LEGISLATURE ENDS GRIDLOCK

Veto Override creates thousands of construction jobs

Lawmakers who overrode Governor Tim Pawlenty's veto of the transportation bill created more than 20,000 jobs for the states skilled labor force and showed their commitment to finally fixing our deteriorating and dangerous roads and bridges.

The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49, Business Manager Glen Johnson, who testified on behalf of the bill at the State Capitol, said the 138 legislators responsible for the override should be commended.

"All these policymakers put the people of Minnesota before partisan politics", Johnson said. "But the Speaker of the House, Margaret Anderson Kelliher, deserves special credit. Her hard work on this will put thousands of Minnesotans in our industry back to work and stop what has become a steady stream of contractors from closing their doors or crossing state lines to earn a paycheck. "

The $6.6 billion transportation plan includes $600 million in the next two years to fix or replace Minnesota worst bridges. It will also pump an additional $775 million into the Minnesota Department of Transportation next year and $866 million the year after that.

"This is about a long-term investment in our economy, in our transportation infrastructure and in the safety of our roads," Johnson said. "Those who failed to support this bill - who say it is only about raising taxes - are short-sighted."

In the end, there was widespread support for the compromise transportation package. The business community, other labor unions, transit advocates, environmental groups, contractors, suppliers, local government officials and even eight brave state Republican lawmakers were in favor of investing in Minnesota's workforce.

"The Republicans who broke from their party to override the Governors veto showed tremendous vision and courage," Johnson said."Some of these elected officials were threatened with political retribution by their respective caucuses and party officials if they voted for the veto. They deserve our vote if they run for reelection in November."