Stalemate persists on bridge spending question

The contracts are signed and the ground breaking?s set for next week, yet MnDOT is still dialing for dollars at the Capitol, seeking the cash to build a new Interstate 35W bridge.

After two weeks of hearings into that agency's money crunch there?s still no green light from the eight lawmakers empowered to loosen the purse strings.

The $234 million price tag of the new span by itself will put the agency $195 million over the limit lawmakers set last session. And, because the legislature is between sessions, Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau's pressing a special panel for that extra spending power.

"I only can spend the money you folks authorized me to spend in the budget last session," Molnau told the panel.

The Lieutenant Governor, who doubles as transportation chief, has repeatedly said that without that added spending authority she?ll be forced to raid other highway projects next year in order to finance the new span across the Mississippi River.

She appeared visibly annoyed as she stood for another three hours of questioning by the legislative leaders who make up the Transportation Contingent Appropriation Group.

Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller suggested that Molnau and Finance Commissioner Tom Hanson still aren't connecting the dots, explaining exactly why the money's needed now, before the regular 2008 session in February.

"Commissioner I?m not trying to be difficult," Pogemiller told Molnau. "I?m just trying to figure out exactly what it is we?re being asked to sign off on."

Her response was the same as it's been through previous hearings on the subject.

"If you don?t approve that money, I will have to use the authority I have for the 2008 projects to build this bridge."

Federal dollars will conceivably cover the entire cost of the new bridge, and some of the related expenses connected to clearing the site and diverting traffic. But state taxpayers must pay the bills upfront, until those costs can be reimbursed by the federal government.

Molnau told the panel no matter how much federal money is deposited in the State's coffers she can't spend it without the official go-ahead from state lawmakers.

"We can claim all those dollars we want, but I can?t spend them because you haven?t given me the authority. That?s why we?re here today."

But some lawmakers suggest the issue can wait until the regular session begins in February. They maintain the state's receipts will be submitted to the federal government a little at a time over the next two years.

House Speaker Margaret Kelliher, who last week called for Molnau to step down from her transportation post, asked whether MnDOT had any legal reason to award the contract Monday instead of waiting for the funding questions to be resolved.

"I don?t know if there?s a legal reason," Molnau responded, adding, "But if you want to start the project you need to a contract signed. And our idea was to start the project."

The bridge fell down during afternoon rush hour August 1, killing 13 people and injuring more than 100. The cause of the collapse is still under investigation by federal agencies, private firms and legislators.

At least five members of the special panel must sign off on the extra spending power. Senator Steve Murphy has already said he's refusing to sign it because he thinks the process itself is illegal.

So far only two, Senator Mike Jungbauer and his fellow Republican Representative Doug Magnus, have climbed on board publicly.

Magnus told reporters that, while he appreciates what he's learned during the special hearings, he worries the six Democrats on the panel are dragging out the process for political reasons.

"Let's get something done," Magnus said during a news conference.

"Transportation isn't partisan. Roads are all our roads, bridges are all of our bridges."

By John Croman, KARE 11 News

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