TwinWest is a proud member of the Metropolitan Coalition of Chambers (MCC). A coalition of 24 chambers of commerce from throughout the Twin Cites metropolitan area, the MCC represents businesses in more than 60 suburban and urban communities in the metro area. MCC was formed in 2003 to advocate for significant investment and improvement in the Twin Cities’ transportation infrastructure.


Read MCC's 2007 legislative agenda letter

This past year, MCC was successful in taking a strong first step toward a solution with the passage of Minnesota’s Transportation Amendment. This year, our first priority is to finish the job that voters approved by statutorily dedicating sixty percent of the motor vehicle sales tax (MVST) to highways, and forty percent to transit.  MCC supports a further division of thirty-eight percent of the transit dollars to metro area projects and two percent for out-state transit programs.  Use of the metro transit funds should be balanced between new starts and existing operating costs in order to best leverage available federal matching funds and should be based on existing long-term regional development plans.

Passage of the Transportation Amendment was only the first step toward solving Minnesota’s transportation challenges.  MCC also supports the following moderate increase in on-going transportation investment:

    $160 million    5 cent gas tax increase  
    $125                 Restore vehicle tab fee cuts
    $  50                 MnDOT efficiencies savings
    $  40                 MVST on leased vehicles (to transit)
    ------------------
    $375 million annually

This package allows for a balanced approach to permanent funding increases.  Combined with revenues raised from the Transportation Amendment, it allows for increased funding both for road and bridge projects and provides funds for important transit investments.  Dedicated   funding sources like MVST are vitally important in securing federal approval for transit projects, and MCC supports continuing the current level of general fund expenditures as well. 

MCC also supports a one-time appropriation of $100 million from the state’s general fund to transit.  Without this cash infusion to get projects started, Minnesota’s construction season would be over before it even begins. Minnesota has recently relied on large bonding packages to fund transportation, and while MCC supports some use of bonding dollars to jump-start projects and avoid inflationary increases in construction costs, some must be kept for on-going program funding.

In addition to advocating for increased investment, there are several other transportation issues important to businesses in the metropolitan area. First, MCC supports a review of the distribution formula for trunk highway dollars to ensure that transportation dollars are being spent on projects that will have the greatest impact on job creation and economic development.  Due to the rapid and continuing expansion of the metropolitan area, and the need for better coordination of investments, an expansion of the current regional governance system should also be considered.

MCC was the driving force behind the creation of an international economic development zone to study and plan the creation of an air cargo distribution center in the metro area.  Data collection and survey efforts are still underway in this process, and MCC supports an extension of the tax incentive package and the business plan completion deadline should it become necessary.

In closing, transportation is one of the highest priorities for businesses in Minnesota.  The state’s current transportation deficiencies were a result of decades of under-funding, and moderate and efficient steps must be taken to keep Minnesota businesses competitive, growing, and providing high-quality jobs. The Metropolitan Coalition of Chambers will continue to advocate for necessary increases in transportation funding at the Legislature and be an advocate for the business community in the long-term planning process.

Sincerely,

Bob Stowell
Chief Operations Officer, US Federal Credit Union
Chair, Metropolitan Coalition of Chambers