Senate GOP proposes $825M for public construction
Published 8:02 am Thursday, May 10, 2018
ST. PAUL — Minnesota Senate Republicans are proposing to spend $825 million on public works projects with a heavy focus on infrastructure like roads and building repairs.
The broad details of the bill released Wednesday fall largely in line with the House Republicans’ own $825 million bonding bill. But both are roughly half the size of Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton’s $1.5 billion proposal.
It sets up a heated debate over borrowing between the governor and the Republican Legislature. Those bills are generally worked out in the final days of the legislative session. Lawmakers must adjourn May 21.
Dayton has argued the time is ripe to borrow more for needed repairs and projects across the state. But Republicans say a $1 billion bill passed last year means the state has already borrowed plenty.