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State Representative Carolyn Laine
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4331
For more information contact: Joan Nichols 651-29X-XXXX
Column/LTE
Bring the Northstar Station to Fridley
State Rep. Carolyn Laine
Minnesota House of Representatives Contact: Joan Nichols
District 50A (651) 296-4331 (651) 296-8891
407 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155 Joan.Nichols@house.mn
Dear Editor:
It's only been a month since the 2007 Legislative Session ended and communities around the state are already feeling the far-reaching, adverse impacts of the Governor's excessive use of the veto pen and his stubborn refusal to invest in Minnesota. This consistent lack of leadership is stunting our state and impeding our long-term economic growth. In Fridley, residents are facing a costly delay to build a station on the Northstar Corridor – one of the fastest growing transportation corridors in Minnesota and the nation.
During my first term at the State Legislature, I authored legislation to help fund the Northstar station in Fridley. My bill authorized the city of Fridley to establish a special law tax increment financing (TIF) district in a specified area of the city to fund improvements related to a transfer station for the Northstar commuter rail line. It was contingent on the Governor's signature and we all know what that means; vetoed along with other initiatives to move Minnesota forward in the right direction.
The merits of such a venture are obvious. Population, housing and business growth in the Northstar Corridor is overwhelming the existing transportation system. Residents and businesses are tired of traffic congestion that is slowing commerce and increasing travel times and expenses every day. Without a transit alternative, by 2025 commuters will be moving at half of their current speeds on some of the busiest sections of Highway 10, and University Ave., Central Ave., and East River Road will continue to slow.
We have a number of alternatives to consider in a narrow window of time. A special session would bring back the vetoed tax bill and TIF funds. Unsure of a special session, Fridley is actively looking at other funding possibilities just to get the project started with the required tunnel under the railroad tracks to connect passengers to the station, which would be built later. If the city is successful in finding funds for the tunnel – and this is a big “if," then my legislation would be modified to allow the TIF funds to retroactively pay back the City of Fridley for monies spent.
The bottom line: we must have the necessary funds before November 1 or the eventual cost of the tunnel may double from $1.5M to $3M, and the building of the station in Fridley will be delayed.
The Governor’s veto pen is plunging transportation in Minnesota into a state of crisis. This is a crisis that will impact all of us as our roads and transit system continue to fall behind our needs. I encourage the people of Fridley and the surrounding area to contact the Governor, asking him to call a special session to address the crisis being faced by commuters. Pick up your phone, a pen or turn on your computer and make your voice heard today.
Office of the Governor
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Telephone: (651) 296-3391
E-mail: tim.pawlenty@state.mn.us
Sincerely,
Carolyn Laine
State Representative, 50A
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