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State Representative Diane Loeffler
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4219
For more information contact: Ben Schweigert 651-296-5809
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Representative Loeffler Pleased by Progress in Bonding Bill
Representative Diane Loeffler is pleased that several projects of interest to Northeast Minneapolis residents were included in the House bonding bill recommended for action next week. These included funds for the environmental improvements, completion of the Grand Rounds bikeway, the Minnesota Planetarium at the new downtown library, Northstar Commuter Rail, and improvements at the U of M. In addition, urban forest projects and veterans memorial gardens and parks would be eligible for the first time for Local Initiative Grant Funds.
“I am glad to see the House moving forward with these projects," Rep. Loeffler said. “All of them are good investments and will be great assets for our community and the state. I want to thank Rep. Phyllis Kahn and the other members of the capital bonding committee for ensuring that funding was made available for all of them.”
Linking Northeast and Southeast to the Minneapolis Grand Rounds bikeway will allow for safer and fun biking options and make it easier to connect by bike to the rest of the city. The Minnesota Planetarium is a substantive way for the state legislature to support the new Minneapolis Central Library and will introduce our school children to a broader range of learning opportunities than the old one could provide. A major commitment to investing in environmental projects should result in cleaner water, better habitat for wildlife and needed parks improvements. The Northstar Commuter Rail line will provide a new transportation option and ease traffic congestion and air pollution. Diane is particularly pleased that she helped push for an increased state role in helping combat the Dutch Elm disease that is taking so many large trees from our neighborhoods.
Funding the new bioscience corridor of the U of M will result in an ability to attract and retain good jobs and remain a leader in the newest medical science developments. “Northeast is the birthplace of Medtronic and we have shown that helping translate the research work of the University into useable products can save lives,” said Loeffler who now serves on the Bioscience, Technology and Medical Products Division of the Commerce Committee.
Almost all of these projects have been included in the Senate bonding bill with greater amounts of funding dedicated to them. “As this process moves forward, I will do everything possible to ensure that we fully fund these important projects,” Rep. Loeffler said. “The proposed House bill is a step in the right direction, but there is still more to do.”
Rep. Loeffler wants to see the bonding bill completed quickly. “We need to get this bill passed before it gets bogged down in partisan wrangling,” she said. “The sooner these projects get under way, the sooner they can help create jobs and the sooner our investments can pay off.” These projects represent final consideration of the projects considered last year and Diane looks forward to initiating additional projects for bonding consideration next year.
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