WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jason Lewis (MN-02) issued the following statement after the President’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY 2018) did not include funding for the Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) project:
“Our kids’ future is endangered by a ballooning $20 trillion national debt- and tackling wasteful spending is one of the main reasons why I came to Washington. In May, I wrote to Director Mulvaney and Secretary Chao highlighting the SWLRT project as a prime example of taxpayers being forced to foot the bill for a project with little-to-no benefit, and asked that it not be funded in the budget request.
“We need to protect taxpayers in Minnesota and not waste federal funds. I’m working for real infrastructure improvements that will actually help commuters in the Twin Cities area. I’m glad that the Administration is working with me towards a goal of effective spending.”
Background: The Minnesota Metropolitan Council is pursuing a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) for SWLRT; which would cost $1.85 billion for just 14.5 miles of passenger rail that will not solve the congestion problems in the Twin Cities. In May, Lewis wrote to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mulvaney and Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Chao encouraging efficient and effective investment in our infrastructure. The Minnesota State Legislature raised similar concerns earlier this year in a letter to Secretary Chao.
The President’s budget request does not include any funding for projects that do not currently have a FFGA. Lewis will continue to defend taxpayers, who would foot the bill of the wasteful SWLRT project.
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