St. Paul, MN - Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation to authorize that $315,500,000 in 2023 be provided from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
“The federal infrastructure law provides once-in-a-generation investments that will create good-paying jobs and strengthen our communities,” said Speaker Melissa Hortman. “It’s important that we pass this early in the legislative session to access federal funding and to be ready for the spring construction season.”
“The IIJA is an opportunity to make a large dent in our infrastructure needs across the state”, said Rep. Erin Koegel (DFL - Spring Lake Park) chief author of the bill and Chair of the House Sustainable Infrastructure Committee. “Minnesotans deserve a transportation system that is as safe as possible for drivers, pedestrians, and transit users, and the IIJA allows us to make that a reality. I am delighted that this first piece of IIJA funding has been passed early in the session to ensure summer road construction can go ahead.”
"Democrats in the House chose to pass this bill quickly this session because of the urgency of matching federal funds to create jobs and move our state forward," said House Transportation Chair Frank Hornstein (DFL-Minneapolis).
This legislation moves Minnesota one step closer to unlocking billions in federal funds to improve our trunk highway system,” said Majority Leader Jamie Long. “We are grateful to President Biden and his administration for getting the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act done. This transformative piece of legislation is going to create good jobs, fight climate change, and make Minnesota more competitive.”
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