ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton today released his
2018 public works bill that would make urgently-needed investments to build world-class colleges and universities for Minnesotans, and improve and repair state buildings and other critical infrastructure across the state. Here is what Minnesotans had to say about the public works bill after the announcement.
“Since 2011, we have made many important investments in Minnesota’s aging classrooms, buildings, and other critical infrastructure. But those investments have not kept pace with the enormous need for infrastructure improvements across Minnesota. Years of underinvestment have shortchanged our economy, our higher education institutions, and the vitality of our communities.
“Now is the time to make substantial investments in our state’s future. My public works proposal would make significant, needed investments to provide world-class educations for our students, guarantee clean, affordable water for more of our communities, and ensure our state has the infrastructure necessary to grow and compete in the modern economy.”
– Governor Mark Dayton
“Minnesota owns over 6,000 buildings across the state, these are places Minnesotans visit every day, but they are on the decline. We have over $522 million worth of buildings in poor or crisis condition. I applaud Governor Dayton’s public works proposal, a much needed investment to care for the buildings we already own and to save taxpayers money in the long-run.”
– Commissioner Matt Massman, Department of Administration
“Investment in state buildings and other critical infrastructure has not kept pace with the growing need. It would cost an estimated $8 billion over the next decade simply to restore and maintain our current state and higher education infrastructure. Governor Dayton’s $1.5 billion public works bill remains well within the state’s $3.5 billion in available bonding capacity. The Governor’s proposal is a smart investment in Minnesota’s future – reducing a backlog of deferred maintenance before the costs of these urgently-needed projects escalate further.”
– Commissioner Myron Frans, Minnesota Management and Budget
“In order for Minnesota to attract new and expanding businesses, as well as meet the workforce demands of the future, we must make investments in our educational institutions and critical infrastructure. It is essential that Minnesota’s facilities and public works are ready to support an economy that works for all Minnesotans, everywhere in the state.”
– Commissioner Shawntera Hardy, Department of Employment and Economic Development
“The Department of Human Services provides services for more than one million Minnesotans located in every county of the state. Governor Dayton’s public works bill makes urgently-needed investments in hospitals and other facilities that serve people who are living with a mental illness, substance use disorder, or other serious conditions. These improvements are important not only for client care, but to provide a safe working environment for dedicated public servants. I look forward to working with the Governor and the Minnesota Legislature to make these investments during the 2018 Legislative Session.”
– Commissioner Emily Piper, Department of Human Services
“Minnesota’s public colleges and universities are preparing our state’s future workforce and community leaders – collectively educating more than 440,000 students each year. Governor Dayton’s public works bill makes a significant investment in higher education. It provides more than $540 million to improve existing facilities and make strategic expansions. The Governor and I look forward to working with students, university and college leaders and staff, and the Minnesota Legislature to pass a public works bill that includes robust investments in higher education.”
– Commissioner Larry Pogemiller, Office of Higher Education
“The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has worked to protect Minnesotans, and their water, air and land from pollution for more than 40 years. Governor Dayton’s public works bill supports that important mission by investing in efforts to protect our drinking water resources, clean-up legacy pollution, and add environmentally sensitive areas into conservation programs.”
– Commissioner John Stine, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
“Under Governor Dayton’s leadership, public and private investment in affordable housing has exceeded $5 billion, helping nearly 325,000 low- and moderate-income households. This year, the Governor’s public works bill invests an additional $115 million in safe, affordable housing for Minnesotans in every corner of the state. With rising housing costs and falling vacancy rates, the need for this investment could not be clearer.”
– Commissioner Mary Tingerthal, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
“The University of Minnesota, with five campuses, extension offices and research centers around the state, adds significant educational, cultural and economic value to communities in every corner of Minnesota. Governor Dayton’s public works proposal supports improvements on our campuses, helping to reduce a backlog in deferred building maintenance, while making strategic investments to renew facilities. We look forward to working with legislative leaders during the 2018 session to secure support for these projects, which will benefit all Minnesotans.”
– President Eric Kaler, University of Minnesota
“With 54 campuses in 47 communities across the state, Minnesota State is educating our next generation of workers and leaders – preparing our 375,000 students for a wide spectrum of careers to be the talent Minnesota needs. The public works bill proposed by Governor Dayton would modernize aging infrastructure and expand in-demand programs at campuses around the state. We urge the Legislature to invest in these projects and the students whose academic success the projects will support.”
– Chancellor Devinder Malhotra, Minnesota State
