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Dear Neighbors and Friends,

Today, the legislative Transportation Contingent Appropriation Group (TCAG) authorized an additional $60 million in state road and bridge construction spending for the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

MnDOT confirmed today, in testimony, that this amount will keep projects on schedule until the entire legislature returns in February. While the Governor initially requested $195 million in increased authorization, a bipartisan group of lawmakers expressed concern about the size of the request. In September, Gov. Pawlenty called a special session to pass a $157 million disaster relief package in response to the Southeast Minnesota floods. Legislators of both parties expressed caution about 8 members' authority to approve nearly $200 million in spending authority.

The 35W bridge replacement contract was completed last week. It became clear that the Governor's temporary request was not to keep the bridge replacement on track but rather the other projects around the state on track. The TCAG short-term authorization ensures that 2008 planned projects can proceed, along with the unexpected 35W bridge replacement. MnDOT should not experience any delays for funding reasons, until the legislature convenes again Februrary 12.

After the veto of the 2007 comprehensive transportation funding package, MnDOT was authorized to spend $551 million from the highway user trust fund (the constitutionally dedicated gas tax fund). Property taxes paid for another $1.6 billion (almost 75% of the total) for road and bridge projects statewide. A comprehensive, bipartisan roads, bridges and transit package will be a top priority for the 2008 legislative session, with local consequences for Chisago County. The North Branch bridge and Highway 8 in Lindstrom are currently in the design phase, and in line for state funding after 2008.

Lastly, in the next few weeks the Legislative Auditor should be completing a preliminary investigation of MnDOT's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Sonia Morphew Pitt, the office's director, is currently on administrative leave, after information became known that she may have spent as much $26,000 of public money on personal travel.

After the bridge collapse, Ms. Pitt stayed on a trip to the East Coast for 10 days, frustrating local first responders. I have spoken personally with Legislative Auditor James Nobles, and asked him to also verify that Ms. Pitt, the director of emergency management for MnDOT, is trained and certified in emergency management.

My hope is to have a bipartisan discussion about the best transportation policy options to make Minnesota’s roads, bridges and transit safe and well-maintained, and increase public confidence in MnDOT. As always, your thoughts, ideas, comments and questions are welcome.

My best,
Jeremy

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Jeremy Kalin
State Representative - 17B
sign up for my email updates at www.house.mn/17b

Contact me at the Capitol:
Rep.Jeremy.Kalin@House.mn
651.296.5377
579 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
St. Paul MN 55155

Contact me at home:
11629 Loftman Trail
North Branch, MN 55056
651-257-9861
Jeremy@Kalin.com