SAINT PAUL, MN – Today, Rep. David Bly (DFL-Northfield), Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South Saint Paul), and Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL-Rochester) visited the Lanesboro Dam to highlight the need for a statewide bonding bill. With mere weeks left in the legislative session, Republicans have yet to put forward a bonding bill for infrastructure projects across Minnesota, including the Lanesboro Dam.
“Republicans have failed to pass a bonding bill for three years,” remarked Rep. Hansen. “Last year Republicans waited until the last minute to pass a bonding bill and it led to the session ending in chaos. This year we’re told the bill is ready but it’s in a drawer until after work on the state budget is finished. The bonding bill is not as a political bargaining chip.”
Last year, House Republicans waited until the final hours of the legislative session to unveil their billion dollar bonding package. With the Senate amending the bill, House Speaker Kurt Daudt played politics by refusing to take action and adjourned early as the clock ticked toward midnight—killing billions of dollars in economic activity and thousands of jobs.
“The people of Minnesota cannot wait and watch their local dam, bridge, road, or school continue to deteriorate while Kurt Daudt tries to score political points with his right-wing base,” remarked Rep. Tina Liebling. “This is not a card game. These important projects and the jobs a bonding will create are vital to communities across Minnesota.”
Without action on a bonding bill, the costs for infrastructure projects across Minnesota continue to increase. While interest rates remain low and Minnesota continues to have a AAA credit rating, delaying longer will continue to increase costs and drive up future obligations.
“If we delay any longer we’re going to miss an entire construction season for so many projects that have waited years, even decades to be completed,” said Rep. Bly. “People across Minnesota see infrastructure crumbling and dams like this, leaking like a sieve, and wonder ‘why can’t government get its act together.’ We had a workable bonding bill we could have passed in January; we must act quickly for Minnesota’s rural communities.”
For additional information, contact Mike Molzahn (651) 296-1774 or at mike.molzahn@house.mn