Bush budget removes funding for Northstar rail line

02/09/2005

February 9, 2005

WASHINGTON (AP)—President Bush’s proposed budget for next year doesn’t include funding for the Northstar commuter rail line because Minnesota hasn’t come up with matching funds.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty seized on the news to try to prompt legislators to come through with the state’s share of the $265 million, 40-mile project between Minneapolis and Big Lake.

“This year we must take action to move Northstar forward, or risk losing out on federal funding for this important project,’’ Pawlenty wrote in a letter to legislators Tuesday.

Pawlenty included a letter he received from Jennifer Dorn, the Federal Transit Administration administrator, who laid out the reasons for the decision.

“The project was rated not recommended at this time, due to the absence of a current capital and operating financial plan for FTA to evaluate,’’ she wrote on Monday, the day the proposed budget was unveiled.

Pawlenty urged legislators to support his proposal for $37.5 million for Northstar so that the project could receive federal funding for a final design.

The state Senate approved the funding earlier this year, but the House has yet to do so. Some House Republicans have complained the project is too expensive.

“The FTA is supportive of the project and has been assisting the state in keeping the project moving forward,’’ Pawlenty wrote. “But as competition for federal transit dollars grows across the country, it is clear that Minnesota must provide Northstar funding this year.’’

State Rep. Phil Krinkie, R-Shoreview, a vocal critic of the proposal, conceded that the House will probably pass the funding this year because of Pawlenty’s push.

“My position on the Northstar commuter rail line remains the same: It’s a wildly expensive project to move very few people,’’ he said.

Krinkie said the state should try to leverage federal matching funds for roads and bridges rather than rail projects.

In Washington, U.S. Rep. Martin Sabo, D-Minnesota, who was harshly critic of the overall Bush budget, said he couldn’t argue with Bush’s decision on Northstar funding.

“The president’s fiscal year 2006 budget did not recommend funding for Northstar because the state of Minnesota has not made the required financial commitment to construct and operate the commuter rail line,’’ said Sabo, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee.

“In fact, $15.75 million in federal funds that were already appropriated can’t be used until the state match is produced.’’