Good evening, my friend!!
 After a four hour recess where we sat on the house floor, went for walks, and visited the Quadriga we are back on the house floor and have taken up the Transportation Finance Bill. It passed 106 to 19.
I was extremely proud to represent you on the Transportation Committee this year as the Vice-Chair. We worked extremely hard to tackle major issues like delivering transit and transportation options for crossing the Minnesota River, funding road maintenance, transit, roads and bridges in small cities and townships, along with many other transp-related items.
The ongoing transportation funding in the State of Minnesota currently does not even fund the maintenance of the 5th largest road network in the nation. We passed a bill in the House that would have funded maintenance, operations, and expansion of our Minnesota roads, bridges, and transit. Unfortunately, this is simply a status quo bill that will not add a lane to 169, expand Bus Rapid Transit, fund our Greater Minnesota roads and bridges.
This bill has some good points, but is woefully inadequate in planning for our future needs in Minnesota. It simply funds where we are today. Here are some highlights:
- Replaces MNLARS with a new Licensing and Registration system
- Helps Deputy Registrars (like Scott County) with fees and back-pay on MNLARS issues
- Funds Route 495 with one-time operational funding
- Invests Federal money in active transportation (bike / pedestrian / trails / etc.)
- Expands and pays for Metro Mobility for disabled persons
We'll keep working throughout the next year to find new and innovative methods of funding our transportation system that will give new, enhanced, and expanded transportation options for Shakopee and Minnesotans.
Brad
PS: This bill passed earlier tonight and then we had another long recess while we were negotiating with Rep Daudt on the path forward. Now we are taking up the Environment Finance Bill.
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