SAINT PAUL, MN – Monday morning, budget target numbers were released by the House GOP leaders. A bonding bill of $800 million is the amount built into the budget forecast.
Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL-St. Paul), lead member of the House Capital Investment committee, released the following statement:
“There are legitimate and urgent infrastructure needs throughout the state that must be addressed and communities are depending on the legislature to craft and pass a robust bonding bill. Interest rates are rising and now is the time to pass a strategic, comprehensive bonding bill to take advantage of current favorable economic factors. Last year, Minnesotans were promised a bonding bill that didn’t materialize, and they can’t wait any longer.
We are fortunate to enjoy a AAA bond rating and have the debt capacity for a bigger bonding package. Wastewater systems across the state are failing – it’s not fair to make those taxpayers foot the bill when these should be state bonding projects. We’ve also heard testimony about the great need to fix leaking roofs and improve the safety and quality of aging buildings on college campuses.
Democrats have introduced a comprehensive bonding bill that touches all corners of the state and provides opportunities for job creation and revitalization of communities. I will encourage GOP legislative leaders to let the full House vote on our bill for the good of the entire state."
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