Pawlenty sets Monday for flood-relief special session
Gov. Tim Pawlenty has tentatively scheduled a special legislative session for next Monday to ensure that state funding is available to help southern Minnesota residents clean up from last month's flooding.
Pawlenty is tentatively scheduling the date because the federal government hasn't declared the damage a disaster area yet. If President Barack Obama makes the declaration after Friday, Pawlenty's office said the special session could be held later.
The governor's office says a preliminary damage estimate from the September 22 flooding is $64.1 million. If a disaster declaration is made, the federal government will pick up 75 percent of the cost. Pawlenty and legislative leaders have pledged that the state will pick up the rest of the tab.
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