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State Representative Jeanne Poppe
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4193
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
NEWS COLUMN
HOUSE PASSES CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILL, CREATING JOBS AND IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE
When the state job numbers were released last week, we learned that Minnesota now has the highest rate of unemployment since 1983. By the time the recession ends, it is projected we will have lost 120,000 jobs in our state – enough to fill the Metrodome two times with out-of-work Minnesotans. It is clear our top priority throughout the 2009 legislative session must be to retain and create important jobs in our state.
On Monday, the Minnesota House strengthened our commitment to job creation by passing a capital investment bill (aka bonding) to fund public works and infrastructure projects around the state. The $200 million bill is targeted to projects that are ready to begin immediately, creating thousands of construction jobs as quickly as possible. The bill is also designed to complement the recently passed federal recovery package, maximizing every dollar available.
Highlights of the House proposal include:
? $ 12.7 million for flood mitigation
? $ 39 million for transportation and transit infrastructure
? $ 11 million for local bridge replacement and rehabilitation
? $ 20 million the University of Minnesota asset preservation
? $ 30 million for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities asset preservation (MnSCU)
? $ 20 million to improve the state’s sex offender facility at Moose Lake
? $ 2.1 million for veteran’s homes asset preservation
One area project was included in the MnSCU funding; $1 million was appropriated to Riverland Community College to replace a roof. The $12.7 million for flood mitigation will be available to numerous communities, including Austin.
I did not support an amendment on the floor proposing to take money from MnSCU projects to provide more funding for flood mitigation. I have always been a strong advocate for flood mitigation funding, and have worked to secure millions of dollars for our district since I was first elected. The Senate bonding bill has more money included for flood hazard mitigation, so the final negotiated dollars spent may be higher. I’m hopeful the flood mitigation dollars are increased without taking away from the MnSCU infrastructure projects.
Bonding projects are universally accepted as one of the best ways for government to stimulate the economy and create jobs. I’m optimistic this bill will move through conference committee quickly and be signed into law by the Governor.
I would like to invite anyone interested in visiting the State Capitol to sign up for ‘Spam Day’ at the Capitol on April 21. You can sign up through the Mower County Senior Travel office; the cost is $10 and is open to the public on a first come first served basis.
When we return from the Easter/Passover break, we will need to move quickly to finish our work by the end of session on May 18th. If you have any questions about any state or local issue, please continue to contact me at 1-888-682-3180 or 1-651-296-4193, by mail at 487 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155 or via e-mail at rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn.
News Items
- POPPE SELECTED AS AGRICULTURE POLICY COMMITTEE CHAIR - (Posted: 2012-11-16 00:00:00)
- Rep. Jeanne Poppe Encourages High School Juniors to Apply for Minnesota House of Representatives Page Program - Application Deadline is November 19th - (Posted: 2012-11-12 00:00:00)
- HORMEL INSTITUTE EXPANSION SIGNED INTO LAW - 2012 legislative session adjourns sine die - (Posted: 2012-05-11 00:00:00)
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