Governor Mark Dayton signing a 1.5-billion-dollar bonding bill with over 400 million dollars for “Corridors of Commerce” prompted MN-DOT to immediately announce two major upgrades in Greater Minnesota — Highway 14 between Owatonna and Dodge Center, and Highway 23 between Willmar and Saint Cloud. But Dayton says over 160 requests remain unaddressed. He says, “That just shows the backlog of really important and in many cases urgently-needed highway improvement projects around the state, that this legislature in the last couple years has steadfastly opposed funding adequately.”
Republicans say they won’t increase the gasoline tax or other taxes on Minnesotans. Democrats warn road-and-bridge needs will then take money from other important areas like education and human services.