Meeting Minnesota’s growing infrastructure needs requires a forward-thinking investment to adequately maintain and rebuild roads, keep our bridges safe, and yes, expand transit. Unfortunately, some state lawmakers are unable or unwilling to think holistically about these investments. Their refusal to allow counties to fund their development is costing all Minnesotans the transportation funding we need. Twisting facts and figures about much-needed transit projects simply distracts from issues like making our highways and bridges safer for all Minnesotans.

On the last day of the 2016 session, after three public hearings on the Southwest Light Rail, the Senate passed a funding bill that would have allowed the metro area counties to fund transit expansion. The House Republicans chose to adjourn rather than vote on the bill. No county in the state of Minnesota should be restricted by the state on how they spend their local tax dollars.

Investments in projects like Bottineau LRT, Gold Line BRT, and Southwest Light Rail mean more people will get to more jobs in more places. These projects are integral to a transportation system that benefits our entire state. Unlike other infrastructure projects, only 10 percent of construction costs would come from the state — 90 percent of construction funding would not be available for reallocation to other projects.

The Senate and governor tried in 2015 and 2016 to update existing law to ensure residents in Greater Minnesota would not be responsible for light rail operating and maintenance costs. The Senate transportation proposal included a metro sales tax as one way to have those communities who use transit be the ones to pay for transit. This proposal would ensure the state would not be responsible for SWLRT operating costs. In fact, the proposal would stop the state from paying any of the same costs for existing light rail lines.

Ann H. Rest

District 45

senator

Senate president pro tem