state + local

Have directional/driving maps been given to the "hard hat guys" who sat in the gallery during the stadium debates? They need to attend these proposed construction project meetings, right? If not, get on it Dayton (Vikings player #12)! These workers should be interested in working on truly valuable construction projects too. Not just selling out to Zygi as you did. There appears to be a lot of money on the table here and not for just a Metrodome Version 2.0. As for the facepainted ones, perhaps there will be some upcoming gov't funding for party clown work or team mascot work.

Choosing projects based on merit? Unfair!

If Dayton doesn't think this will work then I think it is a good idea

Rochester can add 1/2% sales tax to pay for their civic center, just as Mpls & Mankato do.

I want to build a new deck on my house. Can I have some $$$ too? Thanks taxpayers!!!

To me this is just the Legislature's way of not taking responsibility for making the tough decisions they should be making. By passing this off to DEED all they have done is put the purse strings into the hands of others, rather than doing what the Constitution gives them sole power to do - fund state-funded projects.

I'm curious as to who decides what projects are awarded the money. Is it a bigger or smaller committee than the normal house committee that approves an allocation going forward in the legislature? Why is this better than a system that filters the waste projects down until they are approved by the majority of all representatives of the State of Minnesota? The political process is slow and that's the way our founding fathers intended

"Grants will be awarded to the communities that can show their project will create the most jobs, attract the most out-of-state dollars and have the strongest community support."

Gee, what a novel idea — award these dollars based on what the actual people of the community want and the value added by the project? Sorry St. Cloud city council, guess that means no new civic center for you.

mn2nice, the Minnesota Legislature has shown time and time again it is incapable of coming together to make decisions. If a Republican senator puts her backing on a project, it's automatically opposed by a D. If a Democrat representatives likes a bonding bill, the Rs will fight it tooth and nail.

jcinmn, I agree that part of the legislative process was intentionally meant to be slow (changing the constitution, enacting new laws, etc.). But when it comes to construction and bonding projects, we shouldn't have to fight through party politics for every brick and frame going up.

Saints, Saints, Saints, Saints...