Fourth Congressional District DFL Candidate Responses to a Short 
Questionnaire on Transportation, Environment & Related Issues

Candidates were asked to respond to seven questions on transportation, 
energy, environment, housing, and wilderness/park issues. The questions 
were developed by delegates not affiliated with any campaign or candidate.

Betty McCollum Questionnaire Responses:

4. A significant transportation issue in the heart of the 4th 
   District is Ayd Mill Road.  What is the best long-term solution 
   for the Ayd Mill Corridor and why?

If I had been a member of the St. Paul City Council, I would have 
voted not to connect Ayd Mill Road. As a former North St Paul City 
Council member, I faced similar issues. Just because a road connection 
was mapped out years ago, does not mean that the connection is the 
best plan now. Safety improvements must be made at Lexington. These 
improvements could make this route less attractive for automobiles 
seeking a quick connection. There are opportunities to make connections 
downtown. This would allow the Ayd Mill Area to stay intact and preserve 
the environment. That, in my opinion, would be the best solution. I am 
disappointed that with all of the time, effort, and money spent, that 
a workable solution has not been agreed upon. Addressing the question 
"Would I stop funding for this project because it was voted out by the 
city council?" -- I did some checking. It appears that the City 
Council requested the funds from the Met Council through the 
TAB Board (federal funding comes in a lump sum). State funding may 
be an issue. In any case, my vote would be no. In the days to come, 
I will obtain more information on funding mechanisms for this project.

1. Is transportation a significant environmental issue?  
   Explain why or why not.

Transportation planning directly affects the environment. 
Poor planning will continue to cause congestion. The side 
effects of congestion are increased air	pollution and water 
pollution. Increases of this type of pollution will increase 
toxins that lead to more cases of juvenile asthma. The environment 
must be a consideration when planning for transportation. Failure to 
look to long term solutions can only lead to more problems in the 
future; problems that take money to fix. Money that would then not 
be available for transit, education or health care. We know that we 
cannot build our way out of congestion and yet we keep trying to. 
This has to stop.

2. How would you propose balancing the transportation funding 
needs of urban, suburban, and rural constituents?

In Minnesota we must amend our state constitution. After we change 
the current funding system, we will then be able to develop an 
integrated transportation system for the future. Without this change, 
the Twin Cities metropolitan area will continue to fall behind other 
major metropolitan areas. With a fair gas tax distribution plan, 
we can fund all areas of transit and, at the same time lower property 
taxes in urban and suburban communities.


3. What is your opinion of TEA-21, the federal transportation funding law? 
Does Minnesota receive its fair share of federal transportation funding? 
Does the 4th District receive its fair share? 

Under ISTEA Minnesota received $280 million. With TEA 21, we will 
receive about $392 million. Minnesota will still only receive 1.49% of 
current federal transportation spending. I believe Minnesota should get 
at least 2%. Our states' citizens pay a lot more into the federal fund 
than what we get back in return. We need to ask for our fair share of 
the project funds. Only then will we be able to improve the way we move 
people to and from work; and goods to market. The Met Council is currently 
doing a better job of long range planning. In order for the fourth district 
to truly move forward, we must change the funding in the manner stated above.


5. Do you have any specific proposals for improved energy 
   conservation or energy self-sufficiency for Minnesota?

Two energy items that I would like to work on first are: changing the 
Federal Clean Air Act to eliminate (not just phase out) MTBE. Ethanol 
is a better and safer fuel additive and one the helps our farmers. I was 
active in getting the newest Ethanol plant in St. Paul. Next, I would like 
to see the United States become more involved in hydrogen. We are falling 
far behind other nations that are in many cases using our technology in 
this area. In my second term as a state representative, during the N.S.P. 
dry cask storage issue, I voted not to store the nuclear waste. As part of 
the debate, I was involved in developing the house position of renewable 
energy mandates. We fought to get the Senate to add wind and bio-mass to 
the storage bill. Opportunities in solar power and municipal solid waste 
must be examined by our government. Our country is far too dependent on 
foreign oil. As long as we continue to rely on fossil fuel, there will 
be pressure to drill off shore for oil. I would work to change how much 
and what type of energy we consume; not only for our national security 
but also for our environment.

6. What is your position on motors in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area 
   Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park?

I do not support motors on the Boundary Water Canoe Area. I fought to stop
the expansion of the use of snowmobiles in Voyageurs National Park. The 
jet ski ban was also put in effect when I was a voting member of the 
Voyageurs Citizen Council. I have voted and openly worked against members 
of my own party for land preservation. My record on protecting public 
lands is clear and strong.

7. What steps would you propose to address the severe lack of affordable 
   housing for low-income individuals and low-income working families?

The federal government must return to action on housing funding. Without 
federal help, our state simply cannot address the problem. Action that I 
would take if in Congress would be: change the tax laws so that once 
again people would begin to invest in apartments. Two areas to look at 
are again allowing deductions and depreciation on rental units; remove 
the cap placed on tax-exempt bonds to enable states to issue more bonds 
for housing.

These are short answers to questions deserving of more time. 
I appreciate your consideration.

Yours truly,
Representative Betty McCollum