Tim Pawlenty’s budget team is compiling numbers on a major new construction bill aimed at spurring much needed activity on public work projects. The Bonding Bill, as it is called, will allow a set list of public work projects to be approved by borrowed state funding.

Tom Hanson, the budget commissioner goes before legislators today to discuss financial guidelines, how to speed up the process of projects from start to finish, and how to create more jobs .

“A $1 billion bonding bill would create, at the rate of $100,000 per job, would create 10,000 jobs,”  said Governor Pawlenty , “But that out of a base of 2.6 million jobs in Minnesota.” He also stated, “We need to make sure that we do all that we can to make Minnesota a more competitive place, and a more likely place to start businesses, grow businesses, and provide jobs paychecks for hardworking Minnesotans.”

Senator Larry Pogemiller had this to add “It is only a canary in the mine shaft to the long-term challenge the state has. We absolutely need to bring the cost-structure of state activities down.” The Senator is known to speak out on job creation and construction issues.