Infrastructure bill big win for Minnesotans, Highway 14 finally funded
I think most of us are pretty disappointed with the way session ended. We spent months working across the aisle on important priorities that will help Minnesotans only to see Gov. Dayton veto most of that work after session ended.
The governor vetoed a substantial tax cut bill that would have protected 99.8% of Minnesotans from tax increases and actually cut taxes for 82% of filers. He also vetoed our supplemental budget bill that provided funding for a number of bipartisan priorities like the MNLARS disaster, school safety, opioid addiction prevention, elder abuse protections, and much more. Make no mistake: Minnesota families will be substantially hurt by these vetoes.
However, there are things worth celebrating. For example, the governor signed our infrastructure bonding bill that will fund key statewide asset upgrades and repairs throughout Minnesota. As a member of the capital investment committee, I was fortunate to have hands-on influence over what projects received funding. In fact, I was the chief author of legislation that led to more than $200 million in infrastructure upgrades, and our Senate district received more funding than any other in the state.
First and foremost among these victories is full funding to complete the Highway 14 expansion between Owatonna and Dodge Center. The first environmental impact study on this expansion was completed 25 years ago; it is long, long overdue. I said it was my top priority when I came to the Senate, and I am proud to say we got it done in only my second year.
There is no way to overstate my excitement for Highway 14, but it is not the only road that will be fixed thanks to our bill. Highway 23 in Foley, Highway 252 in the cities, and Highway 10 in Wadena all received funding. All told, we are investing more than $500 million into transportation around the state.
This includes $50 million for local roads and $5 million for local bridge construction around the state. I carried the legislation to complete both of these priorities this year because I know the importance of small towns around the state, and I don’t want anybody to be left behind.
I also carried legislation to provide $5 million to the Business Development Public Infrastructure program, which helps small communities throughout the state by providing public infrastructure investments to stimulate economic growth. Last year, Al-Corn Clean Fuel in Claremont benefitted from $500,000 through the BDPI program to expand and modernize their clean fuel operations.
The Minnesota State Academies will get $2 million for asset preservation, and the Cedar River Watershed will receive $2.1 million for flood hazard mitigation.
Obviously the Highway 14 expansion is my number one priority, and I could not be more excited that my legislation to fund it was included in the final bill. But as a whole, the bonding bill focuses on core public infrastructure like roads and bridges and sewer and water upgrades, as well as better treatment options for people facing mental health emergencies, better housing options for at-risk veterans, and funding to improve access to affordable housing. This is truly a bill that cares about Minnesotans and their families.
While the governor’s decisions to veto our tax cut and supplemental budget bills are frustrating and disappointing, the bonding bill is a fantastic win for Minnesotans. I am incredibly proud that so many of my priorities made it into the bill, and that so many people around the state will benefit.
And above all, full funding for Highway 14 is officially done!
Note: This column originally ran in the Owatonna People’s Press.