House bonding committee visits Duluth proposed project sites
Local lawmakers call for robust public infrastructure investment next session
ST. PAUL – Today, the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee kicked off a three-day tour of northeastern Minnesota as it begins consideration of a public works bonding bill in 2018. Tuesday, the panel visited the sites of several proposed projects in Duluth for which investments have been proposed. Local and area DFL state representatives are advocating for a sizable, regionally-balanced package next year.
“As the gateway to the Great Lakes, Duluth is a unique city in Minnesota. Duluth and the surrounding region are vital for the state’s economic success,” said Rep. Jen Schultz (DFL – Duluth). “For families, students, and visitors, we can continue creating opportunity in Duluth through necessary investments in public infrastructure.”
The committee’s first stop was at the University of Minnesota Duluth, which is part of the U of M’s Greater Minnesota Academic Renewal initiative. They also were scheduled to visit the Duluth Port Authority, DECC Sea Wall, the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District, the Duluth Depot and the Duluth Energy Systems, which is seeking funding for the second phase of its Superior St. Steam Plant project. The day is to conclude with a tour of the Glensheen Historic Estate.
“It was a terrific opportunity to showcase to other legislators throughout the state everything Duluth has to offer and why it’s so important for us to make these investments,” said Rep. Liz Olson (DFL – Duluth). “We know putting together a bonding bill isn’t easy, but these projects are incredibly important, and I’ll continue working with the Duluth delegation and leaders in the community to make them a reality.”
Statewide, requests totaling $3.2 billion from state agencies and local units of government have been submitted for consideration in the bonding bill, many of which are contingent on local matching funds. Each of these will compete for inclusion in a final bonding bill likely in the neighborhood of $1 billion. Its passage requires a supermajority vote in both houses of the Legislature as well as the governor's signature.
“We appreciate that the members of the committee are spending so much time looking at the major infrastructure requests in the Arrowhead region,” said Rep. Mary Murphy (DFL-Hermantown). “The request of the WLSSD is vitally important to the member units of government so that we can grow the next energy advances and continue to prepare for the clean water in Lake Superior for future generations.”