, oh yes, transit.
With the help of 6 RINOs, the Dems overrode a veto by Governor Pawlenty and passed the gas tax increase. Included in that bill was the ability for metro counties to increase their sales tax by 1/4% so that they could take care of their deteriorating infrastructure.
Today’s Star and Tribune reports that the first projects to be paid from the new taxes are now receiving their funding. The Strib reports that the following projects have received funding:
Tens of millions of dollars from the new transit tax will bring a commuter-rail stop to Fridley, build a park-and-ride station in Apple Valley and help stretch light-rail transit from Minneapolis to St. Paul.
and if that wasn’t bad enough:
The biggest chunk of money — nearly $31 million — goes to the Metropolitan Council so it can address Metro Transit’s operating deficit.
Can you help me find the bridge replacements in there? Can you help me find road repair? How about new road lanes, did you see any of those paid for from those funds?
Just like Paulson’s bailout, the Dems were caterwauling about our crumbling infrastructure and how maintenance had become so bad and they didn’t want another 35W bridge incident. THEY NEEDED MONEY FOR THE CHILDREN!
Yeah. All we got was more places to put money so we could set ourselves up for even higher taxes to support the ongoing subsidies that each of these efforts will further need.
Oh, and did I tell you that the whole “bridge crashed because it wasn’t maintained” theory was busted?
