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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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HANSEN VOTES FOR $200 MILLION HOUSE BONDING BILL
ST. PAUL, MN - The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bonding bill (HF855) Monday, investing $200 million to repair and rebuild the state’s critical infrastructure. The legislation passed by a vote of 93 to 40. It is a targeted public works effort to create jobs quickly, improve the state’s most critical infrastructure assets, and leverage additional federal dollars to aid Minnesota’s economic recovery efforts.
“The global recession has put hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans out of work," said State Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL - South St. Paul) who voted for the bill. “The bill we passed this week is a critical effort toward economic recovery that will put thousands of Minnesotans back to work immediately. That’s an investment in Minnesota’s future worth making.”
The economic crisis has had a visible and troubling impact on Minnesota’s economy. More than 238,000 Minnesotans are out of work with unemployment at 8.1% statewide. According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) figures released last month, unemployment in Dakota County is currently 7.7% in Dakota County (17,377 unemployed). State Economist Tom Stinson told lawmakers early in the session that passing a targeted, strategic bonding bill would be an important tool in addressing unemployment and boosting Minnesota’s ongoing economic recovery effort.
“Minnesota’s leading economic experts have strongly encouraged lawmakers to take these focused, strategic steps in the effort to speed up economic recovery in our state,” Rep. Hansen said. “Doing so will leverage millions more in federal funding to aid Minnesota’s efforts to put our economy back on track and our people back to work.”
Specifically, the bill dedicates new funding to the following areas:
• $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
• $12.7 million for flood mitigation
• $20 million to expand the state’s sex offender facility at Moose Lake
• $2.1 million for veteran’s homes asset preservation
Rep. Hansen authored a provision included in the House bonding bill that would extend the HEAPR public infrastructure investment model to Natural Resources Asset Preservation and Replacement (NRAPR). This is one effort of many that will help put our economy back on track.
“HEAPR is a system that funnels capital investment resources to the highest priority, shovel-ready maintenance projects. It’s a model that has kept facilities well-maintained at our state colleges and universities over many decades,” said Hansen. “Using that model to prioritize projects for environmental infrastructure as well is a responsible approach to solving two problems at once, exercising just the kind of efficiency we need right now in state government
The bill now heads to conference committee to be reconciled with the bonding bill passed by the Senate earlier in the session. More information about HF855 can be found online at www.house.mn. Rep. Hansen can be reached directly for comment by phone at (651) 296-6828 or by email at rep.rick.hansen@house.mn.
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