Commentary; Posted: 2/11/04

Pawlenty has good mix for transportation fix

Cliff Buchan

For anyone who commutes to work in the Twin Cities each day, the growing needs for transportation improvements are ever apparent. Itís one of the unfortunate facts of life if you are heading in from Elk River, driving north from Burnsville-Apple Valley-Eagan, or heading south from Forest Lake and points north.

Solving Minnesotaís transportation problems wonít be easy. By some accounts, including an estimate from the Minnesota Transportation Alliance, the state should invest $1 billion a year over the next 10 years to meet highway and transit needs. Finding the money to prevent the highway trust fund from falling further behind in maintaining the state transportation system is a challenge.

It is not a challenge that will get easier. Estimates indicate the stateís population will grow by 1 million people in the next 20 years. With the population will come more drivers and vehicles. According to a recent McKnight Foundation study, the state has just under 4 million licensed drivers and more than 4 million cars. Many are choking metro area highways each morning and night.

We are encouraged by the actions taken by Gov. Tim Pawlenty and the Minnesota Legislature in the 2003 sessions and the proposals for 2004 that the governor laid out in the State of the State address Feb. 5. Transportation needs occupied a significant place in the speech and Pawlenty clearly articulated the needs.

In a break from anti-commuter rail lawmakers, Pawlenty made it clear last week he will push hard to ensure that funding for the Northstar Commuter Rail Line from Big Lake to Minneapolis is part of his proposed 2004 bonding package. The governor has recommended some $38 million in state funding for this rail project in the Highway 10 corridor.

ìAfter a decade of neglect and increased traffic congestion, in 2003 we made unprecedented progress in new and refurbished roads and bridges,î Pawlenty said. ìWeíre pushing ahead with HOT lane and FAST lane projects to both expand capacity and finance the construction of new lanes. Weíre also working hard on local bridges and roads. We also need to move ahead with more effective transit. My bonding proposal contains preliminary funding for the Northstar commuter line, through one of the nation's fastest growing and most congested corridors. After rigorous review, this proposal has received support from President Bush, Senator Coleman, Congressmen Kennedy and Oberstar and many others. I also propose funding for a high-speed bus line following Cedar Avenue in the South metro.î

For once we are seeing a proposal that seeks a balance between road and bridge needs and other forms of mass transit.

Pawlentyís plan in 2003 to accelerate major road and bridge projects throughout the state was bold. His proposed 2004 bonding plan seeks some $100 million for transportation projects that include Northstar and the Cedar Ave. Busway that will stop at the Mall of America and connect with the Hiawatha light rail line to downtown Minneapolis.

The governorís task now is to secure the Republican votes in the House of Representatives to pass his bonding bill with Northstar intact. We believe the governor is correct in supporting this venture for the overall good it will bring to the region.

There is a danger transportation needs could be caught in a political vice. With an overall $760 million bonding proposal on the table, the governor will face a squeeze from House Republicans more inclined for a package in the area of $500 million while Senate Democrats will probably seek bonding that is closer to $900 million.

The proposals outlined by the governor are a good start, but they are just a start. The Legislature should look long and hard at the future and how the stateís growing transportation needs can be funded. It may require major reform of the transportation funding system that has been in place since 1957.

It is clear the revenue from motor fuels user fees and license tab fees is not capable of doing the job. At a time when the state is still emerging from its $4 billion-plus budget deficit, proposing new taxes is not popular in many circles, including the governorís. The time may be near for a new look at an increase in the stateís gasoline tax or finding other revenue from increased license tab fees or allowing a state or local option sales or excise tax with the funds dedicated to highway and transit projects.

In Pawlenty, Minnesota has the right man in place to continue to make improvements. And improvements are needed. Just ask commuters from Elk River, Apple Valley, Forest Lake and other locales who grow more frustrated by the day.

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