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How can we afford Northstar when we face a budget shortfall? <br /> <br />The State of Minnesota has two methods to pay for goods and services. One source is the state's general <br />fund -- that's the budget that is over $4 billion short. The general fund pays for the state's day-to-day <br />expenses (salaries, programs, energy, computers, etc.). <br /> <br />The other revenue source is money made available by bonding. The state borrows money from selling bonds <br />to pay for building infrastructure like libraries, community centers, local museums and hopefully, Northstar <br />commuter rail. It's similar to borrowing money from a bank to buy a house or a new car. Northstar's request <br />would come from this source. <br /> <br />Rep. Tingetstad acknowledged that the state's budget deficit makes funding transportation a challenge during <br />the 2003 legislative session. "Even with the deficit, Minnesota needs to improve its transportation," she <br />explained. "Northstar is the most cost-effective option for this corridor, and a smart investment for the state." <br /> <br />"In difficult economic times, we should be using Iow-interest bonding money to put people to work on projects <br />like Northstar," said Senator Don Betzold. <br /> <br />What people are saying... <br /> <br />Army Reservist <br />Some day I hope to be able to drive to Rice and <br />catch the train to northeast Minneapolis where I <br />do my National Guard drills. I have been driving <br />for 8 years and it has cost me a lot of money. <br /> - Little Falls Resident <br /> <br />Business Leader <br />We have taken surveys where over 100 people in <br />the office here said they would be interested in <br />actually taking the commuter rail if it was <br />available. <br /> - Duane Arens, <br /> Connexus Energy <br /> <br />Earlier this month, the NCDA <br />launched the updated Northstar web <br />site at www. mn-GetOnBoard.com. <br />Featuring the latest news on <br />Northstar commuter rail, the new site <br />is a great resource. It includes an <br />enhanced route map with station <br />details and the presentations .made <br />to Governor Pawlenty in February. <br />Visitors can also find ways to help <br />make Northstar a reality. Check it out <br />today! <br /> <br />Chief Authors: Rep. Kathy Tlr <br /> Rep. Jim Abeier (R-Anoka) <br /> <br />~gelstad (R-Andover) and Sen. <br /> Sen. Dean Johnson (D-Wilimar) <br /> <br />Rep. Al Juhnke (D-Willmar) <br /> <br />Rep. Connie Bernardy (D-Fridley) <br />Rep. Jerry Dempsey (R-Red Wing) Sen. Mike Jungbauer (R-East Bethel) Rep. Char Samuelson (R-New Brighton) <br />Rep. Greg Blaine (R-Little Falls) Rep. Phyllis Kahn (D-Minneapolis) Rep. Alice Seagren (R-Bloomington) <br />Rep. Dan Dorman (R-Albert Lea) Rep. Margaret Anderson Keltiher (D-Mpls) Rep. Dan Severson (R-Sauk Rapids) <br />Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minneapolis) Sen. Dave Kids (R-St. Cloud) Rep. Dean Simpson (R-New York Mills) <br />Sen. Leo Foley (D-Coon Rapids) Rep. Jim Knoblach (R-St. Cloud) Rep. Judy $oderstrorn (R-Mora) <br />Rep. Barb Goodwin (D-Columbia Heights) Rep. Bernie Lieder (D-Crookston) Rep. Doug Slang (R-Cold Spring) <br />Rep. Mindy Oreiling (D-Roseville) Rep. Denny McNamara (R-Hastings) Rep. And), Westerbcrg (R-Blaine) <br />Rep. Tom Hackbarth (R-Cedar) Rep. Doug Meslow (R-White Bear Lake) Rep. Kurt Zellers (R-Maple Grove) <br /> <br />Rep, Alice Hausman (D-St. Paul) <br /> <br />Rep. Michael Nelson (D-Brooklyn Park) <br /> <br />Don Betzold (D-Fridley) <br />Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba (D-Long Prairie) <br /> Rep. Jim Rhodes (R-St. Louis Park) <br /> <br />Rep. Frank Homstein (D-Minncapolisj Rep. Bud Nomes (R-Fergus Falls) <br /> Note: Authorship is limited to 35 members of the House of F~epresentatives and 5 members of the Senate. <br /> <br /> <br />