Senate committee recommends Robin Hutchison as Metropolitan Council chair after probing accountability and transit oversight

The Minnesota Senate Transportation Committee on Feb. 23 voted to recommend Robin Hutchison for confirmation as chair of the Metropolitan Council after extended questioning about governance, transparency and recent transit project overruns.

Chair Dibble opened the session by outlining concerns about the council’s unique, appointed structure and its authority to levy taxes, issue bonds and run regional services without direct election. Hutchison, who told the committee she has been on the job roughly two months, repeatedly pledged transparency and cooperation with legislators. “I will show up for a conversation with you,” she said, promising to respond in writing where she could not answer in the hearing.

Lawmakers pressed Hutchison on safeguards to ensure the council’s exercise of power aligns with democratic principles, and on how she would make council members accessible to residents and legislators. Hutchison said she had met nearly every council member and emphasized a data-driven approach and enhanced public reporting. She noted the council already has about 30 mandated legislative reports and said the Met Council is strengthening internal audit functions.

Several senators focused on the Southwest light-rail project’s cost and timeline overruns. Hutchison credited a series of legislative audits with changing project governance, adding real-time financial monitoring and clarifying lines of authority. On the Green Line she said the project is “about 90% built” and that the Met Council is optimistic about opening, while the Blue Line extension remains in federal review and is tied to Federal Transit Administration milestones.

Members voiced lingering frustration over accountability after the Southwest LRT overruns. Senator Johnson Stewart described the overrun as “over $1,000,000,000” and urged post-project reviews; Hutchison committed to early identification of risks, candor when problems arise and new procurement tools to avoid surprises. She also said the council participates in a weekly cabinet call with the governor’s office to keep regional priorities visible.

After the exchange, the committee—on a motion by Senator Johnson Stewart—recommended Hutchison’s confirmation to the full Senate by voice vote. Hutchison thanked members and said she would return as needed to answer follow-ups.

The committee’s recommendation now moves to the full Senate for consideration.