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State Representative Tim Mahoney
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4277
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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HOUSE PASSES JOBS BILL
ST. PAUL – State Representative Tim Mahoney (DFL – St. Paul) voted for a bill (HF 380) today in the Minnesota House of Representatives that will put people to work and make critical investments in creating the good-paying jobs of tomorrow.
"Our economy is in a tight spot right now," said Rep. Mahoney. "Minnesotans need these jobs. The solid investments provided in this important bill are essential to providing for our state's core infrastructure needs."
A recent Creighton University Report shows Minnesota falling behind other Midwest states and the rest of the country in economic growth. At a time when Minnesota's economy is slumping, and unemployment is on the rise, new jobs created in the passing of this year's bonding bill will be welcomed by out of work Minnesotans in every corner of the state. But Mahoney sees the bill as more than a boon to the construction industry, garnering more than short-term benefits.
"The bulk of this bill is an investment in training Minnesota's workforce for the jobs of tomorrow," said Mahoney. "By making these critical investments now, we can sharpen our competitive edge in a rapidly changing 21st Century economy."
In fact, over 60 percent of this year's bonding bill is directed to higher education improvements, research and development projects (including the biosciences), and economic development initiatives. These components are the main thrust of its long-term economic impact and essential in the effort to secure our state's competitive edge in a 21st Century economy.
The bill will have a significant local impact on community higher education institutions. It provides $19 million for new classrooms, renovation, and a law enforcement training facility at Metro State University, and over $13 million for a transportation and applied technology lab at St. Paul College.
"These are projects that will directly benefit students in our community who are pursuing an education or a new trade," said Mahoney. "By investing in the workforce of tomorrow, we not only ensure Minnesotans enter the workforce with the tools they need to succeed in their careers, but we strengthen our economy for the long term."
This year's bonding bill also provides necessary resources for wastewater treatment facilities, environmental conservation efforts, public safety training centers, transportation infrastructure, and more.
Our community will also benefit from $5 million in additional funding for the Asian-Pacific Cultural Center, which will serve people from 19 different countries – native born and immigrant.
The bonding bill is a compromise between the House and Senate after over nine months of research and negotiations on over $4 billion of project proposals from across Minnesota. Projects were given priority based on how many jobs they would provide, how quickly work could get underway, and how important these projects were for the state's overall economic vitality.
The State Senate passed the bill as well. It is awaiting final approval from Governor Pawlenty. More information about HF 380 can be found online at www.house.mn.
News Items
- DFL Legislators Introduce the “Contraceptive Equity Act” - (Posted: 2012-03-07 00:00:00)
- DFL Jobs Initiatives to be Heard in House Jobs and Economic Development Committee - (Posted: 2012-02-29 00:00:00)
- REP. MAHONEY, DFL LEGISLATORS BUILD ON DFL JOBS PLAN WITH NEW INITIATIVES - (Posted: 2012-02-01 00:00:00)
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