Paper Trail: $47.5 million for Moose Lake in latest version of bonding bill

The Capital Investment Committee conferees will gather at 6 p.m. to once again take up the stalled bonding bill. The latest iteration of the nearly $1 billion bill contains more of Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s priority projects, but still spends considerably more than he’s suggested is appropriate.

The bill now includes $47.5 million for expansion of the sex offender facility in Moose Lake. That’s $11.5 million more than in the previous incarnation of the bill, but still half of what Pawlenty has requested. The updated list also includes roughly $10 million in security upgrades for the state prison in Oak Park Heights, another priority frequently cited by the governor.

In addition, the Chatfield Arts & Community Center, a project that Pawlenty has frequently criticized, saw its funding cut by more than half. It was originally slated to receive just over $5 million, but is now penciled in for just $2.2 million.

Here’s the latest spreadsheet of projects.