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St. Cloud Times (MN)
21 April, 2004 Bonding bill includes Northstar, college funding Kirsti Marohn ST. PAUL -- A bonding bill unveiled Tuesday by House Republicans includes money for the Northstar commuter rail line, renovations at St. Cloud State University and a work-force center at St. Cloud Technical College. The bill would pay for $683 million in new projects, costing the state about $600 million in new borrowing. That's less than Gov. Tim Pawlenty's recommendation and well below what the DFL-led Senate is expected to propose. The big surprise in the House bill is the $37.5 million for the Northstar rail line, which has had strong opposition in the House in past years. Capital Investment Chairman Phil Krinkie, a vocal critic of the project, said he still opposes it. But Pawlenty reversed his position on Northstar earlier this year and now supports a shorter line from Minneapolis to Big Lake, estimated to cost $265 million. Benton County Commissioner Duane Grandy, who serves as chairman of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority, called the project's inclusion in the House bill "wonderful news." But he noted that the funding still faces obstacles, including the likelihood that some legislators will try to remove it from the bill with an amendment on the House floor. "There's a lot of pitfalls from here to the end of the road," Grandy said. The House bill also includes: St. Cloud's request for funding to expand the Civic Center was not included. St. Cloud officials also are pushing for an extension of the local sales tax to help pay for that project. House leaders put more money into higher education than Pawlenty and found money for some projects the governor left out, such as the Brown Hall/ Math and Science Center project. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities officials had requested $13.86 million for the technical college, but Pawlenty recommended $980,000. House leaders did reject some projects from the governor's bill, such as $20 million for a plan to end chronic homelessness in the state and $19 million for renovations at the Minnesota Zoo. Also shut out was a proposal by Rep. Bud Heidgerken, R-Freeport, for $4 million to turn the former correctional facility in Sauk Centre into a minimum-security prison or a nursing home for veterans. The bill doesn't contain a requested $5.5 million for regional parks and trails in Central Minnesota. However, there is $2.5 million for the Department of Natural Resources for local initiative grants, which would help local governments buy land and develop regional parks in outstate Minnesota. Pawlenty's bonding bill recommended $688.7 million in state borrowing for $757 million in projects. The Senate is expected to propose a bill worth close to $900 million. Still, Krinkie, R-Shoreview, said the House bill is about $200 million larger than what is "really necessary." He noted bonding bills require a three-fifths majority to pass. "There's some pork in here," he said. "There's no question that you need to meet ... the individual needs of some legislators in some districts." St. Cloud's request for funding to expand the Civic Center was not included. St. Cloud officials also are pushing for an extension of the local sales tax to help pay for that project. House leaders put more money into higher education than Pawlenty and found money for some projects the governor left out, such as the Brown Hall/Math and Science Center project. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities officials had requested $13.86 million for the technical college, but Pawlenty recommended just $980,000. House leaders did reject some projects from the governor's bill, such as $20 million for a plan to end chronic homelessness in the state and $19 million for renovations at the Minnesota Zoo. Also shut out was a proposal by Rep. Bud Heidgerken, R-Freeport, for $4 million to turn the former correctional facility in Sauk Centre into a minimum-security prison or a nursing home for veterans. The bill doesn't contain a requested $5.5 million for regional parks and trails in Central Minnesota. However, there is $2.5 million for the Department of Natural Resources for local initiative grants, which would help local governments buy land and develop regional parks in outstate Minnesota. Pawlenty's bonding bill recommended $688.7 million in state borrowing for $757 million in projects. The Senate is expected to propose a bill worth close to $900 million. Still, Krinkie, R-Shoreview, said the House bill is about $200 million larger than what is "really necessary." He noted bonding bills require a three-fifths majority to pass. "There's some pork in here," he said. "There's no question that you need to meet ... the individual needs of some legislators in some districts." Benton delays vote on Northstar resolution Benton County commissioners were scheduled to vote Tuesday on a resolution reaffirming the county's support for Northstar and a commitment to paying its portion of the capital costs. The board decided to postpone that vote until after the Legislature had taken final action on funding Northstar. Board members also wanted all five commissioners present for the vote on the resolution. Commissioner Duane Walter was called away on a family emergency Tuesday morning and hadn't returned by the time the board discussed Northstar. |