$1.5M Public Works Bill Voted Down in MN Senate

Senate Democrats’ plan to borrow $1.5 billion for public construction projects has hit a snag. 

The public works package calls for overhauls to aging water infrastructure systems, upkeep at college campuses and $400 million for road and bridge repairs. But the so-called bonding bills require a three-fifths majority to pass. 

It failed by one vote on a 40-26 vote Thursday. It’s unclear when the Senate may try to pass it again. 

The bill would have made significant investments in Duluth and the surrounding area including: 

$1.9M to the Lake Superior Zoo

$5.9M to the Duluth Airport Authority

$12.7M to the St Louis River Area of Concern

$8.1M to WLSSD

$27.2M to a new UMD Chemistry Building

$8M to Hermantown Arrowhead Health Regional Wellness Center

$2.8M Northeast Regional Corrections Center

$1M to Glensheen Mansion

Failure to pass the bonding bill means the Senate will now restart the process of drafting a new capital investment bill. The House of Representatives has not yet released its own version of a Bonding Bill.

House DLF Leader Paul Thissen released a statement saying the following: 

“It’s time for House and Senate Republicans to do their job. Their actions and inactions show Minnesotans they are not serious about governing.

 We, along with Minnesotans, want this to be a productive legislative session for our families and children. But Republicans are moving us no closer to the compromise needed to get the work of the people done this session.” 

Governor Mark Dayton issued a statement saying “The Republicans killed the bonding bill.”