About half of the increase is due to inflation of construction costs and half goes to new projects not proposed last year. The Pawlenty bill includes $100 million for the University of Minnesota, including $35 million for upgrading and remodeling academic health facilities, life science and science buildings; $100 million for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, including remodeling its science classrooms and other upgrades and renovations; and $84.8 million for an expansion of the corrections facility in Faribault.

The bill asks for $203.8 million for jobs, housing and transportation projects, including $37.5 million for the proposed Northstar commuter rail line, as well as funding for Cedar Avenue Bus Rapid Transit and new bridges. Also in the bill is $21.7 million for a biotech center created by a partnership between the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. And the proposal put aside $132.9 million to add 875 beds to the prison system and update current facilities.

Water, environment and natural resources accounts for $176.3 million that would fund the acquisition of wildlife areas, clean up of old landfills, new construction at the Minnesota Zoo and a project to improve drinking water improvements.