Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook)
Little progress on a transportation funding package as Governor Mark Dayton met behind closed doors with legislative leaders again Wednesday afternoon. Senate Democratic Majority Leader Tom Bakk told reporters, “I’ve consistently said that any kind of a transportation proposal has to include transit — so if the speaker is taking transit off the table and wants to put it on the side and talk about it next year, there’s not a path to get a transportation bill this year.” House Speaker, Republican Kurt Daudt, has expressed strong opposition to the proposed Southwest Light Rail Line in the Twin Cities. Bakk says negotiators are “fairly close” on the other areas of the state budget — but agreement has not been reached on a bonding bill for state public works projects. Four days remain for lawmakers to pass bills this legislative session.