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Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty signed a bill this evening that appropriates $80.3 million in disaster relief for Minnesota communities affected by September flooding and June tornadoes. The bill passed unanimously by the legislature during today’s Special Session, called by the Governor to address the state’s share of assistance following a federal disaster declaration for 21 flood-ravaged southern Minnesota counties. Assistance is also included for areas of the state that were designated a federal disaster area this summer as a result of tornados and severe storms. “We have acted quickly to provide the necessary relief and support for these communities to rebuild,” Governor Pawlenty said. “Today’s Special Session was held within a week of a federal disaster declaration, the fastest legislative response in Minnesota’s history. I thank legislative leaders for the strong bipartisan effort to pass this bill.” The bill appropriates $38.5 million from the General Fund, $10 million from the state transportation fund, and $5 million from the Trunk Highway fund. It also authorizes $26.8 million in General Obligation Bonds. The flood relief provisions of the bill include:
Provisions of the bill pertaining to areas declared a federal disaster (FEMA-1921-DR) in July include:
Today’s Special Session is being held only five days after the federal government declared 21 counties a disaster area on October 13. Special Sessions to deal with similar disasters took place in three previous cases:
Governor Pawlenty declared a State of Emergency on September 23 as heavy rains — more than 10 inches in less than 24 hours in some communities — fell on saturated ground and caused flooding across the southern third of Minnesota. In his letter to President Obama on October 1, Governor Pawlenty pointed to preliminary damage estimates that indicate 609 dwellings were affected across the region. Hundreds of federal, state, county, city, and township roads and highways were damaged, including the city of Oronoco that experienced a washout on both ends of a major bridge to the city. Other public infrastructure damage includes wastewater treatment plants, community centers, city buildings, state and local parks, schools, and athletic fields. The federal declaration includes FEMA’s Public Assistance Grant Program for debris removal, and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities. It also includes federal Hazard Mitigation Grants. However, the presidential declaration did not include Individual Assistance. As a result, Governor Pawlenty requested and received a Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Declaration, clearing the way for low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery & equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. SBA’s declaration includes the counties of Blue Earth, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Jackson, Martin, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Watonwan, and Winona. |