ST. PAUL, Minn. — On Thursday, the Senate voted on a bonding bill to invest in the infrastructure needs of communities across the state. Because a minimum of 41 votes are required to pass bonding bills, this legislation ultimately was blocked by Senate Republicans. In response, Senator Kupec (DFL-Moorhead) released the following statement:
“This week, the Senate voted on a bonding bill which would have invested $1.5 billion into local infrastructure projects and repairs, created good paying jobs, and improved the lives of Minnesotans. But because a bonding bill needs a supermajority (41 votes) to pass, Republicans instead chose to block this funding and leave all these important projects on the table. Included in these projects were several in my own district that I fought tirelessly for. I had secured funds for MSU Moorhead, addressing flood hazards, improving upkeep of our Heartland State Trail, and investing in the Moorhead Readiness Center. I was hopeful that Republicans, several of whom had millions of dollars in investments for their own districts, would have chosen to put partisan politics aside instead of grasping at power at the expense of their own constituents. Moments like these are undeniably disheartening, but I will keep doing everything I can to ensure we deliver for Minnesotans this legislative session.”
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