Sen. Chuck Wiger: Infrastructure Spending Needed to Boost Economy

This session we are looking again at bonding for important infrastructure needs throughout the state.

Senate budget committees have spent the last few weeks hearing bonding proposals, with more than 100 bills authored. Lawmakers in our community have requested a variety of projects that constituents are interested in.

Here are a few of the local projects being considered as we finish the final four weeks of session:

• Harriet Tubman Center East
• Fish Creek natural greenway land  
• Gateway Corridor transitway
• Groundwater monitoring wells installation
• Maplewood regional public safety training facility

The Senate has taken a thoughtful approach throughout the bonding process. I hope we are able to start these important projects, but this is a continuing discussion with the governor and the House.

The bonding proposals put forward by the governor and House will create thousands of jobs throughout Minnesota. Bonding is an important way to keep investing in our future. It creates jobs in the hard-hit construction industry right now, and gives us the roads, bridges and buildings to keep economic growth moving forward.

Interest rates remain incredibly low. It is cheaper to bond now than it will be in the future. This is an opportunity to put Minnesota on a prosperous path forward.

One of the most important statewide bonding projects proposed is the continuing renovation of the Minnesota State Capitol. To continue renovation, we need to invest $109 million dollars.

Minnesota’s capitol building is one of the most beautiful in the entire country. It is also functional. Many states are turning their capitols into museums, but Minnesota has always had a working capitol building and that is how it should be.

The Capitol in St. Paul is the “people’s house.” That’s how it’s been for the last century and how it should be for another 100 years.

Restoration would include:

• Repairing the stone exterior and replacing the roof
• Implementing a new plumbing system, which is more than 100 years old
• Modernizing the electrical and mechanical systems
• Upgrading the energy efficiency and telecommunications
• Providing better access for the public
• Providing better safety and security

If you have never taken a tour of the Capitol, I recommend it. Minnesota is lucky to have such a magnificent building as the “people’s house.”

And while you’re here taking a tour, make sure to stop in and visit me. I’m in office 205. You can always reach me by phone at 651-296-6820 or by email at sen.chuck.wiger@senate.mn.

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