House Republicans release $600 million capital investment plan

Far less than what the governor and Senate are pushing, House Republicans unveiled a $600 million capital investment proposal Monday.

“All of these projects were visited and vetted over the last two years,” Rep. Dean Urdahl (R-Grove City) said in a statement. “The focus is squarely on improving our state’s infrastructure, sticking with the priorities during what is, by definition, not a bonding year. This is the first step in our process to get projects rolling.”

Rep. Dean Urdahl

The plan, a delete-all amendment to HF892, is scheduled to be addressed Wednesday by the House Capital Investment Committee, which Urdahl chairs. Public testimony is expected to be taken at the 3 p.m. meeting.

The plan calls for $240.2 million in transportation-related projects, $139.8 million for water-related projects and $106 million for facilities preservation. 

“It is challenging to assemble a bill which both respects the taxpayers and also upholds our infrastructural obligations,” Urdahl said. “That is exactly what this bill accomplishes.”

Gov. Mark Dayton unveiled a $1.5 billion idea in January. Sponsored by Sen. David Senjem (R-Rochester), SF210, a $1.6 billion proposal, including $744.5 million in general-obligation bonding and $201.89 million in General Fund spending, awaits action by the full Senate.

Last year, in what is traditionally a bonding-focused session, House Republicans unveiled a bonding proposal in the waning hours of the 2016 session and a House vote was taken in the chaotic final minutes of session. The DFL-controlled added a plan to pay for the controversial Southwest light-rail project just before the clock struck midnight, but the House had adjourned sine die. Capital investment was part of the unsuccessful special session discussion over the final seven months of 2016.

Funding in the House Republican proposal includes:

• $57.02 million for rail grade separation crossings in Moorhead and Red Wing on crude oil rail corridors;
• $40 million in wastewater infrastructure;
• $32.48 million for the Minnesota State system, including $25 million in asset preservation;
• $30 million in asset preservation at the University of Minnesota;
• $20 million in asset preservation for the Department of Corrections;
• $15 million for Department of Natural Resources asset preservation;
• $13 million for preservation at the Science Museum of Minnesota;
• $11.5 million for four flood hazard mitigations;
• $10.5 million for physical security for the Capitol Complex;
• $10 million for public housing rehabilitation;
• $4 million in asset preservation at the Minnesota Zoo; and
• $2 million in library construction grants.