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State Representative Gene Pelowski Jr.
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-8637
For more information contact: Michael Howard 651-296-8873
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House Passes Job-Focused Bonding Bill
ST. PAUL – The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a Capital Investment bill today to fund infrastructure and public works projects by a vote of 93 to 40. The $200 million bonding bill is focused on projects that can begin quickly in order to maximize the creation of new jobs, including $675,000 for asset preservation at Winona State University. Rep. Gene Pelowski (DFL – Winona) said the bill is targeted so that projects can begin in a matter of weeks.
“We focused this bonding bill almost exclusively on repair and replacement because those are the projects that we can move forward with right away," said Pelowski. “By emphasizing projects that aren’t just shovel ready but paint ready, we can create new jobs more quickly at a time when it’s needed most.”
The primary task of the Legislature in the first year of a biennium is to craft the state’s two-year state budget, but traditionally the Legislature has passed a supplemental bonding bill. In 2007, the Governor vetoed a supplemental bonding bill, which created a backlog of public works projects. This bill was limited to basic projects like capital asset preservation for state colleges and universities in an effort to work cooperatively with the Governor. Rep. Pelowski said given the record budget deficit and state of the economy, it was important to pass a responsible bonding bill that the Governor would sign into law.
“We have two major items on our agenda this legislative session – balance the budget and position Minnesota for economic recovery. This bonding bill responsibly considers both,” said Pelowski. “The Governor has shown signs that he supports this bonding bill and I hope we can get it signed into law soon. This way we can create new Minnesota jobs as we continue to work towards a budget solution.”
While the package doesn’t include projects advanced by municipalities that usually make up a portion of a public works bill, it does contain many that leverage federal matching dollars to protect health and safety, improve transportation and other infrastructure, and preserve state assets by repairing or renovating existing structures. As part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities asset preservation funding, Winona State University will receive $675,000 for various repairs and replacements at Wabasha, Phelps, Somsen and Gildemeister Halls. In addition, Winona will receive a portion of the $3 million allocated to the Minnesota Port Authority. Specific projects have not been set for those resources, but the construction of a new commercial dock wall will be higher on the higher on the Port Authority priority list because it is shovel ready for 2009.
Highlights of the House proposal include:
? $ 12.7 million for flood mitigation
? $39 million for transportation and transit infrastructure
? $ 11 million for local bridge replacement and rehabilitation
? $ 20 million the University of Minnesota asset preservation
? $ 30 million for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities asset preservation
? $ 20 million to improve the state’s sex offender facility at Moose Lake
? $ 2.1 million for veteran’s homes asset preservation
The bill now heads to a conference committee to work out differences with the bonding bill passed by the Senate earlier this year.
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News Items
- REP. GENE PELOWSKI: MINNESOTA STATUTE 12A IMPROVES STATE DISASTER RECOVERY PROCESS AND DISASTER RELIEF PACKAGE - (Posted: 2012-08-24 00:00:00)
- REP. GENE PELOWSKI AND SEN. JEREMY MILLER SUPPORT TWO-BRIDGE PROPOSAL - (Posted: 2012-08-23 00:00:00)
- REP. GENE PELOWSKI: STATE DISASTER RECOVERY PACKAGE SHOULD FOLLOW PROCESS OUTLINED IN 12A AND INCLUDE PUBLIC INPUT - (Posted: 2012-08-16 00:00:00)
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