Julie Johanson Assistant General Manager Administration

1
Legislative Outcomes

• Julie JohansonAssistant General Manager -
  Administration
• June 12, 2008

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Transportation Finance Bill

• Passed, vetoed, overridden
• OKd regional ¼ sales tax
• Exclusively for transitways
• Expected to raise 100 million / yr

3
Sales Tax

• Adopted by 5 counties
• Starts July 1
• Distributed as grants by CTIB
• 100 votes based on / population
• Consistent with Met Council TPP
• 1st 30.1 million to Met Council

4
State Bonding Bill

• Urban Partnership Agreement 16.7 million
• Leverages 133 million federal
• Congestion reduction
• I-35
• Cedar Avenue
• Downtown Minneapolis

5
Secondary Bonding Bill
UPA Enabling Law

• OKs congestion pricing on lanes, shoulders
• Sets formula to distribute toll revenue between
  Mn/DOT, Met Council

• Restores 70 million to Central Corridor
  light-rail following veto
• State to pay 50 of LRT operating subsidy

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Tax Bills

• Authorizes 33.6 million in regional bonds for
  CY2008
• Authorizes 33 million in regional bonds for July
  1, 2009
• Exempts light rail and commuter rail from sales
  taxes

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Other Legislative Initiatives

• Designates Met Council to operate all metro-area
  commuter rail
• Lets Governor choose Mn/DOT or Met Council to
  design and build future LRT
• Raises biodiesel mandate to 20 by 2015

Summary

• Strong session for transit
• Funding challenges remain

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Possible Fare Increase

• 15 million short for SFY 2009
• faltering vehicle taxes
• higher fuel prices
• Fare proposal late June
• Hearings in July
• Implementation, if approved, October

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Bad Timing

• 2007 highest ridership in 25 years
• 2008 up 7.8 over 2007
• On pace for 80 million, highest since 81
• Metropass rides up 18.5
• 175 companies
• 9 new employers this year

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