On Saturday, May 20, legislative leaders announced a bipartisan agreement to pass a robust bonding bill and deliver $300 million in much-needed funding to the state’s struggling nursing homes. On Monday, May 22, the final day of the 2023 legislative session, the Minnesota Senate approved a bonding bill that funds critical infrastructure projects across the state.
“I am glad we were able to finally achieve a bonding bill that is fair to rural Minnesota,” Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Alexandria) said. “For months, the Democrat-controlled House and Senate were engaging in hyper-partisanship and mainly only funding legislative projects in Democrat districts. This was outrageous conduct that didn’t change until the last weekend of session. I am pleased we could finally accomplish a more balanced approach, including crucial last-minute funding to save an estimated 40 nursing homes from closure. This will ensure that our loved ones continue to receive the high-quality care they deserve. The Democrats’ budget bills all session forgot about our seniors, and only through an eleventh-hour strong stand by Republican senators did we provide a lifeboat to keep our nursing homes open.”
The agreement gave Republicans an additional $200 million of the new bonding bill. With the passage of this legislation, Senator Westrom secured the full $12.833 million in state funding requested for Phase 2 of the Pope Douglas Solid Waste Management project. Specifically, this project will make key trash and recycling improvements by retrofitting and expanding the existing waste diversion and recycling processing facility.
“I am pleased to announce that the bonding bill includes the full $12.833 million requested for the next phase of the Pope Douglas Solid Waste Management project. This funding is integral to keeping local property taxes down as residents will not have to pay for the entire regional project. Thank you to all the community leaders who helped us secure this funding!” Senator Westrom said.
The Central Square Cultural and Civic Center community building in Glenwood is also funded at $4 million. “This is a project that our community has been pushing for years, and I am very pleased we were able to secure this much-appreciated funding this session. The $4 million will go a long way for remodeling and roofing improvements to the Central Square.”
This year’s bonding bill also provides $2 million for Lake Le Homme Dieu and Lake Geneva Culvert improvements to install a new box culvert under U.S. Highway 29 between Lake Le Homme Dieu and Lake Geneva. Working with the City of Alexandria and members of the lake associations, this project will enlarge the waterway to allow for better water flow control and facilitate boat traffic on the Alexandria Chain of Lakes.
Additionally, the bonding bill includes $2 million for the City of Beardsley’s Dry Lake System. “This $2 million will pay about half of the needed drainage system replacement,” Senator Westrom said. “This will protect the community of Beardsley from flooding due to the failing drainage tile system. By buying down about half of the project’s cost, the expenses do not fall onto the local property taxes. This will be a huge help to the whole area affected by this small community drainage system.”
Finally, Alexandria Technical and Community College will receive $955,000 to help fund the remodeling, deconstructing, and planning of the new campus additions, including the Transportation Center. “This nearly $1 million will ensure that the Alexandria Technical & Community College remains a top-tier institution for our community and state. This funding will help modernize the campus, including the construction of the Transportation Center,” Senator Westrom concluded.