MnDOT chief Zelle waits for word on transportation bills

New MnDOT commissioner
Gov. Mark Dayton appointed Charlie Zelle as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation in December 2012.
MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson

MnDOT Commissioner Charlie Zelle is keeping a keen eye on the transportation budget bills working their way through the Minnesota House and Senate. Those measures seem to be sputtering as the legislative session enters its final weeks.

MinnPost recently noted: "What should have been a landmark year for transportation-oriented Democrats and transit advocates has turned out to be a major disappointment so far."

A Transportation Finance Advisory Committee that Zelle worked on last year recommended increasing the gas tax by nearly 40 cents over the next 20 years, raising an estimated $15.2 billion, but Gov. Mark Dayton is opposed to the increase.

The House and Senate transportation committee chairs also support a statewide gas tax increase.

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Other funding streams up for discussion include a proposed optional sales tax, an annual vehicle registration fee and a proposed oil wholesaler tax.

ZELLE'S INTERVIEW WITH THE BRAINERD DISPATCH

READ MORE ON TRANSPORTATION ISSUES IN MINNESOTA

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