(KNSI) — Governor Tim Walz has announced his 2025 infrastructure plan, including $887 million for projects protecting Minnesota’s drinking water, keeping communities safe, and supporting housing development.
The proposed package invests more than $144 million in water and transportation infrastructure, including more than $107 million to support grants and low-interest loans to keep Minnesota’s water clean. The infrastructure plan also includes $5 million for flood mitigation and prevention and $10 million for work on the Rapidan Dam. More than $239 million is included for public safety projects, including expanding the laboratory and investigatory capacity for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and constructing a building for the Minnesota State Patrol headquarters.
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor have proposed an investment of over $44 million in housing and the environment, including $7 million for public housing rehabilitation and $17 million to update the Minneapolis Veterans Home.
More than $395 million will go toward maintaining and renewing state facilities. This includes $206 million for Minnesota State and the University of Minnesota to repair and renovate buildings. Additional investments include $40 million for local government projects, $3 million for the Duluth Hangar in support of the 148th Fighter Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard, and nearly $3 million in grants to construct and renovate early childhood facilities.
Governor Walz said he is confident the legislature can pass the bill before the session ends in May. Even with a Democratic trifecta in the House, Senate and governor’s office, the 2024 session ended without a bonding bill. This year’s session, which is also supposed to be a budget year, is off to a rocky start as House Democrats are boycotting the Capitol due to the GOP’s temporary one seat majority. Balance of power in the chamber may not happen until March as a writ of special election to fill an open seat has not yet been filed.
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