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Rochester, MN's local news source.
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Politics
Senator asks governor for special session
11/6/2009 7:45:09 AM
Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN
The chairman of the state Senate Tax Committee is asking Gov. Tim Pawlenty to call a special session before the end of the year so that lawmakers can pass a public works borrowing bill in an effort to create jobs.
| What happened: State Sen. Tom Bakk asked the governor to call a special session before the end of the year to pass a bonding bill.
Why it matters: The quicker the state decides which construction projects to fund, the sooner they can get going, which would maintain or create jobs. What's next: The governor's office says it will consider the idea but that moving projects up 30 days won't make much difference. |
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"I don't see the point of waiting until the session, and often times the bonding bill gets wrapped up in the negotiations and ends up being used as a chip," Bakk said.
Bakk cited the Mayo Civic Center expansion as a project ideally suited for the bonding bill.
Representatives from the Minnesota Office of Management and Budget will be in Rochester today to learn about several area bonding requests, including the civic center expansion.
Legislators' reactions
Reaction to Bakk's proposal was mixed among local lawmakers.
Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, said that instead of focusing on more state spending to create jobs, the Legislature needs to look at ways to improve the state's business climate.
"We can't rely on state government to be the state's job producer. It just doesn't work," Senjem said.
But Sen. Ann Lynch, DFL-Rochester, said she supports a special session so construction projects can get started in the spring.
"We need jobs in Minnesota, and I believe that the bonding bill is the best mechanism that the Legislature has at its disposal right now," Lynch said.
Rochester is looking for $34 million in state money to expand the civic center. Lynch said that project alone would create 400 construction jobs and $3 million in new income and sales tax revenue for the state. Lynch has endorsed Bakk for governor.
Bakk said he also is working with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce on proposals to improve the state's economy.
Governor's response
Pawlenty's spokesman Alex Carey said the governor will consider Bakk's request but that "calling a special session of the Legislature presumes that a 30-day window of moving up these projects would somehow make a big difference, which likely isn't the case."
Senjem said he is also concerned about how much debt Minnesota takes on during tough economic times. He said some lawmakers have discussed whether there should even be a state bonding bill this year.
Senjem said, "We've got no reserve; revenues are way down; is this the time to take on more debt? I think we need to have that debate."
