Dayton Tries To Reignite Minn. Public Works Plan

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Gov. Mark Dayton is working to renew interest in a $1 billion plan for publicly financed building projects in Minnesota, saying the construction industry faces an "emergency situation."

Dayton met Tuesday with architects, contractors and construction workers about the proposal, which stalled after he introduced it in January. Leaders of the Republican-led Legislature say they don't plan to pass a large bonding bill this year but may approve emergency flood-relief projects.

At a roundtable, Dayton heard of high construction-sector unemployment. He says a public works bill both improves public assets and helps private-sector businesses hired to do the work. Dayton says he focused on "paint and repair" projects that can start up quickly.

Dayton has spelled out $500 million in projects and left the rest for lawmakers to fill in.

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