$10M For Wayzata Lake Effect Not In Failed Senate Bonding Bill

On Sunday, the Minnesota Senate failed to pass a $998 million bonding bill –  SF 3463.

There were 38 senators who voted in favor of the bill and 29 that voted against it.

It failed to get the three-fifths super majority needed to pass.

The bill did not contain $10 million asked by the City of Wayzata for the Lake Effect (Panoway) Project.

Sen. David Osmek represents Wayzata and spoke Sunday while SF 3463 was being discussed.

After another senator questioned why projects for his area were not in the bill, Osmek addressed the Senate.

Osmek stated that two of his district’s projects – one for Wayzata (Lake Effect) and one for Orono – were also not in the bill.

He stated that, with budget constraints, not every project in every district could make the cut.

On Saturday, HF 2529 was voted down on the House floor, 75-58, and did not get the required super majority (three-fifths) vote to move it to the Senate.

This bill also did not have the Wayzata Lake Effect (Panoway) Project ask.

There is a strong possibility of a special session later this year where both chambers of the legislature will likely take up more COVID-19 legislation and could bring back bonding bill discussions.

Courtesy Lake Effect Conservancy/City of Wayzata

Back in October, Wayzata city officials hosted the Minnesota Senate Capital Investment Committee to educate them on the importance of a boardwalk and ecological restoration along the shoreline of Lake Minnetonka as a part of Phase II.

In January, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz recommended a $10 million for a grant to the City of Wayzata.