[{"_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",6653397,"mediaKeyId","2479928-ea4260fada125c0b3db834f201ce940f","parentId",2479928,"title","Committee hears competing views on Reconnect Rondo funding; bill to prohibit state support laid over","audioSeconds",2718,"startMs",3928755,"endMs",6647685,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2479928-ea4260fada125c0b3db834f201ce940f&start=3928&end=6647","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2479928-ea4260fada125c0b3db834f201ce940f/thumbnail_3928755.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6653397/Minnesota/Committee-hears-competing-views-on-Reconnect-Rondo-funding-bill-to-prohibit-state-support-laid-over","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653397-81cd3ebf3739ad0a6b8687a6b9fac048/orig.mp4?Expires=1776093505&Signature=U5au4KCtFv21U8ReHrAnvcTZIcXs2xCQ3twQb~8ocZ5mv~9HahrQjVC~wKDujFpo7rNJA3jfcgEajJaizFB7Lsw9QEk9~NggkOrf466PnjBB2X1RiiQgK2IJAcx~OyfaSZxbylJVembVHVAnnpjX5KQvyoOIiICbTyGSWC5NdQVwrL~CH9c-k5KwqISsIvFoyR8meiO1HX3ONPo~nysncgt0LcKFEYOuVhwZizoNdkX-BYAKlZBk~QGCXSqvdXLxOj29e5BLmAkDyrSZjnyCg~RrZ8aYggKdQirOx8MB9jPa5rmNMY~88-BU7jNflUJkI6oml9Y5OPJAKJExBZYBXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-03-04T00:54:03.297Z","article","Representative West introduced House File 4-94, a bill that would prohibit future state funding for the Reconnect Rondo land-bridge project and claw back remaining departmental funds allocated to it. The committee adopted two amendments (A1 technical; A2 to redirect any remaining funds back to the Highway User Tax Distribution Fund) and then laid the bill over for further consideration.

Representative West said the measure is driven by concerns about state fiscal constraints and the size of the Reconnect Rondo price tag. \"We're looking at what, over $400,000,000 is what they're saying,\" Representative West told the committee, arguing lawmakers must prioritize statewide transportation needs amid projected budget deficits.

Proponents of the Rondo project, including Keith Baker, executive director of Reconnect Rondo, and Marvin Anderson of the Rondo Center for Diverse Expressions, told the committee the project is designed to repair longstanding harm done to a predominantly Black neighborhood by the I‑94 routing in the 1950s and to provide economic, social and transportation benefits. Baker presented a project cost figure for the land-bridge portion and a proposed funding split: \"This project ... is $250,000,000 ... 80% being federal, 20% being state, which is 63,000,000,\" he told the committee.

Other testimony in favor came from community leaders, organizers and nonprofit representatives who described the project as an equity and economic-development initiative that would reconnect a divided neighborhood, add green space, and create business and job opportunities. Marvin Anderson said rejecting the project would ignore \"the vision, the hard work, and the aspirations of the Rondo community.\" Sharon Garth, who identified herself as a lifelong Rondo resident, described the project as a long-term plan to restore housing, businesses and culture in the neighborhood.

Opposing testimony included John Phelan of the Center of the American Experiment, who framed the bill as a response to fiscal concerns and urged lawmakers to oppose state spending on what he called a costly localized project. Phelan called the project’s total costs \"at least an estimated $450,000,000\" and argued the state is facing large budget deficits. He recommended policymakers prioritize other statewide transportation work.

Robert Harper, a consultant who said his team helped calculate disadvantaged business enterprise goals, told the committee about contracting patterns and urged support for Reconnect Rondo’s contracting plans. He said his research found that from 2017–2020 black contractors received \"0 out of 742 MnDOT contracts\" that totaled over $3 billion, and argued the Rondo project includes plans to use diverse contractors.

Committee members traded sharply worded remarks at times. Representative Cagle criticized the bill’s implications, noting testimony and written statements from community witnesses and objecting to comments made by an outside testifier. Representative West said the bill seeks only to be fiscally responsible and noted the committee previously handled prohibitions for other projects.

