Committee Advances $825 Million Bonding Plan

The Capital Investment Committee advanced an $825 million dollar capital improvements bonding plan Thursday, May 10, amid testimonials from state administration officials who argued for support of Governor Dayton's $1.5 billion dollar amount. Among the various projects, the Senate plan would dedicate $344 million dollars for roads and bridges; $120 million dollars in asset preservation support for Minnesota State and $95 million dollars for the University of Minnesota; $37 million dollars for drinking and wastewater projects; $32 million dollars for the construction of three new veterans homes in Minnesota and $30 million dollars for the creation of regional mental health centers.

"I actually think the goal of this committee ought to be to enlarge this bill and do the work this committee needs to do, because I don't think this committee's work is done," said Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Myron Frans. Citing public facilities with leaking roofs, dripping pipes, broken heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, he added, "I know some of you will say that we cannot afford a $1.5 billion dollar bonding bill as Governor Dayton has recommended. Well, Mr. Chair and members of the committee, as the state's chief financial officer, I say that we can and must do so. To be fiscally responsible, we must fix this critical infrastructure now, not later. It will only cost more in the future."

Following testimony from about 50 people, many of whom requested additional funds for a variety of projects, Senate Capital Investment Chair David Senjem said, "If we look at the biennium in total, if this bill passes we would have put forward more investments in infrastructure capital investments...and I would say significantly more than any other legislative body has in the history of Minnesota." He added, "You can't do everything in every bonding bill. They all generally to some extent have themes. This year we didn't do transit. We didn't do public safety...but we did do other things. We are pretty strong on veterans, we are pretty strong on mental illness, something this bonding committee hasn't faced until the days of state hospitals. Wastewater infrastructure, I think we have stepped up with that in a way that we never have done before, transportation and even the food shelves...," he added.