Gov. Tim Walz proposed a bonding bill of $982 million on Tuesday, with nearly half going toward shoring up existing state infrastructure.

The governor’s proposal is one of the early steps in the process, setting a framework and tone for the Legislature which goes into session Feb. 12. The DFL-controlled Legislature will weigh Walz’s proposal and likely negotiate with him and Republicans over what to include.

“We have an obligation to ensure every Minnesotan has access to clean water, well-maintained infrastructure, safe communities, and state buildings that are safe and accessible,” the DFL governor said in releasing his proposal. “These projects will support local governments in their work to improve our infrastructure and create good-paying jobs in every corner of the state.”

Unlike other spending proposals, bills that borrow money require a supermajority of more than 3/5ths in both chambers of the Legislature, meaning the DFL needs Republican votes for passage. Especially tricky is the Senate where the DFL has a mere 34-33 edge over the GOP.

In the governor’s proposal, 45% goes to preserving infrastructure, 22% toward water and transportation, 14% to public safety, 10% to housing and 9% to other projects, according to Walz.

He wants to spend $215 million on water and transportation projects, including $119 million for grants and low-interest loans for safe drinking water. He proposed $28 million for new grant programs to help remove water contaminants such as PFAS, manmade chemicals linked to some cancers.

Saying that “everyone in Minnesota deserves to be safe and protected,” the governor proposed using $142 million on public safety projects. He would expand lab capacity at the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and plan for a new State Patrol headquarters. The State Patrol currently leases space in a downtown St. Paul office building for its headquarters. A new location has yet to be determined.

His proposal would spend $47 million for new infrastructure to rehabilitate and educate prison inmates.

Walz also included more than $97 million for housing and environmental projects. Half that amount would go toward Housing Infrastructure Bonds to support construction of multifamily housing for those facing homelessness, senior citizens and families.

Some $16 million of the housing money would be used to update the Minneapolis Veterans Home.

Another $440 million of his proposal would “maintain and renew the buildings that taxpayers own and rely on every day,” he said. Included in that number is nearly $206 million for Minnesota State and the University of Minnesota to repair and renovate buildings.

An additional $85 million will go toward other infrastructure across the state including $40 million for local government projects and $5 million in grants to construct and renovate early childhood facilities.

Walz didn’t include money for U.S. Bank Stadium or Xcel Energy Center in his proposal. The Minneapolis stadium needs $62 million for the second phase of its secure perimeter. St. Paul is working on a pitch to the state for help renovating Xcel, a cost that could reach hundreds of millions.

In even-numbered years, the Legislature typically focuses on passing a package of construction projects. But last session, Walz and legislative leaders struck a deal on a $2.6 billion infrastructure package — the largest in state history — after failing to come to an agreement on one in 2022.

That package was made up of $1.5 billion of borrowing and more than $1.1 billion in cash, and included funding for upgrades to college buildings, road and bridge improvements and water infrastructure projects. Democrats were able to get Republican support for the bill after agreeing to send $300 million to distressed nursing homes.

The state’s latest economic forecast accounted for an $830 million general-obligation bonding bill this year, but lawmakers can use part of a projected $2.4 billion budget surplus to pay for some projects in cash.