HF 352

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:36am

1.1A resolution
1.2memorializing the President and Congress to take early action on the weakened
1.3economy to promote a healthy Minnesota economy.
1.4WHEREAS, leaders of the National Governors Association (NGA) and the National
1.5Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) have called on the new administration and Congress to
1.6take early action on the severely weakened economy, mired in what is estimated to be the most
1.7serious economic downturn in 30 years, that is causing high unemployment and accompanying
1.8painful economic hardship for American companies, their employees, and families, including
1.9working families in Minnesota, where the unemployment rate is escalating; and
1.10WHEREAS, Congress is drafting economic recovery legislation for the President's
1.11signature as soon as possible; and
1.12WHEREAS, this legislation is expected to channel billions of dollars in state block grants
1.13to help economically stressed states take immediate action to initiate significant job creation
1.14through massive public works investments in rebuilding our nation's aging infrastructure,
1.15including: roads and accompanying guardrails, utility poles, rest areas, maintenance buildings,
1.16highway bridges, energy pipelines, rail and air transportation networks, electrical grid expansion,
1.17water and sewerage improvements, environmentally friendly nonresidential renovation, and
1.18new construction of state-of-the-art schools and hospitals, as well as other vital infrastructure
1.19needs; and
1.20WHEREAS, modernizing and upgrading Minnesota's statewide infrastructure system
1.21will improve the overall quality of life for all Minnesota families, create significant new job
1.22opportunities and economic growth, and help revitalize and advance Minnesota's critically
1.23important manufacturing sector; and
2.1WHEREAS, Minnesota's vital manufacturing industries are huge purchasers of state goods
2.2and services, including: health care, education and training, utility-generated electricity, natural
2.3gas, and alternative fuels, as well as advanced technology to enhance competitiveness and
2.4environmental quality; and
2.5WHEREAS, Minnesota's extensive mineral and agricultural resources, and its advancement
2.6of new renewable technologies, present enormous opportunities for the state to become a leading
2.7producer and supplier and to help fuel Minnesota's modern manufacturing sector compete in a
2.8global environment; NOW, THEREFORE,
2.9BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota that it recognizes the
2.10significant opportunities for growth in the state and memorializes the President of the United
2.11States and members of the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate to
2.12work cooperatively to ensure that manufacturing businesses located in the United States, and their
2.13employees, be the primary beneficiaries of economic relief legislation designed to stimulate the
2.14economy and create jobs throughout the United States, and that any legislation recognize that it
2.15is critically important to job creation and job retention that federal and state Buy American
2.16and Domestic Content requirements be observed in utilizing public funds for investment in our
2.17nation's aging infrastructure.
2.18BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota is
2.19directed to prepare copies of this memorial and transmit them to the President of the United States
2.20and Minnesota's Senators and Representatives in Congress.