Tornadoes touch down in Marion, Plainview

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State lawmakers will return to St. Paul on Monday to act on flood relief legislation for southern Minnesota. Gov. Pawlenty called the Monday special session after President Obama issued a disaster declaration Wednesday night.  


Lawmakers are expected to pass a $75 million bill that starts repairs of government buildings, roads and other infrastructure which was damaged in the flood last month. Pawlenty said the legislation also provides disaster relief for areas damaged by storms last summer.


"We want to get as much help as quickly as possible to our fellow Minnesotans who've suffered a loss or damage through the floods of a few weeks ago, and to also take care of the tornado work that hit northwestern Minnesota a few months back," said Pawlenty.


In many cases, federal and state money will reimburse local communities for the work they've already done, such as removing debris or repairing buildings or highways. 

While the federal government approved funds for public infrastructure, the state's request for individual assistance didn't meet the formula.

But that doesn't mean people who have seen their homes and businesses damaged or destroyed won't get help. Pawlenty said the Small Business Administration has programs to help both business owners and individuals, and there's a program run by the state that can also provide assistance. 

Owatonna Mayor Thomas Kuntz says he's pleased the state and federal governments are acting so quickly. 

"This is truly a relief -- a partial relief, I'll say, because we still need to make sure the small businesses and the individual assistance is taken care of," said Kuntz. 


Preliminary estimates say the Sept. 22 flooding in southern Minnesota caused $64.1 million in damage. Hundreds of homes were either destroyed or damaged. Many businesses were also damaged. 


The federal government will pay to fix 75 percent of the flood damage. The special session is needed so the state can pick up the rest of the tab. 


Lawmakers will also provide disaster relief for 13 northwestern counties that suffered tornado damage over the summer. That includes more than $5 million to help with the cleanup, and $750,000 to help Wadena plan a community wellness facility.


Wadena Mayor Wayne Wolden says the idea is to find collaborative and cost-effective ways to replace damaged buildings.


"There's a swimming pool that's been destroyed, all sorts of athletic facilities in our community," said Wolden. "Our plans were to build ... amenities for our community, necessities to be able to keep people moving to town, keeping them in town, bringing young families to our community and put kids in our school."


One thing Pawlenty says he doesn't want addressed in the special session is a bill that would require schools to adopt anti-bullying policies. Two DFLers say they intend to introduce a bill in response to a rash of teen suicides linked to bullying. 


Pawlenty vetoed a similar bill in 2009. He said  the special session should deal only with natural disasters, and suggested lawmakers address the anti-bullying issue when they return for the next regular legislative session in January 2011.

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Greater Minnesota

Tom Scheck

Author

State lawmakers will return to St. Paul on Monday to act on flood relief legislation for southern Minnesota. Gov. Pawlenty called the Monday special session after President Obama issued a disaster declaration Wednesday night.

Lawmakers to meet Monday on flood, tornado relief

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