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TH E PROBLEM

TH E PROBLEM. Regional “government” is broken, out of control. • Broad mission and statutory power of appointed council. • Failure of legislative oversight. OUT OF BALANCE:. Efficiency and local control. • An agency run amok. • Government planners

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TH E PROBLEM

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  1. THE PROBLEM Regional “government” is broken, out of control • Broad mission and statutory power of appointed council • Failure of legislative oversight

  2. OUT OF BALANCE: Efficiency and local control • An agency run amok • Government planners pick winners and losers • Escalating power grab and assault on local control

  3. CONSEQUENCES OF FAILING TO CHECK THE COUNCIL’S POWER • Urban planners know better than citizens • Two vital questions • Thrive MSP 2040

  4. THRIVE MSP 2040 UNPACKED • Planning mission reframed in terms of five sweeping, subjective outcomes • Four goals: Impose TOD, empower bureaucrats, allocate poverty and redistribute wealth • Based on dubious claims about shifting preferences

  5. THRIVE MSP 2040 HOUSING PLAN • Goal is social engineering • Uses power over transportation funds to strong-arm cities on housing • Opens the way to federal control of land use in our region • Densifies our region to remake it around transit

  6. THRIVE MSP 2040 TRANSPORTATION PLAN • Misallocates resources by funding planners’ priorities, not citizens’ needs • Favors fixed-rail transit over roads • Favors urban center over suburbs

  7. REACTION FROM COUNTIES AND CITIES • Five suburban counties charge Thrive ignores their needs and interests • City councils denounce the Thrive plan

  8. WHAT IS AT RISK? • Region’s and State’s standard of living and economic competitiveness • The twilight of local control • Escalation of overreach, rule by planners

  9. WHAT IS TO BE DONE? “The first step toward reform should be to address the composition of the Metropolitan Council” • Summary of the Problem • To act regionally or not to act regionally Legislative Auditor James Nobles

  10. WHAT IS TO BE DONE? “The current situation has resulted in large part from the Metropolitan Council’s lack of credibility among elected officials and other regional stakeholders.” • Only Legislature can fix this • Mistakes we have made over and over • Sound policy says regionalism does not work Legislative Auditor James Nobles

  11. WHAT IS TO BE DONE? “While several approaches are possible, we recommend a Council with a mix of gubernatorial appointees and elected officials from the region.”” • If politics say we are stuck with it • Add greater accountability and local control Legislative Auditor James Nobles

  12. RECOMMENDATIONS • Declare victory. Shut it down. • Immediately limit the Council to areas of statutory authority. • In January, appoint a new Council with elected officials. • Reject “Thrive MSP 2040”. Declare moratorium on all light rail. • Identify operating revenues before spending capital.

  13. RECOMMENDATIONS • LCMC takes over Council’s budgets. • Any redesign keeps the body in check and accountable. • Staggered terms for stability and local control. • Reject the Livable Communities Program. • Transfer housing to HFA and local programs. • Cease redundant program authority.

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