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.

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Chris Coleman 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?

As the only candidate who voted on the issue of Ayd Mill Rd., my 
position is very clear. I support the connection. I have studied the 
problem very carefully before reaching this decision. I stood on Lexington
and watched a mother try to cross the street with three children for 
twenty minutes. I vowed to make that intersection safe for pedestrians. 
I believe that a two-lane parkway will divert the traffic from Lexington, 
significantly improving the safety of Lexington. 

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

Yes. I believe that transportation is an important environmental 
issue. I support transportation policy that is multi-modal, integrating 
cars, buses, and trains into a comprehensive plan. This plan must also 
be integrated with housing and economic development strategies in 
our neighborhoods. I support the development of alternative fuel sources 
to conserve our resources and to decrease pollution.

2. How would you propose balancing the transportation funding 
   needs of urban, suburban, and rural constituents?
Balancing the needs of urban, suburban and rural citizens is the challenge of a true leader. Many decisions that a legislator may make will not always be popular with everyone but must be made with the interests of the majority in mind. We need a flexible transportation policy that is able to respond to changing needs in our community. Traditionally, transportation policy has focused on getting commuters in and out of the central city each day. With increasing job growth throughout the metropolitan area, suburban residents need to get from one suburb to another and urban residents need to get to jobs in suburbs as well. We need transportation policies, which contribute to economic growth without contributing to urban sprawl. Urban residents also need transportation policies, which don't bypass neighborhoods but effectively link neighborhoods to the larger transportation system.

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?

The strength of TEA-21 is that it supports multi-modal systems and can 
be used from anything from bike paths to light rail. It allows local 
decision making to design an effective and integrated transportation system 
for a community. Minnesota and the 4th District don't get their fair 
share of federal transportation funding, particularly this last round. 
As Congressperson from the 4th District, I will fight for the federal 
resources that we need to invest in our infrastructure to sustain our 
economy and our communities. We must develop transportation systems for 
the 21st century, which will be environmentally friendly and flexible.

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

I support incentives, whether grants or tax credits, to encourage the development of alternative fuels. We must aggressively pursue the possibilities that green sources, such as the wind and sun, offer us. We must educate businesses and governments on the return on investment in energy conservation. The City of St. Paul has saved $500,000 a year in energy costs and decreased the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by about 18,000 tons a year, which was made possible through conservation loans from NSP.

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

I oppose motors in the BWCA. This is not theoretical issue to me. I have spent many vacations canoeing through the wilderness of the BWCA. I understand this issue, in a way which only someone who has fallen asleep under the stars on an island listening to a loon, can understand. I will be absolutely committed to protecting this national resource that we must protect for generations to come.

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

I am proud of my achievements in promoting and protecting affordable housing in St. Paul. I have fought for these issues even when there were political consequences. I stood up to a major corporation in our community, which planned to tear down a historic building with housing 130 low-income families. I also prevented the gentrification of another affordable housing community. Instead, it was renovated and has helped maintain a racially and economically integrated neighborhood.

However, my greatest frustration as a city council person and as a 
neighborhood activist, has been the lack of federal funds for affordable 
housing. As Congressperson for the 4th District, I will make housing one of my 
highest priorities.