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Status of Northstar commuter rail for Federal funding <br /> April 2002 <br /> <br />As of the recently released Proposed Allocations of Funds for Fiscal Year 2003, <br />the Federal Transit Authority for the third straight year categorizes the Northstar <br />commuter rail project as a "Recommended" project for federal funding in what's <br />called the "New Starts Program." <br /> <br />But there are also 27 other transit projects in that category from across the country <br />with which Minnesota is competing for federal funds. The competition is fierce. <br /> <br />Our advantage is in the strong Congressional support for Northstar. Congress has <br />been providing Northstar with sufficient funding to move the project through each <br />stage of development every year since 1998. Our support at the federal level has <br />been bi-partisan, including Minnesota's U.S. Senators over the years. <br /> <br />President Bush's 2003 budget already includes funding for Northstar. Only five <br />transit projects are singled-out for funding in the President's budget, and <br />Northstar is one of them. Even though it is only a portion of the funding needed, <br />it is a clear signal that Northstar is a favored project. <br /> <br />Our missing piece is state funding. Of the 27 recommended projects, 14 already <br />have financial commitment from their respective states. <br /> <br />Only with state financial commitment will the federal government give approval <br />and funding for a project to be developed. <br /> <br />If the Legislature does not provide funding this year, it's very likely that many of <br />the other projects on the list will surpass Northstar and take the federal money that <br />could otherwise come to Minnesota. <br /> <br />Minnesota has a history of not getting its fair share of federal funding. Minnesota <br />ranks 45th in net return of federal tax dollars paid. Forty-four states are doing <br />better than we are in getting a return on federal tax dollars paid.* <br /> <br />if the Minnesota Legislature fails to support Northstar this year, tax dollars <br />Minnesotans pay to the federal government will once again go to other projects in <br />other states, such as projects in Seattle, Salt Lake City, Charlotte and San Diego <br />that have state funding commitment. <br /> <br />* Source: The Northeast-Northwest Institute at www.NEMW.org/taxburd.htm <br /> <br /> <br />