Dayton: Flood relief package is 'solid'

Gov. Mark Dayton on Friday called the disaster relief package the state Legislature will take up in a special session "a solid package."

The nearly $168 million bill is about $20 million less than the governor originally proposed.

The legislation would provide financial assistance to communities ravaged by summer floods and windstorms. The vast majority of the package will help repair public infrastructure, like roads, bridges and parks.

Dayton said he hopes there's enough in the package for individual assistance to home and business owners.

"We'll have to see if this is sufficient or not, but it's enough to get started anyway, and there'll be another legislative session starting in January if there are unmet needs," Dayton said.

The bulk of the disaster aid would go to northeast Minnesota, where an estimated 1,700 homes suffered significant flood damage. The Legislature is scheduled to convene at 2:00 p.m. Friday.

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