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State Representative John Lesch
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4224
For more information contact: Nick Halter 651-297-1934
NEWS COLUMN
Getting Minnesotans Back to Work
In another sign of the rapid pace we’ve embarked upon this session, our Governor has just signed a bonding bill into law. While not perfect the bill will accomplish our main goal: job creation. Specifically, the Capital Investment Bill will create around 14,000 new jobs in our state. Minnesota State Economist Tom Stinson has explained that bonding bills are one of the state’s most important tools for fighting the recession.
Minnesota can take advantage of low-interest rates to fund infrastructure projects in a way that the private sector just can’t do. The best thing about those 14,000 jobs? Contrary to what you might hear they don’t all come from the government. They are a dynamic combination of public and private sector jobs that will employ everyone from carpenters to professors, lawyers to zoo-keepers.
The projects they work on will create a wave of employment. Some people like to say that these are short-term jobs that delay the inevitable. I find this hard to believe. How is the construction of a University building that will house the students of tomorrow a short-term project? By boosting our infrastructure we ensure that our quality of life is maintained.
I’m also happy to see that St. Paul had a number of good projects included in the $686 million bill. This is a testament to the hard work that State Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL- St. Paul). As Chair of the Capital Investment Finance Division she spent many long hours crafting and negotiating this bill.
Here are some of the highlights for St. Paul:
-Ordway Center for Performing Arts- $16 million for new hall
-Como Zoo- $11 million for new gorilla exhibit
-Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare- $10 million for additions
-Metro State University- $5.9 million for new classroom building
These projects are examples of what bonding does best. We are making our education and healthcare sectors stronger while providing a rich variety of premier cultural institutions. This combination will keep people coming to our fair city for years to come.
News Items
- Rep. Lesch, Senator John Marty and Revenue Commissioner Frans to talk tax reform with area residents at St. Paul town hall meeting - (Posted: 2012-12-12 00:00:00)
- Rep. Lesch Named Chair of the House Civil Law Committee - (Posted: 2012-11-16 00:00:00)
- EARTH DAY A CHANCE FOR REFLECTION, ACTION - (Posted: 2012-04-17 00:00:00)
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