One of my big criticisms of last year’s bonding bill was that it included too much waste. There are communities across the state that have urgent needs, but Democrats chose to cut out water, transportation, and infrastructure projects in favor of handouts to special interests and non-profits. More than 54 non-profits received funding in last year’s bill, putting special interest groups ahead of clean water and safe roads for Minnesotans.
Unfortunately, we might be facing a similar situation again this year. It would be a profound failure of priorities.
Consider the small city of Lewisville, which is seeking $9 million to completely replace its failing sewer system, water infrastructure, and roads. With a population of just 204 people, Lewisville has found itself in a dire situation through no fault of its own. The city was forced to pay $5.8 million for not one but two wastewater treatment plants because the first plant did not work. The contractor responsible for the failure went out of business. Lewisville was unable to recover damages, leaving the city nearly bankrupt.
Lewisville’s crumbling utilities pose serious public health risks. Their water tower literally froze last winter, leaving residents without water for fire protection. The cast iron water mains are over 60 years old, with several homes still using lead service lines. The roads are so deteriorated that grass is growing through the pavement. For a community with a median household income of just $47,750 and average utility bills of $120 per month, this is a crisis they cannot tackle alone. State assistance is desperately needed.
Compare this to another proposal before us – $12 million to replace the irrigation system for one of the 18-hole courses at the Giants Ridge resort, which is owned by the state.
If that price seems high to you, you’re right: the cost of a typical golf course irrigation system ranges from $800,000 to $3 million. Perhaps $5 million in extreme cases. So why does this proposal come with such a shocking price tag?
Furthermore, we must ask why Minnesota is even in the golf resort business to begin with. Propping up a luxury amenity seems very difficult to justify when we have communities across our state with drinking water and basic sanitation concerns.
I have nothing against golf. But if forced to choose between funding critical infrastructure that protects public health and safety or splurging on a fancy irrigation system for a resort, the priority should be strikingly clear.
As the legislature weighs this year’s bonding requests, please encourage your elected officials to stay focused on the core priorities and responsibilities of government. Maintaining critical sewer and water systems must take precedence over projects that enhance luxury amenities or unaccountable nonprofits.
Lewisville and towns like it across our state need our help. They are counting on us to have their backs just as they had ours for so many decades. Let’s make the right choice and invest our limited resources where they are needed most.