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State Representative Andrew Falk
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4228
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
NEWS COLUMN
BONDING BILL CREATES JOBS, IMPROVES INFRASTRUCTURE
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Over the past several months, Minnesotans have held their collective breath as we watched the unemployment level in our state rise. Many of us have personally experienced a job loss, and I’m guessing all of us know someone who was laid off as a result of the recession. There are few experiences as shocking as being told you no longer have a job. Whether it turns out better in the end, or not, knowing that your regular paycheck and everything it represents is gone is life-altering.
Last week, the unemployment level in Minnesota reached 8.1%, the highest rate since 1983. The unemployment level in Swift County is a shocking 9.6%, 8.7% in Lac Qui Parle, 8.3% in Lincoln County, 8.2% in Big Stone, and Yellow Medicine is the lowest at 7.4%. High unemployment is very real for our friends and neighbors.
These numbers have helped determine every action taken by the DFL members of the House this session. Even though we have to make budget cuts, we are working hard to make cuts that won’t cost jobs, and we continuously looking for new ways to retain and create new jobs. This week, we passed an important Capital Investment bill, appropriating $200 million for projects that focus heavily on protecting health and safety, improving transportation and other infrastructure, and preserving state assets. It is also designed to make effective use of federal dollars.
By some estimates, a bonding bill of this size and scope could create thousands of badly needed jobs for Minnesotans. The Governor agrees, saying he could support this “reasonable, affordable, targeted, impactful, and stimulative" bill.
Highlights of the House proposal include:
? $ 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 (MnSCU)
? $ 20 million to improve the state’s sex offender facility at Moose Lake
? $ 2.1 million for veteran’s homes asset preservation
The Senate passed a considerably higher bonding bill, and a conference committee has been appointed to work out the differences between the two bills. I am hopeful they will reach agreement quickly and send the final bill to the Governor for his signature, so these important jobs can begin with the start of construction season.
When we return next week, we’ll begin hearing the larger omnibus bills on the floor, covering every aspect of state government from agriculture and veterans, education, health care and the environment. If you have any questions about what is happening at the state legislature, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I can be reached at 651-296-4228 or by email at rep.andrew.falk@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you.
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