MnDOT won't show up at State Fair
I am extremely disappointed in MnDOT's recent decision to discontinue their 27-year tradition of participating in the Minnesota State Fair. The "Great Minnesota Get Together" is an opportunity for people from all over the state to receive highway maps, along with up-to-date information on road conditions and construction projects. Now this opportunity falls between the cracks, along with the safety and economic growth of our great state's infrastructure.
In their announcement, MnDOT cited changes in budget and technologies as reasons not to participate in the state fair. Instead, MnDOT plans to expand their Web-based communications. However, not every Minnesotan has access to the Internet. Concentrating communication efforts on blogs and I-pods doesn't serve the general public and limits access to the information that we all have the right to receive.
This is just another example of how budget shortfalls are causing this agency to fail our state. Increased funding for transportation could prevent this type of service cut, yet the administration still refuses to make the investment needed to provide taxpayers with even the most basic services.
I'm disappointed in MnDOT's decision and find appalling their apparent lack of concern for Minnesotans' rights to information regarding the state of our transportation system.
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Sen. Steve Murphy
DFL-Red Wing
