ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) – On a vote of 100-34, the Minnesota House passed a $1.8 billion bonding bill after nearly 10 hours of debate.
The long-delayed bill will help pay for public works, infrastructure and construction projects around the state.
“It creates more than 20,000 jobs, based on the United States Department of Commerce estimate,” said Rep. Mary Murphy (D-Hermantown) and lead author of the House bill.
However, Rep. Tama Theis (R-St. Cloud) says for all of the talk about jobs no one wants to discuss re-opening businesses in the state.
“Business owners are struggling to keep their businesses open so folks have jobs,” said Theis. “We need to open up Minnesota.”
The bonding bill includes $1.36 billion in general obligation bonding that would be used to fund improvements to roads and bridges, wastewater treatment facilities, college and university buildings, and dozens of other projects.
The Republican-led Senate is set to take up the bill today (11am).
