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~'rains~ortatior e The Transportation budget supports the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Council Transit, transportation-related functions of the Department of Public Safety, and other small agencies. This funding supports the design, construction, maintenance, and management of state highways and bridges, financing of county state aid and municipal state aid roads, state aid for metropolitan and Greater Minnesota transit operations, and the development and maintenance of airports, the State Patrol, driver and vehicle services, traffic safety, and pipeline safety. The largest share of funding for this area of the budget is in the form of dedicated motor fuel and registration taxes deposited- in the Highway User Tax Distribution (HUTD) Fund. The General Fund supports only 3.7 percent of the funding for the activities in this area. ,T~'ans~ortation Bill.funding ,. .. : fi in millions) .. .. ~' "" Percent FY 2002-03 FY 2004-05 Chan e General Fund 451 161 (64)% All Operating Funds 5,059 4,489 (11)% The Governor's general fund budget for Transportation totals $161 million - a 64 percent decrease from the current biennium. The budget for all funds totals $4.5 billion, a decrease of 11 percent. The major portion of the general fund decrease is related to the one-time funding that was available in FY2002-03 for road construction projects. Key Elements of the Budget Recommendations The recommended reductions in the appropriation from the Trunk Highway Fund, for Mn/DOT operations, reflects an aggressive effort to realign spending priorities in the department. Emphasis is on sign'rficantly decreasing administration and overhead costs throughout the agency while preserving the department's ability to develop and deliver construction projects. The Govemor intends that these savings will provide the resources to allow for the development of a transportation investment package that will address the substantial needs of the state. • The reductions recommended for transit programs at the Department of Transportation and Metropolitan Council are aimed at minimizing the impact on service. While this reduction will result in some level of service reduction, the Governor's budget continues a significant investment in both rural and metro transit. • Included in the Governor's budget is a new appropriation of $2,240,000 in FY 2004 and $3,120,000 in FY2005 to support part of the operating costs for the Hiawatha Light Rail Transit. This recommendation assumes that local funding in the amount of $3,360,000 in FY 2004 and $4,860,000 will be provided by local units of government in the area benefiting from the Hiawatha Light Rail line. • The Governor is recommending a General Fund appropriation reduction of $2,095,000 each year for the operating costs of the transportation activities of the Department of Public Safety. Included in this is a reduction in capitol security activities. Security will be maintained at the State Capitol, the State Office Building and the Judicial Building. Governor's 2004-05 Budget 20