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Business leaders' statement on Governor Dayton's support for expanded and improved transit
Minneapolis — In his budget recommendations today, Governor Mark Dayton proposed a quarter cent local sales tax increase in the seven-county metro Twin Cities region to fund expanded and improved transit, including Southwest LRT construction.
The Twin Cities’ three largest local Chambers of Commerce – Minneapolis Regional, Saint Paul Area, and TwinWest – have been working together to make the business community’s case for an integrated, balanced, and comprehensive transportation system that will support economic growth and reduce congestion.
Minneapolis Regional Chamber President Todd Klingel issued the following statement:
“Minnesota needs more transit. The current situation that yields one additional transit line every eight to ten years is causing us to fall woefully behind competing regions. Failure to catch up will cost this state jobs.
“We thank the Governor for recognizing that completing the transit system is critical to this region’s growth and viability. The Governor’s Transportation Finance Advisory Committee found that new revenue would be needed to fund the system. With his proposal, the Governor acknowledged the need for sustainable new funding and offered a solution.
“We look forward to reviewing this proposal in the context of the rest of the Governor’s tax and budget plan and the other new revenue streams under consideration by the legislature.”
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