Historic $2.6 Billion State Infrastructure Package: See What's In It

ST. PAUL, MN — State lawmakers passed a $2.6 billion infrastructure package Monday, as the most recent legislative session came to a close.

Minnesota agencies, counties, municipalities, universities and nonprofits will benefit from the cash and bonding bills in order to buy land, build roads and make other upgrades and repairs, according to the state House of Representatives website.

The bills represent the biggest infrastructure package Minnesota has ever seen, according to the Star Tribune. The bonding bill was the first passed by House and Senate leaders since 2020 and required the bipartisan support of a 60 percent supermajority.

“But better late than never, and it’s a really good deal for all the communities across the state of Minnesota,” House Speaker Melissa Hortman, D-Brooklyn Park, said Saturday, according to the House website.

Not all legislators supported the package.

"As we congratulate and pat each other on the back for what is an unprecedented, explosive amount of government spending in our state, and now record borrowing, what does this mean for the future of Minnesota?" Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, asked the Tribune, citing unprecedented migration from the state.

Bond funding for the package includes $1.3 billion in general obligation bonds, as well as $219.2 million and $224.9 million from the transportation and general funds, respectively.

The package includes:

• $381.1 million for 47 water and wastewater projects;
• $146 million for local roads and bridges;
• $92.6 million for the University of Minnesota to renovate Fraser Hall;
• $90 million for Minnesota State to conduct renovations and upgrades at 13 campuses;
• $77.8 million for improvements to the Hasting Veterans Home Campus;
• $72 million for bus rapid transit projects;
• $49.7 million for flood mitigation programs.

Cash-paid undertakings included in the package encompass $850.7 million in general fund spending for over 190 projects, including $48.6 million to be used mostly for local fire and public safety centers.