Hennepin Cries Foul Over Republican Plan to Take Local Transit Sales Taxes

The Minnesota House Transportation Finance committee voted on mostly party lines Monday to divert the .25 percent sales tax that Twin Cities metro area residents pay to fund light rail to the state's general fund.

The money would make up for $51 Million in bus operating funds Republicans have proposed cutting, but would come at the expense of the central corridor light rail line between Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin said the move would cost jobs and was "stealing" money that the counties voted to levy on their citizens to pay for the rail line. McLaughlin called the diversion of money "unprecedented" and said it would put every city on notice that their local sales tax money could be taken over by the state.

House Minority Leader Paul Thissen (DFL-Minneapolis) on House floor complained about fee increases in the bill, and said taking local transit sales tax was "egregious."