Capital Investment committee hears regional requests for schools, public safety, water, veterans and recreation

The Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee heard testimony from local officials and nonprofit leaders seeking state bonding for projects across the state, including new special-education facilities, a regional fire and ambulance facility, wastewater upgrades on the Red Lake Reservation, municipal water-system overhauls, a veterans care campus and park improvements in Hibbing. The hearing included representatives and mayors from rural towns and cities, regional water and watershed officials, tribal leaders, and advocates for veterans and special education.

Why it matters: Committee members heard a string of requests — many characterized as critical infrastructure or life-safety projects — that committee staff will need to evaluate for cost, readiness and statewide priority. Several presenters said local funding is limited and that a state match would unlock projects that sponsors say are ‘‘shovel ready’’ or essential to public health, public safety and economic development.

Northern Lights and regional special-education cooperative (House File 568) Representative Jeff Dotseth introduced House File 568, asking for $6.5 million in state bonding to build or replace facilities for two special-education cooperatives serving large rural areas in northeastern Minnesota. Barb Mackey, assistant special education director for the Northern Lights Special Education Cooperative, described two outdated and overcapacity buildings that house Northern Lights Academy, serving students with “behavioral needs, emotional and behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorders and severe cognitive disabilities.” Mackey said the cooperative serves roughly 2,500 students across five counties and about 6,000 square miles. Tanya Severson, assistant director for the Area Special Education Cooperative (ASEC), testified the bill would provide $6.5 million to build a learning center in Crookston for students who otherwise travel more than 100 miles to the nearest Level 4 facility.

Cloquet Area Fire District regional public safety facility (House File 433) Representative Dotseth presented House File 433, a $10.5 million request to construct a new regional fire and ambulance facility for the Cloquet Area Fire District. Fire Chief Jesse Buess said the district consolidated four former departments in 2009 and now serves two cities and seven townships, routinely responding 20 to 30 miles outside its home area to provide…