Area legislator looks to September for possible passage of a bonding bill

Minnesota lawmakers were unable to pass a bonding bill for state public works projects during a one-day special session held last week, the third such session held this year.  State District 27B Representative Jeanne Poppe, DFL’er from Austin stated to KAUS that because the state is selling previously-authorized bonds in August, the special session was a brief one with *no* action on a bonding bill:

Poppe went on to state that both sides must put aside political rhetoric and complete the work that needs to get done…

The bonding bill, which has totaled anywhere from $1.5-$1.8 billion dollars includes $19 million in funding for the city of Austin’s wastewater treatment facility renovation project.  House Republicans have kept to their promise thus far of not supplying the needed votes for a bonding bill to pass until Governor Tim Walz relinquishes his COVID-19 emergency powers.  Bonding bills require a supermajority, or 60% of the vote to pass.