Members of the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee is fanning out in central and southwestern Minnesota this week to hear from communities about their infrastructure needs.
It's the third of five regional tours ahead of next year's Legislative session, which is a capital budget year.
DFL Representative and co-chair Fue Lee (Minneapolis) says so far they've received more than $6 billion worth of requests.
"Well, I would hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle would support having a robust bill over $1 billion," says Lee. "I think that's something that's doable. We were able to do that in 2023, and I believe we can do that again this year."
Lee says projects range from water and sewer needs to community centers and parks.
"As we move across the state, whether that's a district like I have in Minneapolis, or a district in St. Cloud, or where we're going to in Marshall, different communities have different needs," Lee explains. "And we as a state have a responsibility to help support these local communities, because they don't have the ability to fund these projects themselves."
This week’s tours will bring the committee to the communities of Albertville, Big Lake, Buffalo, Howard Lake, Hutchinson, Lake Lillian, Kandiyohi, Marshall, Morton, Winthrop, New Ulm, Revere, Tracy, Fulda, Worthington, Fairmont, Mankato, Eagle Lake, North Mankato, St. Peter, Henderson, Cologne, Waconia, Carver, Chaska, Shakopee, and Burnsville.
In addition to these stops, the committee will hear presentations on projects from the entire region.