Support for Minnesota's Transportation Amendment Reaches Record Level

Coalition Now Exceeds 1,000 Organizations That Support the Amendment

ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 28 -- The largest and most diverse coalition ever to support a constitutional amendment in Minnesota added its 1,000th supportive member last week. The growth in membership of Minnesotans for Better Roads and Transit (MBRT), the coalition supporting the VOTE YES campaign to pass Minnesota's Transportation Amendment, reflects the strong support for a balanced approach to improving the transportation system in both Greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities.

"The unprecedented size and diversity of this coalition is evidence that Minnesotans from all interests and regions of the state believe we need to fund better roads and transit in Minnesota," said David Olson, president of MBRT and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. "Now more than 1,000 members strong, this large coalition is energized about getting people to VOTE YES on Minnesota's Transportation Amendment because it's time to advance a balanced, common-sense solution to our transportation problems."

MBRT members and supporters represent agriculture and rural interests, local government, highway construction, safety, transit, environmental protection, organized labor, nonprofit, business and civic groups from every corner of the state. Membership has increased rapidly as organizations look to Minnesota's Transportation Amendment as the right step toward improving the statewide transportation system.

"Deteriorating roads and bridges, unsafe highways and intersections and limited transit options for residents in Minnesota are all serious threats to our quality of life. This amendment will provide millions of dollars every year for local governments statewide to improve critical transportation projects in their communities," said Ken Brown, Olmsted County commissioner and supporter of MBRT. Olmsted County is one of 64 counties, along with the League of Minnesota Cities, that supports the amendment.

To encourage a YES vote in November, MBRT has launched its "Motor Mouth Campaign" this week. The effort is designed to reach out to the nearly 3 million Minnesotans who will be casting ballots on Election Day. Thousands of Minnesotans who are MBRT supporters will be spreading the word about Minnesota's Transportation Amendment through phone and e-mail conversations and at community and neighborhood events during the next three weeks.

"Just as our coalition has grown, grassroots momentum behind Minnesota's Transportation Amendment is building because it's a vote that Minnesotans can feel good about," said Rick Krueger, vice president of MBRT and executive director of the Minnesota Transportation Alliance. "The 'Motor Mouth Campaign' is a fun opportunity for coalition members and supporters to talk to people they know about an opportunity to approve a major step in the right direction on the state's transportation system by voting YES for Minnesota's Transportation Amendment on November 7th," said Krueger.

There are also new and updated features on the campaign Web site for voters. It offers a complete list of MBRT members, information on estimated new funding that would be available to the counties and cities throughout the state if the amendment is approved, and voting for the 'Worst Road Contest' sponsored at the site has been extended due to a high level of interest. To access any of this information and learn more about Minnesota's Transportation Amendment, visit http://www.voteyesmn.org/ .

  Sampling of MBRT Members and Supporters

  Transportation/Transit Groups         Public Safety
  Minnesota Transportation Alliance     Minnesota Police Chiefs Association
  Transit for Livable Communities       Minnesota Safety Council
  Minnesota Public Transit Association  Minnesota State Troopers
  AAA Minnesota/Iowa                      Association

  Agriculture Groups                    Local Governments
  Minnesota Corn Growers Association    League of Minnesota Cities
  Minnesota Pork Producers Association  64 Counties
  Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Over 90 Cities and Townships

  Environmental Groups                  Business
  Fresh Energy                          Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
  Minnesota Center for Environmental    Over 50 Local Chambers of Commerce
    Advocacy                            Over 500 employers
  Sierra Club, Northstar Chapter

  Advocacy Organizations                Organized Labor
  Minnesota League of Conservation      AFSCME Council 5
    Voters                              International Union of Operating
  Minnesota Multi-Housing Association     Engineers Local 49
  Minnesota Senior Federation           Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005
  The Itasca Project                    Laborers District Council -
                                          Minnesota and North Dakota
                                        Lake and Plains Regional Council of
                                          Carpenters and Joiners
  Candidates
  Attorney General Mike Hatch
  Governor Tim Pawlenty