Han pasado dos décadas desde que Minnesota dejó de permitir que las personas indocumentadas soliciten una licencia de conducir. Pero hay energías renovadas en la Legislatura para revertir esa restricción. Un panel de la Cámara escuchó el testimonio ayer (martes) de un proyecto de ley de "Licencias de conducir para todos". La idea ha sido objeto de un intenso debate en los últimos años, pero no ha podido pasar bajo un gobierno estatal dividido. Sus partidarios sienten que sus posibilidades son mejores ahora, con los demócratas controlando la oficina del gobernador y la legislatura. La organizadora comunitaria Regina Olono Vidales habló a favor del plan y dijo que en la universidad era una barrera para ella y otros estudiantes indocumentados.
"Las personas como nosotros vivimos con miedo todos los días, solo por ir al trabajo, a clase, a comprar alimentos, lo que sea. Este es un tema de transporte, accesibilidad, educación, seguridad pública y mucho más," expresó Vidales.
Otros partidarios que testificaron incluyeron grupos empresariales, líderes religiosos y miembros de las fuerzas del orden. Algunos señalan que brindaría estabilidad a la fuerza laboral de Minnesota y haría que las carreteras fueran más seguras. Los republicanos que se oponen a la idea argumentan que abre la puerta a la inmigración ilegal y podría dar lugar a casos de fraude electoral.
Pero los legisladores del DFL han señalado que estas serían licencias "no conformes" relacionadas con la Ley REAL ID, lo que significa que no podrían usarse para registrarse para votar. Francisco Segovia está con COPAL MN, que está liderando una campaña para que se apruebe el proyecto de ley en los primeros 45 días de sesión. Él dice que los opositores han permitido que este tema se politice.
"Una licencia de conducir es básicamente una autorización o un privilegio para poder operar un vehículo de motor. No debería ser un problema de inmigración aquí. Y todos se benefician de tener personas conduciendo vehículos con la debida autorización y capacitación," comentó Segovia.
Segovia cree que los legisladores deben considerar la creciente población latina del estado, casi el 40% de los cuales son menores de 18 años. Dice que algunos están creciendo en hogares con padres que no pueden llevarlos a actividades y citas después de la escuela, lo que los pone en una desventaja. Casi 20 estados ya ofrecen privilegios de conducir a personas que carecen de un estatus legal permanente.
Nota Aclaratoria: COPAL MN contribuye a nuestro fondo para informar sobre participación cívica, justicia ambiental, asuntos de inmigrantes, justicia social. Si desea ayudar a respaldar noticias de interés público,
haga clic aquí.
get more stories like this via email
Massachusetts will receive close to $1 billion in federal funding to replace the Cape Cod bridges.
Lawmakers said it is the largest single bridge funding grant in U.S. history and the biggest federal grant ever awarded to the Commonwealth.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healy called it game-changing for the state's economy.
"It is a turning point truly in terms of sustained investments in an infrastructure whose benefits will be felt for generations," Healy emphasized. "It's a victory that we celebrate today."
The nearly 90-year-old Sagamore and Bourne bridges provide the only routes on and off the Cape and are considered "functionally obsolete" despite carrying more than 30 million vehicles each year. Healy explained plans are to focus first on replacing the Sagamore Bridge before turning to the Bourne.
The Biden Administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which established the Bridge Investment Program, invests a total of $40 billion over five years to help ensure the nation's most important bridges remain safe and operational. Already, the law has funded more than 7,000 bridge projects nationwide.
Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., said it feels like "Christmas in July," with the bridge project set to create some 9,000 construction jobs.
"We're going to do this with union labor," Markey pointed out. "It is going to be one of the largest union projects in Massachusetts history."
Markey noted an additional $700 million dollar state investment will allow construction on the Sagamore Bridge to begin. It is projected to be completed sometime in 2034 with the Bourne Bridge replacement completed more than a year later. The new bridges would be built next to the old ones to avoid traffic disruptions during construction.
get more stories like this via email
Last week, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee heard testimony on the state and federal response to the collapse of the Key Bridge. In addition to a recap of the cleanup efforts, testimony turned to bridge replacement and who is paying for it.
Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., introduced the Baltimore Bridge Response Invests and Delivers Global Economic Relief Act, in which the federal government would fund 100% of the replacement of the bridge and its approaches. Cardin said the money is needed immediately.
"We are asking for the 100%, because that's what we've done in the past and we need it now," Cardin emphasized. "Because we are lending contracts to start the construction now. We don't want to delay this. Every month it's delayed is additional loss to our communities, and frustration among drivers, not only those that are directly impacted by the port, but those that are using our streets."
The legislation requires any funds recovered from insurance proceeds or as compensation for damages be used to reduce the federal government outlay. The current estimate to replace the bridge is $1.7 billion.
The Maryland Transportation Authority is evaluating proposals from design-build teams and expects to have a team chosen by mid- to late summer. Senators in the committee focused on safety upgrades to protect bridge piers against collisions from Neo-Panamax size ships such as the container ship Dali.
Paul J. Wiedefeld, Maryland transportation secretary, said designers will ensure pier protection.
"Whether it's through islands or actually moving the piers further apart," Wiedefeld explained. "If you put these piers much further apart, obviously, that's a natural protection. That'll be played out through the design as a high priority."
The bridge rebuild completion target is fall 2028.
get more stories like this via email
Federal officials have opened up a new round of funding under one of the many grant programs tied to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
As the multiyear initiative unfolds, North Dakota cities are getting an education on how to apply for funds. Since the law's passage, North Dakota has been awarded more than $3 billion, with investments in roads and bridges, water systems and high-speed internet.
Matt Gardner, executive director of the North Dakota League of Cities, said what is great about the package is towns and cities have more direct access to funds, instead of most of it being distributed by the states. It also means there is stiff competition.
"One thing to consider is, of the 355 cities in North Dakota, 306 of those are under a thousand people in population," Gardner pointed out.
He suggested smaller communities might lack the capacity to examine the dozens of programs and figure out compliance needs for grants. The National League of Cities is hosting "bootcamps" for local governments to help them become more savvy in applying. The latest funding announcement was for a pilot effort to help reconnect areas cut off from opportunity by past transportation projects.
Gardner acknowledged the Biden administration is trying to make the application process easier with free technical assistance but noted municipalities may need a few more tips on not wasting time in seeking grants that would not fit their needs. And they need to know if they can cover matching funds.
"This money isn't free. I mean, it comes with strings," Gardner emphasized. "If a city is applying directly, in general, it's going to be those local funds (that are also needed)."
He added several towns can work together on a single application with hopes of the state covering matching funds, potentially boosting approval chances. Gardner agreed with elected officials who said the infrastructure law will help communities thrive, creating temporary jobs along the way. His only caution was a potential spike in project costs if the investments collectively drive up demand for supplies.
get more stories like this via email