PRESS RELEASE – Failure of bonding bill frustrates Greater Minnesota leaders

For Immediate Release   

March 16, 2023                                                                      

Contact: Alex Wildfang        
651-259-1917   
ahwildfang@flaherty-hood.com                                                                                                                      

Failure of bonding bill frustrates Greater Minnesota leaders

Projects across the state now in doubt

ST. PAUL—During today’s floor session of the Minnesota Senate, the vote on the bonding bill failed along party lines. The outcome is extremely frustrating for local leaders who were looking to the bonding bill to assist with millions of dollars for water, wastewater, transportation, local economic development, and other critical projects. “Those legislators who voted no are taking a risk that there will be no other opportunity to fund these projects this year,” said Thief River Falls Mayor and CGMC President Brian Holmer.

“It’s days like today that leave many local leaders confused and unsure what to believe when legislators claim to support important local infrastructure and then vote ‘no’ when given the opportunity to move these projects forward. Legislators who rejected the bonding bill must now go home and explain to local leaders like me why they could not support the bonding bill and the important infrastructure that it contained,” Holmer continued.

In many cases, water and wastewater projects will still need to start construction and be paid for entirely by the local community, meaning residents and businesses will need to brace for higher water and wastewater fees as well as increased property taxes – expenses that could have been avoided with the passage of this bill.

This outcome is especially disappointing given the strong bipartisan vote that the bill received in the House. We want to thank the 21 Republican House members who showed up for their communities and voted ‘yes.’

We also appreciate the efforts of Chairs Pappas and Lee and Minority Leader Urdahl who shepherded a strong bill through the process that addressed so many critical needs across the state.

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The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization representing cities outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Coalition educates legislators about issues important to Greater Minnesota. Visit the CGMC at greatermncities.org and follow us on Twitter @greatermncities.