By Dean E. Johnson, Senate majority leader

In even-numbered years at the Legislature, like this year, the governor and legislature’s primary focus is on passing a capital investment appropriation, more commonly known as a &uot;bonding bill.&uot;

When the state sells bonds, the money is invested to fix buildings, create basic infrastructure and preserve our existing assets.

Simply stated, now is the time for making investments within our state.

Private businesses have to spend money to make money. Government is no different. Globally, the bonding bill creates jobs.

When the state invests money in various projects, millions of dollars are spent on projects that employ engineers, architects, managers and construction workers.

Businesses that provide supplies and equipment share in the investment as does the service industry, which provides necessary support. Equally as important, when government invests money, private businesses invest additional resources, expanding their operations and creating new job opportunities.

When an agreement is reached, the bonding bill will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. To the average citizen, this number seems unimaginable and politicians are often criticized for wasting taxpayer dollars.

However, the public should remember these projects, which require a 60 percent vote in both the House and the Senate, are approved for one reason only &045; for the public good.

As a state, we remain at a crossroads. We need to make a conscious choice to build on our strengths and move our state forward in a strategic manner. We have an opportunity to renew our legacy as a state where people enjoy a high quality of life.

This session’s bonding bill offers an ideal tool to accomplish this goal.

Higher education schools, wastewater sewer systems and highways represent just a few concrete examples of positive government investment in our state.

Moorhead Technical College offers a vivid example. MeritCare Hospital, a premier employer in the Fargo-Moorhead area, has communicated to the college that it will hire every nurse the college graduates.

However, the school’s nursing labs are outdated and overcrowded. Through a capital investment in additional lab space, more nurses will graduate and immediately become employed in the private sector. Similar cases of leaking roofs and limited space exist throughout the state’s higher education system.

These are not extravagant or wasteful projects. They are basic infrastructure needs that government provides.

Another more subtle need exists in places we rarely think about &045; under our buildings and streets. Dozens of cities throughout the state desperately need to update or expand their existing wastewater and sanity sewer systems. Many cities are operating at full capacity and additional homes or businesses cannot be built until government provides the necessary infrastructure. The allocation of additional resources to wastewater systems is not only an investment in community growth but also enables a healthy lifestyle.These systems improve our water and air quality and help keep our environment clean.

Miles of highway and hundreds of bridges require repair, maintenance and, at times, complete reconstruction. Though it is not glamorous, citizens

recognize an effective and efficient transportation system is essential for progress and development. Without a comprehensive bonding bill, our roads and bridges will remain in disrepair.

In the coming weeks, the public will hear Republicans argue the state needs to &uot;tighten its belt&uot; and &uot;live within its means.&uot; This is simply partisan rhetoric because state law and legislative guidelines dictate we do.

With historically low interest rates, now is the time to make these and many other public investments. There is an important difference between foolish spending and making sound, long-term investments.

When we commit these resources to people, buildings and infrastructure, government spending is transformed into an investment in our state, our communities and our quality of life. The only question that remains is whether or not we have the political courage to do so.

(State Senator Dean E. Johnson is the Majority Leader of the Minnesota Senate, and represents Senate District 13 He is a part-time pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar and a Brigadier General, Chaplain, in the Army National Guard.)