Parks & Trails score big in House/Senate Bonding Bills

By Judy Erickson, government relations director

Thursday, Feb. 4 marked the first day of the 2010 Legislative Session and already Parks & Trails has scored big.

One of the main jobs of the 2010 Legislature is to pass a capital budget, or bonding bill. This year, the Legislature got out of the gate quickly, introducing their package of proposals on the first day of the session. The House and Senate bills are roughly $1 billion; but there were more than $3 billion in requests.

The Parks & Trails Council’s top bonding priorities were for $39 million for the 2010 Trail Initiative package and $5 million for state park acquisition. These priorities were contained in HF2479/SF2419 authored by Rep. Leon Lillie (DFL-N.St.Paul) and Sen. Gary Kubly (DFL-Granite Falls) and HF2710/SF2201 authored by Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-S.St.Paul) and Sen. Dennis Frederickson (R-New Ulm). Hearings were held on these two bills in January, prior to the start of the session.

The House Capital bonding bill, HF2700, totals $999.8 million in general obligation bonds. It includes $41.58 million for state and regional parks and trails and over $30 million for metro regional parks and trails. Of that amount $35.543 million is for the 2010 Trails Initiative and $2.15 million for state park acquisition and $5.6 million for state park rehabilitation.

See table below for trail project breakdown. The House included nearly every one of Parks & Trails priority trail projects and added a few.

For details on the House bill follow the links: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/sessiondaily.asp?storyid=1993

The Senate Capital bonding bill, SF2360, totals $999.963 million in general obligation bonds. The Senate package is very similar to the House proposal.  It provides $42 million for state and regional parks and trails and $25 million for metro regional parks and trails. Of that amount, $29.732 million is for the 2010 Trails Initiative and $2.8 million is for state park land acquisition. The Senate also included nearly every one of Parks & Trails priority projects and added a few as well. 

To review the Senate bill (SF 2360) go to:
http://www.senate.mn/committees/display_select_committee_amendment.php?ls=&id=153
To review the Senate spreadsheet go to:
http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/departments/fiscalpol/tracking/2010/CapBud-10-Req-Gov-Sen-House-Conf.pdf

The state park land acquisition funding in both bills will enable Parks & Trails, along with the DNR, to secure critical priority properties at William O’Brien and Split Rock Light House State Park. The acquisition amounts are very close to the Governor’s recommendations in terms of funding. The priorities are the same.

“Parks & Trails is very grateful to Sen. Keith Langseth and Rep. Alice Hausman for including so many of our park and trail priorities,” said Judy Erickson, government relations director. “A lot of work, by a lot of people went into this effort. We appreciate all the energy of all of our partners and supporters. By working together, all of Minnesota benefits.”

Under Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s recommendations, the state would issue $685 million in general obligation bonds. The governor provided a total of $6 million for water access, state park and trail acquisition and development. And $6 million for metro parks and trails.

The governor warned lawmakers against passing a larger bonding bill, and said that if they did he might veto the entire bill as opposed to trimming it with line-item vetoes. However, it was noted that the House and Senate bill both fit under the Administration’s new guidelines for debt service capacity.

The House and Senate proposals will now make their way through the process. The bill is expected to be on the Senate floor next Tuesday, Feb. 9, and on the House floor, Monday, Feb. 15. A House-Senate Conference Committee will have to work out the differences before sending the bill to the governor.

Parks & Trails Day on the Hill, Feb. 23 may well be very close to when the Conference Committee report goes to the governor. Be sure to attend to get the breaking news!