[Mpls] Can state leaders ignore transit funding dillema?

[Bob Spaulding]

AAAGGGGH!  The Pawlenty administration's Metropolitan Council is  
proposing and anticipating YET ANOTHER cut to transit funding in the  
Twin Cities metro area.  The fourth cut in five years, I believe.  I  
look forward to learning what the House, Senate and especially the  
Governor will propose doing to avoid the cuts.

I looked comprehensively at transit fares in peer cities two years ago,  
and the Twin Cities already has among the highest fares, matched with  
the among the lowest levels of service of any major metropolitan area.   
But apparently we're not far enough behind?

The basic problem is a switch under Governor Ventura that funds transit  
from the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax, instead of property taxes.  Motor  
Vehicle Sales Taxes have dropped year after year, and this simply is  
not a suitable funding source.  THE TIME HAS COME TO MAKE REAL CHANGE!   
Right now, there is ONLY ONE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING PROPOSAL at the  
legislature that would AVOID TRANSIT CUTS!  Transportation Choices 2020  
is that proposal (see more info at  
http://www.tlcminnesota.org/Events/2005/Legislature/TranspoChoices2020/ 
TC2020-Index.htm).

Last week, I saw unique and REAL EXCITEMENT and incredibly BROAD  
ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT for the Transportation Choices 2020 bill at the  
legislature last week when it was heard in committee.  And there is  
REAL MOMENTUM FOR CHANGE -- Republicans are finally feeling the heat on  
transit.  A recent PiPress news article wrote: "The lopsided vote for  
the [Northstar rail] bill suggests that voters taught House members a  
lesson last year...The 'do-nothing' record contributed to the defeat of  
13 House Republicans in November.  'The election changed things  
dramatically,' Tinglestad [R-Andover] said."

Let's take advantage of this opportunity!  Call your legislator and  
tell them to make a competitive, fully-funded transit system a  
priority: (651) 296-2146 for House members, (651) 296-0504 for Senate  
members.

Join Transit for Livable Communities Transportation Choices Network at  
http://www.tlcminnesota.org/tcn/tcn-signup.html, to have a stronger  
collective voice.

And speak at the upcoming hearings on transit cuts (see  
http://www.metrocouncil.org/planning/transportation/2005/ 
servicechanges.htm for more info).

Bob Spaulding
Saint Paul - Downtown Resident