Legislators Propose Spending $332M on Transit, New Transit Tax

Minneapolis Sen. Bobby Joe Champion and Brooklyn Park Rep. Melissa Hortman introduced bills Thursday that would also help people walking, bicycling, or using wheelchairs.

Edina Senator Introduces Light Rail Funding Legislation

The pair of bills offer substantially different financing options for the project, but would both see millions of dollars go to the Metropolitan Council.

Two different funding options for the Southwest Light Rail Transit (LRT) line are being considered at the Capitol, after being introduced by Sen. Melisa Franzen (DFL-Edina) Monday morning. Senate File 257 and Senate File 258 both appropriate millions of dollars in bond proceeds to the Metropolitan Council to make the 15-mile light rail route a reality, though they do offer dramatically different amounts. SF 257 would provide $118 million for the project, fully covering the remainder of the state contribution toward the project. SF 258 would provide $37 million. "It is time to move this project forward," Franzen said. "The business community, cities and residents are all on board. We need the Legislature to step up and make an investment …

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Voter ID, Referenda and the Election: Feedback Friday

The most thoughtful, moving, controversial or just plain funny comments from around the west metro between Nov. 2 and Nov. 8.

Each week, Patch users contribute numerous insights, opinions and observations. The following is a collection of the most thoughtful, moving, controversial or just plain funny comments that appeared on Patch sites in Eden Prairie, Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Richfield, Shakopee, Plymouth, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Click on the headline to read the full story and join in the conversation. (The comments below are not meant to reflect the opinions of Patch or its staff.) *** Minnesota Voter ID Amendment: This Is Why I'm Voting 'No' Readers weighed in on the issue before they voted on Nov. 6. Doug Lind planned to vote "no" for several reasons: The GOP attorney representing Mr Emmer in the voter recount said, "No fraud." …

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Marxism and Preaching Against Gay Marriage: Feedback Friday

The most thoughtful, moving, controversial or just plain funny comments from around the west metro between Oct. 26 and Nov. 1.

Each week, Patch users contribute numerous insights, opinions and observations. The following is a collection of the most thoughtful, moving, controversial or just plain funny comments that appeared on Patch sites in Eden Prairie, Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Richfield, Shakopee, Plymouth, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Click on the headline to read the full story and join in the conversation. (The comments below are not meant to reflect the opinions of Patch or its staff.) *** Golden Valley Pastor Preaches Against Gay Marriage Amendment For the first time in his 30 years of being a pastor, Edwin DuBose of Golden Valley's Spirit of Hope United Methodist Church told his congregation that he's voting 'no' on Minnesota's …

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Editor's Notebook

Is Southwest LRT a Campaign Asset or Obstacle?

While supporters are still working to promote the Southwest Transitway, one campaign ad uses a candidate’s backing for the project as its most-visible selling point. What role does light rail play in this election?

Southwest Light Rail Transit supporters haven’t been shy about trying to sell residents on the project. Local chambers have taken an active role in encouraging legislators to back the project, and they recently launched a “More Jobs Less Traffic” campaign to boost support among the general public. What hasn’t happened as frequently is candidates using Southwest LRT as the major selling point for their own campaigns. Yet that’s exactly what Senate District 49 candidate Melisa Franzen’s campaign did in an advertisement last week. Residents in her district received a mailer that featured a Metro Transit train, a map of the proposed Southwest LRT route and the campaign promise, “With Melisa Franzen in the Senate, 60,000 new jobs are just the …

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