Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz unveiled a $907 million infrastructure plan Thursday, setting his priorities for a bonding bill ahead of the legislative session that starts next month.
The governor’s proposal includes nearly $150 million for public safety projects, including $41 million for security upgrades at the State Capitol.
Earlier this week, an advisory committee on Capitol security approved a set of recommendations to lawmakers, including adding weapons screening technology.
It also proposes spending $61 million for expansion and renovations at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Rush City and $47 million for an expansion of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s Bemidji Regional Office and Lab.
Among other proposals, the bonding plan also:
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allocates $50 million for Rural Finance Authority loans for Minnesota farmers
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includes $172 million for water and road projects
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directs $99 million to affordable housing and economic development
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allocates $52 million for outdoor recreation and environmental protection projects — including money for dam safety repairs and improvements to the Department of Natural Resources’ aviation facilities at the Brainerd airport
The largest chunk of money — $316 million — would go toward preserving existing state infrastructure that’s in need of maintenance. That includes $150 million for projects on Minnesota State and University of Minnesota campuses.
Lawmakers will have their chance to debate that plan — and advocate their own priorities — once the session begins on Feb. 17. Because bonding bills allow the state to take on debt to pay for projects, they have a higher threshold for passage — meaning bipartisan support will be needed in the narrowly divided Legislature.
But Walz’s proposal quickly drew some union support.
Joel Smith, president and business manager of Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Minnesota and North Dakota, urged legislators to back the governor’s plan.
“Every year is the year to keep up our infrastructure. Gov. Walz’s bonding proposal will continue to fix our crumbling roads, bridges, water infrastructure and public buildings,” Smith said in a statement, while noting that the jobs created by those projects “allow LIUNA members to put food on the table, protect their healthcare and secure their pensions.”
