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State Representative Jerry Newton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5369
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Press/News Releases
HOUSE PASSES JOBS-TARGETED BONDING BILL
ST. PAUL, MN - The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bonding bill (HF855) today that will help boost Minnesota’s economy and create thousands of jobs during a time of severe economic recession. The bill, which lets $200 million in state bonds to repair and rebuild the state’s critical infrastructure, passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 93 to 40. It is designed to create jobs as quickly as possible, shore up local bridges and other infrastructure, and complement the recently enacted federal recovery package.
“Rebuilding Minnesota’s economy and putting people to work is my focus in the legislature this session," said Rep. Jerry Newton (DFL - Coon Rapids). “Passing today’s bonding bill is a critical component of that effort. By making sound, targeted investments in timely public works projects, we can get people working quickly and leverage needed federal funds to get our economy moving faster.”
Minnesota’s economy is facing the longest and deepest economic recession since World War II. More than 238,000 Minnesotans are out of work with unemployment at 8.1% statewide. The unemployment rate in Anoka County is higher at 9.2%. Coon Rapids has an unemployment rate of 8.6% and Andover’s stands at 7.9%. State Economist Tom Stinson told lawmakers early in the session that passing a targeted, strategic bonding bill would be an important tool in Minnesota’s ongoing economic recovery effort.
“This is a targeted, strategic jobs plan,” Rep. Newton said. “The House bonding bill was carefully crafted to include only projects that are shovel-ready or paint brush-ready. That ensures we get people working as quickly as possible - and when those people have jobs they have money to spend on goods and services. Passing this bill today was an important step toward putting Minnesota on the path to 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 that funding will be coming directly to the Coon Rapids area, including:
• $445 thousand for code modifications and energy efficiency upgrades at Anoka Ramsey Community College
• $740 thousand for safety improvements at Anoka Technical College
• $500 thousand for energy efficiency and security upgrades at Hennepin Technical College
• $1.3 million to replace a roof at North Hennepin Community College
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. Newton can be reached directly for comment by phone at (651) 296-5723 or by email at rep.jerry.newton@house.mn.
News Items
- LOCAL LAWMAKERS HELP DELIVER NEEDED RELIEF TO FLOOD, TORNADO VICTIMS - (Posted: 2010-10-19 00:00:00)
- REP. NEWTON STANDS UP FOR SCHOOLS - (Posted: 2010-05-12 00:00:00)
- A SAFE PLACE FOR ALL KIDS TO PLAY - (Posted: 2010-04-21 00:00:00)
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