Hopkins Unified, Minnetonka Senators Divided In Light Rail Debate

In Hopkins, leaders and local legislators when it comes to the proposed Southwest Light Rail Transit line: They all support it. But not every community has such a unified front.

In neighboring Minnetonka, city officials and state Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-District 43) support the project. But one of the city’s other state senators—Sen. David Hann (R-District 42)—is a self-described skeptic.

“It’s not that I don’t think there is value—I think there is,” Hann said at a breakfast Minnetonka hosted Friday for legislative leaders. “I think just as a person who is interested in making sure the federal government is spending money that is appropriate for federal government to spend, it is hard for me to say how a 15-mile transit line from Eden Prairie to Minneapolis is within the scope of the federal government.”

Sen. Gen Olson (R-District 33) did not state a position Friday.

The Southwest line would connect with the Central Corridor Light Rail, Hiawatha Light Rail and Northstar Commuter Rail at a station next to Target Field. It would run 15 miles through Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Edina, Minnetonka and Eden Prairie.

Hopkins and Minnetonka are collaborating on a station near Shady Oak Road—one of three stations planned in Hopkins. City leaders in both communities envision light rail playing a major role in future economic growth.

“Our concept of planning is all oriented around the light rail for the Opus area and for the Shady Oak Station,” said Minnetonka City Manager . “It is an important factor in our future development, and it serves our employment area.”

“The long term implications of the value it creates for our community, to have a resource we can build on, it’s something that we’ll benefit from for many, many years,” said .

But the two communities face different legislative arrangements. While Minnetonka is split between three senators, Hopkins is covered by just one senator and one representative.

Of course, both Hopkins' and Minnetonka's legislators answer to constituents outside the community because of the way districts are drawn. Hopkins Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-District 44) and Hopkins Rep. Steve Simon (DFL-44A) each call St. Louis Park home, and Latz represents Golden Valley, as well.

But when it comes to light rail, those legislators have been on the same side as the City of Hopkins.

Gov. Mark Dayton’s $775 million bonding proposal includes $25 million for the Southwest Light Rail project. Many are bracing for opposition from some Republican lawmakers. Rep. Michael Beard (R-District 35A), the Transportation Policy and Finance Committee chairman, has pledged to stop the Southwest light rail line "in its tracks."

As back-and-forth debate continued Friday morning on the light rail, Bonoff commented, “And this is what it’s like at the Legislature.”