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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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HOUSE PASSES JOBS-FOCUSED BONDING BILL
ST. PAUL, MN - The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a capital investment bill (HF855) yesterday to let $200 million in state bonds dedicated to the repair and reconstruction of critical state infrastructure across Minnesota. The legislation passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 93 to 40. The bill is designed to create Minnesota jobs as quickly as possible, shore up local bridges and other infrastructure, and complement the recently enacted federal recovery package.
“This is a targeted, carefully crafted bonding bill that will put thousands of Minnesotans to work quickly," said Rep. Kim Norton (DFL - Rochester). “The House targeted shovel-ready and paint-ready projects that will leverage additional federal recovery funds. By strategically focusing our efforts to create the maximum number of jobs, this bonding bill will be a critically important component of Minnesota’s economic recovery.”
Minnesota’s economy is facing the longest and deepest economic recession since World War II. More than 238,000 Minnesotans are out of work, including nearly 4,000 in the City of Rochester. State Economist Tom Stinson told lawmakers early in the session one important tool at their disposal in Minnesota’s effort toward economic recovery was the passage of a targeted bonding bill.
Right now Rochester’s economy is stronger than the rest of the state. The city’s unemployment rate stands at 6.9% while the statewide average topped 8.1% last month. Still, Norton says the enduring strength of Rochester’s economy relies on the strength of the state as a whole.
“I have committed every effort to ensuring Rochester remains strong through this recession, and passing this bonding bill is an absolutely critical part of that effort,” said Norton. “With limited resources, I am confident we have crafted an effective and thoughtful public works proposal that will help prepare Minnesota for a speedier economic recovery.”
Specifically, the bill dedicates new funding to the following areas:
• $12.7 million for flood mitigation
• $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
• $20 million to improve the state’s sex offender facility at Moose Lake
• $2.1 million for veteran’s homes asset preservation
Some of those investments will be made in Rochester and the surrounding area, including:
• $675 thousand for improvements at Rochester Community and Technical College
No local projects were included in the House bonding bill. However, two projects for the Rochester Volleyball Center and a waste-to-energy steam pipes proposal were included in the Senate capital investment bill.
“These projects are important for our community and local economy. I’ll be working hard with members of the Rochester delegation in the House and Senate to ensure these projects are funded in the final conference report,” Rep. Norton said. 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. Norton can be reached for comment directly by phone at (651) 296-9249 or by email at rep.kim.norton@house.mn.
News Items
- Rep. Norton Selected as Vice Chair of House Health and Human Services Finance Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-14 00:00:00)
- It’s 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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