Governor Mark Dayton has rolled out an aggressive 1.5-billion-dollar bonding proposal for state public works projects. State Management and Budget Commissioner Myron Frans says it “would create an estimated 22,950 jobs and it would support statewide economic growth.” Over one-fourth of the bonding in Dayton’s plan — 430 million dollars — would go to repair existing buildings at the U-of-M and state colleges and universities. There are also significant dollars (130 million) for preserving existing natural resources infrastructure, for water and sewer treatment systems (167 million) and to preserve and expand affordable housing (100 million dollars).
Republican Representative Dean Urdahl says Dayton’s proposal has an “uphill battle” at the legislature because it’s 600 million dollars more than planned and doesn’t include important local projects.