1.
Secure increased, dedicated funding for transit, bicycling and walking
To maintain and expand transit in the Twin Cities region, increased, stable,
and dedicated funding is needed. Highways have constitutionally dedicated
funding that provides money for expansion while the transit budget has
been cut by the legislature five times in the past four years. Approximately
$315
million more is needed annually to double ridership by 2020 through expanding
bus service and park and ride capacity and constructing a regional system
of transitways. New funding should also include a set aside for local
units of government for bike-ways, sidewalks and transit. Funding could
be raised
in whole or in part by instituting a regional sales tax, raising the
gas tax and allowing a portion to be spent on transit, or extending the
sales tax to fuel and directing revenues to transit. TLC will advocate
for passage
of Transportation Choices 2020 (HF XXXX, SF XXXX - not yet filed as of
3/3/06)
2. Invest
in state bonding for transit capital projects
Bonding is currently the only source of state capital funds for new transitways
projects. Money is urgently needed in 2007 to continue building a regional
system of transitways, remain competitive with other US regions, and secure
available federal New Start funds. TLC’s bonding priorities for 2006
are as follows:
- Northstar
Corridor Commuter Rail $60 million - Part I of the Governor’s proposal
of $88.3 million for Phase I from Minneapolis to Big Lake, although commuter
rail should extend eventually to St. Cloud.
- Central
Corridor LRT $50 million - Funding is needed for the final environmental
impact statement and preliminary engineering.
- Cedar Avenue Busway $5 million
- Red
Rock Commuter Rail $1 million - Environmental analysis and station planning
- Rush
Line Commuter Rail $1 million - Environmental analysis and station planning
- Robert St. Transitway $2 million
- Union Depot $12.5 million
- Greater Minnesota unmet transit capital needs $ 7.1 million
- I-35W
Bus Rapid Transit - $8.3 million
3)
Keep language intact for referendum on motor vehicle sales tax (MVST)
dedication to transit
In November 2006, voters will have the chance to direct the state legislature
to dedicate 100% of revenues from the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax (MVST) to transportation,
with a minimum of 40% (up from 23%) directed to public transit. Passage of
the MVST referendum would provide an additional $110 million for transit capital
and operating funds. It is imperative that the state legislature keep the referendum
language in tact so that voters are not confused or discouraged thereby reducing
the chances for passage of the referendum.
4) Authorize regional bonding for transit capital needs
The Met Council needs $32.8 million in regional bonding authority to ensure
regular replacement of vehicles, construction of new park and rides,
and to meet
other capital needs.
5) Metropass Plus: Extend transit benefits to non-profit employees
A credit against corporate income tax encourages businesses to buy deeply discounted
transit passes for their employees through programs such as the Metropolitan
Council’s Metropass program. However, non-profit organizations cannot
benefit from the incentive because they do not pay corporate income taxes.
The Legislature should replace the tax credit with a general refund to for-profits
and non-profits, so that more companies would be likely to participate in
Metropass and enable their employees to use transit at a reduced cost.
