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Greater Minnesota Cities Ask Lawmakers to Invest in ‘the Basics’ as Hot-Button Issues Loom
The coalition requests $250 million for lead line replacement and $200 million for water infrastructure to protect local services amid projected budget shortfalls.
- On Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, the CGMC asked the Legislature to fund the $250 million lead program and $200 million for water improvements.
- With the legislative session starting Feb. 17, the CGMC requested funding for lead-line removal and water infrastructure, amid Gov. Tim Walz's Jan. 15 bonding proposal of $907 million and the state's 2033 goal.
- Local officials pointed to about $6 billion to replace all lead service lines, highlighting the scale of the effort, while Bradley Peterson warned it could be overshadowed by Twin Cities issues.
- Many of the coalition's asks typically appear in bonding bills, which Minnesota lawmakers hope to pass this session, but they can also use supplemental budgets despite a projected FY2028-2029 shortfall.
- The coalition is also pressing for local sales tax policy reform and opposes one-size-fits-all housing mandates amid competing ICE, fraud and gun control session topics.
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16 Articles
16 Articles
Greater Minnesota cities ask lawmakers to invest in ‘the basics’ as hot-button issues loom
ICE, fraud and gun control are big topics of discussion going into the legislative session, but some cities want to ensure they have money for things like wastewater and lead-line replacements.
·Fargo, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left1Leaning Right7Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution59% Right
Bias Distribution
- 59% of the sources lean Right
59% Right
C 33%
R 59%
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