My Point of View by Joseph E. Brown Sr.

 

“A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation” — James Freeman Clarke, clergyman, 1810-1888.

At 68 years of age, I care deeply about the future of our state and nation. America is truly the land of opportunity. As we complete another school year and students are marching through their graduation ceremonies and hosting graduation parties, it is a great time to ponder about their future and the future of our state and nation.

I was 11 years old in October 1962 when I attended the dedication of the Herbert Hoover presidential library in West Branch, Iowa. Former presidents Herbert Hoover and Harry S. Truman were the keynote speakers. My brother Bill was an Eagle Scout and served in the honor guard that welcomed the former presidents. This was the first time my parents drove on a partially built four-lane highway to be known as Interstate 80.

The interstate system has been called the greatest public works project in history. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act in 1956. President Eisenhower was a Republican. The 96-member U.S. Senate was made up of 48 Democrats, one Independent and 47 Republicans. The 433-member U.S. House of Representatives had 230 Democrats and 203 Republicans. Even with divided government, the Congress and the president collaborated to create the interstate highway system.

According to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, there are 709 structurally deficient bridges in Minnesota. As a school superintendent, I am more concerned about one of our rural bridges collapsing under the weight of a school bus than I am of a school shooter. Minnesota needs to increase the road use tax fund in order to maintain our current roads and bridges.

 

State gasoline tax, diesel tax

Minnesota: 28.60, 28.60

Iowa: 30.50, 32.50

Wisconsin: 32.90, 30.90

South Dakota: 30.00, 30.00

Minnesota needs to elect more statesmen and fewer politicians. I understand why a politician would not support raising taxes to provide safe roads and bridges for all of us. They fear they will be attacked and criticized at the next election. Who is going to take responsibility the next time there is a bridge collapse in Minnesota? Who is going to take responsibility when a motorist drives over a pothole and destroys a tire, knocks their steering out of alignment or gets into an accident?

I personally drive 30,000 miles annually. My car gets 25 miles per gallon. I purchase 1,200 gallons of gas each year. A 20-cent increase on the gas tax would cost me an additional $240 per year or 66 cents per day. The average cost of a new set of tires is $637. The average cost of a wheel alignment is $150. The cost of a collapsed bridge will cost millions. What is the cost of a major accident?

The average Minnesota driver drives 17,887 miles per year. At 25 miles per gallon, they would purchase 715 gallons of gas. A 20-cent increase on the gas tax would cost the average driver $143 per year or 39 cents per day.

Since the Republican members of the Minnesota Legislature opposed raising the gas tax to fix our structurally deficient bridges and roads, I suggest that the next time you need to replace a tire, or get your car aligned due to driving on poor roads and bridges, you should send the bill to the state Republican Party of Minnesota at 7400 Metro Blvd, Suite 424, Edina, MN 55439.

For those of us living in Greater Minnesota, our business community and farmers are dependent on safe roads and bridges. According to Mn-DOT’s Office of Financial Management, over the past nine-years, the metro receives 41% of the gas tax dollars and vehicle registration fees and excise taxes on car sales while Greater Minnesota receives 56%. The rest goes for statewide projects.

Based on revenue and spending for the years 2010-2015, the metro area contributes 49% of the gas taxes and other fees used for road projects but was home to just 37% of the road spending according to the March 2018 report by the Institute for Urban and Regional Infrastructure Finance.

Safe roads and bridges should never be a political or partisan issue. I have never spoken with anyone that favors unsafe roads and bridges. We know where the politicians are. Where are the statesmen?

Joseph Brown Sr. is the Senate District 27 DFL chairman.