Bills have advanced in both the Senate and House to make a technical correction to last year’s Corridors of Commerce appropriation for Highway 14 from Owatonna to Dodge Center. SF 1093 unanimously passed the Senate Transportation and Senate Finance Committee, and now awaits action on the Senate floor. HF 1555 unanimously passed the House Transportation Committee and is headed to the House Ways & Means Committee.

The issue with the bill’s wording has been the subject of numerous media reports in recent weeks. One that may be of particular interest to Highway 14 members is this KAAL TV report. It includes an extended interview with Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Myron Frans, who is the head of the agency charged with selling the Trunk Highway Bonds, and thus is one of the officials who identified the wording issue and has been involved in efforts to correct it.

Highway 14 legislators from across the corridor have been unified in insisting that this correction advance swiftly through the Legislature. The terrible news of recent fatal accidents on Highway 14 have served as an unwanted reminder of just how important this project is. As you interact with Highway 14 area legislators, please thank them for their support so far and encourage them to advance this legislation to the Governor’s desk as soon as possible.