Accessibility menu
State Representative Kim Norton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-9249
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Press/News Releases
ROCHESTER FARES WELL IN 2009 CAPITAL INVESTMENT BILL
ST. PAUL, MN - The Minnesota Legislature approved a capital investment conference report (HF855) today that would let $299 million in state bonds to repair and rebuild critical infrastructure around the state. It is designed to create thousands of Minnesota jobs as quickly as possible, shore up local bridges and other infrastructure, and compliment the recently enacted federal recovery package. The bill is expected to leverage hundreds of millions in additional federal dollars to help speed Minnesota’s economic recovery.
“The state’s leading economists agree making sound, strategic investments in Minnesota infrastructure is one of the best things we can do for Minnesota’s economy right now," said State Rep. Kim Norton (DFL - Rochester). “The bill we passed today does exactly that. By making investments in our infrastructure, we are putting people to work and making investments in the lives of Minnesotans. That’s an investment worth making.”
After debate in conference committee over the last several weeks, two important Rochester projects were included in the bill: $1.01 million for asset preservation efforts at Rochester Community and Technical College and $5 million to extend waste-to-energy steam pipes to RCTC.
“These important projects will do more than enhance classrooms and improve energy efficiency in our community,” Rep. Norton said. “They’ll bring jobs to our community, and put people to work.”
In addition to these specific investments in Rochester infrastructure, HF855 directs needed investments to asset preservation at colleges and universities ($51.5 million), local bridges ($10 million), and passenger and freight rail projects ($26 million) statewide. The bill also provides relief to flood-affected communities in the Red River Valley ($53.8 million), tornado-affected communities in the Hugo area ($350,000), and resources to help the St. Charles School District rebuild after a devastating fire ($242,000).
The House and Senate have approved HF855. The bill now awaits Governor Pawlenty’s signature.
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)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.