Hello from St. Paul,
After Anoka County saw more than $6 million in expected state transportation funds redirected without its approval to build another pedestrian bridge in the City of Anoka, the county has filed a lawsuit against the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
I support the action. Robbing a fund to pay for a legislator’s pet project sets an awful precedent. In my opinion, the county is correct in taking action and I hope it is successful.
Anoka County’s lawsuit accuses State Representative Zach Stephenson of “misusing the legislative process to finance his own pet project.”
The lost Anoka County transportation funds are now slated to construct a third pedestrian bridge over the Rum River in Anoka, as part of the City’s plan to bring whitewater surfing to the area. Stephenson’s House district includes the City of Anoka.
The lawsuit would prevent MnDOT from allocating state funds for this purpose unless Anoka County directs it to do so.
Anoka County had planned to use the funding to construct an underpass in St. Francis, and to make trail and park improvements in Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, and Andover.
This funding came from an account that was supposed to benefit all of Anoka County, with the understanding that final funding decisions would be made by Anoka County. This is not how government funding is supposed to work, and I’m pleased the county is moving forward with its lawsuit.