ST. PAUL -- Republicans tried to stop the Blue Line light rail extension into Minneapolis's northwest suburbs, and cancel the planned Northern Lights Express passenger train between Duluth and Saint Paul -- but Democrats said "no" as the Minnesota House passed a bill to use part of the state's budget surplus for transportation projects.

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Anoka Republican John Heinrich says:

"Members, instead of a wasteful train to Duluth, we should be funding our State Patrol."

But Minneapolis Democrat Frank Hornstein says about the Northern Lights Express:

"There is a lot of support all along this line, particularly in the Duluth area. This is going to be a boost for the economy and for tourism."

But some lawmakers say smaller communities along the line are worried about hazards from passenger trains going through at high speeds.

This story is courtesy of the Minnesota News Network.

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