ISAIAH marks a huge victory with the successful passage of the transportation funding bill into law on Monday, February 25, 2008!

Over the last four years, ISAIAH leaders have been champions of a vision for a transportation system that works for everyone, including those unable to drive. Every person has the regular need to travel, whether it is to their home, workplace, school, church or another location. ISAIAH envisioned that Minnesotans should be able to rely on transit as a thriving part of the state’s transportation system.

This law was made possible through Minnesotans gathering around a common vision for a transportation system that: gets everyone where they need to go; is a responsible stewardship of our resources for the public good; considers the legacy we leave for the Minnesotans who will live here 30-50 years from now. The bill was supported by community groups, roads and transit advocates, MN Trucking Association, MN Chamber of Commerce, local and county governments, environmental groups and a supermajority of the state representatives and senators (138 of 201 legislators).

It won’t be the news story, but it is critical to note that the content of this law was shaped by the participation of these groups and many others. This includes ISAIAH and the Transit Partners Coalition of which we were founding members. Legislators told us on numerous occasions that because of this input, the law represents what Minnesotans need from their transportation system.