Minnesota Legislative News Sen. Day targets congestion with 'Freedom to Drive' bill by Jim Snyder Staff Writer S en. If I could drive to Rome, I'd probably go there every couple of years. But driving around the Twin Cities isn't so enjoyable, Day says. Recent studies have ranked Minneapolis-St. Paul in the top 20 most congested areas in the country, reflecting a sharp rise in the region's congestion during the past decade.
Day contends the numbers reflect a problem.
Day wants the extra highway money to build a lane around the Twin Cities' Interstate 494 and 694 beltway, which he contends isn't big enough to handle the traffic. But it would also be spent on outstate roads and highways. Now all of the sales tax monies are sent to the general fund. That change requires an amendment to the state constitution, and would have to be approved by Minnesota voters. Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe said Thursday he supports some of Day's proposals.