The House has proposed a $496 million package of statewide construction projects. The 2012 bonding bill is larger than the GOP's initial offer, but still is stripped of most of the local projects members love: no money for civic centers, no new minor league ballpark for the St. Paul Saints, no money to renovate Nicollet Mall, no funds to expand the Southwest Rail Corridor.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
• $44 million for repairs to the aging Minnesota Capitol. The House had originally proposed borrowing more than $200 million to fund the complete cost of renovation but fell one vote short of the necessary total to achieve that.
• $30 million for flood mitigation.
• $30 million for bridge replacement and rehabilitation.
• $10 million for local road projects.
• $55 million for the Business Development Through Capital Project Grant Program.
• $54 million for the University of Minnesota system, most of which will go for asset preservation and replacement.
• $144 million for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system for new buildings and classrooms and for asset preservation.
