Good Questions: Gas Tax, Rainbows & Rivers
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – It's Friday, so we're answering some of your Good Questions.
Steve from Annandale asks: What does the state do with the gas tax money?
The state's 28.5 cent gas tax brings in about $860 million a year. The Minnesota State Constitution requires that money be spent on roads.
"That revenue is combined with other sources of revenue and eventually is paid out to do a variety of things, such as road and bridge construction and road maintenance," says Kevin Gutknecht, director of communications for MNDOT. "Some of it is also directed to counties and cities of 5,000 or more in population to help with their transportation needs."
Danielle from Maple Lake asks: How do rainbows form?
After the sun comes out when it rains, the sunlight goes through the water drops. The sunlight slows down once it hits the water droplets and the light spectrum separates into ROY-G-BIV.
Kristi from Morgan asks: Why does it take so long for rivers to crest?
According to the National Weather Service, it takes time for the water that falls to the ground to flow into the rivers because the terrain is so flat. Minnesota also has lots of ponds, lakes and marshes, which are places for that water to stop along the way.
