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State Representative Tony Cornish
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4240
For more information contact: Jason Wenisch 651-296-2317
NEWS RELEASE
REP. CORNISH OPPOSES HOUSE BONDING BILL
ST. PAUL – The Minnesota House of Representatives has approved a $200 million bonding proposal that borrows money to fund construction projects across the state. State Representative Tony Cornish (R-Good Thunder) voted against the plan because he feels it contains misplaced priorities.
“The major problem with this bill is that there is not enough funding for flood mitigation in the Red River Valley,” Cornish said. “Here is a project that is truly in desperate need of state funding. The Red River is expected to crest a higher level than it did previously. And we’re basically saying with this bill that we’re either not ready to make a commitment, we’ll address it in another bill, or we’re waiting for Congress to act.”
The bonding bill contains less than $13 million for flood mitigation in the Red River Valley, far less than what the area needs to combat this epic flood.
In addition, only $58 million out of the $200 million proposal would be spent in Greater Minnesota. This includes nearly $6 million for schools in Red Lake, which is a tribal facility located in a nation not governed by Minnesota laws.
“We’ve spent nearly $60 million for the Red Lake schools in the past, and now the House majority wants to send another $6 million there,” Cornish said. “I question why we continue to send funds to a sovereign nation while we can’t come up with one cent for Minnesota schools that are falling down, such as United South Central.”
A House/Senate conference committee will now meet to create a compromise bonding plan that can be approved by both bodies. Once that occurs, it will be sent to Governor Pawlenty for his signature.
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