ST. PAUL, MN – Today, Governor Dayton released his 2016 Jobs Bill. The $1.4 billion measure would use general obligation bonds for statewide infrastructure improvements. Those improvements would be targeted toward higher education, roads and bridges, housing, economic development, veterans’ homes, clean water and wastewater systems. If enacted, these investments would lead to the creation of 39,000 good paying jobs across Minnesota.
Governor Dayton proposed several area projects including funding for maintenance and upkeep at the Vermilion Community College in Ely, upkeep at the Veterans Affairs building in Silver Bay, improving the water access at DNR facilities in Lake Vermillion and Grand Marais, $3 million to upgrade the mine hoist at the Soudan Underground Mine State Park, $2 million for park development in Vermillion State Park, and completing the terminal upgrades at the International Falls Koochiching County Airport.
“I want to thank the Governor for recognizing that preserving what we already have is just as important as building new projects,” said Representative Rob Ecklund (DFL-International Falls). “While funding maintenance projects doesn’t grab headlines it is critical for supporting our tourism industry and supporting a diverse economy. Finishing the upgrades to the International Falls airport is also important to support our local businesses. I am looking forward to working with Governor Dayton, Majority Leader Bakk, and my House colleagues on the 2016 Jobs Bill to produce jobs, build Minnesota, and create a better future for our state.”
The Governor’s Jobs Bill would not only make much needed investments in infrastructure, it would create 39,000 good paying jobs all across Minnesota. The geographically balanced bill has 35% of the projects in Greater Minnesota, 35% in the Twin Cities area and the remaining 30% are of statewide impact. Governor Dayton’s job bill is designed to make state resources go further, by leveraging more than $600 million in private, local, and federal dollars.
Rep. Ecklund encourages constituents to contact him on any legislative issue. He can be reached by phone at 651-296-2190 or by email at rep.rob.ecklund.@house.mn. Constituents can also visit Rep. Ecklund’s legislative page and sign up for email updates.