Walz surprised Moorhead Armory renovation isn’t considered in bonding bill

MINNESOTA – Gov. Tim Walz wants a $2 billion dollar bonding bill plan he proposed in January to pass in the legislature’s special session.

He seems surprised $5.3 million in renovations and an addition to the Moorhead National Guard Armory is no longer on the list of projects that could get state money.

“Everybody from the Pentagon to National Guard and everybody else said this project was a go. It had been vetted and then it disappeared,” Walz explained.

Walz, who is a National Guard veteran, says it’s important soldiers get the money they need since they’re helping test people for the coronavirus and protect cities during George Floyd protests.

House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt says Republicans’ priority is reducing the state’s $2.42 billion budget deficit and ending Walz’s emergency coronavirus powers.

“If the governor and the other legislative leaders are willing to have a discussion on those items, we remain open to a bonding bill,” Daudt said.

Other projects being considered for bonding are a $62 million railroad underpass in Moorhead, $8.5 million for a new Clay County solid waste facility and $3 million for a proposed Heartland Trail. There is also statewide programs being discussed like $18 million in flood damage reduction.

Categories: Minnesota News, Moorhead, Politics / Elections