Senate panel working on second bonding bill

With the end of the 2010 session rapidly approaching, a Minnesota Senate committee today began considering a second bonding bill.

Gov. Pawlenty signed a $680 million bonding bill back in March. He trimmed the package of construction projects down from $1 billion using line item vetoes. DFL Sen. Keith Langseth, DFL-Glyndon says his new $313 million bonding bill includes what was removed from the earlier measure.

"It would make alive all of the vetoed projects. You know, I think the governor the second time around would allow some of those to pass. But at this point just we're sort of feeling our way on this to see if something can be worked out."

The Senate finance committee was expected to consider several amendments to make the bill even bigger. Senate Republican Minority leader David Senjem says he can't understand how anyone can consider more borrowing when the state's cash reserves are dried up.

DFL House Majority Leader Tony Sertich said he doesn't think there will be a second bonding bill.

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