Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Minnesota Zoo officials present 'mission critical' bonding request to House lawmakers

Donnie Crook, a Minnesota Zoo naturalist, and Director John Frawley introduce Leia, a 9-year-old striped skunk, to the House Capital Investment Committee March 18. (Photo by Andrew VonBank)

Legislators are often wary of a skunk in their midst, but the House Capital Investment Committee was absolutely charmed by Leia, a de-scented skunk who visited the Capitol Complex Monday. 

After munching on vegetables, Leia (born on Star Wars Day, May 4) returned to her cage, and her cohorts from the Minnesota Zoo got to business with a $45 million capital funding request.

The request includes $35 million to build a new animal hospital, called a mission critical project by Zoo Director John Frawley. Built in 1975, three years before the zoo opened, the current hospital is woefully out-of-date and in some cases may not comply with federal animal welfare standards, officials say.

The Legislature approved $1.3 million for planning and predesign of the animal hospital in last year’s bonding package.


Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Recent Dailies

Plan to replace MN’s aging electronic waste recycling program gains environmental committee’s OK
Rep. Athena Hollins Billions of dollars of valuable metals sitting in dumps, heavy metals leaching into groundwater, hundreds of landfill fires caused by lithium-ion batteries: these are just a few...
Proposal aims to help high school coaches prevent eating disorders among students
Rep. Kristin Robbins Karen Krygier’s lifelong struggle with eating disorders began at age nine, as she was trying to attain the “ideal image” of a figure skater body. But one call to her parents six...
Bill to mandate abortion coverage by health care plans clears commerce panel
Dr. Sarah Traxler, chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood North Central States, testifies in support of a bill sponsored by Rep. Zack Stephenson, right, that would require health plans to cover abortions. (Photo by Andrew VonBank) Rep. Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) says Minnesotans believe in reproductive freedom and in high-quality, affordable health care. He also noted that in 2021, more than 25...
Full disclosure? Bill would require it of top-earning corporations
Cracking open the books, just a bit: That’s the purpose of HF4513. “This bill makes sure that Minnesotans and their representatives have the information that we all need to ...
Corporations, developers could be prohibited from purchasing single-family homes for conversion to rentals
Temi Ogunrinde, equity and engagement director at Urban Homeworks, testifies on HF685, sponsored by Rep. Esther Agbaje, before the House Housing Finance and Policy Committee March 6. (Photo by Michele Jokinen) Should corporations be allowed to purchase more than 10 single-family homes and put them up for rent in Minnesota? The answer is no if you are Rep. Esther Agbaje (DFL-Mpls) ...
House panel advances bill to require health plans to cover gender-affirming care
Ash Tifa, legal services program coordinator at Rainbow Health, testifies in support of a bill sponsored by Rep. Leigh Finke, right, that would require health plan coverage of gender-affirming care. (Photo by Andrew VonBank) Gender-affirming health care encompasses a range of social and medical interventions to affirm someone’s internal gender identity, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones...
More beds for civilly committed individuals would be afforded under bill
Improving capacity and access to treatment programs for civilly committed individuals with mental health and substance use disorders is at the heart of a comprehensive bill. ...
With civic competition fierce, local officials seek funds to secure more world-class sporting events
The Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul is set to help host the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championship. Local officials are seeking state funds to help cover those costs and attract more high-profile events to Minnesota. (Screenshot via Google Maps) Top amateur athletes seeking their sports highest honors are expected to provide a financial boon to the state this summer and in about 21 months. Wendy Blackshaw, president...
What’s a land bank and should it pay property taxes? House tax panel weighs in
How does the public benefit? That’s a core question with any piece of proposed legislation, but, for the state’s nonprofits, the answer can determine your tax status. Take a...
Bill sponsor says proposal could make Minnesota ‘carbon negative’
Rep. Spencer Igo Carbon capture and sequestration could help the state attain a zero or negative carbon footprint. But critics say the new technology would actually increase carbon emissions and...

Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Session Daily Home

Search Session Daily
Advanced Search Options

Priority Dailies

Minnesota’s projected budget surplus balloons to $3.7 billion, but fiscal pressure still looms
Just as Minnesota has experienced a warmer winter than usual, so has the state’s budget outlook warmed over the past few months. On Thursday, Minnesota Management and Budget...
Legislative leaders announce 2024 committee deadlines
Legislators and the public officially know the timeline for getting bills through the House committee process during the upcoming 2024 session. Here are the two deadlines fo...

Minnesota House on Twitter