Increasingly, Republicans are abandoning traditional core principles in
favor of a “new conservatism” that has no definition or purpose other than
political convenience. The latest alteration is the Republican proposal in the
Minnesota state legislature’s conference committee on transportation that will
prohibit local governments from making certain transportation decisions such as
light rail. Republicantransportation proposal imperils future LRT projects
The party of local control is now espousing a centralization of power in
the State Legislature. One can only wonder what is next. Presumably, any local
decision that displeases them is potential fodder for this new effort toward a
Super-Legislature.
It is clear that Republicans do not like light rail. However, as the May
3rd Star Tribune poll noted, 76 percent of the residents of
Hennepin and Ramsey counties do want light rail. Why are their wishes and those
of the local governments they elect ignored while legislators representing
other areas of the state make the decision?
This usurpation of local control is a dangerous move and warrants
Governor Dayton’s immediate announcement of a veto. Take out the pen and put
this absurd idea out of its misery.
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