Minnesotans may be at a crossroads or perhaps the crossbars would be equally appropriate. Either way, the Minnesota Legislature has been put on notice that some major issues are steam rolling into St. Paul on a fast track and the warning signals could be misleading. The challenges suggest our elected officials in the Minnesota Legislature are faced with solving two multi-million dollar matters quickly without political overtones making the headlines, thereby delaying the necessity of at least one of the disputes on the table.
For the Minnesota Legislature, it is third down and scads of yardage to go in order to fulfill the required game plan, because delaying tactics marred the logical conclusion of the 2004 session where bonding capital improvements were purported to be of the utmost importance for communities, large and small, throughout the great state of Minnesota. It didn't happen, and now bonding, government spending and appropriating the taxes to pay the bills represents a heavy load. This year's session will soon explode with charges and counter charges as to who is guilty of trying an end run for cover, the DFL or the Republicans. Both teams are guilty as sin.
An issue that appears on the surface to be more important to the Twin Cities and adjacent areas is the Northstar commuter-rail line. Federal funding, a mere $132.5 million, would cover half the cost. The state would be required to cough up $37.5 million and the balance would be supplied with local revenues.
The problem is Federal Transit Administrator Jennifer Dorn suggests Minnesota has been playing "cat and mouse" on this issue since 1997, and the federal government may simply take away this funding and give it to someone else. In other words, advises Dorn, go for the first down now or punt. Time is running out.
I am sort of in the twilight of my tenure on Earth, but I see a great future for Northstar rail, especially throughout the Twin Cities metro area, St. Cloud, Rochester and yes, indeed, Duluth. As community growth expands throughout the state, rail transportation seems to be a logical choice to fulfill transportation needs and protect the integrity of small communities where living conditions far outweigh the population concentrations experienced in the larger metro markets. Can you envision living in Duluth and working in the Twin Cities or vice versa and traveling to and from work daily without hassle?
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Dreaming, you suggest? Perhaps, but it's not out of the question if we invest in the challenges facing today's and tomorrow's generations. Yes, I support the investment in transportation advancement as we move along now in the 21st century.
And now for the other issue, an apparent sale of the Minnesota Vikings to Chandler, Ariz., entrepreneur Reggie Fowler.
I can understand the need to update or replace the Metrodome but at what cost is the major issue on the table. I know some people think of me as an old curmudgeon, but I can't help but wonder, should Fowler and his followers ultimately obtain the Viking franchise, what are their long-range plans?
Sid Hartman, the colorful Twin Cities sportswriter suggests there are other markets looking for a major league football franchise like Los Angeles, Portland, Las Vegas or even Mexico City. These markets certainly have the potential of producing more revenue than the Twin Cities. And besides, major league sports should not be the dominant factor in a Minnesota taxpayer's long-term commitment without some serious collateral to protect our best interest.
Indeed, the Minnesota legislative session is serious business and the game plan represents our future. We don't have many timeouts left.
Dick Palmer is the former editor and publisher of the Budgeteer News. He may be reached by telephone at 729-6470 or by
e-mail at rpalmer@duluth.com .
