Author: Joe Harrington

This week, the Fix-It-First bill was introduced and a conversation around suburban transit “opt-out” services consolidating in the Twin Cities metro area also took place in the House Transportation Committee. In the Senate, a bill to allow trunk highway dollars to be spent to support local governments to relocate utilities may set the stage for further highway purposes conversation in 2027. Additionally, we hosted Our Streets Day on the Hill, where supporters came to the Capitol with us to advocate for people-first transportation.

Failing to address this problem and prioritize fiscal responsibility means our maintenance backlog grows, costs and wasteful spending escalate, and Minnesotans pay the price — in higher taxes and household costs, worse quality and less safe roads, fewer affordable multi-modal options, and eroded trust in how the state manages its money.

There was a lot of activity in the Minnesota House this week. Successfully opposing HF3513, a bill led by Waymo and its corporate lawyers that devises a regulatory framework in the company’s image and interests, was the win of the week for people-first transportation.

Minnesota’s most vulnerable, marginalized communities are targets of federal action. This has ultimately jeopardized neighbors’ fundamental freedom to move safely—stripping access to family and friends, jobs, school, and daily needs. Communities impacted by transportation projects deserve full consideration of their goals and concerns and actionable input in project decision-making. Today, because of our current crisis that is impossible.

At the start of Minnesota’s legislative session, transportation continues to highlight issues around pedestrian safety, a confirmation hearing for the Metropolitan Council Chair, and two bills introduced by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

On Tuesday, February 17th, the 2026 Minnesota legislative session officially kicked off after a tense and difficult year in the Twin Cities and across Minnesota. Our Streets’ 2026 policy agenda will continue to address the underlying problems with how we invest in transportation which will help us to build a transportation system that works for everyone in the state of Minnesota.