We certainly hope that Rep. Paul Torkelson’s optimism about the transportation bills now in conference committee is well founded. Torkelson said this last Friday he is confident that the bill he has been working on in the House will be reconciled favorably with the Senate bill, and will receive Gov. Mark Dayton’s signature.

If it does, it means three times is the charm. The Legislature has been unable the past two sessions to pass a transportation bill — which everyone agreed was needed. The main sticking point has been how to pay for it, and Torkelson is finding hope in an apparent willingness by Gov. Dayton to sign a bill that doesn’t include a gas tax increase.

We have seen over the years how well-meaning efforts to fund special projects and programs, from education to transportation, have been beset in times of economic trials without a dedicated source of funding, and can understand where the governor is coming from. But we are in a position now, with the state’s budget surplus, to put more money into transportation and see how it goes over the next ten years.

We also hope the conferees in the Legislature will be sure to include funding for Highway 14’s four-lane extension in its plans. It is a much needed improvement.