|
Transit Victory: May 5, 2009
ISAIAH is happy to report that today the Minnesota Legislature passed and Gov Pawlenty signed a transportation funding bill (HF1309) that includes $73 million dollars to address the 2010-2011 budget shortfall for Twin Cities area Metro Transit. This is no small feat, as Gov Pawlenty has vetoed Transportation finance bills every session during his 2 terms. ISAIAH worked with transit advocates, low income workers, students and the faith community to highlight the critical need for sustaining current levels of bus transit without fare hikes. ISAIAH: · Protected current dedications of funding for transitway construction secured in 2008 session · Prioritized securing bus funding in the larger statewide budget deficit shortfall · Proposed multiple approaches to create new sustainable funding streams for bus transit statewide to address ongoing Metro and Greater MN Transit operating budget shortfalls In addition, Peter Bell, Chair of the Metropolitan Council, agreed to provide a written letter to legislative leaders specifying that this funding does allow Metro Transit to balance its budget for 2010-2011 and that fare hikes and service cuts would be unnecessary. The bill also specified that up to ½% of federal highway funds shall be expended for recruitment and training initiatives for highway construction jobs. |