Clark on conference panel

ST. PAUL -- Rep. James Clark, R-New Ulm, got into the action quickly after being named to the House-Senate Capital Investment Bill conference committee by House Speaker Steve Sviggum Thursday.

Clark is one of five House members selected to serve on the conference committee.

The committee met for the first time at 7:30 p.m. The session was expected to go until midnight as lawmakers from both houses sought to bridge a large gap between the two bills.

The Senate measure would appropriate $1.1 billion for statewide projects while the House version provides $737 million, some $9 million less than the governor's bonding proposal.

The capital investment measures fund infrastructure and building projects throughout the state, providing for affordable housing, state university buildings and transportation projects.

Calling it one of the most important pieces of legislation under consideration this year, Clark said, "It is certainly an honor to be chosen and to be able to fight for the bonding needs of rural Minnesota."