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State Representative Kim Norton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-9249
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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NORTON VOTES FOR BONDING BILL TO BUILD MINNESOTA INFRASTRUCTURE
ST. PAUL House lawmakers today passed a capital investment conference report (HF 380) that will direct $925 million into critical infrastructure projects across the state. After over nine months of research and thoughtful negotiations, the bill is a compromise between the House and Senate that will produce over 10,000 new jobs for Minnesotans.
"We have a responsibility as good stewards of our state resources to pass the best bonding bill possible for the benefit of all Minnesotans," said State Representative Kim Norton (DFL Rochester). "We delivered on that responsibility today by passing a bill that meets statewide needs while maintaining a commitment to a 3 percent debt service limit."
A recent Creighton University Report shows Minnesota is 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 electricians, construction workers, and contractors in every corner of the state. But Norton sees the bill as more than a boon to the construction industry garnering more than short-term benefits.
"If you look closely at where these investments are being made, you'll clearly see the long-term benefits this bill has in store for Minnesota's future," said Norton. "We're putting this money where we'll get the most bang for our buck down the line in the essential training and education of Minnesota's future workforce."
In fact, over 60 percent of this year's bonding bill is directed to higher education improvements, research and development projects (including the biosciences), and economic development initiatives. ($200 thousand will be delivered for planning Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) alone for its workforce co-location.) These components of HF 380 are the main thrust of its long-term economic impact and essential in the effort to secure our state's competitive edge in a 21st Century economy.
Norton continued, "By building and maintaining the infrastructure of our higher education institutions, investing in economic development efforts, and making resources available for exploring the industries of the future, we are securing our state's long-term economic vitality and making the jobs of tomorrow available to hard-working Minnesotans."
This year's capital investment conference report also provides necessary resources for wastewater treatment facilities, environmental conservation efforts, public safety training centers, transportation infrastructure, and more. It also provides funding for important infrastructure projects that will directly benefit the Rochester community. That includes:
§ Planning for the Rochester Mayo Civic Center;
§ Research for the Southeast Express a passenger rail line from Rochester to the Twin Cities;
§ A Southeastern Minnesota Regional Public Safety Training Center;
§ Drudging and restoration of Lake Zumbro;
§ Funding for Chester Woods Trail;
§ Completion of the Rochester National Volleyball Center; and
§ Planning for the Rochester Community and Technical College/Workforce co-location.
"There's no question that this bill will benefit our city and strengthen communities across the state," said Norton. "But more than that, it benefits our economy and creates thousands of needed jobs for Minnesotans. That's an investment worth making."
The State Senate will take up the bill this evening before it is sent to Governor Pawlenty for final approval.
News Items
- Rep. Norton Selected as Vice Chair of House Health and Human Services Finance Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-14 00:00:00)
- Its Time for Legislature to Get Back to Basics, Balance the Budget Honestly - (Posted: 2012-12-11 00:00:00)
- Second Saturday Coffee Meeting Date Changed to December 9 - (Posted: 2012-12-03 00:00:00)
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