Public works bill approved

The Minnesota House and Senate on Thursday passed what one legislative leader called the "meat and potatoes of this session" -- a $1 billion package of public works that supporters said would expand colleges and parks and create jobs at a time of high unemployment.

In a vote that fell largely along party lines, the DFL-led House passed the measure 89-44, rejecting objections to the bill's cost and priorities. The DFL-controlled Senate voted 49-17 in favor.

"This bill is chock full of jobs," said House Majority Leader Tony Sertich, DFL-Chisholm, who called it the main dinner course of the session. But Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, denounced the bill as "a train load of pork" that Minnesotans can't afford.

Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty is expected to zero out a number of projects before he signs the bill.

Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung said the bill "spends too much, so the governor will exercise his line-item veto authority to cut the size."

DFLers had pushed for early passage of a bonding bill, partly as a job-creation tool. In an effort to speed up approval, they recently acceded to Pawlenty's demands that the bill include particular projects he favors, including a controversial expansion of the Moose Lake treatment center for sex offenders.

In defending the size of the bill, DFLers stressed that their package would account for only a fraction of the projected $5.6 billion state budget deficit over the next two years.

Drazkowski attacked spending on arts education and parks -- including "$3 million to plant trees" -- saying the state already is dedicating a sales tax increase over 25 years to similar causes.

Rep. Torrey Westrom, R-Elbow Lake, questioned $4 million to expand a volleyball center in Rochester.

The Legislature passed a $925 million bonding bill in 2008 and a $949 million bill in 2006.

'Smelly underbelly'

Others were less concerned with holding the line on spending than with projects in their district that weren't included in the final version.

The absence of money for a waste-energy project in western Minnesota raised the ire of several rural legislators, as well as House Minority Leader Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove. He questioned why the $5 million project wasn't funded while the bill includes $2 million for "a giant spoon with a cherry on top," a slap at renovation of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.

But DFLers said all of the spending was needed. Rep. Alice Hausman, DFL-St. Paul, who chairs the House bonding committee, said that as many as 27,000 jobs could be created by the bill.

Citing low interest rates and a reduction in construction costs because of the sagging economy, Sen. David Tomassoni, DFL-Chisholm, added that "now is the time to build."

DFLers predicted Pawlenty would be lobbied heavily over the next three days -- the time he has to take action on the bill -- by people arguing for their projects.

After the Senate vote, some GOP senators complained they didn't have time to debate the bill. Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, replied they had an chance but failed to use it. "Come prepared to discuss the issues and vote on time," he said.

The biggest difference between this bill and Pawlenty's proposal concerns funding for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. The legislation provides $174 million, while Pawlenty prefers $93 million.

The legislation also provides $53 million to expand civic centers in St. Cloud, Rochester and Mankato. Pawlenty would fund none of those projects.

Other projects funded by the legislation but excluded from the governor's proposal include:

•$21 million to acquire and develop state recreation trails.

•$16 million to rehab Orchestra Hall and Peavey Plaza in Minneapolis.

•$11 million to expand gorilla and bear exhibits at the Como Zoo in St. Paul.

The bill also continues spending on a Minnesota Planetarium, funding that Pawlenty recommended canceling.

To avert a veto of the entire package, DFLers in recent days added projects they said Pawlenty demanded be included in the bill. They cleared the way for the state to buy land for a park at Lake Vermillion and provided $47.5 million for a sex offender treatment program at Moose Lake. The governor had sought $89 million for that program.

In response to a request by the Star Tribune for a cost breakdown for the program, director Dennis Benson released some figures showing spending for $700 outdoor benches and $400 stools but no breakdown of general construction costs.

DFL Sen. Keith Langseth, who chairs a bonding committee, said such expenses would be "very difficult to defend." Last fall, Pawlenty and Benson came under fire following reports that large-screen TVs were installed at the facility. The governor ordered the TVs removed.