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. Responses are presented in alphabetical order: Chris Coleman, Betty McCollum, Mary Jo McGuire, Rafael Ortega, and Mary Rosenthal. Responses were not submitted by Kathleen Gaylord and Steven Novak in time for our printing deadline. Their responses may be available separately at the convention. * * * * * * * * * Chris Coleman Questionnaire Responses: 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. 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. 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. Betty McCollum Questionnaire Responses: 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. 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. 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 Mary Jo McGuire Questionnaire Responses: 1. Is transportation a significant environmental issue Explain why or why not. Yes. Transportation has always been an important issue affecting our environment. Now, as we enter the 21st century, the nature of our automobile-dependent society requires that the United States approach transportation as a significant environmental issue. In our current society, urban sprawl and traffic congestion abound, forcing more CO2 emissions into our environment. The world's leading scientists warn that if we fail to cut greenhouse gas emissions, we are likely to suffer irreversible damage to our crops, our water, our livestock, and our health. According to conservation sources, 66% of the United States' carbon dioxide pollution comes from transportation and energy generation, and automobiles alone are responsible for 20% of the U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. While these statistics are alarming, there are steps that we can take to lessen our dependence on automobiles, to make our automobiles more energy-efficient, and to begin to control the environmental impact of our transportation decisions. 2. How would you propose balancing the transportation funding needs of urban, suburban, and rural constituents? For some time, Minnesota's rural areas have received substantially more transportation funding than the metropolitan areas for roads and highways and for public transit. Minnesota's rural areas are provided more subsidies to support bus systems, for example, than are the congested metro areas. To address this issue, I would like to pursue a transportation funding reform that establishes equity in transportation funding. It is important that we encourage our urban centers to develop convenient, accessible, and innovative public transportation options. Unfortunately, the current funding formula may actually discourage expansion of public transit due to the burden on city taxpayers, who subsidize public transit through property taxes. Transportation funding reform would allow us to assess costs based on the needs of and the benefits to our 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? I support both ISTEA (1991) and TEA-21 (1998) because they encourage flexibility, local control, and appropriate solutions for communities' transportation needs. Because the funding comes through a formula allotment and a metro guarantee, I believe that we do receive a fair share of the funding. Where I think that we can improve our share of these important federal dollars, however, is through the special project funding made available by TEA-21. There is no good reason why we are not receiving a larger share of those competitive funds. I would encourage the metro area to be bolder and more proactive in both planning for innovative public transportation needs and in seeking transit funding from the federal government. 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? I believe that specific transportation issues, including the Ayd Mill Road connection, are community issues, best addressed locally. The Ayd Mill Road connection is a local issue that should be discussed in front of the City Council, where it has been addressed just recently. At the same time, though, in many instances, as is the case in this example, a local government may decide a transportation issue, but must then seek additional government funding to implement their decision. While I do not encourage the involvement of Congress in individual community transportation issues, often just the new viewpoint of federal transportation officials can provide creative alternatives to a seemingly un-winnable situation. For example, federal transportation officials may well recommend developing the Ayd Mill Road area as a commuter rail corridor, building on the existing rail tracks and creating extra green space in the area for the benefit of local residents. In any event, the Ayd Mill Road connection is an issue that should only be addressed within the consideration of the big picture of our city's transportation needs. We will only be able to control our suburban sprawl and traffic congestion issues with the development of a well-planned, comprehensive, long-term transportation strategy for the area. 5. Do you have any specific proposals for improved energy conservation or energy self-sufficiency for Minnesota? We must recognize that energy conservation is more than shutting off lights as you leave the room; real energy conservation requires that we focus on substantial opportunities, like the efficiency of the large heating and cooling systems of big buildings. In this area, I believe that the federal government can play a role in encouraging the most efficient systems, starting with requirements for public buildings. The federal government should offer tax incentives and subsidies to develop alternative, renewable energy sources, as it has done with other industries. Rather than exporting energy dollars to purchase coal or nuclear fuel or, worse, increasing our dependence on countries in the Middle East to supply us with oil, the US can provide incentives to develop wind, bio-mass, and/or solar energy. It is important that we expand our energy base to allow an increasing utilization of these renewable energy sources. Further, as has been the case with the wind power industry, especially in Minnesota's rural counties, these incentives provide an excellent opportunity for new economic development in rural areas. Further, I would support developing new ways to support research and development efforts to expand these new industries. 