[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6340510,"mediaKeyId","2259299-b7c187d54afc5a7c29e36c706d18af1c","parentId",2259299,"title","Public Safety outlines State Patrol headquarters request, recruitment needs, and safety‑focused policy proposals","audioSeconds",838,"startMs",4342000,"endMs",5180000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2259299-b7c187d54afc5a7c29e36c706d18af1c&start=4342&end=5180","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2259299-b7c187d54afc5a7c29e36c706d18af1c/thumbnail_4342000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6340510/Minnesota/Public-Safety-outlines-State-Patrol-headquarters-request-recruitment-needs-and-safetyfocused-policy-proposals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6340510-7130eb98b595d4e725e72108e51af545/orig.mp4?Expires=1773253033&Signature=aZ~1Ydxq3k1NGDDX3BO035GMKqKYAnD7Q7mv2xd~BxSCqyoa5ZVkbaHUNzh4X8bX01vFD-XX-RoHjFrBgeniRhJQAAAgnEV98z2ADwD~IX3EnFkQyZpGF4qJlbGNqRDvazsv9Yu06qdizQ~DamZCDQepS53y~EIJy-U0SNHSzuc9SaMcIM9QBAFAU87-k20wM1edggfeHMOsPEi1M2W6wGI0YdJmy~p1iq0WCOpcS~0PrX67n3J0r0Rpi2~f1eVCfoGFeJfT-Rb0Ei9oaDDBAQOrJ8W2WiIa~clsskrmPtZ8LZv~NwitfbuEjMGtrxhviQpGwWc~FQHooATfI63xcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota House of Representatives","date","2025-02-10T00:00:00Z","article","Deputy Commissioner Cassandra O’Hearn told the House Transportation Committee that the governor’s budget recommends several transportation‑related items housed at the Department of Public Safety (DPS), including a trunk‑highway funded request to construct a consolidated State Patrol metropolitan headquarters, funding for recruitment and hiring, and multiple Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) administrative and regulatory changes.

Why it matters: the request would use trunk‑highway fund dollars for a State Patrol capital project (the department notes the Patrol’s mission to patrol highways and its existing trunk‑highway funding), seeks new capacity to recruit troopers as retirements grow, and proposes statutory and administrative changes intended to improve traffic safety and improve DVS operations.

DPS highlighted the following proposals:

- State Patrol metropolitan headquarters: DPS officials said the governor’s package includes about $48.0 million from trunk highway to build a consolidated metro headquarters that would bring multiple leased sites together, meet evidence‑storage accreditation standards and improve operational coordination. The department said prior appropriations funded property purchase and predesign; the new request would fund construction and fit‑out.

- Recruitment and hiring: DPS said the State Patrol has 91 trooper vacancies and an academy class of 42 underway; the department expects about 100 troopers to be eligible for retirement over the next four years. The budget requests $1.0 million in FY26 and FY27 for recruitment and marketing to support more frequent academies and broader recruiting outreach.

- Excessive speed penalty change: DPS noted a policy proposal to require a six‑month license revocation for drivers traveling at speeds that exceed the posted limit by 35 miles per hour (the current statute requires a six‑month revocation for speeds of 100 mph or more). DPS framed the change as a tool to reduce traffic fatalities and address very high speeds regardless of posted limits.

- Office of Traffic Safety match: the department seeks roughly $485,000 in trunk‑highway funds each year to provide the state match that unlocks federal Office of Traffic Safety grants (the federal programs generally require a 50 percent match).

- Driver and Vehicle Services items: DPS presented multiple DVS requests, including authority to pay service providers for currently no‑fee transactions (estimated at about $2.1 million), rulemaking authority and resources for the ignition interlock device program required by 2021 legislation, online driver’s license renewal expansion (estimated to generate about $2.74 million in revenue), lengthening the commercial learner’s permit from six months to one year to align with federal rules, and a proposal to require plate replacement at vehicle title transfer to prevent old plates from remaining associated with sellers.

Committee members asked several questions about trunk‑highway funding for a non‑road capital project and about the recruitment outlook. Representative Roger Scraba expressed concern about using trunk‑highway dollars for a headquarters and Representative Olson pressed DPS staff on why trunk‑highway funds — intended for roads — should fund the building; DPS staff responded that State Patrol operations are funded from trunk‑highway because the Patrol’s core mission is highway patrol.

No formal votes were taken; DPS staff said the department will return for further committee discussions and provide additional details on specific proposals (including cost breakdowns and timelines) as the budget process continues.

