DULUTH, Minn. – Today, Gov. Mark Dayton announced his public works bonding recommendations for the Minnesota Legislature to consider in the 2018 session. The package of recommendations, totaling $1.5 billion, makes significant investments in higher education facilities, clean water infrastructure, affordable housing and other public infrastructure across the state. If fully enacted, the proposal is estimated to create 22,950 jobs.
“I thank Gov. Dayton for putting forth such a bold series of recommendations for investments in our public infrastructure, particularly his proposals to invest in higher education,” said Rep. Jen Schultz (DFL – Duluth). “His recommendations highlight his continued commitment to ensuring Minnesotans have access to a world-class education in modern facilities no matter where they choose to attend college. We all value our university campuses, and investing in the facilities we have now is much smarter financially than letting them deteriorate and starting over new.”
Under the proposal, $299 million is recommended for University of Minnesota campuses. The bulk of this is $250 million toward Higher Education Asset Preservation and Replacement (HEAPR) to renovate and maintain existing buildings in an effort to address the U of M’s estimated $2 billion of deferred maintenance needs. Gov. Dayton also proposes $10.5 million for the University’s Greater Minnesota Academic Renewal initiative, which would fund classroom, faculty office, and building system renovations at UMD’s A.B. Anderson Hall.
He also recommends $4 million, to be matched dollar-for-dollar by University fundraising, for renovations at Glensheen.
“Throughout the state, infrastructure is in need of critical repair. When the House Capital Investment Committee visited Duluth late last year, they saw our community is no exception,” Rep. Schultz continued. “As we head into the session next month, I look forward to continued work alongside community leaders and other area legislators to ensure Duluth’s needs are ultimately funded in an aggressive, but balanced bonding bill.”
The 2018 legislative session convenes in St. Paul on February 20.