You Did It!

Thanks to your faxes, calls, and emails, the Minnesota state legislature just voted to override Governor Pawlenty’s veto of the transportation bill!

This bill secures a dedicated source of funding for a transit system that will help Minnesotans reach their destinations safely and conveniently.

"This is a historic step forward for transit in Minnesota," says Lea Schuster, Executive Director of Transit for Livable Communities. "Our legislators needed to take decisive action, and they ultimately did what was best for Minnesota."

The transportation bill includes a 1/4 cent region-wide sales tax dedicated solely toward transit. This will generate approximately $117 million per year for transit needs across Minnesota. Ultimately, transit needs an estimated $235 million per year to fully leverage federal matching funds that currently go to other states, but this bill is a good step forward, notes Schuster.

Transit funding in the transportation bill will go toward the following:

• Construction of eight new dedicated transitways (i.e. light rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit)
• Doubling bus ridership by 2020
• Creating better transit facilities and new park & ride capacity
• Providing revenue to local governments for bicycle and pedestrian projects
• Expanding transit in Greater Minnesota

This could not have happened without your efforts! Thank you for making this a reality!

Best,

Transit for Livable Communities

P.S. Click here for more information on Transportation Choices 2020!