What’s next: After amendments were adopted and lengthy testimony, committee members laid House File 4-94 over for further consideration. The bill’s sponsors and opponents signaled they will continue to press their case in follow-up conversations and committee work.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/25","oneSentenceSummary","Representative West introduced HF 4-94 to prohibit state funding for Reconnect Rondo and claw back remaining funds; the committee adopted two amendments and laid the bill over after extensive, often heated, testimony both for and against the project.","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},6653401,"Cities, MnDOT and lawmakers debate shifting local cost participation for trunk-highway projects",1733,2188560,3921720,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2479928-ea4260fada125c0b3db834f201ce940f&start=2188&end=3921","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2479928-ea4260fada125c0b3db834f201ce940f/thumbnail_2188560.jpg","/articles/6653401/Minnesota/Cities-MnDOT-and-lawmakers-debate-shifting-local-cost-participation-for-trunk-highway-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653401-696e81c34fc6c41e7555321fba062be4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776093505&Signature=lAikMJX9MOzgzF0-VnWuriNnn433KuwzaifZ1sNaTzzsxUbdWpUu3nPXSWlZcuQAR4K5Fw~oxfknDrK7FW7BcsbYFH~QaT6q7XD3K129FuJ-q~QJCd4pJDwuga-hFz0S5doDqn32hhemSNO-fXlqOR4FdhjIoALubPrKsq3UfFCSZ1W47I~GWiwwiB8Fl2CrXQwihaSLUZo6YjgW1X~3-CQmZq2Hs-IGSefmFN-IVGYKN4sIECsh5ovUGROUgXDrSh05T~9FVMW4PXn~t1-7YdNVhR6rxZ5NwawVAWL5DlVHUw0IniHM0xJMTiQk5TXL1Exqnc8bLHcRXNj-~2E0uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House File 192, carried by Representative John Burkel, drew testimony from mayors, city engineers and MnDOT officials on the proposal to remove or reduce local cost-participation requirements for trunk-highway projects and have the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) cover those costs.

Representative Burkel described the bill’s intent as a response to what he and multiple municipal testifiers called an unsustainable burden on local governments when MnDOT projects require local utility relocations, sidewalk/trail work, or other cost participation. The committee laid the bill over for further work; no final action was taken.

Small and large cities described concrete fiscal impacts. Dan Fabian, mayor of Roseau, told the committee his city’s local share estimates had fluctuated from roughly $400,000 down to $185,000 after a MnDOT pilot, then rose again to about $255,000; he said other small cities faced local shares in the millions. Mary Supple, mayor of Richfield speaking for the League of Minnesota Cities, said Richfield spent 66 percent (about $17.9 million) of its municipal state aid (MSA) from 2003–2023 on projects to rebuild or rehabilitate roads the city does not own, leaving only about 12 percent for local MSA street maintenance in that 20-year period.

Brooklyn Center Mayor April Graves and a Brooklyn Park official described early estimates for the Highway 252/I-94 project that would require local agencies to pay tens of millions for local cost participation under current MnDOT policy, potentially exceeding typical annual local spending on streets by multiples. Justin Femright, public works director for Elk River and a past City Engineers Association executive committee member, said roughly 20 percent of statewide state-aid dollars intended for city infrastructure are being used to meet local cost participation obligations. He urged legislative relief.

Philip Schaffner, Director of MnDOT’s Office of Transportation System Management, described an ongoing MnDOT cost-participation policy update and pilots aimed at lowering burdens on non-state-aid and smaller cities. He warned the committee that if MnDOT were required to fund a much larger share of local costs without additional state funding, \"MnDOT covering a greater share of those costs or all of those costs will mean that we will have to deliver fewer projects than are currently programmed unless there is also an increase in the state road construction funding to offset those local contributions.\" Schaffner said he expects a revised MnDOT policy to be ready in late 2025 or early 2026 after deliberative stakeholder work.

The committee received a fiscal note summary from Mr. Lee that estimated potential costs to the state: roughly $25 million per year from the general fund (for items trunk highway funds cannot pay, such as utility relocations), about $50 million per year from the trunk highway fund, and two additional FTEs for MnDOT administration, with MnDOT caveats about forecasting local utility costs.

Committee members sought compromise language and welcomed ongoing MnDOT work groups; Representative Cagle said she wanted to avoid removing local \"skin in the game\" entirely and asked to work with the bill author. Representative Jones and others encouraged continued collaboration with cities and MnDOT’s work group.

What’s next: The bill was laid over for further negotiation as MnDOT completes its policy update and as legislators weigh funding tradeoffs and statutory changes.

