U of M forum takes aim at transportation funding issues

A transportation forum at the University of Minnesota Monday aims to fix what critics say is a broken funding system.

Emil Frankel, a former Bush administration transportation official and forum participant said taxpayers might support higher gas taxes for transportation improvements if the projects are effective.

"You know "bridges to nowhere" and other wasteful projects don't convince people that their tax money is being well spent," Frankel said. "So I guess we would make the argument that we have to convince people that transportation investments will be wiser investments, higher priority investments that will really make a difference."

Former Minnesota congressman Martin Sabo is a co-chair of the transportation forum, which includes speakers and panelists talking about the proposed new federal transportation bill.

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When:

Monday, November 23, 2009

8:30a.m. - 1:30p.m.

Where:

Cowles Auditorium

Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs

University of Minnesota West Bank Campus

301 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN

The event is free and lunch will be provided.