Head Of Regional Planning Agency To Depart

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The regional planning agency that runs the Twin Cities bus and transit system is in search of a new leader.

Metropolitan Council Chairwoman Susan Haigh announced Wednesday that she would step down once Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton names a successor. Haigh says she wants to concentrate on her other job as president and chief executive of the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.

The Metropolitan Council adopts regional housing, transit and wastewater treatment policies for the seven counties that make up the Twin Cities region. It is an appointed board that is often in the political crosshairs. Republican legislators argue it has too much power and too little accountability to voters.

During Haigh's time at the top, a second light-rail line opened and a third moved deeper into the planning stages.

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