6. What is your position on motors in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park? I have been a strong and consistent voice to protect Minnesota's public park areas. As with so many federal government decisions, we must accept the responsibility of balancing the competing needs of those who use this recreational space. In Congress, I will generally favor fewer motors in the Boundary Waters and in Voyageurs National Park. I believe that we must recognize the obligations of being blessed with these amazing national treasures and preserve these important recreational areas for all American citizens and 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? We are facing a severe affordable housing shortage in the 4th District. With the current 1-2% rental vacancy rate, too many families and seniors are unable to find a home that they can afford. To compound this current housing crisis, thousands of long-term contracts with private, for-profit owners of Section 8 properties are expiring, allowing landlords to begin to charge market rents. I support HUD incentives to retain these properties as affordable housing. And I support and would continue Congressman Vento's efforts to create federal-state partnerships that prevent the conversions of these low-income apartments and provide incentives to finance the acquisition and rehabilitation of low-cost housing. Rafael Ortega Questionnaire Responses: 1. Is transportation a significant environmental issue? Explain why or why not. Transportation is a significant environmental issue and therefore we need to make certain that we safeguard the environment while attending to the transportation needs of our citizenry. Congress also sees transportation as an environmental issue. When Congress passed the Transportation Equity Act (TEA-21) in June of 1998, this landmark legislation included an important acknowledgement that transportation does have important environmental ramifications. TEA-21 establishes private sector mitigation banks in support of wetlands. In addition, TEA-21 also increases annual funding for the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program and for transportation enhancements. The bill also extends the Aquatic Resources Trust Fund. The bill also calls for more research programs that will ultimately mean safeguarding the environment, while continuing to address the transportation needs of the nation. In all of our transportation planning efforts in Minnesota, we must place a high priority on ensuring that our environment is safe and protected. 2. How would you propose balancing the transportation funding needs of urban, suburban, and rural constituents? We can balance the funding needs of urban, suburban and rural constituents by reframing our understanding, cooperation, support, and planning for a regionally efficient and integrated, intermodal transportation system. Our plan must be geographically broader in scope so that it encompasses and provides for all of Minnesota. We need to see each part, urban, suburban and rural as interdependent and components of the same plan in which all of Minnesota benefits. In addition, right now, transportation is as complex and as layered as government can get. We really need to reframe our entire view of the issue. First, we must step back and think about what transportation means to us as Americans? Transportation allows us mobility, and the freedom to travel across our great land. Second, we also need to streamline the different roles between the federal government, the State of Minnesota, the Metropolitan Council and local units of government and how they interact in planning, funding, building and maintaining our transportation system. Does this multi-layered approach to our transportation system lend itself to greater efficiencies? Or are we possibly diffusing our efforts and potentially sub-optimizing our transportation system, putting us at risk falling behind the rest of the country. As your Congressman I will fight for this new vision of weaving a better way for solving our transportation needs. 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 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century is far reaching and a landmark legislation that ensures that we are providing for our transportation system for America well into the future. TEA-21 sets forth a new framework for how we better integrate our transportation modalities and it also provides for research into newer technologies that can increase safety and efficiency for nation's transportation system. Both Minnesota and the 4th Congressional District do not receive our fair share of federal transportation funding. How can we increase our ability to receive a fair share? First, we need to take a new approach to solve our transportation needs in Minnesota. Our plan must be broader in scope so that it encompasses all of Minnesota. Second, in this broader lexicon, we also need to provide for integration of a whole array of transportation modalities. Third, our plan must be environmentally safe. Fourth, we need to think globally and act locally. Throughout the world, there are newer and more efficient modes of transportation that are smartly being integrated into existing transportation systems, such as the Japanese high speed rail system, the Shinkansen. In Europe, there are numerous examples of new rail systems such as the German ICE, or Spanish Thalys. In this regard, TEA-21 sets forth the vision for America not to fall behind the rest of the world in integration of newer modalities of transportation. Minnesota ought to be a leader as well. Fifth, we need to streamline and simplify the highly complex and confusing government mechanisms by which we research, plan, build and maintain our entire transportation system in Minnesota. To recap, we can receive our fair share of federal transportation dollars by building greater cooperation among us in Minnesota. The key for us is to develop a better way of creating a broader transportation plan and one that clearly integrates all modes of transportation. Also, we have to streamline the complexity of government in how we manage transportation. 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? The opportunity before us with regard to any stretch of highway, railroad or other corridor is to ask how does it fit into a broader plan for the Metropolitan area and for Minnesota? I believe that this is a central question before us with regard to the Ayd Mill Corridor. The best long-term solution is one in which we are planning holistically for the seven county area and one in which we better integrate all modes of transportation. 