7. OTHER BUSINESS 02-05-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. SAMPLE NEWS RELEASE (Customize, according to needs) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: (Your city name here) City Council adopts resolution in support of transportation funding (Date, City) At last week's meeting, the _______m___ City Council, by a vote of - to --, adopted a resolution encouraging Minnesota state officials to pass a comprehensive transportation funding package in 2007. Copies of the approved resolution, which calls for "increased investments in state and local road and transit systems in Greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area," will be sent to members of the state legislature and the Governor. "Right now, cities throughout the state have very little room in their budgets for much- needed local street and road maintenance," said Mayor/Councilmember ___m_______. "Routine repair and upkeep work that is postponed because of funding challenges can cause wear-and-tear on vehicles, and will only be more expensive the next year, or the year after that. " Along with an escalating population, Minnesota's transportation needs continue to grow at rapid rates. Transportation analysts estimate that the state needs to invest an additional $1.5 billion per year in transportation infrastructure for the next 10 years in order to meet identified needs. The League of Minnesota Cities, a membership association representing more than 830 Minnesota municipal governments, is asking other cities in the state to consider adopting similar resolutions. According to the League, transportation infrastructure preservation and improvement costs have significantly contributed to rising property taxes statewide. "Improving our roadways and investing in transit alternatives are important components of economic development for our city, and for neighboring cities in our state," Mayor/Councilmember m_____ said. "We all benefit from a sound and adequately-funded transportation system." ----30----