Dear Neighbors,
One of the major tasks the Legislature has during the even year of a biennium is consideration of a bonding bill to fund capital investments in our public infrastructure. For a project to be considered, it must withstand a great deal of scrutiny in a highly competitive process. This year, there were approximately $3.7 billion of requests - $2.7 billion from various state agencies, and about $1 billion from local governments. Needs vary widely, from wastewater infrastructure, to buildings at our state colleges and universities, to our correctional facilities, to our parks and trails. Key legislators from the House and Senate Capital Investment Committees often tour proposed project sites, and these proposals are required to have regional or statewide significance. To pass the House and Senate, a bonding bill also is required by the state constitution to pass with a 3/5 supermajority in each body; this year that means any vote will have to be bipartisan.
With low interest rates and a strong state credit rating, it makes sense for us to pass a sizable bill this year, not just for the infrastructure benefits, but also to create good paying jobs. Governor Dayton proposed a bill totaling $1.5 billion, and the Senate DFL Majority initial proposal topped $1.6 billion. Unfortunately, the House Republicans have stated that their bonding bill will be just $600 million. This is a woefully inadequate and totally uninspiring starting point. Not only is their proposed total quite low, they have yet to announce which projects they intend to include in their bonding bill. With just over two weeks to go this session, it doesn’t leave a whole lot of reason for confidence in coming to an agreement.
What’s more, House GOP leadership has indicated that negotiations around a bonding bill will need to be tied in with those about the transportation bill, as well as those about a tax bill. As we know, the Republicans’ priorities for a tax bill are large cuts mostly benefiting corporate special interests. These types of discussions – which usually occur behind closed doors in the waning hours of a legislative session – generally include a lot of trading of political chips, which is a disservice to the public.
As part of my efforts on the bonding front, these are the projects for which I have introduced bills, and I’m working to get them included in a final bonding bill:
-Renovations at Miner’s Memorial Building in Virginia
-Improvements at the Northeast Regional Corrections Center
-Continued construction of the Mesabi Trail
-Wastewater treatment facility funding for Gilbert and Keewatin
-For a joint water supply system for Aurora, Hoyt Lakes, Biwabik, and town of White.
-Funding for local road improvements including improvements related to the relocation of Highway 53.
Each week, I come down to the Capitol to get things done for the Iron Range and for the state of Minnesota. With time ticking away this session, a lack of a House bonding bill on the table seriously impedes these efforts. I hope we can get this work started soon to not only end session on time, but to finish with results for Minnesotans.
Sincerely,
Jason Metsa
State Representative