LEGISLATION HIGHLIGHTSThis week, the House capital investment committee heard my bill that would help realign and re-route Highway 60 in Wabasha. Over 1,000 semis, and countless other vehicles, from Wisconsin cross the bridge and enter Wabasha on a daily basis. They immediately have to make a 90 degree turn and travel through town on a road that can be susceptible to flooding. The $2.894 million plan would eliminate the dangerous T-shaped intersection by the bridge, improve mobility, and activate land that can be used for housing and commercial development in Wabasha. The City of Wabasha is to be commended for creatively putting this $12 million package together. It has already secured local, federal and state transportation funds for the project, but if it does not receive the remaining funds and work has not begun by 2027, it is in danger of losing its $5 million in federal funding. Another local capital investment plan would help fund the North Zumbro Sanitary Sewer District. It would serve residents in Goodhue, Zumbrota, Wanamingo, Pine Island, and the Prairie Island Indian Community by having a centrally located wastewater facility in Zumbrota. Over the life of this project, taxpayers would save roughly $50 million as the need for individual sanitary sewer systems in each community would be eliminated. In this case, we have five communities working together to cut costs. It’s a benefit not only for impacted residents but for taxpayers overall when you consider long-term expense savings. These are the kinds of projects we should be supporting as a state, plans that address broken and outdated infrastructure in our cities that local government would never be able to afford. I’m hopeful both of these proposals will be included in a future capital investment plan. LOCAL VISITORS Not long ago, Cannon Falls High School student Zane Beck was selected to take part in the Minnesota House High School Page Program, where he participated in a House floor session and learned all about the political process at the State Capitol. Congratulations Zane! I enjoyed visiting with you!  |