Even though in the recent Star Tribune poll, a majority of Minnesotans support light rail, the Republican majority in the state legislature continue to try to pull the state back to the 1950s or earlier. The following article by Janet Moore was posted on the Star Tribune website May 2, 2017:
Transportation plan’s funding limitations would imperil Southwest, Bottineau lines.
Riders take the light-rail during morning rush hour.
Both the Southwest and Bottineau light-rail lines are imperiled by a nearly $1 billion transportation proposal being considered by Minnesota lawmakers.
A number of provisions adopted by the Republican-led Transportation Conference Committee late Monday would prohibit counties, cities, regional railroad authorities and the Metropolitan Council from spending money on new light-rail projects. Any proposed LRT project would have to gain legislative approval first. Continue reading “Republican transportation proposal imperils future LRT projects”