Ending: Committee members asked DPS to provide deeper cost detail and follow‑up on trooper retirement projections and the ignition interlock rulemaking plan; the department said it would follow up in subsequent hearings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee - part 1 2/10/25","oneSentenceSummary","Deputy Commissioner Cassandra O’Hearn told the House Transportation Committee the Department of Public Safety’s transportation divisions seek roughly $48.0 million in trunk‑highway funds for a consolidated State Patrol metro headquarters, recruitment funding and several DVS rule and fee changes.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6340515,"MnDOT outlines trunk‑highway requests, Blatnik Bridge authority and aeronautics fee changes in governor’s budget",612,2865000,3477000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2259299-b7c187d54afc5a7c29e36c706d18af1c&start=2865&end=3477","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2259299-b7c187d54afc5a7c29e36c706d18af1c/thumbnail_2865000.jpg","/articles/6340515/Minnesota/MnDOT-outlines-trunkhighway-requests-Blatnik-Bridge-authority-and-aeronautics-fee-changes-in-governors-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6340515-9e73951af53ed1bfebbee61496a509c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773253033&Signature=VDuUyD6tbTxCri0hTTqCPQUyOoLhR42t12skoQGpittbyBLjzS9RyH5zzSTasKDtMEwuxOUSw5MMJ2-6ZZ~zPNGfW9S2G7qHQZIyUIGPdAFf-LP3~bzspWi5Q6ybdMdvadCRnkknksRN8g9ghtG0-5ji2t5dUSyayxPwzPpgZz63-pSgT8a2tPcuooWp0ghUJ7ZQc9lq-FLi73eNK8zY1CALRwpYZOaW0UDAM51dsJ6d6GM~QvmG7qL-SiUvoBPuJOnMNPV4J2yVDPWAomrqhJWDzKJZ-j9FI9bF2~aOeilA6QuDOmF77wIzBp~iAekMYgB58DTR4Cs8bLbh2TB4rA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger told the House Transportation Committee the governor’s budget includes a set of trunk‑highway fund requests and several policy and language changes intended to match state authority with anticipated federal awards and to shore up long‑running capital and operational needs.

Why it matters: MnDOT’s proposals would change spending authority for federal formula dollars, add a separate appropriation vehicle for a large bridge project, restructure some aeronautics revenues and add recurring trunk‑highway spending for corridor planning, facilities modernization and workforce programs.

Daubenberger said the governor’s package includes eight items in MnDOT’s priority list and that six of those are funded from the trunk‑highway fund. Among the highest‑profile items she cited were:

- State road construction appropriation increase: MnDOT requested additional state authority to spend increased federal formula funds in the revised State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), with an expected larger spending need in fiscal 2026 and formula levels thereafter.

- Blatnik Bridge spending authority: MnDOT asked for separate budget authority to manage the state’s share of a large INFRA grant tied to the Blatnik Bridge project. Commissioner Daubenberger said the authority will help track and manage the large, multi‑year bridge project alongside Wisconsin DOT and federal partners.

- Aeronautics revenue restructuring: MnDOT proposed raising the airline flight property tax level and increasing aircraft registration fees (a 15 percent registration increase was cited) to support the state airport fund after a decade of no adjustment. Daubenberger listed specific airports with needs including Rochester, Bemidji, Duluth, Brainerd Lakes, Thief River Falls, Falls International and St. Cloud.

- Corridor planning and MPO grants: the governor’s package would add trunk‑highway funding for statewide corridor planning (a $3 million base increase) and modest annual increases for metropolitan planning organizations, intended to better integrate land‑use and state highway planning.

- Recruitment, retention and facilities modernization: MnDOT seeks recurring funds to support organizational health and employee retention programs, additional HR and labor relations staffing, and $3.2 million for truck station facility modernization across the state.

Daubenberger told the committee MnDOT’s trunk‑highway fund was in sound condition and that some increases reflect federal awards the department must be authorized to match and spend. She also said the department is implementing a strategic workforce plan and cited the need to attract and retain staff in specialized trades such as snowplow drivers.

Committee members asked for examples and clarifications. Representative Lucy Ream asked what MPO planning grants produce in practice; Daubenberger said the grants support land‑use and transportation planning that aligns local plans with state highway project selection. Representative Patty Anderson asked whether the state road construction increase was the Met Council loan; the commissioner replied it was not — the state road construction increase is to match and spend additional federal funds in the STIP.

On extensions, MnDOT explained several existing appropriations require more time to spend — for example, an Upper Sioux conveyance and a slope remediation project that will let later this year, and unfinished work on the Borealis/Amtrak second daily train project that remains in progress.

