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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 bonding bill
Rep. David Dill (DFL-Crane Lake) welcomed the news on Wednesday that the Conference Committee and the Governor reached an agreement on the state bonding bill.
"This is a step forward 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 Dill were included in the bonding bill. The Two Harbors Wastewater project, which had been given a highest priority, was funded at $1.2 million. "This is crucial for the quality of Lake Superior water, as well as addressing the need to keep sewer service in our northern communities affordable." said Dill. "Right now during major rain events raw sewage is dumped into the lake. With the planned improvements in place Minnesota and the City of Two Harbors will have taken a big step at protecting the water quality of the world’s largest fresh water body."
Lake Superior Safe Harbors received $2 million. The funds will be used to continue work on the McQuade Road project, reimburse Lake County for improvements the county made at the Knife River harbor, and do planning for the development of additional harbors along the North Shore.
The Gitchi Gami Trail, sponsored by Dill will receive $725,000 to continue it’s long-term development. There is also $1.8 million in State Park Building Development funds that are allocated for construction of a new visitor center in Grand Portage.
The proposed Lake Superior College Academic Building project will receive $11.243 million. "Even though this school isn't in my district, many, many people from across the North East look to LSC for fulfillment of their academic goals." said Dill. "Their enrollment has increased by over 50% in the last five years and the school is a critical component of the competitiveness of our workforce in NE Minnesota."
Vermillion Community College will share in the $6.668 million that is allocated in the MnSCU Science Initiative Funds, and in the $41.5 million that is designated for Higher Ed Asset Preservation for MnSCU campuses.
After the failure to reach agreement on a bonding bill last session, the House and the Senate worked quickly this session to pass their versions of the jobs bill, moving it to Conference Committee in late February where it appeared to be stalled. The news of its passage today is critical to ensure that full benefit can be made of the start of spring construction season. It is anticipated that as many as 10,000 new jobs could be created.
"At last, state government is doing its part to invest in our communities," said Dill. "The bipartisan efforts of everyone who worked to get the job done have paid off."
According to Dill, leaders in NE Minnesota should already be focusing in on needy projects with regional significance for the coming '06 legislative session. "Normally state bonding is done in the even years of legislative sessions and it should be expected that a new proposal will be developed," said Dill. "It takes time to develop good projects that can compete with other good projects across the state."
"I look forward to hearing from those people who have good ideas for future projects."
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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