Minnesota Senate Poised To Approve $1.9 Billion Public Works Borrowing, Tax Cuts Bill

From the Minnesota Reformer:

By Ricardo Lopez

October 15, 2020

The Minnesota Senate is preparing to approve a nearly $2 billion public works borrowing and tax cuts package that easily passed the House Wednesday, 100-34.

The measure, which needs a 60% supermajority in both chambers to pass, received 25 GOP votes in the House. The House then adjourned sine die, effectively going home and leaving the fate of the package in the hands of the Senate.

The high-stakes effort — even as Minnesotans have already begun voting on the next crop of 201 legislators — seeks to inject money into the ailing Minnesota economy with tax cuts and public works spending in advance of the spring construction season. Much of the spending would go toward roads, bridges, water infrastructure and projects on university campuses.

Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-East Gull Lake, indicated Thursday the bill was likely to pass despite some GOP objections.

State Sen. David Senjem, R-Rochester, said it was a “good bill” and the culmination of months of work.

“The journey started nearly a year ago with lots of trips around Minnesota,” Senjem said.

The Minnesota Reformer is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to keeping Minnesotans informed and unearthing stories other outlets can’t or won’t tell..