March 14, 2008

Governor Releases Budget Balancing Plan

Governor Tim Pawlenty released his plan to solve the state’s projected $935 million deficit, make strategic investments and balance the budget without raising taxes.The Governor’s budget solution reduces the growth in state spending by $341 million, uses $250 million of the $653 million budget reserve, and uses $250 million from the surplus in the Health Care Access Fund to maintain health care programs and eligibility for the disadvantaged.

For more information, click here.

Central Corridor LRT Plan Approved

The Metropolitan Council approved the final scope for the 11-mile Central Corridor Light Rail line, reducing the project cost to $909 million and to an amount that meets federal cost-effectiveness requirements. The Council action clears the way for the project staff and consultants to complete preliminary engineering on all components of the line.

For more information, click here.

Capital Bonding Bill Awaits Conference Committee Action

Earlier this week, the Minnesota Legislature released a side-by-side comparison of the House and Senate versions of this year's Omnibus Capital Bonding bill (House File 380 and Senate File 3295). There are several capital appropriations included in both bill versions that the MRCC supports, including $70 million for the Central Corridor LRT project, $3 million for the pre design functions of the Minnesota Orchestra Hall renovation, and $12 million ($16.7 million in Senate version) for the Urban Partnership Agreement.

To view the side-by-side comparison (PDF file), click here.

Transit Planners May Study Dan Patch Commuter Rail Line

House File 3003 and Senate File 2990 would allow the Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Council, and the county regional rail authority to study or plan for a potential Dan Patch Commuter Rail Line from downtown Minneapolis to Northfield. According to MnDOT, this corridor would use existing rail tracks from the Canadian Pacific Railway and Burlington Northern Sante Fe.

During the 2002 legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature passed language that prohibited MnDOT, Metropolitan Council, or any regional railroad authority from funding any study, plan or construction of the Dan Patch Corridor.

For more information, click here.

Other News from the State Legislature
(provided by MN Legislature)

Energy

Disconnected utility customers could get their heat turned back on faster under a bill passed by the House. For more, click here.

A House division approved a bill that would carve out a larger role for solar power in the state's renewable energy standard. For more, click here.

All diesel fuel sold in Minnesota would contain 20 percent biodiesel by 2015 under a bill approved by a House division. For more information, click here.

Education

School hiring authorities may be able to contract with a third party to conduct criminal background checks. For more information, click here.

Blind and other eligible college students could more quickly get accessible education materials. For more information, click here.

Environment

The Department of Natural Resources and Pollution Control Agency presented their supplemental budgets to a House division. For more information, click here.


Health

The health commissioner may be required to assess the risk of human cancer from carcinogens in the air, water, or soil. For more information, click here.

A bill that would lower the blood donation age to 16 is on its way to the governor. For more information, click here.


Public Safety

State court officials said the court system will take a big hit if Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s recommended cuts go into effect. For more information, click here.

For answers to questions or to provide comments,
call (612) 370-9100 or visit the website at www.minneapolischamber.org
info@minneapolischamber.org