The Senate early as late week could be voting on $367 million bonding bill — one containing Minnesota Zoo funding, Big Lake Ice Arena dollars, and funding for other suburban and Greater Minnesota projects.

The Senate Capital Investment committee today (Tuesday, March 10) approved the bill shortly after hearing testimony from State Economist Dr. Tom Stinson who argued that the state had a role in jump-starting the economy.

Sen. Leo Foley, DFL-Coon Rapids, studies the workings of the bonding bill.  (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter

The Senate early as late week could be voting on $367 million bonding bill — one containing Minnesota Zoo funding, Big Lake Ice Arena dollars, and funding for other suburban and Greater Minnesota projects.

The Senate Capital Investment committee today (Tuesday, March 10) approved the bill shortly after hearing testimony from State Economist Dr. Tom Stinson who argued that the state had a role in jump-starting the economy.

Stinson, speaking for himself, said it has become increasingly clear that more help is needed in getting the economy back on track.

Indeed, he opined only America could rejuvenate the global economy —  Americans cannot look to other countries to grease the track to recovery.

The Senate Capital Investment Committee today (March 10) presented a $367 million bonding bill that Senate leaders indicate could be vote on later this week. Senate Capital Investment Chairman Keith Langseth, DFL-Glyndon, studying a document as legislative assistants distribute papers, argued the the bonding bill does not overly strain the state debt service and is needed.

Stinson spoke of the need for quick action on quick projects that could quickly get money into the hands of contractors and workers.

Senate Capital Investment Chairman Keith Langseth, DFL-Glyndon, agreed with the idea of speed.

Important to get bonding bill passed

"It's important we get it (the bonding bill passed) about April 1,” said Langseth.

Besides containing about $90 million for infrastructure improvements at Minnesota State Colleges and University (MnSCU) campuses, the bill  also slates some $24 million for the University of Minnesota Bell Museum of Natural History.

Other University bonding is included.

Among suburban projects is $5 million for the Minnesota Zoo for asset preservation and improvement.

On the other side of the metro, the National Sports Center in Blaine is slated $1 million for asset preservation and $500,000 is earmarked for the proposed Big Lake Regional Ice Center.

The five to one, local/state funding match ratio for the ice center makes it a good choice, explained Langseth.

In the area of transportation, some $5 million was dedicated for the proposed St. Paul to Chicago high-speed rail line that would have stops in LaCrescent, Red Wing, elsewhere.

A million dollars was slated for studies on the Northern Lights Express, which is proposed to provide passenger rail service from Duluth to Minneapolis.

$500,000 for Rush Line

Some $500,000 was slated for parking facilities along the Rush Line that follows I-35E from the cities to Hinckley.

Other transportation items include $1 million for Cedar Avenue bus rapid transit development in Apple Valley and Lakeville.

In the area of metropolitan regional parks, $500,000 is slated as a grant to the City of Coon Rapids to develop a pedestrian/bike trail along 85th Avenue to the Mississippi Regional Trail Corridor.

Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley, leaned back in his chair in amusement during one part of the hearing.

Other funding includes more than $2 million for the redevelopment and expansion of Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley — no local matching dollars are required.

Other bonding projects include Orchestra Hall and the Shubert Theater in Minneapolis, Como Zoo in St. Paul, and a $13 million grant to the City of St. Cloud to buy land, design and construct an expansion to the St. Cloud Civic Center.

Well-balanced bill

Sen. James Metzen, DFL-South St. Paul, congratulated Langseth for presenting a well-balanced bill.

Langseth indicated that should the Legislature pass his bill, the state's debt service would still be less than four percent.

Traditionally, lawmakers look to a three percent debt service level as the maximum acceptable amount.

"I like to be low,” said Langseth.

But the chairman pointed to a 2006 U.S. Census Bureau listing of state debt level that shows Minnesota having the 43rd lowest in the country.

The House has yet to present its bonding bill.

The Pawlenty Administration recently indicated it might be willing to pursue a bonding bill, but one focusing on matching dollars required for federal stimulus funding.

(Photos by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)