Tell Pawlenty to play nice for roads

05/14/2007

Minnesota's transportation system forms the backbone of our state's economy. The ability to move people and goods safely and efficiently has a major impact on the state's economic success and overall quality of life. Unfortunately, we're choking on congestion in the metro area while highway fatalities and the ability to ship products are big problems in Greater Minnesota.

The House and Senate have compromised from their original bills to extend an olive branch to the governor. The bipartisan omnibus transportation finance bill invests in our roads, bridges, transit, and infrastructure and will move Minnesota forward. Unfortunately, Governor Tim Pawlenty has repeatedly stated that he will veto the transportation bill.

The legislature has been willing to cooperate and compromise. Now, we need you to send a message to the governor asking him to cooperate!

Tell the governor that:

Minnesota must have better roads and transit for the development of the state's economy. One million more people will be moving into Minnesota in the next 20 years and we need to prepare for the future by investing in our highways and transit systems today!

His bonding proposal attempts to finance our transportation system completely on a credit card. The House and Senate compromise contains a fiscally responsible, balanced approach to how we fund our roads and transit.

We need a 21st-century transportation system with a real transit network and improved roadways that get people where they need to go safely and more efficiently.

Without significant investment, Minnesota will be missing out on federal matching funds.

Each year critical investments are delayed, project costs increase. Delays are costing us money!


Now, it's up to YOU to tell Governor Pawlenty to support the responsible, much-needed bipartisan transportation bill that the legislature is proposing that moves Minnesota forward!

TO SEND A MESSAGE TO GOVERNOR PAWLENTY NOW:

Call 651-296-3391 or send an email to and tell him that this session Minnesota needs a robust Transportation Bill. Don't leave St. Paul without it!

Thank you,

Donna

Donna Cassutt, Associate Chair,
Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party