Saint Paul, Minnesota – Today, the House unveiled its $800 million Capital Investment bill which includes critical investments for statewide infrastructure improvements in higher education, transportation, housing, economic development, clean water and wastewater systems. Capital Investment, also known as bonding, is responsible long-term borrowing for necessary infrastructure projects. Similar to a mortgage on a house, the borrowing leads to greater gains in the future. Interest rates are also at historically low levels, stretching the value of the bonding dollars.
Using the Associated General Contractors of America formula, it is estimated that 22,800 permanent, temporary and spin-off jobs will be created statewide, giving a shot in the arm to our recovering economy.
The bill includes $1.6 million for Ridgewater College in Willmar for phase two of the campus’ central heating system. The proposal contains $1.5 million for a 5 mile extension of the Glacier Lake State Trail from New London to Sibley State Park.
“While this is just the first step in the bonding process, this is great news for our area both for economic growth and also for our quality of life and infrastructure,” said Rep. Sawatzky. “We have to ensure our colleges receive the critical updates they need and expanding our trails will improve our already great outdoor experiences and potentially draw more tourists to our region.”
The bill also contains a $550,000 grant to the Kandiyohi Area Transit Joint Powers Board for an additional bus storage garage in Willmar. The House bonding proposal contains $20 million for local bridges, $35 million for local roads, and another $25 million for wastewater infrastructure throughout the state.
“Our roads, bridges and wastewater infrastructure are crumbling and need to be repaired,” added Rep. Sawatzky. “These repairs will get construction workers back on the job and improve our transportation system for our citizens and businesses.”
The full bill can be found here: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/comm/docs/DE1amendmenttoHF207(omnibusbondingbill).pdf. The bill will be debated and voted on at the committee hearing on Thursday.
“As the Capital Investment bill moves through the process, I’ll continue working with my colleagues and Governor Dayton to ensure our area is well represented and receives funding for needed projects,” said Rep. Sawatzky.
Rep. Sawatzky encourages constituents to contact her with any questions, comments, concerns, or ideas on any legislative topic. Rep. Sawatzky can be reached by phone at 651-296-6206 or by email at rep.mary.sawatzky@house.mn. Constituents can also visit Rep. Sawatzky’s AreaVoices blog, legislative page and sign up for email updates.