Deal Will Bring Projects to Communities Across the State that Will Contribute to the Economy and Strengthen Minnesota’s Water, Transit, and Education Infrastructure
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Senate Capital Investment Committee Chair Senator Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul) will champion her landmark legislation on the Senate floor after DFL leadership reached a deal with the Senate GOP to pass legislation (HF 669 and HF 670) to improve and expand upon Minnesota’s state assets, including road and bridge projects, water and waste treatment improvements, construction on state colleges and universities, local governments, and funding for proven community groups and nonprofits. Senator Pappas, who is chief author of these bills that will deliver $2.6 billion for infrastructure projects, will present the bills to the Senate in the coming days in order to bring thousands of well-paying jobs to Minnesota, in addition to the economic opportunities offered by the projects themselves.
“This legislation will be a north star for communities across the state who will benefit from the monumental investments in this measure,” said Senator Pappas. “The infrastructure and jobs deal announced today will answer the calls for support that we’ve heard throughout this session. Town and city leaders have come to the Capitol for months to share their urgent needs in water quality, road and bridge safety, waste management, local government projects and more. The projects in these two bills are shovel-ready and have been waiting on Senate GOP participation since March. Despite the monumental opportunities in this legislation and the pleas of their constituents for compromise and collaboration, the Senate GOP stonewalled and delayed on good-faith negotiations on this essential legislation for months.
“Today, the DFL majority accepted a deal with the Republican caucuses to pass this monumental legislation, which will deliver on every legislator’s promise to their constituents: That we will advocate for them at the Capitol and work together to deliver results. This legislation will help towns and cities across the state pay for vital projects that will ensure clean drinking water, environmental safety, safe roads and bridges, and robust community resources for all Minnesotans. It will create thousands of well-paying union jobs and ensure businesses have the infrastructure they need to build in Minnesota for years to come. I look forward to presenting these bills on the Senate floor and getting this funding to our communities as quickly as possible.”
The deal includes:
- $2.6 billion in funding for jobs and long-awaited infrastructure projects across the state
- This includes $1.5 billion in General Obligation bonds and $1.12 billion in cash funding
- $300 million of the cash funding will be allocated to long-term care and nursing homes
- All public projects from HF 669 and 670 will be funded at highest level listed on public documents
The Senate will take up HF 669 and HF 670 in the coming days.
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