On Saturday, May 20, legislative leaders announced a bipartisan agreement to pass $2.6 billion dollars in bonding projects and deliver $300 million in much-needed funding to the state’s struggling nursing homes. On the final day of the 2023 legislative session, the Minnesota Senate approved a series of bipartisan bonding and cash bills that fund critical infrastructure projects across the state.
Senator John Jasinski (R-Faribault) successfully secured more than $60 million in funding for critical projects, a significant increase from the first bonding bill proposed early in the legislative session.
“Clean water is one of the fundamental services that people expect from government, but infrastructure upgrades of this size and scope are hard for a lot of Greater Minnesota communities to manage on their own,” Jasinski said. “Investing in these important infrastructure projects will help us guarantee that folks have safe and reliable water infrastructure for generations to come.”
“I have long been a strong supporter of bonding and using bonding dollars to fund critical infrastructure upgrades around the state,” Jasinski added. “I know a lot of folks were worried about what might happen with these projects after the first bonding bill did not pass, but holding out for a better deal paid off and this outcome is significantly greater than the original proposal. I am glad we were able to put partisanship aside in the final days of session to get these projects done for the good of the entire state.”
OWATONNA/MEDFORD WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY
- $22 million will be provided for a grant to the city of Owatonna to design and construct a new wastewater facility. An additional 4.5 million will be provided to the city of Medford to demolish its existing wastewater treatment plant and design and build a connection to Owatonna’s new wastewater treatment facility from the city of Medford. The cities note that the regional facility will provide lower costs-per-gallon for treatment as well as better performance and reliability.
MORRISTOWN SEWER AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
- The bill provides $1.5 million for a grant to the city of Morristown for the design and reconstruction of water mains, storm sewer collection systems, streets, and for other drinking water system improvements necessary to increase water pressure and volume and to reduce inflow and infiltration.
OTHER CRITICAL PROJECTS
Senator Jasinski was able to secure funding for a number of critical projects he has authored or worked on over the years:
- $5 million for the Hwy 14/44 interchange in Olmsted County
- $10 million for the North Zumbro sanitary district, which will benefit Wanamingo and four other communities
- $9.037 million for the Minnesota State Academies for asset preservation and dorm renovations
- $10 million for the Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Program
- $79 million for Local Road Improvement Fund grants for undesignated communities
- $6 million for Local Road Improvement Fund grants for townships
- $67 million for the Local Bridge Replacement program