Dayton off to D.C. to press for water project funding, talk economy

The governor will join the congressional delegation in pushing for Lewis and Clark water pipeline funding and join Lynx for White House celebration.

June 11, 2014 at 9:02AM
Governor Dayton
Governor Dayton (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

DFL Gov. Mark Dayton is traveling to Washington, D.C., Wednesday to push for federal money for the Lewis & Clark fresh water pipeline in southwest Minnesota.

Dayton will attend a meeting hosted by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., with U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. The governor, U.S. Sen Al Franken, D-Minn., and other members of Minnesota's congressional delegation plan to stress the water project's economic importance to southwestern Minnesota.

Minnesota's political leaders are pressing the federal government to commit funding to reduce or eliminate any additional costs to area residents and local governments.

Minnesota legislators approved an agreement at the end of the last legislative session that speeds the full payment for the $77 million project, which means local communities don't have to wait for the full federal portion.

On Thursday, Dayton and ten Minnesota business leaders will meet with senior White House officials for a roundtable discussion on Minnesota's rebounding economy.

Later that afternoon, Dayton will attend a celebration at the White House to honor the Minnesota Lynx for winning their third WNBA Championship in 2014.

about the writer

about the writer

Baird Helgeson

Deputy editor

Baird Helgeson is deputy local editor at the Star Tribune. He helps supervise coverage of local news. Before becoming an editor, he was an award-winning reporter who covered state government and politics. He has worked for news organizations in Minnesota, Florida and North Dakota.

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