","House File 192, which would shift local cost participation on state highway projects to MnDOT, drew wide testimony from small and metro cities, county and MnDOT officials and was laid over for further work.",{"_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},6653405,"Committee advances bill to fund permanent suicide-prevention barriers on Washington Avenue Bridge",2180,5369,2185780,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2479928-ea4260fada125c0b3db834f201ce940f&start=5&end=2185","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2479928-ea4260fada125c0b3db834f201ce940f/thumbnail_5369.jpg","/articles/6653405/Minnesota/Committee-advances-bill-to-fund-permanent-suicide-prevention-barriers-on-Washington-Avenue-Bridge","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653405-30d27bb206f88afcea6d2287b6ec41fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1776093505&Signature=dZJr3JQEm8d6SQrf2ZqLzgrNMKw6ggh5oyO1HmVTyrHf2wTOGa34rEZPthurH63-wdhDbuPHFp~xqveJzkeYpafg7MnpBRcYER~lrlQuiCToJ-j7YHmIRR0E30mvNq7fKA8ExNK~naOStzC-lMwg1g~tlcR0oyWQIonF5OOmqHR1AKfT2pNu1oh05mRQT5fZHw8Z0Ga28LH07urVZoW8fSUpXK-FNWYbxjnoqCzUrJxO~xYro5eryd3iSsjr5Rx65gPiBshzzdMvugsY-FQvjtX-1US2z8VEhiCSe3L-XZ3bzn9N0coaVIZIC27dYN-cY4sLETw39v9vwh16zujvnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Transportation Committee voted to refer House File 12-14, as amended, to the General Register after adopting an amendment that changes the funding source to Hennepin County’s county transportation sales and use tax.

The bill, carried in committee by Representative Hansen, would fund permanent suicide-prevention barriers on the Washington Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis. Committee members adopted an A1 amendment to change the source of funds from the transportation advancement account to the county transportation sales and use tax described in Minnesota Statutes 297A.993. The motion to refer the bill passed on a roll call: 15 ayes, 0 nays.

Supporters told the committee the bridge has been a recurring site for suicide attempts and that temporary fencing installed by the University of Minnesota has already reduced incidents. \"On 11/09/2023, Kayla chose death by suicide on the Washington Avenue Bridge, leaving behind a 2 year old son and 3 year old daughter,\" testified MJ Weiss Blair, identifying herself as the mother of Kayla Gable. She said advocates formed \"Kayla's Hope\" and worked with suicide-prevention groups and the university to get a temporary chain-link fence in place.

Eric Mishke, CEO of SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education), told the committee, \"The data is clear. Barriers work.\" Mishke cited examples where barriers have been followed by dramatic drops in suicides—naming the Natchez Trace, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Florida, and the Golden Gate Bridge—and argued that barriers interrupt suicidal impulsivity by giving people time to reconsider and allowing others to intervene.

University of Minnesota students who testified said they have seen peers die after falling from the bridge and urged lawmakers to back permanent measures. Riley Hetland, an undergraduate student government director, said two people died in one week last fall and that temporary measures should be made permanent. William Luther, representing undergraduate students, said the bridge’s existing four-foot railings are not sufficient and that barriers would also improve safety for the thousands of pedestrians who use the crossing daily.

Jeff Lundy, identified as a Hennepin County commissioner, told the committee the county owns the structure and has worked with the university and families to install a temporary fence. Lundy said the county supports a permanent solution and prefers capital investment (preservation) funding, but acknowledged the university and county were coordinating on funding and design.

Representative Olson requested a roll-call vote, which was recorded: Chair Kosnick — Aye; Vice Chair Myers — Aye; Representative Anderson — Aye; Representative Berg — Aye; Representative Fogelman — Yes; Representative Green — Aye; Representative Jones — Aye; Representative Joy — Aye; Representative Kraft — Aye; Representative Murphy — Aye; Representative Olson — Aye; Representative Sensamura — Aye; Representative Scraba — Aye; Representative Tabke — Aye. The committee reported the bill with 15 ayes and 0 nays.

What’s next: The bill will appear on the General Register for further consideration by the full House. Committee discussion stressed the urgency of a permanent solution and ongoing work to agree on a funding package and technical design details.

","The House Transportation Committee voted to refer House File 12-14, which would fund permanent suicide-prevention barriers on the Washington Avenue Bridge, to the General Register after adopting an amendment clarifying the funding source.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears competing views on Reconnect Rondo funding; bill to prohibit state support laid over

Cities, MnDOT and lawmakers debate shifting local cost participation for trunk-highway projects

Committee advances bill to fund permanent suicide-prevention barriers on Washington Avenue Bridge