UPDATED: Tabke Joins R.T. Rybak, Chris Coleman in Transit Tax Proposal Press Conference

Updated: Feb. 27, 4:30 p.m.:

Shakopee mayor Brad Tabke spoke Tuesday morning at a press conference in favor of Gov. Dayton's transit tax proposal.

Tabke was joined at the press conference by Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak and St. Paul mayor Chris Coleman. (His comments begin at the 4:36 mark in the YouTube video above. The Vimeo video was posted on his blog.)

Our situation is unique in the metro that we have a physical barrier—we have a river—and there're only so many lanes we can get along the river," he said. "We need to have transit options for our residents, for our commuters, so we can continue to invest in bridges and roads and those types of things but have options."

Original story, Feb. 27, 6 a.m:

The Shakopee Council voted 4-1 last week in a show of support for Gov. Mark Dayton's quarter-cent sales tax proposal that would raise $200 million a year for light rail and bus lines.

"A funded, comprehensive transit solution is vital to the future of Shakopee, Scott County, and the Greater MSP Region to maintain job growth, attract young talent, and move goods and services along the 169 corridor," Shakopee Mayor Brad Tabke wrote on his blog.

City council member Matt Lehman cast the lone dissenting vote and said he prefers local transit authorities levy their own taxes, according to the Shakopee Valley News.

"In the past, we’ve discussed how our current transit dollars are shrinking and being allocated to other areas - mostly the inner city and light rail and some other things by the Met Council," Lehman told the paper. "I have a hard time understanding how we don’t think the same thing would happen with this money."

Tabke has more on the issue on his blog:

As local units of government, and as a region, we need bold action on transit. The transit sales tax proposal is that bold step and reflects a commitment to long term investment in a connected, integrated and prosperous region. We need to make this happen.

I am very proud that Shakopee City Council supports the Governor’s .25 cent sales tax dedicated to building out the transit system. While the details of who will levy the tax and how it will be utilized are yet to be sorted out, I am excited to work as part of our region crafting a solution for the future of transit.

[On Tuesday, I joined] mayors from across the Greater MSP region at a press conference at the Capitol supporting transit and the Governor’s .25 cent sales tax.

Please join the conversation by commenting below and talking with your MN Legislators, Scott County Commissioners and Shakopee City Council.

Thank you and have a great day!

Brad

Resources:

Shakopee Council Supports Transit Tax – Shakopee Valley News

The Itasca Project – Private sector-led study on ROI of building out a Greater MSP transit system. $6-10 billion ROI.

Metro Cities Update on Transit

Transportation for a New Generation - 2011 Study showing youth are migrating toward areas of better transit

Dayton Offers Game-Changing Transit Plan - MinnPost