Walz signs $1.9 billion public works package at union center

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Gov. Tim Walz says the $1.9 billion public works bill he signed into law will improve Minnesota’s infrastructure and ensure that construction crews keep busy as the economy digs out from a recession.

Walz went to an Iron Wormers Union training center in St. Paul on Wednesday to give his final approval to the package after the Legislature sent him last week. The bonding bill will fund hundreds of projects across the state.

Passing the bill took almost all year — and multiple special sessions — to complete. But Walz said it will provide a perfectly timed boost given low interest rates and crews hungry for work. He said the record size speaks to the long backlog of projects.

The state will borrow most of the money by selling bonds to build or refurbish buildings and water treatment plants, replace roads and bridges, fix up trails and more. The measure also contains about $200 million in tax cuts for businesses and farmers. It also spares two state prison facilities from closure. But it could be months before the infrastructure projects get underway and create jobs