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State Representative Rick Hansen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-6828
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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HOUSE PASSES JOBS BILL
ST. PAUL – The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a jobs bill (HF 380) Wednesday – an important piece of legislation that invests $925 million in the state's critical infrastructure and creates over 10,000 new jobs. The bill passed on a bipartisan vote of 90 to 42.
"This bill makes a responsible investment in some of our state's most important infrastructure, and puts Minnesotans to work in every corner of the state," said Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL – South St. Paul) who serves as the only legislator from Dakota County on the House Capital Investment Committee. "It takes care of Minnesota's basic infrastructure needs and lays a solid foundation for the state's long-term economic strength well into the future."
A recent Creighton University Report shows Minnesota falling behind other Midwest states and the rest of the country in economic growth. At a time when Minnesota's economy is slumping, and unemployment is on the rise, new jobs created in the passing of this year's bonding bill will be welcomed by out of work Minnesotans in every corner of the state. But Hansen sees the bill as more than a boon to the construction industry, but rather a forward-thinking initiative that will benefit Minnesota's economy well into the future.
"Building a strong economy relies on a well-trained, modern workforce that can adapt to a rapidly changing economy," said Hansen. "This bill makes the kind of investments our state needs to effectively train Minnesota's workforce for the jobs of tomorrow. In doing so, our state can sharpen its competitive edge, and provide a stable economy for all Minnesotans in the years to come."
Higher education institutions in the Dakota County and St. Paul areas will receive a significant amount of additional funding from this year's public works bill including:
§ $200 thousand for transportation and emerging technology lab design at Dakota County Technical College;
§ $13.2 million for classroom additions and renovation at Inver Hills Community College; and
§ $13.5 million for a transportation and applied technology lab at St. Paul Community College.
The jobs bill, also known as the capital investment or bonding bill, will invest $925 million in higher education infrastructure, clean water projects, protection against invasive species, flood mitigation, research and development projects, wastewater treatment facilities, public safety efforts, environmental conservation efforts, and more. The bill also delivers several important projects for the South St. Paul, Mendota, and Lilydale communities including:
§ $500 thousand for planning of the Robert Street Corridor – a rail corridor connecting Dakota County and St. Paul; and
§ $1.4 million for the Dakota County North Urban Regional Trail.
HF 380 is the result of over 9 months of thorough research and negotiations between the House and Senate. Over $4 billion of project proposals submitted from across the state were scaled down to the bill's current $925 million figure. Projects were given priority based on how many jobs they would provide, how quickly work could get underway, and how important these projects were for the state's overall economic vitality.
The State Senate has passed the bill as well. It awaits the approval of Governor Pawlenty. More information about HF 380 can be found online at www.house.mn.
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