ST. PAUL, MN—After months of negotiations, Democrats announced Thursday their intention to walk away from special session talks over an impasse on Southwest Light Rail. The controversial project, which is facing multiple lawsuits and has a jury trial expected to begin in 2017, was the last remaining obstacle of disagreement for a special session to re-pass the tax bill vetoed by Governor Dayton and a major transportation & bonding bill that would benefit communities across Minnesota.
Representative Jim Newberger (R- Becker) issued the following statement:
"Once again, we are seeing Democrats prioritize their pet projects over the needs of Minnesota's taxpayers in a huge way," said Newberger. "Governor Dayton and Senate Democrats are ending special session negotiations over one controversial project: SouthWest Light Rail funding. In spite of coming to an agreement on all other issues, middle-class tax relief, transportation funding, and bonding for infrastructure have been set aside for a Light Rail project, when existing lines already cost Minnesota's taxpayers millions every year in operating cost shortfalls. That is absolutely outrageous, and it clearly shows that Democrats are willing to sacrifice the interests and needs of rural Minnesota for a single train in the Metro."
"At a minimum, Governor Dayton could have called a special session to pass the tax bill that he vetoed earlier this Spring," said Newberger. "The tax bill had strong bipartisan support that would have brought millions of dollars in tax relief to all Minnesotans. However, the Dayton Democrats chose to use it a political leverage to continue their Metro-centric policies."