With new environmental analysis driving the costs up, Counties Transit Improvement Board members made it clear its $496 million contribution is not expected to rise.

The new $2 billion price tag prompts a reassessment of the proposed light rail line to the southwest suburbs.

The county board was set to consider a half-cent sales tax and a $20 excise tax on motor vehicle sales within the county to raise $6 million annually for projects.

The Counties Transit Improvement Board, which collects a quarter-cent sales tax in five metro area counties to build transit lines throughout the region, awarded $110 million for capital improvement projects and the other $30.9 million for operating grants for the existing regional system.

The battle over transit funding that’s brewing at the Capitol this year has its roots in the 2008 transportation bill that ultimately saw the Legislature override Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s veto.

Here are three things you need to know about HF1535, Rep. Alice Hausman's (DFL-St. Paul) (pictured) bill to remake Minnesota's public transit system: 1) It ...

Here are three things you need to know about HF1535, Rep. Alice Hausman's (DFL-St. Paul) (pictured) bill to remake Minnesota's public transit system: 1) It ...