INFORMATION #1 02-14-2005
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tiNORTHSTAR
CD.."TER IMIL
Northstar Commuter Rail has gained early
momentum at the Capitol. Supporters applauded
Gov. Pawlenty in early January for including
funding for Northstar in his bonding
recommendations.
Only three weeks into the session, the Senate
passed a bonding bill that included the full
funding request of $37.5 million for Northstar.
The capital investment bill was overwhelmingly
approved by a 57-7 margin. As an indication of
the strong statewide and bipartisan support for
Northstar Commuter Rail, an amendment to
delete funding for the project failed by a vote of
57-6.
The quick action by the Senate and Gov.
Pawlenty's inclusion of Northstar funding in his
bonding recommendation have been
encouraging for supporters. The project is well
February 2005
UPDATE
Legislation to
authorize bonding
for Northstar was
introduced in the
House with broad
bipartisan support
including 18
Republicans and 17 DFLers representing
suburban, urban and rural districts. House File
246 must pass through key committees before
consideration by the full House. Media reports
indicate House leaders hope to pass a bonding
bill by early March. The coming weeks will be a
crucial time for Northstar supporters to remain
active and to urge State Representatives to
support the project.
Northstar Day at the Capitol - Help Push Northstar Through the Finish Line
Northstar Commuter Rail supporters - here's a chance to come show
your support and make your voice heard at the State Capitol!
The upcoming Northstar Day at the Capitol will be a great
opportunity to build on the project's positive momentum and show
legislators the strong public support behind Northstar Commuter Rail.
The event will also provide a good opportunity to visit with your local
legislators to encourage them to vote for Northstar this year.
Free bus rides from the St. Cloud
area are available (donated by local
supporters). Reserve a seat by
calling the Whitney Senior Center,
(320) 255-7245.
For more information, contact
Susan Youngs at the NCDA:
Call (763) 323-5729 or email
susan.youngs@co.anoka.mn.us
Attend the Transportation Rally
in the State Capitol Rotunda
When: Wednesday, February 9,2005
What: Rally.: 9:30 -10:00 a.m.
Visit with legislators
throughout the day
Where: State Capitol, 1 st Floor
Rotunda, 75 Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul
The event is co-sponsored by
The Minnesota Transportation Alliance
Minnesota Chamber Announces
Transportation Plan with
Northstar as a Priority Project
Transportation has become a top concern for
Minnesota's business community, and many
business leaders have taken an active role in
pushing for comprehensive plans at the State
Legislature. The Minnesota Chamber, the state's
largest business organization representing 2,600
businesses across the state, recently released its
statewide transportation plan called, "Minnesota
Moves." Northstar Commuter Rail was included as
a priority project.
In its report the Minnesota Chamber said, "The
economic vitality of all Minnesotans depends on an
integrated and well-funded transportation/transit
system. The ability to move people and goods faster
is at the foundation of Minnesota Moves."
In his Jan. 31 State of the Region address,
Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell highlighted
Northstar Commuter Rail as a critical step toward
improving our transportation system.
The strong interest from many organizations has
elevated transportation to a front and center issue
for the 2005 Legislature.
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For more information on Minnesota Moves,
go to www.mnchamber.com
"Commuting from St. Francis to
downtown Minneapolis takes an hour
and 15 minutes to go 35 miles - on a
good day. Throw in a little snow or
rain and the trip takes at least two
hours. The bus would have the same
problems and is often overcrowded.
I'd take the commuter train every day
to save time and money. I pay $150
each month for parking and another
$40 each week for gas. With the hours
the train saves me, I'd spend more time
doing leisure activities and tending to
my huge yard."
- Susan Schempf.
St. Francis resident
We're Almost There -
Keep Up the Good Work!
Your support has helped bring Northstar very
close to becoming a reality, but we still need your
help to make this happen.
Action in the Minnesota
House is the. next necessary
step to advance the
Northstar project:
Contact Your State RelJresentative.
The House is expected to start considering its
bonding bill shortly.
./ Make your voices heard by calling,
em ailing or writing your House member
today!
./ Find out who your Representative is by
calling 651-296-2146 or 1-800-657-3550,
or visit www.mn-GetOnBoard.com.
Thank you for your support-
Together we can help Northstar
go all the way in 2005!
"I am 75+ years old and, like so many
other elderly people, dread the
experience of driving into the Twin
Cities. It's important that there are
other options for those of us who use
our cars less often and are dependent
on others to get us where we want to
go. I look forward to using
Northstar because it will be a
safe and convenient way for me
to travel."
- Wilfred Theisen,
Collegeville
resident
www.mn-GetOnBoard.com