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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Linda Slocum (DFL)

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Statement on House GOP Transportation Bill

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Minnesota House of Representatives

District 50A 651-296-7158 – rep.lina.slocum@house.mn

207 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd

St. Paul, MN 55155

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Peter Grafstrom (651) 296-5524

peter.grafstrom@house.mn

April 9th, 2015

Rep. Linda Slocum statement on House Transportation Bill

SAINT PAUL, MN – Late Tuesday night, Minnesota House Republicans passed a Transportation package.  The bill, House File 4, provides $6.6 billion of the $12 billion of investments needed for the state’s roads and transit infrastructure.  The bill relies on borrowing, shifts, and large cuts to Metro Transit services.  In addition, H.F. 4 provides funding for only $5 million of the more than $328 million of needed critical rail safety improvements.  Upon voting against the bill, Rep. Linda Slocum released the following statement:

“While I certainly support the road investments in this bill, taken as a whole, it really leaves the people of Richfield and Bloomington behind,” said Slocum.  “Shifting $300 million from the General Fund pits transportation needs against educating our kids.  That’s not wise or right – especially when we have a $2 billion surplus.  This does not make sense.”

On the $110 million cut to Metro Transit, Rep. Slocum commented, “I don’t like political gimmicks that puts Minnesotans against each other based on where they live.  Cutting bus service by 23% reduces access to jobs and increases congestion in communities like ours.  No one seriously thinks that’s good transportation policy.”

“With all the concern I’m hearing about oil trains from my neighbors, it’s very concerning that H.F. 4 addresses only 1.5% of needed railroad safety improvements,” said Slocum.  “326,000 Minnesotans live in the danger zone of an oil train derailment and we need to get serious about that.”

“I hope we can negotiate a transparent, fair bill that doesn’t rely on shifts, gimmicks, and smokescreens that shortchange Minnesotans and particularly ignores the needs of the metro area.  I will continue to fight for this fairness and transparency – you can count on it!”

Rep. Slocum can be reached by email at rep.linda.slocum@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-7158.