Evaluating the Southwest LRT Project / Funding Transportation

In March, the Legislature passed a law instructing the Office of the Legislative Auditor to investigate the cost overruns and delays in the Southwest Light Rail transit project, a 14.5-mile light rail track that will connect downtown Minneapolis with the communities of Eden Prairie, Hopkins, Minnetonka and St. Louis Park. Senator Scott Newman, R-Hutchinson, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, joins Capitol Report moderator Shannon Loehrke to discuss the findings of the report.

In an unscientific opinion poll administered at the Minnesota Senate's State Fair Booth, polltakers were asked to select their preferred method for funding transportation needs. The majority -- 39 percent -- believe that all of the sales tax collected on auto parts should be directed for that purpose. Currently, about half of the tax is placed in the state's General Fund. Last session, Senator Jeff Howe authored a bill, which passed the Senate on a vote of 59-7, that would have dedicated all revenue from the sales tax on auto parts to transportation. The measure did not get a vote in the House. Shannon spoke with him recently about why he is calling for this funding approach.