Last week, the Minnesota Senate Capital Investment Committee wrapped up its three-day tour of bonding requests in southwestern Minnesota. The committee heard more than two dozen proposals from local governments, state agencies, colleges, and other entities.

“It was a great three days in southwestern Minnesota. Whether it’s wastewater treatment, bridge or highway improvements, or airport improvements, the need across our state is vast. It was energizing to see the overwhelming support from within the community at many of our stops. Visiting these towns, meeting the passionate people involved in their projects, and seeing the need firsthand really helps the committee make decisions on which projects we have the capacity to fund,” said Senator David Senjem (R-Rochester), chair of the Capital Investment Committee.

The three-day tour included stops in Shakopee, Norwood Young America, Henderson, Vernon Center, Mankato, Lake Crystal, New Ulm, Courtland, Fairmont, Worthington, Jeffers, Marshall, Redwood Falls, Morton, Willmar, Deephaven, and Wayzata. The committee heard about a variety of projects, including requests for bonding to complete the four-lane expansion of U.S. Highway 212 from Chaska to Norwood Young America, to mitigate flooding along the Henderson Area Minnesota River Scenic Byway, to aid in local clean drinking water projects, and to fund deferred maintenance and facility projects at colleges and universities in the Minnesota State system.

Projects are eligible for bonding if they are publicly owned and designated as infrastructure. More than $5.3 billion in capital requests for 2020 have been submitted. The committee will formally consider the requests when the legislature convenes in February.

On November 5-7, the committee will embark on another three-day tour of capital requests in southeastern Minnesota. In December, the committee will conduct its final tour in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. A full list of projects and information on the bonding process can be found at mnsenaterepublicans.com/bonding. 

Senator David Senjem represents Dodge and Olmsted counties in the Minnesota Senate. He serves as chair of the Senate Capital Investment Committee and is a former majority leader and minority leader.

The 18-member Minnesota Senate Capital Investment Committee has jurisdiction over bills appropriating money for capital improvements to public lands, buildings, and infrastructure. Learn more about the capital improvement process and statewide bonding tours at mnsenaterepublicans.com/bonding.