March 23, 2009: Legislative Report #35
Light Rail Forced on Minnesota
A little research on the Minnesota Legislatures website shows 10 bills for light rail projects introduced so far in 2009. The bills include at least $26,500,000.00 of debt bonding to pay for studies on building the rail corridors in Minnesota.
I have multiple problems with the bills bring introduced, they include:
- A presumption of profitable rider ship over decades
- A presumption of affordability to fund the construction
- We have a responsibility to fully fund and maintain existing road systems
- The expectation of Federal Revenue increases to fund such transportation expansion and maintenance into future decades
- The bills borrow funds with interest over many years to pay for studies
Any legislative representative who plans state spending past 2009, with the expectation of continued federal dollars is wholly misjudging the reality of our economy. Thoughtful legislative leadership would strongly consider the stability of future federal payments in relation to Minnesota revenue.
I am opposed to every bill introduced below, not because the concept may be a reasonable plan for the Metro Area, because reasonable economic considerations prohibit any investment past our existing transportation system. Minnesota has no business investing in new transportation toys, when the existing infrastructure continues crumbling around us.
HF 48: Hastings and Red Wing $2,000,000.00 bond
HF 124: Rochester, $500,000.00 bond
HF 259: Chicago, $10,000,000.00 bond
HF 263: Minneapolis to Saint Paul $8,500,000.00 bond
HF 307: Northfield, No funds appropriated yet
HF 637: Maple Grove $500,000.00 bond
HF 828: Rosemount $4,000,000.00 bond
HF 833: Hinckley $1,000,000.00 bond