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Dave VanHattum

Saint Paul, MN
Commenter for
5 years 29 weeks

Recent Comments

Posted on 06/08/12 at 02:17 pm in response to When it comes to public subsidies, Twin Cities light rail seems a bargain

Perhaps, before we get too engrossed in a discussion of subsidies, we should define the term. My dictionary describes subsidy as “monetary assistance granted by government to a person or a private commercial enterprise.”
I think what we are all talking about here is public investment in public goods. Notice that you never hear people talk about subsidies for public education. There is tacit agreement that we invest in public education because it is a public good. The same should be...

Posted on 06/08/12 at 06:22 pm in response to When it comes to public subsidies, Twin Cities light rail seems a bargain

One flaw with the critique of the changes to Lyndale Ave -- no buses run on the section that is 3-lanes. At that point on Lyndale Ave South, the buses, have moved over to Bryant Ave.

Posted on 08/07/10 at 02:51 pm in response to Central Corridor focuses on neighborhood aspirations -- but it needs a better name

I disagree. There’s no need for a new name for the Central Corridor light rail transit.
The Central Corridor’s uniqueness is that it is central to the metropolitan region and central to the core cities economy. The Central Corridor will be like no other in the region as it will connect, and travel exclusively in, the two central cities—Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Further, the current name has been used for over a decade as persistent visions kept the project alive, and over the...

Posted on 11/28/07 at 05:05 pm in response to Progress coalition pushing increased transportation funds

The transportation package that the Governor vetoed last Spring did not include "a dime increase in the gas tax and a new 2.5 cent sales tax in the metro area dedicated for transit."

Rather it was a new 0.5 cent sales tax in the metro area with 50% of that dedicated to public transit, 25% dedicated to metro roads, and 25% allocated for flexible use between roads and transit.

In addition, the package included a nickel increase in the gas tax, with additional increases in the...