First, we will put aside the issue of whether or not a Governor has the authority to take allocated funds away from a government agency and give them to whoever he favors. Last I remember Governor Pawlenty was an attorney and should know better... but who are we to deny him a future career as a "jailhouse lawyer"
Second, we will put aside the issue of whether Metro Transit is saving enough from the "strike" to fund this nonsense. Suffice to say, my readers are free to examine the budget documents at metrotransit.org and see that we taxpayers are paying around $30,000,000 a year in debt services on the buses and all that Pawlenty parked. Meanwhile, many off those "transit dependent" riders that Governor Pawlenty faked compassionate conservatism for are eligible to ride Metro Mobility. The latest Metro Mobility newsletter on the same website admits that there struggling to add 10% more capacity to handle the strike overflow and have quit scheduling new "standing order" rides. They intimate that this 10% may be vehicles and drivers used in the subcontractor's more lucrative "medical transportation" business. So if that more profitable business gets slow they might haul the odd Metro Mobility client. BTW, Metro Mobility has a couple hundred minibuses versus Metro Transits 700 transit buses, but needs just as big a state subsidy to operate. Blame that on a 1970s lawsuit settlement that created Metro Mobility rather than put wheelchair lifts on the buses.
So we are left with divining just what $100,000 a week will buy in transportation. The standard tool of the trade is a 15 passenger van. They rent for darn near $100 a day and figure at least another $100 a day for drivers pay, never mind benefits. The last one I drove got a best of 11 miles per gallon of gas, and diesel vans are near impossible to rent and scarce on dealers lots. So were talking about over $1000 a week to put a 15 passenger van on the street. That means Pawlenty's none too plentiful "funding" will at best put 100 15 passenger vans on the street to replace 700 40 odd passenger busses. Sorry folks, I don't think you're all gonna fit...
That assumes 100 vans can be found. With every major employer already running extra vanpools since the strike started, there isn't a 15 passenger van to be found. I've volunteered doing transportation on MS Society events, and they've often had to go out of state to find a half dozen vans in normal times. And today the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits advised there members not to participate in Pawlenty's plan. So with just about every legitimate charity in the state staying clear of this nonsense as well as the mainstream churches, that leaves.... the fundie churches, mainstays of the Republican grassroots!
Imagine the church van from hell... A bible on every seat, and fire and brimstone sermons blaring from the radio. Just to make sure no passenger goes astray while they wander the streets, the preacher himself will be riding shotgun. A couple beefy deacons will be seated nearest the back doors in case any rider wishes to disembark before the end of service. Should go over with the Moslem cleaning women like a load of cheap bacon!
Of course, secular nonprofits may yet answer the call (of money). My evil twin Sly Di reminds me that we could quickly run over to the Republican's business friendly Secretary of State's office and become a non profit corporation. With no procedures or even forms in place to create a paper trail she figures we could invest those thousands of Pawlenty's dollars well in new luxury and high performance cars. She'd off course in return provide a few friends rides in style to serve the public purpose...
hunkered down in Hawthorne on da Northside!,
Dyna Sluyter
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