State Legislative Session Week 9:
Two Down, One to Go
Today marks the second committee deadline of the 2022 legislative session and committee hearings will funnel down to finance and budget bills over the next week. A record number of bills (4,737) have been introduced in the House this biennium, and the Senate is only 220 bill introductions away from setting their own record. Very few of those bills are signed into law, but many are included in omnibus policy and budget bills. While the news often highlights disagreements and dysfunction at the Capitol, three bills were sent to the Governor this week for this signature – funding for ALS research and caregiver grants, direction to the State Board of Investment to divest any state funds from Russia, and extension of the state’s reinsurance program aimed at stabilizing health insurance premiums in the individual market.
House and Senate committees were busy working to hear bills before the deadline, including several of AGC’s priorities. Representing a large shift from his position in previous years, Transportation Chair Frank Hornstein (DFL- Minneapolis) heard a bill that would dedicate the auto repair parts sales tax to transportation. HF 3931, authored by Rep. John Huot (DFL-Apple Valley), was amended to distribute 60 percent of the sales tax to roads and bridges, while 40 percent would fund transit. Current law caps transportation funding from auto parts sales tax at a flat $145.6 million, which represents just under half of the sales tax total. The remaining funds go into the state’s General Fund. AGC of MN, along with many other organizations in business and labor, have prioritized capturing the rest of the auto parts sales tax to fund transportation this year. A similar bill dedicating 100 percent to roads and bridges, has passed with strong bipartisan support in three Senate committees and is also included in the Senate’s Transportation Omnibus bill release this week.
The tension with fully dedicating the auto parts sales tax is with competing General Fund dollars. Groups in education and healthcare want to keep those dollars in the General Fund as those areas receive the highest levels of funding. Currently, transportation receives 0.4 percent of General Fund dollars.
AGC has joined forces with a coalition to urge the Legislature to make significant investments in funding for water and wastewater infrastructure and lead pipe removal and replacement. More than 300 cities have critical water infrastructure projects that are ready to be funded, these projects will create thousands of jobs across the state, protect the environment, and ease the financial burden on local governments. Replacing lead service pipes in Minnesota alone will create an estimated 2,400 jobs annually for 10 years. The bills are moving through the committee process and we are advocating for their inclusion in bonding bills this session.
Next week, finance committees in the House and Senate will take final action assembling omnibus budget bills – bonding bills will be worked on following the Passover/Easter legislative break.
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Minneapolis Fed Construction Survey:
Your Input is Critical
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis needs your input on business conditions in the construction sector.
Please take this 5-minute survey to help the Federal Reserve and various construction trade groups better understand conditions at your firm, and across the construction industry.
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The Best Way to Sell Used Equipment Begins with the Right Buyer: Your Equipment Dealer
The used equipment market is hot and showing no signs of cooling off. The demand for quality, used equipment is strong, with dozers, excavators, and loaders the top three most sought-after machines in the market. If you’re looking to move machines out of your fleet, RDO Equipment Co. can be a great partner in the process. Here are five reasons why working with RDO is the best way to sell equipment. Learn more
Dennis Howard, Vice President of Equipment, RDO Equipment Co.
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MnDOT Announces 2022 State Construction Projects
More than 230 construction projects that will help maintain Minnesota’s roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure; improve safety and mobility; and support jobs will be worked on across the state this year, the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced yesterday. The planned 2022 construction projects include 184 road and bridge projects, plus 51 multimodal projects that will improve airports, water ports and transit infrastructure.
For an overview of the 2022 state construction program, including maps and full project lists, visit mndot.gov/construction. Individual project pages also include information about construction schedules, traffic impacts, maps, benefits and project costs.
Significant projects this year include:
- Beginning a two-year reconstruction of Highway 10 in Anoka, including replacing and repairing bridges to improve traffic flow, safety and providing better pedestrian and bicycle access.
- Completing the two-year I-94 and I-35E project in St. Paul, including resurfacing, repairs to ramps and frontage roads, improved drainage and upgraded storm sewers, bridge rehabilitation, and improved pedestrian sidewalks.
- Resurfacing Highway 77 between Bloomington and Minneapolis to provide a smoother ride, improve drainage and accessibility.
- Beginning a three-year reconstruction of Highway 169 in Elk River, including four new interchanges that will improve traffic flow, increase capacity and improve motorist and pedestrian safety.
- Continuing work on the multi-year Twin Ports Interchange project in Duluth to enhance safety by eliminating blind merges and left exits, replacing aging infrastructure and improving freight mobility.
- Improving 12.5 miles of Highway 23 from Foley to Milaca including resurfacing, a new roundabout in Foley, replacing and repairing drainage infrastructure, and improving intersections to improve safety and drainage.
- Continuing work on Highway 52 between Zumbrota and Cannon Falls including reconstruction of southbound lanes, a new Highway 52/Highway 57 interchange, and completing a new Goodhue County Road 14 connection near Cannon Falls. Now in year two of a three-year project, work will also include replacing three bridges, adding new frontage roads, new reduced conflict intersections, and building a noise wall and install snow fence.
- Beginning the final stretch of expanding Highway 14 between New Ulm and Nicollet. When finished in 2023, this project will expand 12.5 miles of Highway 14 from two lanes to four lanes, and complete a continuous four-lane road between New Ulm and Rochester that will improve capacity, safety and access along the corridor.
- Constructing an overpass bridge on Highway 29 near Glenwood, including a new roundabout at Highway 29/160th Street, and switching traffic to the new alignment of Highway 55. Year two of construction begins April 11.
- Improving Highway 212 in Glencoe including the construction of two reduced conflict intersections, installation of a permanent snow fence, and improved pedestrian access and safety.
- Resurfacing and improving safety on Highway 71 north of Bemidji with eight redesigned intersections.
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AGC Foundation Scholarship Application Open
Students pursuing a secondary degree in a construction related field are encouraged to apply for an AGC of Minnesota Foundation scholarship!
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NEXT WEDNESDAY:
AGC Board of Directors "Icebreaker" Member Networking Reception
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The AGC Board of Directors invites all members to join them for a networking reception at the Water Street Inn in Stillwater on April 6!
Come meet your new board members, enjoy drinks and appetizers, and celebrate the thaw of winter as you enjoy some in-person networking with other AGC members.
AGC staff will give brief presentations on relevant legislative and collective bargaining developments and expectations.
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! |
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Leadership Blueprint Graduation Reception
Join us on Wednesday, April 13 to hear from the 2021-2022 Leadership Blueprint cohort as they graduate from the program! Each participant will make a short presentation, and we'll cheer them on with some food and drink.
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THANK YOU TO THE RECEPTION SPONSORS! |
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MN Construction Crew Union Hiring Event
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Save the Date!
Mark your calendar for the following AGC events coming up in the next year!
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Golf Tournament: August 5 (Keller Golf Course)
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Saints Game: August 10
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Sporting Clays Fundraiser: September 14 (Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club)
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Recognition Evening: October 13 (Intercontinental Hotel, St. Paul Airport)
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Holiday Party: December 8 (The Machine Shop)
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2023 Minnesota Construction Summit: January 17-18 (St. Paul RiverCentre)
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Your Trusted Resource
Associated General Contractors of Minnesota
525 Park Street, Suite 110 | St. Paul, MN 55103
651-632-8929
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