Has the Legislature rediscovered Minnesota Nice? With the opening of the 2007 session, lawmakers are falling all over themselves to get along and bond across party lines. It's a truly inspiring show of civility -- so far.
So while they're reaching across political and geographical boundaries, here's a reminder to the citizen legislators of the Twin Cities metro area, the farm country of southern and western Minnesota and the rivers and valleys in between of what's important for Duluth, as identified by the City Council.
Topping the list is help from the state to solve the $309 million -- that's the latest figure -- retiree health-care liability. While a blank check would be nice, the more realistic help sought from the Legislature is to give Duluth authorization to participate in the Minnesota State Board of Investment to generate higher returns than the city could make on its own. Proceeds would be used to pay down the liability.
Also high on the list is $37.9 million in state bonding for long-needed improvements to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, a project that should need no introduction to any returning legislator after the inexcusable failure to approve the bond proceeds last year. The improvements, which include construction of a new arena for the University of Minnesota Duluth hockey teams, are on the to-do lists of the governor and legislative leaders after Duluth voters did their part last year by approving a city food and beverage tax.
Additional money -- state bond proceeds, in Legislature speak -- is being sought to build a wastewater containment facility to help stop sewage from being dumped into Lake Superior, something that no one should disagree with, and to make improvements to Slip #2 on the Duluth bayfront. The latter would allow cruise ship passengers a new place to disembark, something disrupted by the federal Department of Homeland Security (whose blank check would be appreciated as well).
ADVERTISEMENT
What else? Well, how about the massive, but empty, Northwest Airlines aircraft maintenance facility at Duluth International Airport? Duluth city leaders are seeking the repeal of statutory requirements prohibiting them from searching for new tenants should Northwest Airlines reject its current lease. They're also looking for increased state funding through a revamped local government aid formula and financial incentives to restore Duluth's historic buildings.
And of course the list includes continued state assistance to restore passenger rail service between Duluth and the Twin Cities, a goal lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say is now more attainable with U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar's chairmanship of the House Transportation Copmmittee. Accomplish this and lawmakers and visitors from across the state will have no trouble mingling with their Northland brethren and sistren.
Let the lovefest continue.
