Saint Paul, MN – Kris Fredson, Director of Public Affairs of LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota released this statement after Governor Tim Walz announced a $982 million jobs and projects proposal:
“After enacting the largest construction jobs bill in state history last year, Governor Walz continues to lead the charge to fix Minnesota’s infrastructure. We urge legislators to pass a large local jobs and projects bill again in 2024 because every year is the year to keep up our infrastructure.
Minnesotans are counting on bipartisan support to improve public safety and health with modernized transportation, water, and housing infrastructure. These critical investments will put thousands of workers, including LIUNA members, to work in good-paying construction jobs rebuilding our state’s assets.
We are encouraged to see Governor Walz’s proposal build on momentum from last year's historic investments in water infrastructure, including $240 million for lead pipe removal. Replacing lead service lines and upgrading water treatment plants remain vital to Minnesotan’s health and safety. Over the next decade, our leaders must remain diligent in investing strategically to remove all lead lines that risk contaminating drinking water.”
Capital investment requests across the state totaled $7.6 billion, including $4.7 billion in state agency requests and $2.9 billion in requests from local government units.