ST. PAUL, MN – State Representative John Ward (DFL – Baxter) is encouraging local governments and political subdivisions to file applications for projects to be considered as part of next year's Capital Investment Bill and in front of the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
Minnesota Management and Budget Office recently posted instruction and applications for bonding projects; the Governor and State Legislature will consider these bonding requests in the 2014 session.
"This is a great opportunity for local governments to make an official request for a project they consider to be a priority," said Ward. "As the Representative from District 10A, I will make a commitment to work for the inclusion of any application in the next bonding bill."
The 2014 capital budget instructions can be found on the Minnesota Management and Budget website at http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/doc/budget/bud-op/op12/local-gov.pdf. The website summarizes the process and timelines, as well as provides the type of information local units need to include in a bonding request and the evaluation criteria.
The deadline for submissions is June 21, 2013. Local units can e-mail submissions to: capitalbudget.mmb@state.mn.us.
"Although I can also recommend projects that have not gone through the Minnesota Management and Budget review, projects that go through this process are generally viewed in a more favorable light," said Ward. "We want to do everything we can to ensure success for our requests, and this application process is an excellent first step."
The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council is also considering projects to recommend the legislature fund through the Outdoor Heritage Fund. The deadline for submission of funding requests is June 13, 2013. The instructions and submissions are online at http://www.lsohc.leg.mn/FY2015/index.html.
The Outdoor Heritage Fund, one of four funds created by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, receives one-third of the money raised by the tax increase. The council ensures recommendations that are consistent with the Constitution and state law and that take into consideration the outcomes of, including, but not limited to, the Minnesota Conservation and Preservation Plan, that directly relate to the restoration, protection, and enhancement of wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife, and that prevent forest fragmentation, encourage forest consolidation, and expand restored native prairie.
“The Outdoor Heritage Fund provides an excellent opportunity for local governments and organizations to preserve and share our state’s great environment and outdoors,” said Rep. Ward. “I encourage organizations and groups to submit requests and advocate for important local projects.
If you have questions about the bonding or Outdoor Heritage Council process, you can contact Rep. Ward at (651) 296- 4333, or 1-800-683-4205, by mail at 375 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155 or via e-mail at rep.john.ward@house.mn.