Transportation amendment wins, dedicates funds to roads, transit

From the Minneapolis Labor Review, November 16, 2006

By Steve Share, Labor Review editor

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota voters November 7 approved an amendment to the state constitution to dedicate funding from the state’s motor vehicle sales tax for roads and transit.

The measure had the backing of the Minnesota AFL-CIO, the business community, and mass transit advocates.

With 96 percent of precincts reporting as the Labor Review went to press, the amendment had 1,153,654 “yes” votes (57.27 percent) and 860,708 “no” votes plus ballots left blank (42.73 percent). Ballots left blank on the question automatically counted as a “no” vote.

Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1005 was one of many unions backing the amendment. “What we hope is it will build the bus system without having to raise fares, build more light rail lines, and fund the Northstar Commuter Rail line,” said Michelle Sommers, ATU Local 1005 president.

“This is the first time Minnesota has had dedicated funding for mass transit,” she said. “It will build a transit system the Twin Cities can be proud of.”

The text appearing on the ballot read: “PHASED IN DEDICATION OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE SALES TAX TO HIGHWAYS AND PUBLIC TRANSIT.

“Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to dedicate revenue from a tax on the sale of new and used motor vehicles over a five-year period, so that after June 30, 2011, all of the revenue is dedicated at least 40 percent for public transit assistance and not more than 60 percent for highway purposes?”

In addition to the Minnesota AFL-CIO and ATU, unions endorsing the transportation amendment included: AFSCME Council 5; Cement Masons Local 633; International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49; Laborers District Council of Minnesota and North Dakota; Lakes and Plains Regional Council of Carpenters and Joiners; Teamsters Joint Council 32 DRIVE; and Teamsters Local 120.

Supporters said the amendment could generate an estimated $300 million per year for transportation needs without raising taxes.

Opponents, including Education Minnesota — the teachers union — cautioned that making the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax a dedicated fund would leave a hole in the state budget that would leave other vital needs unmet.

The campaign for the amendment arose after Governor Tim Pawlenty vetoed a bi-partisan transportation bill passed during the 2005 legislative session.

The veto led to deferred maintenance, construction delays, and transit cuts.

For more information on the transportation amendment, visit www.voteyesmn.org.

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