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Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA) has made some progress in recent months to get a proposed 40-mile commuter-rail system under way between Minneapolis and Big Lake, Minn., but last week, the authority encountered a setback.

A capital investment bill passed by the Minnesota House of Representatives did not include funding for Northstar. But, NCDA officials believe state funds still could be appropriated in 2004.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty and state legislators support the commuter-rail system, and the Senate capital investment bill will include Northstar funds, NCDA officials believe. After the bill is proposed, it would be voted on by the full Senate, and then the House and Senate bills would be reconciled in a conference committee.