Question 3: To what extent do you intend to support investment in maintaining Minnesota’s highway system and expanding its mass transit system given the age of the state’s highway system, population and business growth, and the mass transit needs of an aging and dispersed population?

MONDALE Response to Question 3

Clearly, this state has neglected the needs of transit and transportation. Our state transportation policy has consisted of using a band-aid fix for deep wounds, and now we find ourselves in the position of needing to pay for our neglect. Transportation and transit will be at the top of my agenda as governor.

We need a statewide vision that addresses the concerns of each region, and focuses on the statewide goal of a strong economy. Let me say that on no issue has there been more study and less action than on transit in this state.

One example of this lack of vision is the Stillwater Bridge. I would cancel that project immediately and use the money for transit needs in the Twin Cities Metro area. I do not believe we need to fund the economic development for Wisconsin.

Greater Minnesota is especially affected by our lack of a statewide transportation policy. When I was a vice-president of a major healthcare employer, one of the questions we always asked when looking to expand in a new area was, "do they have a four-lane highway to move products?" If they didn’t, we looked elsewhere.

The money to pay for our transportation needs should come from user fees. I will support the indexing of the gas tax, combined with redirecting some of the money collected from the motor vehicle excise tax, which currently goes into the general fund.

If we really work hard to address this issue, we will be in a better position to take advantage of the millions of dollars of federal funding available to us. As I have stated throughout my campaign, it is a matter of priorities, and I believe we have the money within the existing system to do a better job of funding our transportation needs.