Majority Leader Paul Gazelka is hinting that state Senate Republicans might agree to a bonding bill greater than one billion dollars for state public works projects. Gazelka says, “The last two General Obligation Bond bills were both under a billion but the point is, what are the projects that we have in there? And if there’s a lot of need for wastewater infrastructure improvement across the whole state, if we put a lot of money in that, my number goes up. If we’re looking at roads and bridges, my number goes up.”
Governor Tim Walz has proposed roughly a two-billion-dollar bonding bill. It’s expected House Democrats’ number will be higher. Senate G-O-P Leader Gazelka indicates he has high confidence the legislature will pass a bonding bill this year.
President Joan Gabel outlines the University of Minnesota’s 317-million-dollar bonding request at Senate and House hearings this afternoon and is back at the Capitol Thursday. Governor Walz has proposed 224 million dollars in funding for the U-of-M. Lawmakers are also hearing a bonding request from the state college and university system.