St. Paul, MN - Working with local leaders and House DFL Transportation Chair Brad Tabke, State Representative Heather Keeler (DFL - Moorhead) is championing legislation (HF 3418) to establish a community-based pedestrian safety program.
Crafted in response to last summer’s tragedy, when a driver struck and killed a 9-year-old boy in a Moorhead intersection, this legislation would create a program to fund road projects that improve traffic and pedestrian safety.
“When a tragedy like this occurs, it takes all levels of government working together to ensure it never happens again,” said Rep. Keeler. “Since last summer, neighbors and leaders in Moorhead and the legislature have been working together to deliver solutions and find new ways to invest in safety. This bill is the result of that collaborative work.”
Rep. Keeler has consistently taken this collaborative approach in her 6 years of serving in the Minnesota House, having brought over 20 elected leaders and committee chairs to her community to help find solutions alongside neighbors who know the impact of these policies so personally.
Last August, Rep. Keeler invited Chair Tabke, neighbors, and Moorhead leaders to take part in a community discussion on improving pedestrian walkways and safe routes to schools. This unique meeting brought together the city council, county commissioners, and school board members. “Doing this kind of good, collective work for our community should be the norm, not a rare experience. This is the kind of work our neighbors are asking for,” said Rep. Keeler.
Based on that discussion, Rep. Keeler and Chair Tabke crafted House File 3418, which had its first hearing in the House Transportation Committee on Monday, March 2.
Speaking in favor of the legislation during the hearing was Moorhead City Councilmember Nicole Mattson. “It’s not that hard to slow down traffic with relatively inexpensive and easy solutions like paint and bollards,” said Councilmember Mattson. “With the funding proposed in House File 3418, our city could have slowed down traffic before the school year started, and could have made an immediate difference for our kids.”
After the hearing, the legislation was laid over for future discussion. More information on yesterday’s hearing can be found here. Video of the hearing is available on the House Public Information YouTube Channel.
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Photos: Rep. Keeler with local leaders during last August’s community discussion