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Yesterday, Minnesota's House of Representatives passed a capital investment bill authorizing $10 million in state funding for the Northstar commuter-rail system.

Now, House members will need to reconcile their bill with a Senate measure, which includes Gov. Tim Pawlenty's $37.5 million funding recommendation. The House and Senate plan to appoint a conference committee to draft a compromise bill.

"We are confident that the final 2005 bonding bill will include the governor's position of $37.5 million so we can get Northstar up and running," said state Rep. Melissa Hortman, who co-authored Northstar legislation, in a prepared statement.

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