Bipartisan legislation chief-authored by Senator Eric Pratt to dramatically reform the Metropolitan Council passed the Minnesota Senate on Monday, May 7. Importantly, the bill would change the composition of the board’s membership, making all members local elected officials. Currently, all members are appointed by the Governor.

“It doesn’t matter whether we have a Democrat, Republican, or Independent Governor, the Met Council structure and governance has been a topic of controversy for decades,” said Senator Pratt, who serves as Chairman of the Minnesota Legislative Commission on Metropolitan Government. “The current structure of the Met Council increases partisanship and creates a conflict of interest by requiring members to serve at the Governor’s pleasure, regardless of who that Governor is. Now, not only will members be free to represent their local constituents, but decisions will be driven by public needs, not political wants.”

The bill was prompted by a local, grassroots initiative led by four metro counties (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, and Scott) along with several cities and municipalities under the Metropolitan Council’s governance. They want to decrease political partisanship and increase accountability of the Met Council.

“In January, we heard from metro residents and local business owners that felt the Met Council is not responsive to those they serve,” added Senator Pratt. “This is a needed step forward to bring greater accountability and transparency to the Met Council.”

Recently, the United States House of Representatives unanimously passed an amendment to a bill that eliminates the Met Council’s exemption from federal law that requires metropolitan planning organizations to be comprised of elected officials. Currently, Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council is the only Metropolitan Planning Organization in the country that is not made up of elected officials.

“The federal government’s recent action highlights why Met Council reform is urgently needed,” concluded Senator Pratt. “This reform avoids a potential crisis with the Federal government, while aligning our Met Council more closely with the people it serves. By reaching across the aisle and working with my Senate colleagues, I think we’ve accomplished that in a way that improves efficiency and accountability. That’s a win-win for everyone.”