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State Representative
Mark Buesgens

445 State Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155 (651) 296- 1072

For Immediate ReleaseFor more information contact:
February 8, 2001Jeff Bakken (651-297-5600)
NEWS RELEASE
BUESGENS TO CHAIR HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON MET COUNCIL

ST. PAUL -- State Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan) has been named Chairman of the Minnesota House of Representatives Subcommittee on the Metropolitan Council. Buesgens, an outspoken critic of the council, said he looks forward to doing everything he can to fundamentally reform or ultimately eliminate the regional governing body and return all essential decision making to local communities.

"I am very excited," said Buesgens. "Many people, including myself, believe that local city councils and the people that they represent should be free to plan the future of their own communities without receiving penalties from an unelected, unaccountable governing body. I will hold fair hearings that allow all sides to be heard, but I want people to be crystal clear on where I stand."

Buesgens authored legislation last session that would have eliminated the Met Council. He plans to hear similar legislation this session. Many local governments, including the Prior Lake City Council, support eliminating the Met Council.

Established in the late 1960's, the Met Council has evolved into a large bureaucratic organization. In the mid-1990's, the Council was assigned major operation responsibilities of mass transit and waste disposal, as well as regional planning. The Council was structured in a manner that does not require direct oversight of its budget by the Legislature. Thus, accountability and evaluation of the Council's operations are obscure and difficult to track.

Buesgens lives in Jordan with his wife, Sara, and their four children. He represents the people of Jordan, Shakopee, Prior Lake, and Jackson, Louisville, Sand Creek and Spring Lake Townships.

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