The Minnesota House of Representatives Capital Investment Package, approved April 12, includes state bonding dollars for restoration projects along the Otter Tail River and to improve the resource recovery facility in Perham.
Im happy to see this project (river restoration) made it, said State Rep. Dean Simpson, who authored legislation in support of both projects. The land along the river needs to be improved because we lose so much of it each spring.
The bill (HF2589), drafted by Simpson (R-New York Mills), calls for the appropriation of $320,000 to the city of Ottertail for the design and construction of river restoration projects on the Otter Tail River. The funds would not be available until the commissioner of natural resources determines that $80,000 has been committed to the project from nonstate sources.
The second bill (HF2590) calls for the appropriation of $3 million in the form of a solid waste capital assistance grant to improve the resource recovery facility in Perham. The funds would not be available until the Office of Environmental Assistance determines that an equal amount has been committed to the project from nonstate sources.
The facility is functioning under capacity, so we need to improve and enlarge the system, Simpson said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Capital Investment Package also includes funding to repair or replace the roof, fire alarm system and windows at Central Lakes College in Staples. It also appropriates funds to the Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Wadena for roof replacement, installation of ADA-compliant features and other improvements.
The House proposal is $949 million in general obligation bonds, with a total of $999 million when user-financed bonds, trunk highway bonds, and cash amounts are included.
The House bonding bill is $138 million more in general obligation than Gov. Pawlentys proposal and $40.6 million less in general obligation bonds than what was proposed by the Minnesota Senate. The House bill distributes approximately one-third of its funding to Greater Minnesota, one-third to the seven-county metropolitan area and one-third to statewide initiatives.
A conference committee, comprised of House and Senate members, will work to draft a final bill somewhere about $965 million.
