St. Paul, MN - Following the announcement of an agreement between the Metropolitan Council and Hennepin County to close the Southwest Light Rail funding shortfall, State Representative Brad Tabke (DFL - Shakopee), who serves as Vice Chair of the Transportation Committee in the Minnesota House, raised concerns over the agreement utilizing funds that could otherwise be allocated to additional regional transportation projects, negatively impacting Shakopee and other neighboring communities.
“An agreement to responsibly fund the Southwest Light Rail would be a tremendous benefit to the region and the state, but the recent deal reached by the Met Council and Hennepin County not only shortchanges communities like Shakopee, but is in direct contrast to the intention of our Transportation budget we passed this year,” said Rep. Tabke. “We can find a funding solution that supports the completion of the Southwest Light Rail – and Blue Line Extension – without sacrificing other important regional projects.”
The funding agreement has yet to be formally approved by both the Metropolitan Council and the Hennepin County Board. Next session, Rep. Tabke will be introducing legislation to provide stronger guidelines for the use of transit funds.
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