5.1. SR 06-13-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Albertville and Elk River Congressional Meetings - 4/13-4/14 Washington, D.C. General summary of the meetings, talking points for the City Councils and press interviews . Meeting participants included: Congressman Kennedy and Tim Morrison, Legislative Aide; Bill Richard, Legislative Director, Congressman Oberstar's Office; Senator Coleman; Katie Pass, Legislative Assistant, Senator Dayton's Office; and Elwyn Tinklenberg and Dan Krom, The Tinklenberg Group. . Elwyn Tinklenberg provided introductory overview information - growth along and between the 1-94 and TH 10 corridors, travel demands, congestion etc., and the impacts on both communities. o The 1-94 and THlO corridors represent the fastest growing region in the state. They truly do represent Minnesota's "mega corridor" for development and the commuting, commercial, recreational and freight movements in the region. o With growth comes congestion, demands on expanded infrastructure, increasing safety concerns and other impacts on the quality of life. o Traffic volumes along these corridors have increased 50% in the past 10 years and are expected to double by the year 2020. o Transportation system improvements along 1-94 and TH 10 important to the vitality of local communities and these communities have built positive relationships with their neighbors to address current and future needs. o The information that is being presented today represents the proactive approach Albertville and Elk River are undertaking to address impacts of growth and development on transportation infrastructure. Background information on federal transportation program processes Federal Transportation Le2islation . Authorization is a multi-year bill that creates transportation programs and set funding limits. Typically the transportation authorization bill i,s six-years in length. o These bills authorize money for specific purposes, but do not appropriate the money. o Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) enacted in 1996, is still in effect. o Transportation Equity Act- A Lasting Legacy for Users (TEA-LU) is the reauthorization bill passed out of the House in March. o The authorizing committee in the House is the Transportation and Infrastructure committee. · Mr. Kennedy is a T&I Committee member and Vice Chair of the Highways and Transit subcommittee. · Mr. Oberstar is the Ranking Democrat of the entire committee . Appropriations bills are annual and provide money to pay for the programs authorized. o These bills are under the jurisdiction of the House Appropriations Committee and are developed in the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee . High Priority Projects (demonstration projects~ are specific projects that members of Congress have included in legislation. If included in the! authorization bill they can be funded all or in part over the life of the bill. . Earmarks - In recent years the Appropriations Committee has been earmarking specific projects in the annual appropriations bills not riecessarily identified in the authorization bill.