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State Representative David Dill
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-2190
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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Rep. David Dill applauds the passing of the House bonding bill
Rep. David Dill (DFL-Crane Lake) is commending the House members for their bipartisan support in passing the bonding bill on Tuesday.
"This is a very positive step for our state," said Dill. "The failure to pass a bonding bill last year put a lot of projects on hold and many of them can't wait much longer. Voters across the state sent a clear message to the legislature during the last election cycle: Put aside the partisanship, chart a clear future for the state's infrastructure and educational facilities and do it while providing opportunity for jobs and economic development and care for the environment. The passage of this bill is the first clear step in fulfilling the wishes of the voters of this state."
Several projects that were introduced by Rep. Dill were included in the bonding bill.
"The Two Harbors Wastewater project had been given a highest priority and received $1.5 million," said Dill. "This is crucial for the quality of Lake Superior water."
"Right now every time there is a major rain event raw sewage is dumped into the lake," said Dill.
"We were also pleased to receive $1.8 million for Lake Superior Safe Harbors and another $115,000 in funding for the North Shore Trail," said Rep. Dill. "Even though the amount for the North Shore Trail project is a small amount, the fact that it was included indicates that trails of this nature are bondable. This is a good move forward."
Rep. Dill is also pleased about the $8.3 million funding that is in the bill for the Lake Superior College Academic Building. "Even though this school isn't in my district, many, many people from this district go there," said Dill. "Their enrollment has increased by over 50% in the last five years and the school is a real critical component of the competitiveness in NE Minnesota."
There were some omissions from the bill that were disappointing, according to Dill. The funding for Lake County Highway 11 final construction was omitted in the House bill. There was also no funding designated by the House for the Joint Ely Maintenance Center, the Tower Two Rivers Project or the Gitchi Gami, although the Senate bill included $725 for the project.
"There is always the chance that some funding could be adding in Conference Committee," said Dill. "But overall, I am pleased.
In addition to the benefit of these projects getting addressed, it is estimated that this bonding bill will create about 10,000 jobs in the state. "Sadly, Minnesota has fallen behind in the creation of new jobs, " said Dill. "This will be a great jump start for our state economy."
The bill now passes to the Conference Committee, were differences between the House bill and the Senate bill will be worked out. A final vote in each body sends the bill to the Governor.
News Items
- Budget Forecast: Good news for this year, bad for the coming two Fiscal crisis in Washington creates uncertainty and concerns - (Posted: Dec 7 2012 12:00AM)
- MOLPUS LANDS STATUS QUO FOR NOW - (Posted: 2012-10-18 00:00:00)
- Rep. David Dill encourages hunters and trappers to apply for wolf license - (Posted: 2012-08-17 00:00:00)
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