ST.PAUL – Early this morning, the House passed a Capital Investment package that includes $846 million in GO bonds and an additional bill that includes $200 million in further investments in infrastructure projects. The bills include priorities with statewide significance, focusing on higher education, regional assets, transportation, housing, and basic infrastructure as well as funding for several local projects. Included in the bills are several bills authored by Representative Rick Hansen (DFL – South St Paul).
One of the bills authored by Rep. Hansen would be funded through cash investments:
• $1.5 million to the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission for ‘Mighty Ducks’ grants to install, renovate, or replace heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems in existing indoor ice arenas whose ice resurfacing and ice edging equipment are not powered by electricity in order to improve indoor air quality by reducing concentrations of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide.
Two other bills would be funded through Government Operating Bonds:
• $2 million for a grant to the city of West St. Paul to design and construct a pedestrian bridge for the North Urban Regional Trail as an overpass of Robert Street in the area near Wentworth Avenue in West St. Paul.
• $2 million in grants for cities within the metropolitan area for capital improvements in municipal wastewater collection systems to reduce the amount of inflow and infiltration to the sanitary sewer disposal system.
“Each of these projects provides a real common sense solution,” said Hansen. “The trail overpass on Robert Street will create a much safer option for walkers and bikers in Dakota County, while the other projects will improve water and air quality in our communities.”
At a time when interest rates are still low, this borrowing bill will allow the state to stretch taxpayer dollars and boost job creation. Minnesota added more than 45,000 jobs during 2013, and currently has an unemployment rate of 4.7 percent.
“This funding package will create thousands of jobs across Minnesota,” said Hansen. “Every local project in the bill will help put people to work and preserve long term assets. It’s a win-win for our communities.”
Other highlights of the Capital Investment bill include:
• $126 million for completion of the State Capitol renovation
• $240 million in higher education projects for the University of Minnesota and MnSCU
• Over $100 million for roads, bridges and vital transportation infrastructure.
• $100 million for housing, the largest investment in state history.
The full breakdown of projects funded in both bills can be found here.