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A temporary fix and a missed opportunity
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The 2005 state legislative session
An overall state budget deal has been announced. "Lights on" bills have been passed and major bills are slated to pass this Wednesday. The "global agreement" provides no new revenues for roads. The $46 million to cover the transit budget shortfall was secured because of the cigarette tax increase which provided more money for the general fund.
During the final negotiations, key allies such as senator Dean Johnson, rep. Ron Erhardt, senator Larry Pogemiller and senator Mee Moua pushed for full stop-gap funding for transit. There was also a significant, bi-partisan block of legislators in both the House and Senate that pressured the leadership to include full stop-gap funding in the final negotiations. Our biggest allies include: senator Sharon Marko, rep. Dan Larson, rep. Alice Hausman, rep. Frank Hornstein, rep. Bernie Lieder, rep. Kathy Tingelstad, rep. Neil Peterson and rep. Ray Cox. Our allies deserve our sincere thanks.
At this point, we do not know how the Met Council will deal with the remaining deficit. We anticipate that the fare increases will remain in effect and some service cuts will be implemented. For more details in the coming weeks check the Met Council's website http://www.metrocouncil.org or call 612-373-3333.
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Governor
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Call a special session for transportation this fall
Dear Governor,
Protecting transit service from further cuts is the right thing to do. I appreciate the compromise you and the legislature reached to restore most of the transit budget. Among other things, it will help preserve the independence of Minnesotans whose bus service would have been cut.
However, I strongly disagree with your veto of the first transportation bill during the regular session. That bill would have prevented the fare increase and all of the service cuts and provided transit with funding to dramatically improve bus and rail service by the year 2020.
Furthermore, I ask you to call a special session in the fall to address the long term needs of our transit system. Transit needs an extra $360 million in stable, dedicated funding per year to build a system of major transitways, double bus ridership by the year 2020, and support bicycle and pedestrian projects that make transit more effective.
I urge you to make a stronger commitment to transit in the future because it is key to Minnesota's health, prosperity, and quality of life.
Sincerely,
Your name and address here
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This Action Alert Campaign is Closed.
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