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Mark Dayton on Local Issues
Democratic Governor; previously Senator
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Make capital investments in the downtowns of major cities
My father and uncles taught me the paramount importance of continuous private and public investments in improving the communities in which people work and live. In my job, I apply that principle to the "community" of Minnesota.
For two years, my proposals to make capital investments in the downtowns of major cities, like St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, Mankato, and St. Cloud, and investments in smaller, but equally essential projects throughout Minnesota were rejected
by Republican legislative leaders. Despite a lagging construction industry and good Minnesotans in the building trades unable to find work, they just said No.
Well, just saying No just won't work...not in Rochester, where the renowned Mayo Clinic wants us to help them continue to outclass their competitors in other states and other countries...and to continue doing so from Rochester.
Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Minnesota Legislature
, Feb 6, 2013
Highway 62 model: remain open while rebuilding roads
Consider the recently completed Highway 62 interchange, built while remaining open for traffic. It's not perfect; yet it's a big improvement, and it provides for better public transit as well.
The notion we don't know how to invest in critical infrastructure improvements, or to implement those projects efficiently, is foolish. What's even more foolish, however, is our failure to make necessary investments in them.
The results are deteriorating highways throughout Greater Minnesota and worsening congestion in our metro system. Roads, highways, and public transit are to our state's economy, as are arteries to the human body.
If the arteries are healthy, and efficiently transport blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the body, everything works at its best. If, however, the arteries become decrepit or clogged, the body's performance suffers.
Source: 2011 Minnesota State of the State Address
, Feb 9, 2011
Page last updated: Feb 16, 2018