Capitol Comments by Peggy Bennett

With the Legislature on Easter and Passover break this week, it’s a good time for everyone at the Capitol to catch our breath and start to look ahead toward the final weeks of the legislative session. One of the large bills we’ll see in the coming days is our bonding bill, legislation I hope includes needed projects for our area.

Last year, we passed a sizeable bonding bill of nearly $1 billion, with $250 million of that going toward improving transportation in our state and $170 million in water-related initiatives. Our bill also included funding for some of the Albert Lea Stables area sewer improvement. My hope is that any final bill this session prioritizes transportation and water-related improvements, as well as projects in our region.

As a member of the Capital Investment Committee, I was fortunate to join other committee members on a number of tours around the state to see other bonding proposals. Every year, we see countless requests, but it’s our job as members of the committee to research each project and see which will have the biggest impact for their region. Part of the tours included a stop in our area to look at our local projects.

Among the local bonding proposals our committee toured is a Riverland Community College request to improve facilities and move auto service and diesel programs to Albert Lea from the Austin campus, allowing for better integration of those programs and use of educational equipment. I see this project as very important for our area — not only for our local students, but also for our economy to help fill a critical job shortage need for our local businesses.

Currently, we see a shortage of skilled workers needed to fill in-demand, good-paying jobs in technical fields and manufacturing. Schools like Riverland are one way to train residents for a lasting career. In order to do that, Riverland students need the tools, technology and training to excel in the current job market. We want to keep local students — and attract others from around the state — to Riverland to learn on the best equipment possible, and the upgrades that would be funded by my legislation is one way to do that.

A second stop on the committee was the Blazing Star Trail, where the committee heard about both the trail and the Blazing Star Landing initiative. The Blazing Star Trail has been a project in the waiting for over 20 years. Funds are still needed for the construction of a bridge over Albert Lea Lake for a trail connection. This trail is much used by young and old in our area, and the cities of Albert Lea and Hayward have both invested a significant amount of money into the project. It is about time we see this finished!

Finally, we also have the Stables area water and sewer project to be completed, and bonding dollars are still needed to see it finished. Our last bonding bill funded the sewer portion of the Stables project, and this year I am hoping that we can get the water portion funded as well so that this can move into construction.

I have been advocating strongly for our local bonding projects as a member of the Capital Investment Committee. As session races toward a conclusion, it’s local voices, like yours, that can make a difference regarding area projects like Riverland and the Blazing Star Trail. There’s certainly a need for bonding dollars in our district, and I’ll continue to advocate for these projects as proposals come together.

Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, is the District 27A representative.