With news of a projected budget surplus heading into 2012, District 27 Sen. Dan Sparks said he plans to focus on the state’s bonding and capital investment bill during the upcoming legislative session.

Traditionally, most bonding allocations are made during the even year of a legislative biennium, and this year, Sparks said, there are several local projects that he plans to support.

Both the House and Senate bonding committees have come to Albert Lea to hear about these projects. There are more than $2 billion in requests submitted across the state, but only about $400 million will be given out.

The Shell Rock River Watershed District has proposed a $7.5 million project to dredge Fountain Lake, and Riverland Community College has proposed a $3 million request for renovations, demolitions and reconfigurations at the school.

Austin’s Hormel Institute is also pushing for an expansion.

Sparks, of Austin, said the projects would not only add additional seasonal construction jobs, but long-term jobs and economic development as well.

Budget

Sparks, a Democrat, said he is interested in seeing the February state budget forecast.

He noted while the state received good news in November that it had an $876 million surplus, statute requires backfilling the state reserves. There’s also the issue of paying back school districts that received late payments that’s sure to bring differing views.

He said he thinks legislators need to look at things to make a long-term tax structure more sustainable. This includes easing regulations on areas such as schools, nursing homes and local units of government.

Redistricting

Another hot topic during the session will be redistricting.

Sparks said four out of the last five times legislators have tried to resolve redistricting on their own it has resulted in failure. He noted he would be in support of an outside commission looking at how to fairly come up with the districts.

Prompted by the release of new census data, the redistricting has turned into a time of too much politics and self interest for many of the legislators, he said.

He noted that out of the proposals presented, he’s seen one that has his position no longer representing Freeborn County and another that leaves the position in place.

Regardless of the outcome, a decision must be made sometime in February, as the districts must be approved six months before the general election.

Every legislative seat will be open for election in November.

 

New Senate majority leader

Sparks said he is looking forward to working with newly appointed Senate Majority Leader Dave Senjem of Rochester, a Republican.

“I think people are really looking for us to go up there and compromise and work together for the betterment of the state,” Sparks said. “I’m optimistic and hopeful.”

 

Vikings stadium

Sparks said there’s no doubt the issue of the Minnesota Vikings football stadium will come up again during the session, and noted he thinks it has been pushed off long enough.

“The people who elect us, one way or the other we have to put together a proposal, vote yes or no, and let people and the Vikings know where we stand.

“We’ve pushed this off way too long now, and it’s getting down to crunch time now,” he said.