Peterson reaches out to Pawlenty with transportation concerns

(Washington, DC) - After reviewing Governor Tim Pawlenty’s transportation package, U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson sent a letter to the Governor asking that Greater Minnesota’s needs be more carefully considered.

“I have some serious problems with the way this Governor prioritizes transportation projects in this state,” Peterson said. “I hope he’ll reconsider what I believe is a crucial issue for Greater Minnesota.”

(See letter below)

January 30, 2004

The Honorable Tim Pawlenty
Office of the Governor
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

Dear Governor Pawlenty,

I am very concerned about your recent transportation package and the lack of attention to rural Minnesota needs.

Although this bill has been advertised as the largest transportation package in state history, and containing equal funding between the Twin Cities areas and Greater Minnesota, after further analysis I have discovered this is not true. Non-metropolitan areas are still being ignored and are getting the short end of the stick.

You have stated that nine out of the fourteen projects are in Greater Minnesota. However, only four projects are in non-metropolitan areas, and only two projects are in the western part of the state, not to mention there are no projects in southwestern Minnesota (namely the Willmar and Marshall areas). Transportation dollars need to be distributed in an equal and fair manner across the state. At the federal level we work hard to obtain federal funds for the entire State of Minnesota, it is only because there is always more demand than State funding that we pursue special appropriations and earmarks. It seems more and more every year this demand is greater.

While I realize, metropolitan areas do serve a greater population and a higher volume of vehicles, non-metropolitan areas also need quality roads for shipping and receiving goods and services. These non-metropolitan areas should be getting a fair amount of funding as well. How is rural Minnesota supposed to grow economically when the state doesn’t recognize their transportation needs? How are agricultural producers and manufactures supposed to get their goods to market when there are no road improvements being made in their areas?

I have serious concerns about pursuing increases for Minnesota in the federal Highway Trust Fund Reauthorization, if most of this money will go towards metropolitan projects. Rural areas deserve and desperately need revitalization of their infrastructure starting with better roads. More needs to be done in the western part of the state. I fight daily to get every federal dollar possible for rural areas in the western part of the state and it is unfortunate that the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are not able recognize the needs and the contributions that rural areas make to the state as a whole.

While I gladly continue the fight for rural Minnesota, I do expect the state to hold up their end. I will continue to monitor your progress in rural Minnesota and look forward to hearing from you regarding these concerns.

Sincerely,

Collin C. Peterson
Member of Congress

Cc: Lt. Governor Carol Molnau, Office of the Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Transportation, 395 John Ireland Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55155

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