Bachmann balks at expansion for rail line

The Northstar commuter rail line would run through her district -- but it also runs into her opposition to spending by "earmarks."

By KEVIN DIAZ, Star Tribune
Last update: May 15, 2009 - 9:58 PM

WASHINGTON -- With Congress poised to unveil a $450 billion, multi-year transportation package next month, backers of the long-awaited Northstar commuter rail line see a fresh chance to extend the project from Minneapolis to St. Cloud, its original destination.

But the potential federal funding has become embroiled in a political squabble over congressional "earmark" spending, as Rep. Michele Bachmann, a Republican whose district includes much of the rail line, has declined to sign off on the Northstar request.

The dispute surfaced Friday as Minnesotans in Congress rolled out transportation funding requests worth hundreds of millions of dollars under the federal government's upcoming six-year surface transportation bill.

As chief architect of the spending bill, Minnesota Democrat Rep. Jim Oberstar, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, submitted $112.6 million in Minnesota projects, most of them in his northern district. Oberstar, however, left out the Northstar proposal, saying he will support the funding request when Bachmann does.

Oberstar's move may prove largely symbolic. He launched the Northstar project in 1991 and has been its leading champion. Meanwhile, two other Minnesota Democrats -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Keith Ellison -- included the extension in their funding requests, ensuring it will get a hearing.

30-mile extension

Local officials are asking Congress to authorize a 30-mile extension from Big Lake to St. Cloud, which represents nearly a doubling of the $310 million line that is scheduled to start operating out of Minneapolis in November. The extension would add an estimated $150 million to the project, with as much as two-thirds of the cost shouldered by the federal government.

Bachmann, an outspoken critic of earmarks, submitted five other road and bridge projects for funding. A spokesman said that unlike the Northstar extension, those projects already have been formally approved by the Minnesota Transportation Department (MnDOT).

"She feels it is not right for the federal government to circumvent state and local priorities," said spokesman Dave Dziok. "It hasn't been vetted, and that's the problem she has with earmarks."

Northstar proponents, however, say the extension has won the strong support of top state officials, including Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Rail authority request

"It certainly would be helpful if we had the congresswoman from our district put in the request," said Sherburne County Commissioner Felix Schmiesing, who is overseeing the extension plan as a member of the development authority.

The rail authority made the extension request last month to Bachmann, Ellison, Oberstar and Klobuchar.

"That's always been our goal," said Anoka County Commissioner Dan Erhart, chairman of the authority. "What we're looking at is to connect Minneapolis to St. Cloud."

Erhart said that though he understands Bachmann's position on earmarks, he expects "we may ultimately have support from her."

Local rail officials face regulatory as well as political obstacles. MnDOT officials say the Minneapolis-to-St. Cloud plan does not meet current federal cost-effectiveness standards, even though it is the highest- population growth corridor in the Upper Midwest.

Schmiesing said state officials are waiting on new federal rules that may help them qualify.

In the meantime, they need a leg-up from Congress in getting legal authorization for the project under the new surface transportation bill, which will replace spending programs that expire Sept. 30.

But another obstacle remains: As yet, there is no consensus in Congress on how to pay for the new transportation programs.