5. Do you have any specific proposals for improved energy conservation or energy self-sufficiency for Minnesota? Yes, however I believe our DFL platform really sets forth a terrific vision for what we need to do for Minnesota regarding energy conservation and energy self-sufficiency. Our platform calls for such action as requiring Minnesota power companies to commit a designated percentage of their revenue to research leading to alternative energy sources. It also asks for promoting the use of coal, with environmental safeguards and developing a multiple-use concept for public buildings and facilities so they can be used as much as possible. 6. What is your position on motors in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park? I agree with the DFL platform position on this matter. I support the US Forest Service implementation of the 1978 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act, and oppose opening additional wilderness areas within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Voyageurs National Park to motorized use, or to mineral exploration and mining. 7. What steps would you propose to address the severe lack of affordable housing for low-income individuals and low-income working families? In this booming economy, affordable housing has become more and more difficult to obtain for too many of our neighbors. Currently, the vacancy rate of rental properties in the Metro area is less than 2%. The economic law of supply and demand has allowed the marketplace to raise rents to the point that too many families (especially those making less money) are being forced to spend a larger amount of their limited resources on housing. This means that these families then have less money for other necessities. It also makes it more difficult for them to ever scrape together enough money to purchase a home of their own. This is an issue that affects us all because the development of affordable housing has not kept pace with demand. Therefore, there is a shortage of all types of housing, such as those targeted to service the elderly or individuals with disabilities. The federal government must provide additional direct resources (Section 8, etc.) to those looking for affordable housing. Tax structures that hinder the development of affordable rental properties must be re-examined and changed to encourage additional building. As a Member of Congress, I would support proposals to ensure that the federal government shoulders its fair share of the costs and responsibility associated with affordable housing assistance. Mary Rosenthal Questionnaire Responses: 1. Is transportation a significant environmental issue? Explain why or why not. Controlling urban sprawl is necessary to protect our open-spaces and wildlife habitats. We must create incentives that promote more compact, pedestrian and transit friendly forms of development. Public transportation is a critical component to controlling urban sprawl and reducing emissions of global warming gases. I would support providing a greater portion of the Highway Trust Fund into alternative transportation choices. I would also work in Congress to secure continued funding for LRT and other public transportation investments for Minnesota. 2. How would you propose balancing the transportation funding needs of urban, suburban, and rural constituents? Transportation needs in rural, suburban, and urban areas are obviously different, although in all areas the quick and dirty response to transportation needs has been the construction of roads without much further inquiry as to long range population projections, energy conservation, pollution problems, and the general economy. We have developed an economy and life style in all three places that is so dependent on the automobile with so few options, that we have developed a self-fulfilling prophecy. We use the car because there is no other form of transportation and no other form of transportation develops because of car dependence. The observation made by Carl Guardino, the president of the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group, that smart growth is smart business, should be applied in all three areas of the state. Mr. Guardino mentions that the biggest mistake his area made was 40 years ago when they didn't hook into BART. We must learn from others' mistakes and develop smart, sustainable, affordable transportation alternatives in all three parts of the state, but with more immediate attention to the most heavily populated areas. 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? This is one area I need further information on before I can make an assessment of whether the 4th district receives its fair share. 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? I am interested in developing a comprehensive transportation plan that includes massive public transportation and alternatives to the automobile that are clean, energy efficient and cost effective. These need to provide a real alternative to the car for working men and women. Connecting Ayd Mill road does not make sense in light of this and is not something that I would back funding for in Congress. 5. Do you have any specific proposals for improved energy conservation or energy self-sufficiency for Minnesota? Increase fuel economy standards so that fleet average reaches 42 miles per gallon; work toward a policy that requires light trucks to meet the same fuel economy standards as passenger vehicles; increase investments for research and development in alternative energy; increase public awareness of the need for energy conservation through coordinated public relations campaign at all levels of government. 6. What is your position on motors in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park? Wilderness should be wilderness. We must end the attempts to compromise the true intent of the Wilderness Act, particularly attempts to increase motorized use of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. 7. What steps would you propose to address the severe lack of affordable housing for low-income individuals and low-income working families? Raise the minimum wage to a living wage so that people have more money to spend on housing and put more federal funding into the construction of affordable housing in both the city and the suburbs.