Dear Lakeville friends,
As you know, I’m a supporter of improving our transportation system for all of our residents. That means funding roads, bridges, and effective transit. This morning, I spoke with a number of folks at the Kenrick bus stop to learn more about their transportation ideas. It was great hearing their thoughts and seeing how important express buses are for many residents.
Personally, I support a transportation plan that not only improves our roads, but also supports our transit system, especially the express buses from Lakeville to downtown Minneapolis!
In St. Paul, we’ve entered the portion of the legislative session where the House and Senate have passed their budget bills, and now come together to work out the differences. As Vice Chair of the Transportation Policy committee, I was also appointed to the conference committee on transportation. This gives me a chance to advocate for what’s important to Lakeville residents: funding roads, bridges, and efficient transit options without raising taxes on Minnesotans.
As part of this conference committee, I am working towards improving our roads and bridges in the metro area and across the state, but also to improve the funding for our metro bus system. I’ve been a member of the Transportation Finance Committee since I started in the legislature, and am working daily to be a voice for Lakeville residents and all Minnesotans. I’ve heard from many of you, and understand your concern over transit funding. Please know that I agree with those that have contacted me and am at the forefront of advocating to improve those provisions for Lakeville commuters! I am grateful to have a seat in the conference committee and the honor to represent you.
Instead of raising taxes on Minnesotans, our plan uses existing revenue streams and part of the $1.65 billion surplus to address our transportation needs. Our plan would invest $2.1 billion in the next two years in Minnesota’s roads and bridges. That includes money to fund 97 bridge projects on MnDOT’s priority list. We also invest $146 million to help counties and cities pay for their improvements. In total, the House proposal sets the groundwork for a $6 billion transportation investment in the next decade. In addition, I have been advocating for a stronger distribution of these funds in the seven-county metro area. I am happy to announce today we were successful in increasing our transportation budget target.
Finally, I’ve long been a supporter of efficient transit options, like buses. In fact, I authored a bill this session, HF1097, to fund the Metro Orange Bus Rapid Transit Line. Since that’s a bonding request, we have to wait and see if it’s included in any final bonding proposal this session or next. Efficient bus transit provides the greatest return for your tax dollars. A properly funded Orange Line is a flexible, resourceful way for Lakeville residents to commute to downtown Minneapolis. I’ll continue to advocate for Bus Rapid Transit this session and into the future.
Negotiations can be tricky as the House, Senate, and Governor have differing proposals. As with any negotiation, I expect each side will have to give and take, and we’ll end up with components from each.
Thank you to those that have shared this concern with me, I appreciate the opportunity and am very optimistic that we can improve our entire transportation system.
Enjoy your weekend,
Jon Koznick
State Representative, Lakeville