Parks & Trails Council statement on trail vetoes

Parks & Trails Council disappointed Gov. Pawlenty used veto pen to take aim at Minnesota’s trails

Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota Acting Executive Director Brett Feldman issued the following statement after Gov. Tim Pawlenty today used his veto pen to cut $21.4 million in shovel-ready trail projects from the capital investment bill:

“The Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota is deeply disappointed that Gov. Pawlenty chose to take aim at a key part of Minnesota's Great Outdoor way of life by vetoing the entire $21.4 million state trail package contained in the capital investment bill.”

“The governor’s cuts will hurt many communities throughout the state who were looking to these trail projects to provide a much needed economic boost, vital outdoor recreation opportunities and health benefits for citizens.”   

“The trail projects brought forward to the legislature were led by Minnesotans who understood the projects would bring immediate economic activity through construction jobs this summer in addition to adding value to their tourism economies in the long term.”

A total of 14 state trail projects were line-item vetoed by the governor. They include: the Blazing Star, Brown’s Creek, Casey Jones, Cuyuna Lakes, Gateway, Gitchi-Gami, Glacial Lakes, Goodhue Pioneer, Heartland, Luce Line, Mill Towns, Minnesota River, Paul Bunyan and the Shooting Star state trails. The governor spared $4 million in state trail rehabilitation investments and $3.3 million in regional trail projects.