Conservative think tank labels Zip Rail a "future boondoggle"

A conservative think tank is targeting Olmsted County's Zip Rail proposal calling it a "future boondoggle." The Freedom Foundation of Minnesota went after the project in its weekly bulletin.

The foundation criticizes Olmsted County for seeking $15 million in state bonding money to help fund design studies for the proposed high-speed rail line from Rochester to the Twin Cities. The foundation writes, "Olmsted County taxpayers are now on the hook for a $15 million 'high speed rail' bonding request and could be on the line for much, much more in the near future."

PB reporter Jeff Pieters wrote a story this week about the Olmsted County Regional Rail Authority approving seeking the bonding money. The total cost for the study is estimated to be between $75 million to $90 million and county officials are hoping to use the state dollars to getfederal money. The total cost of the Zip Rail line is projected to cost between $1.5 billion to $2 billion.

The weekly bulletin article states, "If we've learned anything from the past from the various rail lines that have popped up around the state and country, we've learned that taxpayers are the ones that usually get taken for the ride. Hopefully citizens in Olmsted County can bring the latest 'future boondoggle' to a halt."

 

Comments

[Curious]

Who paid for this Freedom Foundation report? They have a pattern of putting out "studies" shortly after a group makes a contribution to the Foundation. Pay to publish, similar to pay to play. The Freedom Foundation is not a credible source, which is why they've had problems raising money.