Ending: Daubenberger said MnDOT stands ready to provide more detailed follow‑up on any item and that the department will return for further committee review as the session’s budget work proceeds.","MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger told the House Transportation Committee the governor’s 2025 recommendations include trunk‑highway spending authority for increased federal formula awards, separate authority for the Blatnik Bridge project, aeronautics revenue changes and recurring funding for corridor planning, workforce and facilities modernization.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6340520,"Metropolitan Council proposes advance to MnDOT, free Metro Mobility rides and $32.45M general‑fund cut; committee probes long‑term impact",2152,619000,2771000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2259299-b7c187d54afc5a7c29e36c706d18af1c&start=619&end=2771","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2259299-b7c187d54afc5a7c29e36c706d18af1c/thumbnail_619000.jpg","/articles/6340520/Minnesota/Metropolitan-Council-proposes-advance-to-MnDOT-free-Metro-Mobility-rides-and-3245M-generalfund-cut-committee-probes-longterm-impact","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6340520-ffc2aa9225295f545d6314091d252ee1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773253033&Signature=GDKIWsLdasc7Jxjy3C6qQSx9kJ4tLYaQEmvn2bbw1emOzxwTSj26yHHWHV7vS8gOA8nO50tSwS0OZh7Ws-8SoflFxOYgfpar2esMGv2WdXQRxdTzwYSAcdl3w9MGjfgDcDHCuRtzKFlWG9Tu014HUw7Kwj09WRgH6CvbbI6XgKy9bfk9oDiWgZurtBVOVYco9ICifG9JvuEpdvzq0-YpsduVM4R1JAicu98MrJhgcut1feh2ckrFktRCjGhkAYYfJUwzK9EmvQlygIkEh-VUpj6OWeTMsED1Mowujmcn2WT409gMttkN28G~Cp4NGGp5teoB7bH6SjfbSxLMkdKiyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle told the Minnesota House Transportation Committee that the council is proposing three linked budget and policy moves: advance cash to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to coordinate a major highway reconstruction with a transitway build; continue making Metro Mobility riders eligible for free trips on fixed‑route service; and accept a $32,454,000 annual reduction in the council’s state general‑fund appropriation for Metro Transit.

Why it matters: the package mixes a financing maneuver, a service change intended to shift some paratransit riders to fixed‑route service, and a sizable ongoing operating cut that Met Council officials said will be manageable in the near term but will reduce resources available for expansion and long‑term capital maintenance.

Zelle described the proposed MnDOT advance as a temporary use of council reserves to synchronize a state highway reconstruction and bus rapid‑transit (BRT) construction so both projects can proceed at once. Zelle said that coordinating the projects would reduce disruption and lower total costs; he framed the move as an interagency loan, not a permanent reallocation of funds.

On the Metro Mobility pilot, Charles Carlson, executive director of Metropolitan Transportation Services at the Met Council, told the committee the program has produced fixed‑route trips certified as Metro Mobility trips during the pilot. “During the pilot period, about 75,000 folks, certified Metro Mobility rides occurred on the fixed route system,” Carlson said, and Met Council staff told the committee that if a mature program diverted only about 2 percent of Metro Mobility trips to fixed route the state could realize savings on the higher‑cost paratransit program.

The third item is a reduction in a legacy general‑fund appropriation to Metro Transit. Zelle said the council can absorb the cut in the near term because new and diversified revenue streams — including the 0.75 percent metropolitan sales and use tax enacted in 2023 — have improved the agency’s fiscal position. He cautioned, however, that the cut would reduce the council’s capacity for future service expansion and long‑term capital maintenance.

Representatives on the committee pressed Zelle and Met Council staff on the practical effects of the cut. Representative Bjorn Wilson asked what the reduction would affect and when; Zelle and Carlson told the committee the impacts are likely to appear in later years as reserves are drawn down and as the system takes on the operating costs of new lines opening in the next several years (the council cited multiple projects opening this year and the Green Line extension scheduled for 2027). Representative Lucy Ream and others asked whether the cut would prevent construction of a new BRT line; Zelle responded that the cited figure represents near‑term operating savings rather than capital funding and that capital build‑out typically uses a mix of federal, local and state capital dollars.

Committee members also asked for data behind the Metro Mobility pilot. Carlson said the pilot generated roughly 75,000 fixed‑route rides by certified Metro Mobility users and that Met Council staff are continuing to collect and analyze data on how many trips would shift permanently to fixed route.

Several members raised the scale of new revenues tied to the metropolitan sales tax. Fiscal staff Andy Lee told the committee that the 0.75 percent metro sales and use tax is estimated to produce roughly $465 million in 2025 and grow to roughly $493 million in 2027 for the Metropolitan Council’s share (the transcript and staff handouts gave a four‑year Metropolitan Council total of about $1.739 billion across fiscal 2024–27).

No formal committee action or vote on the Met Council proposals occurred at the hearing. Zelle closed by saying the council will return for a deeper briefing on transit programs and budget details.

Ending: Committee members told Zelle they would continue to press for detail as the legislature moves into longer budget and policy deliberations; the committee scheduled further hearings and asked Met Council and fiscal staff to provide additional supporting data on the pilot and on long‑range operating projections.","Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle told the Minnesota House Transportation Committee that the council is proposing to advance cash to MnDOT to coordinate a highway/transit project, to continue free rides for Metro Mobility users on fixed‑route service, and to accept a $32,454,000 annual reduction in state general‑fund transit aid.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public Safety outlines State Patrol headquarters request, recruitment needs, and safety‑focused policy proposals

MnDOT outlines trunk‑highway requests, Blatnik Bridge authority and aeronautics fee changes in governor’s budget

Metropolitan Council proposes advance to MnDOT, free Metro Mobility rides and $32.45M general‑fund cut; committee probes long‑term impact