{"id":1913,"date":"2023-02-16T15:19:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-16T15:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/apexsamplework.com\/insightnews\/?p=1913"},"modified":"2025-04-21T15:22:44","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T15:22:44","slug":"after-two-years-and-no-bonding-bill-house-dfl-unveils-nearly-2-billion-capital-investment-package","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/apexsamplework.com\/insightnews\/2023\/02\/16\/after-two-years-and-no-bonding-bill-house-dfl-unveils-nearly-2-billion-capital-investment-package\/","title":{"rendered":"After two years and no bonding bill, House DFL unveils nearly $2 billion capital investment package"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Legislature doesn\u2019t usually get a bonding package proposed as early as February. But since it\u2019s been more than two years since a bonding bill has passed, capital funding is past due, said Rep. Fue Lee<\/a> (DFL-Mpls).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A proposal for nearly $1.9 billion in capital projects across the state was unveiled Monday to the House Capital Investment Committee. Most of the funding \u2014 $1.5 billion \u2014 would come from bond sales and the remainder \u2013 $391.75 million \u2013 from the General Fund. The proposal came in the form of delete-all<\/a> amendments<\/a> to HF669<\/a> and HF670<\/a>, both sponsored by Lee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s long past time to bring in the public on this important bill,\u201d Lee said in a statement<\/a>. \u201cHundreds of critical infrastructure projects have gone unfunded. These are projects that are crucial to communities throughout the state, and inflation causes them to go up in cost the longer we delay this unfinished work. It\u2019s time to complete the work of 2022. Minnesota can\u2019t wait any longer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several members expressed appreciation for the work that has gone into the bill. Rep. Leon Lillie<\/a> (DFL-North St. Paul) noted hundreds of hours of hearings and tours held across the state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First-term Rep. Roger Skraba<\/a> (R-Ely) appreciates how the bill reflects what he\u2019s heard in committee this session. \u201cI\u2019m learning and it\u2019s sticking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The committee plans to take testimony Wednesday and mark up the bill Feb. 20. The hope, according to Lee, is to move the bill onto the House and Senate floors by early March. The Senate Capital Investment Committee plans to take up the bill Tuesday<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once this bill is passed, Lee said, the committee could then clear the decks and turn to other projects in the queue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s in the proposals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lee said the proposal includes $185 million from the General Fund and $94 million in bonding as placeholders for minority caucus and Senate proposals. These are listed as library construction grants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among higher dollar projects proposed is $245.16 million for the Department of Transportation, which includes $79 million for local road improvement fund grants, $67 million for local bridge replacement programs and $18 million for the port development assistance program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nearly $235.4 million in bonding would go to drinking water and wastewater projects. There is $10 million proposed for lead service line replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bill would provide $178.45 million in bonding and $5.5 million from the General Fund for the Department of Natural Resources. Of that, $36 million would be for asset preservation, $30 million for building upgrades, and $27.37 million for flood mitigation projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also in the proposal is $108.62 million in bonding for the Met Council, including $72 million for bus rapid transit projects. The Met Council would also receive $21.5 million from the General Fund for grants to more local projects, such as the Wakan Tipi Center in St. Paul and the Minnesota River Regional Greenway in Dakota County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Higher education help<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minnesota State would receive $177.33 million in new spending, including $49.58 million of a $173.68 million request<\/a> for asset preservation and replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The University of Minnesota would receive $132.13 million, including $92.6 million to renovate Fraser Hall on the Minneapolis campus for undergraduate chemistry teaching, and $39.53 million for asset preservation and replacement. It requested $200 million<\/a> for the latter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other projects to be funded in the bill include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n