Sen. Lynch appointed to the Capital Investment Committee

08/15/2007

State Senator Ann Lynch (DFL-Rochester) was recently appointed to the Senate Capital Investment Committee and will be part of the decision-making process on legislation that is expected to add roughly $1 billion to the Minnesota economy in 2008.

The 25-member Capital Investment Committee has jurisdiction over all bills appropriating money for the acquisition and betterment of public lands and buildings and other public improvements of a capital nature. "I am honored to serve on the Capital Investment Committee," Sen. Lynch said. "Given the recent tragedy of the 35W bridge collapse, I am even more cognizant of the need for strategic investments in our public infrastructure throughout the state."

Senator Lynch represents the Rochester area, which holds two major public institutions: the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota-Rochester. She supported $25 million in one-time funding for the U of M/Mayo bioscience partnership and $8 million in on-going funds for 2010-11. In addition, Sen. Lynch successfully included several projects of significance for southern Minnesota in the 2007 Capital Investment Bill including $2.5 million for the Mayo Civic Center and $1.5 million for the Southeast Minnesota Training Center.

"In her first session in the Senate, Sen. Lynch has proven herself as a tireless worker on behalf of her region, and someone who keeps the needs of the entire state in mind," said State Senator Keith Langseth (DFL-Glyndon) who serves as chair of the Capital Investment Committee. "Representing a fast-growing area of the state like she does, Sen. Lynch will be a valuable member of the committee and we look forward to her contributions." The Capital Investment Committee will be particularly busy if a special session is called to allocate funding to reparations of the 35W Bridge.

The 2008 session is a bonding year in which money is appropriated for a number of construction projects across the state. "I look forward to the challenge of serving on such as important committee," Sen. Lynch said.

For more information on her appointment to the Capital Investment Committee, please contact Sen. Lynch at G-24 State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155, or 651-296-4848.