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Transit Systems Facing Immediate Funding Shortfall
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Without action this session, transit systems will be underfunded
Transit systems provide a vital service to people all over the State of Minnesota. Transit enhances economic development and provides mobility for thousands of people every day.
Unfortunately, the funding for transit is not keeping up with the growing population and the growing demand. Legislators and the Governor need to act this session to pass a comprehensive transportation funding bill, one that increases funding for Metropolitan Area Transit and Greater Minnesota Transit.
Metropolitan Area Transit needs over $100 million per year in additional funding. Greater Minnesota Transit needs $40 million more per year to expand service and meet the identified needs. The motor vehicle sales tax has been dedicated to transportation and will make a big difference, but with a 5-year phase-in and about 40% of the revenue going to transit, that funding source alone will not meet the need. The MVST will only provide an additional $20M for transit in 2008 and that will be distributed statewide.
We need advocates to contact their legislators about the need for increased funding for transit systems throughout Minnesota. The motor vehicle sales tax will not do the job alone. The legislature needs to find other revenue streams and allow local governments to address the transit needs in their communities.
Your message will be sent to each of the following targets:
Governor
Your State Representative
Your State Senator
A sample message appears below, which you may edit before sending.
Support a comprehensive transportation funding bill
Dear Governor,
Transit systems all across Minnesota will be facing a budget shortfall unless action is taken this session to increase transit funding. Reduced revenue from the motor vehicle sales tax and increased costs for fuel, health care and other expenses is creating this funding gap.
With growing demand for transit service in both the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and Greater Minnesota, a long-term plan is needed to meet growing transit needs. In the Metropolitan Area, over $100 million per year is needed to fund identified additional transitways and an expansion of the bus system. In Greater Minnesota, an additional $40 million per year is needed to meet identified needs for service expansion. The increase from the motor vehicle sales tax dedication for all transit systems across the state will be about $20 million in FY08 and about $40 million in FY09. Clearly, the MVST alone will not address the needs in both the Metropolitan Area and Greater Minnesota.
Please support passage of a comprehensive transportation funding bill this session that will provide ongoing funding that begins to meet the real transit needs we have in our state.
Transit serves as a lifeline to thousands of Minnesotans in Greater Minnesota and provides congestion relief, economic development and mobility in the Metropolitan Area. Investing in transit will make a difference in communities in your district and throughout the state.
Thank you for your support. I look forward to hearing from you.
Your name and address here
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This Action Alert Campaign is Closed.
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