Minnesota Lawyer

Metropolitan Council Chair Susan Haigh said Monday she thinks a stronger investment in public transit can help address a striking income disparity between whites and minorities in the Twin Cities.

Ramsey County officials are prepared to spend up to $1.45 million to study route options and potential costs of a transitway between downtown St. Paul, the Mall of America and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Advocates for more passenger rail lines in Minnesota will once again request bonding money at the state Legislature in 2014. The Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Passenger Rail Office is recommending a $27 million bonding request — the same amount as an unsuccessful request last year.

The group studying a 30-mile transitway from St. Paul to Hastings has shifted gears on its preferred transit choice for the route.