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State Representative Bob Dettmer
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4124
For more information contact: House GOP Communications 651-296-5520
NEWS COLUMN
The Bonding Bill
By Bob Dettmer
State Representative
District 52A
On March 11, I voted against another billion-dollar plan, but it passed the House again. The price tag for the state is closer to $1.5 billion when factoring in the debt service over the life of the bonds. This bill is essentially the same bill that passed in February but was held up by legislative leadership after Gov. Pawlenty threatened his veto pen. A few projects were shifted around and some things the Governor specifically wanted were added in hopes he would be willing to sign.
The bonding bill is used to borrow money to finance projects around the state. Many of these projects are necessary and have state-wide significance, but this bill allocates hundreds of millions of dollars to projects that smell more like pork than vital needs. In our current economic situation we must focus on the necessities like maintaining roads and bridges, funding higher education and keeping our public safe. This bill borrows millions for sculpture gardens, volleyball courts and civic centers. These projects are nice to have, but they are wants not needs.
Passing a bill this grand is irresponsible. Minnesota still currently faces a $1 billion deficit this year, and the deficit is expected to balloon to $5.8 billion next biennium. Borrowing another billion dollars before this problem is addressed shows the legislative leadership does not have their priorities in order.
Fortunately, Gov. Pawlenty used his power to line-item veto this bill and trim off some of the fat. After his vetoes, the bill is down to $680 million, but I would have liked him to take the bill to $300 - $400 million. I don’t think he went far enough, but it does show the Governor is more committed to fiscal responsibility.
Legislative leadership argues a large bonding bill will create jobs for our state, but most of the jobs this bill creates are short-term construction jobs. We currently have $2 billion in authorized bonding projects that have yet to begin. Where are those jobs? Borrowing another billion dollars is not how you create jobs. We should reduce the tax rates on Minnesota small businesses and remove some of the burdensome regulations that are crippling them. Creating a more business-friendly environment will allow private sector job providers to bring on new employees.
Minnesotans across the state are struggling to make mortgage payments and cutting back to live within their means. The leadership in St. Paul must do the same. We cannot keep borrowing money and spending more than we take in. It is not a political argument. It’s just basic economics.
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