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Gov. Tim Walz declared his top priority for the legislative session Wednesday as getting approval for a finance plan to pay for construction projects across Minnesota.

Walz kicked off a tour of state funded project at a water treatment plant in Robbinsdale. He was there to tout his $907 million bonding proposal to invest in public safety, clean water and transportation initiatives.

“It's the core responsibilities of government: safety and security of our citizens and the delivery of the basic infrastructure — water, safe roads, schools,” Walz said. “And the ability to be able to build a facility like this to make sure that no matter where you live in Minnesota, you have access to clean drinking water. It takes all of us to do it.”

The water treatment facility took 10 years to build and opened in 2022. Walz said local taxpayers couldn't have paid the $35 million to fund it without the help of state money.

Not all of the money for his bonding proposal comes through general bonds. Others would leverage dedicated accounts.

The bonding bill allows the state to cover the cost of projects up front and pay it back over time with interest, similar to a home loan.

This year’s proposal seeks $113 million to support water treatment projects. Other money would go to preserving or renovating existing buildings, security upgrades at the Capitol and transportation-related projects. 

The bonding bill is among the trickier measures to assemble and pass. It requires support of the three-fifths of each chamber to pass because it involves the issuance of state debt. That means attracting buy-in from both parties.

It is typically one of the final bills to pass because inclusion of a local project can be a sweetener to help gain votes on the proposal and unrelated legislation, too.

Walz plans to make other stops in coming weeks to build support for the package.

He was joined for a tour of the Robbinsdale facility with local officials and key members of his administration. Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Erin Campbell said Walz's proposal would focus on critical needs in water infrastructure.

“While demand is far greater than we can address in any one year's funding bill, the governor's plan helps ensure we make real progress,” she said.

Campbell said her agency had received more than $500 million in water infrastructure requests from other public agencies.

Neither House nor Senate Capital Investment Committees have released their initial lists of projects they want the state to borrow for. Those plans should come after an upcoming legislative recess for the Easter and Passover holidays.

Walz said he doesn’t want it to get lost in the shuffle.

“I have no reason to believe we shouldn't be able to get this done, but I'm trying to signal the best I can (that) this is the top priority,” Walz said.

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Gov. Tim Walz is hoping to build momentum for a construction projects finance bill, which takes a bigger margin to pass than most legislation at the Capitol.

Two people stand in a room with pipes and infrastructure around them.

Nicole Ki | MPR News

A man stands in front of a stand of microphones, with workers in the background near large water pipes.

A woman stands in front of a stand of microphones. Large water pipes are behind her.

Gov. Tim Walz heads to water treatment plant as he works to sell construction projects plan

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