Priorities

Transportation

Unwillingness of the House Majority to approve a transportation finance package caused the Legislature to miss another opportunity to meaningfully address the transportation problems that are affecting the metro area and the entire state. The House leadership's entrenched hostility to transit led to the scrapping of the Northstar Commuter Rail Line. And conservatives single-minded opposition to increasing the gas tax killed the transportation bill.

We support a balanced transportation system that recognizes the importance of transit, bike and pedestrian options. The future health and prosperity of our metropolitan area must include a comprehensive transportation system that:

	Incorporates more and better investments in transit, including Hiawatha LRT, the Northstar Corridor commuter rail line and Bus Rapid Transit on 35W.
	Resists the erosion of local control and supports environmental review on all roadway designs and other transportation projects.
	Supports regional investments that minimize suburban sprawl.