Dear Neighbors,
Corridors of Commerce was created in 2013 to connect regional centers in Greater Minnesota with four-lane roads and to fix bottlenecks that slow commerce. In years past there was a half and half split between projects connecting regional centers in Greater Minnesota (including the four-lanes between Nicollet and North Mankato) and projects to reduce congestion in the Twin Cities metro area.
When the Corridors of Commerce projects were announced this week I was very disappointed because no projects were selected to connect regional centers. But, I was not all that surprised because I warned House Republicans the policy change they made last year would hurt prospects for Highway 14 and other roads like it in greater Minnesota.
Take a look at my comments last year by clicking here. You will see that the Republican majority changed the criteria for project selection, leading to the results we got this year.
This week, I voted for another $155 million for Corridors of Commerce. In the next two weeks, it will be very important for all of us who care about Highway 14 that the majority party in the legislature heed my warnings from last year. I am ready to work with all of my colleagues to hold onto the new funding for Corridors of Commerce and to make sure that the entire new package of funds for Corridors of Commerce be applied to connect regional centers in greater Minnesota with four-lane highways after the criteria they created last year sent all the funds to the metro area.
Sincerely,
Clark Johnson
State Representation