The Minnesota House and Senate have begun negotiations to reconcile two different versions of a bonding bill for new construction projects across the state.
The $949 million House bonding bill falls short of the Senate's $990 million bonding package. In addition, both the House and Senate bills are far above the $845 million recommended by Governor Tim Pawlenty.
Both bills included funding for the Northstar commuter rail line. The House bill set the amount at $50 million while the Senate bill committed $60 million. Other differences between the two bills:
? $152.8 million from the Senate for the University of Minnesota but only $121.3 million from the House (not including a new Gopher's stadium).
? For Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, $223.2 million from the Senate compared to $187.7 million from the House.
? $20 million from the Senate for the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency but only $8 million from the House.
Both House and Senate bills provide $11 million for restoration of the Minneapolis Shubert Theatre.
The House version of the bonding bill provided more than the Senate version for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, Department of Corrections, and Department of Transportation funding (other than Northstar).
Passing a bonding bill is supposed to be the chief work of the 2006 legislative session. Legislative leaders earlier this year promised swift action to pass a bonding bill and get vital projects moving. Meanwhile, divisive hot-button issues continue to distract public debate and legislators' attention from the state's vital economic needs.
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The Minnesota House and Senate have begun negotiations to reconcile two different versions of a bonding bill for new construction projects across the state.
The $949 million House bonding bill falls short of the Senate’s $990 million bonding package. In addition, both the House and Senate bills are far above the $845 million recommended by Governor Tim Pawlenty.
Both bills included funding for the Northstar commuter rail line. The House bill set the amount at $50 million while the Senate bill committed $60 million. Other differences between the two bills:
? $152.8 million from the Senate for the University of Minnesota but only $121.3 million from the House (not including a new Gopher’s stadium).
? For Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, $223.2 million from the Senate compared to $187.7 million from the House.
? $20 million from the Senate for the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency but only $8 million from the House.
Both House and Senate bills provide $11 million for restoration of the Minneapolis Shubert Theatre.
The House version of the bonding bill provided more than the Senate version for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, Department of Corrections, and Department of Transportation funding (other than Northstar).
Passing a bonding bill is supposed to be the chief work of the 2006 legislative session. Legislative leaders earlier this year promised swift action to pass a bonding bill and get vital projects moving. Meanwhile, divisive hot-button issues continue to distract public debate and legislators’ attention from the state’s vital economic needs.