State Senate passes bonding bill

The legislation authorizes the sale of over $1 billion in state bonds for capital improvement projects, with over $965.17 million of the package supported by debt service payments from the general fund.

A companion bill is moving through the Minnesota House, with floor action possible by the end of the week. Then the two houses and Governor Tim Pawlenty will have to negotiate their differences to reach a final bill.

Bonding – which allocates money for construction projects across the state – is important for creating jobs, improving the educational system and revitalizing communities, labor leaders said.

Projects included in the bonding are $200 million for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; $134 million for the University of Minnesota; $70 million for Central Corridor Light Rail Transit; $40 million for the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center; $30 million for Itasca County for public infrastructure to support Minnesota Steel expansion; and $22 million for a Bemidji regional events center.

The bill\’s author, Senator Keith Langseth, DFL-Glyndon, said now is the time to build and bond. Because of the slow economy, bids will be lower. At the same time, state investment in construction will help families and communities recover, he said.

The bill was granted final passage, 51-7, and then tabled to await its companion.

This article is adapted from information published in Senate Briefly on the Legislature\’s website, http://www.leg.state.mn.us