ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Mayo Clinic proposal for government help toward a major expansion in Rochester is making its first committee stop in the state Legislature.

The House Jobs and Economic Development Committee planned Thursday to start dissecting the ambitious proposal.

Mayo says it will invest billions in a substantial development plan if the state commits to defraying some public infrastructure costs. Mayo officials propose diverting a slice of future tax revenue to pay for more than $500 million in upgrade costs. Officials insist the money wouldn’t directly feed construction at the clinic itself.

Top lawmakers from both parties have said they want to help one of the state’s largest private employers, but many are worried about setting a precedent that other companies and communities would come to expect.

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