Duluth projects won’t get state funding after ‘chaos’ at Minnesota legislature

DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) – A bonding bill that would have funded multiple projects in Duluth failed to make it out of the capitol.

Infrastructure projects across Minnesota won’t receive needed funding after a chaotic end to the Minnesota legislative session.

Senator Grant Hauschild (D-Hermantown) said that disorder caused multiple items to fall by the wayside, including a bonding bill.

“We had full DFL support for a bonding bill this year, but unfortunately we couldn’t get the republican votes we needed to get that super majority,” Hauschild said.

In Duluth alone, updates to the water treatment plant, the lift bridge and seawalls will not get requested funding. It is an issue projects across the state now face.

House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) said the fact they could not push funding through is evidence of a larger issue.

“Minnesota has a spending problem, not a revenue problem and that’s something to keep in mind,” Demuth said.

Projects like the lift bridge likely will not see funding until next session, which begins January 2025. For that to happen any sooner, Governor Walz would need to call a special session.

A special session is something Senate Assistant Majority Leader Nick Frent would support.

“I know some legislators, including me that are optimistic soon we can have discussions about a special session,” he said.

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