Minnesota's Worst Politicians Supported Personal Rapid Transit

With both houses of the Minnesota Legislature in the hands of the GOP, will PRT bills be introduced again? Last year, PRT legislation was stopped by DFL legislators in the House and Senate.

If PRT legislation is again introduced in the next session, I hope legislators and the media will remember the godawful politicians who supported PRT in the past.

Let's start with the legislature's biggest promoter of PRT Mark Olson, arguably one of the worst representatives to sit in the Minnesota House.

From the list of 26 lawmakers who voted for Olson's last PRT amendment :

First up, Tom Hackbarth. Hackbarth recently got into trouble with the police regarding a pistol and a girlfriend... but, making matters worse, Hackbarth lied to the cops.

Hackbarth stood by Olson after Olson disgraced himself, nominating Olson in his last attempt to stay in office:

Rep. Tom Hackbarth nominated Mark Olson his friend and colleague of many years. It was seconded by another guy (bearded)I couldn’t hear at all. Heidi concluded the nomination speeches by exhorting everyone to vote for Mark because he is cute. It was really charming. It’s all on tape somewhere. There were 2-3 cameras rolling. Phil Krinkie was also on stage in support. You have to give Mark credit. He rallied his people and they showed up.

Phil Krinke, now head of the right-wing Taxpayers League also voted for Olson's pods.

Mark Buesgens, another name on the list, recently drunkenly drove his car into a ditch, pleaded guilty to DWI. (video)

Also on the list is sore loser Tom Emmer.

Not on the list is pod-supporter Mary Kiffmeyer who now sits in Olson's House seat.

And there's Kiffmeyer's buddy Michele Bachmann who said this about PRT:

"People on the right, people on the left, we have the common goal of moving people with transit, but doing it in the most cost-effective manner, in fact, in a manner that may end up costing no government subsidy, it may end up paying for itself,"

The person "on the left" Bachmann was referring to was convicted felon Dean Zimmermann who recently showed up at an MnDOT PRT workshop.

I could list more godawful MN politicians who have supported PRT, but you get the picture. Speaking of pictures, here's a bunch of pics from the MnDOT PRT Workshop.



Here are more recent examples PRT fiascos:

Masdar and Heathrow PRT Still Not Happening.

The Pawlenty administration wasted at least $150,000 on personal rapid transit .

PRT Conference Newsletter & Website Features PRT Plan by Convicted Felon.

PRT is so not happening at Heathrow.

Daventry says "Pods Off!".

Video: Bill James Pitches Jpods Resolution to Hennepin County.

Federal Funding Nixed for Winona Personal Rapid Transit Project

Minnesota legislators tell pod people not to expect funding from the state at dismal MnDOT "workshop".

Taxi 2000 lobbyist and Bachmann pal Ed Cain also lobbied for the phony U.S. Navy Veterans Association charity.

ULTra PRT Heathrow Debut Postponed a Fourth Time.

No $25 million earmark for PRT pork project in Winona, Minnesota.

The Swedish/Korean PRT prototype malfunctioned recently in front of the media.