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Transportation Finance

TWENTY-EIGHTH MEETING

2005-2006 Regular Session - Tuesday, March 21, 2006

STATE OF MINNESOTA TWENTY-EIGHTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-FOURTH SESSION

TRANSPORTATION FINANCE COMMITTEE

MINUTES


Representative Holberg, Chair of the Transportation Finance Committee, called the Twenty-eighth meeting to order at 12:33 P.M. on Tuesday March 21, 2006, in Room 10 of the State Office Building.

The Clerk noted the roll.

Members present:

HOLBERG, Mary Liz, Chair
RUTH, Connie, Vice Chair
ABRAMS, Ron
ANDERSON, Bruce
ERHARDT, Ron
HAUSMAN, Alice
HORNSTEIN, Frank
LARSON, Dan
LIEDER, Bernie
MAGNUS, Doug


Excused from the meeting:

A quorum was present.

Representative Larson moved approval of the March 16, 2006 Transportation Finance Committee Meeting Minutes. THE MOTION PREVAILED. THE MINUTES WERE APPROVED.

HF3342 (Tingelstad) Northstar Commuter Rail and light rail transit bonds issued and money appropriated.

Representative Hornstein moved HF3342 be heard by the committee.

Representative Tinglestad presented an overview of HF3342.

The following provided testimony:

Patricia Anderson (12:35 – 12:45) State Auditor
Carla Heyl (12:35 – 12:45) Deputy State Auditor

Testifying on behalf of HF3342:

Bob McFarlin (12:47 – 1:14) MNDOT
Mark Fuhrman (12:50 – 1:13) MNDOT – Deputy General Manager
Of Metro Transit
Dan Erhart (12:54 – 1:00) Anoka County Rail Authority Chair
Brian Sweeny (1:15 – 1:19) BNSF Legislative Council

Testifying in opposition to HF3342:

David Strom (1:19 – 1:32) Minnesota Taxpayers League
Harold Hamilton (1:32 – 1:40) Business Owner in Northstar Corridor

Chair Holberg laid HF3342 on the table.

Governor’s Central Corridor Recommendation:

Testifying on Behalf of the Governor’s Central Corridor Recommendation:

Judd Schetnan (12:47 – 1:47) Met Council, Government Relations
Arlene McCarthy (1:47 – 2:10) Director, Met Council Transit Services
Todd Klingel (2:14 – 2:15) MPLS Chamber of Commerce
Rick Beeson (2:15 – 2:16) Central Corridor Partnership
Daron VanHelden (2:16 – 2:17) Metropolitan Coalition of Chambers
Larry Dowell (2:12 – 2:14) President, St. Paul Chamber of Commerce

Chair Holberg called a recess at 2:18 P.M.

Chair Holberg reconvened the Transportation Finance Committee Meeting at 4:31 P.M.

HF2803 (Ruth) Local bridges and local road improvement fund proceed bonds issued and money appropriated.

Representative Ruth moved HF2803 be heard by the committee.

Representative Ruth presented HF2803.

Testifying on behalf of HF2803:

Carol Lovro (4:41 – 4:46) Association of Minnesota Counties
Bob Vanasek (4:46 – 4:50) Metropolitan Inter County Association
Margaret Donahoe (4:50 – 4:52) Legislative Director, Transportation Alliance
Rick Kjonaas (4:54 – 4:55) DOT – State Aid Office
Kent Solen 805 Central Avenue East
St. Michael, MN

Chair Holberg laid HF2803 on the table.

HF2513 (Hansen) St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights; Robert Street Corridor Transit
Way study and design funding provided, bonds issued, and money appropriated.

Representative Hornstein moved HF2513 be heard by the Transportation Finance
Committee.

Representative Hansen presented HF2513.

Representative Hornstein moved the A1 amendment (see attached). THE MOTION
PREVAILED. THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED.

Testifying on behalf of HF2513:

Will Branning (5:05 – 5:10) Dakota County Commissioner
Rafael Ortega (5:10 – 5:13) Ramsey County Commissioner

Chair Holberg laid HF2513 on the table.

HF3251 (Hausman) St. Paul Union Depot bonds issued and money appropriated.

Representative Hausman moved HF3251 be heard by the Transportation Finance Committee.

Representative Hausman presented HF3251.

Testifying on behalf of HF3251:

Steve Morris (5:20 – 5:30) Ramsey County Rail Authority
Rafael Ortega (5:27 – 5:30) Ramsey County Commissioner

Chair Holberg laid HF3251 on the table.

Representative Magnus discussed amendment MB-AMD02.

John Walz (5:35 – 5:55) discussed Transit costs and Funding Assumptions.

Chair Holberg adjourned the meeting at 6:03 P.M.


________________________________
REP. MARY LIZ HOLBERG, CHAIR


________________________________
Joyce A. Vogt
Committee Legislative Assistant