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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jeanne Poppe (DFL)

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Poppe votes for major jobs legislation to jumpstart economy, includes $7.45 million Austin wastewater treatment plant project

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

With 100 votes, Minnesota House lawmakers today approved bipartisan legislation that will create and protect tens of thousands of jobs. The bill invests in a $7.45 million grant to the City of Austin to upgrade and improve its aging wastewater treatment plant and cuts expenses for farmers and small businesses by addressing Section 179 federal conformity. 

 

“This bill is what Austin, southeastern Minnesota, and the entire state have been asking the Legislature to pass for the past six months,” said Rep. Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin). “The capital investment  committee spent an extensive amount of time viewing and considering projects all over the state. Last year, during the Minnesota House mini-session visit to Austin, Chair Mary Murphy and committee members toured the Austin wastewater plant and local flood mitigation projects. After a yearslong culmination of viewing and prioritizing construction projects, the strong vote of 100-34 in support of the bill makes clear the impact made by Minnesotans advocating for its passage.” 

 

The nearly $2 billion package would be a major boon to Minnesota’s economy at a time when the unemployment rate is stuck at historically high levels due to the pandemic. According to the most recent data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate stands at 7.9% and job gains were lower than expected in September. The US economy is still 11 million jobs short of pre-pandemic levels.

 

The Minnesota House local jobs and projects bill is a three-part economic stimulus that includes bonding, tax cuts, and supplemental budget appropriations.