Dayton Calls For $850M Public Construction Bill

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton says he wants to borrow $850 million this year for public construction projects.

Minnesota lawmakers generally pass bonding bills in even-numbered years. But the Democratic governor says he plans to introduce an $850 million bonding bill proposal next month.

Dayton says he would use about $150 million of that sum to pay for proposed buffer zones along Minnesota waterways in order to protect pheasant populations.

Republicans who control the state House may not have much appetite to borrow for construction projects this year.

The Legislature passed a $1.1 billion bonding bill last year.