Cliff Buchan
News EditorIf Gov. Tim Pawlenty is to pass a proposed bonding bill with money for the Northstar project, heíll need Republican help in Minnesota House to get it done.
So far, the Republican is yet to garner that support from the two Republican House members who represent the Forest Lake, Scandia, Columbus, Linwood and Wyoming areas.
District 17B Rep. Pete Nelson, R-Lindstrom, and District 52A Rep. Ray Vandeveer, R-Forest Lake, said this week they are not convinced that Pawlentyís proposal for $37.5 million in state funding for the 40-mile commuter rail line from Big Lake to Minneapolis is best for the state.
ìI havenít seen anything convincingly that changes my mind,î Vandeveer said following the governorís announcement that he would back the commuter rail proposal that has been stalled by lack of state support.
The governorís announcement represents a major policy shift for Pawlenty who has not endorsed rail transit projects in the past. The support followed findings from the Federal Transit Administration that endorsed Northstar as viable from Big Lake south.
Nelson, a first-term representative serving Chisago County, agreed with his Republican counterpart from Forest Lake. Nelson said he has not seen enough evidence to change his mind and he continues to put roads as his first priority for transportation changes.
ìIt will take money away from what we would like to see,î Nelson said of Northstar. For Nelson, Northstar will do little for taxpayers in Chisago and Washington counties and will drain funds that could go to other road and bus transit projects.
Subsidy questions
Nelson and Vandeveer said unanswered questions on future state subsidies for Northstar are troubling.
Vandeveer said Northstarís subsidy could run as high as 90 cents a mile for each passenger with the state possibly responsible for two-thirds of the cost. ìThat kind of subsidy is too high,î Vandeveer said.
Until contract terms are in line with Burlington Northern Sante Fe, the rail line where Northstar will operate, Vandeveer said the full cost of the commuter rail line wonít be known.
Nelson said the subsidies the state will most certainly face with Northstar will only command transportation dollars that are in short supply now. ìThatís a big rub for me,î Nelson said.
a tough task
The two Republican state representatives agreed the Republican governor will have a tough sell with the Republican caucus in the House.
ìIím not certain what changed his (Pawlentyís) mind,î Vandeveer said.
Nelson said a decision by the state to bond for Northstar will open channels for new federal dollars but it still may be difficult to win support. ìHe (the governor) will have a difficult time selling this to the Republican caucus,î Nelson said.
Both men said they would be willing to reconsider if new facts are offered.
ìI keep my mind open,î Nelson said. ìIím willing to listen to new information.î
Vandeveer said he would be willing to look at the numbers again and try to keep an open mind. But such a move would be a major change, he said, for Republicans who are committed to funding road improvements and busways.
ìItís a change for us (Republicans) to do and it has major consequences for us,î Vandeveer said.
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