Rep. Clark Johnson (DFL-North Mankato)
A legislative auditor’s review criticizes how MN-DOT prioritizes road and bridge projects throughout the state. North Mankato Representative Clark Johnson asked why upgrades of Highway 14, a major thoroughfare in his district, can’t rise to a higher priority. David Kirchner with the Legislative Auditor’s office responded, “The blunt answer is that MN-DOT’s overall priorities are to maintain what currently exists, and not to build things that are new.” MN-DOT Commissioner Charles Zelle (ZELL-ee) says his agency is also modernizing as it preserves existing roads and bridges.