Posted: 8/3/06
Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Peter Hutchinson presents transportation initiative
by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter
Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Peter Hutchinson sees one means of uncorking congestion on the highways as going after the less astute motorist.
ìThe one I think weíve lost sight of ó and I donít know how to put it other than dumb driving,î said Hutchinson at a Capitol press conference Thursday (Aug. 3) on transportation.
Noting about a quarter of congestion is caused by accidents as estimated by the federal government, Hutchinson proposed fining motorists who get into crashes while distracted ó reading, eating, gabbing on the cell phone.
He believes half-eaten burgers or mascara brushes lying about would give evidence of inattentiveness.
ìYou crash, you pay,î he said.
Indeed, Hutchinson would sign a bill banning the use of cell phones in cars, he said.
Hutchinson did not back away from the notion of the dumb driver.
ìPeople every day look around and watch people drive ó they know whatís going on out there,î he said.
Hutchinson criticized the Pawlenty Administration for excessive transportation borrowing and betting and losing on ideas such as having contractors finance their own project as proposed with Crosstown 62.
He charged that Gov. Pawlentyís appointment of Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau as highway commissioner had misfired, and vowed not to put a politician in charge of state agency.
Molnau is the former House Transportation Finance Committee chairwoman.
Hutchinson wants the Legislature to repass the transportation bill the governor vetoed in 2005 with fanfair, one that contained an incremental 10 cents a gallon gas tax increase.
ìItís not a break the bank deal,î said Hutchinson of the gas tax increase, explaining that a motorist driving 15,000 miles a year would pay about $50 extra a year.
The tax was last raised in 1988.
DFL gubernatorial candidate Mike Hatch opposes a gas tax increase.
Hutchinson also wants to allocate a quarter of one percent of the existing state sales tax ó about $180 million a year ó and dedicate that to statewide transit.
In transit, he wants to see the Northstar Commuter Rail line finished and other transit projects on timetables.
While backing the outcome of the proposed motor vehicle sales tax consititutional amendment going before voters in November, Hutchinson opposes the amendment itself.
He argues financial policy shouldnít be enshrined in the state constitution as it renders inflexibility.
A Hutchinson Administation would always examine the possible use of tolls on major highway projects, the candidate explained.
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