Minnesota House Democrats propose $2.5 billion bonding package as session nears the end
ST. PAUL — With the Minnesota Capitol in its final days of the 2020 session, lawmakers are just beginning public hearings on one of their biggest priorities of the year: the state's biennial billion-dollar-plus bonding and infrastructure package.
Minnesotans will get a look at the House's proposal on Tuesday, May 12, just days before sine die, in a committee hearing. Released on Monday, the Democratic-controlled House's bill comes in at $2.5 billion devoted to infrastructure projects and maintenance throughout the state.
Before the start of the legislative session, Democratic Gov. Tim Walz proposed a slightly more modest $2.03 billion package of his own. Legislative Republicans, on the other hand, have said from the start that the state should finance more conservatively, around $1 billion or less.
In addition to negotiating the dollar amount, House Democrats may have another challenge on their hands: Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, on May 2 said his caucus will refuse to vote in favor of a bonding bill while Walz's coronavirus emergency powers remain in effect. Despite having a majority, House Democrats need to have at least some Republicans on board for the bonding bill, as a three-fifths affirmative vote is required. Then, it must clear the Republican-controlled Senate.
Read more: https://www.postbulletin.com/news/government-and-politics/6487035-Minnesota-House-Democrats-propose-2.5-billion-bonding-package-as-session-nears-the-end
(Rochester Post Bulletin)
