April 18, 2008

In this Issue:

Central Corridor LRT Could Be Included in Final Budget Compromise

Budget Balancing Negotiations Continue at the Capitol

Governor Announces Expanded Mortgage Foreclosure Counseling Workshops

U.S. Senator Norm Coleman To Address MRCC Members in May

Featured Chamber Event:

Good Morning Bloomington: Facts vs. Fiction of MOA Phase II

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Central Corridor LRT Could Be Included in Final Budget Compromise

The $70 million Central Corridor transit project, receiving a line-item veto from the governor last week, could show up as part of final budget balancing compromise, now under consideration.  For more, click here.

The MRCC continues to be committed to the Central Corridor LRT.  This is an extremely important project for the both region and state and any delay in the project could impact costs by $30-$40 million annually due to inflation. Such an increase could also impact the Cost-Effectiveness Index (CEI), or the ratio used by the federal government in evaluating monetary grants. The federal government could fund as much as 50 percent of the project costs, or approximately $450 million.  After speaking with the Governor's Office, legislators, Met Council, and other elected officials, the MRCC remains optimistic a solution will be found by the end of session. 

During a recent press conference, House Minority Leader Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) suggested the Central Corridor transit project will continue "to be in play" as budget negotiations continue.  To watch a video of this press conference, click here.

Also issuing statements of support for the project , the House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-Mpls) and Anthony "Tony" Sertich (DFL - Chisholm) gave a press briefing on this issue.   To watch an archive of the briefing, click here.

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Budget Balancing Negotiations Continue at the Capitol

Mixed messages on one issue were the result of legislative leaders meeting with Gov. Tim Pawlenty. DFL leaders said a general understanding had been reached that the governor would not use take $250 million from the Health Care Access Fund as part of his plan to erase a projected $938 million biennial budget deficit. However, Republicans countered that the governor only emphasized that he understood the DFL position, and he did not agree to remove the cut from his proposal.  It is anticipated the Governor will issue an official budget response on Monday. For more, click here

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Governor Announces Expanded Mortgage Foreclosure Counseling Workshops

To provide Minnesota homeowners with additional tools to prevent foreclosure, Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced expanded foreclosure counseling workshops to be held around the state, creation of a compact with lenders to reduce foreclosures, and state funding for voluntary third-party mediation when counseling is unsuccessful.  For more information, click here. To listen to the announcement, click here.

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U.S. Senator Norm Coleman To Address Chamber Members in May

Senator Coleman will be sharing with MRCC members his unique perspective of the happenings in Washington D.C. and the outlook for the Congress. Senator Coleman’s first priority in Washington is getting things done for Minnesota, especially in the areas of energy independence, health care reform and economic and job growth. In addition, we will hear the Senator’s thoughts on the national foreclosure crisis, its impacts to Minnesota, and what is being done in Washington to address this issue.  To register, click here.

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Featured Event: 

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by the Minnesota House of Representatives and the Minnesota State Senate. 

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