If you are searching for big government corruption and crony pet projects for crooked politicians/lobbyists and special interests, look no further than the bonding bill.

A bonding bill is a piece of legislation that plunges our state into debt rather than spending money that they already have. By attaching all kinds of funding for local projects, many RINOs and other Establishment politicians will justify voting for debt if a project is done in their district. Bonding bills require the support of 3/5ths of the Legislature which means that Republicans can block the legislation if they largely stand united against big government.

Action 4 Liberty has previously exposed the corruption surrounding bonding bills, including our coverage of Democrat Senator Sandy Pappas (SD65) who admitted she was running a pay to play scheme with the bill out of retribution for some of the votes taken by Republican Senators. As the Chair of the Senate Capital Investment Committee, 'pay to play' Pappas is typically leading the way for the debt-ridden bonding bill.

Pappas and radical leftist Democrat Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (SD64) held a press conference on April 3rd to release a $1.35B target for a bonding bill. Pappas makes the ridiculous argument that a bonding bill that costs less than a BILLION dollars will be “tough to get through the legislature”. In the eyes of conservatives, a bill that costs a billion dollars should be tough to get through the legislature because it is too big, not the other way around!

On the House side, Democrat co-chair of the House Capital Investment committee Fue Lee (59A) is arguing the bonding bill be kept below $700M, but also argues that if it is too low that it may not pass. Due to the 67-67 tie in the MN House, the House Capital Investment committee is co-chaired by Lee and RINO Mary Franson (12B). Lee is likely arguing for a smaller figure due to the tie in the House.

The state budget forecast released on March 6th reduced the state’s bonding capacity for this year from $790M to $700M. Radical Democrats want to spend more than is even fiscally feasible! Minnesota cannot afford more pet projects to assist crooked politicians’ reelection efforts. 

Unfortunately, RINOs love debt-ridden bonding bills too! RINO Senator Karin Housely (SD33) released a broad, unspecific statement in support of the legislature passing a bonding bill this session. Housely is the GOP lead in the Senate Capital Investments committee and her willingness to cave, and not outwardly fight the $1.3B plan shows her intentions plainly. She must correct-course and represent the conservative base that elected her instead of representing the lobbyists and special interests. According to the Minnesota Reformer, Housely said Republicans want to pass a bonding bill this session.

Aside from wasting our money, if RINOs pass this bill, they are giving swing district Democrats certain projects to campaign on! Why give your opposition free campaigning material?!? The GOP must learn how to play hard-ball and refuse to put our state in debt!

The GOP has the votes to block the debt-loving Democrat plan. Conservatives have been disappointed with how easily Republicans have caved this session and are demanding the GOP finally fight back. Blocking the bonding bill is a key way for GOP legislators to fight for fiscal responsibility and deliver for their base. Action 4 Liberty will keep Patriots updated as this battle progresses.