HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.F.2. Letter of Support for Transit Regional Sales Tax 1111"itall General Business 10. F. 2.
St IAKOF'E E
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Mark McNeill, City Administrator
DATE: 02/19/2013
SUBJECT: Letter of Support for Transit Regional Sales Tax
Action Sought
Mayor Tabke has asked that the Council consider authorizing the attached letter to be sent to Governor Dayton on
behalf of the City. The letter expresses support for the Governor's proposed regional sales tax for transit.
Background
Recommendation
Budget Impact
Relationship To Visioning
Requested Action
Attachments: Letter of Support for Transit Regional Sales Tax
February 19, 2013
Honorable Governor Mark Dayton
Office of the Governor
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
RE: Your proposal to increase the regional sales tax for transit
Dear Governor Dayton:
I write to express the support of the Shakopee City Council for your proposal to increase the
sales tax for transit purposes by 'A cent in the seven - county Metropolitan Area. On Tuesday,
February 19 the City Council voted to support this proposal.
We share your belief that the development of a complete and competitive transit system in the
Region is key to its long -term economic competitiveness and vitality. The development of a
complete and multi -modal transit system in the Twin Cities Region will also be of great benefit
to the Region's workers and residents. The $200 million per year that this proposal is expected
to generate is essential to completing important rail, LRT and BRT projects in the Region, as well
as assuring that areas like Scott County in the Region can continue to expand local and express
bus service that will help to best utilize the investments in regional roadways.
In Shakopee, we have been committed to the beneficial expansion of transit options that serve
our residents and businesses. Most recently, this has been expressed in the partnership
between the Cities of Shakopee and Prior Lake, and Scott County. This partnership led to the
creation of the BlueXpress in July of 2007, a commuter service which has continued to
experience among the greatest rates of growth of any regional bus service provider (9%
increase in 2012).
We look forward to working with you, your office and the Legislature on the implementation of
this important proposal.
Sincerely,
Brad Tabke
Mayor, City of Shakopee
C:\ Users \KWilson \Downloads \02152013_letter of support_Dayton transit proposal.docx 1