Minn. Legislature Passes $498M In Bonding Projects
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota Legislature has approved $498 million in state borrowing for construction projects including $131 million for the Minnesota Colleges and University system and another $88 million for University of Minnesota campuses.
The decision to issue construction bonds was part of a larger budget deal between Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican legislators to end a state government shutdown. Republicans had previously resisted widespread bonding this year but Dayton had argued it would help create jobs.
The package includes $51 million for a new physics building at the University of Minnesota, $42 million for a new science and engineering laboratory at St. Cloud State University, $50 million for flood control projects around the state, and $56 million for transportation projects with more than half to local bridge replacement and repairs.
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