Minnesota State Road Taxes in 2030: Will revenues keep pace with inflation?
The future adequacy of Minnesota road funding is evaluated in a 27-year forecast of current law road taxes (motor vehicle registration tax, motor vehicle sales tax, and motor fuels excise tax). Revenue projections are compared with inflation-adjusted base costs in three economic growth scenarios (Trend, Optimistic, and Pessimistic), using two price deflators (core-CPI and state/local government costs). The Trend scenario predicts road tax revenues will lose purchasing power to inflation by 2020, but over the forecast period cumulative revenues and costs nearly balance out. According to this scenario, current tax policy can support 2003 service levels into the future, but not fund system improvements. The Optimistic scenario forecasts a surplus in purchasing power in all 27 years, providing the opportunity for significant new spending without changing current law. Under the Pessimistic scenario, tax revenues fall short of inflationary costs by 2012, with the annual loss in purchasing power reaching $1 billion by 2030. In this scenario, road tax policy changes are needed to avert significant declines in road service.
Funding Surface Transportation in Minnesota: Past, Present and Prospects
Transportation systems play an imperative role in enhancing the productivity and the quality of life in the United States. The funding and financing of transportation is a complex process requiring joint efforts of federal, state, and local governments. To meet current and future transportation needs, policymakers must constantly assess the mechanism of transportation finance to ensure adequate and sustainable investment. In recent years, depleting state and local budgets and growing capital and maintenance costs related to transportation have been a common challenge. The state of Minnesota is estimated to have billions in unmet transportation needs to keep up with inflation and the increase in transportation demands. In 2008, the state legislature passed chapter 152 (HF2800), which made some important changes to existing funding techniques. This report reviews the funding of public surface transportation systems (including highways, transit and local roads) in Minnesota. The authors look at how transportation projects have been funded, identify current and future policy issues likely to affect transportation funding, look at the implications of chapter 152 (HF2800), and go over some of the funding options suggested by other researchers. The aim is to encourage better understanding and management of issues related to transportation funding in Minnesota.
[Effects of dance exercise on exercise intention and exercise-related affect of postmenopausal women].
PURPOSE
A dance exercise program was performed to investigate the effects of exercise on exercise intention and exercise-related affect as these are important determinants of exercise behavior.


METHOD
The subjects were overweight (23< or =BMI< or =25) or obese (BMI> or =25) postmenopausal women (n=14), who participated in an exercise program from May, 2003 through November, 2003 at one public health center located in Kyong-gi Province. Data was analyzed with an SAS PC program.


RESULT
Exercise intention was significantly increased after the exercise program (t=-2.24, P=0.04). Exercise-related affect was also increased, but there was no statistically significant change (t=1.81, P=0.09).


CONCLUSION
This study suggests that exercise participation can increase the level of future exercise behavior by increasing exercise intention and exercise-related affect.