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MINNE3OT& <br /> <br />I~OR;~# REt. ATIONS <br />lUOGET <br /> <br /> nittd tatts tnatt <br /> <br />WASHINGTON. DC 20510-2304 <br /> <br />January 18, 2000 <br /> <br />The Honorable St~ven Svi~,~t <br />lVh~nnesota House of Repr~ealatix~s <br /> <br />Saint Paul, ~ 55155 ~ <br /> <br />(Letter sent <br />~epublic~ns <br /> <br />WASHINGTON OFFICE: <br /> <br /> MINNESOTA OFF/CE: <br /> FAX 81 <br /> <br />ant1, ]~em0cz'a'~' m~ oo~ ur; ~ H <br /> <br />Peter McLaughlin <br /> <br />A~the State Legislature renews its debate ove~ ~unding for a light rail syst~m,-'~ want to make S'~y <br />podi~on on the proposed project is understoo~L <br />I am~t~vell aware of the controversy as to whether the I-flawatha Corridor should be <br />Busw~t, y/HOV corridor. Many Minnesotans believe that light rail is a costly ~d U. Pl~ro~ucfive use of <br />taxpa,~er dollars and wou{d prefer an alternative. Are. oent study has raised add.'~0nai concerns. <br /> <br />I believe the fate of light rail should be decided by state and local officials. It is for this reason that <br />my re'quest last year to the appropriators did not mention li~t rail. Federal fimcL~ received or <br />reque~ed in the future cotfld be used to fund commuter rail a subway line, a people mover, light rail, <br />or Buiway/HOV lanes. I believe these federal funds should be a~ flexible as possible, so local <br />officials may decide how they should be spent, or whether they should be spent. <br /> <br />l understand questions continue to be raised as to whether federal ;funds should be requested at all. As <br />was thc .caSe last ye, ar, if I re~ive a formal request for funding of:the components of the Twin Cities <br />Tra.,~itways project, I will work to secure those funds. If I do~n'°t make a timely request, or make a <br />partial .~"quest, funds nonT~ally provided for Minnesota woulc['be directed to other states should the <br />Legis.la~ure not act on this matter. Also, such requests need' to be made in a timely fashion to the <br />Comr~ictee. Any request.~ ~ ~z':h 31st would be in je6paf~dy. However, i want to reassure you <br />that m'~'*efforts will reflect any ~actment of law by ~e Leks. r~ture in regards to the Hiawatha <br />Corridor ,P?ject. <br /> <br />As always~ I believe exte,sive debate on an issue o£ this magnitude in the State Legislature this year is <br />vital, and I look forward to working wit~ you on whatever ~na] decision you reach. <br /> <br />Rod Grams <br />United States Senator <br /> o <br /> <br /> <br />