THE PROBLEMRegional “government” is broken, out of control

• Broad mission and statutory power of appointed council

• Failure of legislative oversight

OUT OF BALANCE:Efficiency and local control

• Government planners pick winners and losers

• An agency run amok

• Escalating power grab and assault on local control

CONSEQUENCES OF FAILING TO CHECK THE COUNCIL’S POWER• Urban planners know better than citizens

• Two vital questions

• Thrive MSP 2040

THRIVE MSP 2040 UNPACKED• Planning mission reframed in terms of five sweeping, subjective outcomes

• Four goals: Impose TOD, empower bureaucrats, allocate poverty and redistribute wealth

• Based on dubious claims about shifting preferences

THRIVE MSP 2040 HOUSING PLAN• Goal is social engineering

• Uses power over transportation funds to strong-arm cities on housing

• Opens the way to federal control of land use in our region

• Densifies our region to remake it around transit

THRIVE MSP 2040 TRANSPORTATION PLAN• Misallocates resources by funding planners’ priorities, not citizens’ needs

• Favors fixed-rail transit over roads

• Favors urban center over suburbs

REACTION FROM COUNTIES AND CITIES• Five suburban counties charge Thrive ignores their needs and interests

• City councils denounce the Thrive plan

WHAT IS AT RISK?• Region’s and State’s standard of living and economic competitiveness

• The twilight of local control

• Escalation of overreach, rule by planners

WHAT IS TO BE DONE?• Summary of the Problem

• To act regionally or not to act regionally

“The first step toward reform should be to address the composition of the Metropolitan Council”

Legislative Auditor James Nobles

WHAT IS TO BE DONE?• Only Legislature can fix this

• Mistakes we have made over and over

“The current situation has resulted in large part from the Metropolitan Council’s lack of credibility among elected officials and other regional stakeholders.”

Legislative Auditor James Nobles

• Sound policy says regionalism does not work

WHAT IS TO BE DONE?• If politics say we are stuck with it

• Add greater accountability and local control

“While several approaches are possible, we recommend a Council with a mix of gubernatorial appointees and elected officials from the region.””

Legislative Auditor James Nobles

RECOMMENDATIONS• Declare victory. Shut it down.

• Immediately limit the Council to areas of statutory authority.• In January, appoint a new Council with elected officials.

• Reject “Thrive MSP 2040”. Declare moratorium on all light rail.

• Identify operating revenues before spending capital.

RECOMMENDATIONS• LCMC takes over Council’s budgets.

• Any redesign keeps the body in check and accountable.

• Staggered terms for stability and local control.

• Reject the Livable Communities Program.

• Transfer housing to HFA and local programs.

• Cease redundant program authority.