Pawlenty signs flood relief for southern Minnesota

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has signed an $80 million disaster relief bill to help repair damage from September floods in southern Minnesota and a June tornado in Wadena.

The governor signed the law at the Capitol on Monday, hours after it passed both legislative chambers unanimously.

The state assistance will help local government officials rebuild roads, bridges and other public infrastructure. About 75 percent of the recovery costs are covered by the federal government.

The money will go to 21 counties that suffered damage in last month's flooding, and 13 counties that were hit earlier in the summer by tornadoes and strong storms. A handful of counties are on both lists. The measure includes loans for businesses, but it does not include money for individual property owners.

The bill also provides money for Wadena to replace a community center destroyed by a tornado.

Rep. Kory Kath, DFL-Owatonna, thanked his House colleagues for working across party lines to help people in need.

"This is what we do. We look out for Minnesotans," he said. "We do what is right, and we make sure that in times of crisis that we react in a way that really reflects our Minnesota values."

Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, offered a similar endorsement of the measure.

"This is the good work that government does, and can do and can continue to do," he said. "This is the good work that people can do in Minnesota to help those who truly are in positions that can't help themselves."

In the Minnesota Senate, GOP Minority Leader Dave Senjem of Rochester said Minnesotans won't soon forget last month's heavy rainfall and flooding.

"Tell you what, Sept. 22 to 24 will be a period of time, at least in southern Minnesota -- they will talk about those days 100 years from now," Senjem said.

Lawmakers pieced together the aid package at a time when state finances are still in a mess. The bill is paid for with $32.5 million from the General Fund, $26.7 million in General Obligation Bonds, $10 million from the state transportation fund, and $5 million from the Trunk Highway fund.

Despite the unanimous support, Rep. Alice Hausman, DFL-St. Paul, questioned why some lawmakers were quick to grab federal disaster money, when they've rejected recent health care and bonding bills that included federal funds.

"The public is wondering why we can accept money for this, but not for health care, not for health care disaster? Why do we rush to spend cash on this when we have no cash?" Hausman asked.

The help can't come soon enough for communities still recovering from the natural disasters. During a Senate committee hearing earlier in the day, Zumbro Falls Mayor Al VanDeWalker told lawmakers that his town of 200 residents needs help badly to recover from the flood.

"We have 19 businesses that were destroyed, 54 houses that were affected, and 40 of those 54 were destroyed. The numbers don't sound big, but it's over 50 percent of your residents, and all of your businesses," said VanDeWalker.

The disaster aid package was worked out in advance by Gov. Pawlenty and legislative leaders. But the handshake deal couldn't prevent legislators from trying to bring up other issues once the special session got underway.

Other bills were introduced, including a measure to beef up anti-bullying rules in public schools in response to a recent rash of teen suicides. No action was taken, but Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL- Minneapolis, said he will continue the effort next session.

"In all of our communities we've lost precious, precious lives. Every kid, regardless, needs to be loved and welcomed and affirmed, and come to school knowing that they're going to get a good education," Dibble said.

DFL legislators also introduced, but didn't debate, a few other bills, including a resolution asking the President of the United States and Congress to review recent FBI raids on Minnesota activists.

(This report contains information from the Associated Press.)

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