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State Representative Tom Anzelc
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4936
For more information contact: Michael Howard 651-296-8873
Press/News Releases
Fast-Paced Session Begins with Focus on Jobs
ST. PAUL – The 2008 legislative session got off to a quick start today with a focus on stimulating the Minnesota economy and creating new jobs. Legislative leaders today unveiled the Safe Roads and Bridges Improvement Act, the 2008 omnibus transportation funding legislation. Anzelc said the balanced bill will address the safety concern facing the state's roads and bridges, create thousands of jobs in the process.
"Two things our state needs desperately right now are safer roads, and more jobs," said Anzelc. "Our balanced transportation package addresses the huge public safety concern facing our roads and bridges and puts thousands of Minnesotans to work right away. That's why this bill is being introduced on the first day of session."
The bill will create an average of 33,000 jobs a year for the next five years and provide an $8.4 billion investment in the safety and efficiency of Minnesota’s transportation system. The bill also fixes the most critical bridges in the state's trunk highways system within two years. The Highway 72 Bridge over the Rainy River in Baudette would be addressed with $146 million investment in 2008.
Anzelc said the legislature will also act quickly to pass a job-centered bonding bill this session. In total, the bonding bill is estimated to create 10,000 new jobs in Minnesota.
"Our bonding bill this year will mean thousands of new jobs on the Iron Range," said Anzelc. "By focusing on projects that are ready to go, we can stimulate our economy immediately."
Anzelc said he will work to ensure that several projects, including the MN Steel project and the Canisteo Mine Pit Overflow project are included in the final bonding bill.
Rising unemployment and job losses have affected Minnesota significantly last year. In the last half of 2007, the state lost 23,000 jobs and fell behind the national unemployment average for the first time in 30 years. That is why Anzelc said it is important to focus on both short and long-term strategies to stimulate our economy.
"Minnesota has been a national economic leader for decades, but we are losing our competitive edge," said Anzelc. "The first step is creating more jobs, the second step is smart investment in education so we can sustain our progress."
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News Items
- STATE REPRESENTATIVE TOM ANZELC APPOINTED VICE-CHAIR OF HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE - (Posted: Dec 21 2012 12:00AM)
- Rep. Tom Anzelc participates in Governor Dayton’s “Working for Minnesota Jobs” discussion with Essar Steel and Magnetation - (Posted: 2012-10-03 00:00:00)
- REP. ANZELC: DISASTER RELIEF PACKAGE PROVIDES DESPERATELY NEEDED STATE AID - (Posted: 2012-08-24 00:00:00)
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