Legislative Update - December 20, 2021

Dear Neighbors, 

I hope you and yours have a very happy and healthy holiday season as many of us prepare to gather to celebrate and ring in the new year. Whether your holiday gatherings are large or small, it remains incredibly important to get tested for COVID-19, and get vaccinated or boosted if you haven’t already.

Minnesota recently passed the tragic milestone of 10,000 deaths from COVID-19, and leaders from Minnesota’s health care systems recently purchased a full-page newspaper ad pleading with Minnesotans to do their part to help end this crisis. All of this is to say that precautions are needed to ensure our loved ones stay healthy. Check out these links for resources on getting tested, vaccinated, and boosted. 

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Last week, I chaired the House Capital Investment Committee in a joint hearing with the House Transportation Committee to receive an update on the impact of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on Minnesota, specifically in the areas of transportation infrastructure. The bill has other important provisions too, including steps to address climate change.

From the new law, Minnesota is estimated to receive $4.5 billion for highways, $818 million for public transportation, $302 million for bridges, and $68 million for electric vehicle charging stations. Other important investments from the legislation not related to transportation include $100 million for broadband internet and $680 million for clean water infrastructure.

The investments we’re seeing from the federal government are putting our state and country on the right track when it comes to addressing aging infrastructure, but these funds alone aren’t a fix-all solution. As we get a clearer picture of what the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act means for Minnesota, we’ll be working in the legislature to capitalize on this moment and fully build back better for our state. 

Minnesota’s Economic Forecast & Bonding

Earlier this month, Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) announced the state’s budget forecast, projecting a $7.7 billion positive fund balance. In addition to depicting a strong economy, the forecast also shows the state’s capacity to bond up to $3.5 billion, enabling the possibility of a robust Capital Investment Bill.

The forecast is good news for Minnesotans, not only for the signs of a strong economy, but for the once in a century opportunity we now have to invest in Minnesota’s critical infrastructure. With the state’s AAA bond rating, historically low interest rates, and the responsibility to match the funds from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we have the ability and duty next session to deliver a robust Capital Investment Bill that rises to this unique moment and meets the immense needs of communities throughout the state - needs that we saw firsthand during this year’s bonding tour.

The Bonding Tour stops to visit crumbling transportation infrastructure

This year, with a total of 14 total days on the road, we traveled 2,369 miles, visited 130 sites, heard 273 presentations, and all of it totaled to $5.5 billion in project requests. The need is great, both in our community and throughout the state. It’s time for us to step up and meet this moment. 

Stay Connected

The 2022 Legislative Session is just over a month away, and I want to hear from you. We’ll have a lot to take on this year in a short amount of time, so please reach out to me with any questions, comments, or concerns you have about our work at the Minnesota House. Feel free to contact me at 651-296-4262 or email at rep.fue.lee@house.mn. I look forward to hearing from you.

Have a happy and healthy holidays,

Sincerely, 

Fue Lee

State Representative