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State Representative Tom Anzelc
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4936
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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SOLBERG, SAXHAUG, AND ANZELC RESPOND TO GOVERNOR’S ACTION ON BONDING BILL
ST. PAUL, MN – Minnesota lawmakers worked quickly this session to pass a jobs-focused bonding bill (HF2700) early in the legislative session. The bill passed with bipartisan support in the House and Senate, and contained crucial funding for infrastructure and economic development projects statewide – projects capable of creating more than 20,000 sorely-needed jobs during this down economy.
Governor Tim Pawlenty took his line-item veto pen to the bill over the weekend. The Governor’s vetoes targeted higher education institutions, slashing $144 million in classroom improvement and renovation efforts. His vetoes also cut $25 million in RIM conservation funding intended to protect and improve wildlife habitat. In all, the Governor single-handedly cut $319 million in job-creating infrastructure projects – eliminating an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 jobs.
“Governor Pawlenty’s misguided priorities will once again hurt Minnesota students and eliminate jobs when we need them most," said state Rep. Loren Solberg (DFL – Grand Rapids), chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. “I’m just glad the Governor could take a few hours from the campaign trail to sign part of this jobs bill into law.”
Local projects funded by this year’s bonding bill include:
• $900,000 for a grant to the City of Grand Rapids to make at-grade railroad crossing improvements at 19th Avenue West and 3rd Avenue East
• $500,000 for Aitkin County to acquire land for and construct segments of the North Woods regional ATV trail
• $285,000 for a joint Koochiching and St. Louis County project to pre-design a wastewater treatment facility at Voyageurs National Park, Kabetogama and other border waters
• Funding for a deteriorating wastewater treatment facility in Williams
“These projects will get hundreds of people in our area working again, making needed infrastructure improvements that will have a lasting, positive impact on our local and regional economies,” said state Sen. Tom Saxhaug (DFL – Grand Rapids).
“More importantly, this bill will cut the red tape that has prevented the creation of new jobs at the Essar steel mill – good-paying jobs that will provide for working Minnesota families,” said state Rep. Tom Anzelc (DFL – Balsam Township). “It’s the kind of common sense, job-creating legislation our state needs right now.”
Specifically, policy changes in the bill: 1) Modify language to assure state grant funds can be used to move forward the Essar steel mill project in Nashwauk; and 2) modify language to allow Koochiching County to move forward with a project to design a plasma torch gasification facility that coverts solid waste into energy.
In addition to the bonding bill, Solberg, Anzelc, and Saxhaug are continuing work this session on efforts to create private sector jobs statewide through small business growth, workforce development, and smart tax incentives.
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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