$1.5B bonding bill blocked by MN Senate Republicans

A $1.5 billion bonding bill failed to pass in the Minnesota Senate today (Thu), as Republican lawmakers are holding out for tax cuts first.

House File 669 – which would have provided money for capital improvement projects — was defeated 34-to-32.

Proposed bonding bills require a three-fifths majority, or 41 votes, for passage, meaning seven Republicans needed to join with the 34-member DFL majority.

Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson of East Grand Forks says Republicans won’t support the bill until tax relief gets priority.

“Let’s get this (bonding bill) done, but let’s ensure Minnesotans are taken care of, as well,” Johnson said on the Senate floor. “Make sure that they have tax relief. Make sure that we understand what’s happening in our fiscal policy of this state.”

Johnson added: “This was an opportunity to get that changed today, folks.”

DFL Sen. Sandy Pappas, the bonding bill’s sponsor, told Senate colleagues that the bill needs passage because communities are desperate for assistance.

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(Photo: Sen. Mark Johnson)