10/17/07-A legislative panel in Minnesota has authorized the state Department of Transportation to use an extra $60 million to rebuild the Interstate 35W bridge. It is one-third of what the agency requested.
The Transportation Contingent Appropriation Group gave MnDOT the extra spending authority to keep its construction program on schedule until the Legislature reconvenes in February. Gov. Tim Pawlenty had asked for $195 million to avoid delays on projects other than the Minneapolis bridge reconstruction.
House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, said the panel held off on awarding the full amount of funding until all lawmakers have a chance to enter into the debate this winter at the capitol, the Pioneer Press reported.
MnDOT officials weren’t pleased with the reduced funding amount. They predict that without the additional money the department would run out of construction money in January. A $60 million shortfall is expected by the end of February.
To keep from running up a pricey deficit, MnDOT officials said some scheduled transportation projects could be eliminated.
The extra money is needed because $250 million in promised federal funding has yet to be delivered to the state. Instead, the federal government has appropriated $55 million at this point while the rest is tied up in budget negotiations, Minnesota Public Radio reported.
The debate on transportation funding is leading up to a tug of war between the Democratic-Farmer-Labor-led Legislature and Gov. Pawlenty, a Republican.
Pawlenty vetoed legislation in 2005 and this spring to increase the state’s 20-cent-per-gallon fuel tax rate. Following the Aug. 1 bridge collapse, the governor said he might reverse his stance on a tax increase, but he wasn’t able to agree with lawmakers on a plan.

9/10/07-Gov. Tim Pawlenty has rejected calls for a special session to address funding issues tied to the Interstate 35W bridge collapse.
Despite calls from leaders of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party in the state to hold a one- to two-day special session on paying for the bridge replacement, Pawlenty said it is too early to worry about state costs for the bridge because the federal government is already committed to paying for the replacement, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported.
The Republican governor was unmoved from DFLers concession on pursuing a fuel tax increase to pay for the state's share of costs for rebuilding the bridge in Minneapolis that collapsed Aug. 1, during even rush hour.
DFL leaders sent Pawlenty a letter telling him the state fuel tax increase would not be one of their goals of a special session. Instead, they said the state's expected budget surplus of $370 million could be tapped to help out.
Shortly after the bridge collapse, Pawlenty appeared willing to reverse a long-standing opposition to a fuel tax increase. He indicated "everything is on the table" when it comes to funding needs in the state's transportation system.
The governor later clarified that any boost in fuel tax rates should be temporary and offset by income tax cuts.
A comprehensive transportation-funding package is expected to draw consideration during the regular session that begins in February 2008.

8/6/07-With images of one of the nation's worst bridge collapses fresh in their minds, Minnesota legislators are calling for several steps to be taken to prevent a similar event.
State lawmakers are talking about holding a special session, joint House and Senate hearings, re-inspecting bridges and possibly reviving discussion of a fuel tax increase.
Legislators in both chambers are expected to meet this month to review bridge inspection records and other information on the condition of Minnesota's 20,000 bridges, the Star Tribune in Minneapolis reported. Gov. Tim Pawlenty also is expected to call back lawmakers for a special session after Labor Day to deal with how to come up with the state's share of costs for rebuilding the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis that collapsed Wednesday, Aug. 1, during evening rush hour.
The federal government is expected to require the state to put up at least 10 percent of the costs to rebuild the bridge that was the most heavily used in the state. It is estimated that it could take at least 18 months to reopen the span.
Congress already has asked for $250 million in federal funding to help with the rebuild effort. That amount would put the state on the hook for $25 million.
Estimates put the cost to clean up debris and replace the span at between $300 million and $500 million, the Star Tribune reported.
Pawlenty said this past weekend he might reverse his stance on a state fuel tax increase. In light of the bridge collapse, the Republican governor made it clear that "everything is on the table" when it comes to funding needs in the state's transportation system. He said he is hopeful that the Democratic-led statehouse will accept some of his ideas for funding roads, bridges and mass transit.
Pawlenty vetoed legislation in 2005 and this spring to increase the state's 20-cent-per-gallon fuel tax rate. As an alternative, he has favored borrowing to raise money for transportation.