Much of the focus for this session has been on the state’s response to COVID-19. However, DFLers are still focused on passing a large bonding bill to ensure we meet the needs of our citizens. The state maintenance backlog is substantial, and it will require significant resources if we hope to maintain our current assets.
Communities across the state are also facing the prospect of replacing aging water and wastewater infrastructure. That cost of replacement is prohibitive for some municipalities. As a result, they have reached out to the state for help. Much of this help has historically been carried within the bonding bill.
Another advantage of a bonding bill is it the jobs it creates across the state. These additional paychecks support families and the businesses they rely on. These jobs are significant no matter the economic circumstances but especially now, considering the economic turmoil COVID-19 has created in the state and across the country.
In the coming days and weeks, we will continue to reach out to Senate Republicans to avoid a bill being put together at the last minute with little public input. Instead of putting a bill together in the final hours of session, it is our hope that we can change past practices to ensure we have a thoroughly vetted bill that includes public engagement as the bill is being put together.
