WALZ SHARES COALITION’S CONCERNS OVER DM&E SAFETY RECORD

07/20/2006

(MANKATO, MINN.) – After being informed of the abysmal DM&E safety record brought to light by the Rochester Coalition, DFL congressional candidate Tim Walz had the following comments.

“I’m deeply disappointed that my opponent has not taken a leadership role in the conflict between the Rochester Coalition and DM&E.  The revelation of this information begs the question, ‘Why isn’t my opponent speaking out about the safety of his constituents?’”

“I know that the DM&E expansion has the potential to be economically beneficial to the 1st Congressional District, however the safety record brought to light is intolerable for any community whether it be Rochester or New Ulm.  If the Mayo Clinic had an accident rate 7.5 times higher than the national average of health care providers you can bet that its federal research funding would be in jeopardy.”

Walz published a whitepaper in May addressing the proposed DM&E expansion. [link] The whitepaper notes that he has serious concerns about the way in which this loan was created and custom made for DM&E.  Additionally, Walz questions whether it is fiscally responsible to loan DM&E $2.5 billion dollars of taxpayer money when few if any decision makers have had the chance to review DM&E’s financial portfolio.

“My opponent has failed to lead on this issue.  This project is 8 years in the making.  Had he stood up and asked the hard questions when it first came to the public’s attention we would not now be in a situation where countless tax dollars have been wasted fighting over this project,” said Walz.  “Gutknecht’s failure to lead not only on DM&E, but on the war in Iraq leaves the 1st district without the kind of representation it deserves.”

“The Mayo Clinic has been a good neighbor to the Rochester community for many years and I want to commend them for defending the public’s interest and bringing these serious safety violations to light.  I am hopeful that the Federal Railroad Administration will take a long, hard look at DM&E’s safety record and that it will consider all sides including what DM&E has done to correct its shortcomings prior to making its decision.  These safety issues, as well as the reckless use of tax dollars to fund the project, indicate that the next Congress must strongly reconsider approving this ill-conceived plan.”