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State Representative Thomas Huntley
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-2228
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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HOUSE BONDING BILL INVESTS MORE THAN $35 MILLION IN DULUTH INFRASTRUCTURE
ST. PAUL, MN – As the 2010 Legislative Session got underway today in St. Paul, state lawmakers wasted no time on efforts to create jobs and revamp the state’s infrastructure. This morning the Minnesota House rolled out a comprehensive $1 billion bonding bill (HF2700) that invests more than $35 million in critical Duluth infrastructure projects that will put Duluthians back on the job and give a needed boost to the local economy.
“House Democrats and Republicans have been working together all summer and fall to make certain this jobs bill was ready to go on day one," said state Rep. Roger Reinert (DFL – Duluth). “Its impact on Duluth’s local economy and infrastructure needs will be significant. By passing this bill early in the session we can get many of these projects up and running by spring, putting an estimated 10,000 Minnesotans back to work across our state.”
Well under Minnesota Management and budget’s new debt service guidelines, the bill invests strategically in regional economies like Duluth’s. After touring the state searching for shovel-ready, worthy project proposals, the House Capital Investment Committee identified several major area projects included in this year’s comprehensive bonding package. Those projects include:
• $8 million to the City of Duluth and $2.7 million to the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSD) to address local sanitary sewer overflow problems
• $11.7 million for Phase II of the Duluth Airport reconstruction project – funding that will attract millions in additional federal matching dollars
• $6.7 million for the University of Minnesota Duluth American Indian Learning Research Center
• $12.1 million for the Health Science Center at Lake Superior College
• $500 thousand for asset preservation and exhibit renewal at the Duluth Zoo – improvements that will help the Zoo acquire accreditation
• Funding to resurface and widen 15 miles along the Munger Trail between Duluth and Thomson
• Additionally, the Northern Lights Express will receive $3 million from last year’s bonding bill to attract federal matching funds and keep the project moving forward
“According to State Economist Tom Stinson a jobs-focused bill like this one will give Minnesota’s economy the boost it needs; and it will get thousands of people working again,” said state Rep. Tom Huntley (DFL – Duluth). “Right now bids are coming in a full 1/3 lower than originally projected. When prices are low, and the benefits are so high, the time to make these investments is now.”
This year’s capital investment legislation is a signature piece of an overall jobs agenda being ushered quickly through the Minnesota House. Lawmakers spent months leading into session preparing legislation to build a more favorable business and job climate throughout the state. That aggressive timeline is being met by the Senate to produce quick results for Minnesotans.
“The conditions of this economy require that we work together quickly and responsibly to address the many pressing economic challenges facing Minnesotans,” Reinert said. “With more than 3,100 Duluthians out of work, we can’t waste any time finding agreement on constructive measures that will put people back on the job.”
Reps. Huntley and Reinert are pleased that Duluth fared well in this year’s bonding bill.
“In the weeks ahead, Roger and I will be working hard to make sure Duluth’s interests are clearly articulated and addressed as debate moves forward on this important bill,” said Huntley. “We will be doing all we can to see that this bill, and other crucial jobs bills considered this session, have the greatest possible impact on Duluth’s economy.”
HF2700 will be heard in the House Capital Investment Committee next Tuesday, February 9 and will be sent to the House floor for a full vote within the next two weeks.
News Items
- Rep. Huntley on Upholding of the Affordable Care Act by the Supreme Court - (Posted: 2012-06-28 00:00:00)
- Two Year Anniversary: Affordable Care Act Puts Minnesotans First - (Posted: 2012-03-23 00:00:00)
- Huntley, Murphy, and Lourey Join Nearly 500 Legislators Across U.S. to Defend Constitutionality of Affordable Care Act - (Posted: 2012-01-12 00:00:00)
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