Senator Greg Clausen (DFL-Apple Valley) voted in support of a $1.37 billion Capital Investment bill that passed both the Senate and House today. This legislation will invest in repairs and redevelopment projects across the state. The bill passed today will finance $1.87 billion in statewide public projects, once other funding sources are counted.
In response to the bill passing today, Sen. Clausen released the following statement:
“Passing a robust bonding bill today was long overdue. Minnesota has more than $5 billion of requests to improve deteriorating public buildings and infrastructure across our state. These investments ensure access to safe drinking water, housing that is affordable, public safety, and upkeep for the higher education institutions that prepare our future workforce.
I am pleased that the 2020 bonding bill includes $13 million for asset preservation to improve and repair the Minnesota Zoo’s infrastructure and exhibits. The Minnesota Zoo provides more than $146 million annual economic impact to the state, supporting over 1,700 jobs, with more than 1.4 million visitors every year. In addition to its positive economic impact, the zoo is a learning institution, a conservation institution, and a destination for parents and teachers to take their children and learn about wildlife and conservation. With 4,800 animals on the zoo’s property, keeping all animals and guests happy and safe is the main priority for this bonding money.
I’ve been advocating for a number of years for funding to improve the National Guard Readiness Center in Rosemount. I am disappointed the project was only awarded $1 million for design, but I am committed to keep advocating to secure the funding the center needs to replace doors, windows, boiler, and mechanical, electrical, telecom and data systems. Other needed upgrades include restrooms, locker rooms and showers, Building Code and ADA compliance items, individual equipment lockers, and force protection upgrades. The Rosemount-based 34th Red Bull Infantry Division provides training and readiness oversight for ten National Guard brigades with a total of more than 23,000 Soldiers across Minnesota and eight other states.
I am pleased we finally got this legislation over the finish line. Passing the bonding bill today will go a long way toward funding hundreds of public construction projects around Minnesota, provide tax relief for small businesses and farmers, help address the need for infrastructure improvements, and create thousands of jobs to provide a much-needed economic stimulus boost.
As always, I welcome your input on this and any other issue before the legislature. Please reach out to me with your comments and suggestions on this issue and any others that I may be able to help you with. I can be reached by phone at 651-296-4120 or by email at sen.greg.clausen@senate.mn. You can also mail letters to my office at 2233 Minnesota Senate Building, St. Paul, MN 55155.”
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