ST. PAUL – As most committee work in the Minnesota House of Representatives has ended, State Representative Jason Rarick (R-Pine City) expects House floor debates on this session’s headline issues to quickly begin.
“With less than three weeks to go in our legislative session, I expect the capital investment proposal, along with a tax relief bill and a long-term funding plan for road and bridge repairs, to be debated in the Minnesota House very shortly,” Rarick said.
Rarick said all comprehensive budget and policy bills needed to be approved by the House Ways and Means Committee by the third committee deadline, which was April 21. Only the Ways and Means, Taxes, Rules, and Capital Investment committees can meet after the third deadline and approve bills. Rarick, who serves on capital investment, said the project selection process is just beginning.
“Hundreds of construction proposals from across the state are being scrutinized, and we’re trying to determine which ones will receive funding,” Rarick said. “Our goal in the House is to choose the most important projects while keeping the overall size of the capital investment bill within reason.”
Rarick said his priorities for the capital investment plan will focus on infrastructure, such as local road and bridge repair and facility maintenance.