Legislative Priorities - 2013 Regular Session
Transportation Projects and Initiatives
The Chamber supports transportation options that will help meet the needs of the East Metro business community. Efficient and reliable means of moving goods and services throughout our region are necessary to the growth and success of our region. Providing employees with diverse transportation options is critical to the health of our economy. The Chamber supports the following transportation projects as well as investigating ways to increase and diversify revenue to fund and accelerate their completion:
• Southwest LRT
• Gateway Corridor
• Robert Street Corridor
• I-694 (Rice Street and White Bear Avenue Interchanges)
• I-694 North Central Project & Arden Hills Infrastructure
• Riverview Corridor
• Red Rock Corridor
• Rush Line Corridor
• High Speed Rail
• Saint Paul Harbor infrastructure improvements
Xcel Energy Center Loan Forgiveness
The Chamber will be advocating for state loan forgiveness on the Xcel Energy Center. The reinvestment of funds will allow the Xcel Energy Center to remain a world class globally competitive entertainment arena and create a stronger metropolitan economy.
Government Redesign
The Chamber supports bold results oriented reform of the way government functions at local and state levels to operate and provide services in the most efficient and effective way possible and make the best use of limited taxpayer resources.
SPACC Supported East Metro Bonding Projects
• Minnesota Children’s Museum Expansion ~ $14M
This request is for $14 million to renovate and expand the Minnesota Children’s Museum flagship building. Working primarily within the museum’s current footprint, a 50 percent increase in galleries and programming area will create capacity to serve 550,000 visitors annually.
• Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) Renovations ~ $9M
This is a request for $9 million in state bond funding to construct new public spaces as well as refurbish and equip existing spaces in the current Twin Cities Public Television building. TPT has been serving the state of Minnesota for over 50 years and has an opportunity to reuse its current home to reach more viewers and bring more awareness to its services.
• Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) ~ $35M
This request will allow cleanup and transportation infrastructure improvements for the State of Minnesota’s largest superfund site and facilitate redevelopment of the site with the goals of job creation and strengthening the tax base.
• Gateway Corridor ~ $1M
This request will provide planning funding for the Gateway Corridor along Interstate 94 from the St. Croix River Bridge to Saint Paul. This growing corridor provides an important link to some of the Twin Cities’ largest employers, and moves more than 150,000 vehicles per day.
Contact
For any questions or additional information please contact:
James McClean, Director of Public Affairs
Direct: 651.265.27, Email: james@saintpaulchamber.com