Governor Gets Large Bonding Bill

The Minnesota House and Senate Bonding Bill committee sent their compromise to Governor Pawlenty yesterday but he seems less than pleased. The governor said to stay within the 3-percent debt service limit rule, a bonding bill should be no more than 825-million. The conference committee bill was 925-million. The governor added that lawmakers included 60-million in bonding money in the transportation bill and has suggested another 233-million for the University of Minnesota bioscience initiative. That would bring the grand total for bonding this year to more than 1.2-Billion. Governor Pawlenty said the bill is fiscally irresponsible and includes a number of new recreation centers but no new nursing home at the Minneapolis Veterans Home. The Governor said he would review the bill carefully and consider his options.