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State Representative Alice Hausman
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-3824
For more information contact: Jessica Nyman 651-296-8877
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Bonding Essential for Economic Prosperity
This session, legislators on both sides of the aisle vowed to focus their attention on putting back to work the thousands of Minnesotans who are unemployed and encourage economic development locally and statewide. However, Republicans delivered another political roadblock by proposing to eliminate public works project that have already been approved—a move which will impact economies across the state.
Last week Rep. Larry Howes (GOP-Walker), Chair of the Capital Investment Committee, heard H.F. 1104, a bill that would cancel already approved bonding dollars for projects including the inter-city passenger rail, the Minnesota Historical Society, and supportive housing for the Hastings Veterans Home. Now in another blow to creating jobs and boosting local economies statewide, the Capital Investment committee will hear testimony on H.F. 1232, extending the cancelation of dollars to more bonding projects, including the Central Corridor Lightrail, the Como Zoo, and Metro Regional Parks and Trails.
Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL-St. Paul), DFL Lead for the Capital Investment Committee, regrets the proposed cancellation of already approved programs. “Already, we have heard compelling testimony from communities who depend on bonding projects to build their local economies. Eliminating these projects—projects communities have already been preparing for—will be devastating."
One such testimony came from Jonathan Smith, city administrator for the city of Frazee, who’s $1.5 million bonding project for the extension of the Heartland Trail is in jeopardy of being cancelled. Explained Smith, “Importance of the trail for the city of Detroit Lakes and the city of Frazee is very great. [Extension of the Heartland Trail] has a very large economic impact.”
State economists and business experts have agreed that bonding projects are an excellent way to jump start the economy and put folks back to work. Even Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has proposed a $1.1 billion bonding bill to be used towards necessary infrastructure for higher education facilities, arts programs, and state departments, because he recognizes it is an essential component in creating jobs.
Says Hausman, “To the Minnesotans who need these jobs and the communities that stand to benefit from bonding projects, this is not political, this is personal.”
News Items
- CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILL INTRODUCED - (Posted: Apr 9 2013 8:57AM)
- Hausman receives 2012 Sierra Club Legislative Leadership Award - (Posted: 2012-10-19 00:00:00)
- NEWS STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF BONDING BILL - (Posted: 2012-05-07 00:00:00)
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