Politics & Government
Senate Passes $32 million Cut to Twin Cities Transit
The Senate bill has fewer cuts than the state House version, which proposes to cut $129.78 million from Twin Cities transit.
Despite DFL opposition, the state Senate transportation bill, which cuts millions from Twin Cities transit systems, passed 38-25 Monday.
The cuts in the bill include $32 million from transit administered by the Metropolitan Council. DFLers did win one concession from Republicans— most of the funds for planning passenger rail that had been targeted for cuts were restored. DFLers also successfully amended the bill to reduce funding for some suburban bus operations to prevent $8 million in cuts to outstate transit.
Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) said the bill's cuts would erode the vitality of the state's neighborhoods and economy. He said the governor's position, which would leave funding at current levels, shows the state can do better.
Find out what's happening in Southwest Minneapoliswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The bill now goes to the conference committee to tangle with the House bill, which passed last week and proposes deeper cuts.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
