St. Cloud area leaders are voicing their frustrations regarding Governor Tim Pawlenty’s veto pen. On Monday, the governor vetoed funding for key local projects including $42 million dollars for the proposed Integrated Science and Engineering Laboratory at St. Cloud State, $13 million for the St. Cloud Civic Center and $2.5 million for Greater Minnesota Transit Facilities. Senator Tarryl Clark says the vetoes will cost St. Cloud tremendous opportunities for economic development and job growth.
 

"The governor’s vetoing of very important projects and jobs for Central Minnesota at best is disappointing. These are projects that he has told our community and our leaders continually that he supports. It’s hard to know exactly where we go from here but I look forward to working with the mayor, President Potter, and the chamber on these projects and seeing if there’s something that we can still do," said Senator Clark.

The St. Cloud Civic Center was expected to add more than 270 jobs in addition to nearly 200 construction jobs. Despite the vetoes, area leaders still have high hopes for these projects.