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Legislative News and Views - Rep. John Persell (DFL)

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Rep. Persell Statement: House Republicans Knew Partisan Bonding Bill Would Fail

Thursday, May 19, 2016

SAINT PAUL, MN—Today, the House GOP capital investment “bonding” bill did not come close to receiving the supermajority required to pass the House. Despite repeated offers by House Democrats to work with House Republicans to craft a bipartisan bill, House Republicans put together the bonding bill behind closed doors and without any input from Democrats.

Rep. John Persell (DFL-Bemidji) released the following statement:

“This Republican bonding bill was a big disappointment and missed opportunity for Greater Minnesota. The projects were not balanced and were clearly included based on the district they were in and whether or not it was represented by a Democrat or a Republican. That is bad policy and foolish. With $800 million dollars to spread around the state, the Republicans found a way to avoid funding all of the specific projects in our district, like the veterans home in Bemidji, the projects on campus at Bemidji State, and the Northern Dental Access Center. I have worked for many years with Republicans and Democrats at all levels of government to make a veterans home in Bemidji a reality for our veterans, but apparently veterans are not a priority for the Republicans. I could not vote for a bill that shut out our community. Republican leaders need to work with us to meet the needs across all of our great state.”

Rep. Persell encourages constituents to contact him on any legislative issue. He can be reached by email at Rep.John.Persell@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-5516.