Minnesota Mayors Call for Increased Transit Funding

An op-ed by three mayors explains their support for expanded transit services, calling for a sales tax increase that would fund a modernized, reliable transit network.

2 minute read

May 7, 2023, 5:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


In an opinion piece in MinnPost, Marylee Abrams, Mike Krachmer, and Shep Harris, mayors of three Minnesota towns, urge voters and policymakers to support expanded public transit in the state through a new sales tax.

“When it comes to building the safe, reliable and convenient transit system our region deserves, there’s no substitute for ongoing investment. A modest sales tax of less than one percent can provide the sustained investment we need to support a more connected, prosperous metro.” Yet, the op-ed charges, “We cling to an outdated funding formula that leads to chronic operating deficits and the reduced frequency and reliability that come with that.”

Nodding to the region’s transit-rich past, the mayors add that “Improved transit makes our communities and economies more accessible for everyone, like the many high school and college students who rely on public transit to get to their classes and to work.”

The op-ed positions access to transit as an equity issue, pointing out that “Access to opportunity should not be premised on affording a car, or being able to live in the same area where you work, learn, and play,” particularly when the housing crisis has pushed many working-class Minnesotans farther from their jobs. “A modern transit system that works for everyone looks like never having to check a transit schedule again, because the next bus or train is only ever minutes away.”

Thursday, May 4, 2023 in MinnPost

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Close-up of rear car bumper in traffic on freeway.

Research Shows More Roads = More Driving

A national study shows, once again, that increasing road supply induces additional vehicle travel, particularly over the long run.

March 23, 2025 - Road Capacity as a Fundamental Determinant of Vehicle Travel

Aerial view of Grants Pass, Oregon with fall foliage and hills in background with a cloudy sky.

Judge Halts Enforcement of Anti-Homeless Laws in Grants Pass

The Oregon city will be barred from enforcing two ordinances that prosecute unhoused residents until it increases capacity and accessibility at designated camping sites.

1 hour ago - Street Roots

Colorful murals on exterior of Hollywood High School in Los Angeles, California against night sky.

Advancing Sustainability in Los Angeles County Schools

The Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Green Schools Symposium brings together educators, students, and experts to advance sustainability in schools through innovative design, climate resilience strategies, and collaborative learning.

2 hours ago - Los Angeles County Office of Education

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

3 hours ago - Pennsylvania State University