Half-cent sales tax is last-ditch plan to secure light-rail funding

Legislators and regional transportation officials are increasingly eyeing a new metro area sales tax as a way to break up a bitter political deadlock over transit funding at the State Capitol.

The Metropolitan Council is rapidly running out of options to come up with $135 million needed to lock in critical federal funding for Southwest light-rail transit. GOP House Speaker Kurt Daudt’s refusal to put state dollars toward the project has left few viable alternatives with only four days left in the session.

http://www.startribune.com/half-cent-sales-tax-is-last-ditch-plan-to-secure-light-rail-funding/380208441/