By Steven Sasnow
MnSF member

Nov. 7 is fast approaching and it's time to get ready to vote “yes” on the transportation amendment. The Senior Federation has supported increased transit funding for the last several years with resolutions at our conventions and partnerships with like-minded groups.

Our goal is to obtain dedicated and increased funding to improve the quality of transit and roads in our communities and for our seniors. If passed, the Vote Yes amendment will dedicate 100 percent of the motor vehicle sales tax to transit, instead of the current 46 percent.

Passage of the Transportation Amendment would:

• Prevent future cuts in transit service and limit fare increases
• Substantially increase bus service and park-n-rides
• Provide capital and operating revenue for the Northstar Commuter Rail, Central Corridor light rail and the Cedar Avenue and Bottineau Blvd. bus rapid transit.
• Help fund safer and less congested roads statewide

Support for the transportation amendment is wide and deep! A diverse coalition, including the Senior Federation and more than 870 organizations support the amendment. Leaders from the business community, environmental organizations, organized labor, transportation advocacy groups, the construction industry, nonprofits, civic organizations and local governments are united to pass the Transportation Amendment.

Don't leave this question blank on your ballot. A blank vote counts as a “no” vote - and a “no” vote tells our state leaders that the public doesn't think transportation is important. Instead, let state leaders know that you support greater investment in a balanced transportation system that provides greater choices for all Minnesota residents. With seniors expected to be the fastest growing segment of the population in coming decades, we need to invest today in broader transportation choices.

Passage of this amendment is important to the Minnesota Senior Federation. Please support the amendment and encourage family and friends to Vote Yes on Election Day.

We have various sizes of free lawn and window signs available with the Vote Yes logo. Call 612/465-8566. We hope to have these all up by the end of September. For more information about the transportation amendment or the Vote Yes campaign, visit www.voteyesmn.org.