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Last week, the Minnesota House of Representatives introduced legislation that would authorize state funding for the proposed Northstar Corridor commuter-rail system.

The bill would appropriate $37.5 million in low-interest bonding for Northstar — the same amount Gov. Tim Pawlenty included in his capital investment proposal earlier this month.

"The bipartisan support behind the bill this year is a positive sign that state funding for Northstar should be approved so we can offer the residents and businesses of the region a viable alternative for dealing with traffic congestion," said state Rep. Melissa Hortman in a prepared statement.

The Northstar Corridor’s 40-mile first phase would run along highways 10 and 47 between Minneapolis and Big Lake, Minn. Under a proposed second phase, the line would extend from Big Lake to St. Cloud.