Hopkins doesn’t feature in Gov. Mark Dayton’s proposed $1 billion bonding bill.

Although the city could conceivably get some money through competitive grants that are included, the plan does not set aside any money specifically for a project within the community’s borders.

That doesn’t mean the proposal would leave out Hopkins completely if it, in fact, moves forward. Dayton’s plan covers $531 million worth of projects, leaving legislators to decide how the remaining $469 million would be spent.

The bill also includes money for a proposed "transportation interchange" adjacent to Target Field that would serve the Southwest Transitway—a light rail line that will run through Hopkins. The interchange would also serve the Hiawatha and Central Corridor light rail lines, as well as the Northstar commuter rail.

The state typically approves bonding bills when the Legislature meets during even years. But Dayton, who introduced the bonding bill Monday, said “shovel ready” and “paint and repair” projects can create much-needed jobs, especially in the hard-hit construction industry. Citing a George Mason University analyst, Dayton’s office said the plan could create as many as 28,000 jobs.

Republican leaders told the Star Tribune that they aren’t ruling out a bonding bill but that their focus is on making use of unspent money from projects that never began. Others argue that the state shouldn’t be borrowing more when it already faces tough economic times.

For a detailed look at the projects included, check out the PDF on the right.